When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist
Chapter 53 Special Competitive Events

Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Special Competitive Events

"Attention, attention, gather at the monastery gate, the Pope has an announcement."

"Everyone head to the monastery gate, keep your eyes on the Pope!"

Under the shouts of the tens of households and the Pope Guards, the refugees were unwillingly driven like a flock of sheep to the entrance of the monastery.

They touched their rumbling stomachs, gathered in small groups, shaking off the dust from their clothes, lazily chatting.

"What does this Pope want to do?"

A refugee picked a black spot from his companion, crushed a round, blood-filled louse: "Actually, I’m puzzled, does the Church really know about our Gulag Pope?"

"Yeah, don’t let it end up causing trouble and dragging us into it."

"Hmph, don’t speak nonsense, the sky has no two suns, in my heart, there’s only His Majesty Horn as the Pope!"

"That’s right, that’s right, you haven’t seen the miracle that night, you don’t know how great that miracle was!"

"What does this have to do with me harvesting three thousand pounds of grain a year?"

Helping each other catch lice, the villagers finally awaited the appearance of the new Pope amidst the noisy quarrels and complaints.

On the second day of the Gate Seizure Event, on September 20, 1444 by the Imperial Calendar, the Pope of the Gulag Papal State finally had the chance to deliver his oath speech.

"Faithful people, today I have good news to announce to you." On the high wall of the monastery, Horn, dressed in the Pope’s Holy Robe, raised a nearly falling cross-topped scepter.

"The Church has sent a decree." Standing beside Horn, Madlan held up a paper filled with words, "When the Holy Father first descended, He revealed it to them through divine prophecies and revelations.

The Church has recognized His Majesty as the Saint’s Grandson, the Eye of God, the Chosen One, and our Thousand River Valley’s Pope will soon be elected.

But unfortunately, the Pope, as the Shepherd Leader on earth, feels it’s unfair.

The old Pope took on the role of Pope for many years, just like you’ve worked hard for many years to become a Forest Patrol Officer, only for someone to suddenly tell you to give up your position.

Isn’t that too insulting and too cruel?

Thus, he proposed a duel so he could retire with dignity.

But considering the old Pope’s age, we’ve changed the way of the duel."

Picking up where Madlan left off, Horn continued loudly, "The way of the duel will be a sacred knight tournament witnessed by Amu Miseria!"

Horn smiled and spread his hands, as if extending an invitation to the villagers: "The participants will be selected from our Gulag Papal State’s subjects!"

As soon as Horn finished speaking, the refugees in front of the monastery fell silent for a moment, then a wave of sound exploded outward.

The so-called knight tournament is a large-scale event held by the Empire’s nobles and knights to hone their martial skills and simulate real combat.

It combines both entertainment and the sacrificial nature, as well as a display of military prowess.

Some impoverished knights often rely on knight tournaments to gain fame, experience, and money.

Over time, knight tournaments have also started serving as a platform to promote talent.

Knights who shine on the tournament field might catch the favor of a noble lord, earning opportunities to fight alongside them, land, and ransom, crossing the threshold into high nobility.

Occasionally, some armed farmers who fight alongside can be promoted to sergeant.

In an Empire where the class ceiling for peasants is lower than their knees, this is one of the few activities where class status can be transcended.

But isn’t relying on a knight tournament to choose a Pope a bit too far-fetched?

However, considering the deeds of this Saint Grandson Pope, perhaps it’s not so strange after all.

"The tournaments are a knight’s business, why are we getting involved?"

"How can we possibly compete with those Church soldiers and temple knights?"

"Everyone, everyone, faithful people, don’t panic!" Horn spread his arms, gently pressing downwards, "In this tournament, since we don’t have knights on our side, the Church won’t send over any knights for fairness."

"But isn’t this still declaring war on the Church?" an armed farmer asked worriedly.

"No no no, this is just a friendly competition, an internal martial exchange within the Church, just to allow the old Pope to retire with more dignity."

"What’s a friendly competition?" A question came from somewhere.

"Good question." Horn supported the edge of the courtyard wall, leaning his head over from the six-meter-high wall, "Did you play wrestling as kids?"

"Of course we did."

"A friendly match among adults is just like wrestling," Horn smiled warmly, "just swapping sticks for spears, branches for real swords."

For a moment, the mumbles of the villagers turned into waves, surging among the crowd.

"Does this mean we have to fight the Church’s soldiers?"

"What do you mean fight, this is a competition, do the knights in a knight tournament fight wars?"

"Will there be deaths?"

"Nonsense, when is there not deaths in a competition, even without tournaments, kids play-fighting sometimes results in death."

"Then I’d better not go, I’m afraid of dying..."

"Don’t worry, I spoke with Amu yesterday, hoping to allow those who die in this tournament to enter Paradise Mountain." Horn shouted to the villagers.

The villagers who were hesitating immediately perked up; whether they could enter Celestial Paradise Mountain after death was very important to them.

"Amu said, only three people. I said, alright, young people, middle-aged people, and old people."

"Amu said, only two. I said, alright, men and women."

"Amu said, only one. I said, alright. Amu asked me, who? I said everyone."

Horn picked up a wooden board with traces of melted wax: "After waking from a dream this morning, the candle wax traces from last night signify agreement!

Therefore, those who die in this sacred tournament will ascend directly to Paradise Mountain, without passing through the Fire Prison."

More people lit up with excitement, His Majesty, the Pope, indeed was too wise to actually secure them a chance to enter Paradise Mountain.

What a relief.

"Of course, I mean those who die in battle, people who deliberately seek death will still enter the Fire Prison." Horn immediately patched his own words.

"But I have two children at home, if I die and go to Paradise Mountain, what will happen to the children?"

"Coward, if you’re scared then don’t play, no one’s forcing you, if you don’t do it, there are others who will!"

"I’m afraid of pain, and we have nothing, fighting barehanded, we’ll definitely lose."

"I just married a young wife, if I die, what a waste."

Under the rhythm set by the pre-arranged Secret Faction members, the villagers’ thoughts inevitably followed the pre-set direction.

Leaving Chervis in place indeed was the right decision.

Grampwen, though on the fringes of the Secret Faction, was simply a newcomer unlike Chervis, an old member of the Secret Faction.

Grampwen couldn’t control those rhythm-setting Secret Faction members, only Chervis could make them work.

"Don’t be afraid, my faithful people, I will provide you with weapons and train you to have the strength to defeat them."

Horn spread his five fingers: "I’ll reiterate once more, this isn’t a war with the Church, it’s a special competitive activity.

Just win this competition, and you’ll all have merits for supporting the Pope.

Fragrant white bread, warm big houses, don’t you want those?"

The villagers were speechless for a moment, but upon reflection, they began to lean towards the intended direction.

They realized it wasn’t about fighting the Church, but a foreign force in the knight tournament.

Some eager young villagers even started preparing themselves for battle.

Rekado’s decision to leave Chervis in control was indeed correct.

Seeing as the time was right, Horn shouted, "Every team will earn a battle ranking, and the top-ranked team will receive 40 gold pounds, with even the last place earning 20 acres of land."

Some people’s breathing grew heavy, their titles making them want to silence.

Especially Rekado, who started trembling with excitement; he desperately needed the chance to rise to Paradise Mountain, as the scorn and whispers behind his back were all he saw now.

He needed to earn credit for the atonement and obtain a fief and ransom, and cross the threshold into high nobility.

With a mysterious smile, Horn said, "As I said, this is not a war with the Church, it’s a special competitive activity.

If you want to participate, find Armand to sign up, I’m limited in the number of people I need, so first come, first served."