Originally, he was still closing his eyes in contemplation when someone patted his shoulder.
He opened his eyes quickly and turned his head.
Ning Cuo saw a Cardinal wearing a red shawl looking at him with a serious expression.
“Ning Cuo, is it?”
The unfamiliar person in front of him and his question made Ning Cuo instinctively nod.
“I am Hildegard, the Bishop of Rome appointed by His Holiness John XII. Come with me, we've seen everything you've done these past few days.”
After speaking, he turned and left without looking back.
As a Bishop, he wasn't afraid of a mere priest disobeying his orders.
But seeing this, Ning Cuo frowned.
He had never had any connection with this Bishop, and besides, the current Roman Emperor had a very delicate relationship with the current Papacy.
Putting everything together, it was clear that he seemed to have fallen into something terrible.
“Bishop Hildegard, whatever your command, just say it. I will absolutely be at your service in alleviating the worries of the Church.”
He glanced at the righteous Ning Cuo.
Hildegard sneered, his eyes gesturing for him to follow, his attitude very tough.
He looked at the authority represented by the red shawl on the Bishop's body, and then at the dozen or so Papal Knights behind him.
Ning Cuo gritted his teeth, but he had no choice but to follow.
The group of people walked through the crowd, gradually moving from a secluded corner towards the central area, until they entered the Palace of the Papacy, designed by Nero, the Roman Emperor.
The artistic style was not hidden at all, it was a masterpiece designed by countless famous artists.
Those who could enter here were all the great figures of the Empire or the Papacy.
At least not the kind of person Ning Cuo should be stepping into.
But seeing the palace in front of him, Ning Cuo's heart felt no tension, but rather relaxed.
Even if they wanted to do anything to him, they would never do it in front of so many big shots.
Moreover, he was just a lowly priest in the Papacy.
He would never be dealt with in such a way by these big shots.
Relaxing his mind, Ning Cuo followed the Bishop all the way, the passages inside were intricate, and guards in full armor patrolled constantly.
But Ning Cuo's heart had no intention of admiring anything.
He was too hasty, a dignified Bishop actually brought him, a small figure, so urgently.
Stepping into the deepest Judgement Hall, he watched as the servants at the door closed the door.
“Follow me, the Pope is inside.”
“The Pope?”
Ning Cuo's pupils contracted tightly, a chill ran down his back.
Nero had just ascended the throne, and his methods were already quite sophisticated. He suppressed the Senate internally and rebuked the Papacy externally.
His relationship with the current Pope John XII was like fire and water.
He had threatened to kill him.
In this situation, the Pope actually dared to come to Rome in person.
Hildegard nodded, his arrogance gone, he became very respectful, stepping towards the center one step at a time.
He gently pushed open the door, the sunlight refracted through various pieces of glass, appearing very dazzling.
It was like the arrival of an angel, making Ning Cuo unable to open his eyes for a while.
Opposite him, John XII sat at a long table, holding a pen and paper and writing something constantly.
Next to John XII, there were also a dozen or so Bishops who looked exceptionally respectful.
Hildegard quickly stepped forward to report, leaving Ning Cuo dumbfounded.
The Pope is female?
Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her voluptuousness that could be seen through her clothes complemented the holy robe, making people feel sinful.
Her slender jade legs were crossed, making her look even taller.
And the eyes that she raised hastily were full of aggression.
No wonder she could run the Papacy so grandly, making these powerful Bishops tremble beside her.
“Your Holiness, I have brought Ning Cuo as you instructed.”
As soon as these words fell, everyone's eyes turned to him.
As if they were sizing up this ordinary missionary to see what divine power he had.
The Pope had actually disregarded danger and come to Rome in person to summon him.
Facing Bishop Hildegard's respectful report.
John XII put down the pen in his hand and raised his head.
The refraction of sunlight made it look like a holy angel was accompanying him.
His gray-green eyes were like gems, staring intently at Ning Cuo.
It was as if he had seen his prey.
“All of you retreat, let me talk to him.”
As soon as these words came out, all the Bishops were obviously uneasy.
After much hesitation, no one spoke up.
With one person taking the lead, everyone bowed slightly and walked out of the main hall in a line.
Everyone's eyes were sharp and full of warning as they passed by Ning Cuo.
With the last person leaving.
John XII slowly stood up and stretched vigorously.
His curvaceous figure complemented the holy papal robe, making him look so sexy.
Like a lazy cat, he slowly walked over.
His fingertips gently lifted Ning Cuo's chin.
“Heh..you're not bad looking, you've already killed half a hundred people soon after arriving in Rome, you have some skill.”
“Reporting to Your Holiness, it was all to maintain the dignity of the Church.”
Feeling the touch of John XII's fingertips, Ning Cuo boldly looked up and answered seriously.
Such a sacrilegious act would have surely made those Bishops jump up and scold him if they were still there.
But John XII chuckled.
His eyes scanned him up and down, as if he wanted to see through the bold man in front of him.
“I won't be here long, but to be honest, I did come for you.”
“You know the relationship between us and the Roman Emperor, the friction between both sides is getting more and more serious.”
“Therefore, after hearing about your deeds and methods, I chose you, and I give you a chance. If you can accomplish it, you can achieve everything you want.”
John XII's seductive voice rang out in his ears.
Ning Cuo didn't answer immediately, but continued to listen.
“Our Nero has only just ascended the throne, and he's so eager to cleanse the opposition, he has very few people he can use.”
“There are very few people who suit her taste, but your methods are so similar to hers.”
“And you've been in the Church for a short time, if you deliberately cover your tracks, nothing can be found out.”
“So I need you to hide your identity and swear allegiance to that lady, create an opportunity for us, and help the Church take Rome.”
“Tell me, can you do this job?”
Hearing John XII's exposed ambition, Ning Cuo's eyes were full of surprise.
Although Rome was already in its final stages, it was still a vast and powerful empire.
And this Pope actually wanted to impose his authority on the imperial power.
No wonder Rome fell so quickly.
It was likely that the Papacy had played no small part in this.
But facing John XII's temptation, Ning Cuo was a bit stumped.
He had no background, no power to reach the heavens and earth and slay monsters like the Divine Heroes.
He was simply sent as a spy because his methods were similar to Nero's.
Any Bishop could just give such an order.
As for the Pope personally risking his life to come here?
Nero meant it when he said he would kill!
There was only one reason for doing this.
There was an endless pit hidden beneath this seemingly generous temptation.
This seemingly magnanimous Pope wanted to use his corpse to see how deep this pit was.
However.
Ning Cuo raised his head, smiled, and immediately agreed.
“Your Holiness has come here in person, disregarding danger, and proclaiming the will of God, I will surely contribute my strength to the Church!”