“Let them hold whatever meeting they want. They can’t possibly come to Rome and kill me, can they?”
Ning Cuo didn’t care in the slightest. Her position was secure.
She had originally intended to be a double agent, getting benefits from both sides.
But Nero was simply too good.
She genuinely provided benefits!
Territories, wealth, and power were given without blinking an eye.
Moreover, Nero was not only generous, but also truly took action when needed!
Or do you really think Ning Cuo managed to kill a major noble of the Senate right after entering the Roman Palace without any consequences?
It was definitely Nero who protected Ning Cuo.
If the Senate refused to follow the rules, Nero would directly draw her sword and attack.
That’s why everyone could at least sit at the same table and play with their skills.
Compared to such a leader.
What about the Papacy?
They treated Ning Cuo as a bargaining chip and all the promised benefits were not fulfilled, they were all just empty promises.
Naturally, Ning Cuo went from a double agent to a loyal subject of Nero.
“John XII is not yet mad enough to do that.”
Saint Peter’s voice came again.
“But you are a Catholic priest, aren’t you?”
Those words instantly made Ning Cuo furrow her brows.
This was the core key point.
Anyone who knew Ning Cuo knew she was born into Catholicism.
And for whatever reason, if she dared to openly resist, it would be a sign of disloyalty.
Nero, even if she didn’t care on the surface, would definitely be uncomfortable inside.
Because a ruler who controlled such a vast empire could not accept even the slightest betrayal.
Even if the object of betrayal wasn’t her.
John XII also saw this, so she wasn’t afraid.
“Then what can you do?”
“Your position as a priest is too low, so you seem insignificant.”
“I understand, so I ask you what you can do? Do you mean you want me to betray the Church?”
Ning Cuo interrupted.
“If that’s what you’re saying, you can stop talking.”
Saint Peter paused for a moment, seemingly helpless, and the clear voice became tinged with a hint of grievance.
“We can help you become a bishop, a Catholic bishop.”
This was truly a hell of a joke.
The Pope of the Eastern Orthodox Church promised to make a Catholic priest a Catholic bishop.
Not to mention that the relationship between the two factions could be described as water and fire.
Given Ning Cuo’s current awkward situation.
John XII, if her head wasn’t stuck in the door, would never agree.
Even if her position was unstable, she was still the Pope.
And don’t forget, John XII was also the official【Hero】 of the Roman Empire.
Her strength could also be considered unfathomable.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to escape Rome alive after being attacked by Nero.
“Are you kidding me? I remember that the Eastern Orthodox Church's teachings seem to forbid lying.”
Ning Cuo spoke with a hint of amusement.
But Saint Peter on the other side was very serious.
“I’m serious. As long as you can prove that you are the one foretold in the prophecy, we Eastern Orthodox Church will definitely be able to help you solve most of your current problems.”
Okay, the problem has returned to its original starting point.
How to prove that so-called prophecy?
Ning Cuo now finally understood why people who spoke half-heartedly were always cursed.
If the Eastern Orthodox Church spared no effort.
They really could push Ning Cuo onto the position of bishop.
After all, as the only force capable of challenging Catholicism, they naturally had their own trump cards.
Taking a deep breath.
Ning Cuo knew that even if she asked further, she wouldn’t get any information from Saint Peter.
On the contrary, it would make her seem stupid.
So she could only deduce it herself.
Among the entire Christian faith.
Catholicism is the radical faction, and the Crusades in history were almost entirely driven by them.
Therefore, Nero hated them immensely.
After all, for an emperor, if there was a divine right above imperial power, wouldn’t that make his position as emperor too stifling?
On the other hand, the Eastern Orthodox Church is the peaceful faction. It’s not that they don’t want to replace imperial power, but their methods are relatively more moderate. They like to slowly erode the resistance forces bit by bit, achieving their goals silently and imperceptibly.
Therefore, for such a leisurely church, to prove that you are the one foretold in the prophecy.
It’s simple, just produce evidence that they absolutely can’t deny.
“Priest Ning Cuo, I know you have many doubts, but you also understand that we are ultimately one church.”
Saint Peter seemed to be trying to ease the tension and began to explain proactively.
“I have only recently become Saint Peter, and there are still many families in the church watching, so I need to persuade them, and persuasion requires evidence.”
This really is… saying nothing.
Ning Cuo secretly complained.
However, Saint Peter’s stance was clearly low enough. If she didn’t take advantage of it, it would be ungrateful.
And at that moment, something suddenly came to mind for Ning Cuo.
To persuade the other families, and these families were all within the Papacy.
Then what could be more shocking than the Papal Staff?
It had been missing for almost a hundred years with no news.
And if Ning Cuo could produce it, wouldn’t that be a sign of divine mandate?
Seeing Ning Cuo turn and leave, Saint Peter thought the negotiations had broken down.
Unexpectedly, she returned a moment later.
Only this time she was carrying a box.
The golden light was dazzling, and the patterns on it had countless sacred meanings.
The moment she saw the box.
Even Saint Peter, who considered herself worldly, couldn’t help but reveal a hint of surprise in her eyes.
“Could this be…?”
“Yes, the box containing the Papal Staff. Now, do you think the thing I’ve brought out can prove my identity?”
Ning Cuo sneered, opening the golden treasure box.
The staff representing the supreme authority of the Pope reappeared in the world.
This thing was like the Imperial Seal.
Whoever had it was the nominal Pope recognized by the three major sects.
With the staff and enough strength.
You’re no longer the Pope of a certain sect, but the Pope of the entire Christian faith.
Controlling the religious power of the entire world.
“The Papal Staff that has been lost for a hundred years.”
Saint Peter subconsciously clenched her fists. For a moment, she was lost for words.
The reappearance of this thing could almost change the current balance of the three sects.
Those brainwashed fanatics of the Protestant Church would definitely fully support the owner of the staff.
And Nero, the Roman emperor, would definitely be delighted to see this, and even secretly help.
Out of the four major forces in the world, Ning Cuo had quietly gained the support of half of them.
Plus what the previous Saint Peter left behind.
That is, the forces under Ning Cuo’s command were still too weak.
Taking the throne rashly could easily make her a puppet.
When she had grown strong enough, she would be the legitimate Pope.
Now that Ning Cuo had brought out such a thing, Saint Peter understood that everything in the prophecy was true.
So now it was the Eastern Orthodox Church’s turn to bleed.
“You will get what you want, no matter the cost.”
Taking a deep breath, Saint Peter’s mind was firm, and her voice was full of determination.
However, she underestimated Ning Cuo’s appetite.
She only heard Ning Cuo wave her hand and say.
“The situation is different now. You are a smart person, you should know what bringing this thing out represents.”
“I need to expand my forces quickly, so I need money, and I can’t ask Rome for it.”
“So only you can give it. I want thirty thousand gold, otherwise there’s nothing to discuss.”
If she didn’t take advantage of the situation at this time, it would be a disservice to all the thought Ning Cuo had put in.
Since the Eastern Orthodox Church wanted a good position in Ning Cuo’s future church, they naturally had to compensate her now, when she wasn’t yet powerful.
As for why she didn’t try to snatch it?
It’s still the same thing, Nero was never a decoration.