I Became The Pope, Now What?
chapter-692

Sylvester was taken aback by the announcement. A city named after him, and it wasn't just any city but the capital of Gracia Kingdom.

"Maximilia?" Sylvester muttered and looked at the people. "Would they agree with this? I hope this won't become a thing that divides your people politically."

Sylvester had seen it happen too many times in his past life. He had no doubt that there were people who weren't that into the faith and didn't hold much love for the Pope. So, would they be happy living in a city named after a Pope?

"Just look at them, Your Holiness," Isabella insisted, gesturing towards the crowd. "They love you. This Kingdom exists because of you. Because of your sacrifices, Masan wasn't able to ruin this land. Because of you, my elder brother couldn't take over this Kingdom. Now, this city stands with all its luxuries."

Sylvester nodded and admired the place. Moments like these were moments when he felt that all the hard work was worth it. "Then… I'll accept this honor, Queen Isabella."

"Then let us proceed with the tree-planting ceremony," Isabella gestured and led Sylvester down from the stage. At her command, heavily armored guards came and parted the crowd efficiently, making a thin pathway to the middle of the massive City Center.

There, a large metal mesh cage was placed on the paved floor. Inside it was the only unpaved area with exposed ground underneath. A tiny hole was already prepared there, along with some sacks full of fertilizers and mud.

"Please plant the tree here, Your Holiness." Isabella acted respectfully with Sylvester in front of the crowd, not as a friend.

Sylvester picked up the tree sapling from the tray a knight had brought over and placed it into the hole in the ground. After that, using his own hands, he filled the hole and watered the plant. However, he decided to go beyond a normal ceremony and make the event an eternally memorable one.

"Stand back," Sylvester commanded everyone, and they followed—even the commoners.

Following that, Sylvester raised his palm towards the sapling and tried to use multiple types of magic—elven and Creation Magic. At the same time, he sang a hymn under his breath and earned a halo behind his head.

Woosh!

The tree began to grow at a visible pace. From a sapling, it grew larger with a firm trunk. Then the scales appeared, and its width continued to spread. Soon enough, its height exceeded Sylvester's, and the branches started stretching out.

Even those in the distance behind the crowd finally began to see the magic happening. Bigger and wider, the tree kept growing. From merely half a meter to ten meters, then eventually fifty meters.

"This is impossible!" Someone from the crowd shouted.

"How is it that big?"

"It's just a mango tree!"

Sylvester heard them and smiled. Indeed, it was a mango tree, but now it was also a magical tree. No more was it the same as the others as its lifespan would last hundreds of years, and its fruits would be the sweetest and most nourishing. He realized Elven Magic combined with Creation Magic was a deadly combination when it came to plant manipulation.

Thud!

The first mango fell from a branch right into Sylvester's palm just then. With that, he stopped using magic and looked at Isabella behind him. "Take this."

Isabella silently took the mango.

Sylvester blessed her in front of all the people, reaffirming Isabella's status as the rightful Queen who was the best for the task of ruling them. "May this blessing strengthen your mind and body. As your offspring may this blessing embody."

Isabella blushed, understanding the meaning behind his words. "Thank you, Your Holiness. Please, share a few words with the people of my Kingdom."

Sylvester nodded and rose up into the air using his Light Tiles. He maintained the halo behind his head so that everyone could see him in the daylight and focus on him. As for his voice, it naturally reached every single mind in the vicinity and even those who were outside the city. Such was Elder Magic.

"People of Gracia," he started. "You are blessed with a just Queen, a strong soon-to-be King Consort. You are blessed with the Holy Land as your neighbor. You are blessed with masterful beings like the dwarves living in your lands.

"Now, you have witnessed the miracles and the convenience of the changing technology. The electricity that shines in your city at night, the fertilizers that grow bountiful crops each season, access to clean water, and sewers that keep your homes clean are luxuries that not even the nobles lived through before. But let this be my warning and guidance—never let these miracles make you lazy. Always strive to do more, better, and be greater—for these conveniences only exist to aid you.

"No more you have to worry about food, or water, or traveling all the time. All you must focus on is self-improvement. Study, train, invent, pray, and be good—that's the definition of a living being who has achieved the peak of happiness.

"May the Holy Light enlighten all those who reside in Gracia and Sol. May the new era cleanse your soul and bring you closer to your goals."

With that, Sylvester stopped speaking and landed back on the ground. He walked back to the stage with Isabella and watched as she gave another short speech before ending the ceremony. Officially, Green City was not Maximilia.

…

After the ceremony, Sylvester spent time mingling with the nobles in the new Royal Castle, a massive cluster of towers surrounded by boundary walls. It wasn't as spread out as the previous castle, but this one went much higher—higher than any building in the city.

However, only after dinner was Sylvester able to relax. Isabella changed clothes into commoner brown robes and guided him around the city with Felix, to show him around. The view was magnificent as streetlights were spread out, and a lot of the buildings also had signs of light inside from their glass windows.

"What's that building?" Sylvester asked when he noticed a large, ten-story building with all its windows brightly lit. He even noticed there were people inside. "Isn't it too late to be awake at this hour?"

"That's the night school," Isabella explained proudly. "Some time ago, I realized that people wanted to study but could not, as their day jobs were too important for their survival. So, I started this night school, where people from across the city come and study various subjects to elevate themselves and open up more opportunities for work."

Sylvester nodded in appreciation. "That is… very thoughtful of you, Isabella. Make sure you reward these people later if they show good progress. Always cherish talent, and always confirm things with your own eyes and ears, lest it leads to corruption and nepotism. The teachers who teach in those schools could push their relatives or children up while pulling down real talents."

"Like Romel and that Bishop," Felix muttered, remembering what had happened to Sylvester back then. "I'll do the inspection personally later."

"You're the Saint Viceman of the Church," Sylvester looked at his good friend.

"I can do two jobs at once. I love helping my wife with anything she needs."

Sylvester felt shivers of cringe run through his body. "Ugh… Youth and romance. Let's continue the tour now. Show me the newly built dam, if you may."

So, Isabella led the way to the city's eastern side, where one of the White River's tributaries flowed. As they arrived there, they noticed an extended part of the city wall, which was directly connected to the top of the hydroelectric dam. This was a prototype built by the research and development team of the Holy Land.

Water was being released from the many gates when they arrived. The heavy sound of nature and the soothing breeze was mesmerizing.

"How did you even think of making something like this?" Isabella asked him, standing close beside him and looking down from the steep drop of the dam at the falling water. "How does one even start trying to conceptualize a way to harness lightning and use it to brighten the lands? This goes beyond simple innovation and creation."

'I can't answer this question, Isabella. Those old men from my past world should be left alone. But I feel an unpleasant taste in my mouth if I take the credit.'

"Just a few ideas, Isabella. When you're as strong and rich as me, you start to experiment with any idea you may have. In fact, soon, we won't even need to make these dams to light up the city. Actually, we'll soon be able to light up every single street and room of every single house throughout Sol," Sylvester revealed the plan but didn't name the massive discovery. "My two Oppenhimers discovered something great recently."

"Opp who?" Felix confusedly exclaimed.

Sylvester shrugged and started walking again. "In any case, it's too late now. You two should go and start your daily exercise. Just hand me the address, and I'll visit her on my own."

"You—" Isabella sighed at his suddenness and shifted closer to hug him. "Thank you for everything, Max. Never forget that Mother Xavia isn't your only family."

She pecked his cheek and stepped back before grabbing Felix's hand to leave. "Good night."

Sylvester silently smiled and watched them leave. "That's why I'm going to beat those so-called gods."

Finally, alone, he strolled back into the city and made his way toward the administrative block where most of the high-ranking officials lived. This was the most beautiful and guarded part of the city.

There, he went to a double door by a major street and knocked on it. He waited before knocking again, making sure to wake up the person inside.

Clack!

Finally, the doors opened, and a young face peeked out. Right away, the golden eyes were starkly visible, as they both locked gazes—one elated and one in shock.

"It's been a while, Diana." Sylvester smiled. "I heard you passed the judge test."

Thank you for reading. Gifts and GT votes are highly appreciated.