Chapter 71: The Pope's Outburst

"Captain, you’re amazing! I really admire you so much. You actually managed to make that wretched old man suffer so many times, and the most incredible thing is that you even managed to squeeze some money out of him on your way out. No one but you could have pulled that off."

They had barely left the City Lord’s residence when Afra, her eyes shining with excitement, bounded in front of Zhou Tian like a fan meeting her idol, circling around him in awe.

"Uh..." Zhou Tian couldn’t deny a surge of pride at seeing the normally indifferent ‘Dragon Knight’ transformed by admiration. Still, there was something else on his mind beyond Afra’s change in attitude.

"How did you know I took something off that old man on my way out?" Zhou Tian was certain that the Cardinal, mortified by his loss of face, had handed over the ring to Zhou Tian in secret. He’d always thought only he and the Cardinal knew about it, so he was surprised Afra had found out.

Rolling her eyes, Afra replied, "Please! Captain, did you forget who I used to be? I’m a Dragon Knight! My dragon may not be here, but the benefits of my contract with the dragonfolk haven’t disappeared. That old man’s sleight of hand can’t fool me with my Dragon’s Eye." She paused, then grinned mischievously. "I wonder what expression he’d make if he knew I’d spread word of his humiliation in the Holy City?"

"I don’t know what kind of face he’d make, but your backside would definitely pay the price!" Vivian, standing nearby, leaned in and whispered this warning with chilling menace.

"Ah!" The sudden voice made Afra jump. When she realized it was Vivian, she clutched her chest and complained, "Of course I know not to spread such things, but can’t I at least imagine it? Seriously, you’re becoming more and more like that crazy old spinster. If I’d known you’d turn out this way, I’d never have let you become the candidate for Saintess."

"Alright, alright, both of you, that’s enough," Zhou Tian interjected.

Their bickering continued as they made their way to the teleportation array outside the city. With the staff’s assistance, Zhou Tian and his group soon returned to the Holy City of Light.

"It feels good to be home!" Though they hadn’t been away long, much had happened. Stepping out of the teleportation array, Zhou Tian was calm, but Vivian and the others were clearly moved at the sight of familiar surroundings.

"Alright, I’m off to report to the Pope. You all go your own ways for now. Once I’ve collected the reward, I’ll bring it to you." Only Zhou Tian would speak so bluntly. While it was true that completing missions earned rewards, no one else would be so direct about it.

Fortunately, Vivian and the others were used to Zhou Tian’s way of talking. Though Vivian couldn’t resist a few words of admonition, the rest simply ignored his lack of decorum.

Waving them off, Zhou Tian paid no attention to Vivian’s nagging and headed straight for the Pope’s palace.

With the Pope’s token, Zhou Tian didn’t have to deal with the tedious procedures others faced. He simply hung the token around his neck and walked in unimpeded.

Glancing at Zhou Tian, the Pope, as if expecting him, pointed to a nearby chair. "Sit."

Nodding, Zhou Tian sat down without ceremony.

"What am I going to do with you?" The Pope, rubbing his temples in exasperation, waved a letter at Zhou Tian. "I sent you to deal with the demon, not to commit highway robbery! As a member of the Church, can’t you act with a bit more propriety? Look at this—an eminent Cardinal has lodged a complaint about you. What do you expect me to say?"

Zhou Tian fiddled with his hands, ignoring the Pope’s reproach as if he hadn’t heard a word.

The Pope, seeing Zhou Tian’s feigned ignorance, was about to explode, but after a moment’s thought, he forced his anger down, set the letters on the desk, and announced, "Your mission is complete, but due to your personal conduct, your reward is forfeit. Take some time to rest, and in a few days, you can take on another mission."

"What?" Zhou Tian barely cared about the Pope’s scolding—being yelled at never hurt him any. He was immune to it by now. But forfeiting his mission reward? That, Zhou Tian could not accept.

"Why? No way! We risked our lives to capture that demon for you. The danger’s gone, the demon’s in your hands, and now you’re denying us our reward? That’s highway robbery!" He thrust out his hand. "I don’t care. Give me the reward. I’m not leaving until you do."

The veins on the Pope’s forehead bulged. He squeezed his pen so hard it snapped. With a forced smile, he glared at Zhou Tian. "Others might have some excuse, but you have none! All your misdeeds in Huangshi City are now on the Emperor’s desk. If the Church hadn’t paid to hush it up, you’d be wanted already. The reward for this mission doesn’t even cover half the damages. You’re lucky I’m not making you pay the difference. And you still have the nerve to ask me for a reward?"

Zhou Tian was caught off guard. He’d thought he’d covered his tracks after stealing the demon’s core. Aside from the Cardinal and the Church leadership, he’d assumed no one else knew. Yet it seemed the victims were well aware all along.

Though he was thick-skinned, the Pope’s words left Zhou Tian feeling sheepish. Even he couldn’t keep arguing.

Still, before leaving, Zhou Tian pleaded, "Fine, I messed up. Don’t give me my share, but what about the others? You can’t make them work for nothing. At least—"

"Get out!" Not letting Zhou Tian finish, the Pope pointed to the door and roared, "You clean up your own mess! Aren’t you an alchemist? Pay your team yourself. I want nothing more to do with this!" And without giving Zhou Tian a chance to object, the Pope used his power to teleport him out of the room in an instant.

"Damn it!" Zhou Tian, unprepared, found himself outside in a flash. Only then did he realize what had happened, and in a rage, he shouted insults at the Pope’s residence. It wasn’t until he noticed the unfriendly stares of those around him that he sheepishly slipped away into the crowd.

Now, Zhou Tian was left worrying about the team’s rewards.

He’d never expected things to turn out like this. He’d even promised Vivian and the others he’d bring them their rewards. Now, after hearing from the Pope that the rewards had been canceled, Zhou Tian knew he’d have to pay out of his own pocket.

Though he possessed a cheat-like artifact, Zhou Tian had used it only to strengthen himself—he’d never intended to use his abilities for others.

But what could he do? The others had lost their reward because of him. Though he didn’t yet see them as comrades he could trust with his life, after working together, Zhou Tian genuinely thought well of most of them. He didn’t want to risk their resentment over money, and as a gesture of compensation, he decided to use part of the spiritual energy he’d gained in Huangshi City to exchange for a suitable gift for each of them.