Ch.143Symphony for the Pope. (3)

# Chapter 143: A Symphony Dedicated to the Pope (3)

Of course, not just any refugee would be handed over to someone in the position of Pope.

“Everyone, please submit to a brief inspection. Raise your arms high.”

“Legs too, not just arms. Just two of them, yes, that’s right.”

Only those who passed through the thorough inspection procedures of Alexander’s security forces were qualified to see the Pope.

Furthermore, when it came to those qualified to perform the “papal” duties such as shaking hands or giving hugs…

The entrance became even narrower.

Under the watchful eyes of the knights directly under the Holy See, along with the security battalion’s rigorous screening procedures…

“P-p-pleased t-to m-meet y-you…!”

“Ho ho ho.”

Finally, the refugee who passed all these conditions was a simple-looking Zeltech with severe stuttering.

Of course, this appearance wasn’t the result of some accident or mistake.

‘Ah! The Pope’s grace and benevolence extends even to this pitiful and inadequate refugee!’

The Pope’s appearance—dressed in splendid, clean clothes, speaking fluently, and looking dignified—contrasted with the refugee’s dirty, messy clothes, stuttering speech, and simple demeanor…

It was all deliberately designed to maximize propaganda effect.

Of course, since they would never have obtained permission from the subjects themselves to implement such propaganda…

Everyone pretended not to know what was happening.

The cameras strategically placed around them intentionally captured the Pope and the refugee in contrast, naturally implementing the performance and propaganda.

“Let’s begin then, 3, 2…”

But just as they were about to start the propaganda…

-Rumble rumble rumble

-Murmur murmur

-Bustle bustle

The refugees gathered quite far from the propaganda site suddenly began causing a commotion.

“…Security Battalion Commander.”

“Yes, Assistant Emilia.”

“Go check what’s happening, and if there’s a problem, suppress it appropriately.”

Since it was a place where refugees numbering in the millions had gathered to protest, trouble could certainly arise.

She sighed deeply but immediately dispatched some security personnel to quell the disturbance.

But shortly after the security personnel departed…

-BOOM!!!

“Kyaaaah!!!”

“Aaaah!”

“My, my arm! My arm!!”

With the sound of an explosion and shockwave from the commotion area, the scene instantly descended into chaos.

“Everyone please remain calm and maintain order.”

“The Pope of the Holy Sebelli Empire has arrived. Please don’t panic and stay in your places.”

It was obvious that if over a million people fell into panic and rioted, a catastrophe would occur.

The Pope’s security detail at the scene was making every effort to control the chaotic situation.

More precisely, following the determination not to leave the “Pope” defenseless amid the refugees’ panic…

They were working to establish a defensive line centered around the Pope’s procession to protect him and his entourage from the wave of refugees.

But no matter how reliable the Pope’s security detail was, it was absurd to think that a single battalion could hold back a million refugees.

“What is this commotion?”

“Your… Holiness! Please get in the vehicle quickly!”

As Alexander stood frozen in shock, Emilia, who was commanding the security detail, urgently tried to bring the waiting armored vehicle herself, but…

At that moment, Emilia witnessed something horrific.

The Zeltech’s distinctive six-limbed body.

Specifically, a lower body with four legs and an upper body with two arms rising from the center.

Part of the skin of that alien body of the Zeltech refugee—brought in for the Pope’s propaganda—wearing rags…

Had been torn off by fragments propelled by the explosion amid the chaotic situation.

The problem was that with the “skin” falling off, the inside of the “Zeltech” was revealed…

Inside were spies she had personally selected.

‘Herman, Renshar…?’

Those who should have been actively working as spies in the Diplomatic Enforcement Agency by now…

-Tick, tick, tick

Were in a posture as if embracing a bizarrely shaped bomb, looking at the Pope before them and smiling.

But upon closer inspection, all limbs were forcibly bound and fixed in place.

And what appeared to be a smiling face, when focused on carefully, was actually fixed to look like a forced smile.

But more important than all that was…

-Tick, tick

The fact that it was right in front of her lord, His Holiness.

Alexander, who had also witnessed this sight, turned his head toward Emilia who was rushing over, his face pale…

But immediately after that, Alexander…

-…BOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!

Without leaving behind a single elegant last word, met his end, blown to pieces by the modified human bomb.

—————————————-

Watching this scene in real-time, I took my eyes off the screen and said to Riel.

“That thing.”

Then, turning the screen and pointing at what “looked like” a Zeltech with my finger, I added:

“Who the hell made that?”

Because seriously, what madman would deploy something so bizarre and grotesque in an actual operation?

To my question, Riel made a face and gesture as if to say “what can you do” and replied:

“Actually, when we asked what would be good bait to lure the Pope, the Prosnack Marines said they had a good idea and just took it away and modified it like that.”

Hearing that those damned space soap bastards had done such a crazy thing, I felt the back of my neck tighten.

‘Ugh.’

But right now wasn’t the time to worry about the Prosnacks’ madness…

[Pause]

[Event: Vehicular Homicide]

[The propaganda directed at the Zeltech refugees according to your plan has had an even greater effect than expected.]

[With the death of the Pope, the leader of the Holy See, all individuals affiliated with the Holy See will be given the ‘Confusion’ trait.]

Except for that strange human bomb(?).

Everything that was about to unfold was all part of the plan devised and executed by me and the Diplomatic Enforcement Agency.

‘Well then, shall we move on to the next phase of the plan?’

With that thought, I decided to unpause and proceed with the plan.

“By the way, it’s really beyond expectations.”

“What is?”

“I mean the Pope. How did he act exactly as the Director predicted?”

That part made me curious as well.

What we told the refugees…

Or more precisely, what we told the Zeltech protesters and corporations was merely an example.

“Did we tell the Zeltech protesters that the reason they and their companies are discriminated against in Sebelli is ultimately because the Zeltech political system doesn’t fit Sebelli, so the Pope designated Zeltech as heretical?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Nodding at my words, Riel added a few more comments.

“And as you said, Director, it was spot on that what the Pope would do upon arrival would just be a performance.”

“…”

“That’s right. Who would have thought they’d resort to such an old and outdated form of performance?”

“Exactly! And you also pointed out that if the Pope doesn’t address the issue of considering them heretics and only puts on a performance, it would mean they’re just using the Zeltech refugees.”

As other aides added their comments one by one, I found myself feeling rather peculiar inside.

But the manipulation of the refugees didn’t end there.

“By the way, what about the agents who were mixed in with the refugees, inciting them? What happened to them?”

“Most of the direct action agents have withdrawn, and the reserve agents are standing by at the scene.”

This was because there was an issue with the Zeltech refugee protesters maintaining a more “peaceful” stance than we had anticipated.

‘Despite everything I pointed out coming true and driving them to the edge, they were only going to hold a protest demonstration.’

That’s why we decided to take additional measures regarding the protesters.

After recruiting the extremists that exist in any protest group, we gave them bombs to detonate, and then used a ‘human bomb.’

We created the image of ‘Zeltech’ ‘terrorizing’ the ‘Pope’.

“It’s perfect, Director.”

“…Hmm.”

Thanks to that, I suppose.

Through this perfect(?) act of sabotage, without needing to take direct action ourselves anymore…

We successfully created an environment where we could just sit back with popcorn and watch Zeltech and the Holy See tear each other apart.