The voices supporting Wood grew louder and more fervent, reaching a point where even the "Pope Faction," which had been staunchly backing Cliff, began to feel overwhelmed.
In the past, the Milis Church might have been able to exert more influence, but after the internal strife and the beast tide, the church's strength had dwindled to less than 30% of its former glory.
Its reputation had also hit rock bottom, leaving it with little authority in the eyes of the people.
"Perhaps it's better to let it go. Maybe Wood is indeed more suited to be the Pope of the Milis Church than I am. After all, when the people of the Milis Holy Kingdom were in danger, it was he who stepped forward.
And it was largely thanks to Wood that the internal strife and the beast tide were resolved.
Compared to me, Wood is not only stronger but also wiser, with a gentle and courteous demeanor. I truly can't measure up to him."
Cliff himself had never been particularly eager to take on the role of Pope. In fact, he much preferred his life as a student at the Ranoa Magic University.
His decision to accept the Pope Faction's support had been more about honoring his grandfather's wishes and carrying on his legacy.
But when it came to competing with Wood, Cliff honestly saw no chance of winning.
Although he hadn't known Wood for long, in that short time, Cliff had come to realize just how monstrously talented Wood was.
Whether it was strength, talent, intelligence, or even his personality and ability to handle situations, Wood seemed to have no weaknesses.
Cliff, who had always struggled with self-doubt, couldn't help but feel overshadowed by Wood's brilliance, like a dim star next to a radiant moon.
As the voices supporting Wood grew louder, Wood himself found himself in an awkward position.
While he could refuse the people's support, doing so would undermine Cliff's authority as the new Pope, making it seem as though Cliff had only gained the position because Wood had stepped aside.
This would make it difficult for Cliff to command respect. Moreover, rejecting the people's goodwill would also damage the reputation and favor the Latria family had worked so hard to build, which would be a significant loss.
After a moment of hesitation, Wood finally stepped forward with a smile and accepted the position of Pope of the Milis Church.
When he announced his decision, Rudeus, who had been comforting Cliff and assuring him that Wood wouldn't take the position, was completely stunned.
He quickly turned to Cliff and apologized profusely.
"I'm really sorry, Cliff. I have no idea what Wood is thinking. Based on what I know of him, he shouldn't be doing something like this. He's always hated troublesome things like this..."
Caught between his brother and his best friend, Rudeus could only keep apologizing to Cliff.
He genuinely couldn't understand why Wood would accept the position of Pope.
"It's alright, Rudeus. If it's Wood, then he's definitely more suited for this position than I am."
Cliff forced a smile, but Rudeus could see the disappointment in his friend's eyes.
Just as Rudeus was about to storm onto the stage and demand an explanation from Wood, Wood, who had just been inaugurated as the ninth Pope of Milis, removed the crown and scepter he had received from the clergy and declared:
"I, Wood Greyrat, the ninth Pope of Milis, hereby announce my formal abdication. I pass the position of Pope to the tenth Pope, Cliff Grimoire. Please come forward to receive the papal scepter and crown."
Wood's sudden announcement left everyone in the audience dumbfounded.
No one had expected him to pull such a bold move. While it wasn't unheard of for a Pope to abdicate, no one had ever done it so casually and so quickly!
When Rudeus heard Wood's words, he was momentarily stunned, but then a look of realization crossed his face.
"Of course, Wood is still the Wood I know. He's as clever as ever. This is the best way to ensure Cliff's smooth succession."
If Wood had simply stepped aside or conceded earlier, it would have disappointed his supporters and potentially harmed the Latria family's reputation, especially in a theocratic nation like the Milis Holy Kingdom, where extreme religious fervor was not uncommon.
Moreover, if Cliff's position as Pope was seen as a result of Wood's concession, it would have been difficult for Cliff to gain the people's respect.
But now, by first accepting the position of Pope and then abdicating in favor of Cliff, Wood had managed to fulfill the people's expectations while preserving Cliff's dignity.
Both of them had become Popes of Milis, albeit in succession, and Cliff's position was now seen as a legitimate inheritance rather than a handout.
The clergy overseeing the ceremony were completely stunned by this dramatic turn of events, unsure of how to proceed.
Meanwhile, the Pope Faction, realizing the brilliance of Wood's move, were overjoyed.
One of them even kicked the officiating priest and shouted, "What are you standing around for? Didn't you hear Pope Wood's words? He's abdicating in favor of Pope Cliff! If you can't do your job properly, step aside and let someone else handle it!"
The Pope Faction was so excited that even the usually composed priests and bishops began swearing.
They looked at Wood with newfound respect and gratitude. Even though Wood had become Pope, he had done so in a way that was completely legitimate.
Not only was Wood incredibly powerful, with the backing of the Latria family, but his reputation in the Milis Holy Kingdom was now unparalleled, surpassing even that of the previous Pope.
If Wood had chosen to remain Pope, the Pope Faction's efforts to support Cliff would have been in vain, and Wood would have quickly consolidated his power.
But to their surprise, Wood had chosen to step down, paving the way for Cliff's succession and ensuring the stability of the church.
The people who had supported Wood were disappointed by his decision to abdicate, but they couldn't argue with his choice.
After all, it was Wood's own decision. Moreover, Cliff, the new Pope, was quick to show his gratitude.
He created a new position in the church for Wood: the "High Priest." This position held the same status as the Pope but came with no responsibilities or obligations. It was essentially an honorary title, a symbol of Wood's importance.
Cliff's decision was met with unanimous approval from the Pope Faction, who saw it as a stroke of genius.
Wood's influence and reputation in the Milis Holy Kingdom were immense, and even if he left, his impact would continue to be felt.
By making Wood the High Priest, Cliff had not only prevented potential schisms within the church but also tied Wood to the Milis Church, ensuring his continued support.
Additionally, this move helped the church regain the faith of its followers, many of whom had been disillusioned by the recent turmoil.
As the Pope Faction praised Cliff for his brilliant decision, Cliff revealed that the idea had actually come from Wood himself.
Wood had suggested the position of High Priest not for his own benefit but to help Cliff and the church. When the others learned of this, they were once again amazed by Wood's foresight and selflessness.
Wood's actions had not only resolved the immediate crisis but also laid the groundwork for the church's future stability.
His ability to think strategically and act selflessly left everyone in awe. It was hard to believe that someone so young—just under fifteen years old—could be so wise and capable.
According to the information Wood and the others had obtained from Lartal, another follower of the Human God, named Leticia, was currently in the Asura Kingdom. She was a well-known figure there, and her strength far surpassed that of Lartal.
The Asura Kingdom, where Paul Greyrat's family resided, was located in the northern part of the central continent.
To reach it from the Milis continent, one would have to traverse nearly half the world.
The journey would take them through the Western Port, the Dragon King Kingdom, the Dragon King Mountains, the Sanakia Kingdom, the Kikka Kingdom, the Shiron Kingdom, and finally through the war-torn regions before reaching Asura.
Given the distance and the unpredictability of the journey, Wood decided not to bring his family along this time.
This decision left his younger sisters, Norn and Aisha, heartbroken.
Normally, when the two girls resorted to their ultimate weapon—clinging to their brother's legs and crying—Wood would relent. But this time, he remained firm, unmoved even by their tearful pleas.
Zenith was also against the idea, but she was overruled by her mother, Claire, who firmly put her foot down.
"I've agreed to help you deal with your mother this time, but I expect you to keep your promise and officially take over as the head of the Latria family once this is over.
I'm not getting any younger, and as you can see, your mother and Therese are hardly capable of carrying this family forward."
Claire had initially opposed Wood's decision to leave the Milis Holy Kingdom, but the terms he offered were too tempting to refuse. In the end, she had no choice but to agree.
"Once I've dealt with the Human God and ensured my family's safety, I'll keep my promise, Grandmother.
But while I'm gone, please don't cause any trouble for the church. Cliff is a capable man, very different from the previous Pope. He'll lead the kingdom well."
As Wood prepared to leave, his final words gave Claire pause. After he turned to leave, she smiled faintly and muttered to herself, "So he figured it out after all."
Indeed, the sudden surge of support for Wood during the papal election hadn't been a coincidence.
It had been orchestrated by Claire, who believed that Wood was more than qualified to become Pope and elevate the Latria family to even greater heights.