Foreign Land Reclamation By a Vegetable-growing Skeleton

Chapter 631: Chapter 352 Who Dares to Arrest Me _1

The entire meeting was stunned by Anthony’s words. After a considerable silence, Tyrone finally said weakly, “How could we vote on internal matters of the Church of Light? Any decisions made won’t be binding.”

A slight smile swept across Anthony’s face, “That’s why it’s not about dismissal, but denial, denial of his status as a Pope, and shifting all contact with the Church of Light to me.”

Guliani’s face darkened, realizing that Anthony had come fully prepared.

Power consists of several facets: internal personnel and finance; external diplomacy, trade, and war. If these are taken away by others, ostentatious titles would mean nothing but an empty shell.

By causing division, Anthony seized the personnel and finance of the Eastern Diocese. And now, he intends to seize diplomatic power?

As long as he, the Pope, is alive, there would be no re-election. But if the power of diplomacy was deprived, it meant the Pope’s role would be hollowed out, bearing a title but no real authority.

Moreover, there is a high likelihood of Anthony’s plot succeeding. Other components are challenging to seize. If Anthony himself weren’t the Archbishop of the Eastern Diocese, the independence of the Eastern Diocese would’ve been impossible.

Even if Anthony were the Archbishop, the Kings, Dukes, and powerful clans unanimously supporting Anthony without hesitation were beyond comprehension.

The risk was immense and the gain small. If Anthony successfully takes over, there would be no significant increase in their territorial profits. Still, should Anthony fail, they would all face retribution from the curia, possibly leading to the confiscation of their mansions and annihilation of their clans.

Why risk such grave consequences to support Anthony?

Even if there were a few fools, not everyone in the Eastern Diocese could be fools, could they? What sort of benefits did Anthony offer to prompt everyone in the Eastern Diocese to make the same choice?

And now, taking away his diplomatic power would be even easier than gaining the Eastern Diocese’s independence. All it takes is for those at the meeting to acknowledge Anthony’s control of the Church, then the power of diplomacy would naturally be transferred.

When no one recognizes you, when everything is directed to Anthony, there would be no diplomacy left for the curia.

Knowing Anthony, he wouldn’t launch such a plan unless he’s fully confident. Could it be that he had colluded with others?

No, this resolution must not be established. The voting cannot proceed unchecked. Guliani firmly said, “This is an internal matter of the Church of Light. I ask all parties to abstain.”

“So-called internal matters have come to this? If you were capable, you should have settled it internally long ago,” Copper Hammer retorted dismissively.

Feeling a lump in his throat, Guliani wished he could strangle Copper Hammer. His words were too harsh, akin to directly mocking Guliani’s incompetence.

Why? Why did Copper Hammer, an amiable dwarf with thick brows and big eyes, speak so cruelly? Why imitate Anthony?

If Anthony could hear his thoughts, he would protest, “No, I didn’t teach him.”

Some words, when uttered by a seemingly honest character, wreak more havoc, as was evident now. Copper Hammer crushed the ‘internal affairs’ argument in one sentence.

Guliani, with spinning eyes, retorted, “Yes, we have brought internal matters here, wasting everyone’s resources. I apologize for that. But, after all, it’s a matter of the Church. Please allow us to consult among ourselves first…”

“Fine, let’s do that. I will halt other votes, leaving only your inner three. You vote first, whether or not we should bring this matter to a decision here. Let’s start,” Tyrone said impatiently.

Guliani frowned, thinking: That’s not what I meant…

What the hell is going on? What he meant was ‘we shouldn’t vote’, how did it turn into ‘internal votes first’?

Something isn’t right. He and Tyrone were engaged in a friendly conversation. So, why resort to such tricks? Was this unintentional?

Even the ‘voting’ act interferes with the church’s internal affairs. It shouldn’t have arisen in the first place. Once it did, it represents interference.

Guliani took a deep breath. No matter what, whether Tyrone did it intentionally or not, he was forced to cast his vote.

But on second thought, this could still be a blessing in disguise. If the internal parties vote first, out of the three votes he, Dyson, and Anthony hold, he already possesses two, thus potentially keeping this issue within the ‘internal affairs’ context.

Gazing at the teleportation array’s blinking light, Guliani cast a disgruntled vote against.

Regardless of the result, his vote represents an unprecedented action in the history of the Church, setting a precedent for interfering with the internal affairs of the Church.

Tyrone’s voice rang out, “Okay, the results are one ‘no’ and two ‘yes’. The resolution to ‘bring this matter to the council to decide’ has been officially approved. Now, let’s start with ‘whether Guliani’s Pope status should be denied, and Anthony acknowledged…'”

Guliani couldn’t listen to the rest. The only words that echoed in his mind were: Two ‘yes’ votes, resolution approved…

Why were there two ‘yes’ votes? One came from Anthony but who cast the other one?

Dyson!!!!!!

Consumed by rage, Guliani radiated Sacred Flame all over his body, engulfing him in fire.

Lord Light furrowed his brows, looking at him curiously.