I Became a Pope With a System Window

"Your Holiness remains as sharp as ever."

Duke Aldwin Valenhall's voice echoed through the cathedral as he entered with practiced theatrical flair. Golden hair caught morning light streaming through stained glass. Rich burgundy velvet and cloth-of-gold made my blood-stained robes look like peasant rags.

Behind him came a procession of noble retainers, polished armor, ceremonial weapons. The cathedral transformed from house of worship to royal court stage.

Marcus had barely disappeared down the stairs. My tactical maps still lay spread across the balustrade. Evidence of knowledge I shouldn't possess.

"Duke Aldwin." I descended from the balcony, the Scythe of Judgement shifting to ceremonial staff form. "Welcome to God's house."

[System Alert: Diplomatic Encounter Initiated]

[Protocol guidance activated]

[New stat unlocked: Political Reputation - Current standing: DANGEROUS]

Blue text flowed across my vision as Aldwin approached. Proper greeting forms, noble hierarchy expectations, verbal protocols required for maintaining papal dignity.

"His Majesty extends greetings and congratulations on your elevation." Aldwin's bow carried precise calculation, respectful enough to acknowledge papal authority, shallow enough to assert royal superiority.

[Response options available:]

[A: Formal acknowledgment maintaining church independence]

[B: Gracious acceptance emphasizing mutual respect]

[C: Assert papal supremacy over temporal authority]

I chose option A. The words came out smoother than they should have.

"The Church values His Majesty's friendship. May this reign bring glory to God and prosperity to the realm."

Aldwin's green eyes studied my face with politician's intensity. Looking for cracks in whatever facade I was maintaining.

"The kingdom celebrates your miraculous recovery." He stepped closer, voice carrying undertones only I could hear. "Though some question the... circumstances surrounding your elevation."

"Circumstances?"

"Sudden transition. Violence in sacred spaces. Changes in church policy without consultation." Aldwin gestured toward his retainers. "International relations require stability, Your Holiness. Our allies grow concerned."

The cathedral's vastness suddenly felt cramped. Political pressure disguised as diplomatic courtesy.

"What specific concerns?"

"Trade agreements with Sylvanus depend on church blessing. The timber compact requires papal endorsement by month's end." Aldwin produced a scroll case from his robes. "Military alliances with Nordheim include mutual defense clauses invoking divine protection."

I took the offered documents. Treaties written in formal language that my mind somehow parsed without difficulty. Complex agreements linking religious authority to economic and military commitments.

[Political Acumen Unlocked]

[International Relations: Basic Understanding]

[Warning: Papal decisions affect continental stability]

"The Church honors legitimate agreements," I said.

"Excellent. Though some wonder if the new Pope understands the full implications of papal authority." Aldwin's smile held razor edges. "Decisions made in isolation can have... unintended consequences."

Threat wrapped in silk. Classic noble maneuvering.

"The Church seeks counsel in all matters affecting the faithful."

"Wise policy." Aldwin gestured toward the altar where bloodstains still marked marble. "Though recent events suggest consultation wasn't prioritized during the succession."

My jaw tightened. "The succession followed divine will."

"Indeed. Though divine will manifested through remarkably human methods." His gaze swept the cathedral's damaged sections. "Violence. Political maneuvering. Strategic elimination of opposition."

"You seem well-informed about the coup's details."

"Information flows freely among those concerned with stability." Aldwin's tone remained conversational. "Eyewitness accounts. Guard reports. Medical assessments."

The last part hit like cold water. Medical assessments. Sister Evangeline's declaration about my death echoed: "According to the guards, you were clinically dead."

"What did the medical assessments conclude?"

"Remarkable recovery. Almost miraculous." Aldwin's smile never wavered. "Though some physicians noted... inconsistencies in the initial reports."

[Warning: Knowledge gaps being probed]

[Recommendation: Deflect or redirect conversation]

I looked at the noble retainers arrayed behind Aldwin. Watching. Listening. Reporting everything back to King Aldric.

"The Church appreciates His Majesty's concern for papal health."

"Naturally. The kingdom values strong partnership with religious authority." Aldwin paused, studying my reaction. "His Majesty particularly values personal relationships built over time."

Something in his tone set off alarm bells. Personal relationships. Built over time. But I had no memory of meeting King Aldric.

"The Church has always maintained cordial relations with the crown."

"More than cordial." Aldwin stepped closer, lowering his voice. "His Majesty speaks fondly of your previous conversations. Strategic discussions. Shared concerns about continental threats."

My mind went blank. Previous conversations. Shared concerns. Knowledge I should possess but didn't.

"Of course," I said carefully.

"Excellent. Then you'll understand his eagerness to resume those consultations." Aldwin produced another document. "Formal invitation to court. Personal audience with His Majesty."

The parchment bore royal seals and elaborate calligraphy. Official summons disguised as invitation.

[Major Decision Point]

[Accept: Risk exposure of ignorance or Decline: Risk political isolation]

[Warning: Either choice carries significant consequences]

"When does His Majesty require this audience?"

"Within the week. The spring council convenes, and your presence would... reassure nervous allies." Aldwin's diplomatic language concealed iron underneath. "Nordheim's ambassadors specifically requested papal confirmation of divine backing for defensive treaties."

I scanned the invitation. Court protocol. Formal procedures. Requirements that assumed knowledge I didn't possess.

"The papal schedule requires review…"

"Naturally. Though His Majesty mentioned specific topics for discussion." Aldwin's eyes glittered with hidden meaning. "Military strategy. Continental intelligence. Shared assessments of supernatural threats."

Military strategy. The tactical knowledge Marcus had questioned. Continental intelligence. Supernatural threats.

All topics that suggested previous conversations I couldn't remember.

"I'm sure His Majesty's wisdom guides such discussions."

"Indeed. Though he values your unique insights." Aldwin gestured toward the Scythe of Judgement. "Your understanding of... unconventional warfare methods."

Unconventional warfare. What did that mean? What had the previous Pope.. or whoever I was before… discussed with King Aldric?

The cathedral's silence pressed around us. Noble retainers maintained respectful distances, but their presence transformed sacred space into political arena.

"The Church will consider His Majesty's invitation."

"Excellent." Aldwin rolled up the formal documents. "His Majesty expects confirmation by tomorrow evening. Court protocol requires advance notice for proper reception."

Deadline pressure. Another classic negotiation tactic.

"The Church operates on divine schedule, not earthly deadlines."

"Of course. Though earthly consequences follow divine decisions." Aldwin's smile carried gentle warning. "International stability. Trade agreements. Military alliances. All require coordination between temporal and spiritual authority."

He stepped back, gathering his retainers with subtle gestures.

"His Majesty also mentioned personal matters requiring discussion. Family concerns. Shared memories." Aldwin paused at the cathedral doors. "He speaks of you often, Your Holiness. Fondly recalls your advice during the Nordheim crisis."

Nordheim crisis. Shared memories. Family concerns.

All suggesting relationships that contradicted my amnesia story.

"The Church treasures all relationships built in service to God."

"Wonderful. His Majesty will be delighted to renew old acquaintances." Aldwin's final smile held calculation and something else. Testing. "He often quotes your strategic assessments. Particularly regarding unconventional threats and their countermeasures."

The noble procession filed out through the cathedral doors. Silk banners caught afternoon light as they departed with theatrical precision.

I stood alone among bloodstained marble and tactical maps. Two conversations in one morning. General Marcus questioning my military knowledge. Duke Aldwin implying previous relationships I couldn't remember.

Both suggesting the person who woke up wearing the papal crown knew things Leonardo Morningstar shouldn't know.

[System Alert: Political pressure increasing]

[Royal summons requires response within 24 hours]

[Warning: Refusal may trigger diplomatic crisis]

[Warning: Acceptance may expose knowledge gaps]

The Scythe of Judgement leaned against the altar. Its presence felt heavier now. Like it carried memories I couldn't access.

I looked at the royal invitation. Formal language describing audience requirements, protocol expectations, topics for discussion. All assuming familiarity with court procedures and previous conversations.

Sister Evangeline's words echoed: "You were clinically dead when they brought you into the cathedral."

Marcus's assessment: "You think like someone who's led men into blood and fire before."

And now Aldwin's declaration: "His Majesty is eager to renew old acquaintances, Your Holiness. He speaks of you often."

Dead. Military experience. Previous relationships.

None of it fit the amnesia story. All of it suggested whoever wore this crown before me, or whoever I was before, had knowledge and connections I couldn't remember.

The royal invitation crinkled in my grip. King Aldric expected to renew old acquaintances with someone who might be wearing a dead man's face.

"His Majesty is... eager to renew old acquaintances, Your Holiness. He speaks of you often."

Aldwin's final words hung in the cathedral air like incense smoke. His smile hadn't reached his eyes as he delivered the impossible claim.

Old acquaintances. With someone who had no memory of ever meeting the king.