The days flew by and the day of the papal election was upon us.
　The two of them, Cain and Hinata, had discussed the procedure this time beforehand, meeting in secret late at night.
　Cain, who could use transfer magic to move around once he had been there without any problems, had moved to a time when Hinata and the sisters were not in the same room.

''Cain-sama, there's no problem if you stay in the same room with them. No one will come into your room until morning.
I'll be back in my room at ............. I'm sharing a room with the bishop.
You're in the next room, right?　Don't tell me you're in the same bed ......?
It's not happening.

　Hinata was positive because she hadn't been able to be with Cain in a while. Lime seemed to have convinced her to do something, and she was tempted in several places, which made Cain's face cringe.
　However, it's not possible to overtake the present at this important time. I was able to duck it by using my rational mind to the fullest.

　I've been waiting for my cue, remembering the past few days.

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　The great temple in the main hall was full of enthusiasm.
　Bishops and priests from various countries were returning home, and priests from within the Marineford faith were also returning.
　All of this was in order to select a new pope - and to select a new pope.
　There is no other way to elect a new pope than to have all the hundreds of church officials gathered in one place. Even when Hinata was unveiled as a saint, only those who were above the level of domestic priests who were able to perform their duties were present.
　As for Hinata, the Pope at the time had instructed her to treat the residents rather than the church officials.
"A saint" would be the most obvious symbol for the residents. Cardinals, bishops, priests, etc., but to the uninformed, they all ended up as "churchmen".
　But not so with the saints. There is only one symbol, and the people of the city rejoice over it.
　On the other hand, the people are not involved in the papal election. Only those in the Church have the right to decide.
　The people living within the Church honestly believe that it doesn't matter who is the Pope. No wonder they are not interested in something they have never had the chance to meet. They are just a mere snack to drink.
　But church officials are quite different. If the head of the faction to which you belong becomes Pope, there is a possibility that your position will be elevated. On the other hand, if it was another faction, they could be forced to retire due to old age or be transferred to a church in a remote area.
　That's why they are desperate for votes for their own future.

'Then I would like to begin the papal election now.

　The Great Temple erupted in cheers as the presenter said.

'Let us begin with the four cardinals who are candidates for the pope.

　At the same time, four cardinals appeared from the side of the stage.
　The clothing is standardized for cardinals, and when they are in the church, they are basically supposed to be in that attire.
　The first to come out was a well-dressed man with an uncharacteristically pompous attitude.
　Next is a slender man with glasses and a scripture in his hand.
　Then Cardinal Denter, who appeared smiling and waving his hand in vain.
　Finally, only one man, unlike the others, a young and beautiful man.
　The sisters cheered yellow.

I would like to introduce you again. From left to right, Cardinal Bangla, Cardinal Samtam, Cardinal Denter, and lastly, Cardinal Etoile. Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a round of applause!

　The moderator's words were met with a round of applause.

The voting will now begin. You will be asked to write down your vote in the ballot paper that we have handed out beforehand and place it in the ballot counting box. Now, before we vote, let's hear the last word from the candidates.

　Prompted by the moderator, the first person to come out was the well-dressed Cardinal Bangla.

'This is Bangla, who is taking the lead. The Marineford Diocese is going to take a different approach. The bishops and priests we are sending to other countries cannot be a decoration. We are going to be in the heart of the countries and have a political voice. The Church of Marineford must be a different kind of ally than the rest of the world!

　Wahhhh!　The crowd cheered loudly. Cardinal Bangla, with one hand raised and an expression of satisfaction at the volume of the cheering, steps back.
　Cardinal Samtam appears next, holding a scripture and wearing glasses.

'I'm Candidate Samtam. My ideal of Marinefordism is all about God, the scriptures tell me. All you have to do is pray. Memorize the scripture word for word and spread it. Everyone in this world will read the scripture and be satisfied with it. And then--

　I wonder if this is his ideal, but the boring words continue. Samtam, who had spoken the longest of all, seemed satisfied and went back to his place.
　As for the applause, it was probably inevitable that it was few and far between.
　Cardinal Denter appeared next.

'This is Dentor. It is for the Church to take the lead in creating an environment in which everyone who lives in this world can have a minimum standard of living. What do we do with children whose parents have died?　I believe that by nurturing and educating them rather than neglecting them, they will surely benefit themselves in the future. We who serve God do not need to be extravagant. If you can afford it, give to what you can't. Surely that will help us in the future.

　Having said what he wanted to say, Dentor returned to where he was, as if satisfied. As for the applause, it was about the same as Cardinal Samtam's.
　The youngest Cardinal Etoile was the last to come out.
　Just as he appeared, he was greeted by a flurry of yellow voices from the sisters.
　First, he brushed his bangs and waved a big smile. That was enough to make several Sisters faint.

'I'm Etoile. I want to put a smile on this world. I will go around and make it happen. I will make the world happy while loving the kittens. Do you understand?　The Honeys.

　Cain, who was listening in the back, was dong it.

''What an outrageous bunch of people ....... I can't even believe this is a cardinal. I feel like it would be more coherent if Bishop Harnam were to become Pope ....... It's about time.

　Cain wears the robe he received from Grim, the God of Skill, and wears the mask he received from Zenom, the God of Creation. He puts on the mask he received from the creation god Xenom.

''Ah, ah, ah. Your voice has definitely changed.''

　Cain looks to the stage as he's ready.

'Then everyone has been introduced. Before we vote, I would like to have a few words from Saint Hinata.

　At the MC's words, Hinata slowly stood up and stood in the center of the stage.
　Her appearance was dignified, graceful and divine. Even the church members swallowed raw.
　She turned around and bowed to the statue of the gods, then looked around the stage at the church members and opened her mouth.

'I'm Hinata. I need to speak first. I will not be voting this time.'

　Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　Hinata's proclamation made the Greatest Temple boil over.