A supreme race

The cardinal stared flatly at the bishop. A foolish teammate was forever more deadly than a capable opponent.

"Get out."

"Your Holiness…"

"Get. Out."

The man walked out of the room, head hanging. Naturally, it was best if he actually attacked Savine, but this was fine as well. There was a threat of an attack, that wasn't as bad, but it was still something.

As she expected, the pope got up from his seat and bowed towards Savine sincerely.

"I apologize for the unsightly scene."

Savine did not care for apologies, she only wondered what the pope would offer.

"The Head Temple will protect you," the pope continued. "I promise you on my title that no matter the circumstances we will help you to stay untouched by others. My cardinal has misspoken, I hope you forgive him."

"…"

"As for the allocation of profits, the Temple is happy receiving 50%," the pope declared. "Though your initial offer is generous, I won't be able to sleep well if I'm too greedy."

Before Savine could open her mouth, Eliseline hurriedly spoke up.

"We are thankful for Your Eminence's kindness."

"…" Savine sent a glance towards Eliseline, but she did not speak. Since it was the bishop that was acting out of place, she didn't want to be too unreasonable towards the pope.

"Cardinal Arbel, please prepare a contract for us."

"Understood, Your Eminence."

The contract signing process was smooth. It didn't take long for them to write down the conditions and rub their blood on the paper. Except for the pope and Savine, everyone's expressions were off somewhat.

The bishops all looked unwilling, the cardinal's face especially rigid. Naturally, they were going to be mad. After all, they were originally going to receive 70%, it was impossible to feel bad about a flat 20% decrease.

Eliseline looked deeply confused by the events that just unfolded. She occasionally glanced back at the door, perhaps thinking of the stout bishop and thanking him. The duke, however, glanced intently between Savine and the contract. Since he knew that Savine didn't need to heed contracts, he couldn't help but wonder what she would do.

After everything was finished, the pope spoke.

"Thank you for reaching out to us. If it's possible, may I speak with Miss Savine privately?"

"Sure," Savine nodded, pleased with the pope's offer. She was wanting for a talk herself.

"Please vacate the room," the cardinal said.

The rest of the people walked out of the room once more. Their curious gazes lingered in the room, but with the door closing, they had to disappear.

The pope sat back on his wooden chair and sighed loudly.

"It's tough, getting old."

"Definitely."

Savine had inhabited the bodies of old men and women many times, so she wasn't unfamiliar with their struggles. Though, she rarely suffered oldness for long, as immediately, she would use her Divinity to remove anything in her new body that was hindering.

"I was always one to feel prideful of my brain. But seeing a young blood like you running circles around the adults it does feel quite conflicting."

Savine shook her head.

"It's not me being smart, it's your underlings lacking heads. I won't hesitate to take advantage of them, but at least I won't brag about it."

"Ha-ha-ha, I suppose you're right. But I'm not so angered by bishop Ornn."

Savine shrugged. "The older the gentler."

"No, no. I'm actually thankful to him," the pope waved his hands. "Thanks to him, I was able to curry favors with you without arousing suspicion among the bishops."

'Currying favors with me?' Savine wondered. 'Why?'

Though what she did was considered bold and witty, it really wasn't anything special. From another angle, she was being greedy and deceptive. And like Savine said, she was just benefitting from the bishop's mistake. Anyone shameless enough could do it.

"I'm really not someone worth your worship," Savine said.

"No, no, young lady. I don't dare be presumptuous in front of you, O, guest from beyond the North."

Now Savine was really confused.

"What?"

"I understand you want to be lowkey, I shall not reveal your secrets, I promise."

"Wait, wait, wait. Pause," Savine shook her hand. "You're under a misunderstanding that I'm from beyond the North or something, but you're wrong. I've never been to the North. I'm from the South."

"?"

"I know both my parents and they're definitely not from beyond the North. Why would you even think of that?"

The pope looked confused as well.

"Your white hair?"

"What?"

"It's said that the people from beyond the North all have white hair," the pope explained. "Once in a blue moon, they could be seen on the other side of the Great Barrier. In fact, I was lucky enough to see one of them myself. A white-haired man slaughtering the metal monstrosities with a wave of his hands… I know people think it a rumor, but I know what I saw."

Savine's eyes went wide. There were people on the other side of the barrier? And they had white hair?

'Wait, is this the reason for Jibril giving me a dye?'

"Tell me more about the people from beyond the North," Savine said.

"It's said that they're supreme beings who have long overcome the shackles of mortality. They live to millennia and live somewhere way beyond the beasts that live past the Great Barrier. It's said that the reason why the beasts forever come to the South is because they're afraid of the supreme beings who kill them at first sight."

Savine nodded. Now she could understand why the pope was so respectful towards her. If these supreme beings were immortal, it wouldn't be odd if some of them looked young. And though Savine did not act like her usual self, she did act quite mature for her age. If she was the pope, she would've thought the same.

As for the identity of these white-haired people, Savine was stumped. In the many worlds, there were elves and other long-lived races, but those usually only lived up to the 130s naturally. Just because they lived longer than humans, didn't mean they could live up to millennia.

And besides, it wasn't a surefire thing that these people lived that long. The rumors about them were just that. Rumors.

As for their abilities, Savine was unsure as well.