Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Every time they finished speaking with UN officials, Anno imagined the expressions that must cross their minds. He was momentarily taken aback, then smiled, leaning back in his chair. Turning to Rufeite, he asked, "Do you want me to say yes or no?"

Having served as the Pope for a hundred years, Anno had faced countless questions that required careful navigation. How could he be stumped by such a straightforward inquiry? In situations where he didn't want to answer, couldn't respond, or simply felt too lazy to engage, he had perfected the art of deflection. Throwing the burden back, he'd often ask, What do you think? What do you suggest we do?

Habitually, he tossed Rufeite's question back at him.

Rufeite narrowed his eyes, a teasing glint in his gaze. "You'd better not be."

"Why?" Anno couldn't help but prod.

"Why? Do you really need to ask? If you were Anno, should I have sex with you right here in the elevator, or should I wait until after the meeting?" Rufeite replied, an impish smile on his lips.

Anno was left speechless.

To think of Rufeite as a normal person was to misunderstand him entirely.

As the elevator door opened, a guide robot awaited them. Rufeite directed Anno to a room on the 22nd floor before heading straight to the top floor.

The United Nations Parliament comprised twenty heads of parliament, each wielding significant power while also keeping one another in check. Resolutions were often determined by these twenty individuals; a bill could only be implemented with the approval of more than four-fifths of their votes. However, the Parliament was not the only center of political power within the United Nations. The interstellar body also drew significant influence from two other factions: the Rufeite Cult and the Galaxy Mecha Fleet.

Upon entering the council hall, Rufeite was met with dim light filtering through the glass-topped table, casting a bluish hue over the small conference room.

Only three figures occupied the front of the long table: one woman and two men-three of the heads of parliament.

One of the older men nodded and smiled at Rufeite. "Every time I meet with you, I ask for six copies of the Economic Times. As soon as I finish reading them, you always come in-always right on time."

Rufeite casually pulled out a chair and sat down. "But I'm never on time."

The woman at the table, pen in hand, raised her gaze and said coolly, "Today is the longest wait. Can we start now?"

Rufeite shrugged. "Of course!"

The screen lit up, displaying the influence of the Red Fire, and the woman's voice echoed throughout the hall: "Military control of the Red Fire has now been completely transferred to the Holy See..."

A vast image of the Vatican's mecha fleet appeared on the enormous screen. The other three in the room regarded it with grave expressions, while Rufeite, seemingly indifferent, pressed a button on the desk in front of him.

In a moment, a small optical computer device emerged from a compartment in the desk.

Meanwhile, Anno had been ushered into a small lounge. Out of boredom, he began to sense the entire United Nations building with his consciousness.

Starting from the parking lot below and gradually moving up through each level, he perceived an overwhelming stillness. The offices felt lifeless; clerks lacked enthusiasm, directors passed time in boredom, and officials seemed frustrated and numbed by the endless stream of mundane tasks. They wished to delegate trivial matters to robotic aides but hesitated, fearing the United Nations' bureaucratic regulations.