RE: Perverted Sugar Daddy System-Chapter 389 - 389: Overwrite

"Hmmm."
Chiara's reply made me look up at her as I ate. I watched the woman till the food in my mouth was chewed and swallowed, then I shovelled in another spoonful.
Ninja Momma had been thorough in instilling in all of us the knowledge we would or might need for this mission. I hadn't become some guru on the faith of the Church, but I understood the basics of their system.
In ascending order, there was the Deacon, the Priest, the Bishop, the Archbishop, the Cardinal, and the Pope. Of these six ranks, three were acquired through ordination, the rest through appointments or selections.
My mind was churning, and Chiara knew that, so she silently watched.
"Don't you have to be an Archbishop to become a Cardinal?" I asked after swallowing, wanting to be clear on what the redhead had said.
"No. Becoming an Archbishop and then a Cardinal is the normal route. However, in writing, anyone already ordained a priest can become a Cardinal.
You're just not aware, but there are priests in the past who have become Cardinals."
"Okay," I nodded, absorbing the sure knowledge.
"Last I checked, you're not a priest, just a layman."
"Tio Dolfo Mortel, Fernando L. de' Medici. These two people and more have become Cardinals in the past, all without ever receiving any ordination.
It was in 1917 that Pope Benedict XV compiled the canon laws and made some changes to them, making it a rule for one to be ordained first."
"So you plan to change this rule, rewrite the canon laws?"
"Yes."
"I'm going to hold up on asking how you plan to do that and instead ask if you don't recognize a very big elephant in the room."
"What is that?"
I was sure Chiara knew what I was talking about, but just didn't want to mention it, so I did.
"That you're female?"
"That will be changed too," Chiara said flippantly.
"You're going to change over a hundred years of tradition — a rule that has forever stood in place?"
"Isn't there a first time for everything?" She pursed her lips.
Her arms on the table, Chiara rested her face on her hand and leaned forward with a smirk while looking at me. I could see her enjoying the bewilderment on my face, and I began contemplating my decision to align with her.
"You talk of trust amongst friends, but here you are already having doubts."
"I'm pragmatic."
"Really? Then think, if my plan was so foolish and had no chance, why are my opponents trying to kill me? Can you imagine what they offered my subordinates to turn them against me?"
Unfortunately, the redhead had a point.
"This much trouble just to become a Cardinal, why? Don't tell me it's for some female equality agenda."
"Nope, that could be a bonus, but the main reason for this has to do with what I mentioned to you, Evolution."
"Who are your supporters?"
"Can't say. But don't worry too much, before you leave, you'll see some."
Dropping my spoon, I rubbed my forehead — an action I was beginning to do a lot lately.
"I don't know much, but my basic knowledge tells me your whole plan will destabilize so much."
"If anyone is going to preach to me about destabilizing, it shouldn't be you, Marcus. I've been investigating your movements in Los Angeles. I have this feeling you're going to outdo me in the department of chaos."
"I don't think we should be bragging about who can cause the most chaos."
"Are you sure about that? For people like us who want to poke our heads past the canopy above, chaos is the only way. If you follow the order, you'll just end up being assigned."
Looking at Chiara, I thought back, trying to figure out what actions of mine could have given the woman the confidence to speak about me so much. Her eyes gleamed as she figured out my thought pattern.
"Lia Caster and Mia Midaford," she whispered in excitement.
"What about them?" I played it cool.
"I know everything that happened during the reading of Albert's will, the challenges you are now up against."
"How?"
"Really? How I know about this is your biggest worry?
Daynight, Tardigrade, Banshee, wouldn't you prefer to know what these are? They are just houses, but I assure you, wars involving thousands have been fought over them in the past."
Boooom!!
It hit me like a thunderclap. I would have eventually arrived at these questions on my own, but Chiara decided to speed up the process, this to her own benefit, of course.
With this realization, the façade I had been trying to put on cracked, and Chiara milked it abundantly.
"Seems you aren't privy to the contents that brought about I and Mia's contest though?"
"Nope."
"What are those three houses? What makes them special?"
"Surely you don't expect me to give you that information for free."
"No, but I also doubt you have access to it."
"What makes you say that?"
"A hunch."
While there was a good chance I was wrong, I felt knowledge on the three houses Albert had left to a contest in his will was not so easily accessible.
"Only that?" Chiara inquired.
I remained silent, and the woman shook her head with a chuckle.
"Are you trying to goad me into telling you one for free?"
I kept silent, and Chiara only chuckled some more.
"Where is Lucy?"
My question cut off the woman's laugh. She looked at me, surprised, and, clearing her throat, went with my flow.
"She's at the Vatican, carrying out her duties."
"Which are?"
"She's a nun. Are you not aware?"
"No. I didn't know nuns were allowed to fuck."
"They aren't, but in this life, there are always exceptions."
"I want to take Lucy with me when I return to the USA."
"Why don't you first finish your food, and then we'll have this particular conversation."
"I'm comfortable having it now."
Chiara let out a small groan, the idea of the conversation with me clearly being a strain, then she narrowed her eyes.
"Marcus, why are you and Isolde here in the Vatican? What mission are you on?"