I Became The Pope, Now What?

"Poop? You mean shit?"

Sylvester nodded. "Yes, your poop! Let me tell you. It's very magical."

"My poop has magic?" A commoner suddenly exclaimed, angered. "Why don't I have magic then?"

Felix facepalmed. "I'm sure Priest Sylvester was speaking metaphorically here… and why are you feeling jealous of your poop?"

"Why are we talking about poop?" Another commoner inquired.

It felt as if he was teaching integration to a bunch of apes.

Sylvester sighed tiredly, reminding himself that he was dealing with commoners. These people didn't have access to education, and even being able to read or write was a major thing among them. 'I must use the most basic term to teach them.'

"Do you know why and how trees grow in the wild? Why do they keep growing even after we keep chopping down the forests?"

There were question marks all over their faces. Of course, they knew trees grow from seeds, but who plants the new seeds?

"It's the animals. They eat fruits and seeds of other plants, then they travel around and poop, and then from that poop grows trees. The poop actually acts as nutrition for the seed. Alright, let me ask you another question, why is the land near Snake river more green and fertile than here?"

The people tried to think about it and came up with some stupid reasons. "The land is more blessed?"

"The rays of Solis are brighter there?"

"Fish?"

Sylvester raised his voice. "No! Wrong! Well, the fish one is somewhat correct. But mainly, it's because the river's flow is eternal, and the flow brings new mud. And, whenever floods occur, the plains beside the river get deposited with new nutritious soil—very fertile.

"That nutritious soil is somewhat similar to what we poop. The only difference is that one is natural, and the other comes from us." He ended up teaching them, believing it was enough to make them agree.

"So, all you must do is store your and your cattle's poop for at least half a year in a dry pit. Then spread it over your farm field and reap the fine crops. Understand this, your soil is nearly dead, so this is the only way for you to grow something to sustain. But you can never grow enough to earn money, so you people need to find something else that you can sell… you have Desert Road by the grace of Solis, one of the most important roads in the East-side, so use it."

[A/N: Crop rotation exists already, so Sylvester did not suggest that.]

Sylvester tried to help these poor people from the bottom of his heart. It was genuine goodwill as the village belonged to Markus. And if he could help them, he'd earn their undying loyalty.

"This is possible? Amazing! We never knew they teach this at Holy land now." The Archpriest muttered.

Gabriel was quick to deny it. "They don't—it's just Priest Sylvester whose brain works a bit differently."

"Of course." Archpriest Norin added. "Solis graced Priest Sylvester, and perhaps this knowledge is also parted by Solis."

One of the villagers then asked. "How do we do it, Priest? We poop in a pot and put it in the pit daily?"

"No, I will make one wooden commode to show you tomorrow before leaving. It's called a composting toilet. You shall understand once you see it. But, for now, I believe it's already late, and we should rest. Sir Dolorem will be returning tomorrow with the supplies, so be prepared to work hard from early tomorrow morning." He ordered the men and stood up to head to sleep on the terrace.

"Thank you for your work." The people quickly started leaving after thanking the three boys.

After that, they made their night prayers in the monasteries and went to bed. Sylvester, however, wondered a few things about his own future and his effect on the world. 'What technologies are safe to introduce in this world? Gunpowder is useless since magic exists, and making anything complex, like a steam engine, is a waste of time. But what about the little things? Water mills, water hammers, steam power manufacturing machinery, Gutenberg printing press, or water pipeline system?'

He certainly had the expertise in making many things due to his complex background. But again, the bigger question was. 'Who should I make it for? The Church? Why would I do that?'

It appeared he still had not decided what path to take. Although he had let go of the foolish dream of retiring and living in peace, he didn't wish to participate in the church too much and instead wanted to stay away as far as possible.

…

[Memoirs of Sir Adrik Dolorem]

[Sixteen years—I've seen Sylvester grow from a little bo… Big baby to a big man now, and he's still growing. I am truly blessed to witness his rise—but still, I see doubts in his eyes.

But, what shocks me is that I don't remember ever seeing him cry—not even during his childhood. He is mentally and physically meant to sit at the top, but it's wishful thought to expect him to strive for that.

Albeit, I made a vow to him years ago—and I shall never break it. Sixteen years—my little Nicolas would have been this big too. But I've got no regrets, for the Lord blessed me with a son, even if not by blood.

May your light keep enlightening us.]

Sir Dolorem closed his diary and looked around at the vast flat lands.

"Sir, what will you do with so much food and grains? Is there a feast?" The owner of the small convoy of 5 trade carriages asked as they turned to the side roads leading to the barren village.

"No, it is for the unfortunate, punished by nature and their Lord. Do you not travel into this region often?" Sir Dolorem inquired.

The middle-aged trader rubbed his bald head with a hint of fear in his eyes. "What's there to hide from you—we used to have a lot of trade with the Sphinx Town beside the Desert Road, but ever since that deadly miasma took over the nearby mountains and that disease infestation in that town, we traders have stopped going that way altogether. There is nothing south anymore, as even the Sorrow Kingdom is facing war for its existence."

Sir Dolorem nodded and fell silent, as their eventual destination was Sphinx Town, their mission. Unfortunately, the report only mentioned that the people of the town are getting possessed too much. So hearing about toxic miasma was new and dangerous. 'It seems we will need to plan before going there.'

…

"Alright, you see this little wooden shed I built? This part is the seat on which you shall sit and do the deed. Then your waste will go down through that hole onto the back of the sealed removable cart I've placed down below. Then, you empty that cart every few weeks into the pit we dug outside the village.

"As for avoiding odor, I've placed a rope mechanism which shuts and opens the hole. Remember to use that when you're done with the deed. Then after six months, you spread the fertilizer from the pit on the cultivation field and grow vegetables, grains, and such. Understood?"

Sylvester, Felix, and Gabriel finally ended their day's work and appeared all sweaty. They had created the composting toilet and the pit with a shed over it to avoid rain falling into it—now they were finally ready to head out.

One villager asked Sylvester. "Priest, will women use the same t-to…toil-et?"

Sylvester nodded. "Don't they excrete waste as you do? That's the reason why these toilets are designed with a lockable door. Now, since you all number nearly three thousand, I reckon there will be at least one such toilet for every 50 people. Take your time. No need to hurry, but remember, the more you collect, the bigger the field you shall cultivate."

"What if nothing grows?" Another man questioned.

'Something will, eventually.' Sylvester thought. But he needed to give some assurity. "Then I will organize for all of you to move to the East and settle in a better, greener land."

Loud murmurs took over the crowd as they felt pretty shocked because it was rare that any man with power would do so much for nobodies. But at the same time, they couldn't bring themselves to say Sylvester was lying because he gave them everything he had promised the next day.

The Archpriest bowed his head to Sylvester with respect. "Then you shall have our forever gratitude, Priests. To be fairly honest, people here were losing faith in Solis… so thank you for reminding them of their roots.

"I believe I still have a few years of life left, so if someday you need any help—anything that we can do—don't hesitate to ask," Archpriest added.

Sylvester, Felix, and Gabriel proudly looked people in the eyes and gave slight nods. Among them was Markus' family as well, and they were wearing similar smiles. The three were going to move out to live near Gravel City in the East, adjacent to the Snake River and the capital, and the kingdom's Blessed School of All Arts, where Moris would study.

"So, ready to leave?" By then, Sir Dolorem had also arrived with the carriage and horses and let the caravan of traders go towards the Monastery where they would safely store the food and grains underground.

Sylvester looked at the crowd, crying just a few days ago and now smiling like there was no tomorrow. Seeing them happy brought some joy to the three as well.

He waved. "Ah, I feel tired and sweaty, now only if there was water around here."

"Me too…"

"Same."

Some young boys from the crowd ran to the newly dug wells and brought three buckets full of water.

Sylvester lifted it and poured it over his head, cleaning his body and drenching his clothes, giving the much-needed cooling. However, Miraj was angry and softly nibbled on Sylvester's ear for this transgression.

Felix and Gabriel did the same and felt refreshed.

Above all, this made the villagers happy, as they saw three young and powerful men being as simple as them. Maybe a little; they felt the world was not as shitty anymore.

With that, Sylvester turned around and mounted his carriage. Followed by Felix taking his seat beside him and Gabriel mounting his mare.

"People of Fallshoot village!" Sylvester boomed as the carriage slowly started to move. "Take the name of Solis and never lose hope."

Felix added. "No matter how bleak the days go, you must cope!"

Gabriel also chimed in. "For hope shall appear, sometimes like a thin rope!"

Sir Dolorem was not a clergyman, so Sylvester finished. "I tell this with the blessing of the Pope. If there comes another vile lord to make trouble, you are free to step over them like a little pebble.

"So long, people of Fallshoot. May the holy light enlighten your paths… and maintain your laughs."

"Amen!" Felix and Gabriel boomed. Then, with a light whip, they moved out at speed to their final destination of Sphinx Town—where awaits them tests of both body and mind—only time would tell what the Lord has designed.

…

Somewhere,

"Oh the mighty dead, rise for the ashes of those gone, see the light of the Lord and serve as my faithful pawn—Rise! Rise! Rise!—Be my enemy's demise! Haaa…"

A strange rune scheme shone brightly on the land at night. Under the bright moonlight, the dead rose in delight—for a man wished to win a fight.

"Rise! Rise! Rise!"

And the dead came to life.

[A/N: 100 CHAPTERS! MONKE HAPPY!]

500 GT = 1 bonus chapter.(Already half done)

1 Super Gift = 1 Bonus chapter.

1500 Stones = Bonus Chapter.

APE TOGETHER STRONG!