Though the military food couldn't be called good, it wasn't as terrible as Lu Li had imagined. At the very least, it wasn't all dry, hard black bread.
Holding a bowl of broth simmered with dried meat and fava beans, he declined the white bread handed to him by the logistics officer.
After all, he hadn't actually come here to eat; if he took an extra piece of bread, it might mean one more person going hungry.
Right before everyone's eyes, Lu Li took a large gulp of the broth. His taste buds were instantly flooded with a complex mix of three distinct flavors: bitter, astringent, and salty.
Frowning slightly, he swallowed the soup, then handed the remaining half bowl to Eleanor.
Eleanor took the bowl. Although she knew he wanted her to drink it, she still hesitated slightly.
“Your Holiness, I...” Her lips parted slightly.
Hearing her, Lu Li stared directly at her, his gaze clearly threatening that if she didn't drink it, she would be in for a rough time.
Feeling helpless, Eleanor bit her lip and ultimately steeled herself to accept this grace.
This was soup the Holy See himself had drunk...
Seeing Eleanor tilt her head back and down the entire bowl of broth without batting an eye, Lu Li couldn't help but blink.
It had taken every ounce of his effort just to keep from making a face, yet Eleanor had finished it just like that?
Lu Li, who had originally intended to find fault, suddenly realized that things on the front line might have always been like this.
Even Eleanor, a Legion Commander, could swallow food that he found borderline inedible without showing the slightest reaction.
After holding it in for a long time, Lu Li finally spoke: “The culinary skills leave room for improvement.”
Eleanor froze for a moment. Truth be told, she hadn't expected Lu Li to actually be willing to try the camp's food in the first place.
When she saw the young Pope pick up the bowl to drink the soup, her heart had unconsciously leaped into her throat.
If this youth, accustomed to luxury and fine dining, had actually spat the soup out, would Eleanor have felt truly disappointed?
She believed that not only her, but everyone present likely felt the exact same way.
But as it turned out, both she and the others had severely underestimated this handsome young Pope.
He was truly a great Holy See, a true shepherd who cared for all living beings.
From this moment on, Eleanor completely accepted this young Pope, who still appeared somewhat inexperienced.
The soldiers who had been watching their every move from the start felt the same. Many among them had guessed that the young Pope would surely spit out the broth in his mouth.
Yet the result was beyond their expectations; not only did he not spit it out, but he swallowed it down without his expression changing in the slightest.
As for him frowning just a moment ago?
Merely a slight frown was practically nothing in their eyes.
If it were those old noble biddies, feeding them even a single sip of such broth would make them angry enough to send you straight to the pyre.
Eleanor fell silent for a long moment before her tone grew even more respectful: “I will urge them to do better.”
Lu Li noticed the change in her demeanor, but he said nothing more at the moment. Instead, he turned around, choosing an angle where as many people as possible could see him, and faced the crowd in the cafeteria.
“Soldiers,” he spoke slowly, “I am Lucrezio Borgia.”
The youth's voice was gentle and pleasant to the ear, yet it carried a magical, inspiring strength.
Everyone present, whether non-commissioned officers or ordinary soldiers, fell silent in unison, their gazes turning as one toward that figure.
“At this moment, I am just like you. I am right here.”
His voice drifted out once more. Though it was only a single, brief sentence, it instantly ignited a fire in the hearts of everyone present.
“Holy See! Holy See! Holy See—”
Everyone was cheering, shouting so loudly they nearly overturned the entire sky.
At this moment, even Eleanor felt something stirring deep within her heart.
Watching this scene, Lu Li slightly raised his hands and pressed them down gently.
The boiling pot instantly went quiet. Everyone looked at him eagerly, their eyes reflecting an anticipation they hadn't even realized they possessed.
“I am your Pope. Your loyalty lies not only with the Lord, but with me.”
“You fight for the glory of the Holy State, yet I often feel ashamed for it.”
The youth's tone gradually softened, and everyone's hearts rose in apprehension right along with it.
Had they disappointed the Holy See?
Had their struggles on the battlefield and the hesitation deep within their hearts disappointed the Holy See?
But immediately after, Lu Li's impassioned voice pierced through the gloom in their hearts like holy light.
“You bleed on the battlefield while I sit in a magnificent palace. My heart suffers in constant torment, wishing for nothing more than to fight shoulder to shoulder with you!”
“Fortunately, I am here now. I hope I am not too late.”
He paused briefly as he reached this point.
The crowd was overcome with emotion, their shouts rising one after another:
“It's not too late! Your Holiness is not too late!”
“Your Holiness is always in our hearts!”
“Your Holiness is always with us!”
“...”
A slight smile touched Lu Li's face. He no longer suppressed their emotions, allowing them to vent their shouts.
Only when everyone had quieted down did he speak once more:
“From this moment on, I will stay here.”
“If we return in triumph together, we shall share this glory; if fate pushes us toward death, all of you shall share a cup with me.”
Unbeknownst to anyone, soldiers had packed the area outside the cafeteria as well.
Hearing these words, the entire camp boiled over in excitement.
“We swear to follow Your Holiness unto death!!!”
“We are willing to lay down our lives for Your Holiness!!!”
A great speech that future generations would come to call the “Campfire Address” thus came to a close amid the cheers of the crowd.
Lu Li had thoroughly enjoyed himself.
But Eleanor was left with a headache.
“Your Holiness, you truly must return to the holy capital.”
She was genuinely afraid Bishop Julia would personally ride a pegasus all the way from the holy capital to haul him back.
“I already said I will stay here until the final battle is over.”
Lu Li shook his head. The military coat draped over him was surprisingly warm; he was almost reluctant to return it to Eleanor.
“Are you not afraid Lady Julia will personally hurry here to take you back?”
Eleanor admired this young Pope from the bottom of her heart, but that didn't mean she could allow him to remain on the dangerous front line.
“Heh!” Lu Li curled his lip in disdain. “Right now, this is my turf! Even if she comes, what could she possibly do?”
Just then, Genevieve walked into the room with a peculiar look on her face and whispered something into Eleanor's ear.
Eleanor's expression relaxed slightly. Ah well, what must come will come; someone existed who could manage the Holy See when she could not.
The two of them walked out of the room together.
Lu Li, who was admiring the military map on the wall, didn't hear any sound behind him for a long time. Feeling curious, he looked back.
And his gaze collided directly with a pair of indifferent eyes.
Rate on N.U.
