The shouts and curse words spread indiscriminately throughout the room. In the midst of the sudden declaration of the Holy Father, most of the regents and representatives had lost their temper and hastened to give way to a heated discussion. The Holy Father appeared impassive at the white lectern from where he watched the chaos as if it were a play. In the midst of the confusion generated by the wave of insults directed at the pontiff, he resumed his words and ordered silence, however, at this point, none of those present complied with the man's instructions and instead allowed themselves to be filled even more by the angry atmosphere in which the chamber was submerged. When some of the representatives decided to move to physical violence, the pontiff made a sign to the people in charge who guarded the doors and from them came a dozen soldiers who, without hesitation, pointed in the direction of the insurgents. The Golden Hall was plunged into absurd silence and the Holy Father let out a satisfied smile. At once he spoke again and picked up where he had left off.
-Gentlemen, ladies, I am afraid that this type of commotion is not allowed in the house of the Lord. If you insist on causing an insurrection, I will be forced to give the order to suppress the revolt. Of course, we won't get to that point, right?
The room was silent and the looks went from side to side as a sign of concern and fear at the threat that hung over the heads of the world leaders. A single movement could unleash an unexpected result in the meeting that had been peaceful days before.
-Allow me to explain a little why this decision has been made. Although it is true that the church had remained on the sidelines for centuries from occupying political affairs, especially those external to the region, unfortunately the moral and social deterioration that the world has presented lately has left us with no alternatives. Each one of you has been in charge of allowing irreverent behaviors and visions, even promoting reprehensible decisions such as the worship of other gods and the permission and approval of deviant social behaviors. This of course has become a cancer that must be eradicated, and the church is the only one capable of doing so. After all, who if not God to save the souls abandoned in this hell that is the world, right?
The atmosphere of discord was silently growing, the Holy Father's speech based on the position of the church was not the only thing that generated discomfort and disapproval in the crowd. There was also the matter of the weapons that were pointed without a shadow of a doubt at the heads of some leaders and delegates.
-Although what I am communicating to you is the intention of the church, it does not mean that this meeting will produce deaths and future wars. All you need to do is give in. Once a surrender is signed by each of your governments, you will be free to go back where you came from. Oh, and one more detail, do not think that you can sign and go against what you swore before God, because then we will be the ones in charge of fulfilling His commandments and punishing you for swearing in vain. You can be sure that at this time we are ready to go to war, and some crusades may be forming with the resources we have accumulated so far, which you will already know are not few.
The Woman of the Jasper and The Man of Blue exchanged glances with each other. The actions of the Supreme Pontiff had just caused a rupture in the relations of all governments with the church, and if that was what was happening, it was clear that the church was ready to retaliate against anyone who opposed it. It was evident that when being pointed with a gun to the head and while locked in a room with no possibility of escape, no one could refuse the imposition of the Holy Father. But how wrong they were, because in a few seconds a man in green robes spoke up fearlessly.
-Do not think that this act of aggression will be tolerated. If you think that I am going to cede my entire region to your whims then you are more deluded than you seem. Even if you kill me on this very spot, you will not be able to take away our freedom, nor will you enslave my people. Moreover, I challenge you, oh authority of God on earth, in which my people once blindly believed. Shoot, if you have the courage to do so. It will take you less time to try to deploy your troops than it will take my army to put you in your place.
-So be it. Farewell, old ally, now corrupted by the temptations of evil.
The Supreme Pontiff pointed to a young soldier and ordered him to approach The Man of Green. The young man with trembling hands complied with the order and when he was in the agreed place, he raised the weapon and closed his eyes, like many in the Golden Hall.
-Shoot!
-Stop there soldier! Don't you dare carry out that order!
A deep voice resounded loudly, and the people with their eyes closed, as well as the soldier, opened them to try to locate the source of the new order. A second sentence confirmed the identity of the person who had shouted earlier, and the soldier immediately lowered his weapon as the Holy Father gave him a look of contempt.
-What you're doing is crazy, and it's my duty to stop you and everyone here before things get out of control and cannot be reversed.
The Prime Minister was standing staring at the Supreme Pontiff. That other only kept a cold look and in silence the tension between the two accumulated with dizzying speed.
-What do you think you're doing, Prime Minister? Are you thinking of overriding the divine will? I remind you that it is a great offense, even more so if we consider that you are standing in the house of God.
-What I do, Supreme Pontiff, is to put order in my country. In case you don't remember, I'm the one in command of the military forces, as well as the government. I will not allow myself to declare war on friend and foe indiscriminately just because it is the will of the church. If you don't plan to use diplomacy then I will. And if you don't agree, I can put it on your terms. Either you calm down or the person those guns will be pointing at may be someone else.
The Prime Minister signaled to the same soldier who had earlier targeted The Man of Green and instructed him to do the same to the Holy Father. The soldier complied with the order with the same trembling hands and the pontiff exploded in anger.
-How dare you! Soldiers aim at the Prime Minister!
Half of the soldiers present there ignored the order, and instead followed the instruction given to the soldier with trembling hands. Half of the group was now in the room pointing at The Prime Minister and the other half at The Supreme Pontiff.
-This is ridiculous, this whole meeting is ridiculous. How hungry are you for power?
The Man of Green yelled at the pontiff from his place, and with a look of hatred The Supreme Pontiff did not hesitate to answer him.
-It is not power that the church seeks, it is salvation! Even for ignorant sinners like you!
-This is not the way, it will never be the way. Desist once and for all from committing an outrage, Holy Father.
The Prime Minister's request hung in the air as The Supreme Pontiff's face changed to a neutral and doubtful expression. It was at this moment that The Man of Blue took advantage and, rising from his place, took over as spokesman.
-Supreme Pontiff, Prime Minister, regents and representatives, I have a proposal for you. If we carry it out, this situation can be overcome.
The Prime Minister did not hesitate to turn to answer him.
-We hear you.
And in a matter of minutes the weapons of the military were lowered and the Golden Room was found empty again.