After entering, Augustus realized that the world inside the door was completely different from what it looked like from the outside; not only were all kinds of supplies readily available, but it was also connected to the surrounding houses, extending in all directions like a labyrinth.
Enzo, familiar with the route, led Augustus, introducing the places they passed as they walked, finally arriving at a spacious room. Enzo's coachman was already waiting at the door, and behind him stood a group of people respectfully.
"Are these all your Assassins?" Augustus asked, seeing there were only about twenty people in total.
"They are all of them, but they are not mine, but the Papal States's," Enzo corrected him seriously.
Augustus frankly said, "Fewer than I expected."
"You mustn't underestimate them. Though few in number, each one is an elite. Not only can they stand against ten on the battlefield, but they are also exceptionally skilled at secret operations, one in ten thousand," Enzo praised with a hint of pride.
"Many years ago, when I had not yet become a bishop, I selected many orphans with the potential to become Assassins. After rigorous training, multiple selections, and tests, these seventeen individuals were finally chosen. Over the years, they have completed many missions and have never failed."
"That powerful?" Augustus's eyes widened in surprise. He reviewed the Assassins again and quickly discovered a problem: "Seventeen people? Aren't there only sixteen?"
"My coachman, Stirile, is also one of them. He is not only my coachman but also the most outstanding Assassin, their leader, and my most reliable confidant."
Stirile nodded slightly in response.
"I can't believe you always have such a master with you!" Augustus took a deep breath, feeling that coming here was the right decision. If it weren't for this coincidence, he would have been kept in the dark like the previous Pope. "Who else knows about this?"
"They are all here," Enzo replied lightly.
Augustus's mind raced. Suddenly, his expression turned stern, and he suppressed his voice, saying, "You keep saying they are the Papal States's forces, yet only you know of their existence. They only obey your commands, doing what you want, but it's attributed to the Papal States. Do you think you can represent the Papal States now?"
Enzo broke out in a cold sweat. His relaxed expression vanished instantly, and he fell to his knees with a thud: "Your Holiness, you've wronged me! Everything I've done has been for our Papal States, all for the benefit of the Papal States. I know my capabilities very well; I know what I can and cannot do. I have never had any improper ambitions!"
Stirile, who had secretly clenched his fists beside him, relaxed them, and some strange changes occurred within him.
Augustus raised a hand and said, "What is beneficial to the Papal States and what is not, when did it become your decision? This should be my decision, the decision of successive Popes, the decision of everyone in the Papal States.
Now you, on the other hand, have kept everyone in the dark and handled matters yourself. What do you take us for? Your puppets? When you decide that eliminating me is in the best interest of the Papal States, will you send your Assassins to assassinate me, and then, after the deed is done, add a remark that it was all for the Papal States, and it will all be reasonable, won't it?"
Enzo looked up at a forty-five-degree angle, tears glistening in his eyes, and choked out, "Your Holiness, I have never had such a thought. Everything I've had them do is widely recognized as beneficial to the Papal States. Although no one knows, if they did, they would all agree. If you wish, I will bring you all the archives of their missions for your review."
Augustus looked at his sincere expression. Although he knew Enzo's acting skills were superb, he couldn't help but be somewhat moved. Moreover, he hadn't intended to make things too difficult for him, only to elicit more information this way and lay the groundwork for his subsequent demands.
"Alright, get up. I'm not blaming you," Augustus said, reaching out to help Enzo up. "It's just that you've been a bit presumptuous and inconsiderate on some issues. Not everything you think is good is truly good, or what everyone considers good, do you understand?"
After speaking, Augustus self-deprecatingly pursed his lips. If it weren't for his position, how could he lecture this old fox who had been in officialdom for so many years? But since he had done it, he had to do it properly.
"Your Holiness's lesson is well-received. I will certainly heed your teachings," Enzo responded without hesitation.
"However, more worrying than what you have done is what you are capable of doing. You just said that your Assassins have never failed a mission over all these years. Doesn't that mean they virtually have the ability to kill anyone? Do you think I can rest assured knowing there's such an organization within the Papal States, capable of threatening everyone's lives?"
As soon as these words were uttered, Enzo's heart sank to the bottom. Enzo understood that since the Pope had said this, his proud Assassins could not be kept.
"Your Holiness, the reason they have never failed is largely because I do not assign them tasks beyond their capabilities, and they are supported by many other resources. If they were to act against you, they would absolutely not succeed.
If you demand that I disband them, I will not object, but I only ask that you spare their lives, considering the great contributions they have made to the Papal States. Let them live peaceful lives. I guarantee with my honor that they will not leak any secrets, and I will sever all ties with them."
"Disband? Why would you disband them? How much effort have you put into them! Disbanding them would be a waste of your efforts." Seeing Enzo being so open, Augustus no longer intended to hide his intentions.
"Your meaning is?" Enzo's heart rejoiced.
"My thought is, they have toiled in the shadows for the Papal States for so many years without name or recognition. Now that I know of their existence, I cannot continue to wrong them.
I intend to give them their own separate establishment, register them as public officials, grant them preferential treatment, and have them directly under my command, while secretly continuing to serve the Papal States in the same manner. What do you think?"
He went through such a long roundabout way, only to want to take them for his own use. He could have just said so directly, instead of making such a fuss, scaring him half to death, and speaking so grandiosely.
Enzo grumbled inwardly but outwardly showed immense joy: "They have lived in darkness with me for so many years, and today, they have finally met an enlightened master and have come out on top! This is truly a great fortune for them, a great fortune for me, and a great fortune for the nation!
Stirile, quickly lead them to thank His Holiness for his high regard! From now on, follow His Holiness well, and you all have very bright futures. I am no longer your master; let us serve the Papal States together as colleagues!"
"Thank Your Holiness for your high regard!" the Assassins chorused.
"Brightness," "future." Stirile pondered these two words. The extravagant hope he had long abandoned had suddenly become a reality today. Was it a blessing or a curse?