Mayne froze and stared at the old man in front of him, hoping to see something in his eyes.
But he saw nothing other than lifelessness.
The Pope's eyes were no longer as penetrating and authoritative as they used to be. Perhaps, he still possessed the wisdom passed down from previous Popes, as well as the knowledge obtained from the Canon, but... nothing escaped time.
"His Holiness wasn't kidding," Mayne realized. His journey was reaching its end.
Mayne's eyes started to blur.
He knelt once again, with his forehead touching the floor. This time, His Holiness did not ask him to stand up, but instead waited until he completed the entire action before saying, "Follow me."
