The last trek of the journey has been reached, but this episode came as a shock.
My theory as to why Saito's Liveslatille power did not come effective on the Pope was....
As for the dragon, they have now pulled the expected, world crisis event, and I believe this was triggered because the Void users have gathered, although it might not be case because not the four of them have gathered.
I also believe that this event is what the Elves were talking about, although they refer to the Apocalypse in general not as to what form or shape the crisis would be taking shape.