Volume 6, Chapter 72 – A Dreamlike Fantasy

The ceremony proceeded as scheduled, just as if it had been pre-arranged.

Although it had been prepared in less than three days, with the assistance of all the paladins in Mitters Bayer and the garrisons of the surrounding villages, the ceremony was not as shabby as imagined. On the contrary, in Yisi’s opinion, it was already a rather luxurious affair.

The city streets were filled with believers, while the official ceremony was held in the largest main hall of the central temple. Just like when the Pope crowned the king during the era of divine right of kings, Julius first, in his capacity as Pope, offered prayers and blessings to the Goddess, then explained the upcoming ‘Divine Bestowment Ceremony’—that is, the handover ceremony. Then he handed the cross-shaped divine staff, which symbolized the papal authority, to Evelyn, who then offered her prayers to the Goddess. After the messengers had conveyed the end of the divine bestowment ceremony to everyone on the streets, the ceremony was concluded.

Of course, all of this was not just for the upper echelon of the church to witness. Besides the various bishops and other high-ranking officials, the church also allowed wealthy merchants who had made large donations to enter. The entire main hall was almost packed with people, but they all refrained from making any sound with a great sense of ceremony.

Under the witness of the various church members in their formal attire, Julius finished his prayer facing the statue of the goddess, turned around, and handed the white, cross-topped divine staff to Evelyn, who was kneeling on both knees beside him, her eyes closed in prayer to the Goddess. As if he were sincerely looking forward to Evelyn taking over the position of Pope, his wrinkled face was filled with only kindness.

“Arise. The Goddess has heard my prayer. She will bless Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu to become the 24th Pope of the Ymir Church. From now on, Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu will take over my responsibility and become the guide who leads humanity to glory.”

Instead of speaking to Evelyn, it was more like a proclamation to the other church members who were listening in. This was part of the procedure of the divine bestowment ceremony, and was originally not meant for the successor.

Opening her eyes, Evelyn, with her hands in long, white silk gloves, took the cross-shaped divine staff. Then, using it as a support, she stood up from the ground. No longer facing the statue of the goddess, but the entire audience standing at the back of the main hall, she raised the cross-shaped divine staff with one hand and slowly infused it with magic power.

A very faint, yet captivating light emanated from the divine staff. This was the scepter that symbolized the papal authority, and it had been passed down since the establishment of the Ymir Church. All members of the church knew the legend of the cross-shaped divine staff—only those who were truly recognized by the Goddess could make the staff glow. If a person with evil intentions were to infuse it with magic power, they would be instantly purified by the light emitted from the staff.

“She really is a person recognized by the Goddess…”

“But Lady Evelyn, no, Her Holiness the Pope, has never been outside of Mitters Bayer. Isn’t His Holiness Julius’s decision a bit too rash?”

“Perhaps His Holiness Julius has sensed something. Besides, the Goddess has already acknowledged her. Doesn’t that mean the Goddess will bless Her Holiness Evelyn? We must believe that Her Holiness will gradually mature.”

Ignoring the quiet conversations in the main hall, Evelyn raised the cross-shaped divine staff high. Contrary to her usual playful demeanor, her long, narrow eyes contained a strong will. Against the backdrop of her platinum-gold priestess’s dress and red crown, her entire body exuded an extremely oppressive authority.

“In the name of Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu, I swear to the Goddess of wisdom and benevolence, Evelyn Anna Ymir Shalu will exercise the authority of the 24th Pope of the Ymir Church, and will devote my life to upholding the doctrines and laws established by the Goddess, to protect all the children of the Goddess, to become the enlightener and guide of humanity, to unite humanity, to expel the Blood Clan, and to let the brilliance of the Goddess Ymir shine in every corner of the Alexia Continent.”

No one applauded, including Julius. The only response to Evelyn was a single action—kneeling on one knee.

“””We will do our utmost for the future of humanity.”””

As if in coordination with this moment, one after another, magical fireworks rose into the sky above the city of Mitters Bayer. Originally, the Tower of Ymir should have emitted an even more brilliant light, but now it was still under repair, so magical fireworks had to be used instead.

As the messengers quickly rode through the streets, the entire city of Mitters Bayer also received the news that Evelyn had been crowned.

After an unknown amount of time, Evelyn finally had the kneeling church members stand up and made a solemn proclamation.

“As children under the protection of the same Goddess, we should not have secrets to hide from each other. Therefore, I must announce a matter of great importance concerning the future of humanity.”

Scanning everyone in the main hall, Evelyn, after a moment of gathering her emotions, slowly exhaled the foul air from her chest.

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“Previously, I had annihilated a monster that had been plaguing Mitters Bayer for a long time in the west side of the temple. Now, I can tell you all that the thing I fought was not a monster, but a high-ranking demon of the demon race. As you all already know, in order to eliminate it, I used the divine-era magic left by the Goddess before she left the continent. But the power of the Goddess is not something a mortal body can bear. I had to sacrifice the power bestowed upon me by the Goddess as a bridge to connect me with her. And the power the Goddess gave me was precisely the grace that could free people from their suffering. I have now lost the grace of the Goddess.”

Hey, hey… to choose to say it at this time? That’s too bold.

Yisi, who was standing in the hall with her companions, couldn’t help but look sideways. The reason Evelyn had been able to become the successor to the Pope was precisely because she possessed the grace bestowed by the Goddess. If she were to announce at this time that she no longer had the grace, if it was not handled well, Evelyn would be in a passive position. It was not impossible for her to be made difficult for by the cardinals because of this.

As expected, just as Yisi had imagined, voices of doubt began to appear in the hall.

“Her Holiness’s divine power is gone?”

“How could the Goddess allow such an absurd thing!”

“Even for the sake of annihilating the demons, to casually squander the grace of the Goddess is unforgivable.”

“This is blasphemy against the Goddess!”

This is not good…

As if she had already anticipated that this would happen, Evelyn not only did not panic, but instead emphasized with an even more serious voice.

“The church had not previously explained the strength of this high-ranking demon. I can honestly tell you all that the growth potential of these demons is extraordinary. At first, they appeared to be no threat, but in the course of our battles with them, the paladins of the church and I discovered that the demons lurking in the city of Mitters Bayer could grow more than thirty levels in just one week.”

“If I had not eliminated the demons a week ago at the cost of my divine power, they would now possess a strength that surpasses Julius’s. I don’t think anyone wants to see a demon with the power equivalent to a forbidden spell appear in Mitters Bayer. And I eliminated a total of two demons. I can swear to the Goddess in the name of Evelyn that I made my choice after weighing the pros and cons. If I had not eliminated the demons at that time, they would have already turned the city into scorched earth. The west side of the temple had already been destroyed by the demons before it was destroyed by my divine-era magic. The members of the Inquisition Hall can testify for me.”

How dare she say that…

Yisi, who knew the inside story, repeatedly looked sideways. To dare to lie to so many people in front of the statue of the Goddess, and even use the Goddess as a tool to make people believe her… besides Evelyn, in the human world, probably not even the people of the monarchies would dare to say such a thing.

Does this one not know what divine retribution is?

Breaking out in a cold sweat for Evelyn in her heart, Yisi quietly waited for the coronation ceremony to end. Although Evelyn’s approach was quite risky, the effect was also very obvious. In a religious country like this, if one wanted others to believe them, there was nothing more effective than swearing in front of the statue of the Goddess. Not to mention that she also had the status of the Pope. Even if some people were skeptical, they would not dare to bring it up in public, because that would mean the doubter did not believe in the brilliance of the Goddess.

It should be over soon.

With an expectant gaze, Yisi patted the head of Mary, who was beside her, and looked at Evelyn not far away, who was preparing to deal with the cardinals’ deliberate obstruction with full preparation.

◇

That afternoon.

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This was a courtyard covered by the afternoon sun. The neatly trimmed green lawn reflected a golden glow. The garden trees, which required two people to embrace, rustled in the gentle breeze. As if they understood this peaceful atmosphere that was not to be disturbed by outsiders, even the nuns and priests who were supposed to pass by here no longer did. Only Evelyn was here.

Tossing aside the cross-shaped divine staff and the Staff of Divine Retribution that she was holding in her left and right hands, she casually found a place where she could enjoy the warm winter sun and sat down, letting out a long sigh.

“Although I’ve become the Pope, there aren’t as many things to do as I imagined.”

A title can be taken or bestowed in a ceremony, but the handover of a large amount of power cannot. The preparation that was supposed to take a year had been shortened to three days. Evelyn, who had just become the Pope, of course, did not have time to digest so many things. It could be said that the current church had two Popes, one on the surface, and one in the shadows.

However, Evelyn did not care much. In less than two months, she would take over everything from Julius. By then, if the cardinals who had just been thwarted in the main hall dared to say another word of dissent, she would have them resign. The advantage of Julius concentrating all the power in the hands of the Pope was that she could also enjoy the dividends after inheriting it.

Thinking about this and that future, Evelyn stretched lazily, the languid curve highlighting her well-developed chest. Accidentally looking down and noticing this, a wry smile appeared on Evelyn’s face.

“…Is this really a symbol of charm? I don’t feel the need for it at all. Well, although that’s what I say, in the history of the church, the more well-endowed a female Pope is, the more docile the people under her rule. I don’t know if I’m considered large or small.”

It was worth noting that this was a pattern that Evelyn had summarized from the portraits of the successive Popes and history, not from any historical records.

Letting out a soft breath, Evelyn stared blankly into the distance.

“Mmm… although I’ve become the Pope, I feel like something is missing…”

Muttering under her breath, Evelyn picked up the pure white, cross-shaped divine staff, which was made of some kind of animal tooth, and pressed the cross on it to her face—this touch, in winter, should have been as cold as steel buried in snow, but it had a charm that was impossible to let go of. Only at this time did Evelyn truly feel that she was already the Pope. She couldn’t help but touch the red coronet on her silver hair, which was also a symbol of her status as the Pope.

“I think it’s because I’m not by your side that you feel unaccustomed.”

“Eh?”

The sudden voice made Evelyn’s shoulders jump. She immediately turned her head. After seeing the person, the tension in her heart relaxed a little. She stopped her action of standing up and had a coquettish expression on her face.

“What, so it’s you, Yisi. You scared me. How did you get in? Although you have the medal bestowed by Julius, this courtyard can only be entered by people of the level of a regional Head Priest. The level of the medal in your hand is too low.”

With her hands behind her back, Yisi, with her silver pigtails, stepped onto the lawn with a playful expression. After walking to Evelyn’s side, she propped herself up with one hand on the ground and sat down beside her. Like an ordinary friend, she dangled something in front of Evelyn’s eyes, her exquisite face filled with only triumph.

“I used this.”

Her gaze was not on the hand Yisi had extended in front of her. Evelyn leaned back her upper body slightly and, as if she were having a headache, sighed slightly.

“You, I’m the 24th Pope now. Can’t you be a little more respectful to me? At least call me ‘Your Holiness Evelyn’ before you come in.”

“Then… Your Holiness Evelyn?”

As she spoke, Yisi bowed to Evelyn. A layer of goosebumps immediately appeared on Evelyn’s whole body, and she frowned subtly.

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“Ugh, just call me Evelyn. When you call me that, I feel like my lifespan will be shortened. Speaking of which, this crest in your hand is—I remember it should be the Crest of Holy Revelation. No wonder you could come in. This is already equivalent to a diocesan-level Head Priest. But how did you get your hands on it?”

“Well…” deliberately keeping her in suspense with a mischievous expression, Yisi moved closer to Evelyn, her shoulder lightly touching hers, and said mysteriously, “Before I answer, I’d like to ask Your Holiness Evelyn first, how do you feel after becoming the Pope?”

“You bastard…”

Evelyn, who had thought Yisi was going to say something serious, immediately had a hint of anger on her face. Because of the teasing, she was shy, and then because of her shyness, she suddenly turned her body, grabbed Yisi’s upper arm with both hands, and then, with a burst of strength, pushed her down onto the lawn. She looked down at Yisi from above. However, because the main reason for her action was shyness, she only pinched Yisi’s arm with a force that was very strong but not too strong. Her face, which already carried the budding outline of a mature young woman, was also filled with a blush.

“You bastard, did you deliberately come here to tease me?”

“Ah-ha-ha.” A stiff smile. Lying on the ground, Yisi averted her gaze. Although she knew that Evelyn had no such thoughts, and that the two of them were just good friends, she still felt a little embarrassed for a moment, a feeling of being dominated by Evelyn. “You were the one who asked me to say it.”

“Then I will command you in the name of the Pope not to call me ‘Your Holiness’ anymore.”

“Well… I’m under Andrea’s command now, aren’t I?”

“You—” punching Yisi on the shoulder forcefully, Evelyn gritted her teeth in frustration, moved off of her, and let out a long sigh. “Forget it, do as you like. You just wanted to see me get angry anyway. A despicable hobby.”

“No, no… in terms of despicableness, I’m much better than you.”

The latter was the Evelyn who had deliberately run out of the city, pretended to be a weak young girl to lure bandits into a trap, and was called a witch by the people.

Calming her heaving chest from the scuffle just now, Evelyn said in a huff.

“So, you still haven’t said why you have the Crest of Holy Revelation. Let me say this first: if you stole it or picked it up, I will immediately take it back in the name of the Pope.”

“And then lock me in the dungeon?”

“Well—” Evelyn’s mouth curved into a smile like a cat toying with a mouse, and then, with the speed of a sneak attack, she unceremoniously wrapped her arm around Yisi’s shoulder, her tone full of triumph. “After I take it back, I’ll officially bestow it upon you.”

Perhaps because of the recent bath, when Evelyn got close to her, she could smell a very pleasant fragrance—somewhat like jasmine. Even with their clothes in between, Yisi could feel the warmth from Evelyn’s body.

She was so unguarded.

Yisi couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Abuse of power.”

“You are the hero who helped annihilate the demons. The medal Julius gave you is too stingy.”

As if she were sulking, Evelyn said seriously. But Yisi could guess her little scheme.

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“Is it to build up momentum for the disappearance of your divine power? The more high-level medals you award to me, the person who helped annihilate the demons, the more it will highlight how terrifying the demons are. Then you can justifiably shift the believers’ attention from your divine power. Honestly, aren’t you afraid that the demon will appear a third time? What if it makes people feel that it’s weaker than advertised?”

Not at all angry at Yisi’s exposé, Evelyn just pouted unhappily.

“But didn’t you say so, Yisi? It’s because I touched a Fallen who was on the verge of going berserk that the seeds planted in them by the demons were triggered. Then in the future, I just have to not touch those Fallen who are about to go berserk.”

Was she referring to her deduction in the main hall before? Although the result was correct, the process was a little different. But that wasn’t the main point.

“Evelyn… are you trusting me a little too much?”

Her eyes flickering, Yisi lowered her head slightly.

If she trusted her so much, she would feel bad. Even if the outcome of the matter was a good thing for Evelyn, to make arrangements without informing her of everything… This feeling was as unsettling as betraying the person who trusted her the most. Not to mention that she could have made it so that Evelyn would never know the answer.

The more she trusted her, the sadder she became. Hope would become a burden.

“Mmm?” Evelyn blinked in confusion, propping her chin with a finger and tilting her head up slightly. “But the only one I can trust is you, Yisi. Should I go and trust Julius? Andrea isn’t here.”

This foolish woman.

She was really giving her a headache.

Yisi knelt on the ground, straightened her upper body slightly, and said very seriously.

“Listen well. As a ruler, you shouldn’t trust anyone.”

“No, that’s too tiring.” Similarly, Evelyn straightened her upper body. With her height advantage, she looked down at Yisi’s blue eyes from above, the playful meaning in her expression gone. “Besides, I trust that you won’t betray me.”

“Tsk, what if I do?”

“Then even if I become a vengeful spirit, I will haunt you.”

“A beautiful ghost like you haunting me… I think I’d be very happy.”

What she was doing was not a betrayal. Yisi could affirm this without any psychological pressure.

Then, she shifted the topic to the crest in her hand.

“You asked me about the origin of this crest before. Now I can tell you. This was given to me by the Vice Head Priest of the Niru Diocese, Owen. I don’t know if you still remember, Evelyn, the person who stole your and Andrea’s pendants before?”