Dong!
The vibrant tolling of a chime startled her; the stone statue in front of her appeared to come alive. For a fleeting moment, Vera felt as if she had witnessed the embodiment of the Supreme Lord himself.
Unseen, a platinum divine light flooded the entire Prayer Hallâdriving out all darkness. Even the sunlight streaming through the verre églomisé dome seemed to fade in its radiance.
Veraâs pupils turned to a deep gold color, soon after, the golden light transformed into threads of mist-like smog that encased Veraâs petite body entirely.
In Veraâs consciousness, she felt herself in an independent space where she could not hear the outside world or sense the existence of others. Even time seemed to stop, leaving only the dazzling image of the Lord of Glory that mirrored the brilliance of the sun.
The immense and vast holy light made Vera feel as tiny as an ant.
Was this truly the advent of the Supreme Lord?
âVera. St. Hilde.â
A magnificent and ethereal voice echoed in Veraâs ear, causing her spirit to tremble uncontrollably.
âMy Lord!â
Vera immediately fell to her knees and replied in reverence.
âThe Devilâs followers lurk among you, beguiling your citizens, wreaking havoc in your territory, and you remain ignorant.â
The expression on Veraâs face froze at once, but soon struggle emerged. After a while, she finally spoke:
âMy Lord, please make it clear, who exactly is the Devilâs follower?â
The voice fell silent momentarily, as if surprised at Veraâs retort.
Then, the immense voice resounded once more, uttering a name:
âColin. Angler!â
Vera suddenly raised her head, the image of the Lord of Glory before her emanated a blinding divine radiance akin to the sun, causing her tears to flow freely. Yet, she persisted with gritted teeth:
âJust and wise Supreme Lord! How can you label a faithful knight as a devilâs follower?â
In the Prayer Hall of Winterfell City, Turennes looked at Vera kneeling in front of him, his brows furrowed tightly. He did not anticipate that under such circumstances, Vera would still defend her husband.
Was Colinâs position in her heart above even the Lord of Glory?
Or was her will so strong that even the Popeâs divine technique couldnât sway her?
Turennes hesitated for a moment, finally sighing helplessly and pulling out from his bosom a sheepskin scroll the Pope had given him. He slowly unrolled it before Vera.
The sky above Winterfell City momentarily darkened.
Boom!
The dense clouds suddenly exploded open, a visible pillar of immense divine light streamed down from the sky, enveloping the Central Cathedral of Winterfell City.
A chant filled with sanctity and harmony resonated throughout the city; it seemed like a voice from Heaven.
This celestial spectacle immediately caught the attention of all citizens.
âMiracle!â
âPraise the Lord!â
âMercy of the Lord!â
â¦
Countless devout believers immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, bowing in reverence towards the descending divine light pillar.
Yet, some people stared at this pillar of divine light with eyes full of wonder and doubt.
Inside the Prayer Hall of the Central Cathedral, the statuesque structure of the Lord of Glory on the Altar of Divine Light began to melt slowly, transforming into streams of golden light flowing into the scroll in Turennesâs hand.
âVera. St. Hilde!â
The magnificent voice sounded again, but this time, it seemed to emanate from the depths of Veraâs soul.
Any struggle on her face had disappeared completely, replaced by unparalleled devotion and submissiveness.
â¦
It seemed like only an instant had passed, but also like a century.
The spectacle in the sky finally began to disperse, but the believers in Winterfell City still remained prostrate on the ground, continuously praying.
Outside the Prayer Hall of the Central Cathedral, Archbishop Agani slowly stood up, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked towards the hall.
Behind her, a group of priests excitedly discussed the âdivine signâ they just experienced, some even shedding tears of excitement.
But Agani knew, that was not a divine sign.
The Lord of Glory had long since stopped caring about the human race, and even stopped absorbing the Power of Faith. It was impossible for Him to send a divine sign.
A bad premonition began to emerge, clouding Aganiâs thoughts.
At this time, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the church.
Soon, an attendant rushed to Agani to report:
âArchbishop, the guard teams of the St. Hilde family have surrounded the church!â
âIâll go have a look.â Agani had only taken a few steps when a team of guards rushed in and quickly surrounded the Prayer Hall.
Then, Agani saw a slender figure emerged from the guards.
âMarquis Garcia, what are you doing?â Aganiâs face was solemn as she asked in a serious tone.
Even though the former mighty Marquis of the North Territory no longer held military power, and even his health was declining, he limped as he walked and slouched slightly, everyone present still felt the immense pressure he exuded.
Marquis Garcia slowly walked up to Agani and said emotionlessly: âI came to take Duke St. Hilde.â
Agani smiled faintly and said, âMarquis Garcia, the Duke is currently discussing with Cardinal Turennes inside the prayer hall. Please be patient.â
âTurennes?â Marquis Garcia sneered coldly, as if recalling bad memories. He humphed and sidestepped Archbishop Agani to make his way toward the Prayer Hall.
Agani hesitated for a moment but did not stop him.
The retired bishop stepped forward to block Marquis Garciaâs path, solemnly saying:
âMarquis, please wait outside the hall!â
Marquis Garcia, seemingly not seeing the bishop of Winterfell City at all, continued to walk straight into him.
Even severely injured after the Shadow Gorge battle and carrying the seeds of an ailment, Marquis Garcia was not someone a single priest could stop.
The retired bishop was knocked back a few steps and fell on his bottom.
The rest of the priests, seeing this, dared not step forward. They felt as if they were under the watchful eye of the St. Hilde familyâs guards who surrounded them with a covetous gaze.
But just as Marquis Garcia was ready to step into the Prayer Hall, a figure stepped out from inside.
âUncle, why have you come?â
Vera asked in confusion, looking at the oncoming Marquis Garcia.
Looking at Vera, who seemed quite normal, the frosty expression on Marquis Garciaâs face finally melted, and he smiled, âLet us go home.â
âOkay.â Vera took Marquis Garciaâs arm and strode out.
The priests watching breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Archbishop Agani gazed into Veraâs eyes, scrutinizing her for a good while, but did not detect anything abnormal.
But she knew that things would not be that simple.
During her pondering, she heard Vera ask Marquis Garcia, âWhen will Colin arrive in Winterfell City, Uncle?â
âJudging from the marching speed, Iâd estimate in about two or three days.â
âAlright!â