Chapter 14: Chapter 203

Did those who wanted to hide their identities decide to sit together? It seemed so unlikely to be a coincidence, yet I was unsure because neither of them was acting as if they recognized each other.

However, I didn't have time to dwell on the odd seating arrangements. I had a worship service to lead. The plan was to keep it short and sweet.

"Thank you for coming, everyone! Ahem! I'm not the best preacher, but..." I took a deep breath, then shouted passionately, "God loves you all! You must all believe in God with all your heart! God's blessing is everlasting! I wish you peace in your families and success in everything you do!"

With that finishing flourish, I took a moment to look around the crowd and noticed that everyone was staring up at me mutely with wide eyes. The crowd's lack of reaction persisted. While normally the extended silence might make me nervous, I believed in the power of my preaching. After all, the Divine Regalia Costume Set of Voiceism had the effect of tripling my charm, elegance, dignity, and charisma, which included the added perk that, "Religious propagation activities will become much easier upon equipping this item!"

Then a moment later...

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

The messages were popping up endlessly, confirming the massive success of my preaching. I was smiling with satisfaction as I looked upon the crowd, who were looking back at me with sparkling eyes, when the atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted.

"Huh? What...?"

"Y-Your Eminence?"

The faces of those in the audience twisted into shock as a gentle whirlwind suddenly appeared out of thin air and wrapped around me. But that wasn't all.

Bonk! Thud! Thud!

Objects shimmering with holy light started falling from the ceiling to land on top of the wooden podium before me.

What is all this?

The system immediately provided me with an answer.

⟬«System» The Critic for Balance gifts you with [A Pure Gold Holy Communion Set].⟭

⟬«System» The Advocate of Confidentiality gifts you with [A Bowl of Everlasting Holy Anointing Oil].⟭

⟬«System» The Executive of Creative Economy gifts you with [An Automatic Cash-Recharge Offering Box].⟭

⟬«System» The Supreme Merchant of All Things gifts you with [A 50% Discount Coupon for All Items in the VIP Point Shop].⟭

⟬«System» The Architect of the Skyscraper of Suffering gifts you with [You Only Live Once! Winner's Luck Potion].⟭

⟬«System» The Cliché Gourmet gifts you with [Story ​Accelerator: Supreme Amnesia Cure Potion].⟭

⟬«System» The Scale that Judges Souls gifts you with [Seal of Proof: Joint Assets (Cufflink Type)].⟭

⟬«System» The Eye Overseeing All Chaos gifts you with [A Handmade Lily Wreath].⟭

⟬«System» The Voice that Shapes the World gifts you with [Grand Priest of Voiceism Costume Two], [Grand Priest of Voiceism Costume Three], [Grand Priest of Voiceism Costume Four]...⟭

Wow, this is incredible. The gods showered me with gifts to celebrate the opening of the church.

"H-Holy items are falling from the sky!"

"T-This is a miracle! A true miracle!"

⟬«System» You have reformed an atheist into a follower!⟭

I waited for the energy in the air to settle, then spoke again, for the worship service wasn't over yet.

"Come here, Hilde."

"Right away!"

Today was an important day for Hilde as well. I placed both hands on her head and recited the prayer that endowed her with a divine duty, the first Sacrament of Holy Orders I'd administered as a bishop. I helped the new priest stand upon completing this pious ritual, feeling proud that such a talented person had joined Voiceism. I was deeply moved, but I suppressed my emotions and addressed her by her religious title.

"Sister Hilde."

"Yes, big Sister."

"Huh...?" I asked, having expected her to greet me by the same religious title.

"Uh, I mean, isn't it pretty much the same word either way?"

"Umm... Sure, I guess." I pushed that minor detail aside. "I really hope you can help me a lot moving forward, like a vice-bishop."

"A-A vice-bishop?"

"I won't be around the church often due to my busy schedule, so I'd like you to help me fulfill my holy calling."

She looked unsure and asked, "B-But... Do you think I can do it?"

"Of course. You will be great. Even if you make mistakes, it's fine. I'll take all the responsibility." I was speaking nonchalantly, but I truly meant what I said.

Please never leave me. All the divine power users are pagans.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World finds it pitiful that you lack more talented people.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls suggests that you convince the main lead to convert.⟭

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality warns that it is immoral to forcefully take a follower away from another religion.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls argues by saying that it shouldn't matter since the religion belongs to a god that ran away.⟭

⟬The Cliché Gourmet clears their throat loudly from the back.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls jolts with shock at the director's sudden presence.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World trembles and asks how The Cliché Gourmet came without an invitation.⟭

I gazed into Hilde's eyes nervously until she finally uttered the words I was hoping to hear.

"All right! I'll do my best, big Sister!"

"Hilde...!" I grabbed her hands with overwhelming gratitude.

Just then, someone cleared their throat behind us.

"Ahem!"

The sound snapped me back to reality. For some reason, even without looking, I had a feeling that it had been Bianca signaling for me to focus on the task at hand. Now, it was time to serve the regular followers by baptizing them with holy water that I sanctified myself and listening to confessions in the confessional.

I performed my duties for as long as I could, but it was impossible to serve everyone who'd come. I was just walking out of the confessional when I noticed Hilde surrounded by people and answering questions new followers had.

"I'm going to be twenty years old next month. Am I eligible for a coming-of-age ceremony?"

"The coming-of-age ceremony will take place every month during the Lunar Genesis, but do contact me separately if you wish to have a private ceremony," Hilde explained.

"I'm a bride-to-be, and my wedding is next year. Do you provide marriage services as well? Can I make a reservation now?"

"What? We can make reservations? Me, please! Me! I'd also like to make a reservation for a wedding!"

"Me too! Me too! I'd really like Her Eminence to officiate my wedding!"

"Umm... The Divine Emissary is extremely busy, you see, and marriage ceremonies can only be performed for followers of the Church of Saint Agnes—"

"I'll attend! I'll attend with my bride-to-be, so please! Let me make a reservation!"

"I'll bring parents from both sides of the family!"

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

⟬«System» You have converted an atheist into a follower!⟭

⟬«System» You have converted several atheists into followers!⟭

I was starting to think that the message windows were never going to end.

"Huh?"

Another gentle whirlwind wrapped around me as a divine beam of light appeared from directly above my head.

Wh-what's going on? I felt a hot sensation fill my chest and shoulders, but I wasn't the only one who witnessed this bizarre phenomenon.

"Wow."

"Goodness."

Everyone inside the worship hall stopped what they were doing and held their breath.

⟬«System» Congratulations! You have reached Tier 9 Divine Power.⟭

Oh my god. Previously, my divine power had hit its limit at Tier 8, which had been achieved with the Grand Bishop's Rosary Ring, but the ceiling that was holding me back had finally shattered.

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls applauds your achievement.⟭

⟬The Executive of Creative Economy gives you a round of applause.⟭

⟬The Advocate of Confidentiality gives you a round of applause.⟭

I could almost hear the explosion of claps from the Divine Realm.

«Congratulations, Ailette. I can't believe you've already reached Tier 9.»

"Thank you, Agnes."

I clenched both my fists and basked in the glory of my growing power until I felt a jolt of awareness at my surroundings.

Now's not the time to do this! I took a deep breath, then hurriedly reigned in my Tier 9 Divine Power in case it accidentally caused the weaker members of my congregation to collapse. Only then did the crowd finally begin to breathe again, and they soon shouted exclamations of wonder at my latest divine blessing.

"My goodness. That was Tier 9 Divine Power just now, right?"

"She reached it without using Divine Advent..."

"I think we know who's the strongest person in the world is now."

"No one is going to be able to control the Divine Emissary."

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World is touched by how strong you've become through religious propagation.⟭

⟬The Executive of Creative Economy claims that now it is time to get stronger through offerings.⟭

Lord Executive's comment must've been a prophecy.

⟬«System» Transcendent Skill Book from the Transmigrator's Item Shop has been unlocked.⟭

The Transmigrator's Item Shop only sold Ultimate Skill books until now. This meant I couldn't use transcendent skills I'd not learned, such as Inviolable Divinity, unless I was in the Divine Advent state. However, now I could purchase these skills to learn them.

Wow, I'm going to become so much stronger! Transmigrator perks are the best! But, on the other hand, I felt a little bit sad because the cost of these skill books was so extremely high.

Aw... There are too many things to spend money on. While I wallowed in mild sorrow, another quest completion notice popped up, along with a dinging sound.

⟬«Quest» The Fourth [Calling of the Grand Priest of Voiceism] has been completed.⟭

I'd successfully completed the opening ceremony of the church, which made me realize that it was time to leave.

"May God's protection be with you!"

After watching our new followers leave the worship hall one by one, I exited through the side door, only to run into someone I didn't expect to see—it was Rigarez, the rebellious and cold-hearted prince with platinum hair and blue eyes.

"Prince Rigarez?" I greeted him in a guarded tone, wanting to know why he thought it wise to seek me out.

"Hello, Sister-in-Law."

For a moment, I seriously questioned whether there was something wrong with my eyes and ears. Not only did Rigarez address me with a new and strange title, but he then timidly reached out to hand me a bouquet of flowers.