Chapter 261: Holy Church [1]

Chapter 260

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Episode 67 - Holy Church [1]

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Creak!

Two Holy Knights moved at the same time and pulled open a pair of enormous doors.

Beyond them was a large room with three tall windows covered by white curtains.

A massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, while small wall lamps dimly illuminated the interior.

The old-fashioned furniture reminded one of what they might find in a grandfather’s bedroom.

Paintings and photographs of various elderly men and women hung on the walls, each with a small nameplate beneath it.

At the back of the room, on the left side, there was a desk beside a bookshelf filled with ancient books.

On the opposite side was a large bed, concealed behind heavy curtains that provided privacy to whoever rested within.

"We pay our respects to the Pope."

Cardinal Abraham bowed slightly, followed by Rinna, and the two paid their respects.

Then, from behind the bed curtains, a worn-out voice emerged, yet it was still imbued with a strange sense of authority.

"You took your time getting here."

Cardinal Abraham bowed a little deeper and apologized.

"I’m sorry, Pope."

Rinna did the same, apologizing at the same time as Cardinal Abraham.

In response, the Pope let out a tired sigh, causing Rinna to sigh inwardly.

"Forget it."

"Thank you for your mercy, Pope."

A moment later, Cardinal Abraham and Rinna straightened up.

Then, the Pope spoke:

"You may ask."

With his permission, Rinna opened her mouth and asked:

"Did something urgent happen and you need my assistance, Pope?"

"Yes, that is correct. Something important has happened—something I have been waiting for."

"..."

Rinna nodded slightly. However, she was still confused about what exactly she was supposed to do.

"What do I have to do, Pope?"

At her question, the Pope slowly drew a breath before answering:

"There will be a Ceremony in ten hours. Your presence is required. The ceremony will be held in the Great Holy Hall."

Rinna nodded slightly.

"I’ll be there at the appointed time."

"Good. You may return to your room."

"Understood. Then, I’ll take my leave."

Rinna bowed for a few seconds before turning around and leaving through the door.

Clank!

The doors closed with a soft sound that nevertheless echoed throughout the room.

Only after Cardinal Abraham and the Pope were alone did the latter ask:

"How much longer until it’s finished?"

At his question, Cardinal Abraham replied:

"Approximately seven hours. Including the remaining preparations, around nine hours."

The Pope, lying on his bed, let out a quiet "Mhm," as if contemplating the answer.

After a few seconds, he spoke:

"Keep an eye on her and prevent her from entering the Great Holy Hall until I give the order."

"I’m already taking care of it."

Finally, the Pope asked:

"What about the other two Cardinals?"

Cardinal Abraham replied:

"They’re on their way. They’ll arrive in five hours, Your Grace."

"Good. You may leave... Cough...!!!"

Suddenly, a violent cough erupted from the Pope’s throat.

Seeing this, the Cardinal took a step forward, but...

"Don’t worry."

"But, Your Grace, you..."

"I’ll be in perfect condition after today, so don’t worry."

Cardinal Abraham sighed, his expression filled with concern.

"Then, I’ll take my leave."

Cardinal Abraham bowed slightly before leaving through the main door.

Once outside, he gazed down the long, spacious hallway of the Holy Church.

He took a deep breath before beginning to walk down the corridor.

***

"Aah!"

Rinna let out a long sigh as she lay back on the sheets of her bed.

She silently stared at the ceiling as she thought:

’Why is the Pope holding a ceremony, and what is the ceremony for?’

Afraid of being scolded, she hadn’t even dared to ask what it was about or what the purpose of the ceremony was.

According to the Pope, it would begin in ten hours.

It was one in the afternoon at the moment, which meant the ceremony would take place around midnight.

’Mhm... Today is the Soul Moon.’

Every few decades, a phenomenon occurred in which the Moon took on a different color.

This was related to the Twelve Moons and the Twelve Goddesses who represented the Moon’s twelve colors.

The Soul Moon took on a color somewhere between dark blue and purple, bordering on violet.

Very strange phenomena occurred during the night of the Soul Moon.

For example, the typical ghosts that appeared in graveyards.

Soul creatures and monsters also emerged in various specific locations.

Likewise, it was possible to enter the Soul Forest, a place that did not exist in the physical world and served as a habitat for Soul creatures and monsters.

On the other hand, it was also the night of the Necromancers.

Every Soul Moon was practically a holiday for Necromancers, as they had the opportunity to hunt unique Soul monsters or undead creatures.

They could also use Necromancy Alchemy to create unique beings that could only be created during the night of the Soul Moon.

’There are also the forbidden rituals.’

Rituals were considered taboo, as their sole purpose was to make pacts with beings from the Abyss, perform sacrifices, or use forbidden Soul-related Magic, among other similar practices.

For Rinna, who knew perfectly well what the Soul Moon entailed, all of this made her stop and think carefully.

’Normally, they would prepare all the Holy Knights.’

So many things happened during the Soul Moon that the Holy Church and other organizations had to mobilize in order to prevent any potential disasters.

There was even an ancient myth claiming that the Soul Moon was the perfect time to open an entrance for an Evil God or allow one of them to descend into the body of a sacrifice.

Even if that myth was false, the Holy Church always mobilized as many Holy Knights and Inquisitors as possible.

However, with a Soul Moon about to occur, the Pope was holding a ceremony.

’Maybe the ceremony is related to the Soul Moon.’

Otherwise, why would they hold a ceremony so late at night?

From another perspective, the fact that the ceremony was going to be held so late was far too strange, especially on a night of the Soul Moon.

Even so, Rinna didn’t believe the Holy Church was planning anything malicious.

She thought that perhaps something unexpected had happened, and that was why the Pope had decided to hold a ceremony related to some important matter.

After all, this wasn’t even the first time the Pope had held a ceremony late at night when one of the Twelve Moons appeared.

’Oh, that’s right. The Soul Moon would be the last of the Twelve Moons I’ve seen since I was born.’

Remembering that the Pope always did something during the nights of the Twelve Moons, Rinna finally stopped dwelling on the matter.

It would probably be the same as always, except that this time, there would be a ceremony involved.

"Aah...!"

Rinna yawned, feeling sleep beginning to take hold of her. A moment later, she closed her eyes.

However...

Knock! Knock!

"..."

Just as she was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on the door twice.

Knock! Knock!

The next moment, they knocked again.

Only then did Rinna open her eyes and say:

"You may come in, Lady Elizabeth."

Creak!

The door opened with a faint creak, and a refined, professional-looking woman entered the room.

She carried a tray in her hands, upon which sat a cup and a teapot, along with a few cookies and a slice of chocolate cake.

The woman had brown hair and hazel eyes. A pair of transparent, round-framed glasses rested on her face.

Without changing her expression, she placed the tray on a small table accompanied by two chairs and said:

"I’ve brought you some refreshments, my Lady."

Rinna got out of bed and took a seat at the table.

Then, she smiled and looked at Elizabeth.

"It’s been almost a year. Have you been well, Lady Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth had been Rinna’s maid for as long as she could remember.

And throughout all that time, her expression had hardly ever changed. Even to this day, she continued to wear that same emotionless expression.

She had taken care of Rinna and had also taught her everything she needed to know, things that would normally be learned at a school for children.

Furthermore, she had been the one to train her for about two years before she entered the Holy Church.

Elizabeth could easily have been like a mother to Rinna.

However, Rinna knew that Elizabeth simply followed the rules.

She was a woman trained to take care of Rinna without unnecessary things such as emotions or forming an emotional bond with her.

She was practically like a robot programmed to fulfill a single purpose.

Even so, Rinna always smiled at her.

Deep down, she hoped that one day, Elizabeth would smile back at her.

"I’ve been well, my Lady."

"Hehe, I’m glad to hear that. I hope you haven’t felt lonely without my company."

"I’ve been carrying out my duties, my Lady."

"Just as expected of you, Lady Elizabeth."

"I’m merely doing what I’m ordered to do, my Lady."

Rinna picked up one of the cookies from the tray and took a bite.

They were walnut cookies topped with chocolate chips.

"Lady Elizabeth, what’s your secret to making such delicious cookies?"

As she savored the cookie, Rinna enjoyed its exquisite flavor.

Although they were made with nothing more than walnuts and chocolate, something that normally wouldn’t be anything special, for some reason, every time she ate those cookies, she felt carefree and relaxed.

"I simply follow the recipe’s instructions, my Lady."

Rinna pouted and crossed her arms.

"You always say the same thing. Sometimes, you’re mean."

"My duty is to assist you in your personal life, my Lady."

Rinna continued eating the cookies peacefully until, finally, there were none left.