Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Reactions
The roaring engine gradually revved up, vibrating the entire fuselage, followed by the sound of tires rubbing against the runway.
All these sensations echoed in York's mind as he sat comfortably in his seat, unconsciously turning his head to look out the window.
As the private jet accelerated, the scenery began to recede.
A force of being pushed backward came, and buildings, trees, and vehicles on both sides rapidly shrank in size.
York watched as the jet pierced through the clouds, looking down at the ground, everything as tiny as ants, then turned his head to glance at Eileen sitting on his left.
The little nun was also looking out the window, her even breathing indicating her deep thoughts.
Compared to his previous solitude, having a constant companion on this journey felt quite nice.
"Maybe I'm really getting old."
York showed a smile, shook his head, and then took out his phone.
Although he was about to be promoted to bishop, one of the top positions in the church's hierarchy, he knew he truly didn't care much about it.
Of course, this was just for him. A priest's promotion to bishop would be considered a significant event externally.
The church hadn't had news of anyone being promoted to bishop for a long time.
Plus, considering the church's vast global reach and the terrifying number of followers,
York thought his inauguration ceremony would cause quite a stir.
"So the news of the bishop's promotion should have been released, starting with the first channel."
York first looked at the church's official website.
Given the era's modernity, surpassing the 21st century, publishing the news online would reach more believers faster than offline notifications.
"Indeed, it appeared today."
Skipping the rest, York didn't need to click around much; upon entering the church's official website, the homepage already displayed the document about his promotion.
[Dear brethren]
[According to the decision of the Holy See, based on the vote of the College of Bishops, the Holy See will hold a solemn ceremony]
[To bless and announce the promotion of our beloved Father York John to Bishop]
[This is an important moment]
[The inauguration ceremony will be held on **/** at St. Peter's Basilica]
[We will witness Father York accepting the bishop's crozier and mitre, taking on broader church responsibilities]
[We hope you will join us in witnessing this historic moment.
Let us pray together that God will continue to look after and guide our bishop in his new position, to be a model of faith and a shepherd's example.
May God's grace be with you]
[...]
The official report was straightforward.
York couldn't help but sigh; he could imagine the reaction of the believers at Pluto Church when they saw this notice.
They would probably be incredulous at first, then happy for him, and maybe a bit reluctant.
York steadied his breathing and moved on to the second channel.
The church's official social media, equivalent to the previous era's Twitter and so on.
After the announcement appeared on the official website's homepage, social media also quietly announced the news.
The comments section instantly exploded with 99+ notifications.
Clearly, this matter eventually caused quite a stir among the believer community.
"Never mind."
York wanted to read the comments but eventually lost interest and turned off his phone, then closed his eyes to rest.
However, what York didn't know was that the commotion caused by this event was beyond his imagination.
Notification after notification appeared in every major diocese of the church.
In Korea, Japan, Romania, France, England, and every country's major dioceses, in the hands of every bishop, every priest.
Not just the clergy, but every country's official organizations also turned their attention to this matter.
In Stanford, USA, at the bustling St. Luz Church.
Father Luz, nearing retirement, sat on the bench looking at the phone he just received from a monk, his face showing a wistful expression.
He looked at the photo on the screen, at the determined face of the priest, and chuckled.
"You look really handsome, York. You've finally become a bishop, congratulations..."
...
In the same city, Stanford, at a convenience store.
"Three dollars."
Todd, a dark-skinned, tall and burly man, told the customer in front of him.
"Thank you."
The customer, a man dressed in an expensive suit, seemed out of place in the convenience store but appeared indifferent, sensing Todd's mood while taking out his wallet and placing a bill on the counter.
"Mr. Todd, something good happened today? You seem very happy."
Hearing this, Todd, who usually has a stoic face, uncharacteristically smiled as he took the bill.
"Father York has been promoted."
On his computer screen, not showing the price scanning interface but the church's official website's homepage, with the notification and York's photo prominently displayed.
"Ah, is that so..."
Suddenly hearing this news from Todd, the customer's expression became unnatural, as if thinking of something.
"Congratulations."
"I'll convey your congratulations to Father York."
"No, no, Mr. Todd, it's best to keep the blessings in the heart..." The customer hastily refused.
Todd's smile remained, knowing the customer's situation well, after all, anyone who had been beaten up by Father York would react this way.
Father York's style always left a deep impression.
"Your change, 2 dollars."
He gave the change to the customer, who was actually a demon, allowing it to leave the convenience store with a constipated expression in haste.
Todd watched him go, then turned his head at the sound of movement.
The elevator door to the basement cracked open from the wall, and a young man with a backpack emerged, his expression one of regret and urgency.
"Good morning, Hilary, where are you off to?"
"To St. Peter's Basilica!"
The disheveled Hilary grabbed a loaf of bread and began to eat it without paying, hurriedly leaving in front of Todd.
This made Todd sigh, shake his head, and then pick up the simultaneously ringing phone, placing it to his ear.
"Mr. Mike, what's up?"
"Todd, has Hilary left?" came old Mike's voice from the pager.
"Yes, he just left," Todd replied seriously.
"He said he's going to St. Peter's Basilica."
"Let him go. That guy must be regretting it badly. Bring me another pair of gloves down."
"Sure thing, Mr. Mike."
Todd's response traveled down to old Mike's ears.
At this moment, old Mike also placed the phone back in its place, subconsciously looking at the computer on the desk, the screen also displaying the notification of York's promotion.
"This guy's steps are getting farther and farther, but it's normal."
Unlike his usual scholarly expression, old Mike's face showed a nostalgic smile.
"Just don't know which diocese Gregory His Holiness will assign him to."
Old Mike took a deep breath, then looked at the research equipment beside him and continued to walk over, continuing to chase his dream of winning the Nobel Prize.
At the same time, in New York.
In a room that remained dim despite the bright sun outside, a blonde beauty with messy hair sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking at the laptop on her white thighs in disbelief.
"Huh?? How did this guy become a bishop?"
Hannah widened her eyes, the remaining sober
ness after waking up completely dissipated at this moment. She continued to scroll the mouse, eventually throwing the laptop aside and rubbing her face.
"Ah! If only I hadn't drunk!!"
Then she became somewhat annoyed, grabbing her messy hair, then instinctively looking at the brand-new Halloween costume and the wine bottles scattered on the floor.
"I wasted my money buying a house next to his! I wanted to surprise him, my money!! Ah ah..."
...
"Please stand, defendant!"
In the crowded courtroom, under the gaze of all the spectators including the Warren couple behind, the young man obediently stood up.
The judge's voice sounded, beginning the sentencing.
"... According to..."
"Manslaughter."
"... Five years imprisonment."
...
Sitting in the back row of the courtroom, the Warren couple sighed in relief, exchanging glances with smiles in their eyes.
This sentence was much better than the previous life imprisonment, the result of their efforts, and of course, they had Father York to thank.
Ed smirked, leaning close to Lorraine, whispering, "We should take a break after this."
"Break?" Lorraine couldn't hide the smile in her eyes, glancing at the phone in her husband's hand.
From the still-lit screen, through the exposed corner, Lorraine could see the official church website's homepage, including Father York's photo.
"Sure, where to?" Lorraine teased softly.
Ed raised an eyebrow, looking forward with a smile: "Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, let's go see Father York..."
...
In Jersey City, New Jersey.
A house echoed with a roar akin to a lioness: "Janet! Come down for dinner!"
However, the voice that suddenly sounded upstairs was even louder than her mother's.
"Mom!!!"
Accompanied by a series of thumping footsteps down the stairs, a statement followed.
"Father York is being promoted to bishop!!"
"Huh?"
While placing dishes on the dining table, Mrs. Peggy was stunned, looking at her daughter Janet, who appeared slightly flushed from the vigorous activity, wiping her hands on the apron.
"Here, let me see."
She took the tablet from the excited and slightly nervous Janet.
At the dining table, where everyone was already seated, including the eldest sister Margaret, glanced at the excited yet somewhat anxious Janet, then looked at their mother holding the tablet.
"It's true."
Mrs. Peggy showed a happy expression, but somehow, looking at her daughter in front of her, as a single mother, how could she not sense her daughter's change.
"Mom!"
Janet pursed her lips, speaking, "Can I go?"
Mrs. Peggy seriously looked at her daughter, the smile on her face growing.
"You really want to go?"
Janet nodded earnestly.
"I do."
Hearing this, Mrs. Peggy subconsciously glanced at the priest's photo on the tablet. She could hear Janet's earnestness and said gently with a sigh.
"Of course, but then you won't have a birthday gift."
With that, Janet, understanding the implication, excitedly hugged Mrs. Peggy.
"Thank you, mom!"
Mrs. Peggy was embraced fully but didn't mind, patting her daughter's head.
"Silly child!"
...
In Romania, at Bucharest International Airport.
An old man with white hair, dressed in a bishop's purple robe, led a group of clergy through a deserted special passage.
While walking, the old man seemed to think of something and calmly spoke.
"Azaz, remember to pick up Sister Treacy from the monastery to attend York's inauguration ceremony, so she won't keep nagging me about her beloved little nun."
Walking in the middle, Monk Azaz nodded:
"Of course, Bishop Rovshan, I will."
Hearing the response, Bishop Rovshan couldn't help but ramble again.
"Since she misses that child so much, let her also attend York's inauguration ceremony. According to York's character, he will definitely bring his deacon nun to his own inauguration ceremony. Make sure she has a seat."
Speaking while reaching the end of the passage with a view suddenly opening up, Bishop Rovshan looked at the church's private jet waiting on the open ground for a long time, still feeling somewhat emotional.
"I thought you would become a bishop, but I never thought it would happen so quickly, York."
The old man couldn't help but recall York's face and their previous interactions.
In Thailand, Bangkok, at Don Mueang International Airport.
A small military squad tasked with protection appeared, fully armed, escorting the central crowd through the inner passage.
Most notably, an old man in a purple bishop's robe sat in a wheelchair among the crowd, staring ahead with an expressionless face.
Suddenly thinking of something, the old man calmly spoke, breaking the silence: "Daniel, are you envious?"
As the priest pushing the wheelchair shook his head with a smile, he responded.
"Bishop Richard, not envious, I know this is what Father York deserves."
Saying this, Daniel the priest showed a hint of respect and devotion. He had been to that scene.
To him, the transformation of the environment was a miracle that ordinary people, including clergy like him, couldn't achieve.
Arriving at that place felt like knowing what something represents without understanding how it was achieved.
It was beyond the scope of cognition.
So he didn't feel envious at all; instead, he thought it was deserved.
Bishop Richard, expressionless, could sense the emotions of the person behind him, calmly saying amid Daniel's moved expression.
"That's good, anyway, you will take my place in the future, no need to envy that... guy..."
His voice trailed off until it was barely audible.
"He... is somewhat different from you, the church has its considerations."
"I understand, Bishop Richard," Daniel the priest smiled.
"I will work hard, and I will definitely not disappoint you when the time comes."
The priest's tone was exceptionally firm.
...
And so, conversation after conversation related to York took place in every country's airport.
For a while, one private jet after another, bearing the church's emblem, began to take off, heading straight for the Vatican through the clouds.
The whole world was quietly stirred by this event.
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