章 179: The Cathedral
Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Elvis rode in his carriage all the way to the grand cathedral located in the city center.
From the outside, this cathedral appeared very new, matching the growing influence of the Alliance of Horns. The Church had spared no expense in constructing this magnificent building near the central square of Niceport.
Compared to the old church in the eastern district of the city, this new cathedral was not only more splendid but also larger and taller. Its tallest structure, the bell tower, even surpassed the Golden Tower, the governmental building used by the Alliance Council, and for convenience, a basket elevator was installed for personnel.
It wouldn't be long before Niceport's iconic building shifted from the Golden Tower to this grand cathedral.
Elvis stepped down from the carriage and arrived at the cathedral's entrance, noticing nearby wanted posters seeking clues about Baroness Fanny.
He shook his head mockingly.
"Hmph! Who would have thought, the person you're putting so much effort into finding is right here in this cathedral in the city center."
He continued walking towards the cathedral, greeted along the way by monks and believers, whom he acknowledged politely, displaying none of the arrogance he had shown at the embassy.
A green bird took flight from his carriage, hesitating at the cathedral's entrance, seeming undecided about flying inside through the door.
It circled around to the side of the cathedral, finding all windows open along the walls. Just as it was about to pick a window to enter, Elvis emerged from a small door nearby.
Turning around, he headed towards the courtyard behind the cathedral.
The bird changed direction and flew towards the courtyard as well.
Bishop Elvis appeared to be in a good mood as he briskly entered the courtyard. It was elegantly landscaped with flowers and grass, a place for the clergy to stroll and relax after meals.
The bishop quickly spotted the person he was looking for—a man dressed in clergy attire feeding birds in the courtyard. He held a small box filled with grains.
A large group of birds of various colors surrounded him, chirping and occasionally pecking at the grains he had scattered on the ground.
Elvis smiled warmly, "Lord Anthony, I couldn't find you inside, but I figured you'd most likely be here feeding the birds."
The man didn't turn around, still watching the birds covering the ground. Strangely, these birds showed no fear of him.
"How did the Duchess react?"
"Hmph! She said she would consider it. I've given her a deadline. If she hasn't agreed to our terms by this time tomorrow, then her whole family will be ruined."
"Sigh... You really have no pity. I've heard that Princess Helen is renowned throughout the Horns for her beauty."
TL Note: Horns is the region of Angle Bay and its surroundings...
Elvis frowned slightly. Such frivolous words should not come from a clergyman's mouth.
But the man was a special envoy from the Holy See, and Elvis didn't want to sour their relationship.
"For the glory of my Lord, I will find a way to overcome any obstacles, whether in reality or spiritually."
The man known as Anthony turned around, speaking admiringly, "Truly worthy of Bishop Elvis. With you, a devout and capable bishop, sitting in the Angle Bay, the radiance of my Lord will surely shine upon everyone here."
Elvis straightened his chest proudly, accepting the praise but still humble in his words.
"Oh, it's nothing. If it weren't for the information brought by Lord Anthony, I would still be unaware of the Alliance Council's maneuvers. It's embarrassing, they're plotting right under my nose and I didn't notice."
"Ah..." Anthony sighed heavily.
Elvis was somewhat puzzled. "Your Excellency, why are you sighing?"
Anthony's face showed a mix of sadness and indignation.
"I sigh because while we have devout servants like you here working to spread the glory of the Lord, there are quite a few people in the Holy See undermining us."
"Undermining us? What do you mean?"
"It's hard to put into words!" Anthony's expression seemed to empathize with Elvis's plight.
"Near the Pope's side, there are always such villains. They criticize the witch-hunting campaigns initiated by the Horns, always accusing you of causing unnecessary trouble for the Church."
Hatred quickly spread across Elvis's face.
"Shameful traitors! Shameful heretics! They should all be bound to the stake and burned alive!"
In Elvis's mind, those labeled with these two terms were more despicable than pagans or non-believers; they were the kind who would stab you in the back without warning.
Anthony added fuel to the fire. "What's worse, there are clergy proposing to 'rehabilitate' this group of witches, arguing that the scriptures do not record every witch as evil..."
"Oh, Heavenly Father! Almighty God!"
Elvis cried out in shock and fear, his extreme anger causing him to tremble all over.
Pointing a finger at Anthony, the bishop demanded, "What... what have you and your kind been doing? Why do you allow such nonsense to persist in the Holy See? Why do you let them live among us?"
Seeing the bishop almost losing his balance, Anthony rushed forward and steadied him.
"Bishop Elvis, we are willing but powerless. The situation in the Holy See... how should I put it, is quite complex, especially with the Rationalists constantly spreading all sorts of heretical ideas. And the current Pope is a man of tolerance..."
"Hmph!"
Elvis snorted coldly, expressing his dissatisfaction, whether towards the heretics in the Holy See or the Pope, was unclear.
Whispering in his ear, Anthony said softly, "Right now, we desperately hope for an extremely devout saint to come and lead the situation in the Holy See!"
Elvis sensed there was more to Anthony's words than met the ear, and he regarded Anthony with an inquiring look.
Anthony smiled gently and whispered, "Archbishop of the Horns is getting on in years. Soon, a successor will need to be arranged. Bishop Elvis, have you ever considered this?"
"I..."
Elvis suddenly became a bit hesitant.
"If it allows me to serve the Lord better, I would certainly not hesitate."
"In that case, Bishop Elvis, we will rely on your hard work. To be honest with you, I came here this time to secretly evaluate the bishops of the Horns and report on their conduct to the Holy See headquarters. Therefore, I have some say in personnel matters in this regard."
This was more than just having some say. It was like an explosion in Elvis's heart.
"Lord Anthony... no, Lord Anthony, you..."
Anthony waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't worry about the unnecessary details. I am impressed by the devotion in your heart! Please continue to fulfill your duties diligently within your current scope."
"I swear!" Elvis's expression turned solemn as he raised his right hand.
"I will spread the glory of the Lord in every heart in the Horns. I will cleanse all filth from the Horns!"
(End of the Chapter)
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