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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"Eileen, have something to eat."
York pushed the meal tray he had just received towards her.
The plane had taken off around 10 a.m. that day, and it was now [12:24].
This parallel world was largely similar to the previous world, with the Church's headquarters also located in the Vatican.
Officially known as Vatican City, its capital is Vatican City, situated on a hill in the northwest corner of Rome, Italy, with a territory area of 0.44 square kilometers.
This size makes it the smallest country in the world in both the previous world and this parallel universe.
But for all its smallness, this country is truly a territory controlled by the Church.
Of course, there are also significant differences between these two worlds, namely in terms of distance.
In his past life, he was just an ordinary attending physician in a third-grade hospital and had never visited the Vatican, though he had been to Italy.
The estimated distance in this parallel world is farther, meaning they would only arrive at the Vatican in the evening.
In other words, lunch was still necessary.
"Okay, Father."
Eileen obediently took it and placed it in front of her.
York nodded, indicating Eileen to start eating, and began to eat himself.
Now, during the jet's stable flight, they had moved to a dining area.
The exquisite dining table and chairs looked quite valuable.
Although it was the Church's private jet, York felt it was a bit too luxurious.
It seemed that his imagination of a tycoon's private jet could be found here, corresponding to reality.
The only difference was that a tycoon's jet would likely be filled with beautiful stewardesses, whereas his was filled with burly monks who looked formidable at first glance.
If he had to sum it up, compared to a hotel suite, the experience here wasn't much different, with everything one could need.
As for the meal, it was mediocre, but after so many years, he had gotten used to it.
York chewed his food casually, instinctively preparing to take out his phone, curious about the reaction of the believers at Pluto Church to the news of his promotion.
But the moment he touched the phone, York remembered he had turned it off due to being bombarded with endless emails and calls.
"Forget it."
York shook his head internally; he didn't want to experience being bombarded by emails and calls for a second time.
For a while, the space was filled with only the sound of two people eating. Midway, York wanted to chat with Eileen, but after seeing the tranquil nun, he decided against it.
Eileen's every move indicated she wasn't someone who could engage in conversation with him.
York was sure that no matter the topic, it would feel like he was talking to himself.
It was like, he spoke, she listened; he asked, she answered; everything started and ended with him, which was unsustainable.
Thus, York only talked a bit with Eileen after finishing their meal before returning to his seat.
However, from the few questions he asked and her answers, York gleaned some information.
Eileen was actually an orphan, abandoned at the monastery's doorstep by her parents and then picked up and raised by the monastery's Mother Superior Treacy until now.
"Will the old man know about the changes in Eileen's eyes?"
York thought of Eileen's eyes, which had abilities beyond normal human capabilities. He was almost certain Eileen wasn't just an ordinary clergy member.
"If the old man knows about Eileen's spirit-sensitive nature, then he probably knows something. I'll ask him later. If I can find out about Eileen's parents, that would be great. Even though Eileen has become a clergy member, it would at least let her know the reason she was abandoned and resolve her issues."
York instinctively turned his head to look at Eileen sitting to his left, who was now leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed, breathing evenly, already asleep.
"She must be tired after the hectic Halloween night's activities and then setting off without a break."
After a self-reflection, York smiled self-deprecatingly and slowly closed his eyes.
All he could do now was wait to arrive at the Vatican.
But what York didn't know was that, at the moment he chose not to turn on his phone, the believers at Pluto Church had already been buzzing with excitement over the news of his promotion to bishop.
Each group chat was instantly flooded with messages, but the topic eventually boiled down to one thing: organizing a group to attend Father York's inauguration ceremony.
Unaware of this, time slowly passed.
[21:10] Italy, Rome Airport welcomed a church's private jet.
"Father York, we can disembark now." Monk Asel, leading the escort team, spoke beside him.
"Hmm."
York looked at Eileen, her nun's attire making her stand out here.
Eileen nodded slightly, indicating she was ready.
"Let's go then." York was the first to walk out of the cabin, descending the stairs.
Below, a group of clergy members was waiting to receive them.
As always, York and Eileen got into the Vatican's car, which was modest on the outside but luxurious inside.
The car left the airport, just as Rome was showcasing its brilliance.
The entire city was adorned with lights.
...
"Do you like it?"
York looked at Eileen, who was now leaning against the car window, watching the slowly passing scenery.
Although he had visited Rome many times and had stayed here for a while, he couldn't deny that Rome truly deserved to be the center of the ancient Roman Empire.
Most importantly, as they got closer to the Vatican, the religious atmosphere became even denser.
The magnificent buildings that appeared from time to time added a historical depth to the experience.
This city, which blends history and modernity, attracts countless tourists.
"Hmm."
Eileen's eyes sparkled with the scenes outside, looking almost enchanted, as curious as a child, her head constantly turning.
York smiled and looked out the window, his eyes filled with memories of these familiar scenes.
This was just Rome.
Entering the Vatican offered a different experience, distinct in both day and night.
Indeed, as they entered the special passage, passed through layers of checks, and crossed the Vatican walls, Eileen's eyes widened, unsure how to describe the scene before her.
"This is St. Peter's Square."
York introduced it to Eileen, visiting for the first time. In his eyes, it was a square made of neatly laid cobblestones.
Not to mention the omnipresent holy power, the area was so vast that even his hundred-meter radar couldn't cover it all.
Two rows of magnificent Corinthian columns formed a semicircular colonnade, symbolizing the Church's majesty and power.
...
"This Egyptian obelisk is the central marker of the square." York continued to introduce.
"Standing 40 meters tall..."
Eileen instinctively followed the direction indicated by the priest and indeed saw a towering obelisk in the center of the square.
Then, she heard the priest's voice filled with emotion.
"The climax is coming, which is St. Peter's Basilica."
York looked at St. Peter's Basilica, appearing at the end of the square, a ripple of emotion in his eyes.
"Indeed, no matter how many times I come here, it still feels like a miracle."
___________________
(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)
If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT
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