566 Holy Name (2/2)

After Lucien finished, Fernando slightly frowned and said, ”We didn't lose any of the legends, which was great, but it was quite weird that the new pope arrived at the level of demigod all of the sudden. If the pope did receive the favor of the God of Truth, why didn't he kill all the sorcerers on the spot? Since he already bequeathed a bliss, it shouldn't have been difficult to launch a punishment.”

In the past, the popes all died of natural causes, and they had plenty of time to select and train their heirs. Even so, it would take the new pope's one year before they could become demigods.

”Huh, if the pope is really the spokesperson of the God of Truth on earth who can receive the bliss, what about the North Church and the Holmish Church? Why can they also perform divine powers? Why can the pontiff use 'God's Grace'?” Lucien also expressed his questions.

Thoughtfully, Fernando said, ”I just realized that something was wrong. Since the new popes would only be at the peak of legendary in one year after their inauguration, why did the three demigods never try to seize the opportunity in the past hundreds of years? The defense of the Holy City could resist one demigod but certainly not two.”

Lucien shook his head. If they asked the Silver Moon such a question, there was definitely not going to be any answer.

......

In the Bright Hall in Lance, the Holy City…

Anasta, who hadn't been officially inaugurated, stood before the remaining Grand Cardinals and said grievously, ”The Congress of Magic conspired with abyssal devils and attempted to destroy the world. Thankfully, His Holiness sacrificed himself and crushed the Will of Abyss, saving the pure spirits. I will carry on his last will and eliminate the evils completely!”

That was their official statement on the event. Now that the four countries of the straight and the north coastline had been lost, they had to ensure that their base was steady, and nothing could please the believers more than a pope who sacrificed himself to save the world.

Looking around him, Melmax felt sorrowful. Of the eight saints, two had perished, one had betrayed and died, and one had become the pope. Only half of them were left. As for the regular saint cardinals, one had perished and three went missing, meaning that there were only sixteen Grand Cardinals left now. Thankfully, the Angel King prepared to stay on earth for now to help the Church survive the difficulties.

”We will certainly carry on His Holiness' last will and eliminate the evils!” The Grand Cardinals drew crosses on their chest and replied at the same time in grief, ”Only Truth lives forever.”

Anasta's voice became slow and solemn, ”We have suffered tremendous losses, but we must not lose confidence because of that. This is a test of the Lord, and we will accomplish the final victory with the grace of the Lord. Melmax, you will go find Torrens and other saint cardinals and tell them that, as long as they would like to repent, the Lord will pardon them. They were only on the wrong path because of Sard's trick, and they can still return to the Lord. This is the Lord's grace.”

Now that he had invoked Lord's grace in front of the Grand Cardinals, it meant that Torrens and other saint cardinals had truly been pardoned. Even if he intended to go back on his words, he had to consider whether or not it would chill all of the Grand Cardinals. Also, Sard's last trump card was 'Will of Abyss'. Those three saint cardinals couldn't have known much about that.

In appreciation, Melmax said in a low voice, ”As the Lord wishes and your command.”

Only by uniting the majority could the Church recover from the hit.

”I am still not the pope yet.” Anasta smiled and walked to the stairs.

There were only seven stairs in total. When Anasta stepped onto the first stair, the hallowed and unpredictable hymns echoed.

When he stepped on the second stair, the vague holy light sprayed down, making the Bright Hall even brighter.

After his third step, countless angels made of light spots appeared and surrounded Anasta.

After his fourth step, the whole Holy City of Lance was enshrouded in holy light. All the clerics and believers kneeled on the ground and prayed: ”…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

After his fifth step, the projection of Mountain Paradise seemed to have appeared in the sky.

After his sixth step, a beam of sacred light illuminated Anasta directly.

After his seventh step, Anasta, whose back was towards everybody, had an extremely pale face, and his left hand was shivering beyond his control as if he were too old and weary, but everything was soon back to normal. He turned around and raised his staff high towards the many Grand Cardinals.

At this moment, a grave and sacred voice descended from somewhere high and unknown:

”You will be given the holy name 'Benedict'!”

Anasta drew a cross respectfully and spoke with a voice echoing inside the entire Holy City:

”Henceforth, I will be Benedict III!”