80 Fourth Heaven (2/2)
In the distance, the deep chime of enormous bells filled the air across the city. Crowds of devoted worshipers, acolytes, and priests watched Reed with interest as they whispered amongst each other.
Oh man, not this shit again... Just play it cool, Reed. Don't worry about it…
A tall, elderly man walked out of the void in front of the hovercraft and said, ”We are honored by your presence and welcome you to our home with open arms, Prince Leon. I, Bishop Poe, am at your service, your highness.”
Reed nodded and said, ”I was not told that this would be a public appearance, Bishop Poe. Had I known, I would have not brought…”
When Lu'um stepped out of the hovercraft, Bishop Poe said, ”Oh no, no. It is perfectly fine; you needn't worry about that…”
Poe bowed toward Lu'um and said, ”Greetings to you, fair maiden—”
”I am Maya Goldentree — Fiancee of Prince Leon.”
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Don't introduce yourself like that, woman! What are you doing?!!
Reed calmly smiled and said, ”Forgive her, Bishop, she is just a bit under the weather…”
Poe abruptly coughed and then said, ”Your highness, we welcome you as well to our home. The Pope has been expecting you and was delighted when he heard of your arrival. Please, if you don't mind…”
He gestured toward the path that had been laid — the long carpet made of crimson and gold. It lead toward an elegant vehicle on the other side where even more soldiers were posted on guard.
They've really made a whole show out of this… Goddammit.
But there was no going back now. Reed knew that, so he clenched his teeth and resigned himself to his fate. He put on his best smile and then threw himself into the fire…
It was a full-fledged nightmare for Reed as he had expected. The whole city had been apparently alerted to his arrival and what should have been a simple drive to the Sacred Cathedral had turned into a godforsaken parade.
The worst part was that the vehicle that had driven him to the Sacred Cathedral had been constructed with a convertible roof. As soon as it took off down the main street, the roof popped off and the madness began.
Reed, Lu'um, and Bishop Poe had been drowned to brim with flowers, to the point that it had nearly filled the hovercraft. He'd been forced to smile and wave like a statue for a solid twenty minutes as people hurled flowers at him as if they were going out of style.
Lu'um, on the other hand, had enjoyed the experience to the fullest. The crowds chanted, ”Beauty of the East,” and ”Jem of the North,” the entire way through the parade as they hurled roses on her side of the hovercraft.
Poe chuckled and said, ”As you have seen, the city's filled with love. Especially for you, Prince Leon. After the Pope spoke about your touching coronation speech during mass, your popularity blew up around here, so to speak.”
”So it seems…” said Reed as he brushed flowers out of his hair. ”Fourth Heaven is mighty welcoming, that's sure.”
”And very… beautiful, too,” said Lu'um as she plucked out a flower that had gotten entangled in back of Reed's head. ”The architecture here is unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's magnificent…”
Poe nodded and said, ”Yes, indeed, Lady Maya. This city boasts the most accurate representation of Ancient Mulian architecture in the world. It is the life's work of our archbishops who wanted to emulate the beauty of the Gods. Alas, it will never truly match the splendor of what once was according to them...”
Lu'um smiled and said, ”Even so, they have done quite well. They should be proud of what they have accomplished even if it'll never match the original…”
Reed coughed and looked at Lu'um with a scolding gaze.
Keep your petty insults to yourself, woman. Don't make my life harder, please...
”If only, Lady Maya, if only. But the Archbishops are a… dedicated bunch. Very devoted to their beliefs and of course, the Goddess.”
When the hovercraft approached the front of the Sacred Cathedral its large, wooden doors opened and an enormous congregation of old men and women walked out in unison.
Reed suddenly felt his blood freeze.
Oh, fuck! It's them…! There's so many of them…!
The ambient Anima in the area suddenly overflowed like mad and condensed enough that an aurora was cast above the Sacred Cathedral for kilometers without end.
They had personally come to meet and escort Reed to the Holy Pope himself.
The old monsters had arrived.