LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 53: Wisterian Religious Order (Part 4)
They have arrived at the Serenity and Compassion Cathedral. There were two towers embedded by the corners at the front. It had white walls and several glass windows with frames made up of gold. On the walls were statues of both the Lord and Lady.
The three storey building was lit up on the outside not by flames, but rather by glowing stones, numerous of them were embedded on the walls and in the hands of the statues.
Tina noticed that the doors of the cathedral were closed, apparently inaccessible to the public at the moment. Priests in white robe guarded the flanks however held no weapons whatsoever. But of course, Tina knew what was up with those guards.
The church order members commonly have no need for physical weapons.
Astine and Tina walked towards the door. The guards recognized them instantly and opened the door.
“Welcome back, Tina.”
One of the guards greeted her, she nodded her head at him.
When she looked at what was inside, her eyes widened in surprise. This was a rare sight. No, she never saw such a sight before. Numerous priests and priestesses were inside the main chamber sitting on the chairs while others stood by the sides.
As someone who was raised in the church, Tina was familiar with all of them. But she had never seen them all gathered in one location. Just how much of an emergency requires these many members of the order?
Tina began to suspect this had something to do with the nation’s security overall.
“Let’s find the high bishop.”
As they went through the room, Tina was still in awe of everyone gathered today. It especially caught her eyes, those who she knew were strong, strong enough to challenge even a high ranking knight from the palace. But of course, they were only few in number.
That said, even the others were not to be underestimated. Mere foot soldiers wouldn’t be able to defeat even a single one here. Even her own party members working together would have a hard time. They may be able to defeat that person, but it would certainly incur casualties or fatalities.
Tina wasn’t in match with their offensive prowess. But her support abilities were amongst the most reliable and powerful in the order.
Then they arrived at the back of the front chamber. There she saw a few members of the church, but among them was a man.
The man was in his mid fifties, his dark hair had contained a few white strands. He had a light brown skin and dark bluish eyes. He had a short beard, and he donned a white robe with golden hue at the seams with traces of petals of wisteria flower.
“High bishop,” Astine said as she bowed her head, Tina also followed suit. “I have brought Tina.”
The high bishop, Xenous Grail, smiled warmly as he looked at Tina.
“Welcome back home, dear Tina.”
Xenous walked forward and raised his hand, patting Tina on the head. Tina couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes, I have returned.”
“My apologies for suddenly calling you, but we need all the members we can get.”
It was not all they could get, but rather, from how Tina saw it, it seems the high bishop precisely ordered for all to come.
“You have no need to apologize, High Bishop. I fully understand, I must fulfill my duties to the church, to the crown, and to the Lord and Lady.”
“That is great... I’m glad you are completely alright.”
Hearing his words warmed Tina’s heart. That said, it was often slightly unsettling when he was this kind. Normally, in private, when he feels strong emotions, he would have a sadistic smile on his face. Remembering that, her smile grew.
Truth be told, she misses the church.
And she couldn’t help but feel nostalgic in the presence of the high bishop.
“Now then,” the high bishop retracted his hand. “We shall wait for a few minutes, then I’ll begin the briefing.”
They waited for a few minutes, after that, Tina followed the high bishop and his entourage towards the altar.
Silence fell when they saw the high bishop standing before them.
“I thank everyone for coming here today. May us be blessed by the Lord and Lady.”
“““May they bless us.”””
Everyone said in chorus.
“Then, I shall tell you the reason as to why you are here.”
The high bishop grinned widely.
“Enemies have infiltrated our great and holy city.”
Tina was surprised to hear such a thing. It was not the nation as she expected but this city alone.
“His majesty the king requested the aid of the order. The situation is urgent.”
He paused for a moment.
“These enemies of ours threaten the peace and safety of our domain. They threaten the royal family. We do not know what the enemies exactly are. But we will find and purge them.”
Tina felt a bit anxious, she had the feeling that this was bigger than she initially thought. How serious was the situation truly? Or could the question be, how serious was the High Bishop?
“Search those who had nefarious plans against the royal family. Especially… ESPECIALLY!”
Tina was taken aback by the bishop’s sudden loud voice.
“ — find those who threaten the safety of the royal princess.”
Immediately, countless murmurs began to echo in the chamber. Confusion and surprise. Even Tina felt the same as the others. It was understandable that they would find those who threaten the crown — the king and queen.
However, the princess? No one expected she would be singled out.
The royal princess, not much was known about her, nor was her presence greatly felt. In fact, she wasn’t even that memorable since most people never saw her, only high ranking officials or those from the palace can.
Tina herself never saw her.
Why would someone even threaten that sheltered princess? She held no influence whatsoever. For Tina, she was the least important in the royal family. And for the church to go out there to assemble everyone just for her was simply absurd. The two princes were much more important than the princess.
“Silence,” the bishop's word prompted everyone to immediately shut their mouths. “I am serious. Find and hunt down those who especially meant harm towards the royal princess.”
His voice and gaze was unexpectedly stern.
“Remember, this is for our divine Lord and Lady. So we must work on this seriously. Otherwise, we might incur the wrath of the gods for our failure.”
Tina felt shivers down her spine. Tina had no idea what was going, so were the others. She was puzzled as to why the high bishop was speaking this way nor why he would go this far.
It was rare to see him this serious.
“Now then, shall we begin planning?” the High Bishop said.
Tina resisted the urge to sigh, this would indeed take a longer time than she initially thought. All she could do now was fulfill her duties. And she will proudly do so.
