NOVPUB
Chapter 353: The Formal Arrival of the Prophesized One
A few days later, the main church of the Heavenly Direction received information that they would soon welcome an esteemed guest. The Saintess herself had extended the invitation, hoping that this person could assist the church and heal the Pope.
For the lower-ranked church members who were unaware of the details, questions arose regarding the guest’s identity because the news of the prophesized one circulated only among the higher-ups of the church, while the Pope’s illness was strictly kept secret, known only to the archbishops and a select few knights.
However, the higher-ups were well aware of the guest’s identity because the Saintess herself had informed them of his arrival. He was the prophesized Messiah, as foretold by the Saintess. Stories about the man from the prophecy had been told for the last few years.
That man was, in fact, the mysterious swordsman whose achievements had left many in awe. Because of his deeds, the higher-ups’ faith in him continued to grow, making them more optimistic about the future. Many had already witnessed traces of his presence and his overwhelming power, strengthening their belief that he could truly solve the church’s problem regarding the energy purity and the Pope’s illness.
At this moment, inside Cardinal Carsius’s room, his expression was anything but good. The sudden arrival of the prophesized man had unsettled him. He had not expected the Saintess to invite him so soon, and now, the man was already on his way to the church!
"Let’s calm down for a second. Even if he does arrive, he can’t heal the Pope—the Devil Lord himself said that the curse will never be broken unless the Pope dies. Yes, let’s stay positive. If that person fails to heal the Pope, many will begin to doubt him and even lose trust in the Saintess. Although that would be unfortunate, it’s still better than the Pope recovering and uncovering the truth behind it all," he thought.
He was already in too deep to escape from the situation. His dealings with the devils to secure his position as Pope had already raised suspicion from the Pope himself. Cardinal Carsius knew about this because spies from his faction had informed him of the Paladin Knights’ suspicious movements.
At this point, it was too late for him to try blocking the incoming guest, as doing so would only draw more suspicion. None of the people within his faction knew his true nature, and if he openly opposed the arrival of the guest, they might even start to doubt him.
Right now, the only thing he could do was hope that the prophesized person would make a mistake—something that would cause the members of the church to look at him with doubt.
"Heaven has already chosen me as the one who will lead the church to greater heights. Yes, I have nothing to worry about. Heaven is on my side. No matter what they do, as long as I remain composed, all their efforts will be useless," he reassured himself.
Knock, knock.
"Your Eminence, the guest has arrived at the church’s area. At this moment, all the higher-ups are already in the Garden of Eden to receive him," a voice resounded from outside.
Hearing this, Cardinal Carsius stood up, straightened his robe, and adjusted his appearance to look more proper.
"Alright, I will be there," he said. His face shifted into that of a wise and benevolent man, perfectly masking his true nature.
"I will succeed," he thought before opening the door and stepping out of the room.
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The Garden of Eden in the main Heavenly Direction Church is a vast garden within the church complex, spanning approximately three square kilometers. It is filled with a variety of beautiful plants and natural decorations, designed to depict what they believe to be the Heavenly Garden in the higher realm.
It is said that the first Pope of the church was granted a vision from Heaven, revealing the beauty of the Heavenly Garden in the highest realm. Inspired by this vision, the Pope sought to replicate that divine place within the church complex.
This garden is not easily accessible to all church members. Its location at the very center of the church makes it a restricted area, with only those who have special permission allowed to enter. The surrounding area is home to archbishops and cardinals, further reinforcing its status as a highly guarded and exclusive site.
This is also why the Saintess chose this place to receive the prophesized one. Not only is it the most beautiful location within the church complex, but it is also far more private than welcoming the guest at the main entrance. A reception at the front doors would attract too much attention and cause unnecessary trouble.
At this moment, in the Garden of Eden, many people had already gathered. Their numbers reached the dozens, and each one radiated a holy aura and possessed formidable cultivation, with none below the King stage. They stood neatly in their designated positions, as if carefully preparing to receive the guest.At the center of it all was the Saintess, seated in her wheelchair, she was accompanied by a nun standing behind her.
A few moments later, a white-golden carriage entered the garden, escorted by Arthur on his double-horned horse, a common breed across the continent. All the church members present had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the prophesized one, and excitement filled the air as they prepared to see him in person.
As the carriage came to a stop at the designated spot, the door opened, revealing a young man stepping out. He was strikingly handsome, dressed in noble attire that only enhanced his charm. His presence was so captivating that some of the nuns couldn’t help but blush as they looked in his direction.
For the first time, the gathered crowd laid eyes on the prophesized man—the one destined to save them and bear the heavy fate of the continent. However, their awe also combined with shock upon realizing how young he was. Many had heard tales of his extraordinary abilities, but to see that the one who had accomplished such incredible feats was a young man seemingly no older than twenty was truly unexpected.
Yet, their surprise lasted only a moment. Almost instantly, an overwhelming instinct took hold of them—a deep, unexplainable urge to revere him, to bow before this extraordinary young man. He was the special one and can’t be sullied with their blasphemy thought.
Aldrian, now the center of everyone’s attention, could only smile wryly inwardly. He recalled how before arriving, Sylphia had insisted that he wear his best attire. She had personally chosen the noble outfit he now wore, and he had to admit—he liked it. Not just because it suited him, but because she had chosen it for him.
He walked closer to Angelica, and upon reaching her, he slightly bent his body in greeting.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Holiness. I have heard many things about you, and now that I see you in person, I can say it was well worth the anticipation," he said before straightening his posture.
"You exaggerate, young master," Angelica replied with a gentle smile. "But I must apologize—due to my condition, I am unable to receive you in a more proper manner."
"It is alright, Your Holiness. I understand," Aldrian responded sincerely.
"Before we proceed, allow me to introduce you to some of the prominent figures of the church. On this side is Cardinal Daniele Valentino. He is also an archbishop who oversees many church branches in the eastern regions."
"Nice to meet you, young master," Cardinal Daniele said, extending his hand for a handshake.
Aldrian responded with a smile and took his hand.
"Nice to meet you too."
"So this is Cardinal Carsius’s main opponent for the position of pope," Aldrian thought.
Cardinal Daniele was a middle-aged man with blond hair and blue eyes. Despite his age, the handsome features of his youth remained, and he exuded a natural charisma that drew people to his side. He was the kind of man who didn’t need to say much but people would naturally gravitate toward him, eager to speak with him.
"This is Cardinal Carsius Vilanix. He is also an archbishop who oversees many church branches in the Doria Empire region," Angelica said, gesturing toward her left.
"Ah, so this is the one they call Cardinal Carsius," Aldrian thought, though outwardly, he maintained a polite smile.The man before him was middle-aged, with blond hair similar to Cardinal Daniele’s. However, his features carried an air of wise benevolence, his expression serene, and his smile truly soothing. He had the kind of presence that made him easy to overlook in a crowd—something that made Aldrian wonder.
"This is the man who has gained so much support to become the next pope?"
There was nothing about him that would raise suspicion. His face, his demeanor—everything exuded a trustworthy, virtuous image. No one would ever suspect that behind this mask was a man secretly aligned with the devils. No, even if he were to reveal the truth, few would believe it.
"Nice to meet you, young master. I hope you enjoy your stay here. We will gladly assist you if you need anything," Cardinal Carsius said while offering a handshake.
Everyone who heard his words had their own thoughts, but they all shared the same idea—Cardinal Carsius was trying to leave a good impression on Aldrian.
Aldrian was well aware of this, but he simply went along with it and took the cardinal’s hand in a handshake.
"Nice to meet you too. I will surely enjoy my stay here. I’m already imagining many interesting things I will find," Aldrian said with a smile.
For some reason, looking at Aldrian’s smile gave Cardinal Carsius a bad feeling.
