Langkter's eyes widened in surprise and showed no signs of narrowing again soon.
The reason was that Pyat had entered his field of vision, right after the Practitioners.
'Why is the Empire's Black Panther with them? [Leading Mind], these idiots. What the hell have they done?'
Although Langkter often exchanged information with [Turning White], he was unaware that Pyat had sided with Theo.
Seeing Langkter flustered for the first time, the Practitioners couldn't help but smile, and their smiles were not fading anytime soon.
The lower-ranked members of the Order whispered among themselves.
"Why is the Saintess's group laughing like that?"
"Are they excited because it's their first time at the headquarters?"
"Uh... it's a bit embarrassing to say, but I feel ashamed just looking at them. No matter how happy, they should manage their expressions better."
Hearing this, Sara quickly wiped the smile off her face.
Then, she checked the faces of the others.
Theo, Pyat, and Isabella still had no expressions, while Britney and Adrienne quickly did the same.
But Billy and Mike were still grinning.
Sara poked them in the ribs, whispering quietly.
"Cut it out with the smiles, you idiots."
"Ah, I just wanted to have some fun for once..."
Just as Billy and Mike were about to protest.
"Hello, everyone. I am Isabella, a faithful servant of the great Renimid. I greet you."
Isabella, removing her hat, took a few steps towards the people of the Order.
The lower-ranked members of the Order, without realizing it, let out exclamations of awe.
"Ooh..."
"Wow..."
Humans are dominated by sight and hearing.
Isabella's beautiful appearance, voice, and the holy atmosphere she exuded were enough to captivate the audience in one go.
Isabella was used to such situations.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})Without any hint of panic, she continued her speech.
"Thank you for your hospitality. Your time is precious, so I will get straight to the point of why I am here."
She pointed with her index finger at the Holy Sword planted in the center of the Cathedral.
"Today, I aim to witness a hero being chosen by a divine artifact that has not chosen anyone for over 200 years."
The Cathedral buzzed with whispers.
Not just the lower-ranked members of the Order, but even a few of the higher-ups were surprised.
They had regarded those attempting to pull the Holy Sword as a monthly spectacle, but this time was different. The speaker was none other than the First Saintess, Isabella.
"A saintess making such a bold statement...?"
Isabella was famous for never failing. There was rampant speculation that she might be able to foresee the future.
She declared today that she had brought the person who would obtain the divine artifact.
Thud, thud.
Theo stepped forward and stood beside Isabella.
Theo slightly bowed his head to the congregation and said,
"Greetings to the members of the Order. I am Theo Lyn Waldeurk, a citizen. I have come with the hope of being chosen by the Order's divine artifact."
Theo didn't even glance at the highest ranks of the Order.
He only made eye contact with the lower-ranked members. This approach was new to them.
"This feels a bit different than before, doesn't it?"
"He looks cool. Even the way he carries two swords at his waist has a certain aura."
Until now, everyone who came to draw the Holy Sword did so in a manner that was meant to impress the highest ranks of the Order.
Langkter looked at Theo with a serious expression.
'For someone so young, he's impressive. He clearly knows what part of this the Order's dogs find moving.'
Theo spoke again.
"Our family has been nurtured by the loving grace of Renimid for many generations. I am well aware of the words of Renimid, that 'the divine artifact shines upon all citizens.'"
Theo walked forward and stood in front of the Holy Sword.
"I believe the true meaning of those words is that being chosen by the divine artifact does not depend on gender, family background, age, or race. It solely depends on the vague subjectivity of the divine artifact."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})Theo grabbed the handle of the Holy Sword, planted in the ground.
There was an engaging intensity to his action.
Everyone held their breath, focusing on Theo's movements.
Even the highest ranks of the Order, seated in the front, stood up to watch him.
But they didn't hold much hope.
'What kind of object is that... Not even the past popes, nor the grand masters of the knight orders renowned even among other races, were chosen.'
Regardless, Theo only looked at the Holy Sword and murmured.
"I still don't know why the divine artifact wants me, even at this moment. But one thing I do understand."
Theo grasped the handle of the Holy Sword.
"To eradicate all the Demons that plague the continent."
Crack—
Theo drew the Holy Sword straight out and lifted it above his head.
Brilliant light emanating from the blade filled the Cathedral.
People gaped at the spectacle.
"Wha, what, what..."
Not just the members of the Order, but also Theo's companions widened their eyes, staring at him.
Swoosh, swoosh.
Theo casually swung the sword in the air a few times.
Then, he took out a scabbard from his [Subspace Bag] and sheathed the Holy Sword.
Isabella walked towards Theo and stood in front of him.
Thump.
Isabella knelt in front of Theo and closed her eyes.
Then, she clasped her hands together and prayed.
"Renimid's faithful servant, Isabella, greets Renimid's chosen warrior."
Hearing her voice, others also knelt down.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})"Ah, oh..."
People started to shed tears.
"O chosen warrior of Renimid, please look upon us foolish ones..."
"Become the mighty tree we can lean on..."
Even the highest ranks of the Order knelt down without exception and prayed towards Theo with their hands clasped.
I looked down at the people kneeling at my feet.
Only then did I glance at the top ranks of the Order.
'I wonder how many rats from [Turning White] are among them.'
The first ones I need to deal with are those bought through and through by [Turning White].
Langkter is just the tip of the iceberg.
He's not truly bought by [Turning White].
It's more like a strategic alliance where they exchange beneficial information.
'I still can't tell for sure.'
A high-ranking official of a religion that worships the god of light is bought by a Demon-worshipping cult, and there's clear evidence?
That would be a huge scandal that could turn the continent upside down.
No matter how much of an idiot someone is, they wouldn't easily show it. It's impossible to tell just by their appearance.
Well, it doesn't matter.
Now that I've drawn the Holy Sword, it won't be long before I find out.
I then spoke to the people lying flat on the ground.
"I wish for everyone to stand up."
No one stood up. Instead, they started worshiping me even more, pressing their heads against the floor.
"Please show us the way forward, O great warrior..."
"The world before was too dark. Please enlighten our path..."
"..."
It's disorienting. Judging from their words, they think I'm an incarnation sent by the God of light, Renimid.
Of course, it makes sense they would think so. Telling them not to worship won't stop them.
However, this level of intense worship makes me uncomfortable.
"I am just a lamb of Renimid, not an object of worship. Please raise your heads."
After quite some time, people began to get up.
They approached me.
"O great warrior of light... I wish to feel the baptism of light. Please allow me to hold your hand just once..."
"Me too, please. I will live remembering this moment until my last breath..."
People started to line up in front of me.
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned into that of a celebrity handshake event.
'These crazy religious fanatics.'
I looked at the people with a dumbfounded expression.
However, they twisted their bodies as if they were thrilled just to catch my gaze.
Billy and Mike squeezed through the crowd to stand in front of me.
"Let's start with us, Theo. I bet being the first to shake hands will have the most effect."
"You'll do it, right? Hmm, of course, you will. What kind of relationship do we have otherwise?"
Just then.
"Cough, cough."
The highest ranks of the Order, who had been coughing, stood up.
They appeared embarrassed as they positioned themselves at the very front.
There were about a dozen of them, comprising most of the highest echelons present in the Cathedral, including Langkter.
"..."
The absurdity was momentary.
My mind quickly began to grasp the situation.
'Three of the top ranks didn't line up.'
...I found those truly bought by [Turning White] more easily than I thought.
