Chapter 288: The Great Hall of Radiance

The Cathedral of the Holy Light—within its vast Great Hall of Radiance.

Pope Saint Ivan III sat upon his grand, ornate throne. A sacred radiance shimmered into existence midair, bathing the elderly man in a halo of light that extended several meters around him. Before him, numerous bishops arranged themselves in a wide arc, while no clergy below the rank of bishop were present—this was clearly a gathering of the highest order.

At that moment, Veronica pushed open the heavy doors and, under the watchful eyes of the bishops, took her place—at the Pope’s right hand, the seat of utmost honor.

The bishops nodded respectfully to Veronica; none showed any displeasure at her “late” arrival, at least not openly. Veronica returned each nod with a warm smile, radiating a gentle, comforting aura just as she had every day before.

“Gentlemen, ladies—all are present,” Pope Ivan III’s voice broke the silence. Though aged and hoarse, it carried clearly throughout the hall. “Let us begin.”

Veronica glanced at the Pope. The old man looked even more frail than before. Since the last Day of the Stars, his decline had accelerated rapidly—each day seeming to age him further. Now, he was a shriveled figure, bent low in his seat, appearing as if death could claim him at any moment. Only his eyes, still flickering with flashes of wisdom, and the ever-present divine aura around him, reminded all that this elder still wielded immense power and bore the solemn dignity of the Holy Light’s highest authority.

The sacred light hovered over him—a sign Veronica knew all too well. It was the herald of a life nearing its end: the divine glow that guides the faithful to the Kingdom of God. When the Pope was fully enveloped by this light, it would mark his final return to the Lord’s embrace.

Yet no one mourned this, not even the Pope himself. It was the highest honor. To be shrouded in the holy light while still alive was a miracle every follower of the Holy Light dreamed of—a blessing requiring not only profound devotion but a rare spiritual gift capable of resonating with the very source of the Light. Pope Ivan III smiled gently beneath the glow, his expression peaceful and joyful. Meeting Veronica’s eyes, he spoke in a voice low but audible to all:

“First, let us congratulate the birth of a new Living Saint. Veronica has passed the Lord’s trial, witnessed the radiance of the divine kingdom, and returned to this world. She is now an embodiment of the Holy Light, the Lord’s most beloved child.”

This news had reached the bishops days ago, but hearing it confirmed by the Pope himself stirred them to applause. They honored Veronica with their respect and congratulations. She smiled in return, calmly saying, “The Holy Light is with each of us.”

“The formal celebration will be held tonight. Now, to the matter at hand—the recent scourge of heretics ravaging our lands,” the Pope quickly shifted topics. “These wicked ones assault the Lord’s faithful, their actions the gravest desecration of the Holy Light.”

One bishop rose. Wearing a tall golden crown, his face was aged and stern—yet to Veronica, he was just another torchbearer of the Holy Light: “Your Holiness, the heretics grow bolder. Beyond the borderlands, their traces have appeared even near the Holy Spirit Plains and the capital. Especially the Sleepless—those dreamweavers are elusive and cunning. They have orchestrated several terrifying incidents in the western Holy Spirit Plains, only discovered after many lives were lost.”

“The Sleepless use illusions and lies to corrupt hearts, but the heretics’ deceit only steels the resolve of the Lord’s warriors,” another bishop stepped forward. “Your Holiness, we have executed over a thousand heretics in the Western and Northern regions, and imprisoned many more misguided by heresy. Our efforts inspire hope—more nonbelievers are recognizing the greatness of the Holy Light, some even seeking refuge within our Church, especially in the West, where such cases are increasing.”

“Nonbelievers can also become the Lord’s children,” the Pope’s eyes opened slightly, a smile touching his lips. “We welcome all who seek conversion.”

“Our strength grows, which is good, but the Lord’s warriors require worldly funds to equip themselves against evil,” a third bishop spoke solemnly. “Your Holiness, the new Holy Order’s expenses are vast. Our paladins’ weapons and battle priests’ relics are running low. We must find ways to increase our income.”

The bishops murmured among themselves until one stepped forward: “Your Holiness, I propose raising the offerings collected by churches across the lands and urging local lords and wealthy farmers to donate more of their estates—they enjoy the Holy Light’s protection and should give accordingly.”

“This year’s harvest in the Holy Spirit Plains and the West has been bountiful. The common folk have surplus wealth. Before this sudden prosperity corrupts them, we can encourage them to offer their excess to the Church in exchange for peace of mind. They need the Church’s holy water and blessings to heal sickness and banish nightmares—they will not refuse.”

One by one, the bishops voiced their opinions, each well-reasoned. Pope Ivan III listened attentively, interrupting none. When the discussion waned, he glanced at Veronica: “What say you, our newly anointed Living Saint?”

“Raising offerings is neither a lasting nor a stable solution,” Veronica nodded, addressing the bishops. Her voice was gentle yet penetrating, as if echoing directly within each listener’s soul. “Secular people are prone to greed. Suddenly demanding more offerings will not inspire gratitude for the Holy Light’s protection—it will breed resentment toward those who take their wealth.”

Some bishops agreed with her: “It is improper to extract more from those already faithful.” “Indeed.” “We should consider other methods…”

“We could require those who converted only after suffering heretic attacks and receiving the Holy Light’s protection to pay an additional penance fee,” the third bishop suggested again. “They were powerless against the heretics because they worshipped false gods. Their ‘atonement’ is justified.”

Veronica frowned slightly. “Might the penance fee become a barrier, turning away those who wish to join the Lord?”

“We can set the fee proportionate to the convert’s estate—say, one-third or one-half,” the bishop said gravely. “It is a test. Anyone who can pay but remains obstinate is either miserly and foolish or not truly committed. Such converts are better turned away.”

The bishops voiced their approval of this clever plan. Veronica watched quietly, murmuring to herself, “Atonement, huh…”

After a moment, the discussion ended. The Pope concluded: “So it is decided. Bishop Tarendis will draft the specifics of the penance fee and its enforcement. Next, how are our missions progressing across the lands?”

“Outside Ansu, missionary work remains steady—Typhon’s war god faith is deeply rooted; the Ogure tribes worship their primal spirits; the Highland Kingdom is most receptive to the Holy Light, though influenced by elven culture, most there are shallow believers. Within Ansu, despite recent heretic activity, our missions advance well. The faithful in the South, West, and Central regions are growing rapidly…”

“And the North and East?”

“Missionary efforts in the North have improved greatly. Though the Wilde family refuses to openly convert, Duchess Victoria Wilde has relaxed restrictions on Holy Light clergy within her lands due to the heretic threat. As for the East… the situation remains grim.”

Pope Ivan III closed his eyes briefly, whispering: “The lands of Duke Selas…”

“Duke Selas Loren is a staunch royalist who strongly opposes missionary work on his lands—not only Holy Light preachers but those of other faiths face severe restrictions. We are seeking breakthroughs among his family members, but with little success.”

“The Duke’s grip on his family is firm. Until his stance changes, the Loren family will not waver,” the Pope shook his head. “No need to rush. Let nature take its course. They will come to understand that the Holy Light is humanity’s only salvation.”

The bishops lowered their heads, exchanging glances but causing no disturbance.

“The Holy Light is humanity’s only salvation”—a sensitive statement in public, directly challenging the “Sacred Covenant” forged by the various faiths seven centuries ago. But here, within the Church’s inner sanctum, the Great Hall of Radiance, with no outsiders present, such words were safe to speak.

Moreover, everyone here believed it.

With most matters discussed, Veronica turned to a bishop: “Bishop Meliev, any news from the southernmost frontier?”

The named bishop replied, “The Church has invested little effort there, but recently a missionary established a church, and progress seems promising.”

“The ancient duke allowed the missionary to build a church?” Veronica raised an eyebrow. “That is excellent news—the Holy Light shines once more upon this world.”

“May the path of the Holy Light illuminate every corner of the earth.”

(End of chapter)