After leaving Florala’s place.
Aililan planned to inspect the Inspection Office.
So far, they had already recruited two hundred people there, all placed under Betiliana’s specialized training, and some had already started participating in public security work.
But just as she stepped out the door, she saw the newly appointed head maid, Yarandale—appointed after the previous head maid was sent back to the Holy Land (banished to the cold palace)—walking over, reporting in a low voice, “Saint Aililan, Bishop Wilma of Emile Cathedral wishes to invite you to join in singing hymns and wants to ask if you are available.”
An invitation from Bishop Wilma?
Aililan immediately smiled.
Also, this newly appointed head maid was still in her probation period—lest that golden-haired, self-important phoenix manages to curry favor again, and she gets betrayed without even knowing!
Desiring Bishop Wilma’s company.
“Yes!”
“Of course I’m available.”
Aililan sent the new head maid, Yarandale, to reply to Wilma.
She had been in Atester City for so long, it was time to make a public appearance—a Saint hidden away in the inner chambers is not a good Saint. Besides, by giving Wilma this face, she also hoped for something in return.
At present, the food shortage in the slums was dire. She’d have to secure more from Bishop Wilma.
With that, the group set off for Emile Cathedral.
Unlike the slums—
The closer to the city center, the better the buildings.
Not only were there more brick-and-tile houses, but the commercial streets were also bustling with prosperity. Under such beauty, who could imagine that over in the slums, people starved to death every day?
A magnificent cathedral stood at the heart of the city, white bricks and red tiles, enormous stained glass windows, pouring dazzling light everywhere.
Priests, monks, and nuns entered the church slowly with devout expressions.
Nobles, wealthy families, and Aililan even saw some non-human Orcs invited to participate in the ceremony.
“This really is…”
Aililan felt the gulf between the upper and lower classes was far too stark.
She shook her head.
She was one of them, so Aililan couldn’t say much.
Atop steps as white as jade, Bishop Wilma, robed in red, had been waiting for a long time. The moment she saw Aililan’s arrival, she hurried down the long steps to greet her, saying excitedly, “Your Highness Saint, you’re finally here.”
Aililan had been in Atester City for quite a while but had never visited Emile Cathedral. This troubled Bishop Wilma greatly and made her fearful of criticism.
But no one dared question Aililan’s devotion to the Church—after all, she was sent from the court—cough, from the Holy Land—as one of the Seven Virtues Saints, and barring any surprises, would one day become one of the Seven Regents presiding over the Church.
If one dared to dream bigger—
Could she even become Pope above the Seven Regents?
So if Aililan hadn’t come to Emile Cathedral, it absolutely wasn’t her fault. It could only be that Wilma, the Bishop of Atester City, had not done well enough.
Aililan gave a gentle, elegant smile. “It was my discourtesy. Ever since I arrived in Atester City, I’ve been busy with all sorts of affairs and neglected the matters of the Cathedral. After all, this is the true foundation of our Chanting Church.”
Wilma clapped her hands, highly approving. “You are absolutely right.”
Aililan: “Then, Bishop Wilma, please lead the way!”
Wilma hurriedly accompanied her, guiding the way, “Please follow me.”
The two walked in front.
The clergy behind them immediately followed.
This caused many nobles and wealthy families who came to worship to turn and look.
All began whispering among themselves.
[Who is that girl? She can actually make Bishop Wilma lower herself so much?]
[Have you been to too many banquets and slept with so many women your brain’s gone numb? Anyone who can make Bishop Wilma act so cautiously must be the Saint from the Holy Land.]
[What, the Saint?]
[Of course! Who else could it be besides the Saint?]
[I was only here to go through the motions, but I never expected to actually see the Saint. I’m so lucky.]
Seeing this—
Many immediately sent their attendants to notify friends and relatives.
Worship at Emile Cathedral happened every week, but a ceremony with a Saint from the Holy Land was a rare event—miss this, and you might have to travel to the Holy Land to see her.
And even then, would you really see her? With the Chanting Church’s influence, ceremonies with the Seven Virtues Saints were attended by lines of royalty and nobility from all over, and even they might not get to witness it.
Stepping into the church—
Under Wilma’s arrangement, Aililan changed into a traditional, pure white dress—no need for excessive adornment, for she was already the embodiment of chastity.
Today, Emile Cathedral was especially solemn. The moment Aililan stepped out, many sat up straighter, afraid that the slightest rudeness would displease the Saint.
Wilma presided over the ceremony.
Aililan stood at the very front.
Beneath the statue of the Light God, she struck a devout pose of prayer.
Priests, monks, and nuns softly chanted the hymn of worship.
But then, a voice—coming from the devout Saint—began a holy song, quiet yet clear enough for all to hear.
Like the music of heaven.
Like a dream.
Like the whisper of a god.
Aililan’s singing had an ethereal beauty that cleansed the soul and washed away all dust.
Even the most hedonistic young nobles sobered at this moment, gazing solemnly at the Saint standing on the high platform.
A faint radiance—
Emanated from Aililan’s noble form.
Gradually, it enveloped the high platform, flowing like water over all those present, until even the great stained glass windows reflected her holy brilliance.
Wilma stared in shock at the scene. “Ah… This—this is the melody of the Holy Song of Supreme Sanctity!” When she was young, she had accompanied her teacher to the Holy Land for worship, and had been fortunate enough to hear the previous generation of Saints singing hymns.
Now, the Holy Song of Supreme Sanctity was being sung again in the cathedral she presided over.
What an honor this was!
Yet—
Aililan: ?
“This hymn… is really quite lovely.”
The girl thought to herself. She’d never properly cultivated Virtue Power, yet power gathered beneath her name as the Saint of Chastity in countless ways.
Aililan guessed—
On one hand, it came from the sincere faith of believers, so spreading the beautiful teachings of the Church and being a virtuous person naturally increased her strength.
On the other hand, this power also came from the legacy of the Saints throughout the ages.
As long as Aililan’s Virtue Trait of chastity remained, even that golden-haired cheat who could one-hit KO opponents would need three rounds to knock her into a CG.
She suddenly remembered a meme video: “If Admiring Superman isn’t here, I’m invincible.jpg.”
Of course, all of this was premised on the ‘Trait.’ If the Seven Virtues Saints lost their ‘Virtue Trait’—if they fell, their power would rapidly dissipate, turning into the second half of that meme video and… just self-destructing.
At the end of the ceremony—
Aililan reached out to touch the statue of the god. “In the name of the Saint of Chastity, I pray that you bestow sweet rain, and bless all beings.” The statue of the Light God instantly emitted dazzling holy light, responding to her prayer.
Streams of blessing swept over the crowd. Even those who were frail and pale became flushed and healthy after receiving the blessing.
Aililan thought, if she had this ability in another world, she would gain countless believers in an instant.
They would call her—
Godfather!