The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 240

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 87

“Yes, not too long ago. A troll wave struck the almshouse where I lived. At that time… I was selected as an awakened priest and entered the temple.”

Luca held out his finger.

As white light flickered from the child’s fingertip, the Saint’s face brightened like magic.

This child might be…

“Your heart is truly admirable. That’s right. I always need people who can help me.”

Rachel smiled gently.

“Luca, what are you doing here?”

Just then, a boy in priest robes walked over from the opposite end of the corridor. He appeared to be a sturdy boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old.

“Brother! Brother! Ah, Saint. This is Noah, my brother who came in with me.”

“Saint? Luca, you…!”

“Brother is even more amazing. Noah recently healed an injured puppy with holy power. Brother and I are going to become Temple Knights together later—”

“Luca!”

The boy priest who recognized Rachel strode over and covered Luca’s mouth.

Luca belatedly remembered his brother’s warning not to tell anyone about healing the puppy.

“I apologize, Saint. This child is immature and has caused trouble by wandering around late at night. Please forgive him graciously.”

He apologized to the Saint, then turned and snatched the candlestick from Luca’s hand.

“You, go back to the dormitory.”

“But Brother—”

“Hurry! You can’t even finish the tasks you’re given properly. I’ll have to report all your negligence to the senior.”

This was the first time Luca had seen his usually kind brother act so spitefully.

‘He’s trying to keep me away. Since he’s also awakened holy power, he wants to look good to the Saint and stay by her side—’

Resentment welled up in Luca’s heart.

The boy boasted much stronger holy power than himself, so the Saint would naturally choose him.

Finally, the Goddess had given him a chance to be with the Saint, but it was being snatched away right before his eyes.

“Just you wait!”

The angry child struck the boy’s shoulder and ran away.

“…”

A brief silence settled over the corridor where only Rachel and the boy priest remained.

“You look young, but you can already heal with holy power. Our temple has gained a remarkable talent.”

Rachel was the first to speak.

Her voice praising him, saying he might become the youngest High Priest among his peers, was more subtle than before.

“You flatter me. I only manifested it by chance, so I’m not sure what will happen yet… Being from the streets, my status is also…”

The boy mumbled.

Without realizing it, he nervously adjusted his priest robes to hide his tension.

A red fox-shaped badge was attached to the cord tied around his waist.

A cold satisfaction flashed in Rachel’s eyes as she silently looked the boy up and down.

‘Bigger and more perfect.’

If he could already display healing power, it was incomparable to the dim light that child had shown earlier.

Moreover, being from the streets, the disappearance of one priest could easily be covered up with her current position.

‘Silencing that little brat would be a piece of cake too.’

Rachel had the expression of someone who had finally obtained the last puzzle piece they had been searching for.

“Would you show it to me once? If I see it with my eyes, I think I could give you more accurate advice…”

“Who would have thought your awakening of holy power would be useful like this. Anyway, the Saint might notice, so don’t get too close. Just observe her movements.”

“Yes, Danju.”

At the Saint’s kind suggestion, the boy recalled Danju Kensington’s warning.

‘I shouldn’t have gotten involved from the beginning.’

The moment he saw Luca with the Saint, his whole body sensed danger.

And without time to think, his body moved instinctively first.

The boy swallowed a long sigh.

‘Actually, this worked out well. I’ll use this chance to get closer to the target. It’s better than meeting the Danju empty-handed.’

The boy had no intention of staying in the temple anyway. The holy power he accidentally gained was only for mission use.

“Yes, Saint.”

The boy followed Rachel’s steps.

Click.

The door closed.

* * *

A few days later.

A clear sky dawned bright.

The Central Temple of the Holy Kingdom Sacramontes was the heart of faith that penetrated the continent and the sanctuary of the Old Church.

Here, sacred relics imbued with divine power were stored, oracles were proclaimed, and above all, the Pope, the highest authority of the Old Church, resided.

All temples and convents across the middle continent moved according to the sacred laws of this place.

The Chamber of Oracle, located in the depths of such a Central Temple, was a sealed space with strictly controlled access.

The massive, flat obelisk standing in the center of the room only emitted light at moments chosen by God.

But now,

Rustle.

Fine stone dust fell from the glossy, shining obelisk.

The old priest who had been dozing in the radiance flowing from the obelisk suddenly opened his eyes wide.

“Wh, what, what…!”

Rustle, rustle.

Stone dust falling with a tickling sound.

The smooth, empty surface was being carved, and strokes of letters were appearing one by one.

“It’s, it’s an oracle!”

The priest jumped up.

* * *

At the same time,

High Priest Paulo’s room.

“Hmm.”

Paulo rose from his seat, greeting the sunlight pouring through the window.

Instead of rising early and heading to the chapel like other High Priests, Paulo had tossed and turned in bed several times.

“High Priest.”

An Intermediate Priest who had been waiting offered him a towel soaked in warm water and shaving oil.

Though he had been quite looked down upon in Valdina, High Priest Paulo was actually one of the leading figures of power in the Central Temple.

Led by him, sixteen High Priests were divided into factions and enjoyed authority second only to the Pope.

“Yes, thank you. Having you here makes it feel real that I’ve returned to my sanctuary.”

The fragrant scent of freshly pressed olives put Paulo in a good mood.

Scrape, scrape. His hand drawing the razor was quite cheerful.

The atmosphere around him was peaceful and spiritual. This was the first time it had felt so satisfying.

The anxiety and difficulties from Valdina, which had been a continuous series of shocking events, were now farewell.

“Today feels like it will be a good day.”

At that moment, the door opened and Paulo’s Chief Priest rushed in.

“This is terrible!”

“Ouch!”

Paulo irritably wiped his chin cut by the blade.

“Damn it, what on earth is the matter!”

Ignoring the clearly angry old voice, the priest trembled and whispered in Paulo’s ear.

“What? Is, is that really true?”

In less than a minute, various expressions crossed Paulo’s face.

Just as his brow furrowed, his face suddenly turned pale, then color returned to it.

“Truly, it appeared like that…”

A laugh burst forth between the slowly rising corners of her mouth. It was clear mockery.

“Bring my ceremonial robes. I must see His Holiness.”

* * *

Following Pope Benedict, several high priests descended the marble steps.

The Chamber of Oracle was already bustling with activity.

Everyone was unable to hide the heated flush on their cheeks.

Even the elderly high priests, who rarely got excited, examined every single stroke of the letters carved on the smooth surface of the obelisk.

“It has been truly a long time, hasn’t it? For the Goddess to bestow a revelation so directly like this.”

“Indeed, just recently She surprised us by sending the Saint, and now She seeks to deliver Her words directly.”

“It’s all thanks to the Saint. Since the proxy has manifested, the forgotten traces of Her are returning one by one.”

High Priest Paollo added.

“O God, we are already prepared to follow Your will, so please help Your servants find light even in darkness!”

Along with fervent prayer.

His excessive reverence for the Saint was unmatched even among the high priests, but today no one criticized him for it.

The brilliant radiance emanating from the obelisk still filled the entire chamber.

Since no oracle had descended for the past several decades, the obelisk held greater value as a symbol showing the greatness of the old Church.

However, this was an opportunity to demonstrate the Holy Kingdom’s strength once again.

Based on faith weakened over hundreds of years, far too many heretics challenging the old Church had emerged.

In the end, hadn’t some abominations called themselves salvation and tried to persecute the old Church?

“This is surely to show the Goddess’s power once more, meaning that Her will lies with our old Church!”

While everyone was rejoicing at the divine return,

“Your Holiness. What troubles you?”

Only Pope Benedict maintained his composure.

The old man wearing a miter embroidered with intricate gold thread looked like he had stepped right out of an illustration from an ancient scripture.

Rather than a benevolent missionary, his unchanging expression was enough to evoke thoughts of a ruthless despot.

“No. It’s just that it seems a bit sudden.”

What could the Goddess’s words, suddenly revealed through the obelisk without any forewarning, possibly mean?

“Your Holiness. We have completed the interpretation of the oracle.”

Sure enough, as if proving his premonition, the content of the oracle was…

[Soon the entire continent shall be covered in fire and ash. Take Medeia, daughter of Valdina, as bride to the evil dragon.]

The joy was brief, as the faces of the high priests who had read the oracle hardened.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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