Chapter 134: Chapter 134

"If you're short on cash, just ask me. Don't go embarrassing yourself."

Papa Oliver saw right through Jenkins's intentions, and the latter gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Here, this is for you."

He tossed Jenkins a long, slender object wrapped in brown paper.

"Old Jack sent it. Said you forgot to take it with you." Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel·fire·net

Papa Oliver explained, and Jenkins realized it was his rapier.

Jenkins had just finished his daily task of copying the tadpole-like writing one hundred times when Papa Oliver rushed him out the door, telling him to get to the church immediately.

As he entered the church through the main doors, Bishop Parrold and Captain Bincy rushed out from seemingly nowhere. They led him into the courtyard behind the main hall, and after a few twists and turns, brought him into a large, spacious hall.

Several ladies and gentlemen were already waiting inside. Nearby stood a rack draped with various dark fabrics.

Captain Bincy pointed at Jenkins and announced, "You have three hours. He must be fitted with the most suitable attire to meet our distinguished guest."

"Yes, that's right! Spare no expense on the materials!"

Bishop Parrold added his instructions, "Use only the finest. This young man will be meeting a distinguished guest from the Holy See this afternoon. You are all followers of the Goddess, so you should understand what a tremendous honor this is. The Nolan diocese must also present itself properly. We absolutely cannot lose face in front of our esteemed guest!"

In addition to the tailors, makeup artists, and designers, the nuns who resided at the church were also assigned to assist.

A believer from their own diocese was to be named a Saint—it was an honor for the entire parish, and the whole church was mobilized. Most people had no idea what was happening, but when they saw the elderly bishop, his face beaming with pride, personally directing the preparations, they understood the gravity of the occasion.

Fortunately, the matter involved Enchanters and couldn't be made public. Otherwise, the entire parish's congregation would have likely been mobilized to decorate the church.

A look of delight on his face, Captain Bincy stood to one side, watching as Jenkins was fussed over by the ladies, who measured his height, weight, waist, and everything else.

"When I'm an old man, this is something I'll be able to write about in my memoirs!"

he told Jenkins happily.

"Is it really okay to say things like that?"

Jenkins thought to himself as he held out his arms to have his chest measured.

The fallout from the demon incident two days prior had not yet completely settled, and Captain Bincy still had matters to attend to. He was soon called away by a man named Rogers Benz, who gave Jenkins a polite smile. As for Mr. Schleicher, Captain Bincy hadn't mentioned him, so Jenkins assumed he was recovering from his injuries and that it wasn't serious.

After two hours of bustling activity, during which he had lunch with the old bishop who couldn't stop grinning, Jenkins was finally presented with a new set of clothes. A young makeup artist had also dusted his face with powder and trimmed his eyebrows.

"Mr. Williams, you are so young."

The makeup artist murmured, looking at his reflection in the mirror as she carefully sketched with an eyebrow pencil.

Jenkins didn't dare move his face, so he offered no reply.

The investiture ceremony was to be held before the Gate of All Things—a location both secret and significant enough for the occasion. Not everyone was permitted to attend. The final list of attendees included only three Keepers of Secrets, five combat squad captains including Captain Bincy, the heads of the special items office and a few other departments, and Jenkins's own guide, Papa Oliver.

Jenkins had been wondering where he had gone, but when he saw Papa Oliver appear dressed in a black suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he realized his mentor had been preparing as well.

The dignitary arriving from the Holy See was Elder Wood Broshier. This requires a brief explanation of the administrative structure within the Church of Knowledge and Books, which is divided into three branches. The first branch manages the mortal believers—the priests, nuns, and bishops who form the church hierarchy as understood by the general public. The second is the Enchanter branch, which includes the combat squads, logistical staff, and administrative offices. The third is the branch of the Keepers of Secrets. Their sole duty is to guard the Church's secrets. The lowest rank is Keeper of Secrets and the highest is Elder; the ranks in between are unknown.

One could not casually inquire about matters concerning the Keepers of Secrets. All Jenkins knew was that they guarded certain things, and that their abilities surpassed even those of the combat squads.

At around half-past three in the afternoon, an old man in a white robe, his beard so long it nearly brushed the ground, descended the steps one at a time. He was followed by an entourage, among whom Jenkins recognized the familiar faces of Miss Orlando and Mr. Gilbert.

There was none of the grand spectacle he might have imagined. The two parties simply exchanged pleasantries. Then, the High Elder made small talk with Jenkins, inquiring about the night he had sacrificed the divinity and mentioning his collection of stories. Shortly after, he announced to all present that Jenkins Redemptor Williams had become the third living Saint of the Church of Knowledge and Books.

Everyone present respectfully dropped to one knee, facing the holy emblem to praise the Goddess and the Sage. Afterwards, the formally dressed attendees departed, leaving only the old man and Jenkins standing there, quietly gazing at the holy emblem on the great bronze doors.

The candlelight illuminated the hall, making the Sage's holy emblem seem to shimmer in the glow.

"Well, it was... simpler than I imagined."

Jenkins replied tactfully.

"Haha, it's the result that matters, not the process. Nearly a thousand years ago, the investiture of a Saint had to be conducted beneath the holy emblem in the Sanctum Library, with all the Church's most important figures in attendance. But eventually, we discovered that all it did was waste time. The ceremony was simplified again and again, until it became what you see today."

High Elder Broshier explained slowly. Jenkins scratched his head. It made sense, he supposed, but hadn't they simplified it a little too much?

As if reading his thoughts, the old man chuckled. "It's the result that matters, not the process, and the result hasn't even begun. You should be quite familiar with the ritual to beseech the Sage's gaze. Now, face the holy emblem and perform it again."

he said softly, handing Jenkins a piece of blue chalk.

Jenkins took it with a smile and crouched down to draw the holy emblem, but his heart was pounding. The last time I performed this ritual, I hadn't tried to ascend to godhood. If I do it now, will my true nature be exposed? Will an enraged Sage strike me dead on the spot?

Anxious and cautious, he repeated the steps of the ritual. To show respect, he deliberately slowed his movements, but the steps were few, and he would inevitably reach the end.

"What offering should I use?"

he asked in a low voice.

The old man took an exquisite little box from his pocket and opened it carefully. Inside lay a holy emblem forged from metal.