Chapter 1590: Chapter 1590

The Keeper of Secrets's description of "manipulating all life force" was a bit of an exaggeration, but the innate abilities of a Savior were truly beyond ordinary. Jenkins had keenly felt the power of an acquired Savior ability, so he knew a congenital one couldn't be any less potent.

"Then how does it evolve?"

"The elves disappeared long ago, so we don't have an answer to that," the Keeper replied. "However, the diviners believe that one cannot actively pursue the role of a Savior; it is a calling from destiny itself. You needn't be overly concerned. Destiny chose you, so all you must do is wait patiently for the moment to arrive."

It was precisely this belief that led the Church to initially withhold the truth of this ability from Jenkins until he had truly obtained the [World Tree Seedling]. But events had taken an unexpected turn. His growth had far surpassed their estimations, and the Believers of Lies had repeatedly stolen destiny's boons, forcing the Church to make certain preparations ahead of schedule.

Later, during a meeting convened in the Holy Hall beneath the sacred emblem of the Sage, the Church's demigods formally declared their wish for Jenkins to represent them. They wanted him to contend with the Believers of Lies and other hidden factions for the title of Savior.

Only the Keeper of Secrets, old Mr. Wood Broshier, and the Church's most senior demigod knew this was a path to godhood, but neither of them shared this with Jenkins. Instead, they joined the other demigods in stressing that his mission was for the future of the entire world.

Jenkins had already resolved to become the Savior, so he solemnly assured them all that he would not shrink from any unknown dangers or challenges. He declared he had more than enough confidence to confront the other candidates for the title.

"This is a fateful moment. The chosen candidate for Savior has formally accepted the challenge. The final days of the Eighteenth Epoch are drawing near, and few matters remain."

If he could rally more forces to his side, both supernatural and secular, perhaps the final day would be a little easier. Jenkins now fully agreed with Alexia's reasoning for persuading him to claim the throne. That petite young woman truly understood him best.

Although matters in Bel Diran had come to a temporary conclusion, it didn't mean the day would be dull. He had spent the entire morning with Papa Oliver at the Holy See. After lunch, Jenkins had intended to take his cat and go find Alexia to see how far her party had traveled.

But before he could leave the Holy See, someone rushed in with a newspaper. Soon after, messengers began arriving like a flurry of snowflakes, delivering one piece of news after another. Jenkins and Papa Oliver, who had planned on leaving after Mass, were left utterly perplexed.

They waited a short while, and then, just as they'd expected, Pope Pontiff IV came striding toward them. A retinue of elderly priests and nuns followed him, all in formal attire. It appeared the procession had been on its way to an official ceremony but had halted all plans upon receiving some urgent news.

"We've just received word," the Pope announced. "The Church of All Things and Nature has declared that they have found another heir to the throne."

Papa Oliver was stunned, never having imagined such a twist.

"How could that be? How is that... Forgive me, Your Holiness, but who is it?"

"She is a novice from the Church of Nature, and it seems she is also an Enchanter. Saint Williamette, you should be acquainted with her. When you were bedridden with illness a few days ago, she was the one who tended to you. If I recall correctly, the young lady's name is Sigrid Capet."

This was hardly news to Jenkins, but to everyone else, it was a thunderclap—a truly shocking revelation.

The Church of the Sage had never considered the possibility that the Middleton family had any other descendants besides the Williamettes, let alone that this heir was also an Enchanter.

The matter of the throne was not their greatest concern. While the Church hoped to see Jenkins crowned, it wasn't an absolute necessity. The identity of the Savior, however, was a far more critical matter. As things stood, Miss Capet, who also possessed a life-type ability as her soul origin, appeared to fulfill some of the requirements laid out in the [Millstone of Fate].

But only some. All the traits Jenkins exhibited were a perfect match for the information provided by the prophets. Furthermore, the Church of Destiny and Equilibrium had, from a very early stage, dispatched the promising diviner Miss Audrey to act as Jenkins's tutor. The title of Savior, therefore, was sure to be his. Googlᴇ search novel✦fire.net

The alarm lasted only half a day. Once they confirmed that the Church of All Things and Nature hadn't connected the Middleton family to the [World Tree Seedling]—and was merely trying to muddy the waters of the Fidektri Kingdom's succession—the Church of the Sage collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They then began readjusting their plans to account for this new development.

While the Church may have been reassured, for the people of Bel Diran, nothing was more exciting than the appearance of a new royal heir. The string of major announcements made the citizens feel as if it were a holiday. They adored gossiping about royal affairs, and it was clear that four men from the western city of Nolan could not fully satisfy their curiosity.

The arrival of Sigrid Capet, a beautiful young woman with golden hair, was what truly ignited the public's excitement. Every evening paper that day featured a photograph of Miss Capet, her smile a little stiff, on the front page.

Newsboys hawked the headlines through streets and alleyways, thrusting papers into people's hands and pocketing the coins they received in return.

The city was far more abuzz than when Jenkins and his family had been acknowledged as royal heirs. Even though Miss Capet was also a foreigner from Cheslan, a blonde beauty—the kind found in courtly intrigues and epic novels—was far more likely to capture the public's imagination and fuel endless discussion.

That evening, Miss Capet entered the Cold Spring Palace in her new capacity as a royal heir to meet with Queen Isabella. What passed between them, no one knew.

Jenkins made a point of returning to their hotel to discuss the matter with his family. Since he knew Miss Capet well, he was able to share a great deal about their distant relative. As he expected, upon hearing that Miss Capet was an orphan who had been raised by the church, Mary grew quite sorrowful and urged Jenkins to invite the young woman to their home whenever he had a chance.

The three Williamette brothers had no relatives left on their mother's side, and any kin bearing their father's surname had long since vanished. Both Mary and Robert felt that Miss Capet was a far more important relation to their family than Queen Isabella, who lived in solitude in the Cold Spring Palace.