Chapter 2007: Chapter 2007

"The seating arrangements are set, and we can't change them now. Do you have any idea how many people have come? We had to open up the conference hall behind the Gate of All Things."

Miss Bevanna refused the request, secretly wondering if Miss Fabry had taken an interest in Jenkins.

"Alright, alright, no need to rush, madam. That angry look doesn't suit you at all. So, we're agreed then. We'll meet at two this afternoon."

"The meeting starts at two. At the absolute latest, you need to be here by one-fifty."

"And one more thing, how can we reach you? If you don't show up by two, how are we supposed to find you?"

"Simple. Just ask Miss Skylark from the Church of Music to find me. I'm sure she'll be able to track me down."

With that, Jenkins turned to leave, but paused to ask one final question:

"Things seem a bit tense in the city today. Do you need a hand?"

Jenkins, of course, had no intention of drinking himself into a stupor. For one, he wasn't going to a restaurant, and for another, there was no alcohol being served at lunch—at least not at his table.

Never before had so many people dined together in the Sage's Church, forcing the organizers to schedule meals in shifts. Most of the cults, like the Church of Music, had sent delegations of fewer than twenty representatives, but even that was enough to make the place feel packed to the rafters.

Even more numerous were the pseudo-god cults with looser structures, many of which had sent only one or two people to the negotiations. In total, there were 366 pseudo-gods, including the God of Lies. After discounting the heretics who would never appear and other cults that would be absent for their own reasons, the Church had initially expected less than half of the two hundred-some different cults to show up.

As it turned out, the Church's estimate had been far too conservative. The number of confirmed and registered cults already exceeded one hundred and twenty. The Church had been completely unaware that so many had gathered in Nolan. Even though some attendees were merely individuals present as observers, they still represented one hundred and twenty distinct pseudo-god churches.

The conference hall behind the Gate of All Things was certainly large enough to accommodate everyone, so there was no cause for concern on that front. What Jenkins found himself wondering, however, was just how many representatives from the pseudo-god churches had been present for the signing of the High Tower Accord in the last epoch.

He took the opportunity to ask Miss Bevanna about it during lunch. She was still fuming from her earlier exchange with Mr. Candle, and Jenkins noticed she was handling her knife with a little too much force as she cut her food.

"The last epoch? Our records aren't entirely complete, but according to the Tower, the situation back then was far worse than it is now. The Church had no time to organize a large-scale conference. As a result, for those crucial negotiations—which included the Twelve Churches and the reigning monarchs of the time—fewer than an eighth of the pseudo-god churches were even able to attend. The story goes that a blizzard of supernatural energy had cut the Tower off from the outside world. If they hadn't reached an accord and begun cooperating when they did, it would have been too late."

"So, we're actually doing pretty well this epoch, then? At least we have the luxury of holding a proper conference?"

"Leisurely? Well, Jenkins, you certainly seem to find it so," Bevanna replied. "And we have the Believers of Lies and their god to thank for that. They've done a great deal to suppress our greatest enemy. Otherwise, these negotiations wouldn't be going nearly this smoothly."

Miss Bevanna shook her head. As much as she disliked that group, she had to admit they had performed admirably.

Even Jenkins couldn't help but feel a flicker of pleasure at the praise. In high spirits, he returned to his seat, where little Finney was staring miserably at the cat on the table.

"What's the matter? Why the long face?"

Jenkins asked, picking up his silverware again.

She listlessly poked at the cauliflower on her plate with her fork.

"I'm guessing you don't like cauliflower, but you also don't want to waste it. So, you were hoping Chocolate might take it off your hands, but it has absolutely no interest."

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The girl asked timidly, ducking her head.

"I'm not a picky eater, I just... don't like it."

"Chocolate is even pickier than you are; you were barking up the wrong tree hoping it would help. And don't waste food. Just because life is better now, don't forget the days when you went hungry."

Jenkins gently patted Finney's head. Gritting her teeth, Finney nodded, speared the pale-yellow vegetable with her fork, and popped it into her mouth. She squeezed her eyes shut, puffed out her cheeks, and chewed a few times before opening her eyes to look at Jenkins.

"It's... not as bad as I thought."

Making an excuse to use the washroom, Jenkins met the little angel Louise in a quiet room. Unlike the bond between the three Jessicas, the connection between Louise and Finney was not as rigid. Louise could leave Finney's side whenever she wished and move about freely, which meant she could speak with Jenkins even when Finney wasn't present.

The little angel embraced Jenkins, her excitement palpable. Less than half a year had passed since she'd become an angel, but she already seemed quite accustomed to her new existence. She manifested her spiritual form into a physical one and floated before him, taking care to remain at eye level.

"Have you gotten used to being by Finney's side?"

"It's wonderful. Finney's life is very interesting."

"No, what I mean is, are you content to remain by her side?"

"My Lord, you needn't worry about me. This life, this existence... it's more than the old me could have ever dreamed of."

"Good. In that case, there's something I need you to prepare for. The great calamity lurking beneath us could erupt at any moment to face me in a final battle. I need you to..."

"My Lord, I am your shield and your sword."

The angel bowed her head slightly.

"No, I don't need you on the battlefield with me. Your duty is to protect these people."