Chapter 387: The Tainted Saint, Lucia
"Oh great Lord, we thank you for the grace you bestow upon us. May your glory shine in every corner of the world..."
"I shall abide by your promises until the end of my days..."
Gathered around the Tower of the Sky, devout believers knelt in prayer under the divine light, believing that the gaze of the gods had focused here. They hoped that with devout prayers, they would earn divine favor, ensuring entry into the eternal heavenly realm after death.
As the ethereal hymns grew louder, the divine realm, centered around the Tower of the Sky, expanded outward, soon enveloping the entire holy city.
On either side of the streets, verdant greenery sprouted from the ground, vines emerged from crevices, weaving around buildings and exquisite sculptures.
Time seemed elerated; under the witness of hundreds of thousands, tens of thousands of fruit trees ascended throughout the holy city. From tender shoots, they grew into towering trees, their sturdy trunks and lush canopies shrouding the sky. Luminous, jade-green fruits adorned their branches, their rich aroma permeating the city.
The towering Tower of the Sky now adorned with countless vines resembled a colossal emerald pce at the heart of the holy city, a spectacle that awed the first-time attendees.
Atop the high tform, Lucia paused her divine prayer. In her emerald eyes, another, more mystical world unfolded before her.
Unseen golden threads connected the prostrated believers to an unseen point behind them—the grand Tower of the Sky...After this disy of miracles, the number of devout believers increased by about twenty thousand...
Confirming this, Lucia dered themencement of this year''s Harvest Festival, granting all God''s children who arrived in the holy city the opportunity to feastvishly.
During the festival, this ce became a terrestrial paradise. There was no distinction between nobles andmoners; all were merely God''s faithful.
Tens of thousands of attendants ced trays of roasted potatoes, seared steaks, stewed meats, and other delicacies on long tables set up across the city streets, catering to hundreds of thousands. Among the offerings were wines and fine camel meat usually reserved for nobles...
Guided by Saint Lucia and her attendants, believers who had traveled far and wide to the holy city joined in the celebrations. They plucked sweet fruits from trees or wandered the city, freely indulging in the feast.
There was no rush or squabble; even the most famished and gluttonous became disciplined and courteous under the divine influence.
Moreover, food was in limitless supply, and plucked fruits regrew within seconds.
Nande was an ordinary pauper from the Nornd district, yet unlike others, his unwavering faith in God set him apart. Upon learning that the annual Harvest Festival in the holy city weed even the lowliest of paupers and ves, he embarked on a journey spanning thousands of miles, traversing mountains and oveing perils from bandits and ferocious beasts.
It took him a year to reach the foot of the holy city, a journey fraught with hardships. But now, everything seemed worthwhile—the Tower of the Sky was more magnificent than he had ever dreamt, and the kind Saint Lucia''s divine light healed the festering scars on his body.
The sight of the city streets brimming with food and trees bearing fruits out of thin air was beyond Nande''s heavenly imaginings.
Though such celebrations urred once a year, their devoutness ensured their ascent to heaven after death. Every day there would be celebrations, turning the tribtions of this life into divine favor—a reward earned after enduring God''s trials.
In increasingly firm beliefs, faith transcended, and Nande felt closer to God, as if the gates of heaven were opening before him...
...
Meanwhile, back within the Tower of the Sky, Saint Lucia turned suddenly as if attempting to peer through the thick walls towards a particr spot in the holy city.
"What is it, under the cor of Lucia?" A cardinal d in red robes beside her asked, puzzled.
"Someone has received divine inspiration, but sadly fell short, failing to be a saint," Lucia shook her head, filled with regret.
"Could it be one of the bishops?" The cardinal in red expressed envy. He believed his devoutness rivaled anyone''s, yet he had not received divine inspiration to be appointed a saint, ascending to the true echelons of the church.
"No, it was likely just amoner," Lucia remarked casually, picking up a Dragonfruit, an offering to the Moon Goddess, from the table and taking a bite.
Lucia''s offense against the divine left the cardinal infuriated. Despite her high position within the church, she rotated every few years and, in the eyes of the cardinal, was merely a servant selected by the church to serve the Lord. If deemed unfit, she could be reced at any time.
Just the act of disregarding divinity was enough to strip her of her position!
Biting into the sweet Dragonfruit, Lucia''s words were blurred as she said, "That''s why you''ve never received divine inspiration, Raven. Youck adaptability, and even your intellect is subpar, rendering you unfit."
Seeing Lucia''s unrepentant attitude and her attempt to defile divine inspiration, the cardinal was furious. Before he could rebuke her more severely, the doors of the Tower of the Sky swung open.
Entering were the Pope and Judge Joshua...
"Pope, Judge Joshua, Lucia just took some offerings from the table and showed no remorse..." Raven hurriedly approached, about to report to the two.
Thisdy Saint''s status was higher than his own. Besides reprimanding her, there was nothing he could do; only the Pope held the authority to punish her.
"I''ll handle this matter. You may leave!" The Pope nodded, signaling for Raven to step back before continuing his report.
Lucia watched the cardinal leave in a huff, feeling a tinge of regret. "He''s devout, butcking in adaptability. His mind isn''t quite sharp. Unfit.">
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