Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 289

[Vol. 5] Chapter 289: August Lambert

The final destination, the true heart of the Holy Court, was the [Church of Light].

As Ian explained, this place was closed to outside visitors. Even members of the Goddess Church must reach at least the rank of Four-Winged to enter this true sanctuary.

According to legend, the Supreme Goddess of Light statue, which can only be communicated with through a prayer ritual conducted personally by the Pope, is located within a church inside the Holy Court.

Violet had expected something even more dazzling and magnificent than the outer buildings, but stepping inside, she realized that was merely her assumption.

This Church looked almost identical to the ones she had seen in temples across small and medium cities around the world where the Goddess of Light was worshipped. The only difference was that it was larger, grander, and more empty, silent.

Two rows of wooden pews stretched up from either side, extending from the main entrance to just before the altar, bathed in a gentle, warm white light. This light was neither glaring nor dim, spilling from magical lamps hung from the Church’s ceiling, reaching every corner of the space.

Her gaze followed a white carpet starting at her feet, leading all the way to the main altar set against a backdrop of intricate murals.

There, an elderly man with white hair, clad in golden robes and wearing a crown, held a scepter inlaid with precious jewels. He stood with his back to the guests, silently gazing up at the hundred-meter-tall statue of the faceless goddess that seemed to soar toward the Church’s ceiling.

A faint but undeniable divine presence filled every corner of this space.

Besides the elderly man, there was no other soul in this place.

Ian’s reverent voice announced his identity.

“Your Highness, Miss Dawn has arrived.”

At this respectful announcement, the elderly man turned around.

Utterly unremarkable.

This was the impression Violet had at first glance.

The lifespan of the divine-descendant isn’t much longer than that of ordinary humans. From his facial features and the lines at the corners of his eyes, the white fox girl could tell that this man was probably at least seventy years old. Without some special bloodline, fortunate encounter, or having broken through to a transcendent level, this elderly pope likely didn’t have much time left before he would step down.

Despite his high rank, he was not overweight, rather, he was somewhat thin, with slightly sunken cheeks, reminding Violet of ancient rulers from her previous life—those who suffered from poor health due to their endless responsibilities.

His features were unremarkable. Though he possessed a trace of warmth and kindness typical of the elderly, it was difficult to imagine anyone saying, “He must have been quite handsome in his youth.” At best, without his pope robes and crown, he’d look like any other unassuming elder lost in a crowd.

If there was anything exceptional about him, it would be his eyes.

August Lambert.

This pope, who had consistently suppressed the faction led by the Bright Light Saintess and the other two saintesses, who worked tirelessly to preserve the Church as the ruling authority, and who seemed willing to do anything for power, his eyes were remarkably clear.

His eyes, clear yet bearing the marks of time, evoke a sense of contradiction that might make one think, “This old man must be a wise, humble soul who has no thirst for wealth or fame,” which is quite contradictory to his actions.

“……”

As Violet observed him, August studied her just as intently, silently looking into the silver-blue eyes visible beneath her mask, as if searching for something within them.

It felt like a long moment, though it was only an instant. Before Ian beside them could even notice, August broke the gaze, his aged face softening into a gentle smile.

“Welcome, honored guest from afar, Miss Dawn. Your visit graces the Holy Court and the Goddess Church with a rare and radiant honor.”

“Oh… I can’t say I’m surprised, but it sounds like you already knew I’d be coming?”

“Of course. After all, what is meant to come will come, right?”

With just a slight glance from August, Bishop Ian, knowing he wasn’t fit to stay for the conversation, quietly withdrew, carefully closing the chapel’s only door and leaving this silent space for the two who might very well decide the Holy Empire’s future path.

Leaning on his staff to support his aging body, the pope slowly made his way to the pulpit, watching the white fox girl walk toward him along the central, spotless carpet. She stopped a few meters away.

August smiled warmly and tapped the pew beside him.

“Would you like to sit, Miss Dawn?”

Acting the part of a gracious host, he extended the invitation, but Violet decided to take control of the conversation, responding with a question of her own.

“And Loknisa? She summoned me here, yet doesn’t even show up herself. You wouldn’t happen to know why, would you?”

The elderly pope shook his head, appearing somewhat resigned.

“Ah, so Miss Dawn is one to get straight to the point. Very well. If you aren’t interested in a bit of conversation with this old man, let’s go right to the main issue.”

Resting his hands on his staff, August’s face took on a slightly solemn expression.

“Miss Dawn, I understand that you are no ordinary figure, perhaps even far beyond the reach of mere mortals like us. And regardless of what intentions or plans you may have, I realize that I am in no position to stand in your way. But now, I’d like to hear your honest and heartfelt assessment.

“If I may be so bold, it will determine the course of action we take, and that may even include a desperate confrontation against you.”

“Oh?”

There was a subtle upward inflection in the white fox girl’s voice.

She seemed surprised that this supreme pope would adopt such a humble stance, or perhaps that this frail, elderly man, who far from even the legendary level, would dare to speak of a life-or-death struggle with a powerful figure.

But she already had a good sense of what August wanted to discuss.

Even so, Violet decided to keep him in some suspense, as a small gesture of respect for this pope who was different from the image she had in mind.

“What’s the question? Go ahead and ask.”

The old man nodded slightly.

“My question is simple, Miss Dawn. In your view, what do you think of the Holy Empire as it stands today?”

“What do I think…”

As expected.

Following this anticipated line of conversation, Violet let her thoughts drift back to when they had first arrived in this nation.

What was the Holy Empire like?

Undoubtedly, it was an expansive question, with countless possible interpretations and avenues for discussion.

It was the world’s leading superpower, perhaps only rivaled by the Eastern Austre Empire among the top five dominions. Its temples spanned the globe, its faithful covered the lands surrounding the three great rivers, and it symbolized equality, peace, and hope. Without the Holy Empire, the world might be plunged into internal and external conflicts.

Yet it also had its weaknesses and was the subject of suspicion and envy from various forces, races, and even entire nations.

Scholars could likely write a book as thick as a literary dictionary to capture all the conclusions about it. But Violet, in just three seconds, recalled the memories of her months-long journey through the empire and offered her own unique perspective.

“A wealthy nation, with a powerful military, united races, orderly governance, peaceful and friendly relations. Of the nations I’ve seen so far, it’s the most suitable for settling down.”

Hearing this, August couldn’t help but smile.

However, the white fox girl’s assessment didn’t end there.

“But beneath this prosperity lies a hidden danger that could bring a great disaster. August Lambert, you must be even more aware of this than I am.”