Chapter 80 - 2.41

Due to Ezra not answering even one of the Cardinal's questions, the latter soon grew angrier and couldn't take it anymore.

"It is not appropriate for this conversation to be continued further. I have to attend other matters. Ezra Lancaster, quick, state your intentions in placing your eyes on this girl! If you do not comply, then you will be treated as having opposed me, the Cardinal and my orders!" The Cardinal berated.

Even though there was still the matter of Ezra being excessively strong, he still had authority. If they all bonded against Ezra and killed him off, it was possible. But Ezra's identity as their one and only person titled 'Child' had been made aware throughout the lands, so killing him off would be nothing but a detrimental choice for them.

Despite disliking what they had to face, the Cardinal still had to bear it and let him live unless he fell and succumbed to his own stupidity and was consumed by foolishness. He had been waiting for the perfect chance to take this man away, to sweep him off and destroy him in order to solidify his position.

But he always confined himself to the Tower, and refused to show himself.

After sending a glance towards the angered Cardinal, Ezra collected all the files back together and stored them into the envelope again.

"Ariel Maine will be an important figure. I can see it. The Goddess told me that she favored this girl, so I went here to learn more about her. The next Saintess trial, I shall attend it. I want to see this girl and the glory that our Goddess is going to show to us." Ezra stated with a joyful tone as he dropped the truth bomb that the Cardinal had been dying to get to know.

It was all acting, to be honest. He had already met her, and he also witnessed her strangeness. He knew about her, but pretended to come here in order to set up Ariel Maine's welcoming. This was the wish that the Goddess had, so he wanted to follow it despite feeling vexed.

With sparkling eyes that seemed more innocent than that of an infant's, and a mouth singing praises to the Goddess like a broken tape recorder, the Cardinal unknowingly let out a sigh full of relief.

It turned out that Ariel Maine was someone who the Goddess was... What??

The Goddess favored who?!

"Ezra, what did you say? The Goddess.. Towards this girl?" The Cardinal no longer suspected Ezra and was focused on this candidate instead.

The Cardinal wasn't surprised that Ezra was able to hear the Goddess' voice, because the deity truly did impart the humankind with some words from time to time in important situations. This time, the Goddess chose Ezra to be a messenger of sorts.

The Cardinal's brain began racking up plans on how he could manipulate this information to his own benefits. Since Ezra couldn't have lied about such a thing judging from his personality and beliefs, then it must be true. Then, he had to work fast!

There was a high chance that this girl was definitely going to be the Saintess.

One could only imagine how much they would be able to soar if the Goddess really was trying to openly support this girl. Not only will they gain more recognition, this power will also naturally be a great blessing to them.

"Yes.. the Goddess has spoken. She couldn't possibly have lied to me. She is the most benevolent and truthful of all, a beautiful spirit that protects us.. I believe that this Saintess candidate also has a purpose to serve the Goddess, and the power that will be granted to her would naturally deserve our utmost respect." Ezra spoke with great valor, showcasing his exemplary acting at being a braindead worshipper.

The Cardinal's heart jumped with delight.

If this girl did receive the Goddess' favor, and he was able to turn her into her ally, doesn't this mean that he would be able to keep Ezra in check for the rest of the time? The man was loyal to the Goddess, and having this girl as the Saintess meant that Ezra would support her.

If he was able to bend the girl to his will... It would be perfect!

Sinister thoughts started brewing inside the Cardinal's head. Little did he know, the one who was trapped inside a ploy wasn't going to be Ezra or Ariel, but himself and the rest of the crime polluted lands.

The reformation was nearing with each passing second, and Ezra was a key point to make everything work.

If Ezra didn't betray them, didn't go crazy, and stayed on the path until the very end... It would be checkmate.

But would he keep his love pure? Would he not go twisted, go ballistic because of how impenetrable the barrier between him and the Goddess was?

Would he be satisfied as an observer, as a mere human who couldn't do anything but watch the Goddess?

Or would he.. try to rebel?

Ezra left the building after having finished his part. His intentions were not only to capture information about Ariel, but also to play his role as a supporter.

For now, he would stick to the plan because he didn't know what else to do.

A grim look was present on his face as he walked back to the Tower and immediately went back to sleep without praying- a thing that he had never done before in the past years after having converted to worshipping Goddess Eula.

Unbeknownst to him, the Goddess, who still stayed inside the Tower had a complicated expression on her face as she watched the boy that she accompanied throughout the years.

It wasn't like she was unaware of Ezra's feelings. And it wasn't like she didn't reciprocate the emotions.

It was just that the moment she wanted to love Ezra completely, as an equal partner, would mean that she was willing to sacrifice her divinity and scrape off her powers completely. 

There was a way to become a mortal from being a deity.