Chapter 233: A Meeting with the Cardinal.

Chapter 233: A Meeting with the Cardinal.

I didnt think you would arrive here with Lady Eshe, High Bishop Theodore. Confused at the people who exited the carriage, I couldnt help but wonder why Theodore brought her along. Lady Eshe, you didnt have to come. This invitation was on such short notice that I can understand if you were preoccupied.

It was the day after I received the letter from the church. It actually arrived three days ago, while I was outside Griffonpeak testing out the fast travel function. Technically, I could have received it whenever I returned to Helvas mansion each night, but I didnt want to deal with all those letters really, so I put off looking at any of my mail.

Speaking of testing, I tried teleporting from Cedraille to Griffonpeak. It worked, thankfully, although there was a slight catch if you werent me, you had to pay a large amount of mana. In any case, while I was there, I tried to meet up with Cernust, as Id heard from Severa that he was working in Cedaraille, but, sadly, I couldnt find which inn he was staying with. I probably could have asked Duke Greenveil when I had returned to Griffonpeak through the portal, now that I thought about it.

Back to the topic, the invitation was set for the 21st of SpringBloom, which was today. Makes sense, since its a cardinal meeting up with one of the blessed of Aurena, so the meeting had to be on a LightDay. The religious symbolism was obvious.

Since the cardinal only invited me, not mentioning anybody else, I had to leave everybody else behind for today. As such, I asked Theodore at the very least to help me out. Give me some tips. As a high bishop, he should have the authority to chaperone me.

I just didnt expect him to bring Eshe with us.

Eshe gave a small curtsy with her dress, flanked by her two knights. Lady Hestia, as one of two who were responsible for your theology lessons, it is only right for me to come with you. Besides, since the introduction of saints and champions, they have always been partners. You did me a favor, so how could I not reciprocate that gesture?

Heh, I dont think you owe me for that. I did it for myself, hiehie. Accepting the situation, I boarded the carriage with Theodore and Eshe. Once again, carriages werent good for my butt or tail, regardless of their quality.

Eshe was referring to the rescue of the orphan kids, of course. She did thank me profusely for it, but, even if she hadnt asked me to help, I still would have delved into Shaturein to find them anyway.

Once we were inside, I learned from Eshe that the kids were doing well, but the two younger ones were now extremely paranoid around strangers. They even refused to go grocery shopping as a result. It made me regret deciding to give them some time to cool down after what happened instead of visiting them immediately.

Leaving Hamil alive poses a future problem. He might be hunted by both Shaturein and the Lycerepth right now, but who knows when hell strike? There is also that demonkin and Eithalr. Making sure the fast travel worked well in an emergency was my priority so I can keep everybody safe within the subspace, but still

I shook those thoughts out for now. I had to get myself in the mindset of one of Aurenas blessed right now.

Remember, Lady Hestia, Cardinal Bennard Bonovier Gillsna is what you would expect from an influential noble in a priests clothes. He isnt the most reasonable person, and he will always set his mind on supporting his houses ambitions. Dont let his words trick you, Theodore warned me.

Ill keep that in mind. I nodded. When I had my concert, I met the cardinal by accident. Back then, I refused to speak with him at first, asking him to wait until I finished cleaning myself up first. but he left before I returned. Can he be petty?

Very much. Theodores reply was blunt. Not only does he wield power as the cardinal appointed by Aureolis, but his family has also recently been favored by Lord Grand Duke Olivus. As you should know, House Olivus is responsible for religious matters in Artorias. With all these perks, men weak of will and mind quickly become pompous, unaware they have become puppets.

Wait, Duke Olivus is controlling the cardinals actions?

Theodore shook his head. His family. Count Gillsna, the cardinals older brother. Cardinal Bennard is a content man. His ambition died out when he became the cardinal. He is quite talented as a mage and rose quickly from his hard work, even though, ironically, it was driven by his laziness.

What Theodore wanted to explain was that the cardinal is the sorta person who would work hard until he made it big and secured his retirement funds. He wasnt necessarily greedy, so he wasnt squeezing the church of everything they had, but he wasnt willing to improve it either. As long as he was happy, he wouldnt lift a finger.

So, why did he send spies to follow me? The answer was his family. They wanted the cardinal to get close to me to benefit his family, to improve their image in front of Duke Olivus. Even approaching me after the concert made sense now.

Strangely, the situation of House Helvas and House Gillsna mirrored each other. Both patriarchs had held the rank of Count, and both sent their relatives to me to help them improve their reputations in the hopes to garner favor with their respective dukes to rank up. In Arcanuess Helvass case, he sent Ellaine, while Count Gilsna sent an impatient man

who wasnt even my fan in the first place, but I thought he was, so I felt bad, only to learn later on that I didnt just lose two fans, those two poor men died cause of some vile slave traffickers.

In any case, it meant that the cardinal couldnt be trusted easily. Eshe instantly disliked him when they met, reminding her too much of the priests who denounced her. A noble in priests clothing, Theodore had stated. I wondered if the cardinals appointment was due to the corruption in Aureolis from the Prince of Envy, or if it was just something already established.

Eventually, we left the noble district and reached the cathedral. Going through the noble exclusive entry, we were greeted by a row of white robes on arrival, led by an overweight priest.

Blessings to our iridescent guests on this auspicious LightDay. May you be blessed with its brilliant light, illuminating your path forward. On these sanctified grounds of the Goddess, you bless us with your presence, Saintess Hestia. Saintess Eshe. The priests collectively welcomed us.

Saintess? Im not a saintess. Either call me a champion or an idol, or nothing at all.

I was sure people should have already gotten the memo that I called myself an idol of Aurena from the ball. The fact they called me saintess was most likely cause they had no understanding of what the addition of an idol amongst the blessed meant. I was the first to call myself as such, after all.

Smile and accept for now. Uprooting over 2500 years of tradition with a change like this wont happen overnight.

Eshe and I stepped forward, curtsying in response. We blessed greet the clergy of the cathedral of Griffonpeak, led by Cardinal Bennard Bonovier Gillsna. May the light granted to us by the Goddess bless you, illuminating the path forward. On these sanctified grounds of the Goddess, allow us all to pray together to her honor.

As the two of us held our hands in a prayer pose, Eshe conjured up a white magic circle in the sky, prompting the other clergymen to begin their prayers.

The Goddess watches over us

In her name, we pray, we sing, we love

For her merciful light, protects us all

Purify the ground, wherever her feathers touches

The priests sang in a chorus, pouring their mana into the [Prayer] spell floating above us.

This was how a Gods blessed was officially welcomed to a religious building, at least, for the churches of Aurena. As the blessed, our role was to cast a [Prayer] since it was considered a direct blessing from the Goddess and we were her mortal representatives.

The eldest blessed was to lead the prayer Eshe in this case while the rest aided in creating a powerful blessing. The priests helped in the endeavor, of course, but the majority of the accumulated mana had to come from us blessed, since we were the ones blessing the clergy. The stronger the blessing, the more respect we would earn.

That was easy enough for me to do.

Oh Goddess of Light, Aurena. I bid you, hear our prayers of gratitude and ardent worship so it may empower you evermore in your duties of overseeing us. I beg of you to hear us and grant upon us your blessing of light, Prayer!

[Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Major)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]

Oooh, a grand blessing from the Goddesss blessed! What an honor!

Magnificent, it is even stronger than when Saintess Eshe did it alone! Truly, Artorias is privileged to have the honor of welcoming two saintesses!

I felt a bit bad that my official welcome was overshadowing Eshes, especially since I had done what Theodore and Eshe wanted and made sure the buff was Major. When Eshe noticed it, she told me it didnt matter to her what her reputation was amongst the clergy, and that it would be better if my standing was as high as it could be before I talked to the cardinal.

Eshe really is a saintess!

After that was an obligatory priests of noble birth moment where I greeted everybody as if it were a banquet or ball. They each greeted Eshe and me with their house names and also mentioned how we supposedly met them at the royal ball three weeks ago. Most of them, I would probably forget.

They also asked me why Theodore was following us around like a dog, to which we answered that he was our advisor. We told them that Eshe only joined us mid-way through, when I had already agreed to make Theodore my advisor for Griffonpeak. I was a foreigner, after all. Of course, the noble white-robes disliked this, since in their eyes, Theodore was gaining my favor instead of theirs, but I couldnt care less.

After a few more introductions, we finally made it to the cardinal himself.

A beautiful LightDay to you two, Saintess Eshe and Saintess Hestia. This humble cardinal, Bennard Bonovier Gillsna welcomes you to our cathedral with open arms, the chubby man introduced himself.

Having taken a closer look, he really was the drunk man I met at the concert. I was now 100% sure he was the guy who couldnt wait for a minute or two.

Saintess Eshe, I didnt expect you to accompany the Goddesss most recent blessed. I see you have already taken a liking to your junior. Ha, this is most glorious for our Goddess that her representatives are working well together!

Thank you for your praises, Cardinal Bennard, Eshe replied. I apologize for not mentioning this earlier, but it would be most gracious if you could allow me to accompany Lady Hestia to the meeting. She is still inexperienced, after all.

Of course, of course! The more the merrier, hahaha! After merrily laughing at having Eshe, he began glaring at Theodore. High Bishop Theodore, I have heard you were acquainted with our beautiful saintesses, but todays discussion is not for your ears. Still, I thank you for chauffeuring them, hahahaha!

The cardinal was blunt with his entry denial, but Theodore didnt back down that easily. While I agree with your statement, Cardinal, it is without a doubt that both Saintess Eshe and Saintess Hestia are still inexperienced with Artorias, correct? They have been with us for only a few months. As such, they require someone to advise them on matters.

I am enough, High Bishop. You are not needed.

For the sake of the discussion, I implore you to allow me. This will expedite the talks when I can give both saintesses an accurate explanation of our churchs actions in our kingdom.

You speak the truth, but for today, you are not needed, High Bishop. You may be respectable and a valuable member of the church, but I am still the cardinal! Any more arguments and I will take this as insubordination against Aureolis and an insult to the position ordained to me by the Goddess!

My apologies for my presumptuousness, Cardinal Bennard. I shall take my leave.

Verdammt! There goes one ally. Could I argue back?

As I was about to speak up about it, Theodore bowed and announced his leave after wishing us good luck. I was disappointed that he gave up so fast, but I guess I should put myself in his situation. If he angers the cardinal, hell just have a harder time later on.

Guided by the cardinal, Eshe, her knights, and I walked through the hallways of the cathedral. While he was flattering and buttering up to us, I remembered I could have argued that Theodore was like a guard for me, since people were thinking of me as a saintess. Too late now, though.

Saintess Hestia, you have been in Griffonpeak for a while now, so when I heard you havent visited me, I thought I should meet you at your musical performance. A brilliant show, I must say, worthy to honor the Goddess through your artistic talent, huah huah ha, the cardinal said, interrupting my thoughts. Mhmm, it was quite a shame that I couldnt talk with you back then. I apologize for coming at short notice.

What is there to be surprised about, huh? You and your party of assholes are speaking badly of not only Ellaine, not only Amelia, but also everybody else in my party? Tch, what a joke. I clicked my tongue, denouncing everything he just said. Sure, Ellaine could use some more training, but Im telling you this just to clear up your head. Grimnir could wipe out any of those goons. Saori and Tasianna could wipe your whole party, including you at the same time.

H-Haha, my lady, I understand your trust for your companions but stating such things will only

Shut your mouth. My [Draconic Aura] exuded, shutting Charleslyt up. But, honestly, the audacity. You really think I need you? You really think some stuck-up young master can protect me? Im sorry, but if you really think you are worthy of this champion candidacy, then prove it to her yourself.

I pointed up.

Charleslyt, I challenge you to a duel at the arena. Prove not only to the Goddess but also to me that you are more bite than bark!

If he wants to prove himself to his daddy, then Ill be a good girl and help him out after I shove a real stick up his ass.

A note from AbyssRaven

Welp, Charleslyt, my man. You're picking up the wrong girls.

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 17 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

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Sunday, November 21, 2021 1:08:19 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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