“Look at him, smiling like a flower. He’s completely different from how half-dead he was a while ago. Sure enough, power is what men value most. Women and love are just icing on the cake. Once my sister recovers, I will definitely not let her be easily deceived by men.” Eli said to His Holiness the Pope beside him, resting his chin on his hand as he stood by the window.
“Patrick’s finally in a good mood, so don’t poke fun at his troubles,” Phil Gray said with a smile to his cousin.
“But he was such a coward, he just ran away. Those two Ediths are really pitiful.” Eli shrugged.
"He'll figure it out eventually."
Through Patrick's efforts, he finally managed to find a weakness in the West District Bishop.
This bishop has been bribed by the royal family of the Kingdom of Puna and often secretly passes on some internal information of the Church of Destiny to them, including but not limited to information about the senior priests and bishops of the Church of Destiny, and the attitudes of the various high-ranking members of the Church of Destiny towards the Vil Kingdom.
After Patrick reported the incident, the bishop was excommunicated, and the Church of Destiny also issued a warning to the Kingdom of Puna.
Today, the entire day was spent busy with the inauguration ceremonies of the two new bishops.
In addition to Patrick becoming the bishop of the western district, a middle-aged man nearing forty, a chosen one of God, took over as the bishop of the northern district.
He worked diligently in the district for over a decade, and successfully rose to power after his former bishop was executed by the just people.
As the church bells rang, the two newly appointed bishops arrived at the statue of God.
Patrick, dressed in his brand-new bishop's robes, beamed with barely suppressed joy and pride.
"How many people my age can become bishops?"
"Ahem, yes, compared to you, I am utterly ashamed of myself." The bishop of the North District, though also beaming with joy, possessed a unique composure due to his age.
"Ah, no, I didn't mean you're old. Being able to sit in the position of bishop, even if it's just a small district bishop, is something many people wouldn't even dare to dream of."
Patrick hurriedly explained, but for some reason, it felt strange after he said it.
"Haha, let's work hard together from now on."
The bishop of the northern district didn't take it to heart; this young master of the Gray family was rather innocent and adorable.
Phil Gray approached and read the appointment letters to each of them. His voice was solemn and clear: "Patrick, with your unwavering faith and tireless efforts, you have won the trust of the gods and the love of believers. Today, in the name of the Pope of the Church of Destiny, I appoint you as the Bishop of the Western District of North City. May you continue to uphold justice, spread the light of destiny, and lead the people of your city to a more glorious future in the days to come."
The appointment letter for the other bishop was largely the same.
They received their appointments amidst applause and cheers from the faithful, and bowed deeply to His Holiness the Pope and the people present.
Phil Gray was also pleased to see Patrick's smug look.
Actually, if it weren't for satisfying his cousin's little wish and helping him out of his depressed mood due to his emotional entanglement, he wouldn't have bothered to hold such a grand inauguration ceremony.
After the ceremony, His Holiness the Pope and the newly appointed Bishop of the Western District declined invitations from many families and instead hosted a small banquet.
Several young people gathered at the Pope's palace to drink and eat, drinking wine made from the purest Destiny Flower.
To satisfy His Holiness the Pope's discerning palate upon his return, Fate spared no expense to retain a visiting member of the God of Cookery as their new head chef.
At least there won't be another food poisoning incident like the one that happened when Phil Gray first arrived in Fate.
At this point, there were no more popes, bishops, or knights, only a group of companions who had relied on each other after going through many things.
They talked about the future and discussed their plans to find divine power.
Just then, Milutinovic came to report that a man outside who called himself Barry wanted to see His Holiness the Pope.
Phil Gray jumped to his feet, hardly believing his ears.
"Quickly, invite him in!"
Today seems to be full of surprises, as the savior I've been searching for has actually come to my door!
Phil Gray could barely contain his excitement.
The others sat at the table, quietly drinking their wine. They had, of course, heard His Holiness the Pope mention the young man who had suffered misfortune because of his help.
I just hope he can live a more comfortable and happy life from now on.
Milo nodded and immediately ran out. A little while later he brought Barry back.
Barry was dressed in coarse cloth clothes and wore a worn-out cashmere hat, looking particularly shabby as winter approached.
His chin was covered with bluish stubble, his eye sockets were somewhat dark, his lower eyelids drooped, his face bore a sorrowful expression, and his eyes were no longer as clear as before.
"Barry, I'm sorry, how have you been this past year?"
Phil Gray felt incredibly guilty towards the child who had lost his mother and was now forced to flee because of his help.
He immediately realized that his question was meaningless; how could he possibly be doing well?
Even an ordinary person would be restless and unable to eat or sleep if they were being hunted by a large religious organization, let alone someone with a childlike mind.
He simply couldn't imagine what kind of life he would lead.
What if Barry resents himself for bringing them misfortune?
Unexpectedly, Barry just stared at him blankly and said, "Brother, hug me."
"What?"
He watched as Barry suddenly broke into his usual warm smile, as if all the sorrow and suffering had failed to break his soul.
Phil Gray felt as if he were back in that afternoon in Kao City, when Barry excitedly introduced him to his good friends.
Perhaps the child never blamed himself.
He also considered himself a friend.
Even though he has become the Pope, he is not stingy in giving a hug to the children who have suffered misfortune because of him.
"I'm sorry, I will take care of you in place of your mother."
Phil Gray took a deep breath and decided to take good care of the innocent child from now on, to keep his promise.
He stepped forward, stretched out his arms, and hugged the child tightly. He gently patted the child's back, soothing away the child's sad past. From now on, they would be family and live a happy life.
"Brother, hug me, no."
Barry continued.
"What's wrong with you?" Phil Gray remembered that although Barry's IQ was only that of a seven or eight-year-old, he could speak in complete sentences and have basic conversations with people. Why is he now just spouting words one by one?
What exactly did this child go through during this time?
"Brother, no."
Barry's eyes suddenly filled with pain and fear.
Phil Gray immediately sensed something was wrong, but he had already embraced the other person. Just as he hurriedly pulled away, he felt a powerful force erupt from Barry's body, and then everything in front of him turned blood red.
Suddenly, the world spun around him. He saw Barry's face torn to pieces, his body transformed into countless wriggling maggots, his tattered linen clothes soaked in blood and falling to the ground, the cold tip of the Kao City Commander's sword, and the old woman's disappointed gaze as she lay dying.
how so?
Blood kept gushing from his mouth, and a deafening roar filled his ears. He tried his best to mobilize all his divine power, but his body, like Barry who had turned into a bloody mess before his eyes, was so shattered that his divine power could no longer be used.
It felt as if tiny worms were swimming in his veins, devouring his flesh and gnawing at his nerves bit by bit.
But his mental anguish still overshadowed his physical pain.
Why did Barry die too?
He was quite certain that this was not a dream or hallucination, but the real Barry.
He exploded right in front of him!
Who on earth did this?! What religious sect did it?!
Overwhelmed by anger and sorrow, he could not withstand the combined physical and mental shock, and collapsed to the ground.
"His Majesty!"
"Phil!"
"Cousin! Oh my god!"
Those present were extremely anxious, never expecting that His Holiness the Pope would be attacked so suddenly.
"Don't touch the blood, there's something in it!" Eli shouted.
"Waaah, I'm going to find Father and Bishop Dominic, cousin, hang in there!" Patrick sobbed as he ran out.
Ernest's arm, which was holding the Pope, was stained with blood. Soon, his veins became taut, and tiny, wriggling worms appeared beneath his skin.
He swiftly severed half of his arm with his other hand, using divine power to stop the bleeding. Throughout the series of actions, his expression never revealed the slightest pain; instead, his gaze remained fixed on His Holiness the Pope, his brows furrowed, filled with worry.
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