After that day, Maggie did not take any action, but waited quietly until the Pope summoned her.
There will always be someone who can't resist, but it definitely won't be her.
Besides, credibility is only maximized when the fish take the bait willingly. It's not a business that's driven by others, and Maggie doesn't like doing things that arouse suspicion.
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows atop the church, casting vibrant colors onto the ground, much like the brilliance of El's eyes.
As Maggie stepped through the door, every step she took seemed to echo in the spacious hall. The floor was covered with intricate marble patterns, symbolizing the power of the element of light at its very center.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Pope."
Maggie stepped forward and bowed respectfully, her gaze fixed on the Pope. Beneath his noble and dignified exterior lay his corrupt and greedy soul.
Of course, as someone in a position of power, he concealed it very well, and Maggie couldn't detect a single flaw.
"Yes, I haven't returned to the temple for a long time. I've been busy dealing with demons outside. I wasn't there when the Holy Maiden returned, but I've heard of her reputation even when I was away."
The Pope's solemn and serious voice echoed in the hall, sounding like praise.
Despite being at the temple for so long, Maggie had never actually been to the top of the Church of Light. This was the Pope's domain, and ordinary nuns, and even saints like Maggie, were not allowed to set foot there at will.
Only by being summoned by the Pope can one have the opportunity to come up.
"You did a great job."
The Pope's praise should be the greatest honor for ordinary believers in the temple, but for Maggie it was more like a devil who coveted her, throwing her candy wrapped in colorful wrappers.
When you become obsessed with it, that will be the day you die.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Holiness. This is just what I should do as a saint."
Maggie didn't show much flattery; in fact, she seemed a bit wary, as if she was worried about something.
His voice was calm and even, without much excitement.
“Indeed, a saint’s heart should be pure and holy; otherwise, the angels would not descend upon her.”
The Pope's voice was flat and unwavering.
"Your Holiness is too kind. Angels bless every person who has a devout faith in God. I was just lucky."
Maggie appeared even more tense, her words carrying a hint of wariness, her emotions clearly visible, befitting the composure expected of a teenage girl.
One can hide some of their emotions, but not all of their thoughts.
All of this was observed by the Pope, who simply looked meaningfully at Maggie, who was bowing her head in feigned humility and avoiding eye contact with him as a sign of respect.
“Since the angels have chosen you, Saintess, you need not belittle yourself.”
The Pope continued.
"However, there is one thing the Holy Maiden may not know."
His words were like those of an old man fishing, casting his bait and waiting for the fish to bite.
On the cathedral roof, a symbol of supreme power, the noble pope and the holy saints stand beneath the stained-glass windows, speaking secrets known only to a select few.
"What?"
Maggie showed a hint of doubt.
"The divine authority has not given any divine pronouncements to believers for nearly a thousand years."
The Pope's words were like a boulder dropped into water, creating a huge splash. Maggie was no exception; her face was full of surprise, as if she couldn't believe it.
Or perhaps she didn't know why His Holiness the Pope would tell her such an important secret.
"We pray to God every day for new divine pronouncements, but alas..."
The Pope stopped talking at the end, looked at Maggie's face, and changed the subject to the blessing of the angels.
"Therefore, Saintess, there is no need to be so nervous about the angels. I called you here simply because I am a believer longing for instructions from God. If you mind, you don't have to say anything."
“I govern the temple for the God, so naturally I will not make things difficult for the God’s believers, especially since you are a saint.”
His usually solemn expression revealed a hint of kindness, and he looked somewhat similar to Ford, probably because they were of the same lineage. He was very approachable and easy to convince people.
Especially since he was the most powerful and noble pope in the entire temple, it was easy for a teenage girl to lower her guard if a superior was willing to show a good face to his subordinates.
So, after listening, Maggie's barely concealed worry faded considerably, and a hint of relaxation, as if she had been valued and respected, appeared between her brows.
"No, no, no, there's nothing I'm unwilling to say. If His Holiness the Pope wanted to know, why would I keep it a secret?"
Perhaps feeling safer and no longer worried about having her angel feathers stolen, Maggie's guard was much lower as she spoke, looking at the Pope with a slightly cautious expression.
"Actually, I had long intended to tell His Holiness the Pope what I had heard and seen, but..."
After saying that, Maggie showed a faint look of shame on her face, as if she was embarrassed for judging others with a petty mind.
“It’s alright, child, I… no, even the God will forgive your selfishness.”
The Pope quietly changed his form of address and used a more benevolent tone, patiently persuading the Pope.
“That day, the archangel blessed me as a messenger of God. I actually saw God in my consciousness. His voice was very gentle, and he said many things to me.”
Maggie's face held a look of reminiscence, along with the perfect blush that comes from the excitement of a believer meeting their deity.
In the empty hall, any sound would be amplified, and the Pope was no exception. His breathing became heavier and more rapid, but he quickly realized he had lost his composure and regained his composure.
"What did the deity say?"
But the questions were asked rather quickly.
"...I am truly sorry, Your Holiness. Perhaps it is because the power of the Divine Lord is too great, but my memory of the Divine Lord's words is actually very vague. I can only vaguely recall a little bit."
As Maggie spoke, the guilt and apology on her face were almost impossible to hide, and her voice grew softer and softer, tinged with frustration.
"It's alright, just say as much as you remember."
The Pope's expression froze for a moment, but his tone remained unchanged, and his attitude was unusually tolerant.
“I remember God saying that he was injured because of something, and he was very pleased and moved to see the believers’ devout faith in him. That’s why he sent angels to bless the believers, and I was just one of the lucky ones chosen.”
"He said that if you really want to see him, you can find a way to see him at the top of the church, but don't contact him unless it's very urgent, he needs to rest."
As Maggie finished speaking, the Pope's expression shifted like a palette of colors, finally settling on a frenzied joy that even distorted his features.
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