Unlike all other cardinals, Allen's ordination was not conferred by His Holiness the Pope.
In fact, he had never even met the legendary Pope Joshua, the Nightingale of Tiris.
He was simply adopted as a son by the former cardinal of Upper Lafra Monastery.
But the old bishop suddenly died.
He defeated all the ascetics in the Upper Lafra region in the debate, was justified by faith and became a saint, and naturally took over the largest monastery after the Holy Mountain and Saint Lucy.
Then, with the support of the Holy Church and the new nobility, the Assassins were completely suppressed, the Mad Queen was imprisoned in a monastery on a high cliff, and Crown Prince Alejo took her place as regent.
Under Alejo's iron-fisted rule, the fragmented Kingdom of Herzog finally returned to normalcy from the brink of destruction.
But Allen did not return to Alejo's side.
Fate took an unexpected turn, and the former enemy of God fell once more, becoming a complete blasphemer.
He worshipped both Kirhona and the Radiant Lord Diris.
Even though the two divine powers repelled each other, causing him to suffer the pain of being torn apart at all times, he never stopped praying.
As for the latter belief...
Allen remembers it very clearly.
It was a night five years ago when he lay helplessly on the altar. Under the flickering sacred fire, the bishop's compassionate face, so grotesque during the day, appeared so hideous.
The constant, excruciating pain and humiliation drove him to hate his own life in despair.
He seemed to have detached himself from his own body, forced to examine the scriptures of God and man, and forced to experience the separation of spirit and flesh.
The irresistible violence forced him to open his eyes, and in the empty light and shadow, he could only gaze at the statue of Dilis from afar.
Tilis said, "God so loved the world."
Allen wondered, if Dillis loved him, why would he punish him like this?
Prove your existence to me, Lord of Light, and I will offer you my unceasing prayers. All Alan could only think these wildly.
But at that moment, the mithril staff that the statue was holding suddenly tipped over, easily piercing the shield of a dignified seventh-level priest.
The bishop's bloody brain matter flowed from his unseeing eyes and dripped onto Allen's face, without him even noticing.
The ordinary-looking homeless beggar lay disheveled on the altar and formally began his faith in Dilis.
...
Then, the apostles of the abyss began to tempt the twelve cardinals.
So Allen left the monastery after a long absence and returned to the capital city, which had become almost unfamiliar.
He had almost nothing to hide from Alejandro, except for the night of the former bishop's mysterious death and his fervent faith in the two gods.
Having been absent for some time, the long-absent regency has become increasingly unfathomable.
The other party ascended the throne as he had wished, while Allen stood quietly below the steps, staring blankly at the insurmountable, magnificent staircase.
“Then agree to their terms.” After some thought, Alejo gave the instruction from his superior position. “Anyway, this isn’t the first time you’ve broken your promise.”
The last piece of clear mirror I cherished in my heart has finally shattered completely.
Allen opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself for the first time in his life.
He knew his soul was utterly filthy, almost unforgivable, and that he had successively worshipped Kirchona, Aleio, and Tilis, but...
He could never express his pain, because the other person couldn't understand it.
Just like when he was enthusiastically telling the other person about interesting things about Kirhona, Alejo interrupted him almost rudely, "Sorry, Allen, I'm not interested in these things."
"Our lives are finite, so please try not to waste your time on meaningless things."
The other person's blue eyes were so cold that just being looked at like that made his blood feel like it was freezing.
Alan realized in a daze that perhaps all that remained between him and the other was that contract that lay across their spiritual sea.
"What, is there anything else you want to say to me?" Alejo suddenly spoke, rousing him from his wandering thoughts.
Allen looked at the monarch sitting backlit with a complicated expression, and mustered his courage to reply, "Yes."
Alejo grew impatient. "Then hurry up and say it. I have a lot of things to do."
Allen took a deep breath.
At that moment, the well-trained guards knocked on the heavy hall door.
A brightly dressed girl strolled in excitedly. Upon seeing him standing below the stage, she exclaimed with delight, "Allen? My goodness, it's been so long! You've finally come to the capital!"
Allen immediately smiled politely.
He also regarded Vivian as a younger sister, but he gradually realized that he had no right to think that way at all.
What he didn't understand was why Alejan always gave him a meaningful smile when he stood next to him.
To be honest, such a smile always made him feel flustered and nowhere to hide.
"Vivi, what do you need your brother for?" Alejo asked gently as he descended the high steps.
Only in front of his twin sister did the cold and ruthless Regent Prince seem to return to the human world.
“Oh, it’s like this, the theater on the street is premiering a new story tonight, I think it’s going to be great. But my friends all have plans…” Vivian said, looking at Allen, “But since Allen’s here, I won’t bother you.”
Alejo raised his hand and gently ruffled the girl's hair. "You're getting more and more talkative. How could I find it troublesome? Tell me the show time. I happen to be free today."
"Really?" Vivian looked up in surprise, but then turned to Allen standing to the side. "Then, may we ask if our Cardinal would do me the honor of accompanying me?"
“This…” Allen hesitated for a moment and looked at Alejo. Seeing that the other party nodded, he replied, “Since it would be impolite to refuse, I will trouble you to make the arrangements.”
As it turned out, Vivian's judgment was quite accurate.
The plot that night was so dramatic and exciting that even Allen was somewhat captivated.
But it was precisely because of this that the girl's spiritual power broke through directly, and the Time Branch, which had been suppressed for a long time, grew wildly, instantly reaching the high level of the third rank. She also fell into a coma at the end of the story.
Then, the Kingdom of Hexor banned all performances and creative works. The girl was imprisoned in a high ivory tower, and he, angered by the irrational Alejo, was forbidden from going to the capital at will.
This was also the last time he saw Vivian.
Allen was lost in his memories of the past until the girl's call from behind him roused him from his distant recollections.
"Allen, there's something I've always wanted to ask you."
Upon hearing this, Allen's heart immediately jumped.
On the brutal battlefield, he turned around, forcing himself to remain calm, and said, "Yes, Your Highness...please ask."
Seeing the man's sudden tense posture, Vivian clenched her fists and asked with great difficulty:
"Do you... like my brother?"
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