Julia looked at Lu Li, who was standing in the center of the Holy Court Plaza, wondering what exactly he was planning to do.
Before leaving yesterday, the boy had instructed her to assemble an elite squad of knights as quickly as possible, promising her a surprise.
Unable to sleep, Julia had pulled elite members from various knightly orders overnight, ordering them to gather here early in the morning.
Thus, the scene before her came to be.
The boy, clad in his holy robe, swept a sharp, cold gaze across the thirty knights before him like a grand general. All thirty of them showed signs of exhaustion, yet they still stood with straight backs, forcing themselves to remain sharp under the Pope's scrutiny.
Lu Li didn't usually like wearing his tiara, finding it too heavy. Being like this was perfect; it didn't lessen his divine majesty, but instead made him feel more human.
“Everyone, I wonder if you have heard the recent rumors.
“Those people, they claim that I, this Pope, am a fraud. They say I am not the shepherd chosen by the Lord.”
As the boy's voice softly faded, every single knight froze on the spot.
They had assembled overnight, some even rushing here from further away, standing here without even a chance to catch their breath. Was it just to hear this young Pope vent his grievances?
Indeed, most of the knights present were well-informed and had already caught wind of the rumors from the front line. Though these rumors could not shake their faith, they still planted a thorn in their hearts that was difficult to extract.
“I know they look down on me. Perhaps even some of you, and many others, look down on me as well.
“Seeing that I am a man, they think I am an easy target. They send assassins to murder me, and envoys to pressure me.”
Lu Li spoke in a low, calm voice, as if the boy who had suffered all these injustices was someone else entirely.
Some of the knights felt panicked, fearing they would be implicated and executed for irreverence by this newly appointed Pope. Others were indifferent, thinking he was merely complaining. But even more of them felt a deep ache in their hearts for the handsome youth before them.
“But... what did I do wrong?
“I only wanted everyone to have a better life!”
He pursed his lips slightly and raised his head. The wind stirred his light golden hair, revealing a pair of resolute eyes.
The boy's voice grew louder, word by word, sounding like an oath, or perhaps a vow. He cried out:
“If ridding the mortal world of suffering so that everyone may find happiness is a sin, then let me bear that sin alone!”
As his voice fell, everyone stood frozen in astonishment.
Julia gazed at the boy's figure, a mix of complex emotions in her heart. She had not expected him to have achieved such resolve already.
The knights found the shock in their hearts even harder to conceal. Having long grown accustomed to the petty schemes and squabbles among the nobility, when had they ever seen someone as glorious and noble as the boy before them?
Even if he was misunderstood by the world and forced to bear sins, did he still wish to bring happiness to mankind?
Where else could they ever find another Pope like this?
Lu Li gave them ample time for their emotions to brew. Seeing that the moment was ripe, a smile finally appeared on his face, and he spoke with powerful conviction:
“However, this great endeavor cannot be achieved by myself alone. Fortunately, I have you. The Holy State still has you.”
His gaze swept across their faces—some solemn, some indifferent—his tone sincere and heartfelt:
“Everyone, are you willing to stand by my side and walk this path together?”
When he finished, a brief silence fell over the plaza, followed quickly by the passionate knights who were the first to respond.
“For Your Holiness!”
“For the Holy See!”
“...”
Their voices were not unified, and a few even sounded somewhat weak.
But Lu Li did not mind. Everything he had said so far was merely a setup. What he was about to do next was the true reason he had gathered these knights.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the young Pope spoke once more. With a majestic expression, a holy light began to glow from his body as his lips parted:
“By the authority granted to me by God, I consecrate you.
“Blades shall not harm your bodies, and pain shall be kept far from your souls.
“May this grant you overwhelming victory before your enemies, and may you radiate brilliance wherever you go!
“And this is the glory bestowed by God, a glory that belongs to you.
“I shall be with you always.”
As his final words fell, a miraculous scene unfolded.
The holy light surging from his body seemed to suddenly gain a mind of its own, transforming into bright specks of light that flew before the knights and sank into their chests.
“What is this?”
“This is...”
They could not help but feel a touch of panic.
However, as the specks of light settled on them, they felt a warm current slowly flowing through their bodies, steadily dispelling their physical fatigue and even healing their old injuries. They were instantly struck dumb with amazement.
To test their suspicion, some of the knights went so far as to draw their daggers and cut their own arms.
Yet the moment the blood began to seep out, the wounds were already nearly healed, leaving behind only a bead of blood that slid down their smooth skin.
Teresa was also one of these knights. Last night, she had received an urgent transfer order from the holy capital, forcing her to ride the only pegasus in her entire regiment and rush to the holy capital overnight.
She had already held quite a few grievances against the young Pope, and after a night of exhausting travel, she felt nothing but disgust for the individual rumored to do nothing but deceive his believers.
Thus, when Lu Li spoke his first sentence, Teresa had been utterly dismissive. She paid even less attention to his second and third sentences. However, by the time he reached his seventh sentence, Teresa's expression froze, and her attitude toward him began to shift.
What if... he really is a good Pope? Teresa thought.
Just as she wavered, unsure whether she should believe the boy, the boy spoke again, consecrating them.
At this moment, a miracle descended upon them!
Teresa also pulled out her dagger. With trembling hands, she sliced her skin, watching the wound heal rapidly. Her heart shook violently.
This was a miracle. It could only be a miracle; nothing else made sense.
The Pope had not lied to them. The Pope had not lied to anyone!
The Pope was a saint chosen by God, descended upon the mortal world to redeem them!
She abruptly lifted her head, her gaze locking directly onto those gentle eyes. The boy's clear gaze seemed to speak.
There was no mistake. He was extending an invitation to her... No, not an invitation! This was grace! It was the grace bestowed upon her by the Lord!
Teresa's blood boiled throughout her entire body. She felt as though she were burning, yet she did not hate the sensation at all. In fact, she had been waiting for this—longing for this day to arrive.
Even if the flames would eventually burn out, leaving her as ashes.
Teresa suddenly took a step forward and dropped to one knee, her silver-bright armor letting out a crisp, metallic rasp.
Then she bowed her head, extending her clenched right fist to press it tightly against the breastplate over her heart:
“I, Teresa, hereby swear—
I shall fear no formidable enemy, dread no death, and never betray this covenant.
With the sword in my hand and the hot blood in my breast, I shall defend Your Holiness's glory! I shall defend the glory of the Holy State!
When my sword shatters, only then shall my blood be spent.
Before that day comes—I shall never turn back.”
Across the plaza, Teresa's oath was deafening. The remaining knights seemed to shake awake, shouting their vows one after another:
“For Your Holiness's glory!!!”
“For the glory of the Holy State!!!”
Lu Li watched this scene with satisfaction, then raised his arm and called out:
“For our glory!”
Many years later, Teresa would still often recall the figure of the young Pope raising his arm and crying out that day. She was thankful she had never hesitated at that call, and proud that the one she had followed in this life was the great Pope.
And these thirty knights, bearing the blessing and favor of the Lord, would reclaim the victory that belonged to them.
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