Chapter 9: Cracks (Part 1)
"His Majesty the King?" Linley looked over.
The robust middle-aged man, clad in dazzling golden armor, with a lion-like mane of golden hair and a powerful build, was actually the king of the Fenlai Kingdom. And he was also a powerful rank 9 expert—simply unbelievable.
As a subject of the Fenlai Kingdom, Linley had long heard the legend of the Golden Lion, 'Clayde,' the pride of the Fenlai Kingdom. A king who was also a super-strong warrior undoubtedly filled the kingdom's people with immense pride and honor.
In the square before the Radiant Temple, hundreds of thousands of people stood in orderly rows. Before the angel statue, the Radiant Pope, the Red Archbishops, the White Priests, the Temple Knights, and others stood silently. Surrounded by them, the Radiant Pope was undoubtedly the most dazzling figure.
The six royal families of the Sacred Alliance, along with the grand dukes of various duchies, also stood in solemn silence.
Suddenly—
Centered on the Radiant Pope, a clearly visible milky-white ripple spread outward. Instantly, the square, packed with hundreds of thousands of people, fell into utter silence. Nearly everyone wore a serene smile on their faces, their hearts experiencing unprecedented tranquility.
"To so effortlessly release a holy light covering hundreds of thousands of people... that's terrifying." As a mage, Linley could perceive the Radiant Pope's immense power.
The entire square was so quiet that only the sound of a gentle breeze could be heard.
"In the name of the Lord!" the Radiant Pope said calmly, yet his voice resounded through heaven and earth, shaking the soul.
Everyone on the field felt a pressure emanating from the Radiant Pope. Linley, too, had no choice but to bow respectfully. This pressure was even more terrifying than what he had felt from the two Saint-level experts and the magical beast 'Black Dragon' back in Wushan Town.
This pressure did not need to force anyone; it inspired worship from the depths of the soul.
Divine pressure!
In the entire square, aside from the Radiant Pope, the hundreds of thousands of others—from the Red Archbishops and the kings of the six kingdoms down to the commoners—all bowed respectfully, listening to the sermon.
"May the Lord's love, grace, and blessings be with you."
The Radiant Pope's voice seemed soft, yet it echoed through heaven and earth, shaking the soul.
Ripples of holy light spread from the spire of the Radiant Temple, covering every person. Nearly everyone on the field felt a profound peace in their hearts, and their bodies reached an unprecedented state of well-being. Each person was deeply reverent.
"May the Lord grant you grace and peace."
At the same time, a gentle radiance emanated from the Radiant Pope. "Children of the Lord, let us confess our sins, repent sincerely for the faults in our thoughts, actions, and words. May the Lord have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and grant us eternal life."
Then—
A holy chant echoed through heaven and earth. All the faithful of the Radiant Temple began to chant devoutly. The believers' voices merged with the heavenly chant, and everyone was filled with piety and reverence.
...
The Mass was a very complex process, moving from confession to mercy, to praise, then prayer, followed by thanksgiving, and finally ending with hymns.
The vast majority of people in the square were followers of the Radiant Church, and most were immersed in the glory of the Radiant Temple. Even those who did not particularly believe in the Radiant Church were swept up by the atmosphere. When the hymns ended and everyone fully came to their senses, it was already noon.
After the Mass concluded, the crowd dispersed in an orderly manner.
Linley and Alice walked side by side, holding hands. "Brother Linley, how did you feel? Wasn't it nice?"
Linley shook his head. "I felt influenced by the atmosphere. I couldn't stay completely clear-headed or fully in control. People without spiritual support might really like that feeling, but I don't. I don't like being influenced by something else."
He had to admit that during the Mass, Linley had indeed been affected. The sense of comfort had even made him want to indulge in it.
But Linley had come through life-and-death battles in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, so once the Mass ended, he snapped back to reality. Thinking about it now, he felt a chill. The Radiant Church's ability to attract followers was truly terrifying.
"Influenced? No, the Lord is like our father and mother. We are all the Lord's children, receiving His care and grace. Brother Linley, how can you think that way?" Alice was a little displeased.
Alice had grown up in Fenlai City. As the Holy Capital, Fenlai City held this grand Mass every year during the Yulan Festival. Most of the city's residents were followers of the Radiant Temple. Alice had believed in the Radiant Church since childhood, and such spiritual faith was not easily changed.
"Alice, you can't think like that. Your current strength—didn't you achieve it through your own hard work? How is that the Lord's grace? If the Lord truly favored you, why would He give you a father and mother like yours?" Linley knew Alice's family situation well.
Alice fell silent, just staring at Linley.
"Brother Linley, I'm going home. Don't see me off." Alice turned and walked toward her house. Linley watched her go, feeling a bit frustrated. He looked back at the towering Radiant Temple. "This Radiant Church really does a lot of harm."
******
Arguments between young men and women were fairly common. By the second time Linley and Alice met, their relationship was as good as ever. They both deliberately avoided the topic of faith. From meeting twice a month, during the peak of their romance, they even saw each other four times a month. They grew so close that they even slept together, but they still hadn't crossed the final line.
As Alice put it: "I want to save my first time for our wedding." The second year, specifically the first half of 9998, was the best half-year for Linley and Alice's relationship.
But spending so much time together naturally led to small problems.
On September 29, 9998, of the Yulan Calendar.
"Sigh, Alice has things on her mind but won't tell me." Walking with his three brothers on the road to Fenlai City, Linley recalled their last unpleasant parting, feeling helpless.
Alice and Linley came from different backgrounds, and many of their thoughts differed. Most importantly... Alice was a very strong-willed and independent girl, not one to easily compromise. What frustrated Linley the most was that Alice was a closed book.
"Third brother, having trouble with your Alice?" Yale teased from the side.
Reynolds and George also laughed. Reynolds even patted Linley on the shoulder and said, "Linley, I think you care too much about that Alice. Be careful you don't get hurt badly if you break up. Look at me—I've been through over a dozen girlfriends and I'm living free and easy."
Linley glanced at Reynolds, speechless.
"Fourth brother, don't talk nonsense. Third brother is planning to marry Alice," Yale said with a chuckle. Then he patted Linley's shoulder. "But Third brother, I have to say something too. There are plenty of women out there for a man. Don't sell yourself short."
Linley smiled but said nothing.
In Fenlai City, after parting ways with his three brothers, Linley headed straight for Alice's house on Ganmo Street.
"Uncle Hard." Linley greeted Alice's doorman warmly. Over this period, Linley had grown very close to Alice and had gotten to know the doorman, Hard.
Hard smiled at Linley. "Oh, Linley's here? Here to see Miss Alice? Ah, Miss Alice hasn't come back yet. She should have returned by now. Not sure what's going on this time."
"Not back?" Linley was taken aback.
Then Linley smiled at Hard. "I'll wait nearby for a bit. She'll probably be back soon." Afterward, Linley walked to the tavern near Alice's house, ordered his usual Emerald Green wine, and sat quietly, waiting.