"In seven years, the Esteemed G.o.ddess will summon the Saintess who will lead the new era of our Empire. She will come from another world more advanced than our own. The whole Empire and the Holy Church must prepare for her arrival!"The moment those words finished resounding and echoing in the great chamber, under the wide eyes of everyone inside, the place just suddenly went blindingly bright. Hymns sang by angels from heavens seemed to have rung throughout. And at the center of it all was not the Pope or the Emperor, but the pale-faced black-haired teenager who raised his head in shock and confusion then annoyance. Thankfully, when the last expression took over his face, the surrounding was still very bright so n.o.body could see him.
The system"s mechanical voice echoed in his mind, "Host is warned. First of the plot-changing privilege used. Two more and then the system will formally issue a punishment. Please work harder to complete the task."
Since he knew his action would result in this, he didn"t argue about the warning but still ask something connected to the announcement, "System, are the consequences of this action also considered another change? Or is it only this one considered for that?"
He felt relief when it answered that only the first action was to be taken into consideration. Or actually, he had an inkling, the punishment was pa.s.sed down because this one deed would cause a chain of consequences.
For example... The G.o.ddess was provoked...
Or else, why would light suddenly burst forth from atop his head? What was this anyway? Would that bored G.o.ddess appear or just make him become like a lightbulb? Wow. How nice of her. Now because of this, the annoying bunch at this place would consider it a miracle and think of his words as true oracles.
Should he pray now and give some words of thanks?
"My son..." Feeling so moved, the person next to him suddenly exclaimed while looking at him. This was when the light vanished and his features were revealed.
Jiang Li couldn"t see it, but probably to reward him or punish him, the G.o.ddess took away his black hair and turned them all white. Of course, Jiang Li, was yet to know.
He was more concerned about the Emperor"s reactions. After all, this lion-bodied dude would decide whether they were demoted or not. He didn"t want the Wade family to be punished in whatsoever way hence he risked claiming he received a word from the revered deity.
"Your Majesty...." After recovering from the shock, one of the bishops standing near the esteemed person in an elegant violet robe and wearing an ornate golden crown trembled and stuttered out, "Her Grace, The Esteemed G.o.ddess, responded to the boy"s declaration...."
The Emperor was also very surprised. He first wandered his eyes around the place and noted the changes in everyone"s expression. Not a few suddenly bowed their heads, afraid of looking at Marquis Wade"s son. The others who did were staring at him with shock or reverence. Apparently, everyone had already considered the light that engulfed the place, and the change in Luke Wade"s hair as miracles. And actually, even the Emperor was thinking of this, surprised and at the same intrigued.
When his eyes landed on the subject of the attention, Luke Wade then spoke again humbly, "Your Majesty, your subject is humbly requesting for your mercy. Blame it all on me. My parents are devout followers of the G.o.ddess, just like me, so when I requested to be brought here to relay Her Grace"s important oracle, they didn"t hesitate once to do so. Please find in your heart the compa.s.sion to forgive us."
"Aha!"
Gasps echoed next. So were words of praise for the couple and their son. What a reversal. Just a minute ago, these same people were roasting them for disturbing the Emperor"s Blessing Ceremony.
"Interesting..."
When Jiang Li was waiting for what the Emperor or the Pope, the bald skinny old man, would say, he said to himself. However, in the next second that followed, his eyes widened a bit after realizing he heard a female voice"s accompanying his.
"To have thought of what I just planned to do, you are amazing, Mr. Trespa.s.ser."
The G.o.ddess" voice?
Jiang Li subconsciously looked heavenward but found nothing there, no ball of light or any miraculous signs, only colorful murals and distorted tinted gla.s.ses. The hall was abuzz in gossips and chats. Next to him, Behind him, his parents whose heads were lowered, hugged each other, his mother stifling her cries through her handkerchief.
The Emperor saw the Pope"s literally glittering eyes as he looked at the young man. Amused, he said, "I can see that Marquis Wade"s heir is speaking the truth. The G.o.ddess even performed a miracle to confirm your words."
Jiang Li had his head hung a bit as he looked around for clues about the G.o.ddess. The Emperor waved his hand, "Very well! I will ignore the disrespect shown to me earlier and let His Holiness, The Pope decide how it should your matter be dealt."
"We thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!" The family of three immediately chorused. The two adults bent their waists to salute and also bowed their heads. Seeing the Emperor waved his hand again, Helena hurriedly brought her son into her arms, her heart breaking feeling how cold he was and how his whole body was trembling.
The father also came forward and brought his wife and son into his arm. Noting the change in Jiang Li"s hair, only the G.o.ddess knew how hard he tried to make himself look as composed as ever despite wanting to question the world why this was all happening to them.
The Marquis had still yet to forget that his son was suffering from the curse"s outbreak. So when everyone else, was looking at the Pope, simply curious about what he would say to the miracle boy, Allen only wanted to speak with the old man in private to help ask for a cure.
"When will the other busybodies leave? Should I wait more? Or just say my request now?"
"Honored Father..." The Marquis" face looked grimmer when his son shook his head at him.
Meanwhile, the Pope finally arrived in front of the young man and asked, "Marquis" Wade"s heir. I have a question to ask you?"
Jiang Li took that chance to escape from his parents" hugs since he was not in the best shape possible to entertain them. Even though he hated it, he replied in a humble tone, "Your Holiness, I will be more than happy to answer it. Please ask away."
Nodding, the old man clasped his hands within his sleeves and smiled, "Would you be willing to enter the Holy Church as our and the Litus Empire"s only prophet, fully dedicating your life for the Esteemed G.o.ddess of Light?"
"No."
While the surrounding fell into silence due to that response which seemed to have not been thought twice at all, that same familiar voice echoed in his brain, starting with a burst of laughter that was pleasant to the ears despite sounding as if it was coming from everywhere.
He knew it was the G.o.ddess. She was around and merely couldn"t be seen. And her playful voice was as annoying as heck, yet he couldn"t feel any remorse for it since it was very familiar and was even causing him nostalgia.
"Hey," she started.
"It"s not so nice of you to refuse, right? After all, you use my name to avoid some disasters. Shouldn"t you at least do something for me to reciprocate the favor? After all... I helped you..."
"Do you know in this world, only you can hear me?"
Jiang Li gazed upward and narrowed his eyes.
"Be my prophet, okay!"