Chapter 151: Saint Aurelius’ Manifestation

A vague silhouette covered by golden light appeared below the statue.

Archbishop tilted his head out of curiosity and was shocked by the amount of divine mana exuded from the statue.

The divine mana was emanating an immense Authority of Salvation he was familiar of, reminding him of the artifact left behind by the Pope...

T-That’s...

The Archbishop instantly dawned on him the origin of the vague silhouette.

He lowered his head and closed his eyes, reciting the prayer of Saint Aurelius.

The Saint Aurelius’ mere vague silhouette was already exuding an aura of S-Rank, proving that he was the first behind the Godhand of Salvation to reach SS-Rank.

He sensed the vague silhouette passed through him and arrived in front of Max.

Every people behind Max could sense the aura emanated by the vague silhouette and most of them recognized who it belonged, while some misunderstood that it might perhaps the Godhand of Salvation’s silhouette himself.

The vague silhouette appeared to speak a few words for Max before fully dissipating.

However, before he vanished, he scattered his divine mana filled with Authority of Salvation to the city itself, instantly healing every sick, including those who were suffering from the disease.

Not only it healed those who suffered physically, but those who was tormented by mental and spiritual illness were relieved.

The Archbishop would call it a miracle.

Every church across the province would come to hear the news, increasing the prestige of the Imperial Demon Vanguard.

The Imperial Demon Vanguard himself didn’t expect for a grand event to occur from what he normally thought just a normal visit to the Church.

When the silhouette of Saint Aurelius appeared before him, leaving him in shock, he heard the silhouette spoke to him.

"The second bearer of the Authority of Radiant Contract.

I welcome thee.

I hope you won’t fail this time..."

Max was shocked from every sentence.

The first sentence confirmed that the first bearer of the Authority of Radiant Contract was really the First Emperor.

But the third sentence shocked him.

The First Emperor failed? In this timeline?

He drew a sharp breath.

What was that supposed to mean? The First Emperor had already failed even before the Empire faced its final unprecedented crisis?

Max fell into deep thought, trying to recall his memory during the last season of Apocalypse Online.

His eyes slowly widened.

Come to think of it, not a single forum post mentioned about Radiant Knights’ appearance, much less than the First Emperor himself.

So, before the players appeared, the First Emperor had already failed.

What’s that supposed to mean? The Empire haven’t faced a full invasion of the demon forces yet.

Max felt a headache wrapping his head.

Finally, he decided not to think about it as he perceived that the glowing light from the statue receded and the Archbishop and other senior clergies stood up.

When they turned towards him, they restrained their excitements, only forcing themselves to remain staring at him with boundless awe.

Max also stood up and met the Archbishop’s gaze filled with emotions.

Max smiled and slowly entered the hall.

As he walked through the central aisle, the archbishop’s voice echoed throughout the Grand Cathedral Hall, thundering outside until every people could hear it.

"Let it be witnessed."

He was silent for a while, staring at Max with a widened smile.

"The Sanctuary has answered."

"The Relics have answered."

"The Cathedral has answered."

"God itself has answered."

"Before the Church of Holy Salvation..."

"We acknowledge the bearer recognized by the Authority of the Godhand of Salvation.

A bearer personally welcomed by the manifestation of Saint Aurelius."

The people erupted into thunderous cheers.

The knight themselves stationed outside couldn’t help but raise their spears to the heavens and praise Max.

Max simply smiled and finally arrived in front of the Archbishop.

The remaining senior clergy took a bow and left.

They were sensible enough that Max would want to have a private conversation with the Archbishop alone.

While the senior clergy left, the people didn’t disperse.

Instead, they entered the Cathedral’s Hall called Hall of Radiant Worship.

It was the primary sanctuary where public liturgies and provincial ceremonies were conducted.

Capable of accommodating several thousand worshippers, the hall was illuminated by towering stained-glass windows and enchanted crystal chandeliers that emit a warm, natural radiance without flame.

At its heart stands the Altar of Salvation, carved from a single block of luminous white marble and inlaid with veins of purified auric crystal.

Although it was obvious that the ceremony of recognition concluded, the people entered to pray for the Imperial Demon Vanguard.

They knew that the Imperial Demon Vanguard was fated to face demons to protect them—it was precisely that reason that they conducted prayers for him.

Watching the sea of people occupying the meditation benches of the Hall to pray, Max simply smiled and turned towards the Archbishop.

He said, "I mainly came to inquire the statue’s strange phenomenon of glowing a blinding light when I touched it in my prayer consecrated chamber, but I didn’t think it would be answered this way."

The Archbishop shook his head.

"Even I didn’t expect it, either. You might not know, but the bell rang by themselves.

Such phenomenon only occurred when a Saint, Holy Paragon, Divine Apostle, and the Divine Executor was born.

I would have thought the bell ringing event to be that way, if it was not because of your timely arrival.

The Pope told me of the arrival of the bearer of an Authority recognized by the Authority of Salvation, which was precisely why he left the Hand of Saint Aurelius’ relic.

The vague silhouette you saw was the manifestation of Hand of Saint Aurelius."

Max nodded. "Saint Aurelius, huh? I’m ashamed to be ignorant of his background."

The Archbishop shook his head.

"We don’t blame you. Isn’t it interesting? You came to know him not by rumor or story but by his manifestation."

Max nodded in agreement. "It’s interesting, indeed."

Now that his inquiries were answered, Max went straight to the point.

"Do I receive benefits from the Church for... you know...being a recognized individual?"

The Archbishop was stunned...

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