Chapter 166: Thus, On Behalf of the Holy See, I Welcome You... Sir Lin Wei

Translation by: Weebsread👹

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With the death of Duke Ous, the storm of public outrage—fueled by revelations of the Empire’s high nobility colluding with the Cult of the Evil God—finally began to abate.

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Aside from the occasional survivor recounting those harrowing days in taverns and shadowed alleyways, most citizens had already begun to forget. What remained, hammered home by relentless newspaper columns, was the image of Pope Selena—no longer the timid leader of old, but a woman now radiant with newfound strength.

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Of course, this was merely the first step in mending her public image. To truly restore the people’s faith would require far more than a single bold act.

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Meanwhile, within the Holy Church City—

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Sacred, resplendent light poured across the alabaster earth, bathing the faithful in the radiance of Goddess Alicia.

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One after another, clergy filed into the Prayer Hall, their gazes drawn to the imposing figure standing beneath the statue of Alicia herself. Dignified. Solemn. Her very presence carried the unique gravity of a Pope.

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She stood atop the highest step, golden eyes alight with holy majesty, as if she were the living embodiment of some ancient rite, a divine will walking among mortals.

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Today was Prayer Day—a quarterly ritual for the Holy See, and also the time to honor those clergy who had rendered great service in the past three months.

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The choir, comprised of young nuns, sang softly the hymns once composed by the Goddess herself. The usually bustling hall had fallen utterly silent, the hush so profound it seemed the very air dared not stir. Only the overwhelming sense of sanctity—aloof, awe-inspiring—pressed down on all present.

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Until—

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Tap...

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Clear footsteps echoed through the hall as several figures entered, drawing every eye.

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These were the ones whose recent deeds had already become the talk of the Church. Most faces were familiar—people recognized and respected, regardless of rank. Yet at the center of the group strode an unfamiliar man—handsome, yes, but a stranger all the same. Some in the crowd, recognizing or guessing his identity, clenched their fists in secret, eyes flashing with shock and anger.

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“Quite the spectacle,” Lin Wei thought as he walked, unable to suppress a wry, inward sigh.

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Even as a former Demon Lord, long accustomed to grand occasions, he found it strange to be greeted with such pomp by rows of Holy See clergy. The feeling was... odd.

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At the very top of the stairs stood Pope Selena. The ever-ascending steps made Veya appear every bit the sovereign—her bearing radiated power, as if she could just as easily be an empress as a pope. For a moment, Lin Wei wondered if, instead of simply “Pope,” she might as well claim every crown.

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He’d almost given himself one of those outlandish “court eunuch” titles, but in the end—thanks to Veya’s stubborn insistence, even in her weakened state—he’d relinquished the right to name his own post. In hindsight, it was probably for the best.

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“Today is our sacred Prayer Day, when we, the faithful, offer our deepest reverence to Goddess Alicia.” Selena’s voice rang out, solemn and resolute, echoing through the souls of all present. “It is also the time to honor those who have rendered great service to the Holy See in recent months.”

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Selena’s gaze flicked toward her husband, a fleeting warmth glinting in her eyes—he really did look striking in those ceremonial robes. Still, this was no time for distraction. She regained her composure and pressed on.

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“In the past three months, Duke Ous of the Empire—guilty of heinous crimes—has repeatedly shown utter contempt for the Holy See. He slaughtered villagers on the borderlands, plundered supplies meant for the front lines, and even attempted to undermine the Church near the Imperial Capital.

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Thanks to the tireless efforts of Grand Commander of Judgment Knights Meilin, Secretary Rennie, Vice Commander Guga of the Knights of Judgment, and the adventurer Lin Wei, these crimes were brought to justice. Today, we honor these achievements before the Goddess and—”

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The speech was exactly what Lin Wei had expected—no doubt drafted by the Secretary. Veya herself could never have come up with something so eloquent and impassioned; if she managed to mutter a curt “not bad, I suppose,” that was already a miracle. Still, as stirring as the words were, the speech dragged on a bit too long for his taste.

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From praise to piety, with the occasional prayer intoned, the ceremony stretched on. Lin Wei fought back a yawn—if this had been a demon war council, anyone rambling like this would have been slapped into the wall.

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“Hm?”

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He’d been zoning out, letting his gaze wander, when suddenly—across the hall, a pair of bright, lively eyes met his.

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A familiar face, not at the front of the choir but just visible among the singers. Golden hair, exquisitely braided, seemed almost ethereal in this sacred space. She looked bored, her delicate lips pursed in a faint pout that only made her more endearing.

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When she caught Lin Wei’s equally bored gaze, her eyes sparkled, and she snuck him a conspiratorial wink.

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The adorable Saintess herself. Wait—had he forgotten to invite her to witness this ceremony?

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He realized, belatedly, that he had. Back when he’d plotted to eliminate Duke Ous and recover the stolen supplies, he’d meant to involve Miss Yalis—partly to repay the favor he owed, even considering bringing her Guard Corps along. But everything had gone so smoothly, he’d simply forgotten. Remembering now, he felt a twinge of guilt.

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“Standing her up again and again... that’s just not right.”

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“Tch. I’ll have to make it up to the Little Saintess somehow.”

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Even if he no longer needed to stay close to the Saintess for political reasons, that wasn’t the point.

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He, Lin Wei, was not the sort of Demon Lord who used people and cast them aside.

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He valued the Saintess’s friendship—not for Veya’s security, not for political leverage, but simply because he genuinely found her charming and wanted to be friends.

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“So... the prayer is concluded.”

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Lost in his tangled thoughts, Lin Wei barely noticed as the ceremony drew to a close. Even Selena, so accustomed to leading these rituals, let out a subtle sigh of relief as the Secretary finally finished his lengthy speech.

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She cast a sidelong glance at Lin Wei, catching his bored expression.

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“With the ceremony finished, I ask all clergy to return to your duties and continue spreading the light of Goddess Alicia throughout this land.”

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“And now, I have a new appointment to announce.”

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Tired or not, Selena never shirked her duties. She steeled herself for the final act of the ceremony—though she was already planning to demand a massage from Lin Wei as her reward afterward.

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“And now, I have a new appointment to announce.”

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“An appointment?”

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The sudden pronouncement stunned the clergy, who had already begun to prepare for dismissal. Surprise quickly gave way to curiosity, every eye turning to the figure at the front.

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By now, Lin Wei’s name was well known throughout the Holy See. From resolving the goblin disaster to managing critical supplies, and personally slaying Duke Ous—his achievements had stacked up rapidly, drawing notice from every quarter.

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Especially given that he was supposedly just an ordinary adventurer who could wield Holy Light. That alone was enough to set tongues wagging.

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How had he obtained Holy Light? Were those feats truly his? Was he finally joining the Holy See?

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“Adventurer Lin Wei, hailing from the Northern Countries, has demonstrated the utmost piety. He was personally bestowed the Holy Light by the late Dawnstar Pope, and since then has rendered great service to the Holy See throughout the Empire.”

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Selena’s voice rang out, delivering the answer everyone had been waiting for.

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The somber mood of the hall began to loosen. The adventurer’s Holy Light, a direct gift from the Dawnstar Pope? Was that truly so? Was the Pope jesting?

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“He’s... not even clergy?”

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The only one openly furious was Holy Oracle Cardinal Sylvia. Back when Lin Wei had disciplined her in the Church, he’d invoked only the Pope’s name, never stating his own position—she had assumed he was some out-of-town clergyman with a bit of authority. She’d swallowed the humiliation, intending to file a complaint with the Archbishop upon his return.

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Now, it turned out he was just a common adventurer?

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“Where did Selena even find this uncouth adventurer?”

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“What’s the plan here—make him a real member of the clergy?”

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Even if he possessed Holy Light, even if it was a direct gift from the late Pope, that meant nothing to Sylvia. All she remembered was being beaten by a nobody in the Church itself. If someone like that could be recruited, it only proved Selena’s lack of discipline.

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“Letting an adventurer with merit join the clergy?”

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“I don’t see why not. Duke Ous was a genuine monster—anyone who cut him down in the street deserves to be a full-fledged clergyman.”

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“They might even make him a captain or something. It’s rare to see someone start as mid-level clergy...”

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Fortunately, aside from Sylvia, the other clergy had no objections. They’d all witnessed Ous’s crimes firsthand. Time and again, they’d wanted to confront him, but the Knights of Judgment did nothing, and Selena had been too timid.

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Now, with Ous dead—slain by Lin Wei in broad daylight—most felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Even starting as mid- or lower-rank clergy, the adventurer would be more than welcome.

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“For this reason, after personally assessing his character and abilities, I have decided, as Pope, to make the following appointment.”

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Selena relaxed slightly, relieved that no one seemed to oppose Lin Wei’s induction.

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“Adventurer Lin Wei shall, from this day forward and under the witness of Goddess Alicia, join the Holy See.”

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“He shall hold the special post of Honor Knight—a rank equivalent to Vice Commander of the Knights, answering only to the Pope herself. In the future, he and Secretary Rennie will serve as my closest aides.”

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“Sir Lin Wei, please come forward to take your oath.”

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The mood in the hall shifted instantly.

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He wasn’t just joining the clergy, nor being given any ordinary rank. A special post—Honor Knight—equal to a Vice Commander, reporting directly to the Pope? The crowd erupted in speculation.

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“What does that even mean? Equal to Vice Commander, but only reports to the Pope?”

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“Could it be that Pope Selena no longer trusts the Knights of Judgment?”

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“Come to think of it, back when Commander Alfron was still here, the Knights never once stepped in to help Selena against outside pressure. Maybe she’s lost faith in them, and is bringing in new blood?”

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The hall buzzed with debate. Selena, who had thought everything was winding down, felt her heart leap into her throat—there was no time to prepare for this.

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“Oh?”

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Lin Wei, making his way toward Veya for the oath, caught snippets of the clergy’s discussion. He had to admit, some of their points made sense. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that certain people were deliberately fanning the flames.

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“Looks like there are plenty here who’d love to back the other higher-ups and launch a Great Inquisition to strip Veya of her position.”

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But now was not the time to deal with them.

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He glanced at Veya—outwardly composed, but her clenched fists betrayed her nerves. Lin Wei straightened, placing a fist over his heart.

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Then his voice rang out—clear, powerful, filling the entire hall and silencing all debate. Veya, startled from her worries, found her footing once more.

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“I swear, from this day forth, to walk in the light of Goddess Alicia.

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To make the defense of peace my solemn duty.

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Those who sow chaos shall be destroyed, that peace may reign.

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To make the protection of the weak my solemn duty.

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Let the strong who prey upon the helpless face just judgment, that faith may flourish.

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To make the upholding of justice my solemn duty.

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Let all traitors face Divine Punishment, their bones turned to dust.”

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Three simple oaths, yet they crushed all dissent in an instant.

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Even Veya, who had been panicking only moments before, seemed to find her anchor—her papal authority returning in full force.

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“Thus, with your oath complete, I, on behalf of the Holy See, welcome you, Sir Lin Wei.

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May you ever dwell in the radiance of Goddess Alicia.”