Chương 85: Chapter 82-Bad Decisions Chosen

Don't judge. I'm not going into the cathedral to see the Holy Maiden. I'm just visiting Mateo. I would never endanger my life just for some gold… Ok, maybe I would and have, but that's not what's going on right now. I'm being pious. Yeah, let's go with that. I'm The Chosen One, after all. I should go to mass one of these days. Walking through the doors of the cathedral, I'm immediately assaulted by the rumbling noise. Damn, these doors have some good soundproofing. Adjusting my tie, I walk-"Excuse me.

I believe you have the wrong place," A Dwarf in white plate armor stops me. Looking around the packed cathedral, I eventually spot an Archbishop and the Holy Maiden at the front.

"Nope. This is the place. Thanks for worrying," I say as I attempt to walk past him. The Dwarf places his hand on my chest, fully stopping me.

"I don't think you understood me. You're not welcome here."

"Why?" I ask as I try to keep my smile down.

"You know why. Now scram," he says a bit more forcefully this time. David walks around the corner and gives me a confused look.

"Chosen One? How rare to see you here for mass. About time. Why are you standing there?" he asks.

"I wonder why?" I ask as I stare down the Dwarf. The Dwarf averts his eyes.

"Apologies. I was not aware you were The Chosen One." David looks over at the Dwarf and then back at me.

"Well, Chosen One, please come in."

"Thank you," I say as I pass the Dwarf. As I do, I hear David whisper something to him.

"We will speak of this." Walking past the crowded pews, David and I eventually find an open spot. Squeezing past the people, I carefully squeeze myself into the spot.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," I say to David.

"Not at all. Mass was about to start. Did you come to see Mateo?" he asks.

"No, although that is an added benefit. I came to pay my respects to the Gods," I [Lie] in the most holiest of places.

"Hmm. Not to be rude, but I never pegged you as a very pious person," he says in a non-accusatory tone.

"It only seems that way. I'm very private about my worship. After all, I am The Chosen One," I [Lie].

"I… I can't stand this. To lie in the cathedral of all places and to a Paladin. Do you have no shame?" Green asks.

"Not even an ounce," I say in my head. David looks down at The Chosen Blade. Multiple children in white garb enter and sit in the front rows. Mateo bobs in his oversized robes and gives me a surprised look. I respond with a wink.

"Is that The Chosen Blade?" David whispers.

"It is."

"Amazing. It's as beautiful as the scripts said it is," he says, eyeing The Chosen Blade.

"The scripts? You haven't seen it before?" I ask with a hint of surprise. A small grumble escapes him.

"No. I wasn't born when The Long Lived Chosen was around," he says.

"Oh, I thought you were older. You must be really skilled if… you're a Paladin at such a 'young' age," I say, trying to shift into a Dwarf's perspective.

"Not nearly as talented as I should be, but I answered the call, and that's what really matters," David says as he clutches his holy symbol, a circle with a cross through it.

"I never realized you were a Paladin of Zeita," I say absentmindedly.

"I am a Paladin for all the Gods and for all the people, but I did pick Zeita as my sworn God," he says as he traces the edges of the circle.

"Why her?" I ask as more and more people pile into the cathedral.

"Every Paladin chooses a God and an oath to swear themselves to. When you pick Zeita as your sworn God, you swear to stand as a shield for the innocent and a sword for those who can not fight for themselves. That… resonated with me. After all, protecting the innocent is the most noble thing I could think of doing. Although some might not think so. After all, many take oaths for power, glory, and honor," he explains.

"What point is there in being strong if you can't keep those you care about safe?" I say.

"..." Blue's gem alights, but no words follow. David lets out a small grumble.

"Maybe you're not as bad as I thought, Chosen One."

"Oh no, I am. Now, silence. They're starting." The entire room stands as the Pope enters. As he walks down the aisle, the people sit back down, one row at a time. When he passes my row, he gives me a knowing nod. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Welcome all to this holy day. You've made it to the beginning of the week, and if the Gods are willing, the end of winter. Before we start our prayers, I would like to do something," the Pope says as he grabs five small boxes and places them on the altar. David groans as he squints preemptively. Why's he squinting? Can he not see all the way over there? It's not th- By the love of the Gods! My eyes blink rapidly as the Pope takes a blinding gold orb out of one of the boxes. I'm blind! The Pope has blinded me!

"The symbol of Relat," the Pope says as he lets the blinding orb float into the air. The Pope then pulls out a larger orb made of earth from one of the boxes and lets it float into the air.

"The symbol of Zeita." One of the Archbishops helps the Pope to lift the jug of water out of the third box. They then pour it onto the earth orb. With a look of amusement, I watch as the water wraps around the orb. Not even a single drop spills to the ground. What kind of [Skill] made that?

"The symbol of Wanula," the Pope says as he places the jug down. The Archbishop hands the Pope a small blue orb.

"The symbol of Lealu," the Pope says as he lets the orb float into the sky. The Holy Maiden goes to the last box and pulls out a bluish mana crystal.

"The symbol of The Creator," she says as the crystal floats into the sky. As the man crystal floats up, a faintish blue hue permeates the air. The orb of light settles somewhere in the middle as the orb of water and earth floats around it. The smaller blue orb floats around the orb made of water and earth. With everything seemingly in position, the crystal suddenly projects a blanket of darkness and starlight around us. The other orbs become clearer and less metaphorical.

It's almost like we're looking at the real thing.

"The Gods are all around us. In the earth we walk, the seas we sail, the sun we bathe in, the stars that guide us, and the very [System] we rely on. Just because the Gods no longer grace us with their presence does not mean they have forgotten us. One day they shall return, but until then, we must help each other through this journey called life. Now let us pray," the Pope preaches. Bowing my head, I sneak a peek at the magic lanterns. If only. It would be worth so much money. Wait. How long is mass? The energy…

it's been drained away. Two fucking hours! Who can sit still for two fucking hours! Not me. I can't, but I had to. At one point, I tried to sneak away, but David always seemed to be right there with a judgmental look. As if he knew. Although I did like the snacks they passed out midway through. Turns out they feed you if you show up. They sure didn't do that in the church back home. Must be a capital thing. David stands firm as I stretch.

"So, should I expect you to be here every week?" David asks.

"That is a fair question, David," the Pope says as he joins us along with the Holy Maiden.

"Your Holiness. Holy Maiden. It is good to see you," I say as I give a bow.

"The feeling is mutual, Chosen One. What brings you here?" the Pope asks.

"Well, I thought it would be wise to pay my respects to the Gods and this," I say as I carefully present The Chosen Blade. The eyes of the Pope go wide.

"The Chosen Blade. You've already found it?" he asks.

"Yup. Is that odd? I am The Chosen One, after all."

"Quite odd. The Chosen Ones before you have usually gotten a hold of it around one year into their tenure," the Holy Maiden explains.

"Why so late? Isn't it an essential tool in the battle against the forces of evil?" I ask.

"It is, but it is believed that its power is too much for a fresh Chosen One. So much so that they may be unable to grow their own power and may become reliant on the blade," she explains.

"Like a crutch?"

"An apt description, but if you have The Chosen Blade before even three full months have passed, that can only mean one thing," the Holy Maiden says with a dramatic pause. That I'm a fake? Maybe that I'm not supposed to be wielding it. Hells, it might even be that I have no real power to begin with. Why does everyone from this church do dramatic pauses? Is it baked into the religion in some way? Just say the damned thing you were trying to say. Did you run out of breath? By the Gods.

"Your power is so much stronger than the blade's that the Gods must not think it a detriment to your growth. To think you would reach that point in a mere three months. Indeed, you are The Chosen One the Gods spoke of," the Holy Maiden proclaims.

"Ask her," Yellow says.

"Holy Maiden. I'm curious. You always say that the Gods spoke of me. How exactly do they do that?" I ask. The Pope, David, and the Holy Maiden give each other a knowing look.

"Did I ask something I shouldn't?" I ask.

"No. It's just a common misconception. The Gods do not speak to me directly. They send me messages through the [System]," she explains.

"And that's how you heard of me?" I ask.

"Yes. The Prophecies are sent to me via the [System]. Specifically for The Chosen, they gave me your general information, like name and age," she says.

"Anything else? Like race, [Blessing], or even abilities?" I ask.

"No. Nothing else," the Holy Maiden says with a soft tone.

"She's lying!" Yellow says in surprise.

"Blasphemy. The Holy Maiden wouldn't lie," Green says.

"No, he's right. The Holy Maiden is lying," Black says with what I can only imagine is a smile. Pushing the voice out of my head, I nod.

"Well, that's very informative. Do the Gods talk to you often?" The Pope lets out a small chuckle.

"The Holy Maiden is the only direct connection that the Gods maintain to this mortal realm, and they like to talk. Which means our Holy Maiden is very busy as she must maintain communion with the Gods for most of the day."

"That is true. Speaking of, I must return to my prayers. If you'll excuse me," the Holy Maiden says as she leaves. As I watch her walk away, one single question comes to mind. What else is she lying about?

"Are you going to stay longer, Chosen One?" the Pope asks.

"Sadly, no. I have classes tomorrow. So, I should head back. Thank you for having me," I [Lie].

"You are always welcome, Chosen One," the Pope says as I leave the cathedral.

"Please calm down, everyone," Pink pleads as Green and Yellow continue their argument.

"The Holy Maiden would not lie, you cur," Green insults.

"At least I'm not blind to reality. She is lying," Yellow retorts.

"Enough of the two of you. I'm trying to think," I think. With newfound silence, I look back at the cathedral. A Holy Maiden who lies? What have I gotten myself into?