Chapter 52. Deadlock

At the outer perimeter of the Nexer Palace, where the Noble Assembly convened, Richard had already gathered over a hundred key supporters of the religious reform and was waiting there.

When two God Descents materialized in the sky and clashed with each other, the cardinals and bishops wore expressions of unprecedented bewilderment, mumbling words that were not quite identical yet carried much the same meaning: "How can this be possible?"

"Who is the true heretic?"

"There must be one heretic, surely? Then how can a heretic also use God Descent?"

"Lord, are you testing us?"

God Descent — the supreme Divine Art belonging solely to the Pope — had without question confirmed his status as the earthly spokesperson of the God of Truth. For nearly a thousand years, it had deterred all powerful enemies, including demigods, and stood as the most unshakable confidence in the hearts of the clergy. Even the heretical priests and bishops of the north would fall silent whenever the subject arose, their gift of eloquence deserting them. Although successive Popes had possessed "God's Grace," which allowed them to approach demigod-level power for a short time, compared to a "God Descent" capable of wounding and repelling the "God of the Silver Moon" and the "Lord of Hell," it was like the difference between a lesser angel and the Angel King.

But today, Saer de — the saint who had rebelled against His Holiness the Pope — had also used "God Descent." Did that mean it was not a special gift from the Lord, but an ordinary Divine Art that could be mastered through study and exploration?

If Saer de had also received the Lord's grace to employ "God Descent," then who was truly His earthly spokesperson? When two recipients of God's grace used "God Descent" to destroy each other, who was the heretic? And why would the Lord create such a spectacle?

Confusion, wavering, and bewilderment echoed through their hearts — as if the slightest carelessness would cause their faith to crumble. If they were devoured by Sacred Light, the Magic Parliament would surely award both the Pope and Saer de the "Special Contribution Award" for their outstanding service in dismantling the faith of the clergy.

At that moment, Lucian's words from before echoed through Richard's mind: "God loves all people, but loves the shepherds more? God loves all people, yet refuses to commune directly with each person's soul? When praying at home versus in the cathedral, is the divine majesty one senses truly different? To receive Divine Arts, one must be guided by the clergy?"

"The Pope is God's earthly spokesperson, then why has he repeatedly misinterpreted the Holy Scripture? Why has the Church Canon been revised time and time again?"

"...Both the Pope and the Church are obstacles placed between the faithful and God for the sake of personal power. Whether one can receive Divine Arts or not, all should be equal before the Lord..."

At some point, he had begun reciting these thoughts aloud in the cadence of the Holy Scripture.

One by one, the moderate clergy first looked at him with helpless, confused eyes, as if seeking the true meaning of the divine. But as they listened, they seemed to grasp something. Some astutely connected it to the platform Richard had been advocating — returning the right to interpret the Holy Scripture to every single believer!

"Perhaps this is the purpose of the Lord's test?"

"This is the true Kingdom of Heaven on Earth that the Lord wishes to create! Regardless of gender or age, rich or poor, noble or common — as long as the heart is devout, every soul can find salvation!"

Their expressions grew serene and benevolent, yet their eyes burned with resolve and fervor. In the end, they all joined Richard in raising their voices: "Those clergy who tell the faithful 'Faith, faith!' yet have themselves desecrated faith — be gone!"

"Those clergy who tell the faithful 'God loves all people, God loves all people!' yet seek to monopolize the path between the soul and God — farewell forever!"

"Between the faithful and the Lord, there should be no man-made obstacles — only faith, and deeds that match that faith!"

As these words rang out, soft milk-white Sacred Light began to glow from the bodies of uncountable clergy. Ethereal, beautiful hymns seemed to fill the air around them — it was as though the God of Truth had bestowed His joy upon them, rejoicing that they had understood the true meaning of the "Kingdom of Heaven on Earth"!

Having cast off his spiritual barriers, Richard felt an even closer connection to the Lord, a greater sense of joy and freedom. His long-accumulated Divine Arts cultivation finally surged past the threshold, advancing to the ninth level.

And all around him, numerous other clergy had each advanced by one level as well.

"This is the Lord's grace — His joy at the choice we have made," Richard said, his voice ethereal yet uplifted.

A cardinal who had also advanced by one level could not conceal his smile: "Bishop Richard, once your religious reform program is realized, perhaps you will become a Holy Spirit Priest."

"We do not give for the sake of reward, but from devout faith." Richard waved his hand gently.

At that moment, he saw Natasha, clad in silver-gray armor, donning a golden crown studded with numerous gemstones. Despite the ongoing legendary battle outside sending tremors through the Nexer Palace's Divine Arts defensive barriers, she strode forward with sword in hand, her commanding bearing exuding royal majesty.

Passing by Richard and his companions, Natasha gave a slight nod, drew a cross over her chest, and said, "The Lord is forever in our hearts."

Her purple hair, pinned up in a loose chignon, bobbed slightly with the motion of her head, making one rather worried the crown might slip off.

"Truth alone endures," Richard replied, understanding Natasha's support, as the clergy returned the gesture in unison.

Natasha said nothing more. The nobles inside the Noble Assembly must have already witnessed the transformation of these clergy, and their own faith would surely waver in turn!

Inside the Noble Assembly, Duke James, Duke Russell, Count Haisong, and others stared skyward with ashen faces. That ocean of light, that aura of annihilation — none of it shook them as deeply as the words "God Descent against God Descent."

Even though they were nobles who leaned toward the Parliament, centuries of nurture and generations of steadfast tradition had woven faith into their blood, their spirit, and their will. The God of Truth was without question the one true God — He had simply created all things, embraced all things, and harbored no prejudice against ordinary mages.

But this self-contradicting spectacle had dealt a severe blow to their faith. Perhaps the Lord truly was as the mages described — elevated far above, granting Divine Arts according to certain rules to maintain the functioning of the world, indifferent to all else. Even if the Church split, even if "God Descent clashed against God Descent," it was all nothing more than a farce!

The transformation of Richard and the other clergy outside seemed to offer them yet another possible explanation for what they were witnessing. Their hearts gradually settled, and a contemplative look settled in their eyes.

"I never imagined Saer de could use God Descent either..." Duke James said to his companions.

Duke Russell answered with a bitter smile: "His Holiness the Pope probably didn't expect it either — which is why he had no choice but to use God Descent to counter it."

No further words. No other analysis. Just two plain sentences in reply — everything left unsaid.