### Chapter 3: The Oracle (6)
Inside the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor of the Empire stood beneath the eaves outside his study, hands behind his back, gazing at the snowflakes drifting softly from the sky, just like a statue that had forgotten how to move.
Meanwhile, the servant girl standing nearby was trembling from the sudden heavy snowfall, but with the Emperor right next to her, she dared not budge an inch and could only endure this first big snow after spring.
“Your Majesty seems to be in quite the mood,” a feminine voice chimed in from the side.
Bel turned sideways to see Lady Rong Ji strolling over with a sway in her step and a teasing smile on her face.
“Look at this magnificent snow, its flakes so crystal clear. No matter where they land, they turn everything into a mesmerizing piece of art,” she remarked.
Lady Rong Ji continued, “But this heavy snowfall is not just an ordinary sight. Don’t you know that every time the Cold Moon Witch shows up, she brings along an endless flurry of snowflakes? Oh, perhaps this is just her sweat being transformed. It would be such a shame if you didn’t try it!”
Bel instantly froze, hands still cupping the snowflakes, “…”
Lady Rong Ji burst into laughter, “You’re so funny, Your Majesty! You actually believe that?”
Bel quickly rubbed off the half-melted snowflakes, straightening up. “Let’s get to the point. Stop wasting time.”
Lady Rong Ji glanced left and right.
“Everyone, step back.”
The servant girls felt like they’d just been pardoned and hurriedly bowed before scurrying away. In the blink of an eye, the courtyard where the study was located was left with only the sound of snowflakes landing.
“Are you really just going to stand by and watch what that woman is doing at the Harpist Academy?” Lady Rong Ji cut straight to the chase. “In just a few days, it’s likely the city will be flooded with tales of doom and messengers from the gods. I reckon my role as the Saintess of the Church of Light might soon come to an end.”
Bel tilted his head back to watch the snowflakes frolicking in the wind. The view was still lovely, but thinking about what Lady Rong Ji had just said made him feel like the scenery lost its charm.
He turned to face her, “The foundation of the Church of Light can’t possibly be shaken by her nonsensical chatter, can it? Ha, the Cold Moon Witch wouldn’t think she’s the only one who can conjure up miracles to fool the masses while we sit on our hands, would she?”
Lady Rong Ji shrugged. “Well, Your Majesty, you’d better act quickly. The longer the Cold Moon Witch stays in the Imperial Capital, the greater the chaos will grow. By the way, when will you regain your powers? Alone, I’m afraid I won’t be her match.”
Bel coldly replied, “It should be soon. But don’t sell yourself short; I have a treasure that can significantly boost your powers in a short time.”
Upon hearing this, Lady Rong Ji immediately dropped her playful demeanor. “Hurry up! I’m going to find that wretched woman right now!”
“Not so fast! First, help me with a few things. It’s about time for the Church of Light’s Saintess to make her appearance.”
…
In one of the churches of the Church of Light in the Imperial Capital.
The usual mass had just concluded. According to routine, the cultists would take turns to share their reflections on the doctrines they’ve been studying or just anything related to the teachings of the church.
This method helped the cultists deepen their understanding of the doctrines and transform into more devoted believers.
But this time, one cultist’s turn at the pulpit left the Archbishop in shock.
“By the grace of the God of Light, the Messenger of the God of Harmony has declared that two years from now, the Empire will face great disaster, and nearly everyone in the Imperial Capital will perish in this calamity.”
The audience experienced firsthand the chilling scene that unfolded.
We argued back, denouncing it as a deliberate attempt to sow panic, yet she insisted that our beloved God of Light wouldn’t appear just because we prayed earnestly. Instead, she urged us to unite for the Empire and against the heretics, or we’d be the sinners burying our nation.
“Archbishop, the God of Light will surely hear our prayers and rescue believers from the fear of the end times, right?”
The Archbishop stepped forward vehemently. “Of course! Only the God of Light bestows divine power upon every believer when calamity strikes! Those heretical false gods are merely envious and spread rumors to crumble the foundation of our faith!”
“But… but… what we witnessed felt too real; I saw some fellow believers d*e right in front of me…”
“And the Goddess of Destiny along with the God of Harmony has sent their messengers, and we…”
The Archbishop angrily shouted, “Silence! That’s because you weren’t pious enough! Besides, what you witnessed was merely a fabricated scene set up by heretics to shake your faith. From the moment you voiced such doubts, your connection with the God of Light has already been compromised. Reflect on why your once Devout heart was disturbed by heretical teachings. If this continues, when the real end times come, don’t blame the God of Light for ignoring you!”
“Absolutely!”
A voice rang out crisply from the entrance of the church.
People turned to see a woman in a gray robe slowly approaching.
The oversized garments hid her figure, but the alluring face peeking from beneath the hood made everyone’s hearts race, unable to tear their gazes away.
“By the God of Light, all doubts and hesitations become barriers on the path to true faith. And what of the Messenger of the Goddess of Destiny? Just another tactic by the heretics to undermine our resolve. If you regret joining the Church of Light, you can withdraw right now!”
As her powerful voice resonated, everyone knelt, chanting in unison, “We have seen the Saintess!”
Lady Rong Ji raised a hand. “Get up.”
The Saintess held a position just beneath the leader of the church, and typically, these believers had only seen her from afar, never getting the chance to witness her up close. With the Saintess right in front of them, the previously buzzing church fell into a hushed silence.
It was as if Lady Rong Ji’s personal arrival amplified the piety of the crowd.
“Miracles are but illusions created by false gods to steal believers. Since the true deity resides in the Church of Light, the pure divine power we receive cannot be compared to what those false messengers offer.”
As she spoke, Lady Rong Ji raised a stub of a scepter in her right hand.
Before long, she slowly floated into the air and walked a few steps as easily as if on solid ground beneath the church’s ceiling.
With the cheers from the crowd intensifying, something even more astonishing happened.
A warm, radiant light cascaded from above, enveloping the entire church.
The waiting cultists inside only rushed outside to witness the spectacle upon hearing the cheers and screams from without.
The sight was indeed breathtaking.
Under the glow of the beam, the space above the church seemed to acquire an additional shield, causing all nearby snowflakes to vanish.
At the same time, Lady Rong Ji’s form floated from the church to the outside, and the stone walls above remained untouched.
This miraculous scene lit up the gathering crowd’s excitement, and the name of the God of Light spread like wildfire from person to person.
