Chapter 37
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Chapter 37: The Ceremony
"Tap, tap, tap."
The sound of footsteps echoed on the pure white stone platform made of ivory, as a pair of large leather shoes stumbled on the steps. The owner of the shoes, "Kakaris," took a veil from his pants pocket, covered his mouth that was wrapped in two deep lines, and continued to cough, "Saintess of Order, are you ready? Ready to meet our Lord."
The silver-haired, red-eyed saintess only stared at him coldly, without saying a word.
It seemed like there were no feelings, no fears, and no regrets.
"Ahem, that really is… an answer in your style, Fleur. Ahem, I hope you can keep this stubborn look during the upcoming ceremony." Kakaris cleared his throat, walked beside the saintess, and turned around. "So, let’s begin, Joyful Ceremony."
"Please enjoy it, Your Excellency the saintess…"
"Boom!"
The ground began to shake, the altar started to tremble, and among the flying sand and stones, the ivory pedestal that was originally built on the lawn floated towards the sky. Kakaris stood in the center of the stone altar, raised his staff, and gently tapped it.
"Tick-tock."
The "Witch Hunter" that bound the saintess suddenly tightened, and lines of blood broke through her jade-like skin, staining her pure white robe with streaks of crimson.
Immediately, a pink liquid was released from the "Witch Hunter," seeping into the saintess’s body through her wounds.
Suddenly, her calm and peaceful face turned bright red, her pearl-like teeth bit her lip, and her stubborn gaze revealed a burning desire. Her long legs trembled restlessly in the air.
"Hmm~ Ah~ Hmm~ Hot~" A series of brief moans announced the fall of the saintess from her vows.
The holy Saintess of Order, under the influence of the Joyful Ceremony, was no different from the Joyful believers who were lost in their desires.
No, perhaps at this moment, the saintess desired love and passion even more than the believers.
"Cough, cough, cough, what a fall! Ah, I can feel your love, your love for our Lord, Fleur~" A look of madness appeared on Kakaris’s face.
An unnamed melody began to play, and the heavily armored knights around the altar moved in perfect unison as they drew their swords to the sky.
The believers outside knelt on both knees, opened their arms, and prayed earnestly.
The voices of the prayers intertwined with the melody, creating a deafening sound.
"Oh, Master of Joy far beyond the stars, You grant us love, You grant us passion, You give life to procreation, You bring the greatest joy to this land!"
"We believe in You, we seek You, You are the joy above joy, You hold the deep love that contains the truth of life; You are our Lord~"
"Accept our offering, accept the saintess of the God of Order, and now, please descend at this moment and respond to your faithful follower’s call!"
Prayers turned into a roaring tsunami, continuous and unending.
In the forest where the Joyful Altar stood, the wind howled, trees trembled, rocks shook, and birds flapped their wings high in the sky, but it was as if they suddenly collided with something, falling to the ground.
Perhaps others could not see what that thing was, but Leo could.
In the True Vision Eye, dark divine particles had already gathered in the sky to form a huge black curtain, nearly blocking out the moonlight.
This miracle, invisible to ordinary people, revealed an eerie, chilling, and fearful atmosphere, making Leo involuntarily shiver.
Was there really a divine being behind that black curtain?
Why did it make him subconsciously think of death?
Leo recalled the head he saw half a day ago in the void.
Again, a wave of confusion flashed in his mind.
What exactly are the gods of this world?
He looked ahead, and besides Miss Skuld, every Joyful believer had faces full of respect and devotion. Although they could not see the glowing screen made of particles, they could feel the presence of the god they worshipped.
They grew even more frenzied.
Especially that true grand bishop, maid Kakaris, who was now kneeling on the ground with her arms crossed, praying. Countless divine particles swirled around her, serving as both her armor and seeming to want to swallow her.
The prepared human sacrifice was now pushed onto the lawn, and the hungry believers ripped off their clothes, indulging in pleasure on their bodies.
The sounds of men and women moaning rose and fell.
The grander Joyful Ceremony, even more so than a few days ago, finally reached its peak.
Skuld turned her head, cupping Leo’s face in her hands. Her dreamy eyes were filled with love, "Leo, let’s join in too. I can feel that if we find joy in this moment, my power will grow even stronger."
Both of them knew that Miss Mucus was talking about her avatar, Reni.
"…" Leo looked around a bit shyly.
Although he had experienced joy in front of many people before, it was the first time he had chosen to do so willingly.
He still felt a bit shy.
But Miss Skuld clearly was not willing to let him off so easily; in the moment Leo hesitated, she pushed her master down to the ground, stretched her long legs, and sat on him, leaning on his chest.
Her delicate tongue licked Leo’s earlobe, and a soft, enticing whisper danced in his ear:
"Master, I’m so hot. I… I love you the most, Master~ Skuld just needs you to live, so, Master, you only need me. Is that okay?"
Leo wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling her warmth, and replied in her ear, "Thank you, Skuld. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today."
Just then, the divine particles in Leo’s eyes began to gather, carving a pitch-black circular magic circle in the sky, at the center of the circle.
A carved shadow of a young girl.
"Kakaris" speaks the prayers and raises his arms high.
The "Witch Hunter" tightens the chains around the Saintess of Order, and tears of unknown emotion fall from the corners of the silver-haired, red-eyed girl’s eyes.
In this scene, Leo feels like he has seen it somewhere before…
The cross-like bindings, the girl wrapped in chains, the tears of sorrow…
Yes, he has definitely seen this scene before…
But where did he see it?
Wait, this is—
A sensation exploded in Leo’s mind, and as he looked at the magic formed by the particles in the sky, he finally remembered when he had seen this scene.
"Skuld, something is wrong, help me block it…" Leo communicated with Miss Mucus through his thoughts, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the Order Sect artifact he got from Ashley.
"What’s wrong, master?"
"The cross and the crying girl…" Leo held the artifact, his heart skipped a beat, "The current Saintess of Order and the Order Sect artifact… are exactly the same."
No, it is not just the current Saintess of Order that looks the same…
Leo looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with shock.
The magic circle made of countless divinely blessed particles did not show Joyful Church’s iconic DNA spiral pattern, but rather the crying girl from the Order Sect artifact…
What was summoned was not the God of Joy, but…
Order.
In the next moment, a shimmering barrier appeared in the sky for everyone to see.
Then, amidst the sacred and pure sounds, the "angels" dressed in white broke through the dark sky.
"I hope you are well, Kakaris."
"Order Sect, follow me to judge the unbelievers."
"Now is the time for judgment!"