Chapter 226: 'The Wavering Faith”

Chapter 226 “The Wavering Faith”

Hurried footsteps broke the tranquility in the cathedral. Bishop Valentine, who was assigning affairs to the priests at the side, raised his head and saw Vanna walking over.

“I thought you would rest at home for two more days.” The head bishop waved his hand to have the assistants and attendants leave, giving the two room to speak.

“Unfortunately, it seems that I don’t have this spare time,” Vanna shook her head with a slightly serious expression. “What happened? I saw many priests running about, and I heard that a group of ascetic priests was sent into the stargazing well... Does it have anything to do with today’s sunrise?”

“Yes,” Valentine nodded, his expression looking solemn, “today’s sunrise is fifteen minutes later than usual—and it was not due to abnormal weather conditions. I received reports from other city-states and sea contacts confirming this fact through the psionic communication channel. Like us, their side also observed the abnormal sunrise.”

“This world has been illuminated by the ‘World Creation’ for fifteen more minutes...” Vanna frowned slightly, “Are there any reports of damage?”

“No, just postponement of dawn is not a problem. Fifteen minutes of more nighttime is still within the redundant range of the city-state’s safety measures,” the old bishop said. “The real disturbing part is that the same phenomenon is observed worldwide, which shows that the problem is not with the land surface or the sea.”

“The operation of Vision 001 itself has changed.” Vanna knew what the old bishop was worried about, “Is there no word from the Nameless King yet?”

Valentine shook his head slightly.

“There is no movement from the tomb, so this may just be a minor ‘change’. I’m terrified of is what the people will do when they find out. At the moment, most aren’t aware of this fact, and those few that did notice aren’t making a fuss yet. Until we can be certain the sun is back to normal, we can’t rest.”

After a minute of thought, Vanna finally asked, “So what measures have you taken thus far?”

“Nothing much. Aside from informing City Hall and asking them to pen a reassuring notice and guideline for the public when news breaks, we are going to keep monitoring Vision 001. It’s not a good idea to issue an overly positive announcement after experiencing a disaster of this magnitude. People will think we’re lying and trying to cover up the truth.”

Vanna silently listened to the old bishop’s analysis and didn’t interject anything. As an inquisitor who devoted most of her energy to combat missions, she knew she was not a professional in these arrangements.

“Do you have something on your mind?” Valentine asked with a worried face after noticing the lack of energy from the lady.

“I’m only just a little emotional,” Vanna sighed softly and shook her head. “Every time there is a great disaster, the more I’m aware of how fragile the world we live in today is... The city-states, the churches, the fleet, everything we are proud of, seem to be built on a thin, fragile layer of ice. Any crack not discovered in time will cause our world to disappear...”

“That’s why we’re always vigilant and tenacious,” Valentine said quietly, staring into the young inquisitor’s eyes, “Vanna, you rarely speak like this... What happened?”

Vanna made a stunned face, then got it: “There will always be anomalies and visions that do not conform to the regular parameters...”

A long silence fell over this great hall of the cathedral, leaving the two high-ranking clerics to mull over their next course of action. Eventually, it was Valentine who broke the air: “But we still can’t treat the Vanished and its captain as harmless on this basis alone, you understand?”

“In the end, he still went into subspace and came back. Regardless of him taking back his humanity, it’s difficult to say he wouldn’t suddenly go berserk one day on us mortals.”

“In addition, we can’t just make our own judgments on this matter. We must report all this to the Grand Storm Cathedral out at sea. Then, her Majesty the Pope will decide on what to do next.”

Vanna’s posture straightened to attention as she nodded solemnly in agreement: “Of course, I am very clear about this.”

Then she paused as her expression became a little strange again: “You know, it’s kind of weird knowing we’re discussing this topic within the sacred buildings of the church... If it was in the past, I would probably define myself as a heretic by now.”

Valentine sighed noncommittally, “You just said there are two things to report. Besides meeting that ghost captain, what is the second thing?”

This time, Vanna fell into an even longer silence, seemingly tied inside as to whether or not she should say this part. Eventually, the lady summoned up the courage and gazed at the goddess’s statue: “I... should repent...”

“Repent?” Valentine looked at her in surprise, “Why are you repenting?”

“I was shaken in my belief. I couldn’t stop my wavering.” Vanna took a deep breath and confessed dryly, “After that fire, I questioned my faith and if I should believe in her...”

She spoke out about her doubts and blamed the goddess for not doing more to save them.

On the other hand, Valentine didn’t comment and simply stood there for a good while, which in turn roused an odd look from Vanna.

“Vanna, if you came to me to repent... then where should I go to repent?”

A hint of surprise finally appeared in Vanna’s eyes.

“You are one, and I am the second. We’re both wavering followers of the faith here.” After that confession, the old bishop suddenly got older as if years had been tacked onto his skin. “Vanna, can you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“...... The goddess is still blessing us.”