Chapter 68: 5. The Feast of Sorrow

Chapter 68: 5. The Feast of Sorrow

At that moment, as always, a crack appeared in the perfect expression of Pope Sebastian, who wore a mask-like smile.

The statue of the Sorrowful Saintess was perfect.

She wore a crown of thorns, holding a sword in one hand and scales in the other.

The sculptor Magda from Canabel Village hesitated for a long time as she neared the completion of the statue of the Sorrowful Saintess.

What expression should the Sorrowful Saintess have?

The Sorrowful Saintess, known as the last sword of the goddess Ifrit, descends to the earth spreading her thirteen wings.

She only revealed herself to humans once.

When the end times prophesied in the apocalypse approach, she will descend for judgment.

For centuries, the Sorrowful Saintess has provoked the ambition of artists.

Artists tried every way to express the beauty steeped in sorrow.

However, Magda boldly chose a neutral expression.

And her choice was right.

The statue was beautiful.

But the reason it caught attention wasnt just its beauty.

Although steeped in sorrow, the Saintess didnt shed tears. She was resolute and solemn, more overwhelming than any other statue they had seen.

This is

Even Archbishop Solon, who was about to mock the statue, was left speechless.

It truly possessed the dignity fitting for the sword of judgment.

Seeing the shocked expression on Archbishop Solons face, Gilliam smiled inwardly.

He felt that the effort of transporting the flawless statue from the remote mountain village had paid off.

Lost in admiring the statue, Solon suddenly came to his senses.

Reluctantly, he had to admit that the statue of the Sorrowful Saintess Gilliam brought was excellent.

Archbishop Solon coughed needlessly.

Well, its better than I thought. Acceptable, I suppose

Your Holiness?

But it wasnt the time for Gilliam to laugh at Archbishop Solons bruised pride.

Archbishop Gilliam looked at the Pope in surprise.

Then he realized that Pope Sebastian had been silent since he was led to the statue.

Curious, Archbishop Solon also looked at the Pope in surprise.

Your Holiness!

Tears flowed from the Popes eyes.

While gazing at the statue, Sebastian stood still, crying.

It was a very strange sight.

It was a sight Gilliam had never seen, even though he had served three popes in Lucerne.

In fact, Gilliam realized for the first time that Sebastian, a man often surrounded by dubious rumors, could cry.

The Inquisitor, known to be without blood or tears, crying at the sight of the statue?

Both Gilliam and Solon found the situation hard to believe.

Solon sneaked another glance at the statue.

It was indeed a magnificent piece, but not to the extent of overwhelming someone to tears. Was His Holiness always this emotional?

The two archbishops, who were at odds, stood side by side with their mouths agape, when the Pope quietly called them.

Archbishop Gilliam.

Yes?

Who made this, and where are they from?

Its from a devout sculptor from a small village in the east called Canabel Her name is Magda.

I need to see her immediately.

Should she answer?

While Juliet was puzzled, the expression of Helens son, Teo, and the hired magician, Eshelrid, looked like Here she goes again.

Um, the temple ceremony?

Yes! Shopping!

Helen cheerfully snapped her fingers.

Snap.

A cheerful sound rang out.

Then, Helen led Juliet to the shopping district of Lucerne.

Despite being a small city-state, its shopping district was on par with the boutique street Birchwood Road in the Empires capital.

And Helens consumption was just like the owner of Marigold Guild, one of the five major nobles on the continent.

That!

This too!

No, no, a different color!

Helen swept up everything in sight.

At first, Juliet hesitated, wondering if this was okay, but it had been a long time since she went shopping with someone after her mothers passing, so it was fun.

Moreover, after Juliet once refused an expensive gift saying I cant accept something so expensive, auntie, she was assigned the task of spending three hundred gold every day for a week, and after that, Juliet never hesitated with Helen.

Helen, who could be mistaken for a boy with her short, shimmering blonde hair, had an outstanding sense of style.

Helen took Juliet around every boutique in Lucerne.

For some reason, the boutique clerks treated Helens words as gospel.

Juliet tried on hats, gloves, and shoes as instructed by Helen.

Theres a banquet tonight!

But after circling all of Lucernes shopping streets, Juliets journey wasnt over.

Today is the first day, so its the most important, understand?

Helen smiled broadly and handed Juliet over to the boutique clerks.

Make sure its perfect!

With a commanding tone.

A moment later, a clerk brought out a dress.

Juliet was slightly taken aback when handed a dress that seemed to have been in fashion a few hundred years ago.

It was a design that went straight over the shoulders and hid the bodys curves, fitting for a temple in some ways.

It was quite different from the attire she wore in the North or the capital. When she inquired, she was told Lucerne had its own dress code.

It might be Helens taste, but Juliet liked the dress.

Miss, your waist.

That was before the clerk started tightening an old-fashioned corset around her.

She almost screamed for them to stop, but the clerk, seeming to anticipate Juliets feelings, acted swiftly.

Lady Helen instructed us to ensure its perfect!

They tightly laced Juliet into the corset, then dressed her in a white negligee and a red dress.

Then, they brushed and styled her voluminous auburn hair, partly braiding it and pinning it up.

Lastly, they adorned her with a tiara decorated with rubies and pearls.

Oh my.

A few hours later, Helen, who briefly dropped by to see Juliet, exclaimed in admiration.

You look unrecognizably beautiful, Juliet!

Then Helen whispered as if telling a secret.

Someone will come to escort you later. Just wait a little.