Half an hour later.
Sylvia was forced to get up and freshen herself.
She wore a pale purple court gown.
Delicate lace adorned the cuffs and hem.
Her pale skin looked even more refined against the purple silk.
Her silver-white long hair was carefully combed by the maid.
Secured with the Amethyst Hair Ornament.
She looked just like a beautiful porcelain doll stepped out of a fairy tale.
Outside the door, Uther VII had been waiting for some time.
He wore the most formal papal vestments.
Holding a gem-encrusted staff.
When he saw Sylvia appear, a fervent light immediately ignited in his eyes.
As if he had seen the most precious treasure in the world.
“Your Highness··”
His voice carried obvious excitement and reverence.
“The Cathedral of Light is the most sacred sanctuary of our Holy Glory Alliance.”
“There, you can feel the purest Divine Grace from God.”
Sylvia listened to these words, her heart growing faint.
Divine Grace and all that—it just didn’t sound fitting for the bloodline.
Besides, that old man’s gaze was still so strange.
“Let’s go.”
Ophelia said lightly.
The procession began to move toward the Cathedral of Light.
Devout believers were already kneeling along both sides of the street.
They wore simple linen garments, clutching Holy Light Crosses in their hands.
When Sylvia’s luxurious carriage passed by, everyone fervently began to pray.
“The Holy Body has descended!”
“Please save us!”
“We await your return!”
“Light will shine upon the land once more!”
Wave after wave of voices crashed, deafening.
Sylvia listened to these baffling words, so embarrassed she wished she could die on the spot.
Holy Body? Return? Light shining on the earth?
These people’s imaginations were way too wild.
She was a bloodline now! A bloodline!
One completely incompatible with light!
She shrank back inside the carriage, burying her face in her palms.
“Why do they call me this way… I’m clearly a bloodline—ah…”
Avira noticed her sister’s discomfort.
A dangerous killing intent flashed in her eyes.
Her hand already rested on the sword hilt.
“Should I silence them all for you?”
“No!”
Sylvia quickly shook her head.
Her silver hair fluttered.
“I’ll endure it… it’ll be over soon…”
Uther VII overheard the conversation behind him.
His heart swelled with even greater excitement.
In his eyes, this was clearly the Holy Body preventing the dark forces from harming innocent people!
What a kind and merciful heart!
Even bound by evil, it still maintained the purest nature!
***
Soon, the group arrived at the Cathedral of Light.
The building soared a hundred meters high.
Constructed entirely from the purest white marble.
Countless exquisite sculptures adorned the exterior walls.
Depicting epic myths of light triumphing over darkness.
Huge spires pierced the clouds.
At the summit sat a giant Holy Light Crystal.
The entire structure radiated a sacred and solemn brilliance under the sunlight.
“This is the Cathedral of Light.”
Uther VII proudly introduced, his voice laced with obvious pride.
“A masterpiece completed over three hundred years.”
“Built using the alliance’s finest craftsmen and rarest materials.”
Sylvia glanced up at the magnificent building.
It was indeed beautiful, but… this place clearly hosted important ceremonies.
There would definitely be many people.
Many complicated rituals.
She already felt a headache coming on.
“We will enter through the main gate.”
Uther VII guided them up the white marble steps.
“Today, to welcome you, we have cleared the entire cathedral.”
“Except for the necessary honor guard, no one else will disturb us.”
Sylvia relaxed slightly at these words.
At least she wouldn’t have to face a sea of believers.
They pushed open the heavy bronze doors, stepping inside the cathedral.
Sylvia was instantly stunned by the scene before her.
A vast dome rose over fifty meters high.
Adorned with exquisite murals.
Depicting grand scenes of God creating the world and light defeating darkness.
Stained glass windows cast colorful light patterns.
Forming beautiful designs on the floor.
Countless white marble pillars supported the dome.
Each pillar intricately carved with elaborate patterns.
Everywhere shone with dazzling decorations.
So exquisite it was breathtaking.
“So beautiful…”
She couldn’t help but whisper.
Uther VII’s eyes burned with even more fanatic fervor.
“You have felt God’s Glory!”
His voice trembled with excitement.
“This is the greatness of God!”
Sylvia: “???”
I’m just complimenting the architecture.
Why bring God into this again?
These people’s thought processes were truly strange…
***
The group passed down the long corridor.
Past countless ornately decorated prayer rooms and council chambers.
Finally arriving at the entrance of the Supreme Sanctuary.
The guards here had clearly increased in number.
Each one a formidable Temple Knight clad in silver armor.
Their expressions serious, hands on sword hilts.
Maintaining high vigilance over everyone passing through.
But when they saw Uther VII and the bloodline entourage, all the guards respectfully knelt on one knee.
“The Supreme Sanctuary is the very core of the entire Church.”
Uther VII’s voice grew more solemn and grave.
“Only the most important ceremonies take place here.”
“Coronations of past popes, great divine manifestations— all have happened here.”
He took a deep breath, eyes ablaze with anticipation.
“And today, we are about to witness a new miracle!”
They pushed open the heavy golden doors.
A strong aura of holy light washed over them.
Ophelia frowned slightly.
A trace of displeasure flashed through her blood-red eyes.
Avira instinctively stepped back half a pace, hand on her sword hilt.
The concentration of holy light here was indeed very high.
Its suppressive effect on bloodlines was obvious.
Like being forced to stand under the blazing sun—unbearably uncomfortable.
Sylvia, however, felt nothing at all.
Curiously, she raised her head, her blood-colored eyes full of wonder.
The interior of the Supreme Sanctuary was even more magnificent and grand.
The dome soared over thirty meters, made entirely of pure gold.
Countless precious gems were embedded within.
Glistening brilliantly in the holy light.
Portraits of past popes hung on the surrounding walls.
Each one lifelike.
At the very center of the sanctuary,
floated a glowing orb.
That was the legendary “First Ray of Light.”
It had no support, suspended in midair.
Emitting a soft yet powerful radiance, illuminating the entire sanctuary.
The light was pure and flawless, warm and sacred.
As if it could cleanse all sins and darkness in the world.
“That is the First Ray of Light.”
Uther VII said reverently.
His voice filled with awe.
“Legend says it is the very first light left behind when God fell.”
“Containing the purest laws of light.”
“Protecting the entire Holy Glory Alliance for a thousand years.”
Sylvia stared at the orb for a while.
A strange feeling welled up inside her.
Her divine nature showed obvious interest in this energy.
Like a hungry person seeing delicious food.
“Looks… pretty tasty…”
She thought quietly to herself.
Uther VII carefully guided them, step by step, toward the exact spot beneath the First Ray of Light.
His heartbeat raced violently.
His palms drenched in sweat.
This was the moment he had awaited for countless years!
In his vision, when the Holy Body approached the First Ray of Light, a stunning miracle would surely occur.
Perhaps the Holy Body would awaken, breaking free from the bonds of darkness.
Perhaps the First Ray of Light would grow even brighter, illuminating the entire world.
Perhaps God would descend once again, saving this cursed world!
Sylvia was completely unaware of the thoughts swirling around her.
She only wished for this to end quickly, so she could go back and continue sleeping.
Lowering her head, she began counting the marble floor tiles.
One, two, three, four…
These tiles were laid so neatly.
Each the same size.
The patterns exquisite.
The craftsmen must have put much thought into them.
She didn’t notice the sacred relic floating above, nor the tense, expectant expressions of those around her.
At the very moment she reached the exact spot beneath the First Ray of Light, something strange happened.