The auspicious hour arrived, and the ceremony began.
Elderly Priest Breno was the first to step up to the podium.
Today, wearing the robes of the Prelate, his movements were somewhat sluggish. His face was kind but carried a hint of bewilderment, as if he still didn't entirely understand how he had suddenly been pushed into this position.
His inauguration speech was remarkably safe and steady, filled with the usual platitudes about "following tradition," "unity and fraternity," "serving the believers," and "steady reform." It made many in the audience secretly yawn, yet no one could pick any faults with it.
The main event came afterward.
When Phoebe stepped forward, the entire cathedral instantly fell silent, all eyes focusing on her.
She wore the slightly oversized robes of the Supreme Priest, and her signature large round hat seemed to have grown a bit heavier.
Her face was as pale as paper, and her fingers gripped her speech script tightly, trembling slightly. She didn't even dare to look at the familiar or unfamiliar priests in the audience; her gaze was fixed solely on the lectern in front of her.
A few very faint sneers seemed to drift up from the audience.
Coletta, sitting in the front row, frowned slightly and whispered, "She looks like she's about to faint."
Beside her, Cantarella languidly rested her cheek on her hand and chuckled softly, "Oh? I actually think that this kind of pitiable fragility... might instead arouse a certain someone's protective instincts, hehe."
Her gaze pointedly slid over to Rover sitting next to them.
Rover's expression remained calm. His golden eyes watched Phoebe on the stage without any outward reaction, yet naturally exuded an invisible strength.
Phoebe took a deep breath, as if using all the strength in her body, before finally raising her head.
Her gaze didn't land on her doubters. Instead, it passed right over them and landed directly on Rover's face.
Upon seeing those calm and profound golden eyes, her wildly beating heart seemed to suddenly find a slight anchor point.
She spoke. Her voice was initially as thin as a gossamer thread, carrying a noticeable tremble: "...I... I know that many people question... whether I am qualified to stand here and shoulder such a responsibility..."
The audience was frighteningly quiet.
"I... I do not possess profound theological knowledge, nor do I have... experience in handling complex affairs..."
Her words were clumsy yet sincere, which actually caused those preparing to watch a joke to freeze for a moment.
"The only thing I possess, perhaps, is... is what was once the purest faith in the Convent, and the deepest... pain regarding the mistakes it has now committed."
Her voice gradually grew louder. "I saw the shadows... massive shadows... they nearly swallowed my trust in the light..."
These words touched many clerics and some mid-to-low-ranking priests who still possessed a conscience, and they fell silent.
"But I believe..." Phoebe's voice suddenly became a bit firmer. She looked at Rover again, as if drawing courage from him. "I believe that acknowledging mistakes... is the first step toward a new life."
"I believe that the original intention of service... is far more important than games of power."
"I believe that the meaning of the Hidden Sea Convent's existence is to guide people's hearts toward goodness... not to... become a tool for ambition!"
Her speech was not adorned with magnificent rhetoric, and at times failed to fully express her meaning. But the heartfelt pain, repentance, and desire to change were incredibly real.
She was not declaring or demanding power; rather, she was pleading for a chance—a chance for the Hidden Sea Convent to return to its original intentions.
Phoebe's brief speech quickly came to an end.
The audience was silent for a moment. Then, led by the Mortari and Fesale families, a wave of polite yet relatively warm applause rang out.
Many low-ranking clerics clapped especially hard. They seemed to see a glimmer of light from this fragile girl.
Antonio, Alex, and their ilk clapped mechanically, their faces looking as if they were wearing stiff masks.
After the ceremony concluded, the crowd dispersed.
In the corridor of the cathedral's side hall, Antonio blocked Coletta and Cantarella, who were preparing to leave. His tone suppressed his anger: "Family Head Cantarella and Miss Coletta, is this the 'new life' you bring to Laguna? A senile Prelate and a crying Supreme Priest?"
Coletta stopped in her tracks, her gaze sharp as she looked at him: "Priest Antonio, watch your words. In my view, Supreme Priest Phoebe's sincerity is far more valuable to Laguna than the ambitions of certain people."
"The Provisional Council's decision is unquestionable."
Cantarella tapped Antonio on the shoulder, her smile revealing a dangerous signal: "Antonio, sometimes, positioning yourself correctly is the only way to live a long life. A new era requires new faces, does it not?"
"Or perhaps... you have some better suggestions regarding the council's decision?" Her tone was gentle but carried an icy threat.
Antonio's face turned livid. His lips trembled a few times, but ultimately he didn't dare to say anything more. He turned and left indignantly.
On the other side, Alex walked over to the still somewhat dazed Phoebe, seemingly amicably, and offered a deliberate compliment: "Supreme Priest Phoebe, what a moving speech. The Convent will have to rely heavily on you for matters great and small from now on."
"If there is anything you don't understand, you can always come ask this old fellow who is familiar with the operations."
Phoebe nervously took a half step back, subconsciously looking toward Rover not far away. He simply gave her a faint nod.
Phoebe seemed to gain courage. She took a deep breath and gave Alex a slight bow.
Although her tone was still weak, it was exceptionally clear: "Thank you for your kind intentions, Grand Priest Alex. However, the council has already decided to form a support office for me. I will prioritize seeking advice from them."
She tactfully but firmly rejected his "good intentions."
The smile on Alex's face stiffened, and a trace of malice flashed in the depths of his eyes. But he quickly returned to normal: "Hehe, naturally, naturally." He walked away with a dry laugh.
Rover walked to Phoebe's side: "Well done."
Phoebe's face instantly turned red, and she whispered: "It... it was you and Miss Coletta who gave me courage..."
Coletta also walked over, her tone pragmatic: "Phoebe, tomorrow morning, the Office of the Supreme Priest will hold its first working meeting. You need to attend."
"I will dispatch Zanni to coordinate the preliminary work. She will tell you what to do."
"Yes... I understand." Phoebe nodded earnestly. Although still nervous, her eyes now held an added trace of determination to shoulder her responsibilities.
Watching this scene, Cantarella chuckled lightly to Rover: "It seems you have chosen an interesting symbol of purity for our Laguna. I just wonder how long this little white flower can persevere in the wind and rain?"
Rover's gaze swept over the high seat of the Prelate at the end of the cathedral and the massive statue of Imperator behind it, stating calmly: "The seed has been planted. What it grows into will depend on herself and this land."
_____
+50 advanced chapters monthly on my patreon, join now and read...
Patreon.com/IndifferentVillain
Ur support keeps me motivated thanks in advance.
Chapter 290 is out on my patreon!!!!!
________