CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159 - SIDES

The Virtue of Temperance walked forward to the open balcony window, stopping right at its edge.

He was taller than Logan, with silver hair and unreadable eyes as he stared at the crowds.

He released an invisible pressure, making it hard to breathe properly.

Logan swallowed hard, but followed after him.

He felt the burning stares from the hundreds of people down below—guild masters, Royal families, CEOs, S-rank hunters, even politicians were there.

"Do you see them?" he asked, his voice calm but low.

Logan followed his gaze to the crowd once again, his face burning slightly from all the stares he got. But he remained calm, taking in every single detail he could.

"These people," Livia’s father continued, "are the heart of this world and this church. Every man and woman you see holds enough influence that, united, they could bring down entire nations."

Logan remained still for a moment, before giving a small nod.

"They will smile at you today," Temperance went on, his voice low enough for only Logan to hear, "but know this... more than half of them would see you dead before they let you upset the balance they’ve built."

Logan’s heart pounded, but he remained calm. He understood that this was a warning without any malicious intent behind it.

"If I may ask," he said, his eyes still on the crowd below, "what about you?"

Temperance finally turned his gaze away from the crowd, meeting Logan’s eyes.

For a moment, there was only silence.

"That depends," Temperance said, "on what side you choose when the time comes."

Logan’s brow furrowed. "What side?"

’I’m pretty sure I already picked the church’s side,’ he thought, staring at the man beside him.

The Virtue of Temperance didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the crowd below.

Before Logan could ask another question, one of the high-ranking priests stepped forward.

"Sir Temperance," the priest said, bowing. "It’s almost time."

The Virtue of Temperance remained still for a moment before finally giving a slow nod.

Then, he glanced at Logan.

"Stay here with my daughter," he said. "Your role will be important during the ceremony later."

He gave a slight wave at the priests in the room, one of them immediately holding the door open for him.

With that, the Virtue of Temperance left the room, the priests quickly following after him.

Logan stood still for a moment longer, the weight from the invisible pressure that had been put on him vanishing in an instant.

"You should sit," Livia said, gesturing to a pair of luxurious leather chairs. "Once the ceremony starts, it doesn’t look good to move around."

Logan turned his head slightly, mind still hazy with all the new information and many questions.

"Do you know what exactly he meant?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Livia hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It’s about the Church’s internal situation. I’ll explain it to you in more detail after the ceremony."

Logan remained quiet for a moment, then he let out a deep breath. "Alright," he said, taking a seat beside her.

As he sat down, he could see the massive hall slowly filling up to its limits with important guests, each taking a seat at one of the dozens of round tables. Above it all, he saw several cameras from large news crews.

"That, about my name being called on," Logan said, turning to Livia. "What am I expected to do?"

"Ah, that," Livia said, grinning. "You’ll just have to follow me onto the podium."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "The podium?"

"You won’t have to say much," she said. "But what you say will matter."

Logan nodded slowly, sinking back into his thoughts.

After a few minutes, the massive golden doors closed with a loud bang. The people in the hall immediately quieted down, their full attention on the ceremonial podium.

A small hologram screen opened up in their room, allowing them to see the podium from the same angle as the other important guests.

Then, ceremonial music started playing. Deep, resonant bells echoed through the room, and choirs sang songs in an ancient language.

’This is it,’ Logan thought, eyes wide as he stared at the hologram.

His hair stood on end as he listened to the music and the ancient songs. It all felt extremely holy and sacred.

As the music played, knights in gold-plated armor walked down the aisles, carrying massive banners with the church’s seven interlinked rings.

Beside him, he could see Livia clenching her fist, eyes locked on the hologram.

Logan glanced at the screen again as five figures walk out on the ceremonial podium. One of them, an old man with a golden mitre, walked towards the pedestal, while the other four priests lined up behind him.

’The pope,’ he thought, eyes narrowing at the screen.

The old man raised his staff, and the music immediately quieted down until it fully disappeared.

"Brothers and sisters of the faith," the pope’s voice rang out, deep and steady, carrying easily through the hall. "Today, we gather under the blessing of the Divine One... not only to celebrate what we have built, but to face the truth of the age we live in."

His gaze swept over the sea of nobles, hunters, and CEOs. Even through the screen, Logan could feel the weight behind those words.

"For centuries, the Seven Virtues have stood as pillars of our Church and guardians of balance in a world always tilting towards chaos... But every pillar is tested, like every light must prove itself against the dark."

He paused, letting the words settle.

"In our time, the shadows do not merely lurk beneath the earth... they walk among us.’’

’’The Sinners have grown bold, and the harmony we have kept through blood and sacrifice is no longer guaranteed."

The hall was silent, the air heavy with anticipation.

"That is why today," the pope continued, "we honor not only the Divine One and the Seven Virtues, but those they have chosen to bear their will, shoulder their burdens, and stand at the frontlines of what is to come."