CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160 - DECLARATION OF WAR!

The pope raised his staff, gesturing towards the opening doors behind the ceremonial podium.

One by one, the Imperial Church’s Seven Virtues stepped onto the stage, each wearing their distinctive symbols.

Logan’s eyes followed them in amazement, his breathing becoming more difficult because of the sheer pressure radiating from each of them.

His eyes locked on the three figures at the center, the Imperial Church’s three SSS-ranks.

He was already familiar with one, the Virtue of Temperance with grey chains on his robes.

But the other two, a man seemingly in his twenties with dashing blond hair and a golden orb on his robes, and a woman around her early thirties with a colorful lotus symbol on her dress.

’The Virtues of Faith and Compassion,’ he thought, eyes widening slightly. ’They really weren’t joking around for this.’

The other four virtues weren’t to be underestimated either, each of them wearing their symbols with pride.

’The golden horn for the Virtue of Charity, an ancient book for Brilliance, a golden sword for Justice, and the flaming spear for Valor.’

Some of them smiled at the crowd, while others remained dead serious.

The pope stepped forward again, giving a slight wave in the air with his staff.

"Brothers and sisters of the faith," his voice rang out, "you gaze upon the pillars of our church, the Seven Virtues, whose strength and resolve have safeguarded our world for generations."

He let the words settle in the crowd, eyes sweeping across the silent crowd in front of him.

"Their names are known in every corner of the continent," the pope went on, his voice steady, "but even the mightiest flame must one day pass to another hand. Today, before the eyes of the Divine and the faithful, we present to you those chosen to inherit their mantle."

Livia stood up beside him.

"Come on," she said, fidgeting from nervousness with a soft smile. "I’m up now, and you’ll be right after."

Logan’s heart pounded in his chest, but he stood up without hesitation.

They walked out the door and continued right to the same doors the Seven Virtues had just gone through to step on the podium.

As Logan and Livia reached the large doors, they saw a few other people standing there, each varying in age.

The second they entered their view, eyes locked onto them, evaluating them.

’These people...’ Logan thought, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Then, the pope’s voice echoed through the walls again. "The future Virtue of Justice."

One of the men, in his mid-twenties with deep black hair, walked through the doors onto the podium.

One by one, people left the room until eventually Livia was called on.

"The future inheritor of the Virtue of Temperance," the pope said, lowering his staff as Livia walked through the doors.

Logan watched on a small hologram as the crowd clapped and Livia bowed slightly before walking to her father.

Only a few people were left in the room with him, but one of them stood out.

’Where have I seen her before?’ Logan thought, glancing at a veiled girl standing near the doors, her blond hair flowing just underneath her veil.

"Finally," the pope said. "The future inheritor of the Virtue of Faith!"

The girl with blond hair walked through the doors towards the ceremonial podium. That’s when Logan realized what he remembered her from.

’She was that girl I confused Livia with,’ he thought, eyes widening slightly. He had seen her just before the University’s air shuttles left towards the dungeon where Derek tried to kill him.

’So she’s the inheritor of the Virtue of Faith.’

"These young ones will carry the future on their shoulders, they will protect us from the darkest days that have yet to come."

Minutes passed as the pope preached about the future, protection, and the invasion of evil.

Finally, the pope said something that made Logan’s chest tighten.

"There are those in this world," the pope began, his voice low and cold, "who have closed their ears to the Divine and opened them to the whispers of the ancient demon."

The hall went completely silent.

"They are those who stand not with the light, but in service to their own greed and ambitions."

"They twist the truth to suit their desires," the pope continued, his gaze sweeping slowly across the silent hall. "And they would see the people abandon the virtues that have held this world together for centuries."

He tapped his staff against the marble once, the sound sharp and echoing.

"I speak of the Holy Cross Guild," he said, letting the name hang in the air.

A ripple of murmurs passed through the audience. Some were shocked, others grim, but most held satisfaction in their eyes.

"They clothe themselves in banners of righteousness, yet they deny the Divine’s will," the pope continued, a mix of anger and sadness on his face.

"They believe that mankind should stand alone, without the balance the Seven guard."

He paused for a moment, shaking his head. "But men without virtue are nothing more than beasts."

Logan raised an eyebrow as the speech fell fully outside his expectations.

The pope’s voice rose, heavy with conviction. "And so we will meet their lies with truth, their greed with sacrifice, and their false strength with the living proof of our own."

Chills ran down Logan’s spine as the sound of enthusiastic applause and murmurs spread among some of the most important people in the world.

’This wasn’t a simple day of celebration,’ he thought, staring at the pope’s back through the large doors. ’This is a declaration of war with not only the important people, but with millions watching from home as a witness.’

Before he got the chance to properly digest the information, he heard something that made him freeze in his tracks.

"To thank the one who opened our eyes to the truth," the pope said, raising both his arms in the air, "and whose actions have exposed the Holy Cross Guild’s treachery to the light of day... I call forth Logan Mercer of Mercer Industries."

The applause grew louder, though Logan couldn’t feel any warmth in it.

A pair of priests near the doors turned to him, gesturing for him to step forward.

A deep pit formed in Logan’s stomach as the truth and the real reason why he needed to be here set in.

’They aren’t honoring or thanking me,’ he thought, growing pale. ’They are making me the face of this war and the scapegoat if something goes wrong.’