The Holy Man of Another Century Gospel

Chapter 176 Inheritance
Upon returning from the convent, Sophie also met a group of people who had come from Lutia.

At that time, Eric was leading them on a tour of the Convent of Saint Mary—of course, only to the areas open to most people, without going into the nuns' living quarters.

Sophie's expression was rather subtle when she saw Iris among them.

The former remained quite calm and even greeted her, saying, "Long time no see, Miss Sophie. It must have been two or three years ago."

"Hmm... It's been a long time, Miss Alan."

“I don’t use that name anymore.” Elise looked at Eric. “His Highness prefers to call me Elise.”

"……Oh."

Sophie chatted with her for a few minutes, then glanced at Eric.

Since returning, Eric hasn't told her about this Aran woman, but she has a feeling that she wasn't honest back then, and now that she's with His Highness, she'll definitely try every means to seduce him—and His Highness can't resist any temptation!
Sophie was lost in thought for a moment, then noticed another unfamiliar brown-skinned, green-eyed woman who was also staring at her.

"This is Miss Sophie," Elise introduced her to the woman.

Sophie had no choice but to speak up, "I am Sophie, Her Highness's academic advisor..."

Molly quickly replied, "I'm Molly, Eric's... uh, friend."

...This woman also has problems.

Sophie cleared her throat. "Here, you should address Her Highness the Saintess as Her Highness."

Then she saw Molly purse her lips, seemingly unconvinced. Just as she was about to say something, Molly called out, "Your Highness, Holy Maiden."

"What are you doing?" Eric, who was walking in front, turned around and looked back.

"It's nothing, just calling out to you. Your Highness, Holy Maiden."

"..."

Eric glanced at the three people behind him. "Sophie, come to the front."

"Oh, oh." Sophie went ahead and walked with Eileen.

“I remember you.” Eileen smiled at her. “You came to Dante County three years ago too.”

Sophie nodded. She still clearly remembered Eileen's condition when they last met. "I'm so happy that Miss Eileen's problem has been resolved."

Eileen's smile widened, and Sophie couldn't help but feel a little nervous being stared at by her.

“Don’t keep staring,” Eric said.

"Oh!"

Eric led the group on a brief tour of the monastery, telling them to make themselves at home, while he went to the Palace of the Virgins to watch Alena direct a group of nuns in rehearsing tomorrow's ceremony.

The optimized ceremony process is quite simple; going through it once is sufficient.

“Your Highness.” Alena also noticed him.

“After this is over, rehearse it for me too,” Eric said. After all, he was the main character and center of the ceremony, the kind who had to be involved from beginning to end.

"Yes, Your Highness the Saint."

When Eileen and the others arrived, it was already three or four in the afternoon. After some fuss, it quickly got dark.

Eric and Leslie walked and talked, and Eric escorted him to the Knights and arranged a room for him.

"Don't stay up too late. You're going to the ceremony with His Holiness the Pope tomorrow."

"Young Master... no, Your Highness, please don't scare me."

Back at the Saintess Abode, he was ready to rest early, but Eileen didn't want to sleep and stayed in his room.

"What a big room! Eric, are you comfortable here?"

“I’m not used to it.” Eric sat down on the edge of the bed. “I’m not used to it at all. I still haven’t gotten used to being a saint.”

Eileen looked at him, moved closer, and leaned against his shoulder.

"It's come to this point, even if I'm not used to it, you can't expect me to step in."

Eric chuckled and turned to look at her. "If Eileen ties her hair up and doesn't say anything, she might be able to impersonate me for a few more days."

"No, no, Eric is so tanned, and I'm so fair-skinned, people will be able to tell the difference immediately."

“It’s not that dark, is it…” Eric raised his arm and touched it with his sister’s arm for comparison.

“You’re very different from me,” Eileen said.

"Ok."

The brother and sister rarely had a chance to be alone during the day, so this was the first time they could really chat.

"I've received everything Eric asked Elise and the others to bring me. There's just too much."

“Not many,” Eric said, but in his heart he thought that Eileen, who had become a witch in her previous life, had more tools, so he couldn’t be worse off than the Eric of his previous life.

"A mage's body is so fragile, and casting spells takes time, so of course they need to prepare more weapons, equipment, or special items for self-defense."

“I haven’t had the chance to leave the academy yet,” Eileen said. “If Eric hadn’t been going to succeed as the saintess, Teacher Agnes wouldn’t have agreed to let me travel this far.”

Eric paused for a moment, then said, "It's always better to be prepared.

"Ok."

"If the demons advance south and even reach Lutia, you should just run for your life and flee south. Don't even think about protecting the academy; there are plenty of professors there, and it's not your turn to protect them," Eric reminded him again.

Eileen looked at him for a while, "Will the demons really attack?"

"Of course, 100% certain."

Eileen sighed, "If that were the case, I don't know how many people would die."

Eric put his arm around her. "I don't care about others... not that I don't care, but Eileen's safety is what I care about most."

Eileen leaned against him for a while, then suddenly looked up and asked, "What about Miss Molly?"

"...Why are you suddenly talking about her?"

"She said Eric slept with her."

Eric coughed violently for a while.

"No?"

"...She's asleep."

"Should I call her sister-in-law?"

Eileen asked again, and Eric almost fainted.

"Unless you want me stripped of my sainthood and expelled from the church."

"Wow, it's that serious."

“Don’t forget that I am a clergyman, and my body and soul have long belonged to the gods.” Eric paused, “At least in name only.”

Eileen smiled and said, "Okay."

She thought for a moment, "What about Elise?"

Eric hummed in agreement.

"Hmm, what do you mean?"

"That's what you meant."

Eileen looked at him for a while, "I wonder if Uncle will be happy or angry when he finds out."

Eric wiped his sweat. "Don't tell your uncle anything... Just let things take their course."

"You're scared!"

"I'm scared."

Eileen snorted, then took one last look around his room before heading to rest.

"Can I sleep in any of the rooms here?"

"No one else will do, but you're my sister. The biggest room over there is where I used to live; you can sleep there tonight."

"Okay. Goodnight, Your Highness~"

Eric smiled. "Goodnight, Eileen."

Tomorrow will probably be one of the most important days of his life. Before going to bed, Eric cast several spells on himself to calm his mind and fall asleep as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, in the side room, as the novelty wore off, fatigue began to set in on the group who had traveled from afar.

Eileen looked at all the dozen or so rooms in the neighboring house, and finally chose the largest one, which was Eric's original room.

She had wanted to invite Elise to sleep with her, but Molly was a little shy and pulled Elise away first, so she had to sleep alone in the big room.

"Elise, are you asleep?"

Elise closed her eyes. "Soon."

Molly leaned closer and asked, "How long are we going to stay here?"

"Let's see how long Her Highness wants us to stay here."

"He seemed quite busy; he barely spoke a few words to me."

Elise opened her eyes and slowly took a breath. "Power is also a shackle; his freedom no longer exists."

Molly stared blankly in the dark for a while. "I don't want to stay here forever. Even if I could sleep with him every day, and he licks me down there every day, I still can't stand it."

"...One day I'll cut your tongue out."

"Don't you have any plans?" Molly asked, seemingly unconcerned.

Elise closed her eyes again. "My plan is to take it one step at a time."

"Short-sighted." "My original plan was to kill all of you and revive the Kingdom of Arangu, which was a long-term goal."

“…Scare people again.” Molly nudged the Alan female murderer beside her twice with her elbow.

"Go to sleep." Elise turned over. "If you have dark circles under your eyes tomorrow, I won't let you attend the ceremony."

"You don't get to decide..." Molly muttered, then closed her eyes to clear her mind.

It was late at night, and as she lay dozing off, she vaguely heard faint footsteps outside.

Alena quietly returned to her room and looked at Sophie, whispering, "Go to sleep early, you have to get up early tomorrow."

Sophie nodded, then glanced to the other side. As she passed the room of the quasi-saint, she saw light coming from under the door.

Goodnight, High Sister Alena.

Alena said with a hint of exasperation, "Don't shout nonsense."

Sophie chuckled and said that Her Highness would definitely arrange for her to take this position after she ascended to the throne.

“Her Highness said that there will be no change to High Sister Jabi’s position for the time being,” Alena said. “She told me this herself just a few days ago.”

"Huh... what are you going to do then?"

Alena remained calm. "Her Highness the Saintess will make arrangements."

"Ok."

The two returned to their respective rooms. Sophie lay on the bed for a while, then quietly got up, opened the door, and glanced outside.

Silent and without a sound.

She tiptoed to the room of the prospective saintess and quietly pushed the door open.

"..."

Eileen sat on the edge of the bed, holding a book, looking at her in surprise.

Sophie was somewhat dumbfounded.

The monastery had strict rules, and she naturally assumed that Eric had returned to stay there tonight.

Sophie forced herself to come up with an excuse, "I came to see if Miss Eileen is settling in well..."

"It's alright," Eileen replied casually, closing the book, but quickly smiled at her again. "To be honest, it's a bit too big, bigger than the young lady's boudoir in the city lord's mansion back in my hometown. Eric probably wasn't used to it when he first arrived, right?"

"You'd have to ask High Sister Alena..."

"Ok?"

"No, it's nothing." Sophie prepared to escape. "Then Miss Eileen, get some rest. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Eileen smiled and waved, then muttered to herself after Sophie closed the door.

"No way……"

Eric was completely unaware of what was happening on the other side, and slept soundly until dawn, waking up early.

After getting up, he took a hot bath and returned to his room. Seven or eight nuns came in and dressed him in a heavy formal suit. It took them quite a while just to hang those tiny, feather-like ornaments on his arms.

"What exactly is this? How many more do we need to hang?" Eric couldn't help but ask.

"Your Highness..." The little nun next to her immediately panicked and knelt down with a thud.

“I’m not angry,” Eric said helplessly. “You just need to tell me what this is.”

"It's a kind of decoration. When it's fully covered, it will create a wing-like effect when Her Highness raises her arm... making her look quite sacred..." the little nun explained cautiously.

"No need." Eric found it all pointless, realizing it was just for a visual effect.

But the little nun said that installing only half of it would look worse than not installing it at all, and that removing it all would take more time, so Eric had no choice but to let them continue.

"Anything else? If you can join in, hurry up."

"There are more in front... there are more behind... and there's even on Her Highness's head..."

So when Alena and Sophie arrived at the saint's room, they saw four or five nuns surrounding him, busily but efficiently decorating his room.

One of the younger nuns stood on a stool in front of him, adorning the crown on his head. Sophie knew how to do this too, so she asked her to come down and took her place.

"What time is it?" Unable to move his head, Eric could only glance at Alena sideways.

"It's almost eight o'clock, Your Highness."

Eric took a deep breath. "The ceremony this morning will only last half an hour at most, but it's taken me almost an hour just to put on this outfit."

"Her Highness will only wear this dress once in her life, so don't complain," Sophie said casually. Then she saw several young nuns below look up at her at the same time, their eyes filled with shock.

"..."

Sophie realized she had spoken out of turn and immediately shut up.

Alena glanced at her, asked about the progress here, and then went to find out about the situation in other places.

Eric looked up and met Sophie's gaze. She pouted and quietly slipped her hand through his hair, gently pressing it down.

"Go ahead and mess around." Eric closed his eyes. "Go ahead and mess around."

About twenty minutes later, the decorations were finally finished, and the nuns brought out a full-length mirror for Eric to admire himself.

"Okay."

He has been the successor to the saintess for more than two years now, and the various formal wear prepared for him has gradually shifted towards men's clothing. This is especially true of this outfit. Although it is a bit too gorgeous and has the characteristics of the saintess's convent, at least it doesn't make him feel like he is wearing women's clothing.

Eric raised his arms, and the tiny feathers on both arms swayed simultaneously, creating a dazzling effect through the refraction of light. According to one of the nuns, the effect would be even better under the lights.

“Whatever, it’s not for me to see anyway,” Eric said, then asked how long until the ceremony would begin, and was told it would be soon.

A moment later, Alena hurried over and bowed respectfully to him.

"Your Highness Eric is requested to attend the coronation ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Sagittarius."

Eric responded and stepped out of the St. Mary's Abbey. A group of nuns escorted him to the cathedral, where hymns were being sung loudly and the room was already full of spectators.

Eileen and the others had also arrived, with the Pope and the College of Cardinals naturally standing at the forefront.

Eric walked to the altar, first bowing to the Pope, his arm rustling as he raised it.

The Pope smiled and raised his hand.

“I’ve never seen him dressed like this before…it’s blinding,” Molly whispered to Elise. Eileen, who was next to her, leaned over and said that she had never seen him dressed like this either.

The nuns' resounding hymns suddenly turned into soft, gentle chants, and the ceremony officially began.

Eric stood at the foot of the altar and, with the utmost solemnity, knelt before the altar containing the sacred objects and the statue of Jera, swearing several times that he was a devout Jera believer and a loyal follower of the Pope and the Vatican.

High Sister Jabi stood beside him, holding a holy book in one hand and a saint's scepter in the other. After he finished his prayers and stood up, she bowed to him and the statue of Yela respectively.

"Where is the successor chosen by Saint Morvina Turus, the inheritor of Saint Sagittarius's will?"

“I am here,” Eric answered loudly.

"Please come to the altar—"

Eric stepped forward, thus ending the tedious identity verification process that had previously involved three questions and three answers.

Jabi looked at him and asked, "Are you still willing to give up worldly riches and spend the rest of your life in the St. Mary's Convent?"

“I do,” Eric replied, taking a step toward the altar.

"Are you still willing to risk your life to protect the Convent of Saint Mary and to proclaim the saint's love and authority to the world?"

Eric took another step, "I do."

Jabi approached the altar and asked, "Are you still willing to carry on the will of the forefathers and, in this absence of a saint, take on the responsibility of leading the Convent of St. Leslie?"

Eric took the final step, ascended the altar, and turned to face everyone below.

"I, a follower of Yera, Eric of Dante, descendant of 'Kimino of the Highlands,' and successor of Saint Morvina Turus, hereby swear to the gods: I am the inheritor of Saint Sagitari, and the guardian of the Saintess Monastery. My sword will cut through all the mists and thorns, leading the Saintess Monastery to a future of eternal light."

Many of the cardinals exchanged glances at this moment.

"This is the first time I've heard of a sword in such an oath... This kid, cough, does Prince Eric think of the Saintess Convent as a knightly order?"

"Let him do whatever he wants. This monastery is his to do with whatever he wants... Speaking of which, isn't this ceremony progressing a bit too fast?"

The ceremony then reached its most important stage, with Gabi kneeling before Eric, presenting him with the scepter of sainthood, proclaiming Eric as the unshakeable heir of the convent, addressing him as Her Highness, and swearing allegiance.

Eric took the scepter from her and raised it high.

"I am the representative of Saint Sagittarius, I am the Saintess—"

Cheers erupted, and accompanied by three resounding cries of "Your Highness," the nuns in the cathedral sang celebratory hymns in unison.

Boom--boom--

Suddenly, the long, drawn-out bells rang out in the monastery, echoing throughout the holy city.

Alena ascends the altar and places an intricately woven white wreath upon Eric's head;
Grand Master Edward of the Royal Guard knelt before Eric, swore allegiance, and offered him his sword;

The nuns sent representatives to take turns bowing upwards from beneath the altar.

The new saint held a scepter in one hand and a sword in the other, raising them both high before stepping down from the altar, approaching the College of Cardinals, and bowing to the Pope.

"..."

Is the ceremony coming to an end?

Although the primary role of the Pope is to bear witness, Clement XI felt that his presence was rather insignificant today.

"Saint Eric, in my capacity as the head of the Holy City of Raisel, I appoint you as the Cardinal of the Raisel Cardinal Council. Do you accept?"

Eric looked up, straightened up, and looked directly at the Pope with respect and without offense.

“Your Majesty, I am willing to inherit the duties of Saint Sagittarius at the Cardinal Lessé, and share the burdens of Your Majesty and the Papacy.”

(End of this chapter)