Ice Vapor Goddess

Chapter 86 Entrance Ceremony

The next day, at seven o'clock in the morning.

A faint ray of light scatters above the dark clouds, but it is completely powerless to penetrate the leaden black clouds. The thick, iron-like sky presses down on Speyside, and you can almost hear the heavy sound of its compression.

The snowstorm had subsided slightly compared to yesterday, and it seemed to know that today was Sunday, as the snow only accumulated on the fifth step of the church and did not spread further inward.

Joseph got up early and swept the snow off the doorway. He was supposed to sprinkle salt, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough salt in Speyside.

Starting at six o'clock, residents began to arrive at the church entrance one after another, carrying torches, like starlight in the dark night, gradually covering the snow-covered cemetery.

They walked through withered garden paths, through deserted cemeteries in the early morning, through the Guardian Tower under repair, through the huge vent in the center of the city, through steel and machinery, through dozing soldiers and the entire frosty morning.

They were draped in dark felt, some even wrapped in their own carpets, and like a flock of silent black sheep, they slowly gathered outside the church.

Most of them were refugees from Newport, some were members of the Evangelical Fellowship, but many were simply devout residents.

The newly appointed goalkeeper seemed somewhat bewildered by the situation and kept glancing at Joseph.

But Joseph simply swept the ice from the doorway silently and casually turned the knob to make the rune lamps at the church entrance brighter.

Since the supply of red mercury was restored, the church has become radiant—with runic lamps shining everywhere, high-strength stained glass windows that change colors, sculptural decorations that change with the seasons, and plenty of warm steam pipes.

Joseph glanced briefly at the crowd, then whispered to the people in the first row, "Hans isn't here today? Sam and John aren't either... I mean Sam from section two on the third floor..."

The man said in a low voice, "The agricultural district is working overtime today because they said there isn't enough food. From now on, there won't be any Sundays in the agricultural district."

On the other hand, someone said, "At least he doesn't have to work during the off-season, and he can come every day."

The man sighed, "But I can't support myself during the off-season; I have to go to work elsewhere..."

"It would be better to freeze to death on the ice field..." someone muttered.

Joseph walked through the crowd, chatting amiably with everyone. He seemed to be able to tell who was absent and who was present with just a glance, leaving the new gatekeeper behind him, who was holding a broom, dumbfounded.

As it approached eight o'clock in the morning, Joseph finally returned to the doorway. Looking at the young man mechanically shoveling snow, he said gently, "Being a doorman is not just about opening and closing doors. Before Mass begins, you need to talk to them, make them feel warm, prepare their spirits for guidance, and let them feel the warmth of returning to the Lord's embrace."

“You should also remember the names and appearances of the believers who come regularly. If they don’t come, ask them how they are doing. If they have any difficulties, tell the evangelistic church so they can come and help. This way, they can be notified immediately if something happens. If they don’t want to come just because of personal circumstances, they will come again next time if they know that you are waiting for them every morning and asking if they have come.”

“We are responsible for the doors of the church, the first door for believers to enter the bishop’s hall, and an important medium between the bishop and the believers. The bishop gives us the keys to the church and entrusts us with the important task of closing and opening the doors. We are to guide the lambs and keep out the wolves. If you do well, the whole Mass will be glorified because of you. If you let the wolves in, the bishop will also be stained.”

The young goalkeeper stared blankly at Joseph, gripping his small broom tightly: "Is...is that so?"

God help him, he always thought all he had to do was open and close the door!
“That’s right,” Joseph said with a gentle smile. “Why would a senior like you lie to you?”
-
It was 7:50 in the morning.

Suddenly, the church doors were opened completely, and two rows of acolytes dressed in white robes came out and stood solemnly in two rows.

They were all newly recruited seventh-rank holy officials, including chanters, exorcists, and messengers. The warm wool lining of their black robes kept them warm, while the outermost garment was a wide-sleeved white gown that reached their knees, giving them an elegant and dignified appearance.

As the only priest, Grimm wore a white robe and a white "holy cord" around his waist, symbolizing the virtues of chastity and temperance. He also wore a long cloth strip on his wrist, a "handband," symbolizing the reward for good deeds and joy.

Finally, there was a bright green "holy sash" around her neck, a long cloth strip that hung naturally from her neck down to the ground.

The reason for using green is that today is a regular Sunday Mass, which is not a holiday. Green is the most common color and symbolizes life, prosperity and development. On other holidays, colors such as white, gold, black, purple, red, and rose are used.

The officiants, carrying incense burners, candlesticks, and other offerings, stood quietly at the entrance. The wind and snow fell silently on their shoulders and brows, and they too quieted down, as if waiting for something.

Suddenly, a light appeared in the distance.

A dazzling light.

The light, once it began to shine, remained unwavering and drew ever closer, silencing the wind and snow, as if only that light was shining in the world.

The sound of orderly footsteps echoed first on the snow, and two rows of knights clad in full platinum plate armor emerged from the snow like holy angels. Their armor radiated a sacred color, and they held two-handed cross-shaped greatswords reverently to their chests.

Then, they also lined up below the altar priests, facing the central road, quietly awaiting the arrival of the sole authority.

Then they heard the faint sounds of machinery and gears.

Like the whispers of angels, or the murmurs of the most sacred, it quietly emerged from the snow, step by step, accompanied by the dazzling light, drawing ever closer, like the footsteps of heaven.

Pale red steam gradually appeared and slowly filled the end of the line.

Iron-cast angels came from that other land, leaving holy footprints in the snow. In the veil of mist and steam, jagged thorns and crosses appeared in the light, and the interweaving of gears and steel was like the most uplifting sonata.

But even the two-meter-tall angel could not overshadow the radiance of another person. When he revealed his divine face from the snow and fog, everyone's heart bowed down in an instant.

He stood in the angel's hand, gripping a silver-handled shepherd's staff, its tip gleaming with dazzling light, illuminating the dark and cold world.

The green shawl flowed over his shoulders, revealing a deep forest-like hue. The fabric was thick, and fine gold thread extended from the collar in the shape of grapevines and ears of wheat.

The white robe worn by the priest was spotless, with its openwork embroidery along the edges resembling still waves, gently accentuated by the ceremonial garment beneath.

Above his black curly hair, a majestic double-pointed bishop's crown stood tall, its satin surface gleaming with an incomparably holy and noble luster, with a Messianic cross inlaid in pure silver at the center, reflecting the cold light of the metal.

Two narrow ribbons hung down from the back of the crown, and the long white ribbons with gold trim fluttered in the wind, spreading their wings in the frigid morning dew, and rising in front of the steel armor, as if proclaiming endless power and majesty.

Before him, nearly ten thousand believers prayed silently, while knights and priests lined up on both sides, leaving a path leading to the church's magnificent main entrance.

At that moment, he was as majestic as a king.

(End of this chapter)