Only God

Bishop Denis certainly knew how others secretly criticized him, yet he believed he was not so corrupt.

He often repented for overcharging a single copper coin, claiming his vast accumulation of wealth was to distribute it among the poor after his death. Like other devout monks, he had served God diligently, only to realize that spiritual dedication surpassed physical dedication. Hence, he thought, why not ease his physical burdens?

In the Grand Cathedral, the monks had already packed up the ceremonial vessels and left the great hall, leaving only Bishop Denis standing there.

"If sin brings greater happiness than virtue, then what is the need for virtue?"

Bishop Denis muttered to himself, sinking into profound contemplation.

Why did he harbor such doubts?

The reason was simple:

As he aged, he began to fear death.

People often say,

The poor do not fear death, but the rich worry all day.

The same was true for Bishop Denis; he began to fear that his sins would cast him into the Hell described in the Scriptures.

Thus, he pondered, seeking a comforting explanation.

"The Scriptures say that God always delights in the happiness of mankind.

It is clear that sin brings more happiness than virtue, so can it be said that as long as there is happiness, God permits sin?"

Bishop Denis's face lit up with an epiphany.

"That said, I need not worry about Hell, for I am happy."

Bishop Denis raised his face, resembling a repentant sinner who had received forgiveness, except it was not God who forgave him, but he himself.

After justifying himself, he now felt smug and leisurely left the hall, relishing the fine meal earned from the day's fatigue, and prepared for a pious prayer before sleep, to praise the grace of God.

A few hours later, after enjoying his lavish dinner and before he had a chance to pray, a monk interrupted him.

"May God bless you, my child. What is it?"

Bishop Denis asked gently, his mood pleasant.

"My father, the Festival of Adoration is fast approaching, less than a week away. In the name of the Lord, I must remind you that you have not yet chosen the carriage for the procession, and you should decide soon, as the Governor will be sharing a carriage with you."

The monk reminded him earnestly and humbly.

Bishop Denis was pleased with his demeanor and hummed in agreement, then said,

"That dwarf craftsman, Canier—let it be the carriage he built. You know he holds great respect for me, and the carriage he constructs must be the finest. Ah, God truly favors such people."

Would that dwarf respect you if he were not coveting the church renovation job?

The monk couldn't help but internally criticize.

While many who had met Bishop Denis briefly held him in high regard, equally many who knew him well despised this insatiable human.

Still, the monk responded earnestly,

"You truly have a discerning eye. I hope God grants me such wisdom."

Bishop Denis chuckled merrily:

"Indeed, He will. He certainly will."

As the monk had said, in a few days the Festival of Admiration arrived.

The Festival of Admiration is one of the significant festivals of the True Religion throughout the year, established to commemorate the Disciple Xilan and the historical martyrs. The Church required the True Believers to admire those great individuals' virtues and piety and to emulate their fine conduct.

That day, Bishop Denis rose early, donned his broad and magnificent vestment robe with the aid of his servants, and was assisted by the Governor into the carriage. They were about to hold a grand parade in the city to highlight the Church's glory.

After morning prayers, the roadsides gathered quite a crowd, most of whom were Dwarfs as this was, after all, a self-governing province of Dwarfs. Among them, some were True Believers who came for the Festival of Admiration, while others were not, merely joining in for the excitement.

The entire road had been cleaned early, and flowers were strewn along the route of the carriage, with people eagerly discussing the local Governor and Bishop Denis, alongside some unrelated unusual tales.

The lavish carriage crafted by Dwarf Craftsmen from Canier soon appeared on the main street, led by rows of elegantly dressed honor guards and followed by caravans of other Nobles and Knights from the province. Purple, red, and green transparent cloths shielded the carriage's windows, and various True Religion decorations shone under the sunlight, forming a magnificent religious parade procession.

The carriage Bishop Denis rode was extremely exquisite, surpassing the other carriages, adorned with ivory and pearls, and inlaid with gold and silver leaf.

Bishop Denis, clad in a white and gold vestment robe, held in his hands a scepter made from top-quality Purple Gold Wood, adorned at the tip with several rubies. He raised his right hand high from the carriage, welcoming the blessings of the people; everything was extremely festive.

Under the lead of "citizens" pre-arranged to blend into the crowd, when the carriage reached the middle of the road, the people on both sides erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.

"May glory be to God, may He bless kind Denis!"

Whether True Believers or not, people could not help but cheer—a herd behavior, yet Bishop Denis took it as genuine praise.

"Look at these devout people, how noble and merciful they see me, oh God, it's truly touching."

Wiping the corner of his sour eye, Denis muttered to himself,

"After all, in my position, how many have never erred, never touched sin?

I've heard some bishops even refuse to dine with the poor! But I dine with those people once a week. You know, many years ago, I too was a model for the True Believers! Oh, may God forgive me."

Bishop Denis comfortably enjoyed the cheering from the people, waving back at the crowd in response to their enthusiastic calls.

Xilan was also in the bustling crowd.

This was one of the largest cities in the Dwarf province and close to the Pasofilo Sixfold Mountain, coinciding with the Festival of Admiration, he felt it was necessary to see the local bishop for himself.

In many people's mouths, Xilan had heard good things about Bishop Denis, many who had met or had not met the bishop had a favorable impression of him.

This was the result of Bishop Denis's intentional promotion.

But Xilan was unaware, thinking that so many praises proved the local bishop was a noble and compassionate man, deserving a meeting.

"Such a luxurious carriage, it seems he is highly revered by the people."

Watching the splendid cavalcade, Xilan murmured softly.

When Bishop Denis reached the endpoint— the Grand Cathedral—Xilan followed the crowd closely. He watched the bishop, dressed in a magnificent vestment robe, kneel before the altar, reciting a prayer from thousands of years ago.

"God, do not endow me with riches and glory..."

As the words fell on his ear, Xilan slowly furrowed his brows.

He sensed something peculiar.

A profound discomfort filled the scene before him, a regionally affluent Archbishop actually praying to God not to grant him riches and glory.

In this prayer, how much was genuine, and how much was mere posturing?

This awkward spectacle left Xilan feeling distressed and uneasy, and he prayed inwardly:

"Lord, after I leave, what about those priests who used to be poor?"