Only God

And no matter the vote, Veldor always cast an abstention.

He believed that both sides had their reason, and casting an abstention was something an ordinary person would do.

The deadlock continued until the fifth day when the highest ruler of the Empire could no longer hold back. He seized a timing advantage, initiating the day's Great Council meeting an hour early, and only informed the priests who supported the motion.

Because of the time difference, most of the priests present were in favor of the motion. By the time the priests opposed to the motion rushed to the scene, it had already been voted on and passed. Henceforth, Pastor Danschel was bestowed a status above that of other pastors.

This news shocked and angered the clergy, many of whom openly mocked the Emperor's shamelessness and even cursed the Emperor in public. Nonetheless, the sacred Great Council meetings had to continue, and people could only swallow the bitter pill and vote on each subsequent issue.

Veldor was shocked to hear of this, but he quickly let out a sigh of relief. Regardless, the previously stalled Great Council was finally able to proceed.

And today's final topic was—"The Guardian of the True Religion world—The miracle recognition of Emperor Constantine VI."

"...Given the various extraordinary experiences His Majesty the Emperor has undergone, we have reasons to believe these are evidences of God's favor. Many have witnessed these events and without a doubt, His Majesty the Emperor is a blessed Emperor," Pastor Danschel declared the topic aloud while the venue gradually turned noisy at his words.

The content of the matter was simple: it was about recognizing the miracles that happened to Emperor Danschel.

It is said that Emperor Constantine VI, three years ago, had encountered a miracle. Back then, a blind and lame disabled person bumped into the Emperor's carriage. According to the laws of the Empire, this would typically call for a three to four-month prison sentence. However, Constantine VI, in his great magnanimity, forgave the man's offense. Not only that, the Emperor dismounted his carriage and kissed the man's eyes.

And then the most miraculous thing occurred—after the Emperor's kiss, the disabled person's eyes suddenly could see again, and, overcome with joy, he knelt on the ground begging the noble Emperor to kiss his knees. Similarly, after the Emperor's kiss, the lame man's legs renewed themselves, as flesh grew and healed instantly.

Onlookers at the time were amazed, reciting scripture and proclaiming it a miracle. Rumors claimed that the sky revealed a golden aurora at that moment.

And now the Great Council's topic was to formally recognize the miracle that the Emperor had encountered.

According to Church regulations, any "miracle" that has not been reviewed, verified, and confirmed cannot be called a "miracle" but just a "wonder."

Whether in the True Religion or other religious beliefs, a wonder is a wonder, and a miracle is a miracle, both are clearly distinguished. The former may refer to unusual signs manifested through Ancient Language, grace, and Divine Path by mortals, whereas the latter is explicitly stipulated as signs and abilities arising from the Divine power.

Veldor heard that Emperor Constantine VI placed great importance on this topic. He not only had the Great Shepherd support the motion but also rallied many Nobles and citizens to drum up support in advance.

If the Great Council did not approve the acknowledgment, the "miracle" he experienced could not be called a "miracle," only a wonder.

In the world of the True Religion, there were countless wonders; every place had many rumors of wonders, and nearly every prominent family had used or witnessed wonders. To put it crudely, wonders were cheap.

But miracles were different.

Per Church regulations, every miracle should be recorded, written into the Holy Scripture or the Creed, to be heralded for all time.

That's why Constantine VI was so keen on this, for the Emperor, this might be the third most crucial issue.

After the Great Shepherd spoke, Emperor Constantine VI himself took the stage, made a brief declaration and speech, and swore in God's name that there was no falsehood in this matter.

"God's name... God's name is cheap,"

Veldor heard as a Bishop whispered nearby.

The Bishop probably thought his soft voice wouldn't be heard by anyone.

But Veldor happened to hear it, turned his head with a smile, and said,

"Exactly because it's cheap, it highlights God's loving-kindness... His glory is so universal that anyone can swear by it."

The Bishop, upon hearing this, awkwardly smiled in embarrassment and muttered a few words of repentance, then looked at Veldor and shared with him,

"The Emperor's 'miracle' seems a bit... too contrived."

Veldor nodded in agreement.

"It's too deliberate…"

Everything happened too coincidentally: just so happened a blind lame man bumped into the Emperor's carriage, just so happened the Emperor forgave him, and kissed his eyes, and just then, by sheer coincidence, a miracle appeared.

Having truly witnessed a miracle, Veldor felt that this was riddled with holes.

"It's probably a staged show…or maybe a decoy to attract attention."

The Bishop said.

"A decoy to attract attention?"

Veldor asked, puzzled.

Soon, the scene before him resolved his confusion.

Even with the Emperor himself giving a speech, even with the Great Shepherd standing by, the priests clearly did not acknowledge the Emperor's authority. The anger that stemmed from today's vote to "raise the status of Shepherd Danschel" now erupted, and a large part of the Great Council cast dissenting votes. Not only did the priests vote in opposition, but they also stood up to denounce the Emperor.

On the first day, when the Emperor attended, he was met with an overwhelming welcome of applause.

Constantine VI, seated above, turned from pale to ashen, and the members of the Royal Family in attendance also paled.

Since Constantine VI's accession to the throne, he had never experienced such a tide of opposition, abrupt and torrential.

"Once everybody has an outlet for their grievances, after venting, they will accept the fact of raising the Great Shepherd's status."

The wise Bishop remarked.

Veldor nodded, he couldn't help but admire the Emperor's tactics.

At this moment, the Emperor's distressed expression, how much of it was real, and how much of it was feigned?

Probably no one could tell.

Veldor slowly lowered his eyes; he was prepared to cast another abstention vote. Whether or not he opposed, things would occur all the same. As someone who had seen the Prophet, he was thus respected by the priests and held a not insignificant amount of influence, but he had never tried to use it for anything.

Just then, in an environment of mounting fury, a young Priest, crossing half the assembly hall, slowly approached the Emperor's throne.

The council hall was uproariously noisy, the clamor was incessant; the normally courteous clergy stripped away all pretenses of elegance at this moment, voice after voice soaring and rolling.

All attention was scattered, and no one noticed the young Priest, as no one would notice a fish swimming through a storm.

A few Guards caught sight of the Priest but thought he was one of the Emperor's men with something to discuss, so they didn't intervene.

Suddenly, the Priest reached the front of the throne; the Queen was the first to notice him, but she was unclear about the situation, so she remained silent. At just that moment, the Emperor happened to be looking the other way.

Soon, the Priest walked up to the Emperor, and by then, it was too late to stop him. Sensing a looming shadow cast before him, Constantine VI turned his head in confusion.

On the Priest's face was an uncompromising rage, his eyes seemingly ablaze, and between them came a moment of stillness. The Priest slowly raised his right hand, as if he was pulling something heavy.

In an instant, from left to right, from up to down, the Priest swung his hand across in a slap.

Slap!

In the noisy council hall, a loud slap echoed.

He stood up straight and shouted loudly:

"You liar! Misusing God's name! Spokesperson of the Devil!"