Ice Vapor Goddess

Chapter 31 The Way of the Gospel (Part 2)

“No problem,” Mathilde nodded. “If you trust me.”

“Of course I trust you,” Xiren said, looking at her.

This girl is very strong. When she kills wolves, she holds a revolver in each hand like a killer. She doesn't care about her monastery, but she is very interested in her community project... It seems that she is good at everything except being unlike a monastery abbess.

Of course, it's good that he doesn't look like a dean. If it were a rigid old nanny standing next to him and pointing out his mistakes, Xilun couldn't imagine what would happen.

Then, there's Aldridge, who's the last one left.

He didn't care much about official positions. As a Level 3 Rune Master, he was already on par with a priest, and his life's goal was runes and creation, not power.

“Aldrich,” Siren said solemnly, looking at him, “I hereby grant you the rank of Fifth-Rank [Runemaster], the same rank as a priest, responsible for overseeing all runic matters in the Speyside Diocese, and with the authority to establish a [Rune Institute].

"I grant you five positions as a sixth-rank [Rune Deacon] and twenty positions as a seventh-rank [Rune Caster]. You may choose who to grant these positions to. From this day forward, Rune Masters will be formally incorporated into the ranks of clergy, becoming one of their branches."

Aldridge was the first to shout, trembling, "This isn't the rule!"

The terms "Spellcaster," "Spellcaster's Office," "Spellcaster's Attendant," and "Spellcaster" are all newly coined terms from Xilun; they were unheard of before!

The clergy possess a sacred nature. Generally speaking, clergy members of the fifth rank and above must undergo layers of examination and selection. They must not only be proficient in major scriptures and have outstanding academic achievements, but also have letters of recommendation from high-ranking clergy members, be elected by vote, and undergo a probationary period.

Bishops can indeed confer the fifth rank of clergy, but if they do so on to someone who does not conform to traditional requirements, they will face enormous criticism and may even lose their own position.

Siren said nonchalantly, "Florence has no say here. I'm just stating the rules."

“Runes are the pillars of the church, but their status is not high. They lack a complete path to advancement and rely entirely on the charity of those above. We must improve them.”

"From now on, anyone who wants to learn rune technology can apply to enter the [Rune Academy]. After graduation, they will be awarded the position of Rank 7 [Rune Caster] based on their performance. After that, they can be promoted step by step to Rank 6 [Rune Steward] and Rank 5 [Rune Master]. You can decide on the specific assessment and evaluation methods. Just let me take a look."

Aldridge remained silent for a long time. The others present might not have known, but as the rune master of Florence, he knew all too well what Xilun's actions meant.

That's a reform of the clergy! Even a slight change in a few words could cause a huge uproar among the cardinals, but now he's decided it with just a few casual words, without even a set of rules.

But he really wanted to, because the church has many “co-deacons”, co-deacons, but co-deacons are just co-deacons, not real clergy.

Siren certainly knew about these things, but he felt it was completely pointless. The church knew that some people were important, but didn't want them involved in power, so they created a whole bunch of "equivalent positions".

In his view, they could expand horizontally—those who work with runes could go to the Rune Department, those who work with machinery could go to the Machinery Department, and the traditional theologians could continue to hold power, but they could also place a few worker representatives in the College of Cardinals.

Of course, such words cannot be spoken, at least not before the winter disaster.

“Eldridge,” Siron looked at him, “are you—willing to be called to this priesthood?”

The latter did not answer, seemingly hesitant.

Kyle, Fafnir, and Logan, the three military officers, looked at him with puzzlement, not understanding why he wouldn't accept the priesthood, even though he was the first to pledge his loyalty and hadn't been treated unfairly in terms of position.

Aldridge felt their gazes and a sense of helplessness washed over him: "Those people clearly don't understand the situation! Accepting this self-created holy order means they'll be completely unable to defend themselves if the Church investigates in the future... They'll be considered accomplices!"

Sirona's words clearly asked, "Are you willing to pledge allegiance to me personally, not to the church?"

Xilun sensed his predicament and said earnestly, "Didn't you promise me that you would oversee the church and me, and prevent rune technology from becoming a tool for creating war and suffering? If you don't have a voice in the church, how can you do that? Only power can check power."

These words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back. Aldridge knelt down resignedly, expressing his submission and humility. "Yes, I am willing."

Siron smiled and asked, "Are you willing to faithfully fulfill the duties of this holy order with a pure conscience, and to build up this church with God's Word and sacraments?"

"I am willing."

Are you willing to devote yourself to prayer and Bible reading, to do your best in creation and design, and to strive to respond to and practice God's word?

"I am willing."

Xilen placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Therefore, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I, Siron Delrant, Bishop of the Cathedral of St. Lucia Winter, Diocese of Spesse, in the presence of all the saints and the Father, hereby confer upon you the ordination."

Applause erupted, and Siren finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then appointed Fafnir as the vice-commander of the Holy Knights Order, concurrently holding the rank of seventh-grade gatekeeper. The other four knights also held positions within the order.

Through a process of forming cliques and factions, a basic system of rights and responsibilities was finally established.

For an organization, this is a concept of "what I can do, what I should do, what I cannot do, and what my career path is".
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"Go back to your quarters, except Mathilde, who will stay behind," Siren instructed. The others then made the sign of the cross and dispersed.

Mathilde sat on the sofa next to her, intending to cross her legs, but then realized it was not elegant, so she pulled them back and sat up straight.

Xilun smiled and said, "Don't be so formal. I should be thanking you."

She shook her head: "I really like this idea, and I don't have much to do usually."

Xilun nodded, and then they were silent for a moment.

Siren sat in a rocking chair, while Mathilde sat on a velvet stool beside her, silently looking at the ground.

"Would you like something to drink?" Xiren broke the awkward silence.

“No need.” She looked at Xilun. “Is there something you want to tell me? Just say it directly. I don’t like beating around the bush.”

“I did have a question I’ve always wanted to ask you, but now I don’t care anymore,” Xilun smiled.

"why?"

"Because it's no longer important."

"So what's more important?"

“Your support,” Xiren said.

"Can I interpret this as a transaction?"

“No.” Xiren’s expression turned sly, a rare occurrence. “Because it’s something you love, that’s why you’ll do it. It was my decision not to ask you that question.”

"So I give you a job, and I owe you a favor?" Mathilde's eyes widened. "Have you no shame?"

Xilun laughed, a hearty laugh, and then the two of them laughed together.

(End of this chapter)