Now This Family Belongs to My Mother Chapter 147

When I spoke with confidence, Lenon’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“How do you know that?”

 

“Through my own experience.”

 

“I was worried that the interpretation might only confuse you further, but I’m glad you’ve found the answer.”

 

Of course, not everything had become clear yet. I still needed to figure out what this ‘qualification’ they were talking about actually meant. I don’t think there were any qualifications required when I had Ludwig consume the archmage’s heart. So what exactly was this qualification?

 

For now, I picked up the interpreted text and the papers, then stood up from my seat. “Cardinal, I will definitely repay this kindness.”

 

“There’s no need. Haven’t you already made many donations?” He humbly replied as he guided me outside.

 

“You’re always helping me. That’s why I really want to repay you.” I meant every word.

 

At that moment, Lenon flinched and turned his head away. I noticed his ears had turned slightly red.

 

“Truly, it’s fine. As long as someone as wise as Lady Epirosa continues to stand with the Great Temple, that’s more than enough for me.”

 

His attitude was a little different from usual. He even seemed somewhat shy.

 

It was the moment I was looking at Lenon with puzzlement.

 

“It’s saintess! The saintess has appeared!”

 

A loud voice suddenly rang out from somewhere.

 

“The saintess has saved someone!”

 

Saintess? The unexpected words made me turn toward the direction of the voice. It was coming from the poorhouse of the Great Temple.

 

While I perked up my ears, Lenon seemed indifferent. “Cardinal, I heard the saintess has appeared?” I had to ask him directly.

 

Lenon burst into laughter. “Sometimes the patients in the poorhouse suffer from hallucinations and cause a commotion.”

 

“Ah, is that so?” But I couldn’t shake off the feeling. It was like an inexplicable premonition.

 

“Are you worried about the patient? Shall we go to the poorhouse together?”

 

“Yes, let’s go.”

 

Lenon and I headed to the poorhouse together.

 

“…!”

 

In the middle of the poorhouse, priests and patients were swarming together. Lenon’s expression hardened as he saw this. “Looks like something’s definitely going on…”

 

“Let’s go check it out too.”

 

Lenon nodded and led me toward the gathering crowd.

 

“Please step aside for a moment. I’m the cardinal.”

 

As Lenon appeared, the people made way for us. Through the open path, I could see what seemed to be a family embracing each other and crying.

 

“He was coughing up blood and dying, but with the saintess’s touch, he was completely healed!”

 

“I saw holy light leaking from the saintess’s hand!”

 

The family appeared to be the relatives of the sick person they had brought. One of them, wearing shabby clothes stained with blood, spoke up.

 

“When I lost consciousness, I met God! God told me that the saintess would save me!” He pointed at someone, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. “This is the very saintess!”

 

Lenon’s face stiffened as he looked in that direction. “You…”

 

“Cardinal, it’s been a while!”

 

The one called the ‘saintess’ slowly came into my view. A woman with long, luscious red hair and a familiar face. A low, mocking smile spread across her face.

 

“Oh my, Epirosa. You were here too.”

 

The saintess turned out to be Stella.

 

Saintess and Stella? Water and oil would mix better than this. What kind of scheme is this time? I fell into thought as I looked at Stella, her face brimming with a confident smile.

 

At that moment, someone rushed forward and grabbed Lenon’s collar. It was a family member of the patient. “Cardinal, you came at just the right time! This person saved my son. He was dying from an illness that hadn’t been cured for ten years!”

 

“First, please calm down and speak slowly…”

 

“How can I stay calm when the saintess has appeared!” A bystander raised their voice.

 

A priest approached Lenon and spoke. “We saw it too. A holy light flowed from her hands and revived the patient.”

 

“Couldn’t it have been magic?”

 

“No. It was definitely divine power. Just seeing that light made my entire body feel filled with holiness!” Other priests also stepped forward, all agreeing with his words.

 

Lenon fixed a sharp gaze on Stella. Meanwhile, Stella lowered her head as if sorrowful.

 

“Cardinal Lenon Giani doesn’t seem to like the fact that I’m the saintess. But I came here because I heard God’s voice telling me to save people.”

 

“Ooh, God’s voice!”

 

“Did you truly hear it?”

 

At the people’s questions, Stella confidently nodded her head. However, Lenon remained calm and spoke without getting swept up in the atmosphere.

 

“Very well. If that is true, then we can verify it directly using the holy relic. Whether Lady Stella is truly the saintess.”

 

“Holy… relic?” Stella’s face stiffened for a moment, as if she had never heard of such a relic existing.

 

“It is an item left behind by the goddess. Even I have only seen it once since becoming a priest. To think I would have the chance to see it again like this. I’m truly delighted.”

 

Lenon smiled as if he was genuinely pleased. On the other hand, Stella’s expression darkened, as if she was wary of his intentions.

 

“Do you dislike the idea of being verified?” Lenon gazed steadily at Stella as he asked.

 

It was just when Stella was unable to bring herself to part her lips.

 

“There is no need for verification.”

 

A hoarse and aged voice suddenly rang out from somewhere. Tap, tap. The dull sound of a cane striking the floor echoed, and people slowly made their way. Through the parting crowd emerged a hunched, stout old man. Though his face was unfamiliar, it didn’t take long for people to recognize who he was. The sacred white priestly robes and hat. The golden embroidery symbolized the ‘pope’.

 

“Yo-Your Holiness!”

 

The old man was none other than Pope Salvatore Garner. For years, he had secluded himself, entrusting the temple’s affairs to Lenon. Yet now, he had suddenly appeared at the orphanage. At this very moment, when the saintess might have descended.

 

Everyone held their breath and looked at Salvatore. He slowly walked up to Lenon, tapping his staff against the ground. Tap. When Pope Salvatore stopped, Lenon, who had been glaring at him sharply, lowered his head.

 

“Your Holiness, what brings you here?” There was something peculiar about Lenon’s tone. It was as if he was asking, ‘This isn’t where you belong, so why are you here?’

 

What happened between the two of them? I looked at Pope Salvatore with suspicion.

 

With his half-open eyes, Pope Salvatore stared at Lenon. “I was worried Cardinal might commit the rudeness of failing to recognize the saintess, so I came personally.”

 

Lenon’s eyes narrowed.

 

Pope Salvatore faintly smiled, lifting the corners of his lips that had likely drooped for a long time. “Last night, God descended into my dream and told me the saintess would heal the sick at the poorhouse.”

 

“God gave you a revelation in your dream?” Lenon asked again.

 

Pope Salvatore did not answer him. Instead, he dragged his frail body and walked toward Stella. Then, throwing aside his staff, he knelt down before her. “Saintess, from this moment on, in accordance with God’s will, I, Salvatore, shall assist you!”

 

* * *

Stella followed behind the pope, unable to wipe the smile off her face. This is actually working, isn’t it?

 

Stella recalled the moment Kobel had turned her into a ‘fake saintess’. The instant he chanted the spell, she felt a powerful force seep through her wrist. It was a tremendous power unlike anything she’d ever felt. She had no idea how Kobel, who had lost his magical abilities, managed to pull it off. But one thing was certain. I’ve gained incredible power!

 

Stella glanced around cautiously before rolling up her left sleeve. There was nothing there. But whenever I use my power, this spot burns intensely, and a swirling pattern appears.

 

She recalled the incantation Kobel had shouted when he turned her into a fake saintess.

 

“Basilisk! I offer you a sacrifice, so lend me your power!”

 

Basilisk was the name of a demonic beast said to have vanished long ago. Did I really borrow the power of a demonic beast? If so, that’s seriously amazing!