Wizard: I Have a Cultivation System

Chapter 365: Chapter 78: A 300-Year Aspiration

His words were rushed yet sincere, a flame of hope burning in his eyes. It was as if he could see a way to connect the tiny spark of Glamorgan Territory to the bright beacon of the Monte Territory.

Father Anderson lifted his head as well. Though tear stains still marked his face, his gaze had become just as fervent.

He took a deep breath. His voice, still hoarse from stifled sobs, was nonetheless perfectly clear. "My Lord Count, what you said is exactly what I was thinking. My Lord, you not only understand the ideals of the Holy Throne, but you have put them into practice in the Monte Territory in your own way, bringing about reform. You have power, wisdom, and a history of success. We... we are not asking for your public support. That would likely bring you unnecessary trouble."

"But even some guidance from the shadows, a few words of warning when you see fit, to help us avoid the deadliest traps... for us, for the people of Glamorgan Territory who trust you, and even... for those who may be silently upholding similar ideals elsewhere, it would be like a precious star shining in the darkness!"

"We know our strength is meager and the Path ahead is difficult. But if we have a forerunner like you at our side—one who has already seen all the dangers that lie ahead—our courage and resolve to continue on would be entirely different, even if all you offer is a watchful eye from afar!"

When they finished, they both held their breath, their eyes locked on Murphy’s face, filled with a desperate, all-or-nothing hope.

Murphy quietly met their two fervent gazes, then slowly shook his head.

"I refuse."

...

「Holy City.」

Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, casting colorful halos of light on the Prayer Hall’s polished marble floor.

The faint scents of incense and candle wax drifted through the air.

Elizabeth stood in the middle of the hall, dressed in a plain, immaculate Saint’s Robe. The style was simple, with no adornment save for the fine silver thread embroidering a delicate pattern of crescent moons and stars on the collar and cuffs.

The wide sleeves and floor-length hem accentuated her slender frame, yet they also concealed the soft contours of her youth, leaving only an almost translucent, otherworldly solemnity.

Her hair, as dark and thick as night, was not fully tied back. Some of it draped softly over her shoulders, while the rest clung to her smooth temples and the side of her neck, stirring gently with each subtle breath.

Her face had lost the last traces of childishness from eight years ago. Against the white of her robe, her skin seemed fairer than frost and snow.

The lines of her features were more defined. She had a delicate, straight nose and lips the color of pale cherry blossoms.

Most striking of all were her eyes—black as ink and deep as a frozen pool. Just like Murphy’s, they were now calmly fixed on the old man seated on the high-backed chair before her.

Saint Cyril sat enthroned in the high-backed chair across from her.

The years had carved deeper lines into the Cardinal. His body was more stooped and withered than it had been eight years prior, as if all his flesh and blood had been rendered away, leaving only a gaunt skeleton wrapped in a deep red Cardinal’s Robe.

Only his eyes remained unchanged, like two bottomless ancient wells. From the depths of their clouded pupils radiated a sacred, awe-inspiring authority.

"Your Eminence," Elizabeth’s voice broke the hall’s silence. "I have recently reviewed many of the Church Court’s internal records, particularly the archives concerning the period before and after the schism of the Northern Shepherd Chief District three hundred years ago. One question continues to weigh on my mind."

Saint Cyril raised his eyelids slightly, his ancient voice echoing in the hall. "Speak, child. Doubt is the first step toward truth."

Elizabeth spoke respectfully. "The records show that before the schism, the Church Court’s intervention in secular affairs was seemingly more active and thorough—particularly regarding providing relief for the poor, restraining the atrocities of Lords, and mediating large-scale conflicts. This was true at least in terms of legal principle and the efforts made, regardless of the actual outcome."

"However, after the schism, and especially over the last century, such direct and widespread intervention has noticeably diminished. More often, the Church Court’s energies seem to have shifted toward maintaining its presence within the various Kingdoms, balancing factions, and dealing with increasingly complex internal doctrinal disputes and power struggles."

She paused, her dark eyes looking directly at the old man. "The schism certainly weakened the Church Court’s overall power and diminished its authority, allowing the secular Kingdoms to rise in influence. That is, of course, one reason. But the many petitions and records I’ve reviewed from local dioceses indicate that even in regions where the Church Court’s influence remained, proactive, systematic, large-scale relief efforts and forceful interventions against injustice were also in decline. This does not seem to be caused by external pressure alone."

"The foundation of the Church Court is faith, and the power of that faith stems largely from compassion for and guidance of the people. The schism created constraints, but logically speaking, shouldn’t the unified core of the Church Court have been better able to maintain, and even strengthen, this responsibility to the world? Why do the records seem to show the opposite trend?"

Saint Cyril listened in silence, his deep-set eyes fixed on Elizabeth, as if scrutinizing the deeper meaning behind her words.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice betraying no emotion. "Elizabeth, you are a Saint now. You have access to more numerous and more central archives than the common Clergy. It is not surprising that you have noticed this."

"You should also understand that the trajectory of any vast organization can never be explained by a single cause. The loss of authority from the schism rendered many previously viable, hardline measures obsolete. Secular monarchs seized the opportunity to reclaim a great deal of power. That is the most obvious layer."