Chapter 157- Kingmaker Epilogue
4 days later
The Holy City State of Canaan
Despite being the smallest country in the world with a land area of 50 hectares and a population of less than 1000 people, the City State of Canaan was porbably one of the most powerful nations in the world.
This was because within in sanctified walls lied the headquarters of the world's largest and oldest organisation: The Ecclesiarchy.
Mother Leticia could not help but breath a sigh of admiration at the beautiful sculptures that was present within Canaan's walls.
For all their failings, the Ecclesiarchy was very active in preserving humanity's culture and history.
The children of the modern age were very dismissive of the value of paintings, sculptures and art works of an age long past.
What they failed to understand was that they were standing on the shoulders of giants.
To be dismissive of the efforts and achievements of their ancestors was bitting the hand that fed them.
Those who refused to learn from the history was doomed to repeat it.
Mother Leticia entered the Grand Cathedral of Saint Emilius, one of the oldest Ecclesiarchy made structures, and went behind the altar.
She made her way through a maze of corridors until she reached one of the many dead ends.
She stood in front of an empty wall and repeatedly pressed something in the wall in front of her head.
This was a fancy touch screen that looked like a normal wall.
If you did not know exactly where the keys was, you'd never proceed forward.
The most annoying part of this security system was the language used was extremely ancient. Barely 100 people knew and understood this long forgotten tongue that predated the Ecclesiarchy by at least 3000 years.
Unlike most religions that looked towards the past for power, the Ecclesiarchy welcomed the most cutting edge technology as long as it benifits the church.
While magic was considered the greatest of the 3 branches of power, focusing exclusive on this was a mistake.
Because even a combat veteran like herself could easily be killed by a child, a pistol and a lucky headshot.
After entering what seemed to be a 30 pin combination, the wall swung open to reveal a staircase descending to god knows where.
10 minutes of continuous descent later, she was greated by a massive 10 meter tall gate.
In front of said gate were guards armed with both modern and magical weapons.
Before Mother Leticia could proceed, she subjected herself to the standard security checks. Pat down, metal detector and x ray.
This was then followed by a number of nonstandard checks such as passing through a magic negation ward, mind reading and making her wear a magic sealing ring among many others.
After the tiresome security checks, she was finally the area known as the 'Council of Apostles'.
As she entered the circular, one of the 13 members announced her.
"The Council recognizes Paladiness Leticia. Good to see you again little girl." said a lighthearted man wearing a typical bishop garment and an elaborate golden mask with a XIII on its forehead.
"Please stop calling me little girl, Cardinal XIII. I already look like someone's grandmother." replied Mother Leticia.
"Bah. You're only 119 years old. That is practically a child."
"Maybe that is what it looks like from the council's point of view who's minimum age is 500 years old. But to us normal humans, I should be dead by now."
"I would never allow someone useful like you to die."
"I am flattered Cardinal XIII, but I do want to enter the creator's eternal kingdom at some point."
"Nope. I refuse."
"That is enough jesting XIII. We have more pressing matters to discuss with Paladiness Leticia." Inserted an old sounding man with the roman numeral I on his mask.
"What a stick in the mud you are I." replied XIII
Now you're probably wondering whey they were calling her 'Paladiness' instead of 'Mother'.
Officially, Leticia was indeed a Mother which equals the rank and responsibilities of a Priest. This was also the 3rd lowest rank in Ecclesiarchy's hierarchy.
Unofficially, she was a Paladiness.
This was a rank given specifically by the Council of Apostles to nuns that had leadership positions in the military branch of the Ecclesiarchy.
More specifically, a Paladiness served in active frontline combat.
The male counterpart of this rank is the Paladin.
Leticia was unofficial because she was a hidden agent of the Inquisition, the most despised Ecclesiarchial branch of power.
Sadly, it was also one of the most important branch in the organization.
They acted as spies, assassins and heretic hunters.
But most importantly, they held ungodly amounts of intel on both within and without the organization.
What made Mother Leticia unique was because she specialized in tracking.
No matter where the target was in the world, she would find them without a fail. She was also capable either recruiting or killing said target.
This time around, her mission was search and recruitment.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"Then let us begin. 4 days ago, another 'Revelation Incident' has occured. This time around, it happened in Eldorado instead of the middle east. As the Cardinal of the Inquisition, Paladiness Leticia has already informed me of everything she knows. I brought her here for to inform and answer any questions the council may have." said XIII before signaling the other council members to proceed.
The one with a III on his mask raised his hand.
"I shall begin then. In our previous meeting, you informed us that finding the Godlike called 'The Machine God' was next to impossible. This was the main reason why you focused your investigation on a 'Theodore Lorne' whom you believe has close ties to the enigmatic Godlike. And as of 4 days ago, we can safetly assume that your theory was correct. Has anything changed since then? Have you found a trail to this Machine God?"
"I regret to inform Cardinal III that the Godlike 'Machine God' remains elusive as ever. My group has not seen even a single shadow of him. However, the current incident did give us some understanding of our target." replied Mother Leticia.
"Continue."
"By your will, Cardinal III. Based on the video and what little remnants of energy was left in the scene, it seemed that the Machine God has a fully realized 'Realm'."
The council murmured at this news.
Magic was the effect of the collective unconsciousness on the unstable element called Mana.
A 'Realm' is the concrete image of the collective unconsciousness to a particular belief made manifest.
Here's a couple of example.
What do you think the realm called 'Hell' looked like?
An area filled with volcanos with massive infernos the size of mountains where demons roam around to torment the sinners?
Then what about 'Heaven'?
A palace in the clouds where peace and serenity ruled supreme? Where angels guide the believers into the great beyond?
If a large enough number of people collectively believed those images, it would result in the creation of a 'Realm'.
What worried the council was the fact that the Machine God was capable of making a Realm despite his relative obscurity compared to the other more famous Godlikes.
And nothing was more terrifying to these immortals than something they did not understand.
But why was a Realm so amazing?
It was because the rules within within a Realm was completely under the whims of the one that controled it.
As long as that person was within his realm, he was literally a God.
And here's what terrified the council the most: despite only lasting 3 seconds at most, the Machine God was able to exert control of reality OUTSIDE his realm!
What did that mean?
They did not know.
And there was nothing more terrifying to these immortals than something they failed to understand.
Once the council calmed themself, Cardinal VI raised his hand.
"Based on what we saw in the videos, the Machine God was able to manifest a left hand the size of an entire building. Were you able to get any samples?"
"Unfortunately, no. The forces that belonged to Theodore Lorne refused anyone to get near the sight. Some of our infiltrators did get past the barrier but they were mercilessly killed." replied Mother Leticia.
"Does Theodore Lorne know that those infiltrators belonged to us?"
"No. If he did, his forces would have been more merciful."
"I see.... Maybe we should go through the legal channels and ask him for access. Can you do that Paladiness?"
"At the moment, that would be impossible Cardinal VI."
"Oh? Explain."
"After the whole incident, Theodore was so weakened that one would wonder how he was still alive. All his muscles had atrophied, his life force was like a candle that was about to go out. And even after that, he forced himself awake for 12 more hours to watch the birth of his children. I was able to arrive at the scene 1 hour before he went to sleep. Even now, he still remains in a coma."
"*sigh*... Most unfortunate."
"Hold on, if you were there, then were you able to baptize his children?" asked Cardinal X
"Yes. Theo was able to remain conscious right until the end of the baptism." replied Mother Leticia, much to the pleasure of the Cardinals.
"And what of the names of the children?"
"The boy was named Zachariah Tenshu Lorne. The girl was Evangelica Tenma Lorne."
"Well done! The Zifang names are unfortunate, but it cant be help given the nationality of his wife."
Why was this important?
After performing a miracle in the name of the Machine God, Theodore Lorne was going to be considered as the Machine God's first Prophet.
It still hasnt happened yet, but the Ecclesiarchy was going to make damn sure that it does come to pass.
By forcing a connection between Theodore Lorne's family and them through religion, there was a possibility that the Ecclesiarchy could influence some control over whatever flook the young man would eventually gather.
If they played their cards right they could even make Theo a Ecclesiarchial Saint.
This would allow them to ingratiate themselves to the Machine God. Maybe even form an alliance somewhere down the road.
If his family was part of the Ecclesiarchial Faith, all the better.
The Mosque may have more Godlikes allies than them, but none came close to the power displayed by the Machine God.
Quality over quantity.
The Ecclesiarchy must secure this alliance no matter what.
Perked up by the good news, Cardinal VI raised his hand.
"You have known this young man for a year now, correct?"
"A little bit more than that. But yes, I have known him quite a while now."
"Then how do you rate our relationship with him. I want your complete and unfiltered opinion."
"I would say that it is very good. He is very much aware of the Ecclesiarchy's dark side and our more questionable activities. That may have completely removed any trace of sanctity in our order from his eyes, but that did not dim his view on us. In fact, I think he viewed us in a more positive light. As proof, he gifted us with that large cathedral complex in Hellhole District as you all remember. I believe that he felt more affinity with our dark side than our public facade."
"Hmm... True.... Young Lorne does have many 'questionable' hobbies."
"Oh! He also became good friends with Pastor Biajo during the Hellgate Incident in Vermillion City."
The entire council recoiled at that piece of info.
"What?! He's friends with that degenerate?!"
"Pastor Biajo?! Pastor 'fuck everything with a pulse' Biajo?!"
"I heard he impregnate an entire orphanage.... Did he also do the children?"
"My god! I heard he's into incest!"
"Last I heard he did it with a cow."
"Calm yourselves gentlemen! I assure you some of those rumors are just that! Rumors!" said Mother Leticia in a loud voice.
"Little girl, you know that pervert more than anyone. Kindly enlightened us." replied Cardinal XIII
"While he did impregnate a large number of girls in that orphanage, he only targeted those above the age of 15. As for incest.... well, that one is true. Mind you, all of his sexual partners were willing participants. And he did not have sexual intercourse with a cow! ..... It was a goat.... *sigh*.... Who am I kidding, he is a degenerate."
The Ecclesiarchy was full of people who did not practice what they preached, but atleast they tried to act holy in public.
Pastor Biajo was infamous for not giving a damn and living like a degenerate.
Normally, such a person would be kicked out of the Ecclesiarchy for obvious reasons.
However, the perverted pastor had one exceedingly invaluable skill that made him indespensable.
It was his ability of figuring out the sexual tastes of a person and finding someone to match it.
Quite simply, Pastor Biajo was a pimp.
His peculiar skill has gained the Ecclesiarchy many allies via honey trapping.
As such, the council had to begrugingly allow Biajo to do what he pleased using the Ecclesiarchy name.
"D-dont tell me young Lorne is as depraved as Biajo?!" asked Cardinal VI
"Of course not. Though they do share a love for the pleasures of the flesh, Theo's tastes are very much normal." replied Mother Leticia.
The council let out a collective sigh of relief.
Covering for Pastor Biajo was both infuriating and expensive.
They rather not have another one like that within their ranks.
"If Biajo has already talked to Lorne, that means that he already has info on Lorne's tastes." said Cardinal XIII
"That is correct. Pastor Biajo has also made a list of potential partners to honey trap Theodore." replied Mother Leticia.
"Then there shall be no more delay."
And thus, unsubstantiated rumors began flying around.
One week later, Miguel Baroque won the Eldorado Presidential election despite everyone knowing full well that he was responsible for the violent extermination of the cartels.
Naturally, the Union of Nations and their allies condemed Miguel Baroque and called his win invalid.
However, rumor has it that the UoN and the cartels were working together to win the Eldorado elections.
They said that Miguel Baroque teamed up with the mysterious Machine God to free his country from the corruption that was the cartels.
Naturally, the UoN denied this, but the overwhelming video evidence proved otherwise.
In the weeks to follow, the public opinion on UoN and their supporters became increasingly negative.
Slightly burried underneath the storm of controversy was idea that the Machine God has saved Eldorado by removing the cancer in its society.
That idea became a curiosity.
And as people searched for information to satisfy that curiosity, it became admiration.
That admiration for doing what was necessary for the betterment of all spawned the feelings of reliance.
That admiration became faith.
And in true to the unstable nature of magic, faith became power.