In the Name of Empress-Chapter 638 - 366: Sin Separation Technique (Part 2)

Not long after Raikkonen left, a messenger from the Divine Court of Light arrived.

He respectfully conveyed an invitation from Christine.

"Today, pray."

Her words were always so succinct.

Roland remembered the last time he went to pray was more than half a month ago. During this time, he used the excuse of worrying about Catherine to avoid going, and now that Raikkonen had just returned, Christine's invitation came.

Well, might as well go.

After all, just sitting there listening to Christine's pleasant voice reciting scriptures was a kind of enjoyment.

Christine's singing skills were only slightly inferior to Sif and Munina, but her voice had its own characteristics, full of a sacred flavor that was refreshing and delightful.

Roland eagerly headed to the Divine Court of Light at the location of the Holy Spring.

Recently, there hadn't been any major events within the Vladimir Empire, so he waited for news in Val City.

The Divine Court of Light had a restored Holy Spring and a cathedral second only to the Holy City in Val City. Christine had recently been fond of spreading faith here, making her and Roland neighbors.

As soon as he stepped into the Divine Court, a young clergyman in a Bishop's Robe approached.

Roland had some impression of him; it was this young man named Martin who was responsible for reception last time, with such enthusiasm that he seemed less like a bishop and more like a businessman.

Looking at his attire, it was clear he had risen quickly.

Christine was a pragmatist. She was devout in her faith, but she valued efficiency in using people, never employing those who only knew how to chant scriptures and were otherwise useless.

Thinking about it, it was understandable.

Could anyone recite scriptures better than she could?

Under the guidance of the young bishop, Roland quickly arrived at the Prayer Room.

In truth, he had been here a few times and didn't need to be led, but this was Bishop Martin's way of expressing importance.

Seeing his straightforward and smooth manner, Roland had high hopes for his future.

He patted the young bishop's shoulder and smiled, "Keep up the good work."

Even though there was no promise and it was likely just a polite remark, the young bishop still trembled with excitement.

No one understood Pope Christine better than he did.

Most of the time, she was as stubborn and unyielding as purifying orichalcum ingots, and only Roland could change her mind.

Christine could be the master of all believers, while Roland could be her master.

The value of Roland was evident.

Martin watched Roland enter the Prayer Room, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

There were always rumors that the Pope was Roland's lover, but he didn't believe such rumors at all.

He could tell that the relationship between the Pope and Roland was very special, but when they looked at each other, their eyes were clean, without any hint of affection between men and women.

Since there was no romantic love, and Roland had many women, why would he risk offending the Goddess to provoke the Pope?

Moreover, in the heart of the Holy Father, there was only faith in the Goddess.

As a staunch supporter of the Pope's purity, Martin dismissed such trivial gossip.

The Sun had not reported it, indicating it was completely nonexistent.

When Roland reached the doorway of the Prayer Room, the heavy door opened automatically, spreading its arms in a welcoming gesture.

The last time he came, the door opened somewhat stiffly; this time it was much smoother.

Christine's improvement in strength indeed surpassed many people's understanding.

This is the world where gods exist; devout faith really has its benefits.

Roland shrugged and walked steadily into the Prayer Room.

No matter how many benefits devout faith had, he probably wouldn't receive any.

Christine was praying to the Goddess, and he was just here to listen to some songs and put on a show.

Christine slightly turned her head, gesturing for Roland to come to her side. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Christine was seated cross-legged in a peculiar posture, making hand gestures and chanting softly.

Though her movements seemed somewhat awkward, they had a reassuring special magical power.

Roland followed her lead, sitting down beside her and mimicking her actions.

However, just striking a pose made him feel so uncomfortable that he almost wanted to vomit.

It made no sense; he was at the top strength of a Tier Five Transcendent, with a robust and flexible body. What pose couldn't he do?

How could this strange sitting position and hand gesture make him uncomfortable?

Noticing Roland's odd expression, Christine gently asked, "Is it uncomfortable?"

"A little, alright, very uncomfortable."

"This is a ritual recorded in the Book of Confessions to open one's heart to the gods and atone for sins, called Sin Separation."

Upon hearing this, Roland couldn't help but feel unlucky; just as he wanted to stand up, he was surprised to feel a mysterious force pervading the space, like a gentle big hand, preventing him from getting up.

Of course, he could add strength to attempt this, but he still gave up.

He could feel the power coming from Christine beside him.

Facing Christine's suppression, Roland chose to lay flat.

He teased softly, "When I feel uncomfortable, I like to listen to songs."

Christine nodded and cleared her throat before starting to sing.

Her voice was as melodious as ever, yet the lyrics she sang today made Roland feel even more discomfort.

He could clearly discern each pronunciation, and even felt familiar with the music, but just couldn't understand it.

This mysterious sensation compelled him to bow his head abruptly and vomit fiercely.

Luckily, he leaned forward in time, preventing the mess from splattering on him.

He laughed self-deprecatingly, "The steak for lunch was wasted."

Looking down, Roland's smile froze. Where was the lunch steak residue on the ground? There was only a puddle of black stuff.

It didn't look like blood, nor like food residue, unimaginable that such strange stuff would emerge from his stomach.

"Christine, what's going on here?"

"This is the filth of sin," Christine calmly said:

"Roland, as long as people live, they will always be tainted by sin; the deeper the sin, the further from the Paradise Divine Domain."

She took a deep breath, gently exhaled, and white mist drifted from her mouth, as if a divine state.

"Look, the filth of my sins has already been cleansed, I am now a person without stain."

Roland wanted to say, you've killed so many people, how many of them were innocent, can this be washed clean too?

"Roland, God's will is different from what you understand, great gods only have to consider the operational rules of various realms, besides that they needn't care about anyone or anything."

Christine's pleasant voice spoke words that made Roland somewhat creeped out.

"Roland, when fish step onto land, they are no longer fish. You've already set foot on the Extraordinary Star Path, do you still consider yourself human?"

"I feel I am."

Roland chose to avoid this topic, smilingly teased, "I can still impregnate human women, so naturally I'm human."

Christine's clear eyes locked onto Roland, yet she wasn't angry.

Roland was avoiding the question, but avoidance is also an attitude.

His inner heart was wavering.

Christine softly said, "Come once a week, I'll help you cleanse the sins and filth."

Roland resolutely refused, "I don't want it, this crazy ritual is too painful."

"I can compensate you." Christine guessed Roland would refuse, softly said.

"You must sing to comfort me." Roland knew Christine was stubborn and if he didn't agree, she'd come up with new tricks, might as well agree, but asking for interest in advance was a must.

He couldn't just do whatever Christine said, so spineless, was he still Christine's co-king?

Seeing Roland agree, she breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and reached out towards Roland.

"What's this?" Roland asked in some confusion.

He had no good feelings towards cultists, but Christine was an exception.

Yet she was still a cultist, always liked to perform these undecipherable rituals.

"Grab me, I'll share your sins."

Roland wanted to say it wasn't necessary, he'd handle matters himself, but looking at Christine's white, jade-like hands, he chose to concede.

If he didn't agree, she'd certainly come up with more tricks, better to comply.

At least now he could accept this ritual.

Don't force fervent believers into extreme rituals.

Roland extended his hand to clasp hers.

At the moment their hands interwove, Roland's mind felt like a child in a warm bath, his entire being exceptionally comfortable and cozy.

The discomfort of maintaining the special ritual virtually disappeared.

No wonder you are, the Goddess's most devoted follower.

The lengthy ritual, because of Christine's presence, was no longer irritating.

When leaving the Prayer Room, the sky had approached dusk, viewing the remaining sunset after the sun set over the western hills, Roland stopped to appreciate the beauty of the burning clouds.

Although he didn't understand what Christine was doing, she did not explain, but he firmly believed she wouldn't harm him.

He quickened his pace, heading towards his luxurious residence.

Just as he stepped out of the Divine Court's door, Christine inside the Prayer Room couldn't hold back any longer, spewing out thick, inky liquid.

Witnessing this distressing scene, Christine didn't panic, only sighed lightly.

"Roland, your sins have been absorbed by me, you... alas."