As this statement was made, the bishops around the high table exchanged another glance, tacitly refraining from commenting further on the matter.
This was due to the words spoken by Archbishop Cecil.
According to church records, aside from the current Pope Gregory, the maximum number of world cracks any pope had dealt with historically was three.
More often than not, those who entered these world cracks never returned.
Pope Gregory was historically significant for having dealt with and resolved the most world cracks, which solidified his status as one of the most authoritative figures in church history.
However, it took him his entire life, from youth to old age, a progression witnessed by those present.
Now, York had managed to handle and resolve two world cracks in less than a year. What could these bishops, sitting around this table, possibly say to that?
In essence, the decision was York's to make. He could opt not to address any more world cracks if he chose, and no one would dare compel him. A rest for such a man seemed perfectly reasonable.
In fact, by bearing the responsibility of the world cracks, York had naturally become one of the most crucial figures in the church.
Thus, this matter wasn't really significant.
What was significant was the upcoming conference in four years' time.
There, a critical agenda item would be discussed: according to the directive left by Pope Gregory before he fell into a coma, a new Pope would be selected at this conference.
Thus, Pope Gregory had nominated and chosen York for this role.
This would break the record for the youngest pope and was an unprecedented event in history. But this was Pope Gregory's will, and it was not open to rejection.
Traditionally, a Pope serves for life until he resigns or passes away, and this time it was Pope Gregory's choice...
The bishops silently acknowledged this and moved on to the next topic.
"I nominate Father Daniel as my successor to take over the Thailand diocese."
Once the atmosphere was appropriate and had calmed, Richard spoke quietly.
Archbishop Cecil glanced at Richard and then nodded.
"Archbishop Richard, you need to distribute Father Daniel's information to us for review."
"That is appropriate," Archbishop Richard nodded.
One by one, the issues at the high table were addressed by the group of bishops.
Only two agenda items related to York were discussed.
First, approve his leave and coordinate with all dioceses.
Second, affirm Pope Gregory's directives to initiate the election for a new Pope. They would select the church's next lifelong leader in a secret ballot until he chose to resign or passed away.
As the routine meeting of the bishopric concluded, a document began circulating through various locations, finally reaching York's hands.
A day had passed since York emerged from the crack.
The information he received merely confirmed the church's approval of his rest. Or rather, the church disregarded him, to put it accurately. It was essentially left to him to manage.
"Heh."
York looked at the document bearing the church's emblem and chuckled.
There was no doubt that he could feel this sentiment.
"Since the church has given us the utmost freedom, we might as well accept it gratefully, Eileen," York said, handing the document back to Eileen.
As his assistant, Eileen was more competent than anyone else, managing everything very clearly; he was merely a carefree wealthy man.
Similarly, returning home, based on the information provided by John Wick, he could sense Eileen's dedication.
Every day, she practiced shooting, accumulated spiritual power, and even learned hand-to-hand combat from the knightly monks.
Honestly, he was considering whether to find a way to take Eileen into the crack.
"Bishop, where do you plan to go?" Eileen asked softly as she took the document.
"I'll think about it," York replied, then asked nonchalantly, "Eileen, where would you like to go?"
As he spoke, he glanced at John Wick sitting in the corner.
He recalled that a mob boss in the assassin world had used a legendary blood oath to force him back into action.
His departure from Pluto Church was to handle that matter with the high table.
Now it seemed, the issue was resolved.
However, the aftermath was a bit off. The mob boss was just setting traps, playing the old game where once you're involved, you're involved for life. Fortunately, the Reaper was shrewd enough to invoke his name.
Recalling what the so-called mob boss of the assassin world had said, York slightly narrowed his eyes, not minding it at all.
To the church, the so-called high table of the assassin world was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Indeed, after becoming a bishop, he realized that the high table of the assassin world was just established by the descendants of a bishop who had died many years ago.
"Your will is where I want to go," Eileen's voice brought York back to reality. He shook off the fleeting thought with a resigned smile.
"Alright
, it seems I have to decide in the end."
Thinking of something, York added, "Right, you can also give Ms. Camille a response. It's not good to keep delaying Saxon's wedding."
"Of course, Bishop," Eileen nodded slightly, noting the task.
"I will inform Ms. Camille."
"Go ahead," York waved his hand.
Eileen nodded again and left.
Watching the young nun depart, York then glanced at the seemingly praying John Wick, who was actually guarding the surroundings, before withdrawing his gaze.
The virtual window reappeared before him.
In the Chaos World, he had already accumulated one hundred and twenty points, plus twenty from his travels through the crack and today's 0.5.
His current available attribute points were quite substantial, reaching one hundred forty and a half.
York glanced at the image of Jesus before him.
He finally understood that the daily fixed task of church prayer actually referred to the spirit and was not limited to physical churches.
As the saying goes, where there is a church in the heart, the effect of prayer is the same.
"You really enjoy my stories, don't you? Since you like them so much, why not grant me invincible power, so I can tell you more each day."
Looking at the unchanging image of Jesus, York internally mocked before beginning to allocate his points.
The Chaos World had made him realize his insignificance and brought him an instant awakening.
After all, the best and most satisfying power was his own.
"Last time I added points, my magic reached 349..."
Without hesitation, York allocated fifty-two of his available points there.
The prompt tone followed.
[Magic 349 increased to 401]
His journey had shown that his magic was versatile.
It was even more miraculous than the so-called divine power of the Chaos World.
Thus, magic was his first choice.
Of course, he preferred a well-rounded development.
Before even experiencing the powers that come with breaking four hundred in magic, York proceeded to allocate the remaining 88.5 points to his mental/spiritual power.
[Mental/Spiritual Power 301 increased to 389.5]
After boosting his frequently used attributes, York exhaled lightly to accommodate the internal changes.
The mental/spiritual power had undergone significant changes without even breaking four hundred. Just the magic power alone, after breaking four hundred, caused significant alterations.
Originally, simply combining magical elements without using magic power had been profoundly effective, and magic represented an increase in power.
Now, after breaking four hundred, the mere combination of magical elements could exert significant power without infusing magic.
The potency compared to before breaking four hundred was incomparable, completely beyond measure.
After carefully sensing it, York was very satisfied.
Regrettably, even though his magic power had broken four hundred, it hadn't brought any new abilities, just doubled the strength of existing ones.
York felt that when his magic power reached five hundred or a thousand, a new ability might emerge.
Still, what currently felt most significant to him was preparing to break four hundred in mental/spiritual power.
Even if it was just an enhancement of the existing basis, adding fifty meters to the range of his holographic vision was beneficial.
Besides mental/spiritual power, the attribute of life also gave him a similar feeling.
Life was linked to his body, affecting various aspects, including cellular changes, etc. Therefore, having attributes like fatigue resistance and rapid recovery, along with regenerative capabilities, was significant.
He speculated that after breaking three hundred in life, his body would become something that could be described as monstrous.
Somehow, as York habitually narrowed his eyes, he thought of particles.
"When my body evolves, when my eyes become microscopes, and the concept of particles emerges in my mind..."
...
"Really? Sister Eileen."
America.
In an office with light gray wall paint and high-quality wooden flooring, adding warmth and comfort to the space, behind a set of comfortable guest sofas and several simple yet comfy chairs, stood a high-end computer desk.
Ms. Camille, dressed in a knitted sweater and wide-leg pants, exuding a professional demeanor, showed an uncontrollable surprise on her face.
"That's wonderful," she sincerely said.
"Is Bishop York... is Bishop York coming back?"
Camille corrected herself in time, her eyes slightly anxious.
Following the bishop's instructions to notify Camille, Eileen, with a gentle smile, affirmed.
"He will."
Ms. Camille clenched her phone, her breathing slightly heavy, then asked a few more questions about Bishop York.
Eileen, feeling a bit odd, still answered Ms. Camille's questions truthfully.
The two chatted for a while before hanging up.
"Bishop York..."
When alone, Camille reverted to the familiar title, murmuring to herself.
Then, she looked at her phone and dialed her son Saxon's number.
Thanks to her future daughter-in-law Emilia's streaming platform business, which had taken off with her support and an investment from
the business prodigy Ms. Jessie, it was thriving. So, Saxon was busy assisting on the side.
Fortunately, ever since their terrifying ordeal in Thailand, they no longer dared to touch cases related to paranormal events.
This undoubtedly comforted her, and it was all thanks to Father York.
She couldn't help but sigh as she thought of his unchanged face and upright figure, contemplating the cruelty of time and fate.
"Hello! Mom?"
Saxon's voice came through the phone, and Ms. Camille immediately snapped back to reality. She steadied her emotions and spoke calmly.
"Yes, you and Emilia can start planning your wedding."
"Huh?"
On the other end, Saxon paused, but then quickly grasped the implication.
"Is Father York free?" Excitement appeared on Saxon's face.
Ms. Camille could hear it and smiled, "Yes, Sister Eileen just called me. She said that's what Bishop York said."
"That's great!"
Saxon clenched his fist, unable to resist swinging it through the air.
To have no regrets and to repay Father York's kindness, they had delayed the wedding, preferring to wait until the father was available rather than having someone else officiate.
This was also Emilia's wish.
"Alright, now you two can finally get married," Ms. Camille shook her head, recalling her son's last words.
"Bishop York has been promoted to bishop, not just a priest we can casually contact. You need to remember to change the usual honorifics because while Bishop York might not mind, others might."
Hearing this, Saxon remembered that the father had become a bishop and nodded in agreement.
"I understand, mom, I'll be careful. I only say that in front of you."
As a bishop, representing the pinnacle of the church, he was naturally a figure who commanded attention wherever he went, and he would certainly be cautious.
But remembering the father, Saxon still felt a bit nostalgic: "Mom, have you noticed? The father seems to have never changed."
Ms. Camille pursed her lips and simply responded.
"Hmm."
Beep beep beep!
"Hung up? Mom seemed a bit strange today." Saxon was momentarily puzzled, tilted his head slightly, and put away his phone, looking ahead.
His location was in the corner of the hall.
In front, Emilia was standing with her arms crossed, listening to an employee's explanation.
She seemed tense and furrowed her brow like a mountainous ridge, clearly pondering something important.
Saxon could only suppress the positive emotions from the good news for a moment and walked slowly to stop half a step behind Emilia, looking at the documents in her hand.
"Are you really planning to close the paranormal live streaming category?" When Emilia handed the document to the employee, Saxon spoke softly.
"Yes."
Hearing her boyfriend's voice, Emilia couldn't help leaning in closer, feeling a bit of a headache.
"Recently, one of the live streaming rooms suddenly gained a lot of popularity and brought in a large number of new registrations, but it turned out to be just a showy exorcism by a priest,"
Emilia was speaking, but didn't notice her boyfriend's face stiffening for a moment.
"I don't want my streaming platform to be full of these things..."
"An exorcism by a priest?"
Listening to Emilia wanting to continue, Saxon furrowed his brow and interrupted her,
"You're not talking about a bearded young priest live streaming an exorcism? And he was also trying to sell so-called holy water and scarves from the Vatican?"
He remembered something Father York had told him during a charitable period.
At this, Emilia was slightly surprised.
"How did you know?"
___________________
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