Chapter 23
Following Adam's announcement regarding "Lucia" and her future, even though some wished to protest, they ultimately decided to trust the Saint. After all, every decision he made had always been for the greater good.
The apostles remained silent, yet they exchanged glances with one another as if sharing their confusion. For beings capable of changing the political climate of an entire planet, this situation showed just how unbelievable it truly was.
Then suddenly, a heavy noise echoed throughout the silent room, and every gaze turned toward the person responsible. Even Adam, who had been calmly observing, shifted his eyes toward the source of the sound.
The person who had become the center of attention was a young man who appeared slightly older than Adam, with silver hair reaching his shoulders. He wore the same robe as everyone else present, but his most remarkable features were his dog ears and his silver-white tail.
As he lowered his head toward Adam, his right hand resting against his chest as a sign of respect and submission—
"My deepest apologies, Your Holiness!"
The young man first apologized for his inappropriate behavior.
"Do not worry, speak freely."
Adam simply shook his head without blaming him.
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
The young man thanked Adam while still keeping his head lowered.
"I would like to voice my objection regarding the decision to make this… your child the new face of the Church of the Sun God. I do not believe she possesses the qualifications, authority, or even the necessary support for such a role."
The young man briefly explained his issue with Elara, and his opposition, while seemingly disrespectful, actually represented the emotions and thoughts shared by the others.
Adam, who listened to the young man, neither shouted nor scolded him despite the near mistake he almost made while referring to Elara. He simply shook his head and accepted his words.
"I understand your point of view, Mathieu, and I know that many of you—if not all of you—share it."
He turned his head to look at everyone present. Seeing this, they all lowered their heads as if they had been caught doing something wrong.
As he watched them lower their heads, Adam continued:
"But you must understand that she is my daughter, and she will be raised and educated for this title. Furthermore, I have no intention of disappearing, only of passing part of my work onto her. Does this answer satisfy you, Mathieu?"
Upon hearing that final question, Mathieu understood that he could not continue pressing the issue. So he sat back down after apologizing one final time. However, anyone looking beneath the table could see his hands tightly clenched and trembling.
Adam cast one final glance at Mathieu before taking the tablet in front of him.
Paul, the oldest member of the group, respectfully asked:
"Your Holiness, we agree with your decisions regarding Elara. Then what is the second matter to discuss?"
After hearing the question and the general acceptance regarding Elara, Adam said nothing about the title they should now place before her name, nor about the complete lack of emotion Mathieu had shown while speaking about his daughter.
He picked up the tablet and projected a holographic stone slab. As everyone focused on the projection, a problem quickly emerged, none of them could read the language written upon it.
"Is this an ancient language? But why is His Holiness showing us this slate?"
Everyone present asked themselves these questions, unable to understand what the Saint intended to do with the tablet.
"This slate is a gift from the Lord to us."
Adam announced this to the apostles.
Upon hearing those words, collective gasps and numerous voices echoed throughout the room.
At that moment, everyone was utterly incredulous after hearing the Saint's announcement. A gift from the Lord was something they could never have imagined. More specifically, a gift like this, after all, the greatest gift the Lord had already granted them was freedom itself.
After waiting for everyone to regain their composure, Adam finally spoke about what they truly wished to know.
"This slate will allow humanity to rise against the aeons and grant them the power to decide for themselves.
I will explain its full purpose in greater detail another time. This slate contains twenty-two pathways. Each pathway allows one to acquire different powers and abilities through potions that can be created and then consumed.
These powers are divided into nine descending sequences, from 9 to 1. Every advancement brings not only quantitative changes, but qualitative ones as well. And at the end of this path, you will become angels of the Lord and serve Him more deeply."
Adam wasted neither words nor time and directly explained the advantages, naturally omitting certain details he considered unnecessary to reveal.
As silence grew heavy following these short yet overwhelming revelations, the atmosphere inside the room became denser. Every person present understood the opportunities and benefits that such power could bring.
But what affected them most was not the possibility of gaining power, but rather the chance to draw closer to the Lord and potentially become His angels.
At that moment, a soft yet firm voice echoed through the room.
A young woman with long green hair, golden eyes, and pale skin spoke:
"Your Holiness, if I may ask… even though I do not doubt you… is it truly possible for us, mortals, to draw closer to the divine?"
Her question, which could have sounded like doubt toward the Saint's words, actually revealed just how important and tempting the idea of approaching the Lord was for everyone present.
To be closer to the Lord meant they could make requests and fulfill their dearest wishes. After all, the Lord was known as "the Omnipotent and the Omniscient."
Adam simply smiled while looking directly into the young woman's eyes. His golden eyes, resembling miniature suns, revealed not the slightest trace of deception.
Then he nodded without saying another word.
Silence returned to the room, but this time it was no longer heavy, only filled with quiet excitement.
As the apostles of different ages, races, and origins turned toward one another, whispering to their neighbors about this revelation, Adam, as always, remained merely a spectator wearing a warm smile while his thoughts stayed unknown.