The applicants were numerous, but none of them were suitable, which was disappointing. "It seems that there is no one in the country who meets the requirements. It's time to expand the recruitment scope to foreign countries!" Sister Glasses thought to herself. However, by doing so, the possibility of infiltration by the high-level officials of the empire would undoubtedly increase; and the consequences of the queen's long-term coma were also uncertain. Seeking help from abroad, even if done in secret, still belonged to the last resort and should not be considered unless absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, it seemed that it had already come to a critical moment...
"Am I the last one in line?" After the queue in front of the palace entrance disbanded, the only person who didn't leave approached Sister Glasses with a sincere expression of apology.
"Did I come too late? Has the recruitment deadline passed?"
"There is no deadline, but you!" Sister Glasses only glanced at the person's attire and was ready to chase them away, because the person was obviously a member of the church, dressed in a nun's habit.
"Just one person persuading is not enough, and now there's this reserve team?"
"What are you talking about? I can't understand."
The nun placed her left hand under her cheek, her almond-shaped eyes widened in confusion.
"Stop pretending! Aren't you from the Church of the Supreme God? Your companion didn't stop talking in my ear before, trying to persuade me to join the church."
"So that's what happened? I'm sorry!"
The nun faced Sister Glasses and bowed deeply, bending her body ninety degrees. At the same time, her head continuously swayed.
"Some of the younger generation are too reckless and impulsive, only caring about causing trouble for others without considering their feelings. I apologize on their behalf!"
What's going on? This nun is too humble, isn't she?
The surrounding guards were stunned. They were all locals, born and raised here, and had seen those priests and clergy in the church, with an attitude of arrogance and domineering; compared to those people, she was simply too kind-hearted; not only was she polite in her address and conversation, but she could also bow to others without any psychological burden, without a trace of reluctance on her face.
"If everyone in the church is like you, the reputation wouldn't be so bad... What's your name?"
Based on the observations just now, Sister Glasses felt that she could have a conversation with the nun; unlike the previous wasted effort, the nun's subsequent behavior would not disappoint her, at most, it would surprise her.
"My name is not worthy of your ears. Just call me by my position."
This answer was normal. For example, important figures in the church were often called bishop or archbishop by the common people; even with the pope, not many people knew his name; of course, based on Sister Glasses' estimation of the girl in front of her, she could only be called Nun A or combine her surname with her position.
"In the church, I am just a small character. In the next ten years, I will serve as our church's Holy Maiden. Unfortunately, I am just an insignificant extra... "
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place fell silent, and only the sporadic sounds of breathing, unable to tell whose they were, could be heard. Except for the Holy Maiden herself, everyone else was stunned. Sister Glasses, who was the first to regain consciousness, quickly beat a drum in her heart: The seemingly inconspicuous girl actually held an important position in the church.
Just like any other religion, the Church of the Supreme God classifies all the clergy from the top to the bottom into three major ranks:
Divine Judgment→Divine Order→Divine Action
The meaning of Divine Judgment is "to act as a substitute for decision-making"! It is rumored that the second Pope of the Church of the Supreme God was bestowed with great authority by the Archangels; it means that if there is anything that displeases the gods, the Pope of this rank can act conveniently and is equivalent to the chief executive of the Pope's own country (not one of the Three Empires).
Divine Order is the second rank, meaning "to uphold divine order"; they are the proxies set up by the Pope in the various churches, with the qualification to exercise "local administrative power". This rank includes the four Great Bishops and ordinary Bishops.
There's not much to say about the last rank. Priests above nuns can call themselves "Divine Action" and they are the lower-class with a large number of individuals, as common as cabbage.The reason why Holy Maiden is not mentioned in these three levels is due to the special nature of her status.
In the selection process:
Only girls who are "pure and flawless" can become Holy Maiden, with "purity" referring to both the mind and the body.
In terms of abilities:
Only those with power equivalent to that of the Breaking Army are allowed to become Holy Maiden, and at least at a level above this.
In terms of power:
The Holy Maiden is replaced every ten years and holds a position above the "Holy Order", second only to the Pope. Despite not having a clear rank, they still occupy a central position in the upper levels of the church.
How can such a person be considered insignificant?
In reality, she is on par with Isabella and the kings of the other two empires, only one level higher than them.
This Holy Maiden, who should be personally greeted by His Majesty, is doing something unimaginable.
Concentric vortex-like water flows form from the left side of the Holy Maiden's shoulder, emitting a clear brilliance that the city's drinking water does not possess.
Narrow lines of fire appear on her right shoulder, incinerating impurities in the air.
Under the scorching sun, the guards in their hands have run out of water, and they can't openly go fetch water before changing shifts, so they can only endure their thirst until now.
This problem is quickly solved perfectly by the Holy Maiden's elemental magic.
She controls the flames to surround the flowing water, heating it without direct contact.
At the moment the water boils, the heated water is divided into equal portions and poured into the cups held by the guards.
"You've worked hard in this scorching heat. This is a small token of appreciation."
The Holy Maiden takes out bags of coffee granules from her pocket one by one and walks up to the guards.
She pours the coffee into the cups and stirs the bottom with the straw in her right hand, resembling an excellent maid.
Surprisingly, the female guards are delighted to be served by the Holy Maiden while on duty and quickly quench their thirst without being fussy.
One of the new recruits, perhaps out of an odd preference for not drinking hot water, straightforwardly requests:
"Can I have ice cubes?"
"Sure!"
Four or five ice crystals fall into that person's cup, rapidly cooling down the temperature of the liquid, giving rise to a cup of iced coffee.
