Chapter 28: Felix's Redemption

"As long as you sincerely repent and pray with devotion, the Lord will forgive you..."

"May the holy light be with you! ..."

Felix felt absolutely awful at the moment. It was as if he was in a camp filled with resentful women. The countess Bellina, who was currently confessing to him, was already the seventh lady of the day to complain about how weak and incapable her husband was, and how she so deeply yearned and suppressed these desires.

Felix began to wonder if all the frustrated ladies in the capital had heard about him and decided to come to Saint Erde Cathedral in droves, aiming to seduce him, an innocent young man.

Countess Bellina was somewhat sincere, genuinely expressing her regrets. However, others were blatantly attempting to entice him. Through her confession, Bellina revealed her inner struggle between desire and morality, admitting that she had contemplated finding a lover.

She opened up to Felix about her sins and desires, hoping to find redemption from him. Her close friend, Countess Elvina, had already received the "Redemption of Felix." This delicately crafted crystal rod, which Countess Elvina cherished like a treasure, was something Countess Bellina envied and deeply desired. She had once experienced the magical sensation this crystal rod could offer...

After sending away the lonely and longing Countess Bellina, Felix took a weary breath. It seemed that every aristocratic lady who had come for confession today brought up the "Redemption of Felix," the very redemption given to Countess Elvina.

Felix took a silver chalice and poured some wine meant for the Mass. The deep red wine emitted a peculiar aroma, faintly infused with the aura of holy light.

Since Saint Erde Cathedral is a place of worship, the abundance of holy light energy here is many times that of other places. Objects and foods touched by this aura undergo certain changes, just like the cathedral's sacred bread has healing properties.

"Perhaps I could make a good living off of this in the future?" The thought flashed across his mind, but Felix quickly dismissed it.

His identity now was that of a devout and steadfast priest, a servant of the Lord. Negative comments weren't suitable for his reputation. Moreover, creating these crystal rods involved techniques specific to Gamma craftsmen. One or two might be fine, but mass production could undoubtedly bring unforeseen troubles.

Feeling mentally and physically rejuvenated, Felix returned to the confession booth. He decided to listen to one more confession, to round up to a luckier number.

As a priest, Felix had to discern the level of faith of his followers. Only those with genuine devotion were eligible to receive the "Lord's Redemption." And only after redemption could they provide Felix with a foundation of faith.

Without a doubt, the omnipotent God was more powerful than any so-called deity. Even though Felix still didn't know who or what this "God" was - a being that seemed to be omnipresent and omniscient, a being even Lady Ireland devoutly believed in.

Even Saint Iyeta, the current deity of light and the most potent entity within the pantheon of light gods, was once just a "servant of the Lord" many, many years ago.

...............

"I am guilty." A cold, raspy female voice reached Felix's ears. The voice sounded familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.

Even though they were separated by a wooden door, Felix managed to muster a slight smile, replying gently, "As long as you sincerely repent and pray devoutly, the Lord will forgive your sins."

"Come, child. Tell me the sins you've committed, and I will seek redemption for you. The Lord is merciful; He will forgive the lost sheep."

The cold, raspy voice hesitated for a moment before Felix heard the sound of someone kneeling outside the confessional.

"Father, if I confess all my sins to you, will the Lord forgive me?" The raspy voice sounded slightly warmer now, though still filled with uncertainty.

Patiently, Felix nodded and responded in the softest of tones, "Yes. If you truly repent, the Lord will forgive your sins."

…

The woman fell silent for a long while before beginning to spill her transgressions in that same raspy, low voice.

"When I was sixteen, I became an adventurer. One day, I encountered a barbaric warrior who tried to touch my breast. In retaliation, I sliced off one of his hands with my sword…"

"After adventuring on my own for a while, I was invited to join a mercenary group. On the first night, the leader drugged my drink, intending to make me his. I was alert and thwarted his attempt, but then he tried to force himself upon me. Enraged, I cut off his…dick with my sword…"

"Subsequently, the mercenaries hunted me. While fleeing, I killed 126 adventurers…"

"After breaking through the 'Golden Realm', I decided to exact revenge on that leader. I ambushed their camp that night, and that time, I killed 368 people…"

"After avenging myself against the mercenaries, I continued my adventures, vowing never to seek companions again. On a mission in the Ghost Canyon of Ireland, I met a pitiable woman. Her family was killed by bandits, and she was brutally violated by them. She begged me for vengeance, and after I agreed, she took her own life. I buried her alongside her husband. I then infiltrated the bandits' lair and poisoned their well, killing 1,756 of them…"

"Even after avenging the woman, my anger remained. I went to a halfling town known for its delicious wines and top-tier cuisines. Upon arrival, I learned that a tribe of Ragefist Ogres had moved in, many villagers fell victim and became their food.

I confronted the ogres, killing their shaman and leader. Without their leaders, the Ragefist Ogres retreated back to the mountains of Ireland. When I returned to the town, the halflings cheered for me. A dwarf even tried to hug me, which brought joy to my heart…"

…

As the woman's story unfolded, her voice grew more animated, and Felix could almost picture her dancing with emotion outside the confessional.

From the beginning of her tale, Felix had an inkling about who this familiar voice belonged to – the grey-robed female swordsman known for drawing her blade at the drop of a hat. However, as she continued, his shock only intensified.

If the Titans Empire had a legend at this time, it would undoubtedly be the "Bright Ranger" – Aurelia. Rumors spoke of her beauty and wisdom, overshadowing the brightest gem, of her prowess rivaling epic heroes, of her relentless pursuit of justice, and so much more...

Aurelia, the "Bright Ranger," became legendary for single-handedly annihilating the notorious "Dark Erode" bandit group near the Ghost Canyon of Ireland, a group known for its brutal ruthlessness. They had a history of clashing with the Griffin Knights of the Titans Empire for over a century. It was said that their leader was a necromancer who had stepped into the Golden Realm, an evil being capable of conversing with demons!

…

Violent woman = Bright Ranger?

Felix was in utter disbelief, accompanied by a feeling of his idol being shattered…