When Jeanne stepped into the cathedral, the pews below were already filled with Sankta who had come to attend the event. Their eyes turned as one toward this newly appeared Saintess.
At this moment, Jeanne stood in the center of the cathedral. Under the gaze of the crowd, she looked like a young girl descending into the world wrapped in infinite radiance. The holy light streaming through the overhead windows illuminated her body, and combined with her golden hair, it made her look as if she were glowing from within.
Though it was not yet noon, the light was far more intense than it should have been by any logical understanding. Yet, such a near-impossible occurrence seemed perfectly natural when it happened to Jeanne. After all, for one who could summon miracles, what could be more normal than the appearance of a wonder that surpassed common thought during such an important debut?
In that instant, the previously murmuring crowd fell silent. No one could pull their eyes away from this young and beautiful girl. This was not merely because of her outstanding appearance, but because from the moment she stood there, everyone shared a single thought: this lady was absolutely the Saintess, beyond any shadow of a doubt.
For the moment Jeanne appeared, every Sankta felt a sense of peace they had never experienced before. It was a feeling beyond words; it was as if their souls had been baptized, taking flight into the sky alongside holy light. It was a sensation of unparalleled beauty for the Sankta, as if they had all returned to the side of God, flying freely in a celestial paradise. Some even realized, once they snapped back to reality, that the halos above their heads were glowing significantly brighter than usual.
She was indeed the Saintess. The only difference from their prior imagination was that she was not a Sankta herself. However, looking back, the officials of Laterano had never actually stated that the Saintess they recognized had to be a Sankta; the people had simply assumed it to be so.
"I am deeply grateful to everyone in Laterano for welcoming me in such a warm manner. My name is Jeanne d'Arc. I am a girl who has been blessed by the grace of God."
Jeanne surveyed the grand cathedral and the densely packed rows of Sankta. In the very front, several Cardinals in their crimson robes sat in solemn attendance. Facing such a crowd—and the gaze of countless others behind the camera lenses—Jeanne didn't feel a hint of nervousness. Her heart was perfectly calm.
Upon hearing Jeanne's introduction, the crowd seemed to regain their senses and broke into thunderous applause to welcome their Saintess. Whether it was the moment the applause started or the moment it faded, everything was perfectly timed; they clapped in unison and fell silent at the exact same second. It was as if they had rehearsed before Jeanne arrived, yet they could guarantee no such rehearsal had taken place.
Rather than practice, this felt more like the influence of Empathy. For everyone gathered here, that unique shared consciousness seemed to have grown stronger, allowing them to act with such incredible tacit understanding.
"I am very thankful for the help Laterano has given me during this time, and for everyone's heartfelt welcome to this city. Thank you very much."
Jeanne lifted her skirt and gave a deep bow to the crowd below, expressing her gratitude. She was truly thankful for Laterano's unconditional support and their efforts to find her, even at the cost of putting themselves in danger. For a long time, Jeanne felt she hadn't done much for Laterano, yet the respect she received from them was exceptionally grand. Even after learning she was the Saintess, these people had not tried to forcibly interfere with her freedom, but instead did their utmost to help her. In her heart, she thanked them just as much as they thanked her for the miracles.
"I come from a nameless small village. Since the day I received God's Revelation, I have been so happy to find that so many people share the same faith, telling me that I am not alone."
Jeanne looked forward, the golden light shining on her pure white dress, making her look so holy that it was impossible for anyone to harbor even a sliver of an impure thought. Besides, what kind of person would have such thoughts toward such a divine girl? If such a person existed, the Sankta would likely "clean house" immediately. Especially with their Empathy, they could vaguely sense what their kin were thinking. At this moment, a bad thought would be as obvious as a black sheep in a white flock.
"Since coming to this city, I have also witnessed its beauty. Laterano truly lives up to its name as a paradise; various wonders certainly exist here. And I believe the people living in this city have the ability to protect it. I trust that everyone will ensure this beauty continues to endure."
Jeanne gazed at the magnificent hall. No one could find fault with this cathedral; its beauty was nothing short of perfect. It was just like the city of Laterano itself—under a millennium of protection, everything about it could be described as perfect.
Jeanne also finally understood why the people here were so fond of explosions. Living in a city that was always perfect could be a burden; if they didn't create some excitement, life here might become stagnant and lifeless. This was likely why, outside the bounds of the Law, Laterano allowed people to do whatever they found interesting. It was a miraculous way of management.
However, Jeanne's tone then shifted as she addressed the crowd:
"But we must not let our guard down, for a period of sudden storms is fast approaching. This is not something that can be explained by a single disaster, but a major event that requires us to stand united and face it together..."
These words were actually suggested to her by the Pope. He hoped Jeanne could use her name to call upon the people of Laterano to prepare for the coming changes. The old man had keenly sensed that the land was undergoing a terrifying mutation; something was stirring beneath their feet. Ancient things seemed to be waking up, and shadows that once cast everyone into panic were crawling back from the distant lands they had been banished to.
The Executors scouting near Iberia were the first to report these anomalies; they found that the sea creatures were becoming increasingly active. The Pope knew a disaster that could sweep the entire continent was brewing. It was like a volcano about to erupt, gathering its strength.
Jeanne felt it too. It wasn't just the guidance of Revelation, but also because the voices within the Originium were becoming increasingly violent. She didn't know exactly what was happening, but she was certain the world was becoming more dangerous. Even if she didn't sound the horn, a world-ending catastrophe was approaching.
Both of them understood that Laterano would not be spared. But to survive the disaster, devout faith alone would not be enough. They needed all Sankta to unite. The Pope believed that as long as the Sankta entered a state of absolute unity, they could protect their city.
Hearing Jeanne say this, all the Sankta were naturally astonished. They hadn't expected the Saintess to dare tell everyone such a thing so openly. This could easily cause panic, as not every citizen of the city was a hardened warrior; they too feared death. And when they heard her speak of the need for unity, they weren't sure how much effect such words would have on ordinary people.
However, since she could say such things on an occasion like this, the Pope must have known about it. In that case, it shouldn't allow Laterano to slip beyond their control, right?