Kojo yawned as he was being escorted into the grand chamber where his case would be settled. The outcome was uncertain, and the guards escorting him were filled with unease. Even the Archsaint was feeling the tension, but Kojo couldn't be bothered. Instead, he was chewing on some of his 'Arcane Thread,' which he had made sweet using a non-lethal poison from his 'Poison King' skill, essentially making gum. He blew a bubble and popped it as they walked into the chamber.
Despite his nonchalance, even he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the room. The high walls, adorned with intricate frescoes depicting the goddess of light shining her radiance onto the world, seemed to stretch up to the heavens. The tainted glass windows also told a tale of her undying majesty. The artwork was reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel's majestic ceiling, with vibrant colors and delicate details that seemed to turn the stone itself into its own separate world. Thousands of floating artifacts and torches cast a warm glow around the circular marble building, illuminating the polished stone floor and casting a sense of reverence over the proceedings.
(This is the parliament, where the Clergy of Radiance deliberates on matters pertaining to their nation.)
Kojo looked around, completely ignoring the soft murmur of the gathered crowd that began as soon as he was led in.
Kojo's gaze swept the chamber, taking in the sea of faces.
(If you remember what Cassie said, there are 72 elders of the Clergy, each possessing the title of Radiant...)
"Not now," Kojo said as he was being led forward.
(Huh?) Sysia's tone was that of annoyance.
"I'm wondering why all these people are here like it's a public spectacle," Kojo asked.
(More like an execution.)
"Don't jinx it," he muttered.
(As much as that would be a call for celebration, I don't think what you did is worth that much. And besides, you're a foreign dignitary.)
"Exactly."
As Kojo scanned the crowd, his eyes landed on a familiar face – Lin, sitting in the section reserved for foreign dignitaries in the front row. Kojo flashed her a smile, and she mouthed the phrase, "Don't do anything stupid," back at him with a wave.
"What does she take me for?" Kojo wondered.
(A laggard prone to getting his stupid ass into trouble.)
Kojo grumbled.
He was brought to stand on a platform, and a ray of light from the mural above shone directly onto him, illuminating his figure. The spotlight effect was almost comical, and Kojo couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious.
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Kojo muttered, trying to sidestep into the relatively darker area around the beam of light.
However, a guard, the one with the hard face, sharp jawline, and double chin, shoved him back, warranting a glare from Kojo.
"Hey, watch it," he muttered.
Kojo's gaze drifted upward, and his eyes landed on Yukio, who had joined a group of 20 knights clad in shining armor. They stood near the front of the chamber, positioned as befitted generals. Kojo recognized some of the knights – Leonard, Aldean, and Cyrus – and realized that these were the 22 strongest Glory Knights: 10 saints and 12 paladins.
These Glory Knights exuded an aura of confidence and authority, their armor polished to a mirror finish and their eyes shining with a sense of purpose. Kojo noticed, however, that two places were missing. If he was to read them in order, descending from Yukio, he'd say that the saints ranking 3 and 5 weren't present.
"I'd really like to get a look at them," Kojo thought to himself, wondering if they were occupied or had chosen not to be present.
Sysia's voice cut through his musings. (Concentrate on your current circumstances, Kojo.)
Kojo's gaze returned to the chamber, his eyes locking onto the Radiants.
The seating arrangement of the 72 Radiants was a breathtaking sight to behold. A large pool of water, home to fish swimming lazily beneath the surface, emanated a soft blue glow. From above, the chamber looked like a crescent, which was the solid land and the pool which was at its center.
A grand walkway led to a staircase, which ascended to a platform with three seats. The two outer seats, shrouded in black, flanked the central throne, which was resplendent in white with gold detailing. This majestic seat was reserved for the Holy See, the revered leader of the Clergy of Radiance and the Holy Land of Ezkanur, the Pope himself.
Behind the throne, a magnificent carving adorned the white wall, with gold depicting the goddess with her arms outstretched, surrounded by seraphim blowing trumpets. A band of gold on her chest reflected light in a way that created an extraordinary effect: when the Holy See sat upon the throne, the golden light seemed to emanate from behind his head, casting an aura of radiance around him, as if a halo had descended upon his person.
The seats of the 72 Radiants floated on the pool's surface, arranged in a semi-circular pattern on either side of the staircase. These seats resembled boxes, with translucent fabric covering their entrances. The soft glow emanating from within illuminated the silhouettes of the clergymen, casting vague details of their figures. It was discernible, however, that they wore white robes, adorned with headdresses and veils that covered their faces.
The floating seats seemed to drift aimlessly on the water, some closer to the staircase, others farther away, creating an irregular circle. Pads with candles also floated on the pool's surface, casting a warm, golden light that danced across the water. The soft ripples on the pool's surface created an ethereal ambiance, as if the very setting was alive and in harmony with the sacred proceedings.
The arrangement was deliberately asymmetrical, with some Radiants floating closer to one another, while others seemed more isolated. This unique configuration seemed to underscore the individuality and autonomy of each Radiant, while also emphasizing their collective role in the grand scheme of the Clergy of Radiance. As the light from the candles and the fabric-covered seats danced across the water, the atmosphere became increasingly mystical, setting the stage for the momentous events that were about to unfold.
As Kojo stood on the platform, the chamber erupted into a murmur of conversation, with the gathered crowd rising to their feet in unison, causing him to look around in confusion, wondering what was going on. Two clergy members, clad in bright velvet that seemed to shimmer in the soft light, walked past him, one on either side, and moved towards the staircase, their hands joined together in their sleeves, and their presence drawing his attention.
Ominous music drifted through the chamber, its source unseen, as they ascended the stairs and took their seats on either side of the Pope's throne, below the central seat. The rest of the crowd sat down, their eyes fixed on Kojo, and the atmosphere grew heavy with expectation.
The Radiant to the right of the Pope's seat rose, his veil raised, and Kojo noticed that it was an elf – an ice elf, to be precise, with pale blue skin and grey hair.
"We have gathered here today to deliberate on the recent actions of Kojo Atari," the elf, Syld, announced, his voice clear and resonant, echoing through the hall. "After spending no more than a week and a half on our land, he has already broken our laws. Despite being a foreigner, he will face punishment."
His gaze fell upon Kojo, and he continued, "I, Syld, cardinal of the Church Of Undying Light, will lead today's proceedings in place of His Holiness Pope Innocent XIV, who is unable to preside due to failing health."
The people clasp their hands together in unison.
The word "Shalom" echoes through the hall as they pray for the Pope's recovery.
(Kojo.)
"Yeah. We've got our guy," Kojo replied, his crimson eyes locked on Syld, who smiled faintly and declared, "Let us begin."