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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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Chapter 24: Campbell Cathedral Revival Meeting
Warm sunlight filtered softly into the cathedral through elegant stained glass, and the subtle scent of incense, combined with the sermon delivered in stillness created a tranquil atmosphere.
However, even before the sermon during the service reached its midpoint, several congregants seemed to have given up the fight against drowsiness.
Someone appeared to be nodding slowly in agreement with the sermon, but in fact, he was dozing off.
The head lowered deeper and deeper, followed by repeatedly snapping back awake and looking around.
Another person covered a small yawn with a hand, blinked a few times, and then closed their eyes completely.
A young girl sitting somewhere in the middle was sleeping with her head resting on her mother's lap.
Thus, the sanctuary was a scene of collective slumber, where drowsiness descended en masse.
If one were to look for the main culprit, it would, of course, be a matter of the congregants' willpower.
During any religious sermon, sitting still and listening to one person's voice is bound to induce sleepiness.
A few might doze off. But...
"Mmmph..."
"Huuuaaahm..."
"Uh, ugh...! N-No, I wasn't asleep."
If even the priests, accustomed to sermons, were like this...
'Even I find it hard to bear.'
This was Pastor Kim, who could pray for over ten hours straight without issue when presiding over a Great Holy Spirit Gathering or a Revival Meeting service.
Even with his veteran experience, Ray found it difficult to fend off the encroaching drowsiness.
'Pseudo-religions are one thing, but this problem on our side needs fixing too.'
Ray desperately fought off the rising drowsiness and analyzed Bishop Yuna's sermon.
'First, the voice...'
Bishop Yuna's voice is warm and gentle. The problem is that languidness is added to it.
A leisurely, low tone, without any particular vocal training. Each word is drawn out, a lullaby inducing sleepiness.
During a sermon, only one person's voice echoes in the large space.
It's the same in a classroom or lecture hall. Therefore, that one person's voice can either draw everyone's focus or induce drowsiness.
'On top of that, the sermon content is so dull, it looks like even the cathedral candles are about to fall asleep.'
The Word is indeed good. As it's based on scripture and offers lessons or interpretations, if you listen carefully, it's only good stories.
'That it's just that is the problem.'
This isn't a place for studying scripture interpretation, and ordinary congregants won't find it interesting just by listening to that kind of thing.
And finally.
"Ah, well then, let's read just one more verse."
"Now that I think about it, there's this passage in this verse. What that means is..."
"
'What kind of nonsense is a three-hour service!!'
This is why the cathedral is failing!
***
After the service ended, Bishop Yuna took Ray and his companions aside for a meal.
"You must be hungry after coming all this way and attending the service. I haven't prepared much, but please eat."
Though she said that, the food Bishop Yuna presented was not little.
As if there was a separate oven, there was freshly baked bread, soup, and even meat dishes.
As there were several resident priests in the cathedral, such facilities were essential.
"How was the service, brothers?"
To Bishop Yuna's benevolent question, the three people excluding Ray gave their polite replies with hesitant voices.
"It was a time of grace, Bishop."
"Yes~ it was truly a wonderful message."
"I enjoyed listening!"
It was natural. A bishop is a vastly higher-ranking person in the denomination.
They are the person who manages a diocese that unifies numerous monastics, priests, and various churches.
Even if it wasn't such a high-ranking person, saying something negative to their face is difficult.
But the three were still young. Bishop Yuna noticed that they were just saying pleasant things out of politeness.
"Hoo... It seems my sermon is indeed boring. Seeing everyone dozing off during the service."
"Oh, no!"
"We were tired because of travel fatigue."
"That's right! The Bishop's sermon was truly full of grace!"
'They're trying hard.'
But Bishop Yuna's sermon objectively has many problems. Bishop Yuna herself must know that.
"The interpretation of the scripture was admirable."
"Hmm?"
Bishop Yuna's gaze, which had been disappointing, turned towards Ray.
"Solaria Chapter 9, Verse 28: 'And we know that for those who love Sol Invictus, who have been called according to his purpose, all things work together for good.'"
The sermon Ray had desperately analyzed while fighting off drowsiness. Seeing Bishop Yuna focusing on him, Ray smiled faintly.
"You said it was a promise that for those who love Sol Invictus and have been called according to His will, all things will work for good, right? That every experience in life, even difficulties and hardships, has meaning within His plan and will ultimately bring about a good result."
"That's right. That's exactly what I wanted to say!"
"It is an important verse. It serves as a message of encouragement and hope for those walking the journey of faith. Emphasizing Sol Invictus's sovereignty and providence can never be stressed enough."
Bishop Yuna was impressed that Ray had not only listened to her sermon properly but also interpreted it and even engaged in discussion about it.
Come to think of it, among the many congregants who succumbed to drowsiness, only Ray had focused on her sermon with bright, clear eyes.
'He is a brother with strong faith.'
Of course, she didn't mean that the other congregants, excluding Ray, lacked faith.
But Bishop Yuna was also human.
Ultimately, she couldn't help but feel more favorably towards Ray, who had focused on her words.
"Brother Ray, you have an excellent talent for studying and interpreting scripture."
"Haha, it's nothing special, just a small skill. It's nothing compared to yours, Bishop."
"......"
The three watched Ray, who was naturally winning the Bishop's favor, and honestly admired him.
'Ray, that guy... Doesn't he strangely get favored by older people?'
'Like Abbess Ivella and Father Moro.'
'As expected of Brother! You're awesome!'
Although Ray had the appearance of a handsome sixteen-year-old boy, deep down he was Veteran Pastor Kim, who had been through thick and thin.
With excellent flattery skills, to the extent of surpassing Pastor Park's own son and becoming the successor.
Practical competence gained from real-world experience, and even the charisma to encompass customers... no, congregants.
The veteran experience of a star pastor from a large church is by no means easy.
'Good, I think I've blended in well enough with this.'
The reason Ray had gained Bishop Yuna's favor was to move on to the next step.
The first step of the project to revive this failing cathedral, going beyond just volunteer work.
"Bishop, your sermon was so~ full of grace that I'd like to hear it one more time. Do you happen to hold weekday services?"
"Oh? Ah... We don't hold separate weekday services. As you can see, the congregants... many have left."
Indeed, holding a weekday service in such a large cathedral for just a dozen or so congregants would be a waste of manpower.
Especially since they are already short-staffed and have had to request volunteer work.
"Bishop! I want to hear your words more! Let's hold Wednesday services, Friday services, and early morning services too!"
"Oh? But even if we suddenly increase the number of services like that... Most importantly, there will be no one to come and listen to my sermon."
Ray took Bishop Yuna's hand. And then, with bright, faith-filled eyes, he spoke.
"Bishop, true believers will want more opportunities, more time for prayer. It would be even better if we 'slightly' changed the way we've held services until now."
"Is, is that so?"
"Please believe me just this once. You might not think it, looking at me, but I'm someone who has even called upon the Holy Spirit while praying."
"The Holy Spirit?"
Bishop Yuna's eyes widened as if she couldn't believe it.
Jenny and Henry stepped in to provide backup.
"Ah, that's right, Bishop. Brother Ray prayed for over seven hours in a prayer meeting."
"It's a well-known fact in the Theocracy that Brother Ray called upon the Holy Spirit during prayer! He even gained the Ability of Hymns!"
"......Well, it's not a lie."
Bishop Yuna was astounded by those words.
To call upon the Holy Spirit through prayer.
That is not impossible.
Especially within the Solarian Theocracy, which is full of holy power, the probability is even higher.
Even so, this young deacon called upon the Holy Spirit through prayer and even gained the Ability of Hymns?
At this point, Bishop Yuna's trust in Ray began to pierce the ceiling.
"I will gladly accept my brother's advice. We shall do as you say."
As Bishop Yuna agreed, Ray twisted the corner of his mouth unnoticed by anyone.
That appearance was truly a devilishly wicked smile.
***
The four were each assigned their own rooms, but they all gathered in the same room.
"So. What's the idea?"
"What idea? I just want to hear more of the Bishop's graceful words."
At Ray's sly reply, Aaron's eyebrows furrowed.
"Stop the nonsense and tell me what you're really thinking. The Bishop's sermon is hard to call good, even insincerely."
"That can be changed by changing the way it's delivered and its structure."
"Change the way and structure?"
Aaron sent a look full of disbelief.
By what means could a mere deacon, who had never even presided over a service, change the way and structure of a service?
But Ray Anderson had a special history that Aaron didn't know about: his previous life as Pastor Kim Gwango.
"We. Will revive this cathedral."
He was a star pastor, a professional among professionals.
***
In the Free City of Campbell, various religions coexist, but most citizens prefer 'neutrality'.
This cultural characteristic was unique to the region bordering the Eastern pagans.
This was a consequence of the prolonged conflict that defined their history.
During the war against the pagans, once called the Sun War, the territory of Campbell frequently changed hands.
Each side repeatedly took control from the other, shaping the unique cultural landscape of the bordering region.
This greatly contributed to Campbell's religious identity becoming ambiguous.
As a joke, it is said that the residents of Campbell hold weddings in the cathedral, funerals in the Eastern style, and New Year's festivals according to indigenous beliefs in front of a large tree.
Since they held such a fluid faith, it wasn't strange for them to switch religions depending on the occasion.
However, even taking that into account, the popularity of the Solar Theocracy was low in Campbell.
"Campbell Cathedral? I thought I was going to die from boredom."
"They only talk about fundamental scripture and the service time is ridiculously long."
"If you want to hear a Solar Theocracy service, you might as well go to the Sun-Moon Cult, which is similar, right?"
These were the common sentiments held by the residents of Campbell.
Such evaluations accumulated, and the current Campbell Cathedral was in decline.
"Hmm? What's this?"
A busy street under the midday sun.
The man's attention was drawn to a poster located in the center of the square, a common gathering place in Campbell.
「Campbell Cathedral Wednesday Service Announcement!」
The poster, written with charming illustrations and impressive handwriting, initially drew people's attention.
Of course, not everyone could read, so if that had been all, many people would have just passed by.
"Oh my, what is this picture? What's inside that sparkling glass bottle?"
"It looks like if you drink this, you can become a muscular man?"
"Is it something that makes you healthier?"
Since pictures that were easy to guess the meaning of were drawn, people became interested in the contents.
Eventually, someone who couldn't hold back shouted.
"Yurik! You can read, right? Read that for me!"
Everyone's gaze turned towards the man who had been pointed out. He did not betray the attention focused on him.
"Ahem! It says here that Campbell Cathedral will hold a Wednesday service."
"Campbell Cathedral?"
"That ridiculously boring place?"
"Not only that, but it says they'll provide a free meal if you come and participate in the service."
"They're giving out free food?"
"Hmm~ Should we go?"
"No thanks, forget it! Are you planning to be stuck in the cathedral for three hours just for one meal? I'll just eat on my own."
That's right. Spending three hours at the cathedral for just one meal didn't make financial sense at all.
They were busy enough with work, where would they find the leisure to spend three hours on a service?
"Then, what's that picture?"
To someone's question, Yurik read out the meaning, one letter at a time, haltingly.
"Through a drawing... they're giving out holy water for free? No, is this for real?!"
It was a surprise event, enough to startle the person who read it.
"They're giving out holy water? Is it the holy water I know?"
"That holy water that you only get a tiny bit of during a baptism?"
"Even just selling it in the market would make a decent amount of money!"
"They're giving that away for free?!"
People whispered to each other, looking at each other's faces.
The cathedral's service advertisement, which they normally would have carelessly passed by, this time stimulated their curiosity.
The unconventional promises of free meals and a holy water drawing.
Such posters were put up throughout the city, and they anticipated the Wednesday service.
And so, on Wednesday evening.
The cathedral entrance began to show vitality after a long time.
Six-thirty in the evening.
The cathedral doors were wide open 30 minutes earlier than the announced time of seven o'clock.
"It hasn't started yet, but the doors are open."
"It's getting dark, should we go inside beforehand?"
Inside, bright lights were welcoming visitors from within.
Citizens, lured by the free food and holy water, entered the cathedral one by one...
"Sol Invictus! Welcome everyone! Scream!!!"
A frenzied hymn medley began.
"What in the world, that crazy guy..."
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[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
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