Chapter 154: Memorial Day Venue
A little earlier.
Philadelphia City Hall Venue.
The place was packed with people, and camera flashes lit up from time to time.
Two Stars and Stripes flags hung in the center of the venue, and olive branches representing peace decorated the front of the podium.
Parker Cherie, the first African-American female mayor of Philadelphia in over a hundred years, walked onto the stage in a dark blue formal suit.
"Today, we gather here to pay tribute to the warriors who fought for the freedom of this land..."
The proceedings on stage officially began, while people off-stage were also busy.
Side cubicle of the venue.
"Bent, finally found you! Teacher Richie said we have to rehearse Beethoven's Ninth one more time later." Zar said, panting heavily.
Bent pointed to the seating area and sighed:
"Why do we have to do so much work while those guys can sit comfortably?"
Zar looked in that direction.
In the front row of the venue, several priests wearing black robes were sitting there.
Exquisite and luxurious fabrics, pale gold shawls.
By contrast, Zar and Bent looked like they were from the countryside.
"What's so strange about that? Those people are from St. Peter's Cathedral."
Zar explained:
"The old man at the very front is Archbishop Matthew Ortega! He has been in office for more than forty years."
"As the Diocesan Bishop, he has presided over three Vatican Great Saints Festivals and holds a very high status even in the entire Church."
"Sending him to attend this time shows how much importance the Church attaches to Memorial Day!"
Bent didn't fully understand but felt it was impressive, staring at the old man with reverent eyes.
But coincidentally, he saw the Archbishop scratch his butt.
"Ugh..."
Bent was stunned on the spot, and the image of "dignified and noble" in his heart collapsed instantly.
"It seems the Archbishop is also human..." he thought to himself.
But in the next moment, the old man seemed to sense something and turned his head to glance at Bent, scaring the latter into shrinking back.
Zar didn't notice his companion's reaction and continued:
"And the lady next to him. If I guessed correctly, it should be Sister Beatrice Mason."
"She entered the Diocesan Exorcism Academy as an apprentice nun, and became a Bronze Cross Priest a month later. It is said that her theological talent is very high."
Speaking of this, Zar glanced around alertly.
Then he lowered his voice and said: "Much more powerful than Silas."
Bent nodded blankly and looked at the sitting back figure again.
Due to Church regulations, female clergy members must wrap their heads tightly with hoods.
So Bent could only see the nun's side profile.
But even with just this, his gaze was still a little dazed.
That skin as white as holy light, and two emerald-like eyes embedded under long eyelashes.
She just sat there, without needing any words, and that slender and dignified posture became the focus of everyone.
At this time, besides Bent, many men frequently looked back.
"What a beautiful lady," Bent murmured.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he hurriedly shut his mouth tight.
This was a serious act of "Violating Vows," but fortunately no one heard it.
"Sister Beatrice might enter the Vatican this year. Everyone says she is likely a candidate for the 'Holy Child'," Zar whispered.
"How do you know so much?" Bent looked at his old friend.
Zar gave him a side-eye.
"After graduating from the seminary, we will be assigned to churches in various places. You have to find out what they lack so you can study specifically in advance. Only then can you get a good placement."
"Zar, you really think of everything! When you get into St. Peter's, I will definitely congratulate you!"
Zar was suddenly speechless: "Uh... I'm just finding out; I can't get into that place."
The atmosphere fell into silence for a moment.
"It's time for rehearsal; let's hurry over."
"Okay... okay."
Venue Seating Area.
"Sister Beatrice, why do I feel like everyone is peeking at me? They wouldn't think I am that kind of Bishop with bad conduct, right?"
Matthew Ortega frowned and scratched his thigh again.
Before the nun next to him could speak, another blond male priest spoke up:
"Archbishop Ortega, those people might be looking at Sister Beatrice..."
The male priest had another sentence in his heart that he didn't say—Your behavior of scratching your butt is indeed a bit improper.
"That's good then."
Matthew breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sister Beatrice, straighten your back a bit more." As he spoke, he slumped down a bit further.
Beatrice held back the urge to curse.
"Archbishop, stop messing around! And you too, Father Roderick, this is a very serious ceremony."
But after speaking, she still sat up a little straighter.
"Sorry."
"Please forgive me."
Perhaps feeling that she spoke too harshly, Beatrice changed the subject:
"Bishop Matthew, I heard there is also Sacramental Wine for this Memorial Day. Shall I get some for you later?"
Matthew immediately sat up straight upon hearing this: "Get more! Don't let those guys from the Vatican see it!"
Seeing the old man's sneaky look, Beatrice shook her head helplessly.
"Speaking of the Vatican, I heard that someone from the Holy See came directly this time to personally grant the qualification for the Clergy Group selection," Roderick lowered his voice and said.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes upon hearing this.
It was said that the Holy See Clergy Group gathered "Gifted Ones" from all over, who would directly enter the Vatican in the future.
The people in this department were very mysterious, but they held high authority within the Church.
Beatrice only knew that they often appeared in various thorny incidents and were a "Special Department" in the Church.
Her trip this time was precisely to get the qualification for the Clergy Group selection.
"Ms. Beatrice, you will definitely be able to enter the Clergy Group!" Matthew said seriously.
Beatrice felt a little warm inside: "Thank you for your trust."
"I'll draw the location of the Sacramental Wine for you later; remember to only take those with high vintage..."
The corner of the nun's mouth twitched; she knew this old man wouldn't be so kind.
"Bishop Matthew, do you know that envoy from the Vatican?"
Since arriving at the venue, Beatrice had been looking for traces of the other party.
"Joran, that guy is also one of the persons in charge of security. He's probably squatting somewhere right now," Matthew said while scratching his thigh.
"Sending a Holy See envoy to guard an ordinary Memorial Day?" Roderick was surprised.
"Evil outbreaks have become more frequent recently; the Church is just being safe," Beatrice explained.
"A while ago, an evil invasion occurred in the south. If it weren't for a powerful exorcist being there, that place would have fallen long ago."
"There was actually such a thing." Roderick felt impressed though he didn't know the details.
"With Joran here this time, I probably won't be needed," Matthew thought to himself.
City Hall, Third Floor.
Inside the monitoring room, many people were busy.
"The speech ends in one minute; the salute guard of honor can take their positions in advance..."
"A boy lost a toy in Area A; anomalies there can be ruled out..."
"Bishop Hans of Dei Church entered the backstage; he claimed to be visiting the choir..."
Joran listened to the content on the intercom, his eyes constantly scanning the monitors in front of him.
At this time, a nun poked her head in from outside the door.
"Come in," Joran said flatly.
Caroline was stunned, then realized the Archbishop was calling her.
"Your detection ability is so strong; if they whisper bad things about you, can you hear it all?"
Caroline looked curious and pointed to the people in the room.
As soon as this remark came out, the monitoring room was quiet for a moment.
But soon it returned to noise.
Joran covered his face: "How about the thing I asked you to do?"
☆☆☆
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