From God of Lies to Lord of All Worlds

Chapter 212: The Funeral, and Also a Rebirth

The bustling liveliness of Rome was replaced by mourning and remembrance almost overnight.

Before the celebrations could truly end, sorrow had already begun to spread.

Everyone knew that the Cardinal who had welcomed the Angel had left them forever.

Pope Mario personally wrote the eulogy and arranged for the viewing to be held at St. Peter's Basilica. He would also personally preside over the funeral, burying him with the highest possible honors!

Everyone understood why. Rasinger Leo was one of only two Cardinals remaining in the entire Vatican, and one of the rare few who possessed true faith and Transcendent power. The other Cardinal was currently far away, preaching in Western Europe!

Furthermore, this Cardinal had previously been the Priest of St. Paul's Basilica, making him one of the most important figures in all of Rome. After experiencing the Divine Descent of the Angel, his status was second only to Pope Mario himself!

But no one could have anticipated that Cardinal Rasinger, who had acted with such swift decisiveness over the past three days and frequently ventured outside, would pass away at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran right at the start of this grand event, dying by the Pope's side.

With Mario's tacit approval, this news was broadcast to the rest of the world alongside his eulogy:

"Cardinal Leo was one of the most outstanding sons and beloved shepherds of the Diocese of Rome. His life was rich with contributions, joyfully bearing witness to the gospel and meekly serving The Church...

"...He was a diligent shepherd who wholeheartedly devoted himself to the needs and welfare of the Priests and all the Faithful. He also paid wholehearted attention to every global issue, especially focusing on families, War, and children. These were his contributions..."...O Lord, please grant eternal joy and peace to this faithful Servant whom You loved, and please bestow comfort upon those who mourn the passing of Cardinal Leo..."

This message was transmitted across the Vatican's broadcast channels and played before the eyes of everyone around the world who followed the Vatican. In just a few days, Dignitaries from nations all across the globe had already arrived.

Previously, they could afford to ignore the people and affairs of the Vatican, but now, everyone needed to understand the Pope's stance. Even if they could not attend in person, they dispatched Ambassadors or foreign ministers.

Upon hearing that the Pope would personally preside over the ceremony and that Father Angus from America would also be in attendance, the level of representation skyrocketed. Deputy leaders from major countries arrived, and for the smaller European nations, their Heads of State attended in person!

Even the Nordic Five, who usually kept to themselves, dispatched their Ambassadors to the Vatican.

The grand funeral commenced, but beneath the magnificent Ritual lay a remarkably simple, almost austere casket. There were no extravagant displays, no luxurious items, not even a traditional triple casket—only a small, plain wooden coffin.

This reflected Rasinger's dying wish. He chose to follow the modest burial rites established by Mario, requiring no other ornate grave goods. Just one person, one coffin, and nothing more.

Yet, such a funeral was still incredibly lavish because the person being buried was a Cardinal—a Cardinal who had experienced a Divine Descent. The presider was the Pope, a true pontiff wielding divine authority, and the assistant was another Cardinal, the very first Transcendent Bishop to appear in this world!

Amidst the entrance Hymn chanted by the choir, Mario slowly walked in and personally sprinkled holy water over the casket. In front of so many Dignitaries and High Officials, he unreservedly revealed his power!

White Holy Light scattered into the air alongside the holy water, manifesting before everyone's eyes.

The Power of Holy Light silenced anyone harboring a skeptical attitude and plunged all the Faithful into Fanaticism at this very moment. This unreserved display from the Pope was the very foundation of their profound devotion!

Then, the image of Father Angus slowly stepping forward, radiating a white light no less brilliant than Pope Mario's, pushed the Ritual to its climax!

"Please pray for our brother Cardinal, Rasinger Leo. May the Lord forgive all his Sins, illuminate him with eternal Light, and grant him a share in the glory of the resurrection. Let us pray together."

This prayer was no longer an ordinary Ritual like before. With Angus's arrival, the sky filled with scattered sparks and boundless Holy Light!

These specks of Radiance appeared before the eyes of every spectator, elevating the ceremony to its absolute peak!

"God... is this the hidden depth of the Vatican?"

"My God, please forgive my selfishness and doubt, I should never have doubted You..." "I will believe in the Lord, for all my life, until the end of eternity..."

A heaven-chosen missionary was truly different. The application of this power was enough to elevate the original effect of the Ritual even further!

Compared to Mario, Cardinal Angus was noticeably more adept at wielding the Holy Light, and this miracle of Light was Angus's first gift to the Roman Catholic Holy See!

Divine Faith gathered over this land once more, giving many people a more profound understanding of the Catholic Church. They began to pray right where they stood, seemingly causing the Light in the area to blaze even brighter!

The Ritual continued, and high above in the sky, Bai Yang watched the ceremony with an approving expression.

"Ah, I really did not expect Rasinger to be so decisive in choosing his own death rather than lingering on... I suppose that is why I will probably never be able to become a believer of anything in my entire life!" Bai Yang mused.

"But Crown, you are the God of gods, the Lord of lords. There is no entity in existence worthy of your Divine Faith!" Alvin chimed in smoothly, making Bai Yang nod slightly.

"You are right, Alvin. No one is worthy of my Divine Faith, but everyone will believe in me!"

He waved his hand, igniting the divine fire belonging to "God" in the sky above the area. "But this is fine. Even though the full extent of the Shadow Department has not been revealed yet, I still have plenty of power left to showcase for the Holy See's open forces, whether it be the Priests, Bishops, Deacons, presbyters, Monks, or Nuns!"

"As the world's leading religion, their massive Population and powerful Divine Faith are indeed enough to catalyze an even more vibrant force and world!"

"Let's take this opportunity right now to truly establish the prototype of the Divine Kingdom—the Heavenly Kingdom and Heaven Mountain belonging to Yahweh!"

He reached out and grasped at the air. What materialized before his eyes was Divine Faith that had almost coalesced into physical substance. This was certainly incredible, but fueled by the combined efforts of 1.3 billion Christians worldwide, it was not impossible; on the contrary, it was highly inevitable!

And in his hands, this Divine Faith was the most useful, practical, and adaptable power of all—Wish Power!

"Crown, are you going to generate a world out of thin air?" Alvin asked in astonishment.

"Of course not. Aren't the convictions of these people the best foundation and guide?" Bai Yang chuckled. Gazing down at the city below, which had long since become infinitely mystical due to this special funeral, he gently tapped his fingers.

"If someone could guide Rasinger's Soul to appear, it would be the ultimate proof of the Heavenly Kingdom's existence!

"Such proof will make the entire world bow down in awe!"

As his words fell, his figure faded away, but at that very moment, infinite Holy Light truly descended from the heavens!

Down below, it was the exact moment Pope Mario was reciting the Eucharistic prayer of the Sacrifice:

"At the time He was betrayed and entered willingly into His Passion, He took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is My Body, which will be given up for you."

"In a similar way, when supper was ended, He took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, He gave it to His disciples, saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of My Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of Sins. Do this in memory of Me."

"Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the saving Passion of Your Son, His wondrous Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, and as we look forward to His second coming, we offer You in thanksgiving the Bread of life and the Chalice of Salvation."

Under the solemnity of such a holy Sacrifice, everyone fell silent, listening intently. At this moment, they all felt a tranquil peace unique to heaven and earth, a serenity belonging to the Christian Church.

And within this tranquility, amidst this globally broadcast funeral, a beam of white light struck down from the sky, piercing straight into the casket!

"What is this?" Under the bewildered gazes of the crowd, they watched as a translucent figure slowly stood upright within the beam of white light.

"Cardinal Rasinger?" a few Vatican Bishops cried out, prompting many to instinctively look toward the far end of the sacrificial altar where a portrait was displayed.

The kindly old man in the Red Robes depicted in the painting was indeed absolutely identical to this translucent shadow!

He was Rasinger, or rather, he was Rasinger's Soul!

Everyone froze in shock. They knew about the emergence of Transcendent powers and how the world had changed, but that conceptual awareness paled into insignificance when a literal Soul manifested right before their eyes!

That was a Soul! The true form of a person after death!

This was the shadow of Eternal Life!