The visitor wore a deep purple robe, with a matching purple skullcap on his head. A silver cross hung from his chest, its tip set with a red gemstone.
Skye froze.
A Catholic clergyman… and not just any clergyman, but a Cardinal, the highest authority of the New York Archdiocese.
"May I ask… what brings you here, Your Eminence?"
Skye became extremely polite at once.
In Western countries, the status of clergy—especially Catholic clergy—is exceptional. Showing disrespect to a priest is considered blasphemy.
A nation without faith may be pitiful, but a nation ruled by faith is tragic. When divine authority stands above royal or governmental power, such a country becomes lamentable.
Within Catholicism, hierarchy is strict and clearly defined.
At the very top stands the Pontiff, commonly known as the Pope.
Below him is the College of Cardinals, usually numbering over a hundred members—the Red Cardinals. Appointed by the Pope, they oversee the Church's global affairs and daily operations. They also hold the responsibility of electing a new Pope after the previous one's death. Traditionally, the new Pope is chosen from among the Cardinals.
There is, however, one legendary exception: divine revelation—when all Cardinals, along with the witnessing faithful, are inspired simultaneously to call out a single name. That person would then become Pope. Such events are exceedingly rare and scarcely recorded throughout Church history.
Below the Red Cardinals are the Purple Cardinals, also known as Archbishops or Metropolitan Archbishops. They are typically dispatched across the world to oversee entire dioceses, whose size depends on regional boundaries and the number of churches within them.
In predominantly Catholic countries, almost every district has at least one church—sometimes more—depending on local customs.
Below the Archbishops are Bishops, also senior clergy. Bishops usually wear black robes trimmed with red piping and buttons, along with a red sash. Their role is primarily supervisory—overseeing clergy or officiating large-scale religious events. Their authority is limited to their own diocese and they remain subordinate to the Archbishop.
Below them are the most familiar figures—the priests. They also wear black robes, but without red ornamentation. Each priest is responsible for a single church. Their duties are extensive: weddings, funerals, births, deaths, exorcisms, baptisms, prayers, Mass—everything within Catholic life. They are the clergy most often depicted in films and television.
At the bottom of the hierarchy are deacons. They handle miscellaneous tasks—cleaning, administration, reception, and daily maintenance. Historically, they wore simple robes and held no authority, effectively functioning as church staff.
Nuns exist outside the formal clergy hierarchy. Strictly speaking, they are believers rather than ordained clergy. Their duties often overlap with deacons—assisting priests with prayer, education, and missionary work. Fully ordained nuns wear black habits, while novices wear white. To become a nun, one must take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and undergo at least five years of probation.
Within churches and communities, women and children are usually tended to by nuns, except during baptisms or exorcisms. Because of their gentler demeanor, nuns are often more warmly received by the faithful.
---
The Purple Cardinal standing here was the highest-ranking authority of the entire New York Archdiocese.
Skye had no idea why he had come.
"Won't you invite me to sit, young lady?"
The Cardinal's voice was gentle and kind.
"Oh—of course! Please sit, Your Eminence. I'll pour you some tea."
Skye quickly ushered him to a seat and brought over two cups of black tea.
The Cardinal took a small sip, his eyes lighting up slightly.
"Excellent tea. Thank you."
Skye gave an awkward smile and sat across from him. For someone raised in Western culture, Catholicism held a sacred place in her heart, and a Purple Cardinal was not someone one encountered lightly.
If Lucas were here, he would probably roll his eyes—just another charlatan, what's there to be excited about?
"Are you the owner of this place, young lady?"
The Cardinal set down his cup. He had come with a specific purpose—to meet the owner, Lucas.
Skye shook her head.
"No, the boss stepped out for a bit. If you'd like, I can pass along a message, or call him and ask him to come back?"
The Cardinal waved his hand gently.
"No need. I'll wait for him here, if that's convenient."
"Of course, of course. Please make yourself comfortable."
Skye stood up and brought out a small plate of chestnut ice cream, placing it in front of him.
"You can carry on with your work. Don't mind an old man like me."
Seeing how approachable he was, Skye returned to designing a website for a cleaning company.
---
About an hour later, a flash of blue light appeared.
Lucas materialized out of thin air inside the office.
The bodyguards accompanying the Cardinal were instantly alarmed. They drew their guns and aimed them straight at Lucas.
Lucas frowned.
Three wind blades flashed past in an instant, slicing cleanly through the firearms. The guns fell apart into several pieces.
"Who are you savages? Get out. Now. Or I'll end your lives."
His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
Daring to cause trouble in his office—these people truly had a death wish.
Before the bodyguards could react, an invisible force slammed into them, sending all of them flying straight out the door.
"Kupo—kupo—!!"
The Moogle floated angrily in midair, gesturing furiously as it scolded them.
Skye quickly scooped the Moogle into her arms and soothed it, rubbing its head until it visibly relaxed and began enjoying the attention.
Lucas turned to the Purple Cardinal, who was sitting calmly on the sofa with a warm smile.
Unlike Skye, Lucas felt no reverence at all. Western appearance aside, his soul wasn't Western—and he had no particular respect for Catholicism.
"He bring those people?"
Lucas glanced at Skye.
Skye nodded.
"A commission?"
Lucas asked again.
Skye nodded once more.
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