Chapter 36: The Sanctuary
Terry moved swiftly, seemingly eager, delivering the clothes Corleon had commissioned by the third day.
Along with the clothes, she brought an eight-year-old boy.
“Agamemnon Adams, we’ll call him Menon.” Terry patted the boy’s head, his dark red hair appearing vibrant under the sunlight.
“Agamemnon Adams, Menon.” Corleon repeated the boy’s name.
Compared to Ando, who appeared obedient and was brought by Yara, Agamemnon stood upright with a serious expression; his well-mannered upbringing made him seem more mature than the eleven-year-old Ando.
“Yes, he’s a good child. I believe the priest will like him.” Terry said with a smile, pride evident on her face.
Corleon said, “Let him stay in the church tonight. If he can sleep peacefully here, I will baptize him tomorrow. Perhaps during the baptism, the Lord will bestow His blessing upon him.”
Corleon intended to grant Menon and Ando the Commandment · Toward Life during the baptism. It had no significant side effects, merely enhancing their physical constitution after taking the vow.
Recently, among those attending church services, Corleon had also administered the Commandment · Toward Life to some individuals in poor health, hoping the Lord would ease their suffering.
“Thank you for your mercy.” Terry bowed slightly.
“Thank you.” Menon mimicked his grandmother’s posture and said.
“This is the Lord’s mercy.” Corleon responded, then turned to George, who had changed into new clothes and was beaming with joy.
“Brother George, please take Menon to familiarize himself with the church surroundings. Perhaps he would like to visit his father.”
Corleon’s words caused a brief change in Menon’s expression.
“Alright, priest.” George responded enthusiastically.
He wore a beige monk’s robe, the hood neatly folded behind his back, with wide sleeves.
Corleon was dressed in a black priest’s robe.
There was also a red robe, which Corleon had prepared for when the church would have other priests, and he would be promoted to bishop.
“Thank you, Brother.” Menon said to George.
Terry’s smile grew even broader.
After George took Menon away, Terry’s smile gradually faded.
She glanced at the stone piles around the church and asked, “I heard this is a miracle bestowed by the great Lord.”
The sudden appearance of these three piles of stones couldn’t be concealed.
Although the church was somewhat remote, it wasn’t far from York Town.
Therefore, in the past two days, some nobles had come to inquire about the situation.
Although Corleon claimed it was a miracle from the Lord, these nobles outwardly marveled at the Lord’s power but their eyes revealed excitement as if they had discovered some secret, yet the threads on the light orb did not increase at all.
Only the commoners who came to worship fervently praised the Lord, causing many new threads to appear on the light orb, and the existing ones to solidify significantly.
So now, looking at Terry’s devout expression, Corleon didn’t believe it at all.
Corleon raised his voice slightly, tilting his head back, and said.
“The Lord loves the world. The believers who come to worship cannot enter the church and pray before the Lord’s Throne, so the Lord bestowed a revelation, commanding me to build a new church.”
“Thus, the Lord performed a miracle, creating bricks forged from fire and stone blessed by the Lord.”
“These bricks of ‘fire’ and ‘stone’ are to be used to erect a tabernacle, unshaken by wind and rain, indestructible by sword and blade.”
“This will become the sanctuary on earth, where the Lord’s initial Throne descends, dwelling here eternally, an everlasting sanctuary.”
“Pilgrims will worship here, listening to the Lord’s teachings.”
“The devout will hear the gospel of the Heavenly Kingdom, their ailments will vanish, and they will taste sweetness like honey.”
“Sinners will face judgment; the purifying flames will scorch their souls, and their sins will dissipate through punishment.”
He lowered his head, clasping the cross on his chest.
“Such a great Lord, such a merciful Lord, such a loving Lord.” Terry clasped her hands together, her voice tinged with emotional sobs, tears of emotion in her eyes.
Like a devout believer hearing the Lord’s gospel.
“If possible, I am willing to dig the earth with my hands, carrying each brick until the sanctuary echoes with the Lord’s gospel. I will kiss each brick; this is my devotion to the Lord.” Terry said.
“The Lord loves the world. The devout poor, the sick, and the disabled should build the sanctuary. They should listen to the Lord’s gospel, be fed, healed, and survive. This is also the blessing the Lord bestows upon them.” Corleon said.
“Truly a merciful Lord, truly a loving Lord. The devout believer Terry will not compete with them for the Lord’s gospel, but hopes to demonstrate my devotion to the Lord with insignificant gold coins, using these coins to buy wheat flour, icing sugar, and honey wine, so they will no longer be hungry, no longer in pain, no longer poor.” Terry said.
“You are a devout believer; the Lord will watch over you.” Corleon said.
“This will be my highest honor.” Terry bowed deeply.
Corleon slightly bowed his head, holding the cross with his left hand, drawing a cross in front of him.
“May glory, power, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, and praise be to the Lord.”
In silence, the two seemed to be praying in their hearts.
Eventually, Corleon raised his head first.
“The clothes you brought fit well; you were thoughtful.” Corleon said. “How many gold coins did these clothes cost?”
“These are my offerings to the Lord as a believer, not worth measuring in gold coins.” Terry said.
“Your labor deserves reward; this is the Lord’s teaching.” Corleon said.
“Oh, it’s my fault. I forgot the Lord’s teaching.” Terry began to cry.
Corleon remained silent, watching Terry weep.
“It cost a total of ten gold coins.” Terry wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. “This is what I paid.”
Three sets of red bishop’s robes, ten sets of black priest’s robes, and twenty sets of monk’s robes were the clothes Terry delivered this time.
Ten gold coins, given the current productivity, was a cost price.
Of course, that’s assuming Terry paid the workers.
Corleon took out a small cloth bag, retrieved ten gold coins from it, and handed them to Terry.
“This is the reward you deserve.” Corleon said.
Terry accepted the gold coins and said, “Yes, I will remember the Lord’s teachings from now on.”
Corleon nodded and said, “Would you like to see your child?”
Terry hesitated but shook her head.
“No, seeing his tombstone always reminds me of his childhood, causing my heart to ache.” Her face showed some sadness.
“I’ll return to town first. I’ll leave Menon in your care, priest.” She said, as if enduring sorrow.
“Alright, I will take good care of him and let him listen to the Lord’s teachings.” Corleon nodded and said.
Terry bowed slightly and was about to leave.
“But there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you, madam.”
“Please speak, priest.”
“There is a child who will be baptized with Menon, and he is currently staying in town. I hope you can help me inform them.”
“Alright, may I ask where the priest resides and the child’s name?”
“They are currently staying at the Leaky Jug Tavern. The child’s name is Ando, Ando Daniels.”
“……”
Terry’s expression stiffened for a moment.
“Oh, by the way, his sister is Yara Daniels. You should know that name, madam.”
“Yes, of course, I know.” Terry smiled. “I will deliver the priest’s message to them.”
Terry left.
Watching her figure disappear into the distance.
Corleon closed his eyes and entered the world of light.
As expected, the threads on the light orb had not increased.