Villainess X Villain: They are obsessed with each other!-Chapter 33 -: 32 The devoted one.

"Sir Uriel is here," one person said to his friend.

"I see him," the friend, a girl, replied.

Both of them wore pure white priest robes. They spoke in low, excited voices.

"I heard he joined the church only a week ago," the first one said.

"But his kindness and strong faith in the goddess earned him the name ’The Devoted One.’"

"Right? You can tell just by looking at him, he must have been sent by the goddess herself."

"I even heard he tried to save the cardinal, even though he was so weak himself."

They kept talking, their eyes full of admiration and respect. They stared at a boy about 15 or 16 years old.

The boy had long blonde hair that fell neatly down his back.

He wore a clean priest robe with a small cross necklace hanging around his neck.

His blue eyes looked calm and gentle. As he walked, he smiled kindly at every devotee who passed by.

His face was very beautiful, almost holy.

Whenever he smiled at someone, their eyes filled with deep devotion and love.

This was Uriel.

He was an orphan who had joined the Church of Goddess Benigore just one week ago.

Right now, he was walking outside the church toward the worship area, where all the devotees prayed to the goddess.

He walked a short distance and passed through the gate. Soon, a large statue of the goddess appeared in front of him.

Uriel stepped forward and knelt on the ground.

"Oh, Creator of all," he prayed in a soft, clear voice.

"Oh, you who love everyone, please bring peace to this world."

"May no one die from hunger. May no one tell lies. May your kindness always shine on the world." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As he prayed, all the devotees around him also knelt down.

They joined him in prayer, their voices quiet and full of faith.

The air felt warm and peaceful.

Uriel continued to pray for a long time. It felt like hours had passed. Finally, he stood up slowly.

He bowed deeply toward the goddess statue.

"May your light always guide me on the right path," he said softly.

"May I never tell a lie."

Then he turned around.

All the devotees who had been kneeling also stood up with him.

Uriel looked at them with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, all of you, for praying with me," he said.

"May the goddess show mercy and compassion to every one of you."

The devotees’ eyes shone with joy. His graceful and holy appearance touched them deeply.

Some had tears in their eyes.

"Such a holy being," one whispered.

"He must be a true gift from the goddess."

Murmurs of agreement spread through the crowd.

Clap... clap... clap... clap...

Suddenly, the sound of clapping came from behind Uriel.

Uriel turned around.

The moment he saw who it was, his smile became even brighter and warmer.

Standing there was a man in a white robe with a red cloth draped over one shoulder.

It was Cardinal Repheal. He was middle-aged.

His hair was mostly black, but the sides near his ears had turned gray.

His face looked kind and gentle as he smiled at Uriel.

"Father," Uriel said respectfully.

He knelt down right away, his expression full of honor.

Cardinal Repheal walked closer.

"No need to kneel, my son," he said softly.

He placed both hands on Uriel’s shoulders and gently lifted him back to his feet.

"I knew you would be here today," the cardinal said with a warm smile.

"Tell me... are your studies of the holy scriptures going well?"

Uriel nodded, his blue eyes calm and bright.

"Yes, Father. The words of the goddess fill my heart more each day."

The cardinal patted his shoulder lightly.

"Good. Very good."

Around them, the devotees watched in silence.

Many bowed their heads in respect toward both Uriel and the cardinal.

Cardinal Repheal stared at Uriel for a long moment, looking lost in thought.

Then he spoke softly.

"I still can’t believe we didn’t find you until now."

He shook his head slowly.

"Someone as holy as you should have been noticed by our devotees long ago in this holy empire."

"It’s unfortunate. If we had found you earlier, you would already be a bishop by now."

The cardinal let out a quiet sigh.

"But it’s fortunate we found you at last," he added, his voice warm with gratitude.

His mind went back to what happened just one week ago.

He had been visiting a lawless area in the holy empire.

His official reason was to hand out food to the poor.

But the real reason was different: the church wanted to find and eliminate the devil worshippers hiding there.

During the visit, the devil worshippers attacked.

They tried to assassinate the cardinal.

Right at that moment, Uriel appeared out of nowhere.

He threw himself in front to shield the cardinal with his own body.

Uriel would have died if the attack hadn’t been stopped in time.

But his kindness and bravery stood out clearly.

After it was over, Cardinal Repheal asked him, "Why did you risk your life for me?"

Uriel had smiled innocently and answered,

"Goddess Benigore told me to protect her son."

When he heard those words, the cardinal knew this boy was not ordinary.

Only someone truly connected to the goddess could have such a pure and beautiful appearance.

Without hesitation, he adopted Uriel that very day and brought him to the main church.

Now, standing in front of the goddess statue, Cardinal Repheal placed a gentle hand on Uriel’s shoulder again.

"You are a true blessing," he said.

"The goddess herself sent you to us.

We will take good care of you from now on."

Uriel bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you, Father. I only want to serve the goddess and help those in need."

The cardinal smiled wider.

"Come with me.

There is much to discuss. The pope wants to meet you."

They started walking together toward the inner halls of the church.

The devotees around them watched in silence, still filled with awe and respect.