Chapter 608: Chapter 168: Declaration of Love_3
Ah Dai drew in a deep breath, cast a loving gaze at Xuan Yue, and calmly said, "Your Holiness, first of all, I would like to clarify one thing. Today, I am representing no one but myself here, and my presence has nothing to do with the Tian Gang Sword Sect. If I don’t live up to your expectations in any way, I hope you won’t associate my actions with the sect. I love Yue Yue, I can’t live without her, and even you won’t be able to stop us from being together today. Yue Yue’s husband can only be me, and no one can take her away from me." Ah Dai’s words were unflinchingly resolute, admitting no room for compromise. As soon as he finished uttering "take her away from me," an overwhelming aura surrounding him grew even stronger. His blue warrior suit fluttered even in the absence of wind, and a layer of faint golden glow surfaced on his exposed skin. Standing in front of the Pope, the most authoritative figure on the continent, he showed not a hint of retreat. He calmly locked eyes with the Pope, conceding not an inch.
Feeling the immense pressure brought on by Ah Dai, the Pope was inwardly shocked. Although this pressure couldn’t make him back down, it was the first time he had felt threatened since his encounter with the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang. The Pope coldly said, "So, you intend to oppose the church head on."
Ah Dai shook his head and said, "No, I’m not here to challenge the church; I’m here to win back my dearest love. I’ve always been alone since childhood. I was a petty thief in a cold, small town in the extreme north of the Tian Jing Empire. In those days, I never had enough food or warmth, living each day in hunger and cold. Perhaps, you have no way of imagining what it was like. I, having come from that place, was of humble origin, merely a lowly commoner, barely on par with even the most ordinary Sacred Knight in the church. Later, I met Uncle Owen, Teacher Goris, and the Sword Saint of the Tian Gang, my Master Teacher. They changed my life. I used to think I wasn’t good enough for Yue Yue, who is your granddaughter, the young mistress of the entire church. And me? I was nothing. But I’ve realised now that identity doesn’t mean everything. No matter how great the disparity in our statuses, nothing can stop me from loving Yue Yue. I truly love her. Now, I am completely worthy of Yue Yue. I believe, with my own capabilities, I can totally protect her, take care of her, and give her a happy life." Turning to Ballon, who was glaring with anger, Ah Dai pointed his right finger at him and coldly said, "Ballon, you lied to me that day. You said that Yue Yue didn’t have feelings for me. I don’t blame you; if I have to blame anyone, it’s myself, I didn’t trust in Yue Yue enough. That was my mistake. But today, you can’t dream of marrying Yue Yue before my eyes. Yue Yue is mine, and she will always be mine. I won’t give up on myself. I will prove to you all that only I am truly worthy of Yue Yue. To all members of the church here present, and to all the guests who have come to attend the wedding, I am ready to prove everything I’ve said in front of you all. For Yue Yue, I am willing to take on the whole church. Your Holiness, I have violated your and the Sky God’s dignity. I am ready to accept whatever punishment you decide to mete out, but I hope that you can honour my genuine feelings for Yue Yue."
Ah Dai’s words not only moved the Pope but also touched the worshipping officials and judges beneath the altar. Although his sudden appearance to stop the wedding was a great insult to the church, his earnest words conveyed clearly to everyone his deep love for Xuan Yue. For a moment, the Pope was at a loss for words. As the church’s highest leader, he didn’t know how to deal with the situation. A few months ago, even before the wedding, if Ah Dai had come to the church to express his love for Xuan Yue, the Pope would have supported him without any hesitation. But now, before so many people, before all the guests, how could he step down? The square in front of the Temple of Light fell silent, everyone was waiting for the Pope’s decision.
Xuan Yue gazed at Ah Dai infatuatedly as tears streamed down her face. She whispered in her heart, "He understands, at last, he understands. Ah Dai, you did not trample on my love for you; you came. How could Yue Yue marry someone else?"
Despite his raging anger, Ballon understands from his earlier confrontation with Ah Dai that he and his father combined were not strong enough to oppose him. He stepped forward without even glancing at Ah Dai, and coldly said to the Pope, "Your Holiness, this man interrupted Ballon and Xuan Yue’s wedding ceremony just as it was about to be completed. This is something that hasn’t happened in a thousand years, a disgrace that the church has never suffered before. As a clergyman of the church and as Ballon’s father, I hope that you can give the Ba family a reasonable explanation. This man mustn’t be let off lightly, and the wedding has to continue. The holiness of the Light Altar must not be stained, even in the slightest." This was the first time Ballon had sternly addressed the Pope with such audacity, even invoking the great standing of the entire Ba family for his son’s sake.
The Pope furrowed his brows, about to speak, when he heard a loud voice from the crowd below, "Your Holiness, may I have a word?" The Pope looked surprised and turned towards the direction the voice had come from. A figure in red magic robes, Larthas stepped forward from the crowd and solemnly walked to the front of the Light Altar.
