Chapter 414: Chapter 247: Body of a Demigod_2
In a corner of the temple garden, Guliani was meeting with Dyson. Clad in neat regalia, Dyson, solemn beyond compare, seemed a mere lackey trailing behind the casually dressed Guliani.
While strolling leisurely, Guliani sporadically said: “Responsibility in the Western District is significant, and the situation is complex, crisscrossed with countless forces. It also borders the Elf Forest, making it a breeding ground for a myriad of potential errors.”
“Yes, yes, your Holiness, please rest assured; I will certainly handle all of it aptly,” Dyson responded, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Dressed in heavy ceremonial attire, and wearing a crown that felt like tens of pounds heavy, Dyson’s neck felt like it would snap under pressure.
Certainly, his strength could make him indifferent to the weight of his clothing. Yet, trailing behind Guliani, he didn’t dare to tap into his power and had to bear it all physically.
That wasn’t an issue, but it made him sweat. At this moment, his back was drenched, his undergarments soaked through.
Yet, Guliani continued to ramble on inconsequentially, his advice resembling neither instructions nor orders, similar to idle chatter with a lighthearted village farmer.
Dyson was declaring his loyalty while rapidly processing Guliani’s intentions. Guliani wasn’t merely making things difficult for him, there must be something Dyson hadn’t done to satisfy him. But what was it? Dyson had to carefully ponder over it.
He had attempted to probe by declaring generous donations and offering to relinquish some critical positions to Guliani’s candidates, only to have Guliani deflect the conversation.
Clearly, his assertions had not addressed what mattered most to His Holiness.
What could it be? Dyson was at his wit’s end. He realized he had been in the Land of the Fallen for too long. He was out of touch with the Master Plane, completely unaware of what the Pope truly cared about.
Realizing this, Dyson sincerely expressed: “Your Holiness, I have spent too much time in the wilderness of the Land of Fallen, fighting mindless Undead for so long that my thinking has dulled. I’m unsure about the true interests of the curia anymore. Could you please enlighten me?”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Even when in the wilderness, one must always remember the real interest of the curia lies in its believers,” Guliani responded.
Dyson’s mind raced: Believers? So the issue lies with believers? What was His Holiness implying? Did he hope for an expansion of believers?
Dyson suddenly felt a sense of loss in his heart. He was still under Guliani’s control, unable to resist, and yet Anthony was already playing the pope. Was this their difference?
...
After a full month, the Heart of the Holy Spirit within the Broken Seal finally recovered.
Anthony, who had received the news long ago, came early to stand guard, waiting to witness the rebirth of the Supreme Holy Spirit, the Six-winged Archangel, Wisdom Angel Luna.
He casually chatted with Negris: “Sir, you should be careful recently. Dyson has been appointed as the Archbishop of the Western Diocese and has already started taking office. Once he consolidates the power of the Western Diocese, he will definitely cause trouble for you.”
Negris retorted: “Why? We don’t steal, we don’t rob, we just mind our business in the desert. Why would they bother us?”
“If it were me, I’d also start with you. Nomads from the Abyss, rootless and wealthy. I have heard rumors in the East that you guys have a lot of money in the desert, even minor beauty treatments cost tens of thousands of Demon Crystals. There are already people offering rewards for investigating your backgrounds.” Anthony said with a ‘how are you so clueless’ expression.
After speaking, he added: “Killing Nikola was a brilliant move. The high-level members of the Western Diocese are in complete chaos and have been unable to elect a new bishop, so they are powerless to deal with you. But after Dyson takes office, it will be different. He is a powerful individual, there’s no evidence, but I’m certain that he was the one who attempted to assassinate me, not Nikola.”
“Hmph.” Negris grumbled a couple of times, and said: “Let them come. You said that the high levels are in utter chaos. Even if he takes office, it will take some time to consolidate power.”
“No, others might fail, but Dyson can succeed. He did not return from the Land of Fallen alone, he brought back many powerful subordinates. The military strength of the Land of Fallen is acknowledged as the strongest among the three dioceses. I can’t deal with him without some tricks.” Anthony solemnly said.
Negris was a bit panicked by his words: “What do we do about this? This is a desert, we’re not afraid of assassinations. But it would be troublesome if he sends an army upstream. Though we have wiped out the Silver Knights, he will have to mobilize a force larger than the Silver Knights to threaten us. Can he gather so many people in a short time?”
Anthony glanced at him: “You underestimate the power of our diocese. All along, only the church’s power has been directed at you. The church is good at manipulating people’s minds, not so good at organizing combat. If Dyson could convince the human kingdoms...”
Just as he was speaking, a report interrupted Anthony. After giving permission, a Purple Skeleton Titan brought someone over. Shamara walked in timidly, asking with some hesitation: “Sir, the voice in my heart tells me I should be here, is that correct?”
Just after she finished speaking, the last bit of the Heart of the Holy Spirit in the Broken Seal finally restored, and a faint wave of energy dispersed.