Chapter 124
Through Aivina's demeanor, Adele began to understand that the reason she hadn’t been captured by the cultists was entirely due to Charles's protection.
Looking at the two young girls before him, Charles smiled and nodded, sincerely saying, “Thank you both.”
Aivina could heal spiritual wounds, and Adele could mend physical injuries...
Did this mean he was carrying around two incredibly powerful “healers”?
Once he felt that his mental state was stable, Charles became aware of a gnawing hunger in his stomach.
As luck would have it, the other two hadn’t eaten either. After nearly a day and a half of hunger, Charles headed down to the kitchen to prepare a simple stew of potatoes and meat—since the fresh vegetables had spoiled, they had to make do with potatoes, meat, and toasted bread.
After filling his belly, Charles felt he was nearly back to perfect condition. Just as he was about to take his leave for Dutton Manor, Aivina preemptively interrupted him.
“Are you planning to go to Dutton Manor?” Aivina asked, looking at Charles.
“Yes,” Charles nodded. “There are some things I need to confirm to avoid any mistakes.”
“I’ll go with you,” Aivina declared, her gaze steady on Charles.
At that moment, Nia, who was standing by the door, nearly stumbled upon hearing Aivina’s words. She turned to look at Aivina in disbelief.
Nia: “?”
Charles had already mentioned that the place was a stronghold for cultists, and that a high-ranking bishop from the Holy Order would be inspecting it at noon on the 23rd. What was the young lady thinking when she said, “I’ll go with you”?
“Why?” Charles instinctively wanted to refuse, but he was curious about Aivina’s reasoning.
“I’ve been to almost every event at Dutton Manor, buying all sorts of interesting things,” Aivina explained. “If I don’t go this time, it would seem a bit odd.”
Her reasoning was somewhat flimsy, but it held enough weight. With Nia accompanying them, Charles’s safety would be better assured.
Besides, he could always exchange for another [Sādhanā Token] at any time. In the territory of the Holy Order, safety was the least of his worries.
Moreover, with Georgina’s arrangements, the investigation into Sheren’s death should have been halted. They were likely focused on preparing for the “Divine Servant” summoning ritual.
“Adele, you—” Charles turned to Adele, ready to tell her not to come along, but she quickly interrupted him.
“I’m going.”
Adele didn’t think of any reasons; her intuition simply told her that following Charles would be much safer than staying here alone.
“Don’t go,” Charles insisted.
“Wah… don’t leave me here alone…” Adele whimpered, feigning tears.
Looking at Adele’s mock crying, Charles sighed, “You’re still being hunted. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be caught as soon as you get there? If you’re really scared, you can go to your sister’s.”
“But my sister will see through my lies.”
Adele’s face fell. “If I go to her, she’ll definitely know something’s wrong. You told me not to tell anyone about these things, but I can’t hide it from my sister.”
That was true...
If Adele went to Yulis, with Yulis’s ability to detect lies, she would probably spill everything under just a little questioning.
But as for disguises...
Ten minutes later.
Adele’s once-silver hair was now completely dyed black by a potion, her face covered by a full mask crafted by Nia, and she wore a splendid dress emblazoned with the Russell family crest.
Even if she claimed to be Aivina’s distant cousin now, no one would suspect her.
As for her original membership card, it was definitely no longer usable.
However, Charles, Aivina, and Nia could vouch for her false identity, allowing her to obtain a new membership card.
After making all the necessary preparations and discussing precautions with them, Charles, along with the two girls, climbed into the carriage driven by Nia, heading toward the outskirts of the city.
...
The stables at Dutton Manor were already filled with horses and carriages. Even in the afternoon, people were arriving at Dutton Manor, with many coming from the neighboring city.
They must have set off as soon as they received the invitation, eager to take the opportunity to exchange or purchase some rare materials or to meet new people.
At that moment, Georgina was pacing in the empty game room, which was filled with a faint scent of lemon.
Beneath the carpeted stone floor, a considerable amount of slightly warmed blood had already been poured in a specific pattern, seeping into the cracks between the stones.
Everything was arranged according to the bishop’s instructions.
Click—
Just then, the door to the game room swung open, and a figure wearing a black chip mask walked in, closing the door behind them.
“Most of the guests have arrived. I’ll issue the orders later for them to proceed to the chapel,” Nia said, glancing at Georgina. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Will that bishop really come tomorrow...?”
“Of course, absolutely,” Georgina replied, tilting her head slightly. Her tone was no longer the submissive one she had when speaking to Nia. She looked at Nia, challenging her, “Are you doubting me? Doubting the bishop?”
“I...”
Nia took a deep breath, slowly suppressing her emotions, gritting her teeth as she said, “No.”
Summoning a divine servant?
Could a task that those high-ranking figures failed to accomplish really be completed by a bishop?
She suspected it was just another half-crazed zealot using the resources of the priests below to fulfill their own rituals or delusions.
Yet she had to grit her teeth and carry out these mad fantasies while also considering the consequences of failure.
She certainly couldn’t stay at Dutton Manor any longer.
To hold a ritual and invite so many people to Dutton Manor... Nia could guess with her eyes closed who the sacrificial offering would be.
Now, Nia had begun secretly handling everything related to herself and the Holy Order at Dutton Manor.
When the time came for accountability, she could ensure she bore no responsibility and shift all the blame onto that mad bishop...
And she would reinvent herself, moving to a new city to continue her development.
Nia certainly hoped everything was true, but if there really was a way to summon a divine servant, why wouldn’t the bishop wait for the high bishop’s inspection to report it directly?
Wouldn’t that garner more attention?
Or did he want to contact the divine servant alone? Seeking greater power? Or was he simply a fanatic half-corrupted by potions?
Regardless, once all this was over, she had to make sure that the ungrateful Georgina faced some consequences...
Using a feather as a command, yet she found herself unable to harbor any hostility or thoughts of attack against her.
This left Nia feeling stifled and only intensified her desire for higher power.
If only she could have the same power as the bishop...
“What are you still standing there for, Nia?”
Georgina smirked, teasingly. “We have plenty of distinguished guests arriving today; it’s not the time to be daydreaming.”
“You!!!”
Nia was about to retort when Georgina cut her off.
“I have important matters to attend to,” Georgina said coldly. “You wouldn’t want the bishop to arrive and find that things are still unfinished, would you?”
“Fine... fine, fine...”
Nia was so infuriated that she laughed, repeating “fine” several times before turning and storming out, slamming the door behind her.
Georgina, on the other hand, watched Nia’s retreating figure with cold eyes, a faint murderous intent beginning to stir within her.
This was her best opportunity to eliminate Nia.
Now, she had the capability.
She reached into her pocket, feeling the warmth of the bishop’s token, and her resentful thoughts gradually faded away.
Compared to the bishop’s tasks and rituals, Nia’s life or death was far less significant.
Once the divine servant descended, all suffering in this world would be erased, and the world would begin to change, starting from Boren City.
And she would be among the first guides of this new world...
After confirming that all details were correct, Georgina also opened the door to the game room.
The game room resumed its normal operations.
...
“Damn it... damn it...”
As Nia walked, she muttered curses under her breath.
She took a deep breath, adjusting her demeanor to prevent others from noticing her current anger.
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