Chapter 476
The esteemed and theologically knowledgeable Teacher Tara was currently dressed in a maid outfit, standing behind a girl whom she had never met before, and she was showing an extraordinary level of respect to this girl...
Even the Pope of the Holy Ascendancy Sect wouldn’t dare to command Tara like this... Tara held significant authority within the sect, yet she was so engrossed in her theological studies that she had never thought of enhancing her own power.
Even if she merely advanced to the third tier of "Luminous Bishop," Teacher Tara could easily become the next Cardinal.
However, it seemed that Tara was more enamored with the idea of being a pure "missionary," acting solely to spread the gospel of the Mother Goddess, rather than seeking the "symbolic significance" of the Luminous Bishop.
"You can just call me Shaer," Shaer said with a smile, looking at the girl in front of her, Percy. "We've met many times, Miss Percy... though I’m sure you don’t remember."
Met... many times?
Percy’s expression didn’t change, but a hint of confusion stirred within her.
She was very orthodox, having risen through the ranks from a "Penance Monk" to a fourth-tier "Harbinger," without ever changing her path.
Thus, Percy had a keen grasp of the subtle emotions of others; almost no lie could escape her detection. She could see through any disguise, just like her peers in the "Judgment Saints."
Yet, she sensed no deceit in the girl before her.
"I... have no recollection, I’m sorry," Percy stated plainly, acknowledging the fact that she had never met Shaer.
"It’s alright," Shaer shook her head and replied, "I just hope you can understand a bit about what we’re about to do. Please wait a moment."
Shaer reached out toward Tara, and without needing to be told, Tara had already handed her a notebook and pen.
This unspoken understanding made Percy feel a bit uncomfortable. She watched as Shaer wrote something in the notebook.
After two or three minutes, Shaer set down the quill and handed the notebook to Percy.
Percy didn’t speak; she simply took the notebook and scanned the contents written within.
When she saw the brief outline of the plan, she felt the weight of the paper in her hands was almost too heavy to bear.
Cooperate with the Church of the God of Order and the Tribunal to eliminate the Strong Sound, merge the Church of the Savior Goddess with the Holy Ascendancy Sect, and restore the Church of the Savior Goddess to its former glory and peak...
At first glance, this seemed like a madman’s delusion, a completely irrational plan. Anyone could come up with countless such whimsical ideas—many of which would likely seem more reasonable than this one.
Let alone the complex matter of merging sects, even the earlier proposal to unite the Church of the God of Order and eliminate the Strong Sound was utterly fanciful.
Why not just unite all the forces in the world to make them worship the Mother Goddess? With just words, the Holy Ascendancy Sect could stand at the pinnacle of the world.
"Teacher Tara, are you aware of this plan?" Percy raised her eyes to Tara, inquiring.
She wanted to know if Tara had been deceived or if she had never seen these wild plans at all.
"I unconditionally support everything that Lord Shaer intends to do," Tara nodded slightly, expressing her clear stance.
How strange...
Tara’s reverence for the girl named Shaer was clearly beyond any ordinary relationship, bordering on fanaticism.
What could inspire such fervor in a teacher? Only... theology?
Who exactly was this girl before her?
"So, what do you think? Interested in joining us?" Shaer looked at Percy, feeling a twinge of regret.
Unfortunately, Percy hadn’t stacked any counters against her, or else the conversation would have been much simpler... Right now, Percy likely saw her as just an ordinary girl with extraordinary mental abilities, which certainly diminished her credibility.
However, after witnessing certain events, Percy would change her mind—at least, that was how it played out in the simulations.
"I..." Percy fell silent for a moment, then set the notebook down and looked at Tara behind Shaer.
Upon seeing Tara give her a gentle nod, Percy took a deep breath, stood up, and slightly bowed, saying, "I am willing to follow Teacher Tara’s footsteps."
She didn’t truly believe Shaer’s words; on the contrary, she completely distrusted Shaer. She said this only to be able to protect Teacher Tara more closely.
Once Percy uncovered Shaer’s schemes or any hidden agendas, she would not hesitate to take Tara far away from Ansu City—Tara had been missing for too long, and the disciples of the Holy Ascendancy Sect were worried about her.
"Very well," Shaer nodded and said, "We need to meet two people first..."
In the previous simulations, when she infiltrated the Church of the God of Order, she hadn’t just brought Percy; she had also brought Eleanor from the Tribunal.
Turning Eleanor was one of Shaer’s goals, and with her successful experiences from multiple simulations, she could become Shaer’s right-hand woman.
However, there were three prerequisites for turning Eleanor.
First, summon the Dark Worm to make her completely convinced; second, bring Amy to demonstrate the descent of the divine servant in front of her; third, exchange the previously obtained Holy Contract and scepter.
Shaer couldn’t summon the Dark Worm again in reality—it would create too much of a stir.
After the incident where Adele was poisoned in the simulations, Shaer didn’t want to involve Adele and Amy in such dangerous matters again.
Thus, Shaer decided to spend some points to exchange for the Holy Contract.
If all other methods failed to convince Eleanor, she would then consider spending a hefty sum to obtain the scepter.
「【Sadana's "Hope" Holy Contract】」
「Fate Points: 10」
"Exchange."
「Fate Points: 406→396」
A flash of silver light appeared in Shaer’s hand, revealing an ancient piece of parchment.
Shaer handed the Holy Contract directly to Tara for safekeeping, then stood up and led the two out of the study.
The act of conjuring something out of thin air had already made Percy feel suspicious, as she was certain that Shaer was just an ordinary person... Yet, Tara’s expression seemed unfazed, as if she had grown accustomed to such scenes of conjuring items.
The three of them boarded a carriage heading to the Archbishop’s residence of the Church of the Savior Goddess, successfully meeting Eleanor there.
The process of persuading Eleanor was something Shaer had already practiced multiple times in the simulations, and she was quite familiar with the dialogue.
Moreover, the process of turning her was exceptionally smooth; almost upon seeing the Holy Contract and the fourth-tier of the Holy Ascendancy Sect, Eleanor had already begun to believe what Shaer was saying.
The Holy Contract held significant weight in Eleanor’s mind; after all, she could discern its authenticity, and she promised that within the timeframe stipulated by the contract, she would do her utmost to assist Shaer in facilitating the merger between the two sects.
Thus, the "left and right protectors" from the simulations finally came together in reality.
To have both the fourth-tier members of the Church of the Savior Goddess and the Holy Ascendancy Sect heed the words of the same person was something that would leave other disciples in disbelief.
At this point, it was noon, and Shaer wasted no time—she directly led everyone to the Church of the God of Order.
...
"Your Holiness, Eleanor from the Tribunal requests an audience."
"Oh? Her? Why?"
In the Pope's private prayer room, Henry knelt before a broken suit of armor, replying in a low voice, "She didn’t specify her purpose... However, she brought three people, saying that one of them wishes to discuss a collaboration with you."
"Collaboration?" The Pope slowly rose from her kneeling position. Before her, the flickering candlelight illuminated a mural depicting a vague, holy white armor.
"I don’t see what we could possibly collaborate on with the Church of the Savior Goddess... Aren’t the people from the Tribunal calling us heretics?" The Pope’s tone seemed somewhat indifferent as she shook her head and said, "Tell her I’m in prayer; let’s schedule another time."
"Yes..." Henry lowered his head and replied softly, "It seems to be related to the other realm..."
"Mm?"
The Pope paused, turning back to look at Henry, who was still kneeling.
After a long moment, she returned to her original position, sitting down on the mat on the floor, and said, "Bring them in."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Henry nodded and quickly rose, leaving the Pope's private prayer room and hurrying down the corridor.
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