Free Web NovelChapter 1548: Chapter 1542: The Anonymous Tip-Off from the Enthusiastic Nun
Under the guidance of the elder in the grey robe, the morning prayer in the chapel proceeded smoothly.
Ronald followed along with the other priests, mimicking their movements quite convincingly. Judging from a surface observation, he carried the appearance of a nun, displaying a sacred expression, as if he was genuinely a member of the priests present.
There was only one flaw.
Ronald gazed at his clasped hands, where a light of scheming was flowing through his eyes.
After another complex and solemn group prayer, the voices of the crowd faded away.
The elder in the grey robe spoke again:
"Maintain silence—"
"Meditate—"
"..."
The small chapel immediately fell into silence.
No one made the slightest sound.
The instruments playing in the ear chamber ended precisely at this moment.
——
The solemn and sacred atmosphere lasted for a quarter of an hour.
Then, with the elder’s announcement, the morning prayer for the first group of the day ended.
The priests of the chapel rose one by one.
A few left through the small door on the right side of the chapel, seemingly needing to confess something; most left slowly through the main door, the scene orderly, peaceful, and harmonious.
Among them, Ronald and Afra naturally followed the majority out.
Stepping out of the small chapel, the young nun wanted to invite Ronald to join their activities.
But Ronald had already made plans, so he politely declined her invitation.
After parting, Ronald had a clear goal and kept moving without pause.
Leaving the small chapel, he immediately departed from the place and headed toward the direction of the Holy Alan Cathedral.
On the way, Ronald didn’t forget to observe the state of the Holy City.
During the sacred trial, the prosperity of the Holy City unfolded before him. People lived and worked in peace, enjoying harmonious lives.
Yet, there were some peculiarities.
Among the few high-ranking figures Ronald observed, their faces appeared amiable, yet a trace of worry was unified within their eyes.
No surprise there.
At this moment, their deity had already departed.
Numerous plans to save the Church itself were unfolding, but none were progressing smoothly.
"At this time... my thoughts should carry no issue."
This realization made Ronald more assured of his plans.
It didn’t take long.
He gradually exited the areas where ordinary people were present.
The area where the Holy Alan Cathedral is located serves as the workplace for researchers of the Divine Arts, where ordinary people rarely have access; fortunately, Ronald carried the identity of a priest from the monastery, so he was unhindered here.
Swiftly he entered the Holy Alan Cathedral.
Following a position in his memory, he arrived at the backyard, displaying a worried expression while pacing about.
The state Ronald wished to maintain was quite simple.
He didn’t plan to take the initiative excessively but hoped someone would inquire about him.
"Lili, how come you’re here?"
Sure enough. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Merely minutes passed when a voice stopped him.
After all, a nun with a worried expression pacing around here was indeed easily noticeable.
And what pleased Ronald even more.
Judging from the name used by the other person, the one who stopped him apparently knew the person whose identity Ronald was using; otherwise, they wouldn’t have readily called out such a nickname.
Ronald rejoiced inwardly and hurriedly approached.
Facing the middle-aged female priest who called out to him, he displayed a hesitant expression: freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"I... I have something I’m unsure whether to say."
The priest, seeing Ronald’s demeanor, instantly showed a sympathetic expression, gently embracing his shoulder:
"Child, whatever it is, feel free to tell me."
"..." Ronald remained silent, fully showcasing the struggle he wanted to convey.
The middle-aged priest, seeing this, felt even more pity for the young girl before her.
She went a step further, directly pulling Ronald into her embrace, starting to stroke his long hair:
"Child, don’t be afraid."
"Under the light of faith, no evil can harm you."
Only then did Ronald speak hesitantly:
"I... this morning at the monastery chapel, I heard something. Suddenly, several strangers appeared, and someone happened to hear... heard them saying some blasphemous words!"
"Blasphemy?" The priest’s face changed upon hearing this term.
In the Church’s domain.
Especially in the Holy City!
If there’s an incident related to the word ’blasphemy’, it’s simply unimaginable arrogance!
The priest’s voice became low:
"Child, what did they say?"
"I didn’t see it myself." Ronald continued, "But most at the monastery remain silent, and I’m unsure who to tell. I... I feel this matter shouldn’t be hushed, yet the monastery isn’t the place to address this issue. They seem to be discussing terms like ’artificial deity’..."
"!!!"
Ronald deliberately spoke unclearly, intending to concoct more rhetoric.
But hearing the term ’artificial deity’ from Ronald, the middle-aged priest’s embrace immediately turned from gentle to firm.
After a moment, a voice of forced calm reached Ronald:
"Child, forget everything you’ve heard or seen today and return to the monastery immediately."
"Any blasphemer shall receive the punishment they deserve."
Ronald nodded and agreed, this development precisely matched his expectations.
Soon after, the priest was no longer focused on comforting the young nun before her and turned to head deep into the cathedral.
Ronald watched her leave, nodding satisfactorily.
Everything was unfolding according to his plan, and it was time for him to leave the Holy Alan Cathedral.
The information he just revealed contained two crucial pieces of detail.
The first was about strangers.
In a monastery’s environment, it indicated that invaders were hiding there.
And the second, most important point, was the ’artificial deity’.
The reason Ronald had specifically come to the Holy Alan Cathedral.
Was that the matter of creating artificial deities was, within the Church, a significantly important secret.
Such reports elsewhere.
The clergy might understand the blasphemous nature of this matter but lack the awareness of its core subversive nature.
Only at the Holy Alan Cathedral, the site of the creation of artificial deities.
The clergy working here can truly grasp the significance of this information.
Now, it seems, with the Church’s emphasis on this matter.
An operation targeting those five conspirators from the [Nine Commandments Secret Meeting] will soon commence.
And within this ancient Holy City...
Thinking about escaping is essentially futile.
The only question worthy of consideration is how long those five can hold out under the pursuit of the clergy.
Having completed his plan.
Not until he exited the Holy Alan Cathedral did Ronald’s face display a noticeable smile.
However, he did not return to the monastery.
Although the middle-aged priest had shown intentions of protecting him, cautiousness is paramount at such critical moments.
Thus, regardless of the Holy Alan Cathedral or the monastery.
As for the two places where the Church was about to take action, he wanted to avoid both.
"What remains is the sacred trial..."
Ronald strolled through the Holy City, naturally considering how to exit this trial.
——The Sacred Trial.
As the name implies, this place is surely connected to the temple.
And the most famous temple in the entire Holy City is undoubtedly the central district’s grand cathedral.
Ronald silently looked toward the central area of the Holy City.
Turning his body, he had a new goal.
