Free Web NovelChapter 378 (2): This First, That Next, then Dead
Wayne was an overwhelmingly powerful enemy, almost impossible for Anton to defeat. However, he represented the Church of Darkness, so Anton couldn’t afford to step back. He detonated his mana and projected the Astral Plane with his thoughts, conjuring his most powerful vitality field.
Infinite darkness expanded with the momentum of a tsunami, the heavy pressure falling on the material world and stirring space to the point of distortion. Its influence could be felt in the mental world, too. The spectators’ hearts raced, and cold sweat drenched their clothes. Even breathing became difficult.
Anton raised both hands. Darkness stretched from his feet and lunged at Wayne like lightning. The layers of dark spaces it contained were filled to the brim with chaotic information and an energy of desolation and decay, rather than pure darkness.
Wayne took a step forward, pale light flickering under his foot.
The moment he became a legendary mage, he acquired his own vitality field, able to pull in the Astral Plane and project an illusory world that was exclusive to him in the Chosen Land. Unlike the other legendary mages, his world was a complete limbo with too many different Laws, unable to become a stable, lifelike world.
He had no choice but to go for the second-best option: disguise the paleness of his world into a vast, infinite wild forest like Senna’s vitality field.
The fleeting paleness was soon replaced by sweeping verdant vitality. The moment the darkness and the lush green collided, the green light inflated indefinitely to crush the darkness and drive away the lifeless energy, disintegrating the layered space...
All that happened in the blink of an eye. Anton’s darkness folded so quickly that he didn’t have enough time to even react.
Their vitality fields had come head-to-head. Anton, having taken the initiative and put in all his effort, ended up knocked back into the Astral Plane by a slight tap from the opponent. His vision became all grey, and a lightheadedness compromised his balance.
Wayne went up to support a staggering Anton, saying in surprise, “Mr. Anton, you’re too humble. Although this is a friendly sparring where winning doesn’t matter, you shouldn’t have made it so obvious that you were going easy on me!”
Was I? How did I not know?
“I’ll forgive you this time, but you shouldn’t do it again.”
What, do you want to fight again?
Anton staggered back with a look that made it seem like he had seen a ghost. He didn’t know why the pretty boy was so strong yet hadn’t become the Pope of the Church of Nature.
Oh, right. It’s the Church of Nature we’re talking about. I get it.
As soon as the vitality fields faded away, the delegation of the Church of Nature clapped enthusiastically. Although they didn’t know what happened, they could tell that Anton wasn’t acting, that the Pope’s boy toy was a formidable fighter.
“The match, the match...”
The referee stared at the arena. He would like to say that it was an even match that ended in a deuce, but wasn’t shameless enough to speak such a blatant lie. After agonizing over the matter, he still couldn’t bear to announce the defeat of his own church, so he turned to Ivan.
(눈‸눈)
Why are you looking at me? As if I can do anything to him.
Ivan closed his eyes, waving at the referee to just make a fair judgment. They lost. It wasn’t shameful for an Oracle High Reverend to be defeated by the goddess’s lover. It was essentially a supervisor visiting to watch their work. It was an honor for all of the Church of Darkness.
“In my opinion, this is an even match,” Wayne said. “Mr. Anton hasn’t died, and I’m still alive. This is clearly a deuce.”
“The Church of Nature wins!” The referee pointed at the victor.
***
After the farce, the guests who had traveled far looked visibly pleased, while the hosts became depressed like a deflated soufflé. The reality of sports was cruel. Winners took all, and losers were left to eat dust.
They returned to the banquet hall and began a friendly conversation, talking about everything but actual business. There were too many people present to have a small meeting.
Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the delegation of the Church of Nature was led to a break room, while Wayne met up with Ivan alone in his office.
“This is nice. Your desk is big.”
Wayne sat in the chair and tapped the desk. Ivan stood across from him like a servant, managing a forced smile with his usually straight back slightly hunched.
Wayne felt like something was missing. Yes, he was missing a Holy Maiden in his arms.
“Ivan, what’s the deal with the referee earlier?” Wayne reprimanded as soon as he opened his mouth. “I said it was a deuce, but he just had to name me the winner. How have you been doing your job as the Pope? Do you need the goddess to talk to you in person before you would comply?”
It was a nonsensical criticism, meant to emphasize their identities so that there would be no room for ambiguity later.
Ivan didn’t dare to talk back, so he agreed to whatever Wayne said. He bowed his head and responded, “You’re right. I’ll send the referee to a branch church to dig up potatoes.”
“That won’t be necessary. What gives him the right to take the blame? You’ll make more sense,” Wayne huffed. “But what can I do? You’re Ana’s father. Given my relationship with her, I’ll put in a good word for you to the goddess.”
He raised his hand and rubbed his fingers together.
Ivan’s face darkened. The Church of Darkness wasn’t that kind of church. He hoped that Wayne wouldn’t bring the Church of Nature’s immoral traditions here.
Wayne swallowed an approving response. The two churches were indeed night and day. While he praised the Pope inwardly, he put on a dissatisfied expression and said, “Congratulations on passing the test. I’m not asking you to pay for my silence, nor am I asking for beautiful ladies to warm my bed. I’m simply testing your character. If you give them to me, the consequences will be dire for you.”
“...”
“It’s at best attempted bribery and at worst blasphemy. Understand?”
“Understood.”
“Since this is the first time, I’ll let you off the hook.” After confirming that his posturing was effective, Wayne got down to business. “The headquarters of the Church of Darkness is a Philosopher’s Stone. You’re the Pope, so you must have it. Give it to me. I’ll take a look and return it to you.”
Shuddering, Ivan said stiffly, “Wouldn’t that be inappropriate, Mr. Wayne?”
“Why, do you think I’ll do something that’ll hurt you?”
“The Philosopher’s Stone manages the entire headquarters. If you aren’t careful, all of us will...” Ivan’s expression turned bitter. He couldn’t go on.
It felt like the goddess had picked this man to push the entire Church of Darkness into rebelling.
“Why, are you unwilling?”
“I won’t dare.”
“I’m asking you now. If it’s the goddess asking for it, She won’t be as friendly as I am.”
“...”
Ivan took out the Philosopher’s Stone reluctantly, gritting his teeth and stomping on the floor before placing it on the desk.
“Why are you keeping it this far away? Who are you being wary of? All of the Church of Darkness, including you, belongs to the Goddess of Darkness. Since I hold her share, I own part of you.”
Just give it to me!
Wayne grabbed the stone and pocketed it under Ivan’s despairing gaze. He didn’t say when he would return the stone to Ivan, nor if he would return it.
“Alright, enough joking around.” He rested his chin on his clasped hands. “Be serious. It’s time to talk business.”
“Please go on.”
“Anastasia returned from Windsor to the Rus Federation at the end of last year. Do you know what she’s done?”
“We met once. She said that there was something important for her to look into, and then she left.”
“Did you not ask where she went?”
I don’t dare to.
“The Pope isn’t qualified to point fingers at the Holy Maiden, and she’s in an unusual place. I couldn’t just ask her.” Ivan sighed. He would like to ask, but he couldn’t even tell if his daughter was his daughter, and he worried that his concern would be misplaced.
The father and daughter had a complicated relationship.
“Alright, I’ll deal with Ana. There’s something else that requires the Church of Darkness’s involvement.” Wayne left out the unnecessary parts as he summarized the situation with Prussia. “Prussia wants to tie the Church of Nature to their tanks and incite a war between the churches. The Church of Nature will surely draw retaliation by severing its ties with them. The Church of Darkness needs to give its support.”
“Why not the Church of Sun or the Church of Moonlight?” Ivan frowned deeply. “They are the Church of Nature’s allies.”
“It’s the Goddess of Darkness’s decision. Is there a problem?”
“Yes.”
“Huh?!”
“No matter how you huh me, there is a problem.” Ivan pulled a long face. “This concerns the strategic focus of the church. It’s not something that I can decide on my own. If we support the Church of Nature, we’ll make an enemy out of Prussia, leading to a series of other problems. There could be bloodshed and sacrifice...”
“To put it bluntly, I will do it if it is the goddess’s will, but if it’s just you... The Philosopher’s Stone is the limit!”
“...”
As expected of the father of his white moonlight. He stuck to his principles and made no compromises, just like his daughter.
Wayne didn’t push. He nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll have the goddess talk to you.”
“Mr. Wayne!” Ivan took a step forward and pushed himself to say, “The Church of Darkness has its own interests to protect. I hope that you won’t sweet-talk the goddess into making a decision. We’re loyal to the goddess, not you. Do you understand me?”
Wayne’s expression turned serious. “Don’t worry. I’m not the kind of person to abuse power for self-interest. I won’t threaten the Church of Darkness into giving me what I want just because of my connection to the goddess.”
“Then the Philosopher’s Stone?”
“I ask the Church of Darkness to support the Church of Nature to prevent the churches from getting swept into a war. Once the conflict escalates, the consequences will be dire,” Wayne said seriously. “Don’t worry about the goddess giving me blind trust. She’s unhinged, not mad. She’ll never do something that doesn’t benefit Her.”
“Then the Philosopher’s Stone—”
“Shut up. I’m the only one who can interrupt you!” Wayne glared at Ivan. “I’m only asking for the Church of Darkness’s support, not for you to ally yourself with the Church of Nature. The Church of Heavenly Father will be the main force since Heaven is Hell’s archenemy.”
Ivan blinked. So what about the Philosopher’s Stone? Was he going to return it or not?
“Let’s end things here. I’ve given you a heads-up, so you should be ready. I’ll bed—convince the goddess. Promise.”
He stood up and walked out the door under Ivan’s resigned gaze. Two seconds later, he returned to say, “I prefer quiet and dislike unwanted eyes. For the Church of Darkness’s reputation, you should arrange an accommodation near the Holy Maiden’s residence for me. The more remote it is, the better.”
“...”
***
Ivan was a man of principle and a responsible pope. Wayne admired people like him, such as Garvin, Moula, Leo, and the woman Anastasia once was, but he shared no commonality with them.
Darienne was an exception. The gambling addict would even put herself on the gambling table when she was feeling sore from her losses. Wayne had won dozens of nights with her, but she had never once honored the bets.
It would be a shame not to befriend someone that shameless.
After leaving Ivan’s office, Wayne gave himself a tour around the headquarters of the Church of Darkness. He was an outsider, so there were many places he didn’t have access to. Due to some sort of physical constraints, he couldn’t reach Anastasia with his thoughts.
He had tried when he disembarked from the plane. He couldn’t reach his white moonlight, perhaps because of the distance, or perhaps there was another reason. The same was true of his loyal watchdog, Seleucia.
Ines... was the only one Wayne hadn’t tried to reach since she was a hassle.
“I have no choice.”
He stepped into the dark forest, vanishing with the Philosopher’s Stone in his hand.
The stone had many uses. Holding it would grant one the authority to dictate all life and death in the Church of Darkness’s headquarters. Freely passing through spatial restrictions was only one of the simplest uses.
Ludwig had used his Philosopher’s Stone to teleport around the Church of Nature’s headquarters freely. He could’ve survived, but he just had to believe the demon lord and trust a heavenly seal that supposedly only angels could pass through. He had been so sure that Senna couldn’t kill him, so he hadn’t fled from the headquarters when he had the chance.
In one of the grand halls in the headquarters, a burly man in a black robe sat cross-legged before a complex stone altar. His energy was faint and eerily unpredictable. Before him, a crystal ball as tall as a person showed Wayne roaming the forest before vanishing with the Philosopher’s Stone in hand.
“The Philosopher’s Stone is the Pope’s exclusive property, yet you give it to an outsider...” the man murmured in shock. “What are you doing, Ivan? Is that really something you could just hand over?”
“Ha, you’ve betrayed the church and defected to the Goddess of Nature...”
“You hypocrite, I finally found leverage against you!”
