Only God

The world spun around.

In that black night filled with prayers, a thick, white light suddenly erupted, enveloping Eden.

Everything happened so unexpectedly, no one could have anticipated it, but that was how things unfolded.

Eden did not know what had happened in the prison after he left, how his sudden disappearance had shocked the Priest who betrayed everyone.

He only knew, without any warning, the Stone Pendant had brought him back to his original world.

Eden incredulously touched his face, then stretched his neck to survey his surroundings, and he realized he truly was back, everything around him was exactly as it was before he left.

"I really... came back."

After talking to himself, Eden felt an overwhelming joy.

He had guessed right, the Stone Pendant had indeed brought him back!

Eden breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"But... speaking of which, what is the origin of this Stone Pendant, and why can it let me travel between two worlds..."

The Priest raised the pendant and could not help but question.

After pondering for a moment, Eden thought to himself:

"This Stone Pendant must be deeply connected to the Ausenco sect. To figure it all out, I must track them down... and before investigating further, I should not reveal the existence of the pendant to anyone."

Though the mystery of the Stone Pendant was vast, he finally confirmed that his previous worries were unnecessary, as this time it was just a longer stay than before, and he would eventually return to his original world.

With this in mind, Eden quietly clenched his fists.

"Those True Believers, my brothers and sisters..."

Eden muttered.

Though judged as Heresy, unable to perform his duties as a Priest anymore, it was impossible for Eden to ignore those suffering True Believers.

Eden had already resolved that he must do something in the present world to change that dreadful future.

At that moment, deep in the night, Eden looked up to see the sky full of stars. After all he had been through, he had no desire for sleep, silently rising from his bed, stepping out of the tent, and gazing in a certain direction when suddenly, he thought of something.

"Timian..."

Eden suddenly turned around,

"That half-blood, that righteous person praised by Heresy!"

The Priest suddenly recalled the half-blood still suffering on the execution ground, surely having intricate connections with Heresy.

Eden would not forget, his well-meaning grooming had turned into a song of Heresy, used by the Main Priest of Heresy in sermons.

This was not what Eden had wished for.

But what happened had happened, he had indeed washed the half-blood's face and fed him, and there was no undoing it.

"What should I do, God, what should I do..."

Eden furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

If it were some selfish person, the best course would be to secretly kill the half-blood to eliminate further problems.

After all, that person was already guilty, and though the crime was not deserving of death, if he died, it would not be a loss to mourn.

This thought crossed Eden's mind briefly, but the Priest immediately rejected it.

"No, God would not want me to do that, it would not be righteous."

Thus Eden resolved.

The easiest and most relaxing option was rejected, leaving only the complex and troublesome ones.

For this, Eden thought a lot, he meditated, all through the night until the first crow of the rooster, slowly coming to a head.

"I remember... that half-blood, he seemed to have mentioned something... about a new god."

Eden caught on to something,

"This... seems unexpectedly similar to the doctrines of Heresy."

Could it be...

That Heresy had developed from some heretical branch, some heretical thought within the True Religion?!

After a harrowing contemplation, Eden felt he could not deny the possibility.

And Timian, based on his actions and the future praise of Heresy, was likely deeply involved with that heretical sect.

"I... need to make contact with them, yes... perhaps, I can infiltrate their ranks."

The thought of infiltrating their sect brightened Eden's eyes,

"Yes, I can infiltrate their sect, and in doing so, my every move could potentially alter the future!"

The best way to understand one's enemy was to join them, to gain their trust, and become one of them.

"This is like being a spy, God, forgive me."

Eden prayed for God's forgiveness, secretly making his plans.

.........…

The next morning, Eden actively sought out Arsia.

Even though the Princess of the Empire was still bleary-eyed, her surprise upon meeting Eden was unmistakable.

It was always she who went to find Eden, not Eden coming to her.

"You're not here just to preach some Scripture to me, are you?"

Arsia felt that Eden must need something from her.

She guessed right, Eden indeed had a request.

"Your Highness, I need... you to wield your authority."

Eden did not shy away from stating,

"I need your help to rescue that person being punished on the execution ground."

Arsia recalled for a moment, and exclaimed in surprise:

"That half-blood?"

Eden did not deny,

"Yes, him. I need him now to assist in investigating..."

Arsia did not ask for details, she immediately agreed: