Only God

This elderly man, among all present, held an unimaginable authority.

The reason was simple: he was Fahela, the founder and originator of this sect.

Fahela surveyed the assembly, and after a long pause, another elder slowly stood up from the very back of the crowd.

"It was I who indulged them."

The speaker was one of the sect's elders, William.

"How could you want to do such things?"

Fahela gazed at him with a gentle yet urging look.

"If the Princess were to marry into this, all our efforts would have been in vain."

Unyieldingly, William said,

"She would bring not just herself in marriage, but also the systems, rituals, and laws of Danschel—of course, including those corrupt and ignorant priests, they too would follow her here.

Great Elder, we've finally achieved victory in Ausenco; do you really want to stand by and watch the fruits of our victory be handed over to others?"

William did not directly reveal who orchestrated the assassination, but it was clear that he supported it.

"No, it shouldn't be like this, not any God would wish to see acts of injustice."

Elder Fahela shook his head.

"Great Elder, if it's an act of injustice on behalf of the truth, how can it be considered unjust?

Before the truth revealed by the King of Kings, what are you, and what am I?"

Elder William retorted urgently.

The King of Kings, a title in the Fahela Sect, referred not only to the divine rulers above but also to the new gods mentioned in their prophecies.

"You need not commit injustices for the truth, the truth will reveal itself."

Elder Fahela spoke like a tender and kind teacher, advising earnestly.

However, among the Three-eyed Ape People, there was a saying that kind-hearted teachers rarely had obedient students.

"If we wait for truth to reveal itself, it will be too late."

William shook his head,

"Here, there's not a single person who wouldn't brave any ordeal for the truth, the truth must overcome by any means necessary to be recognized by the world."

As Elder William's words fell, the people around him nodded subtly; they had changed—they once roamed the frontiers, but now they were esteemed guests of the Royal Family, the Fahela Sect had triumphed in this nation, how could they possibly surrender and wait for the truth to reveal itself, thus handing over their victory?

Watching the crowd, Elder Fahela showed a moment of hesitation, then he sighed deeply.

These people revered him as a Prophet, yet what was he but an old man who had received a prophecy, wandering everywhere preaching, only to look back and see so many people following him, united under the same prophecy? He knew he had no power to subdue hearts nor did he engage in such acts, therefore, although he was the founder, the sect was not entirely under his control.

Divisions had already emerged within the sect; some followed him, others did not entirely, and it wouldn't be long before someone would publicly oppose him. He was respected as a Prophet but not complied with as one.

Sometimes, even he couldn't control himself, and if persecution came one day, even if he wished to die and sacrifice himself, countless people would take up swords to defend their Prophet.

"Let me say it again, keep injustice far from you."

Elder Fahela exhorted with heartfelt sincerity.

Everyone nodded devoutly, then clasped their hands together, and thus, a wave of continuous prayers rose again in the hall.

Afterward, some affairs within the sect were discussed, and then Elder Fahela left the hall, while the other elders remained.

They discussed and elaborated on the scriptures, seeking phrases that confirmed the prophecies.

"We can see the gates of Heaven open, a Heaven unlike before, where the unrighteous, the wicked, can no longer enter, a single sin now counts as a thousand sins, only the pure and righteous can attain sanctity, if that day comes, it won't be a day of salvation, but a day of punishment, a day of judgment, all evil must be despised."

Elder William spoke to the people in a passionate and resonant voice, his voice growing louder, his passion overflowing as if those around him were not just priests but also crowds of martyrs about to suffer.

Inspired by his voice, everyone shook with excited hands, if they were powerful enough, perhaps at William's command, they would march directly to Danschel, conquer the church there, and let their truth illuminate the world.

By then, more people agreed with Elder William's views, how could an act of injustice in the name of truth be considered unjust?

Having said what needed to be said, Elder William slowly straightened up and silently walked to the edge of the hall. In the shadow cast by firelight, there seemed to be the outline of a person.

"Brilliant address, Elder William, you have outdone your own Prophet."

From the shadows, a voice that only Elder William could hear spoke.

"Great Elder is not a Prophet, he has denied it many times."

Elder William said gravely.

"Your mortals really value these empty titles; you even refuse to accept compliments."

"Let's get to the point, Lodzmer."

"Alright, I need to tell you, the pendant we obtained from the Bone Church has been lost."

"What?!"

Elder William exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"I don't know if it was lost on the road or during the assassination, but… it's gone."

Lodzmer from the shadows spoke slowly.

"Then you'd better think of a way to explain this to the Duke!"

Elder William said angrily,

"You won't have a new Ghost King!"

"Don't panic, there might still be a turnaround."

Lodzmer said in a light-hearted tone:

"We have enough ability to track the pendant's location. Now… the compass shows that the pendant is moving closer to Ausenco."

Moving closer to Ausenco…

Elder William caught onto something,

"Are you saying that the pendant was picked up by the Princess and her party."

Lodzmer nodded,

"Quite possibly."

"A blessing in disguise... this is truly the favor of God."

Elder William murmured:

"Find out who picked up the pendant, and then… kill him. Once the pendant has a master, it can only be used by us after the owner's death."

The shadowy figure, as if bowing, Lodzmer slowly said:

"As you wish, Elder William, for your God, and for… our Ghost King."

After a moment, no more sounds came from the shadows. Elder William confirmed that the devilish wizard had left, then slowly moved away from the edge of the hall and rejoined the sect's discussion.

......…

......…

As the Royal City of Ausenco drew nearer, Timian continued to tell Eden stories about the Fahela Sect.

Honestly, Timian was an eloquent storyteller, with tales of the Fahela Sect always bearing a legendary hue. He recounted many individuals, many commandments, and many miracles, the plots brimming with innumerable mysterious colors, as if Fahela and his entourage were truly favored by the Divine.

However, no matter how vividly Timian described these stories, Eden was merely playing along, displaying immense curiosity outwardly but remaining utterly calm within.

As a Priest, Eden had long developed immunity to all sorts of so-called legendary tales; no matter how legendary, they couldn't shake his heart.

Moreover, he had traveled to the future and seen firsthand how heathens who worshipped the King of Kings treated the True Believers. Thus, his heart unavoidably harbored prejudices against the origin of this heresy, the Fahela Sect.

In his view, this heretical sect was composed mostly of conspirators and a few innocents, their souls filthy beyond measure, carrying the stench of corruption and decay.