Only God

"This..."

Timian was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the monks present all turned their heads simultaneously, dozens of gazes fell on Timian, making him break into a cold sweat.

The lights in front of the altar burned silently, the entire church was enveloped in an incredibly tense atmosphere, as if at any moment, the monks would draw swords against each other.

Eden noticed that the doors of the church had already been closed.

He took a deep breath, clenched his hands, and glanced sideways.

To his surprise, Arsia beside him looked calm; perhaps in the deceitful Danschel, she had long been accustomed to such a tension-filled atmosphere.

"This, this… Elder, I swear in the name of the King of Kings, he is a righteous man, a learned priest. If he were not righteous, he would not have offended the Emperor."

Timian explained anxiously.

"How can we believe your word alone?"

A monk stood up and accused:

"Even if you did not lie, how can you assure that he has not deceived you?

It was too careless of you to bring him here!"

As this was said, everyone nodded, and Elder William looked at Timian with a reprimanding gaze, making him tremble repeatedly.

"I, I was only following the orders of Elder Fahela. We have always been in need of capable priests, have we not?"

Timian argued vehemently.

Elder William was not persuaded by this explanation.

"You are right, it is Elder Fahela's order.

But what use is a priest who does not accept our doctrines, even if he has enough capabilities?

It is of no use at all; instead, it will be a burden and might even cost us our lives."

Timian now was completely at a loss for words; he trembled and looked at Eden, then at Elder William, unsure of what to do.

Elder Wiliam turned his attention fully to Eden.

For some reason, he felt an inexplicable fear and hostility towards the priest that Timian brought with him.

It was as if his soul inherently despised this priest.

Perhaps this was an insight from the King of Kings, signaling to him that the priest before him posed a significant threat to the Fahela Sect, and might even destroy the truth they received.

"No, he cannot be allowed into the sect."

A voice inside Elder William's mind said,

"Even if he verbally accepts our doctrines, he does not truly recognize them."

The monks in the church, led by Elder William, pressured Timian step by step, and a deathly atmosphere pervaded the church. Even Arsia seemed somewhat nervous at this moment.

Surveying the scene, Eden took a deep breath, about to say something.

But Elder William struck first:

"Priest, he says you are a righteous man; then tell us, what makes a man righteous?"

"Elder, your question is complex; many scholars spend their lives without finding an answer."

Eden answered calmly.

Elder William scoffed:

"Is this question really that complex? Isn't it simple? Abandon the garlands and feasts, forsake riches and pleasures, keep away from worldly sins, and pursue righteous deeds."

Hearing this, Arsia frowned.

This elder was actually telling people to abandon garlands and feasts, to forsake riches and pleasures... How backwards they seemed, even more boring than the Church, and significantly boring at that.

The initial excitement and curiosity now dimmed instantly after this speech, and Arsia was deeply disappointed with this heretical sect.

Elder William, not knowing that his words made the Princess lose interest in the Fahela Sect, simply stared at Eden, pressing further:

"I'll ask you again, from what Timian has told me, you believe in a 'Prophecy' where a Savior exists, correct?"

Eden nodded slightly,

"Yes, when the apocalypse comes again, the Savior will descend, and He is God."

Elder William did not refute, but interrogated:

"So, is this God a new-born God?"

Eden paused.

Despite Ausenco and the Danschel Empire being worlds apart, the audacious act of a priest slapping the Emperor still had enough influence to span such distances, and, through Timian's letters, Elder William had gathered some tidbits about Eden.

The priest proclaimed that the Savior would come and save humanity once more.

Timian turned his head nervously towards Eden; he had asked Eden the same question before and had received a negative response.

"Please, priest... just admit it," Timian pleaded silently in his mind.

"I ask you, is this God a new-born God?"

Seeing that Eden still hadn't responded, Elder William took a step forward, pressing further.

The closer he got to the priest, the more panicked Elder William felt; if no one were here, he might have secretly drawn a dagger to end his fear.

He became increasingly convinced that this panic was a manifestation of God in his heart, a warning from God, urging him not to let this man enter the Fahela Sect.

If… he can't answer or denies it…

Then let us take action.

A bloody thought crossed his mind, and Elder William silently pleaded for the King of Kings' forgiveness—not for harboring such thoughts, but for the likelihood of staining the church with violence.

Everyone was watching Eden.

Eden silently clenched his fists.

Admitting meant denying the truth he believed.