Only God

The monks lay prostrate on the ground, not moving except for the shaking caused by their rapid breathing. The air was so silent that not even the slightest sound could be heard, and everyone was silently somber as if they were receiving some divine summons.

They delayed in standing up, their eyes expressing an extraordinary fervor, even Elder William, after hesitating, recited the scriptures in his heart and knelt on the ground.

The scene before her was beyond Arsia's expectations.

The princess, just recovering from her surprise, was even considering whether to kneel down alongside the monks.

She cautiously gauged Eden's expression, the divine light earlier making her suspect that Eden might be a Prophet in disguise.

At this thought, Arsia's hands began to tremble, and for the first time in her life, she feared where she might go after death.

That was a Prophet...

And herself, she had acted so sinfully in his presence...

A sense of guilt and panic born from obedience to authority surged within her, Arsia's legs grew weak, and she almost threw herself at the Prophet's feet, crying and begging for compassion and forgiveness.

She reminisced about the scriptures of repentance, images of religious depictions of Hell, with its blood-red earth, emerging in her mind. She saw herself as someone who had achieved nothing, obsessed with pleasures, even her mother's repeated persuasions were in vain, as she was naturally such a person. She thought it over and realized that being a righteous person might not be so difficult after all. Just a bit more restraint, just a bit more effort, and she could succeed. It just needed a firm decision at the start, and the path to righteousness would appear before her.

While Arsia had many thoughts in her mind, they were still clear.

But Eden was different.

He stood vaguely in front of everyone, slightly raising one hand, his lips parted as if to speak. At this moment, anyone would take him for a Messenger, and this vague appearance must be him receiving a divine summon and conveying God's decree.

However, in fact, Eden's mind was in complete Chaos. He stood there stunned, not moving, unable to accept the scene before him. He wished that this divine light had never happened.

God, why didn't you just grant me death?

Waves of agony surged through Eden's mind.

What is this, what does this mean?!

Eden roared within himself like a wounded lion.

Who is he? He is a Priest, a servant of God, treating the church as a companion or master, faithfully devoted and steadfast, strictly disciplining himself to the standards of a righteous man.

But...

This divine light was like a bolt from the blue.

He could not accept that he had become part of the Pagan Scriptures, not just a part but a messenger for the King of Kings in the pagan texts.

He could not accept that he was to serve another God; it was as if... God had abandoned him.

Does the future determine the present now?!

If he was to be God's messenger, he would rather die, just like King Dertulian.

It was uncertain how long had passed, perhaps a full fifteen minutes.

Eden finally recovered from his shock, gasping heavily.

When he saw those heretical monks worshipping him, he felt both pain and anger.

No, no, I'm not the messenger you've been waiting for!

Eden roared within himself.

After a brief moment, he tried to calm himself:

"I need to leave now."

At this, the monks all lifted their heads, looking at Eden perplexed and slightly panicked as if ready to get up and detain him.

Eden suppressed his agony and said:

"We will meet again, I... must follow God's will."

Once he said this, no one thought to retain Eden anymore, so the monks knelt on the ground, watching Eden slowly walk out of the church, with Timian and Arsia following him.

On the way back to the camp, Timian kept trembling, overly excited, almost cheering under the night sky. Seeing Eden silent all the way, he dared not speak, but in his heart, he already regarded Eden as a Prophet.

As for Arsia, the princess of the Empire was still full of worries. She wanted to say something several times, but dared not, only able to follow behind Eden like a little chick, which ironically made her look like a real servant.

Finally, they returned to the camp. Eden asked Timian to go back first, leaving only Arsia and Eden alone under the night sky, standing on a mound.

Eden looked at Arsia, wanting her to leave but also not wanting her to go, so the Priest remained silent, watching her from the darkness.

Arsia blinked, somewhat scared she said:

"Are you... are you the Prophet?"

"Don't call me a Prophet!"

Eden spoke as if roaring.

Briefly, he realized he was too agitated and took several deep breaths.

"I'm not any Prophet..."

Eden said softly.

At this moment, Eden knew why he didn't want Arsia to leave. Regarding the heretical Fahela Sect, about tonight's miracle, he dared not confide in Veldor because that dwarf priest had seen a Prophet.

If Prophet Xilan knew about this, if he knew that he might be the so-called messenger of the King of Kings...

Eden felt a wave of fear related to faith.

Compared to Veldor, he would rather face Arsia, even though he knew she could not help him.