Only God

Inside Duke Cedric's castle.

As one of the most prominent dukes of the kingdom, Cedric possessed vast inherited lands within the kingdom, most of which stemmed from ancestral heritage or the estates of relatives, while the remaining part was due to the cultivation and expansion of borderlands.

This duke held a prestigious and influential position within the kingdom. Just five years ago, he had served as the Minister of Seal in the king's capital until his term ended and he returned home in a blaze of glory. However, his secular achievements paled in comparison to those he achieved in the realm of faith.

Duke Cedric was one of the first dukes in the kingdom to convert to the True Religion, and it was under his numerous persuasions and initiatives that the entire Ausenco Royal Family was baptized and converted. Undoubtedly, when the True Religion was proclaimed the state religion, the duke's name was to be eternally enshrined in history.

Of course, not just the True Religion's clerics would record his name, but he also had a place in the annals of the Giant King Sect.

Elder William of the Fahela Sect had come all the way, weary and covered in dust, and now he finally stood before the castle doors.

After reporting to the duke, the guards quickly opened the gates for the elder. Castle servants hurried over, intending to offer him hospitality, but Elder William pushed everyone aside and shouted that he needed to see the duke.

Elder William was always respected here, so no one dared to neglect his requests. Shortly after being reported, Elder William was escorted into the reception hall.

Inside the reception hall, two familiar figures appeared.

One was naturally Duke Cedric, while the other was the devil wizard, Lodzmer.

"Servant of God, just yesterday the wizard here was discussing with me the threat posed by the Witch Gathering. Tell me, have you hurried over because, aside from the Witch Gathering, there is more troubling news?"

Duke Cedric inquired.

"Duke, your insight is indeed keen,"

Elder William complimented hastily, then took a deep breath, trying to recall the scenes he had witnessed in the past few days.

"You have no idea what I've encountered."

"What?"

"I met...an 'envoy' of the King of Kings."

As the words fell on Cedric's ears, the duke was thrilled, but after a while, he sensed something unusual from Elder William's complicated expression and emphatic tone.

"What does this mean?"

Duke Cedric queried.

Lodzmer also cast a curious glance.

Elder William took another deep breath, and after mustering his thoughts, began to recount the events of that night.

He started with a letter from Timian, narrated the origins of Eden, the prophecies of the Savior, and the Miracle Book, describing the celestial event of that night.

Even though what Elder William described seemed like a miracle, both the duke and Lodzmer saw not a hint of excitement on the elder's face but a profound apprehension and fear instead.

In the end, Elder William shared the reason for his worries:

"I suspect...this is not a real miracle. It's fake, something he prepared in advance. He heard Elder Fahela's prophecy from someone and then made some preparations, which resulted in that spectacle. In short, I don't think he's any envoy at all. From the first moment I saw him, I felt he was dangerous, as if it were divine revelation given to me."

Elder William's words were like a bucket of cold water, quenching Duke Cedric's animated emotions.

However, being a faithful believer in the Fahela Sect's doctrines, he was somewhat reluctant to accept and asked:

"But we can't just decide like this."

Elder William retorted:

"Duke, do you not believe my words? Would I fabricate falsehoods?"

Duke Cedric did not respond immediately.

At that moment, Lodzmer chuckled sinisterly and suggested:

"Then why not test him?"

Duke Cedric opened his mouth in astonishment,

"You're mad, to dare to test a divine envoy."

Lodzmer looked at Elder William,

"As the elder said, he might not be a divine envoy after all."

Elder William corrected:

"He cannot possibly be any divine envoy."

Duke Cedric shook his head:

"I can't bear the cost of offending an envoy."

"I can."

Under the shadow of sunlight, Lodzmer spoke, his countenance somewhat ferocious,

"Elder, Duke, you just need to cooperate from the sidelines. If he's not a divine envoy, then all's well that ends well, and if he is a divine envoy, then I will be the mastermind. You can both plead for his forgiveness, claiming ignorance, and I have faith the envoy will be magnanimous."

Elder William's eyes lit up, his lips quivered, and after a moment he asked:

"What do you require?"

A devil wizard, like devils, loved to make various contracts with mortals, using their comprehensive knowledge to manipulate the terms and tempt mortals into wickedness. Few truly gained from deals with a devil.

So when a devil offers help, one must be cautious. The same went for a devil wizard.

Nonetheless, few could resist the temptations of a devil; they always believed they might be the lucky ones to benefit.

"Tsk tsk, isn't my requirement straightforward? You've known it for long."

Lodzmer said meaningfully.

Duke Cedric narrowed his eyes,

"The Ghost King?"

Lodzmer nodded and then made his demand:

"Duke, I hope you can mobilize all the nobles under your name to exterminate the Witch Gathering and the allied Mercury priests. Stop letting them hinder us. You'd best abandon using them to balance us out; it only impedes your holy endeavor."

Duke Cedric pondered for a moment and nodded with difficulty,

"I will do my best."

The devil wizard Lodzmer represented the Zor Elves.

And the Witch Gathering was always at odds with the Zor Elves.

To keep the Zor Elves obligingly at heel, Cedric and Elder William had been indulging the actions of the Witch Gathering, using them to balance the Zor Elves.

Lodzmer bowed elegantly and then slowly revealed a plan.

"So, the matter at hand is quite simple. I will select a few devils from the palace to 'welcome and cleanse' this Envoy. Oh, and if he unfortunately perishes in the process, please do not mourn for him."

...

Crowns, skulls, and infants.

Eden racked his brain for a long time but couldn't come up with any explanation.

Although he now had a thorough understanding of the Pagan Scriptures, he was surprised to find after searching his brain that there was not a trace of information about these things in the text of Heresy.

"They... seem to be extremely secretive about the origins of the King of Kings. The scriptures have never mentioned... where He was before inheriting His authority."

Eden murmured to himself.

Due to the lack of clues, it was a fantasy to figure out what those three things symbolized.

Eden thought hard but couldn't find a reason, so he had to temporarily hang the question in his mind.

"It seems... I need to make more contact with the Fahela Sect."

Eden planned this,

"Perhaps... they know some secrets that future heretics don't, especially... Fahela himself.

And now, the most urgent task is... the Ascension of the Path of Divine Creation."

He must possess more power.

Eden clenched his fist.

Only by gaining more power could he change everything, even the course of future history.

"The tooth of the Oronix Dragon is already secured; the rest of the materials can be easily collected. However... what exactly is the Third Rank Holy Chorus's Ancient Language, and where can I find out about it?"

Although Eden guessed that the required Ancient Words were in the Holy Land, it was too far from the Ausenco Kingdom, and there was simply no time for him to make the pilgrimage now.

"What should I do?"

Eden pondered hard.

Who would know the Ancient Language of the Third Rank Holy Chorus?

The Prophet Xilan?... But who knows where he is now, other than God himself?

The Elf Priests? But there are no Elves in this country, nor any Elf Priests.

... Right, the Fairies? They might know!

Eden suddenly thought of something.

Perhaps he could seek answers from the Fairies in the Sea of Souls.

Legend has it that in the realm of the Fairies resides half the knowledge of the Mortal World.

"Although the Fairies might not pay me any mind, I have to try... otherwise, I have no other options."

Without hesitation, Eden immediately took action, taking out a carving knife and drawing a ceremonial circle on the ground. He would enter the Sea of Souls through the Ascension Ceremony.

...

Sea of Souls.

At the highest layer of clouds, Sofia stood alone, staring blankly into the distance of the far-off world.

She rarely came to such a place alone.

It was often Schiller that appeared here first, looking into the distance, and then she slowly made her way to the highest point and lay on the Great Angel's shoulder.

However, the Great Angel had long since departed.

No one knew where the Great Angel had gone. The Fairies only realized one day that they had not seen their creator in a long time.

Even the Fairy Queen had no idea of the Great Angel's whereabouts.

Sofia stood, as if reminiscing, her eyes unfocused.

Until a voice reached her.

"Your Majesty, the person you mentioned before has come."

A Fairy reported in haste.

Sofia came back to her senses and slowly turned around,

"That Eden?"

Not long ago, she had instructed her confidants that if Eden ever came to the Sea of Souls again, they must report to her.

"Is he going to perform an Ascension Ceremony? Don't bother with him, don't interfere, it's not time yet."

Sofia instructed subconsciously.

She didn't want this person to be exposed so soon, and she didn't want Schiller to find out about him.

If so, all her many arrangements would come to naught.

"But, but..."

"But what?"

"But, that man is asking us what the Third Rank Holy Chorus's Ancient Language is, he also says that he has come to save the entire Sea of Souls!"

...

Everything went smoother than Eden had expected.

He successfully learned the Ancient Language of the Third Rank Holy Chorus.

Of course, he didn't learn it for nothing.

In exchange, Eden informed the Fairies of the future prospects of the Sea of Souls and warned them they must not side with the beastly, no matter what.

To be frank, Eden was nervous about whether the Fairies would believe what he said, and he was prepared to be questioned and rejected.

Yet, the Fairies, seemingly having received some command from somewhere, appeared to have believed his words and told him the Ancient Language of the Third Rank Holy Chorus.

This ease surprised Eden, and he even became bolder, requesting the Fourth Rank Holy Chorus's Ancient Language.

Unfortunately, to his regret, the Fairies told him that they did not know the Ancient Language of the Fourth Rank Holy Chorus.

"Now that I know the Ancient Language of the Third Rank Holy Chorus... Well then, I should strike while the iron is hot and complete this Ascension."

Thinking so, Eden walked slowly towards the Invisible Tower.

He did not know.

Not far away, the Fairy Queen was watching him,

Considering him... the only hope to reclaim Schiller.