Chapter 158: Only the Holy See
It said coldly, “The Twilight has passed, and even if you are the Chosen Apostle of the God of Twilight, it is of no use.”
Li Wen deliberately spoke vaguely, intending to make the other party believe she was the Chosen Apostle of the Twilight Witch, rather than thinking of her as the successor to the Witch’s path. Regardless, being the holder of “The Primordial Codex of Ending” was more impressive than any title of Apostle and would attract more covetous eyes. After all, it was a supreme Divine Artifact originating from a Pillar Deity.
“The Witch will eventually return, and the vacant Twilight Pillar will welcome its Master. This is my mission, and it is the duty I will fulfill with all I have.”
“So, resurrecting the Twilight Witch is your mission as the Chosen Apostle.”
Li Wen neither denied nor admitted it, simply staring coldly at the other party.
“If it were the Twilight Witch, perhaps there would be the authority and great power to resist or even control the Doomsday Twilight…” the ancient existence said, “But what does that have to do with the Original Text? Or perhaps, you are actually thinking of using the identity of the Chosen Apostle to seize the created Original Text, clearing your path for advancement.”
Its pupils, burning like a molten furnace yet hollow, gazed directly at Li Wen. The gaze, hotter than fire, seemed to pierce through all the secrets of her heart.
But that was absolutely impossible. No matter how ancient and close to divine that existence was, it could not peer into Li Wen’s thoughts from beyond the game’s layer. Therefore, even though she felt a pressure like a mountain and a rage like a tide, she maintained a detached expression on the surface.
“You don’t need to say such things to provoke me,” Li Wen replied calmly. “The created Original Text is a necessary condition for the Witch’s return. Everything is as the last message imprinted in my mind stated; it does not allow for the slightest falsehood.”
“One-sided words.”
Li Wen said indifferently, “You don’t have to believe it.”
At this point in the conversation, Li Wen could not predict what choice the other party would make. It was entirely possible that it would dismiss everything she said as inconsequential, like crushing an ant, and kill her.
But so what? The path to obtaining the Original Text was inherently difficult, and that candlelight of hope was so faint. Now that she had the opportunity to investigate the whereabouts of the created lineage’s Original Text, even if it required her life as a potential price, it was still worth a try. Moreover, Li Wen was currently under the game’s rules, and death was merely the most insignificant punishment.
“You can swear to the Sage to prove the truth of your words,” it said.
In a worldview constructed from knowledge and words, oaths carried unimaginable Mana.
Li Wen frowned slightly. She was not afraid to swear to anyone, as she was speaking a degree of truth. However, if the object were that supreme and great being, the Pillar Deity in charge of creation, the situation would be very different. After all, the one before her was a creation overlooked by that Pillar God’s miracle. With its connection to the Sage, it was likely that the moment Li Wen swore to the Sage, the other party would use that connection to transfer the object of the oath to itself. At that point, no matter how truthful Li Wen’s statements were, they would be meaningless.
“I will only swear to the glorious one in Glor, or to the mysterious and aloof Witch,” Li Wen said calmly.
It was silent for a moment, then said, “Glor, the Witch… and the most pure and supreme Holy Spirit, you must swear to all of them.”
The other party likely understood Li Wen’s concerns and did not make things difficult for her.
The Holy Spirit, like the Twilight Witch, was a lost Pillar Deity of the current era. However, during its reign, it controlled the Virtual Spirit lineage, encompassing many authorities, including oaths. Therefore, for those without religious inclination choosing a deity as an oath object, the Holy Spirit was the best choice, even if its faith had long disappeared into the river of time.
Li Wen’s expression remained unchanged. She raised her right hand and casually made an oath gesture: “I swear here, to the radiant crown that guards Glor, to the end-of-days maiden who commands the Twilight, and to the most pure and perfect divine embodiment, the Holy Spirit, that my life is dedicated solely to pursuing the steps of the Twilight Witch, restoring the lost name of the Witch, and allowing the vacant Twilight Pillar to welcome its rightful Master. This is my life’s duty. I will give all of my life, sparing no effort to achieve this duty…”
After speaking, Li Wen maintained her pose, waiting for some unseen change. However, no immediately perceivable change or anomaly occurred; everything remained the same as before. This was only natural, as two of the oath objects were lost existences, and the remaining one, who governed Glor, was an unfathomably cold and unreachable being. Even the most devout follower of Glor would not attract its excessive attention, let alone someone like Li Wen.
But the absence of change did not mean the oath was not established. If that were the case, fiery lightning or showers of light would have rained down to burn her to ashes long ago. The lack of any immediate abnormality instead proved that her words were not false in the slightest.
“I have fulfilled the promised oath, so what about you?” Li Wen looked at the other party.
“The created Original Text is not in my possession,” the fire sparks in its eyes flickered violently. “But I know its whereabouts and clearly understand how to obtain the Original Text. The only problem now is why I should tell you…”
“Telling me the whereabouts of the Original Text so I can successfully bring about the Witch’s return to resist the apocalypse is a gamble; leaving this world and seeking refuge in the ethereal void is also a gamble. There is no significant difference between these two, as no one can predict whether the Doomsday Twilight will be successfully resisted or escaped as expected. Since you can hope for salvation from the void, whose very existence is debatable, why can’t you believe that I, as the Chosen Apostle, will not disappoint and will complete my mission?”
“You speak the truth, but I refuse.”
It said coldly, its gaze fixed on Li Wen, brewing a terrifying pressure in its silence, until someone else spoke.
“I do not know the reason for your refusal, but there is one matter I hope you can listen to me patiently expound upon.”
The one speaking was Moria. A look of helplessness remained on his face, as he profoundly realized what kind of existence he was facing. Yet, despite this, he looked at this ancient and terrifying being without subservience or arrogance, his gaze calm.
For the first time, it shifted its gaze to this unremarkable follower of Glor.
“What, are you Glor’s Chosen Apostle?”
In its eyes, this tiny human should have received Glor’s fervent, even scorching, compassion. But so what? In the era of its birth, these kinds of people were commonplace, if not as numerous as grains of sand, and hardly worth focusing too much attention on.
Moria did not answer but said softly, “If you wish to leave this world and journey to the realm beyond the void, you may require some small assistance from our Holy See.”
“Why.”
A muffled sound like thunder boomed, louder than ever before. Even the idlest person could recognize the implicit, silent, and about-to-erupt anger contained within.
Moria acted as if he heard nothing and earnestly explained, “Because the path to the world beyond the Mortal Realm has long been closed. In the current era, perhaps only our Holy See possesses this ability and is active in the world.”
Li Wen was taken aback by this statement. She turned her head and glanced at him, unable to discern that this fellow could lie so naturally.
