Chapter 235: Undercurrents Stirring
Within a hidden stronghold in Port Beren, several members of the Disciplinary Bureau sat around a makeshift table, on which lay maps of Port Beren and various documents.
“Captain, we have complete control over our target’s movements so far,” Deputy Helena stated, pointing to a location on the map. Her voice held a trace of fatigue, but her eyes were sharp. “We can act at any moment.”
Edgar nodded. His face remained hidden in the shadow of his cap, but his tightly pressed lips betrayed his grave thoughts.
“We cannot act rashly. Given how troublesome our target is, this might be a trap,” he said in a low voice, carrying a commanding authority. “The original plan needs reassessment. We must find a way to maximize the use of the current situation while ensuring the mission’s completion.”
“Captain, headquarters just sent new orders through our informant in Port Beren,” another team member, Lina, approached. She handed over a sealed document bearing the highest encryption seal of the Disciplinary General Bureau. “This is directly from a secret channel, requiring us to immediately conduct a more in-depth investigation into theillegal activities of the Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing in Port Beren and to take decisive action when necessary.”
Edgar took the document, broke the seal, and quickly scanned its contents. The text was concise and direct, with no superfluous explanations, but the sense of urgency and the hierarchy of the command indicated that this matter had already caught the attention of the Disciplinary General Bureau’s high-level officials.
“The Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing may be related to the legend of the Soul Lord, and they are preparing ships with the intention of heading to Black Reef Bay or Cape of Submergence. We must stop them at all costs!” Edgar read the key information from the document, his brow furrowed even deeper. The Eternal Life Divine Church, Black Reef Bay, the Soul Lord… these words, linked together, were enough to make any Transcendent familiar with Port Beren’s secret history feel uneasy.
“At this time?” Andrews frowned. He vaguely realized that this order conflicted with their mission. This was clearly not a reasonable directive, unless things were truly that dire. “What about our target? Should we temporarily abandon it?”
Edgar pursed his lips. After a brief consideration, he decided, “We cannot let any opportunity slip by. The target could leave Port Beren at any moment, but if the intelligence is accurate, we cannot allow the Eternal Life Divine Church to realize their ambitions… With the exception of Helena, everyone else will prioritize dealing with the Divine Cult of Eternal Blessing. Helena, you will continue to keep watch.”
Andrews grinned, “I don’t have any issues, but are we really going to let the ‘canary’ go unchecked?”
“For now, we can only let the bird fly a little longer,” Helena said with a shrug, resigned.
“What bird? Did a bird break into the stronghold?”
Just then, Philip, who had been sent to gather intelligence, returned. He had only heard the last sentence and asked blankly.
Looking at this new investigator, Edgar, the captain, sighed. “You’re back at the right time, Philip. Hurry and prepare. We’re going to pay a ‘visit’ to the local church.”
The young man blinked, his face lighting up with excitement. “Really? Are we going to storm their church?”
“No,” Edgar denied. “We’re going to the shipyard.”
* * *
Meanwhile, in a small shipyard in Port Beren.
This place had been completely transformed into a makeshift chapel. Idols, incense, strange prayers, and cross-shaped patterns were everywhere.
In a dark and hidden secret room, the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.
“Cult Master, the ships have been arranged, and the supplies loaded,” a tall, thin man reported with a slight tremor in his voice as he bowed to the figure in the main seat. “But there’s news that people from the Disciplinary Bureau seem to have already appeared in the Port District. Should we proceed with caution?”
The figure in the main seat was shrouded in shadow, only a blurred outline visible, but its voice carried a convincing power, as if speaking directly into the listener’s mind.
“Have they finally lost their patience?” the voice said, low and magnetic, with a hint of understanding. “There’s no need to panic. I have ‘foreseen’ everything. Their target is not us, and in fact… their arrival will create an opportunity for us. This is all the will of Our God.”
The Cult Master in the shadow seemed to slightly raise a hand, revealing a ring with a red cross. “What about ‘Eye of the Tide’? Has it provided more information?”
“Lady Sivell still refuses to cooperate,” the tall, thin man replied, his voice more flustered. “She seems to be waiting for something. We’ve tried various methods, but she is resolute and refuses to reveal any further information about the ruins of Black Reef Bay.”
“It matters not,” the Cult Master’s voice held a hint of disdain. “The power of ‘foresight’ guides us. The Eye of the Tide is merely an auxiliary. Even without her, the secrets of Black Reef Bay and the entrance to Cape of Submergence will open to us by midnight tomorrow.”
He paused, then added, “Continue to monitor her closely. Do not let her run off or meet anyone, but remember, do not use overly harsh methods on her. Otherwise…”
“Yes,” the tall, thin man responded, a shiver going down his spine.
“I heard the church was invaded. Tell me, why?” the being in the shadows said, as if suddenly remembering something.
Upon hearing this, the tall, thin man was taken aback. He had been about to ask why the Cult Master hadn’t foreseen this. Now, being questioned, he could only stammer, “There was such an incident… The intruder was a Transcendent. It’s difficult to determine if they were a lackey of the Disciplinary Bureau. That person has already been repelled by Lord ‘Quarry Rock’, but Lord ‘Quarry Rock’ himself also sustained rather serious injuries…”
“That is not an injury, but a trial bestowed upon him by Our God. When he recovers from his self-inflicted wound, he will undoubtedly become unprecedentedly powerful,” the Cult Master retorted coldly. “I did not inform you beforehand because I feared it would ruin his good deed.”
“Is… is that so?” the tall, thin man was stunned for a moment, then excitedly and fanatically assumed a posture of prayer. “As expected of ‘Omniscient’ Cult Master!”
“Do not concern yourself with the church matter. Our focus now must be on setting sail,” the Cult Master’s voice rang out again, with unquestionable command. “The ships must depart punctually by midnight tomorrow, entering ‘Cape of Submergence’ before everyone else. Great secrets are buried there, enough to bring joy to Our God… By then, you too will receive Our God’s blessing and enjoy ‘eternal life’ and ‘immortality’ like us.”
He seemed to smile, and the outline in the darkness twitched slightly, the smile carrying a trace of fervent anticipation.
“Go now, my dear brothers and sisters, and offer your loyalty to the Eternal Life, to the Bestower of Blessings.”
The believers in the underground chamber bowed their heads, their faces filled with fervent expressions. “For Eternal Life! For the Bestower of Blessings!”
Their whispers converged, like some ancient curse growing in the darkness.
