Chapter 699
The Evil Moriarty (Request monthly passes!)
“The Church is like the police, military, and government agencies of the Nine Pillar Gods. Our power comes from the Nine Pillar Gods, and we receive their protection. Therefore, as their spokespersons in the Material Realm, we must be responsible to the Nine Pillar Gods.”
Ruoan nodded and said, “This has been explained from the first chapter of the textbook. Every priest is a citizen of the current country. As individuals, priests belong to their families, their ethnicities, and their countries. However, as a collective, the Church of the Nine Pillar Gods always belongs to the Nine Pillar Gods and will not favor any political entity in the Material Realm—even the Church-state itself.
“Harpies, Dwarves, Trolls, and Giants are all creations of the former Nine Pillar Gods. However, apart from the Giants who caused immense losses to the Elves, we must extend equal protection to other races as well. Not to mention the Children of the Moon… the Children of the Moon are also subjects of Hengwo. We cannot deal with one group of Hengwo’s subjects for the sake of another. The Church-state has no such stance and cannot bear such responsibility.”
It was a simple point: the Iris people chose to accept the Children of the Moon themselves.
The situation with the Iris people was similar to that of the Ancient Kingdom of Anxi… except that the people of the Ancient Kingdom of Anxi gradually awakened, while the Iris people were continuously falling.
“…I understand.”
Honey Badger nodded, gradually calming down.
She understood all of it, but… it was still somewhat difficult to accept.
Even the Church-state could not judge the Children of the Moon, so was it to rely on self-awareness?
But what if the “self-awareness” of those foolish commoners was precisely becoming Children of the Moon?
Eternal youth, immortality, no illness, no death—everyone knew the benefits of becoming a Child of the Moon, but how could they explain to these commoners who could barely read a few words that becoming a Child of the Moon meant another soul inhabiting their bodies?
They didn’t even understand what a soul was!
So Eagle Eye could only use death as a threat: once one became a Child of the Moon, they would be hunted by Eagle Eye.
But this would also make Eagle Eye feared. When everyone leaned towards degeneracy, no one wanted to have such a ruthless supervisor over them.
Thus, they became the villains…
“That’s why we need your help.”
Ruoan said softly.
She stepped forward, reaching out to gently caress Honey Badger’s hair.
The gentle feeling, like that of a Candlemaster, made Honey Badger instinctively squat down, allowing Ruoan’s hand to touch her hair—she even squatted down subconsciously, only then realizing her surprise.
“The Church-state is indeed concerned about this matter, but we cannot bypass the Church’s own limitations. But from another perspective… Madam Honey Badger, I remember you said you’re not afraid of death, right?”
“Yes.”
Honey Badger replied without hesitation, “The day I joined the Eagle Eye organization, I swore—in order to avenge the Children of the Moon, I would pay any price.”
“Path Adaptation is the path to survival. You have the adaptive power of the Fifth Tier, but your obsession even surpasses the hope of survival… So is there a possibility that you actually have the potential for the Path of Devotion?”
Ruoan consoled her softly, “I have some experience with the Path of Devotion. In my opinion, you also have the ability to become a devotee.”
“…A devotee? Me?”
Honey Badger was somewhat incredulous.
In her understanding, devotees helped others and saved lives.
But she was the opposite—she didn’t know how many people she had killed.
“Eivass is also human, yet he became a Cardinal and is now the acting Pope. Who says humans cannot hold high positions in the Church-state? If you came to the Church-state, you could at least become a Bishop, or even an Archbishop… at least reaching the Fourth Tier, I think it’s not a problem.
“At that time, you would have your own say in the Church. Perhaps you could persuade other Church members to go to Iris in their personal capacity. At the very least, you could secure the help of the Church of Iris for your organization,” Ruoan said gently.
“I… I might be okay with that…”
Honey Badger said hesitantly.
She was indeed tempted—her expression clearly showed it.
Eivass also understood Ruoan’s intention.
Rather than the Church-state gaining a Fifth Tier assassin, she was the type who preferred to draw others into the Path of Devotion.
Another thought also occurred to him.
So he asked, “Since you can do it, do all other members of the Eagle Eye organization also have such thoughts that are ‘above life’?”
“…Others?”
Honey Badger was taken aback, then understood Eivass’s underlying meaning.
“Your Majesty the Pope, you wish to… absorb the Eagle Eye organization?”
She asked in disbelief.
This was the first time Honey Badger addressed Eivass as “Your Majesty the Pope”—because it was also the first time Eivass exercised the Pope’s authority.
“Why not?”
Eivass retorted, “You are very short on money, aren’t you? Besides that, you lack people because of your bad reputation. And the Iris parliament is also hostile to you, so you might even receive bait orders.
“In this situation, it’s just changing employers—what’s so unacceptable about that?”
Unlike Ruoan’s gentle approach, he launched into three brutally realistic points.
—You’re out of money, aren’t you? No work, are you? Can’t find work, are you?
Honey Badger’s face showed clear wavering.
“I have an idea… Miss Ruoan.”
Eivass turned to the Eternal Saintess and spoke.
The thirteen-year-old-looking Ruoan immediately corrected him, “Please call me Miss Ruoan, I’m not married yet.”
“Then Miss Ruoan… I was thinking, could we conceal some of the truth?”
Eivass asked.
“Mm-hmm?”
Ruoan raised her eyebrows, signaling Eivass to continue.
“Cardinal Loki has already passed away. His last remnant…”
Eivass thought of the Perfect Being he had sealed into a card. He paused before continuing, “…no longer exists in the Material Realm. Continuing to attack his reputation, although it can still suppress the Controlled Fire… we were going to professionalize anyway, and they are actually a force we can win over.
“So I was thinking, could there be an explanation—Miss Honey Badger was actually hunting the Perfect Being, and during the process, she accidentally injured the Eternal Saintess.
“Because the Perfect Being posed a great threat and caused immense losses to the Church-state… this Shrine has existed since the Silver Crown Dragon ascended to the position of Pillar God, hasn’t it? Now it has been destroyed by the Perfect Being—and this Perfect Being happens to be a follower of Bear Heavenly Envoy.
“He also attacked citizens of at least two Rings, posing a deadly threat to them. Since the Church-state wants to interfere with the Children of the Moon but has no standing, why not simply make this matter public instead of concealing it?”
Eivass patiently explained, “Eagle Eye, as an assassin organization, works for whoever pays. Some things are inconvenient for the Church-state to handle directly… yet we do care.
“So, could Eagle Eye be a force that is not substantively affiliated with the Church-state, but receives sponsorship from the Church-state’s resources?”
“…Noble Red?”
Isabel, who had been silent, blurted out.
“Noble Red that does good deeds.”
Eivass corrected.
This was a method that a conventional Saintess-type Pope would absolutely not think of.
But for the evil Moriarty, it was a method that could be thought of with ease.
—If the Church-state is inconvenient to act directly, or even to hire people, why not cultivate an agent with the same will but free from the Church’s constraints?
It would be too much of a waste of the Church-state’s resources and influence not to do so.
Such a strong organization, being bullied simply because it was too cultured and restrained—that made no sense.
Although he didn’t know the subsequent plot of the game, he had seen player feedback on the forums—the Pope concealed the appearance of the Perfect Being and took all the blame for the previous division of the Church-state upon herself. This was to prevent the Church-state from launching a holy vengeance and also to reunite it.
Her personality was too gentle and too devoted. But sometimes, these contradictions were best resolved by finding a scapegoat, not by the best method of handling things.
Borrowing power from others, there was a better way.
“And this way, we can also strike a blow against those fanatical vampires of Iris who worship the ‘Perfect Being’!”
Honey Badger also realized, “They have always dreamed that once the Perfect Being is born into their race, they could stand on par with the Church-state. They have become more and more arrogant over the years. Now, on one hand, it proves that the Perfect Being indeed has powerful strength, but he is completely no match for the Pope. Perhaps they will be more well-behaved now.”
“So, you agree?”
Eivass’s lips curved slightly.
Honey Badger just shook her head, “I can only represent myself.”
The implication was that she had agreed.
Not only as a believer embarking on the Path of Devotion to join the Church-state… but also as a member of a secret organization leaning towards the Church-state, willing to serve the Church-state.
“And actually, some people are not suitable for joining us.”
Honey Badger quickly added, “There are many scumbags and madmen in Eagle Eye… If the Church-state wants Eagle Eye, I can only suggest extracting a portion of them.”
Eivass looked at Ruoan, “What do you think?”
Ruoan shook her head helplessly, “You are the Pope now, it’s up to you. This is not crossing the line… but Eivass, you must remember. The noble influence of the Church-state comes from its reputation and stance… always remember this and don’t lose it.”
“I will remember,” Eivass nodded slightly.
Ruoan looked at Eivass, who was now slightly taller than her after her own body had shrunk further, with a sense of emotion.
An unprecedented human Pope…
In which direction will you lead the Church-state?
But undoubtedly.
Her own stance must be made clear.
Ruoan tiptoed and touched Eivass’s hair, whispering gently:
“—I believe in you, go ahead.”
(End of this chapter)
