Chapter 564

Chapter 186: Shades of Gray

“It’s not anyone’s fault.”

The sunlight flickered behind the floating clouds, casting an uneven light that fell upon Elder Archbishop Ansheel. His sigh was drenched in the dawn, and everyone around him seemed quiet.

A golden bird flew down from the sky and landed on the shoulder of one of the monks. The sound of its wings flapping was particularly clear. Several monks saw this and moved over in that direction.

The old bishop glanced at it, knowing there was new news, but he didn’t address it immediately. He pointed to the blood-stained ground and the corpses below the ridge, his voice low and heavy. “Today, we allowed those devils to run rampant, to slaughter God’s children—the innocent and pitiable ones. We even killed them with our own hands. When I gave that order to you, the sorrow and grief in my heart were something you, who do not make decisions, cannot understand.”

The old bishop took a deep breath. “Those unfortunate townsfolk escaped and had hope for survival, but they died here inexplicably. I feel guilty and distressed about it. I pity them, but I also pity you more.”

“I am old; there isn’t much time left for such matters in my heart. But you are still young, and you shouldn’t bear such weight. No one should, but things have come to this point, and there’s no room for侥幸. You feel pain and guilt, and I understand that, but it’s not your fault…”

He emphasized again, “It’s not your fault,” then turned and walked back slowly, under everyone’s direct gaze. Shaky, he stood on the protruding green rock on the ridge, pointing towards the direction where the flames had yet to be extinguished. “It is those heretics who came to kill. They caused everything that happened here.”

Then, he pointed to the distant forest in the east, barely visible through the trees. “That is Woodworth Forest. Soon, it will become the center of chaos, the new site of slaughter and bloodshed. Those evil heretics crossed the sea from the Eastern Continent, stealing the divine relic that has protected the royal city for centuries, turning it into a tool of the devil, sucking human blood to accumulate their brutal power. Their ultimate goal…”

As the old bishop spoke, he turned to face the monks below again, pausing briefly.

“…is to revive a terrifying demon sealed away in the Dragon’s Homeland during the Age of the Divine Presence. Then, they aim to cause even greater disasters, making the entire Helgaya and even the entire Western Continent suffer. In doing so, they can gain even stronger and more evil powers from the devil.”

“The heretics are the devil’s claws, bringing disaster upon humanity. Now, as the devil awakens, the heretics are about to succeed. The Dragon’s Homeland can no longer contain that monster. Once it tears through space and descends upon the world, all living beings, our human civilization, prosperous cities, millions of people, every mountain and every inch of land we see, our friends, lovers, everything, will vanish in a catastrophic calamity…”

Perhaps he had spoken too much, Archbishop Ansheel coughed lightly, looking unwell. Someone brought water, which he drank to soothe his throat.

The wind was strong, causing his robe to rustle. Ansheel’s pale hair danced. He wanted to get down from the green rock, but the monks hurriedly came to support him. He waved them off and descended shakily, returning to the crowd.

“You must stop the disaster from happening…”

The old man coughed again, clearing his throat.

He raised his head, his eyes deep like a murky pond that could not be seen through. “You, the faithful followers of the great deity from the Holy City, the most elite members of the Sacred Church, all standing here today, and those who couldn’t stand here but made heroic sacrifices in this war, the great warriors of the Church.”

“Everything you do is not up for debate. The only purpose is to stop them, to prevent the revival of the devil, to stop it from descending upon the world.”

“You must ensure that the gate of the Dragon’s Homeland opens smoothly, regardless of the method or who dies—whether it’s civilians, you, or me. What matters is the outcome: whether the Church wins or humans perish in a cataclysmic disaster.”

“What matters is that the young and powerful warrior entrusted by the Pope, Miss Silvija, the Knight of the Pope, can successfully enter the Dragon’s Homeland before the devil awakens. With her icy power, she can completely end it, shattering the source of the heretics’ evil power, extinguishing the sin fire forever, ensuring that religious wars never happen again.”

The old man looked deeply into each monk’s eyes. “You should be proud of yourselves.”

“You must accomplish what the Church, what humanity has longed for over centuries—to dissipate the devil’s seed, to deprive the demons of the Truth Gate of their evil power, to ensure that the sin fire can never again bring disaster to the world. To achieve this, you must spare no effort, risking your honor and life, enduring pain others cannot, bearing inner torment. It is all the will of God, all for the prosperity of humanity.”

He walked to the side of the weeping monk, lifting his hand to gently rest on the short hair of the young man.

“Child, you should be proud of yourself, and of your friend who returned to the deity. Because you have proven your enlightenment through your actions. This is the enlightenment that everyone here, including me, must make.”

The monk had already stopped crying, but hearing the old bishop’s words, he looked at the elderly yet kind face and couldn’t hold back his tears again. “Archbishop Ansheel…”

“Do not be sad, child. A servant of God does not need tears.”

“Yes…”

“You must pull yourself together, my child. Our task is not to confront the two heretics directly, nor to die heroically like the warriors in the south. We have a more arduous and important mission, a mission we cannot fail. You must always believe that those who have already sacrificed or will sacrifice, whether they are civilians or warriors, are worth it and necessary.”

“If not, after this, there will be more places like Deer Town, larger cities like Emerald City, Winter City, Order City…more and more people will perish in future calamities. At that time, we might…not even have the chance to become historical sinners.”

The old bishop looked into the monk’s eyes, speaking slowly. “Do you understand?”

“I…understand…I understand…”

The monk took a breath, rubbing his red eyes. His expression became solemn.

, solemn and standing straight before the old man, his right fist clenched tightly over his chest.

“I am willing to lead the team personally to investigate. I will not fail your teachings!”

Old Ansail smiled and nodded, patting him on the shoulder: “Go, my good child. May you always be blessed by the gods.”

He then turned around and addressed everyone on the ridge: “Remember, this operation will require us to pay any price, any price, to ensure the heretic can smoothly open Dragon Village. No matter how many people die, no one should act rashly. After this, the Pope will be grateful to you, the Church will thank you, and the great god’s children will forever remember you.”

In slow but powerful tones, the monks tightened their fists even more, their eyes regaining their luster.

The old bishop slowly descended from the ridge amidst the crowd. Soon, someone hurried over and whispered something in his ear. The old man’s scattered gaze suddenly sharpened as he nodded gravely: “Tell Anna that if there’s any movement, do not delay. Report immediately. We must ensure everything is settled before she wakes up. That bead has already absorbed enough blood; otherwise… she will become the greatest obstacle to our plan…”

“Yes.”

The monk responded softly, then asked: “What about Woodward Forest…”

Before he could finish, the old man quickly waved his hand to interrupt.

“I believe the First Knight Order stationed there is also prepared. There’s no need to mention this again. Additionally, no one is allowed to go there until I give the order.”

…………

At the border of Woodward Forest.

Tall watchtowers stretched along the forest edge. Golden-armored knights gathered below the towers, forming a flood of soldiers. Weapons clanged, flames rose, and shouts rolled like waves. The creatures beneath them snorted and let out screams, the warriors of the First Knight Order standing tall and ready, divine light constantly shimmering through their ranks.

Facing them were merely two figures standing on high ground just a hundred meters away.

A red dress-clad, clear-featured dance goddess.

An old hunched-over man.

The wind flowed across the grassland, carrying smoke higher into the sky. Green fields stretched endlessly, sunlight piercing through clouds, gradually setting over the mountainside, dispelling shadows.

Sebastian, the old servant, stood beside the red-dress-clad dancer, gazing at the military formation ahead. Cross banners fluttered fiercely in the wind. His eyes then crossed the banners, looking back at the verdant forest behind, swaying like waves.

After a moment, he murmured: “This is the final step.”

“…Yes.”

“Miss, what are your thoughts?”

“…”

After waiting for a while, when the dancer did not respond, he continued: “The people from Deer Town, refugees from the south, plus the knights stationed here, numbering only five thousand, may not be sufficient to open the land of the dragons.”

The old servant smiled: “If Jester were here, he would definitely try to devise a way to kill even more people… Woodward Forest is rich in resources, with many villages surrounding it. Their lives combined might be enough… Miss, you don’t want to kill those people anymore because you’re starting to waver, aren’t you?”

“…”

The dancer still didn’t speak.

Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, warm light falling on her cold face. Her azure eyes, like gems, gradually reflected a bloody glow.

Watching her, the old servant’s smile became increasingly kind: “Miss, I know what you’re thinking. From the moment I was saved by your father, I’ve been by his side, witnessing his deeds. Gradually, I understood that the world isn’t as beautiful as I once imagined. Unfortunately… after following him for so many years, besides these skills, I learned nothing else… Miss, I understand I’m far inferior to you.”

The old servant shook his head and sighed: “Perhaps deep down, I’m still the timid and weak cook from years ago. Before last night, I had never killed anyone; I always avoided problems. Even such a person, your father still left me here, by your side. I have no family; I’ve watched you grow up since childhood… In my heart, I’ve long considered you my granddaughter.”

Buzzing…

A hundred meters away, the divine miracle’s buzzing made the air tremble. The knights were all assembled, and the horns of the chargers thundered, shaking the earth. The charge seemed imminent.

“I understand your intentions, even if you don’t tell me.”

Facing the massive army, the hunched old servant showed no fear, his face still smiling: “Miss, you’re going to use your own blood to feed that bead… To save the common people who view you as a demon… I know you won’t waver, but I still want to ask: After bearing such pressure for so long, is it worth it?”

“…Nothing is worth or not worth it.”

The dancer finally spoke: “It’s my father’s wish. I must fulfill it.”

“Is that so…”

The old servant sighed: “To reach this point is something your father never achieved. Miss, you’re truly remarkable…”

“Judgment Fist, listen—”

A hundred meters away, a shout like a thunderclap echoed: “Kill the demon! Follow me into battle!!!”

“Aaaahhhh—”

Rumbling…

The flood broke its dam, surging forward like an avalanche. Wind roared in the sky, killing cries like the sea. Golden holy spears rained down densely, and the old servant stepped forward first, weapons ringing. He held a sword and a blade diagonally downward, gripping them tightly.

“Since that’s the case, let this old servant clear the final path for you…”

Soon, the air was filled with the scent of blood and death.

…………

The autumn light rose and fell.

The continuous smoke from the border of Woodward Forest, the unceasing light since that night, the battles, the vibrations, the shouts, eventually subsided at some point.

Only it was unknown how many more had died.

The fire in Deer Town was extinguished.

The collapsed church, bell tower, houses reduced to skeletons, muddy land, shattered green stone roads, a devastated central square, bodies drained of blood lay on the ground, turning the once bustling town into a lonely place.

In the eastern foothills, the stream flowed steadily, the lake under the waterfall nearly dried up, leaving a shallow puddle less than a meter deep, slowly emitting black mist.

Above the water, a black sphere formed by chaotic power floated, its surface dead smoke twisting like serpents, emitting eerie buzzing sounds.

Darkness faded, then brightened.

At a certain moment, the girl sleeping inside the sphere suddenly opened her eyes.