ccnovels Chapter 803 - 802: Old Friends Gone
Chapter 803 - 802: Old Friends Gone
Just as Gawain had predicted, this "Lantern Saintess," a spiritual lady responsible for sheltering the entire exploration squad seven hundred years ago, possesses more intelligence than the ordinary members of that team at the time.
Gawain frowned and asked earnestly, "What did he tell you?"
He wasn’t worried about the other party refusing to answer him—since Selena had voluntarily brought up these topics, it meant that this information could be shared, or even that it was predetermined to inform him, the "Outland Wanderer"!
Sure enough, Selena quickly nodded: "He told me that he encountered ancient knowledge inheritance on a tower eternally shrouded in starlight, understanding the weaknesses and truths about the gods.
"He couldn’t directly reveal that knowledge in the mortal world, because it would immediately alert the gods.
"He said he would die in his prime, his soul taken as part of the transaction, but he would wake again, and at that time, a powerful entity would descend into this world using his body."
"That’s all he told me."
"No wonder..." Gawain suddenly realized, letting out a soft sigh, "No wonder even though you didn’t follow Gawain Cecil to the depths of the continent to find that huge tower, you still knew the details of that ’transaction,’ knew that I would appear."
Then he couldn’t help but look at Selena with some confusion, "Then since you knew I would occupy this body and descend into the world, and you knew my real ’identity,’ why did you choose to remain silent until now? Not revealing the situation to your companions, nor reaching out to me..."
"I don’t trust you," Selena said very directly, "Or more accurately, I am filled with doubt and fear towards a being beyond the borders of civilization that mortals can’t understand, especially after seeing those fragmented images related to you. I had to take more time to observe your actions, to determine whether you are harmful."
Gawain was somewhat speechless, and after a moment, he shook his head helplessly, "Even if my descent was facilitated by Gawain Cecil, even if I am likely here to help your world?"
"Exactly." Selena looked calmly at Gawain, still wearing a gentle and serene expression on her face, but her eyes were deep and seemingly bottomless. In a fleeting moment, Gawain found these calm and profound eyes somewhat familiar, and upon recalling, he realized that Veronica’s eyes had also given him a similar feeling.
He understood.
Selena Gerfen was no longer the pure white Lantern Saintess she was seven hundred years ago.
If it were Selena from seven hundred years ago, even in a post-death spiritual state, she would have held high trust in Gawain Cecil, full of hope and expectation for humanity and the future. Even if an "Outland Wanderer" suddenly descended into the world, as long as Gawain Cecil vouched for him, she would maintain the minimum goodwill and trust. But things didn’t turn out that way—even when Gawain descended into this world, resurrected using Gawain Cecil’s body, seven hundred years had passed.
This time, Selena had already lost blind optimism for the future and any expectation for unfamiliar kindness. She had grown alongside the dark sect, fighting the powerful force above mortals, and she was full of vigilance and suspicion towards those who roam outside the world, indescribable and suddenly descended entities. She doubted the "Outland Wanderer," and even doubted Gawain Cecil, who made a deal with the Outland Wanderer.
Being able to maintain cautious observation for years under such circumstances was already the result of both reason and humanity combined.
In the end, by maintaining a dark sect for seven hundred years as an Archbishop, one could not rely solely on kindness and humility.
"I understand your concerns," Gawain exhaled, without a trace of resentment in his heart, "Well, it seems that I, this ’Outland Wanderer,’ has passed your ’assessment’."
"The word ’assessment’ appears arrogant. I can only say that your current actions at least prove that you have no malice towards mortals, which reassures me significantly. And now the situation leaves me no choice but to choose to trust."
Gawain no longer dwelled on the details of these words, merely smiling calmly and turning his head to gaze through the wide floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the already dazzling city night view.
Selena also quietened down, similarly turning her head to look at this unique "City of Magic" in the current era.
"What are your thoughts when looking at this city?" Gawain suddenly asked.
"I once felt uneasy about your descent, especially when you quickly assembled an army and caused chaos throughout the southern borders, destroying the aristocratic rule and radically overturning the old order, I even suspected your purpose was to bring war to this land, using chaos to end civilization," Selena said softly, with a hint of self-mockery in her tone, "This city might be the best mockery of my naive thought...
"You merely ended the old order, a new order has been built on the ruins, albeit the old-fashioned may find it difficult to understand for some time.
"As for my thoughts on this city itself..."
Selena paused here, seemingly organizing her thoughts. After a few seconds, she slowly said, "If I knew earlier that such a city could be created in reality, why would we look for some perfect utopia in dreams..."
"The old aristocrats defeated by me probably wouldn’t agree with this statement," Gawain couldn’t help but joke, "In their minds, there should be no city more chaotic, more fallen, more oppressive than Cecil Castle."
Selena thought for a moment and nodded with quite some agreement, "That’s true."
Gawain slightly turned his head to glance at her, casually saying, "Since many things have been clarified, you don’t need to be overly tense here with me, and if you’re willing, you can even consider me as Gawain Cecil himself—after all, I have inherited his memories, and during this journey, as part of the transaction, I am willing to undertake all his responsibilities."
Selena looked deeply at Gawain for a moment before slowly saying, "I’m not Beltira; I don’t have her kind of magnanimity.
"In my eyes, you are merely a wanderer who has occupied my friend’s body; no matter how much you inherited from this body, you are still an ’Outland Wanderer.’
"But this is Gawain Cecil’s voluntary choice, and it’s not anyone’s fault, so I will try my best to regard you as a reliable ally and will treat you as a dependable ruler in the future. Of course, in front of outsiders, I will also regard you as Gawain Cecil, without revealing anything that shouldn’t be disclosed.
"Except for other matters, I apologize for my inability to comply."
"Is that so... Well, that’s fine," Gawain listened attentively and suddenly smirked during his contemplation, "Being ’Gawain Cecil’ for a long time, having you occasionally remind me of my true self... might not be a bad thing."
Selena looked over unexpectedly and said softly, "You’re more... ’human’ than I imagined."
Gawain smiled, neither confirming nor denying, and after a few seconds of silence, he pulled the topic back on track:
"When are you planning to take action on Sandbox One? When will you officially contact me and disclose the cooperation with the Wanderers from Outer Realm to more members of the congregation?"
So far, only the Archbishop and Pope Megal III know about the presence of ’Wanderers from Outer Realm’ in the mind network, and not a single detail has leaked, effectively preventing more panic within the Eternal Sleepers church. However, once action is taken on Sandbox One, the number of involved personnel will increase, with many bishops or technical high priests directly participating in core affairs. At that point, the cooperation between the church and the Wanderers will inevitably spread among the core members.
And as Gawain proceeds with the "incorporation" and "transformation" of the entire Eternal Sleepers congregation, even the lowest-level members will soon know this part of the information.
Considering the continuous effective speculation and propaganda by the Eternal Sleepers about the "Wanderers from Outer Realm," Gawain believes that once this news is made public, it will undoubtedly cause a magnificent chaos within the congregation—it’s just a pity that he has limited leisure time recently, otherwise he would certainly immerse himself in the mind network for a good two-day appreciation.
Selena could only see the stability on Gawain’s face, unable to fathom his inner thoughts, and she responded earnestly, "In two days, we will convene the highest bishop meeting again, hoping that you can also participate. At the same time, according to the plan, we will orderly announce the news before then to control the chaos within the smallest range.
"As for the official action on Sandbox One, we hope to proceed as soon as possible—we have completed the personnel movement and preparation, and can start anytime after the meeting. I just don’t know if you need any further preparations, or require our cooperation and information..."
"I have nothing to prepare, whatever needs to be done has been done," Gawain said casually, "If you can act right after finishing the meeting, then I can directly participate. As for understanding the situation... there’s no need for you to worry about it, I’ve always been well aware of your circumstances."
Hearing Gawain’s last casual sentence, Selena’s facial expression instantly stiffened but quickly returned to normal.
Gawain didn’t pay attention to this minor detail and simply continued speaking: "Besides, you should also consider making preparations for future troubles. After the crisis on Sandbox One is resolved, certain difficulties will just begin."
"What do you mean...?"
"The Wanderer from Outer Realm, in the real world, is ’Gawain Cecil,’ and Gawain Cecil is the ruler of the Cecil Empire; the headquarters of the Eternal Sleepers is located in Typhon, with some among the mid-tier priests who have been transformed or converted, including War God Priests and even Typhon aristocrats," Gawain stated, "I believe these members are loyal to the Eternal Sleepers, but do they perhaps still retain just the right amount of... love for their country and king?"
Seeing Selena momentarily without a response, Gawain continued:
"I believe that you, along with Megal III and other original members of the congregation, as well as quite a few high-level priests, persist on your path for your ideals. But you should also know that, as an ancient dark sect, your group does not only consist of idealists...
"The cooperation with the Wanderers from Outer Realm will inevitably reach the middle- and lower-tier followers in the congregation, many of whom might have joined seeking wealth, power, or even just a touch of knowledge. Such people, despite joining a cult, if a ’Evil God’ were to truly appear within the cult, they might flee faster than anyone else.
"At that time, do you think these people might go to Emperor Rosetta Augustus and report that there really is an ’Evil God’ in their cult?"
Selena was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"We’ve considered this," she said, "The congregation’s development till now means that members are no longer as pure as they were originally. The cooperation between ’Wanderers from Outer Realm’ and the congregation will surely incite upheaval among the numerous middle- and lower-tier believers and priests, and we do not exclude the possibility of members with unstable beliefs or excessive fear seeking refuge with Typhon’s official powers.
"Regarding this aspect of potential risk, we have already prepared, including the possibility of abandoning certain bases, relocating the church headquarters, and internally executing..."
"Specific measures needn’t concern me," Gawain raised a hand, interrupting Selena, "You just need to handle it well, I only want the results."
Selena nodded: "...I’ll relay your words to His Holiness the Pope."
Then she slightly bowed, stepping back half a step, "If you have nothing else..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Gawain suddenly stopped her: "Don’t rush off just yet, I have some matters I’d like to ask you right now."
Selena looked at Gawain with curiosity, blinking her eyes: "Please, ask."
In the interplay of starlight and lamplight, Gawain gazed into Selena Gerfen’s eyes that were as calm as water. Gradually, those eyes overlapped with another pair of big eyes in his mind.
"What exactly is your relationship with Patty?"
(Happy New Year to everyone~~)