Chapter 79 - 78: Winning Over the Cardinal, an Imminent Schism in the Church

The Giant Dragon soared through the sky, landing slowly amidst a swirl of Magic Wind.

Its head held high, it looked down upon the crowd. The Cardinal and his retinue had already risen to their feet. Facing the Giant Dragon’s scrutinizing gaze, they steadied themselves and pressed a hand to their chests in a deep salute.

"Your Majesty, York has come as summoned."

Suppressing his emotions, York was the first to drop to one knee before the Giant Dragon. He reported with fervent spirit, just like a messenger from the Deities.

"From the Truth Church, Cardinal Tyr pays his respects to your esteemed Majesty."

"From the Truth Church, Resident Priest Oleg pays his respects to your esteemed Majesty."

"From the Truth Church, Resident Priest..."

One by one, the missionaries announced their names and affiliations, their voices filled with awe and conviction as they addressed the Giant Dragon—and the gaze of a descended deity—before them.

Looking down upon York and these missionaries below.

Lince already had a script prepared in his mind.

He fixed his gaze on Old Tyr and spoke.

"Many years have passed in the mortal world. I never thought that among the followers of Truth, there would still be a devout believer like you—one who emerges from the mud unstained."

"That is both precious and quite interesting."

"So then, regarding the current turmoil in the mortal world... can you, my believer, tell me your thoughts on the matter?"

Lince’s tone was clearly testing him.

It was as if he were completely unconcerned with the present chaos in the Eagle Kingdom.

However, faced with Lince’s resonant yet serene voice, Cardinal Old Tyr had already composed himself, his expression returning to one of cool rationality.

He looked up at the Rock Steel Giant.

He did not answer at once. Instead, his tone was complex as he said:

"Your esteemed Majesty, Tyr would not dare inquire about your relationship with my Lord. However, before I answer your question, please forgive my impertinence."

"Might Your Majesty inform me of your revered Divine Title? That way, Tyr will have a proper account to give, both internally and to the outside world."

Lince looked at the Cardinal, slightly taken aback. After a moment’s thought, however, he suddenly laughed.

"You are a bold mortal indeed."

"However, at a time like this, it is indeed right for you all to have a clear understanding."

At this, the Rock Steel Giant’s gaze shifted to York, and it spoke slowly.

"York is my destined Divine Favor for this Descent, and as such, he should hold a status akin to that of a Holy Son."

"Previously, I gave no answer, even when he asked."

"The truth is, not even Deities—not even I—could be certain at the outset that I could successfully complete my Descent into this world. That is why I gave no answer, fearing it would all be as fleeting as an Epiphyllum bloom."

"However, this vessel that now bears my consciousness has been a pleasant surprise. So, revealing it now poses no issue."

Lince deliberately paused here, looking up toward the high heavens of the night sky as if in contemplation.

This, of course, gave York, Old Tyr, and the other missionaries ample room to let their imaginations run wild.

’Just as I thought. His Majesty didn’t reveal his revered name before because the time wasn’t right.’

York was overjoyed. He was also thrilled that the deity himself had declared him a Holy Son.

But what was an Epiphyllum? York was a little lost on that point.

But while York was focused on that, Old Tyr and the other missionaries were considering something else entirely.

’Even Deities aren’t certain they can successfully perform a Descent?’

’Is a Divine Descent that difficult these days?’

’And this deity referred to the Oakland Continent as "this world"... Does that mean the Deities possess, or even favor, other worlds besides Oakland?’

Suddenly, Old Tyr thought of his mentor, a man who had been like a father to him.

The previous Cardinal, who had possessed the strength of Tier Nine.

When Old Tyr was still young, he had personally heard him say that several thousand years ago, the Deities had been exploring the mysteries of the Star Sea and had apparently found a world different from the Oakland Continent.

The God of Truth had also taken part in order to seek greater truth and knowledge.

Recalling the words of the previous Cardinal, Old Tyr’s eyes suddenly flew open with realization.

’I want to ask about the Deities, but I know that would be a transgression. How could a mere mortal like me be privy to matters of the divine domain?’

And so, he could only suppress the complex emotions in his heart and wait quietly.

And just then, Lince spoke again at the perfect moment.

"You may all call me the God of Space and Exploration."

"There is no need for idle speculation. I am not one of the Deities of this world, nor have I ever spread my faith here. It is only natural that you do not know of me."

"My domain is Space and exploration, dedicated to seeking and comprehending the mysteries of the Star Sea and other worlds. In that respect, I naturally have much in common with the God of Truth and Knowledge."

Lince’s tone was relaxed, lacking any sense of lofty, imposing authority. He sounded like a benevolent Wise Person telling his story to a group of scholars.

Nothing more, nothing less.

And yet, the more he acted this way, the more Lince’s image in Old Tyr’s mind aligned with the historical records of the God of Truth.

’The God of Space and Exploration, who seeks greater truth and knowledge.’

’And the God of Truth and Knowledge... it’s obvious why He would explore the Star Sea.’

Moreover, according to the Church’s records—and even the personal teachings of Old Tyr’s mentor—

whenever the God of Truth and Knowledge performed a Divine Descent, he always presented himself to his followers as a benevolent Wise Person. He wasn’t high and mighty; rather, he treated his believers as a teacher would a student.

His purpose was to spread truth and knowledge throughout the world, leading mortals from ignorance to civilization and enlightenment.

’No wonder!’

’No wonder this Majesty possesses a page from the Book of Truth, personally gifted by my Lord. Their relationship must be...’

’Furthermore, doesn’t the appearance of this deity indirectly prove that the Deities successfully entered another world?’

’Is that why they have been absent from the Oakland Continent for so long?’

In that instant, it all clicked into place for Old Tyr. Everything made sense.

The last vestiges of his doubt vanished almost completely.

Moreover, upon discovering that this deity was not the unapproachable sort, Old Tyr finally found the courage to ask the questions he had previously held back.

Unable to restrain the questions burning within him, he spoke slowly.

"So it is, Your Eminence. You are the revered God of Another World."

"With that, Tyr understands everything."

"Oh, great God of Space and Exploration, please forgive Tyr’s impertinence. It is only because my Lord has not made a Descent in so long."

"Please, tell me... is my Lord well?"

At this question, all the missionaries grew tense.

A God of Another World... The idea was simply mind-boggling.

But the reality was right before their eyes. This God of Space and Exploration truly possessed one of the Lord’s Holy Pages.

And the Holy Pages were a manifestation of the Lord’s Authority; it was impossible for another god to simply steal them.

If a deity were to fall, the Divine Artifact manifesting their Authority would surely dissipate.

Even if a New God were to appear and seize the fallen god’s divine mantle...

...the manifestation of their Authority would never be identical. This principle was as simple as the fact that no two leaves in the world are the same.

At least, in this world, the secret doctrines of the Church had no record of any deity ever killing another and seizing their Authority.

The average missionary was unaware of the secret doctrines, but Oleg, a former Bishop, and Cardinal Old Tyr were.

Thus, they did not view Lince’s possession of a page from the Book of Truth with suspicion or malice.

Their trust, therefore, was naturally greater.

In fact, if this deity truly had a way to seize Authority...

...and if he truly intended to deceive them or harbor malice toward this world, he could have simply impersonated the God of Truth and Knowledge. Mortals, at least, would have found it difficult to see through the ruse.

But He had not done so. In Old Tyr’s eyes, this made the worst-case scenario seem almost impossible.

The deity before him spoke with such candor and serenity.

Thus, based on his first impression, Old Tyr was filled with trust for Lince, this God of Another World.

After all, His personality was so very similar to that of the God of Truth.

It was only natural that they would be friends.

And so, under the complex and tense gazes of the missionaries, the Giant Dragon fell silent for a moment.

Finally, it spoke.

"You mortals of this world are bold indeed."

"However, I rather admire your devout attitude toward the truth."

"So, there is no harm in telling you some of the truth."

"Hmm... In a sense, the God of Truth can be considered well, but the situation is admittedly... troublesome."

"I will say no more. Do not delve into matters of the divine domain that are not for you to know. Knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing for mortals."

Lince had cut off Cardinal Old Tyr’s inquiry at the perfect moment.

’Besides,’ Lince thought to himself, ’I’m not actually deceiving these followers of Truth.’

’The god is dead, but not completely. The resurrection progress bar is already filling up. In a way, doesn’t that count as being ’well’?’

Hearing Lince’s reply, the heart that had been lodged in Cardinal Old Tyr’s throat finally settled back into his chest.

’The God of Truth is in trouble. The other Deities might be in similar predicaments.’

’Otherwise, They would have made some move in the mortal world over the past thousand years.’

’But there has been nothing. Even the incident with the Storm God and the Beast God three hundred years ago seems questionable to me now.’

’But that no longer matters.’

’Because at least the Deities are well. Just knowing that is enough to put my heart at ease.’

’In fact, isn’t this deity before me also in some kind of trouble?’

’Otherwise, how could his current vessel be a mere Tier Five?’

’And considering he holds a page from the God of Truth, I know this must be related to my Lord.’

He immediately gave Lince a deep bow.

"Thank you for dispelling my confusion, Your Majesty."

"Tyr is endlessly grateful. Now, as for the matter of this world that Your Majesty asked about... as a follower of Truth,"

"I am no longer adrift. Though I am old and decrepit, my body can still be of use."

"In these special times, and so that my Lord’s eyes are not sullied upon His Descent, as His devout follower, it is time I cleansed the entire Church of its impurity and false faith on His behalf."

"And on this matter, if I take the initiative to contact the Royal Family, I imagine Ackman XXXIV will be quite pleased."

"I ask that your esteemed Majesty, and my Lord, bear witness to all of this."

"Of course, if possible, I also ask that Your Majesty allow your mortal vessel to offer occasional assistance."

As he said this, Old Tyr’s aged face was incomparably solemn.

"And please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do everything in my power to keep your existence a secret."

"Everything is for my Lord."

The moment Old Tyr finished speaking, Lince watched with his own eyes as the old man’s withered form, which had been on the verge of death, began to revive as if flesh and blood were flooding back into it.

His gaunt arms, legs, and even his face rapidly filled out, and his once-faded silver hair suddenly shone with vitality.

Just like that, under the dumbfounded stares of York and the other missionaries, Old Tyr was restored to the appearance of a man in his prime.

Lince was taken aback.

He saw that the numerical Tier display above Old Tyr’s head had changed to Tier Eight!

’A Secret Technique?!’

Lince’s tone relaxed, and he chuckled at Old Tyr, whose gaze had now become piercingly sharp.

"Then, allow me to see, on behalf of Truth himself, if your faith is truly devout!"

"I don’t mind letting my mortal vessel cooperate with you. Consider it a bit of recreation. Now then, let me see what kind of show you mortals can put on."

"If you manage to satisfy me, perhaps I won’t mind showing you the sights of another world..."

"..."