The heavy stone door of the secret vault slowly closed behind them, completely isolating that space containing terrifying power and forbidden secrets.
Linde stood in the solemn cloister of the church, sunlight casting dappled shadows through the stained glass, the air filled with a holy fragrance, a stark contrast to the lingering cold emptiness within the secret vault.
He looked down at his feet, where Nix's shadow clung quietly, as if the terrifying devouring and banishment had never happened.
But Lind knew that something had completely changed.
That power, that authority over the "Sea of Nothingness" that was enough to overturn common sense and annihilate existence, was in his hands, and it became the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
"What a pity..." Lin De sighed silently in his heart, with a hint of regret, but more so with a clear-headed assessment.
The power of the Shadow Abyss Aura is too astonishing; once exposed, it cannot be concealed by the aura of the "Oracle".
The all-consuming "void" form and the absolute disappearance into the "sea of nothingness" both point to a realm far older and more indescribable than the Shadow Abyss itself.
This runs counter to the Holy Spirit Church's ideals of light, order, and the protection of life, and may even be considered a more thorough blasphemy and heresy than the Shadow Abyss.
His carefully cultivated "Oracle" persona, which is currently showing excellent results, is as fragile as paper in the face of this power.
"It must not be used again unless absolutely necessary."
Lind made the final decision.
This power is the last trump card, the ultimate means to overturn the table when all pretense is broken, not a weapon that can be wielded in everyday life.
Maintaining the identity of an "oracle," utilizing the power and resources of the church, and steadily improving oneself is the best option at present.
With his goal achieved—his affinity with Shadow Abyss was at its peak, his energy reserves surged, and he gained a preliminary understanding of the "Sea of Nothingness"—he naturally no longer needed to confine himself to the secret vault.
“Nix,” Lind called softly.
"Meow~ I'm here, Master!" The shadow swayed slightly, and the catgirl responded crisply.
"They're gone."
"Okay, meow!"
Linde straightened his priestly robes, solemnly handed the key to the secret vault back to the church deacon on duty, and his face regained the gentleness and solemnity that belonged to "Priest Linde".
He walked steadily toward the church hall.
Soon, all the clergy who could leave the Holy Light Church of Ironrock Castle—priests, deacons, novice monks, and nuns—were summoned. They gathered beneath the icon, their gazes filled with awe and curiosity, fixed on the young priest who had just accomplished the great task of "purifying the source of defilement."
Linde did not directly reveal his identity as the Oracle; at this moment, his identity as a priest was sufficient.
He stood before the altar, his voice clear and captivating, as he recounted the battle deep within the Rust Rift.
He depicted the eerie horror of the abandoned palace, emphasized the blasphemy and madness of the Shadow Abyss test subjects, and focused on the bravery and fearlessness of Judge Priest and his Holy Knights.
"...Chief Judge Pres, leading the charge, bravely confronted the final creation of the Shadow Abyss in the holy name of the Lord of the Light Veins! The knights fought valiantly, their armor stained with blood, their will as strong as steel! Under the divine grace of our Lord, they shattered the corrupt creation, severely wounded the fallen bishop, and on their return journey, outside the Rift Valley, they encountered the most elite fallen minions of the Sass Empire—the Withering Blade!"
Linde's voice suddenly rose, filled with sorrow and passion:
"Faced with an enemy a hundred times their size, Chief Inquisitor Pres showed no fear! He burned his life force, unleashing holy light, and single-handedly confronted Vorgak, the leader of the Withering Blade, to cover the retreat of his troops! That battle was earth-shattering! The Chief Inquisitor, with his severely wounded body, forcefully severed the fallen leader's arm and repelled him! The warriors of the Holy Punishment Knights, too, with their own flesh and blood, guarded the mission of purifying the filth, and many loyal and valiant knights... remained forever on that wasteland!"
As Lind recounted the story, a suppressed gasp and low prayers filled the church. The priests stood solemnly, the nuns had tears in their eyes, and the novice monks clenched their fists, their chests heaving, all deeply moved by the brutal yet sacred battle.
They seemed to see Pris fighting a bloody battle, and the fearless charging of the Holy Knights.
"...It was their sacrifice and fearlessness that completely shattered the Shadow Abyss's conspiracy here! The source of that filth has been thoroughly purified by me, with the power of the Lord of the Light Veins, through my priestly authority!"
Linde's voice carried a hint of weariness, yet was filled with undeniable certainty: "The merits of Chief Justice Priest and the Holy Knights will surely be witnessed by the Lord of Light in His divine kingdom! Their loyalty and courage are the shining light of our Lord's glory on earth!"
"Praise be to the pulse of light!"
May the departed rest in peace and their souls return to the Lord!
"Long live Lord Priest! Long live the Holy Knights of Punishment!"
The church was filled with prayers and whispers, which seemed to brighten the holy light.
Once the crowd had calmed down a bit, Lind took out a letter from his pocket, sealed with sealing wax and branded with a simple holy emblem. His gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on the white-haired, highly respected old priest.
“Father,” Lind stepped forward, handing the letter with both hands, his expression earnest and solemn.
"Judge Presley is seriously injured and needs absolute rest at the moment. He should not be disturbed. Please be sure to deliver this letter to him personally after his condition stabilizes and he regains consciousness."
Among them... there was my respect, as a priest, for the heroic actions of the Presiding Judge, and my sorrow and solace for the fallen knights, as well as some... instructions regarding the aftermath.
The old priest looked extremely solemn. He stretched out his hands, which were marked by the passage of time, and carefully held the letter in his palms as if receiving a sacred object.
He could feel the weight of the letter and the profound meaning in the words of the young priest before him.
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency!"
The old priest's voice was steady and firm, carrying an unquestionable promise: "I swear by my lifelong faith in serving the Lord of the Light Veins, I will personally deliver this letter to Judge Dapres, without entrusting it to anyone else or delaying it!"
Linde nodded slightly, a gentle smile of relief appearing on his face:
"Thank you for your help, Father. May the light protect the judge and help him recover soon."
Having done all this, Linde did not linger.
Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, he turned and left the church hall.
The sunlight shone down again, dispelling the lingering chill in the vault and church.
He walked steadily toward the main fortress of Iron Rock Fortress, his heart as deep as a still pool.
The oracle's halo still shines, draping him in a sacred cloak.
"It's time to leave," Linde thought to himself, gazing at the towering walls of Ironrock Fortress.
The trail of Shadow Abyss has come to a temporary halt, and the stage of the Holy Church has temporarily come to an end. There is no more profit to be made by staying in this quagmire of war. He needs to return to his territory, digest this huge gain, and plan the next move.
With power in hand and his status secure, though the road ahead is shrouded in mist, he now possesses the greater resources to dispel the fog and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
He summoned Aster and calmly gave the order:
"Get ready, we'll set off tomorrow to return to Blackrock Territory."
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