Although going to the Church of the Dead was unexpected, leaving the Church of Fate was part of Phil Gray's plan.
He not only carries the burden of the Church of Destiny on his shoulders, but also must gather strength to fulfill his promise to Ansel.
Therefore, it is impossible for them to stay in the Papacy for long.
This time, only he and Eli went to the Church of the Dead. They were both chosen by the God of Death, which made it easier for them to hide their identities. If others followed, there would be a risk of being exposed.
He did not intend to go as the Pope of Fate, since he was unsure of the Church of the Dead's attitude. This church had always been at odds with Dawn, and it was inevitable that they would reject him because of his status as the Holy Son of Dawn.
After assigning some tasks to Ernest and Patrick, they were reluctant to part but expressed their determination to protect the Papacy for His Holiness the Pope.
Bishop Dominic seemed to remember something and said, "Your Majesty, speaking of which, there are two spies in the Church of the Dead that our church sent ten years ago. They should be serving as bishops in some district of their headquarters in Skaan City. They also passed on some information three years ago. I will give you their information, and you can ask them to look after you when the time comes."
"We actually have an undercover agent within the Church of the Dead?"
Phil Gray was somewhat surprised, but when he thought about the other cults and countries that had been exposed as having spies in Fate, and that Dawn also had spies in the Crimson Catastrophe, he was no longer surprised.
It seems quite normal for different sects to infiltrate each other.
“Yes, Fate has been on a downward spiral these past few years. Other sects appear friendly on the surface, but they have also been plotting against us behind our backs. So the late Pope sent a large number of believers to infiltrate various sects to pass on their messages against Fate. Some of them were killed, and some are still hiding in the shadows.” Bishop Dominic sighed as he recalled their fearless demeanor when they left.
Divine power is not easy to hide unless one possesses a skill similar to the Right Hand of Death, and once discovered, one's life will be in danger.
Phil Gray nodded: "Okay, tell me about these two people."
The night passed in a flash, and early the next morning, Chenxi's carriage was already parked at the gate of North City.
Eli drove the carriage with a smile on his lips. Since obtaining the "Soul of the Sea" to stabilize his sister's soul, he had no worries.
Now he was going back to the Church of the Dead. Although he had only lived there for seven years, it was filled with his and his sister's memories. He was going there with his sister's soul, and there was a touch of melancholy about returning to his homeland.
Of course, they also had to visit the Cult of the Dark Lord before going to the Church of the Dead. Phil Gray had not forgotten his promise to the Savior.
At this moment, the chief deity of the Dark Night Cult was still lying in his arms, and the night was fast asleep.
As the lithe horses spread their golden wings in unison, the two people and the cat set off!
...
Pegasus's speed was undeniable, and by noon the two had arrived at the Dark Night Parish.
Sensing the aura of the Dark Night's power, Night yawned, waking from its slumber, and jumped onto Phil Gray's shoulder, its cat eyes gleaming as if it were surveying its territory.
Having anticipated this, the Pope of Fate caught the cat steadily this time.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Cathedral of the Dark Night, a commotion that naturally attracted the attention of the people of the Dark Night.
Bishop Eugene of the Cult of the Darkness emerged from the cathedral and saw Phil Gray alighting from his carriage.
"Your Highness the Holy Son of Dawn? Oh no, Your Majesty the Pope of Destiny, how have you been?" Bishop Eugene was surprised for a moment, then smiled, though his face looked much more haggard than when he formed the alliance with Dawn, and he seemed to have aged considerably.
He bowed slightly to Phil Gray as a sign of respect.
This is heartfelt respect, even though it is for a young man who is much younger than him.
“Greetings, Bishop. There’s no need for such formalities. I’ve come to pay my respects to His Holiness the Pope of your Church. I have some important matters to discuss with him.”
“Alright, His Holiness the Pope is currently inside the cathedral. Please follow me.” Bishop Eugene turned around and led the way for them.
"Thank you. Bishop Eugene doesn't look too well. Have you been having any trouble lately?"
Phil Gray asked.
"Alas, I apologize for making you laugh. You must know the state of my church. In recent years, it has declined more and more, almost falling from the former main church to the ranks of the second-rate. Now, with the war raging everywhere, my church is in dire need of divine followers. His Holiness the Pope and I are worried day and night, fearing that the enemy will attack our church. I'm afraid that our church will be destroyed in an instant, and the legacy of the Dark Night will be cut off!" Elder Eugene said with a trembling voice.
They also knew that Fate was being ravaged by disease worship, but Dark Night was far more wretched than Fate, and had no pope who could turn the tide. In comparison, Dark Night could only disappear.
This is the tragedy of insufficient strength!
Phil Gray turned his head and saw Night's eyes wide open. The cat seemed unaware of Night's current predicament; perhaps in its mind, even if Night was in a bad situation, it didn't have to be this bad.
“Bishop, there is no need to worry. I came here today for the development of Dark Night and to fulfill a promise. Although our fate has also declined, we will never stand idly by if you really encounter difficulties.”
Bishop Eugene forced a smile and said, "Thank you, that's enough."
Each religion has its own interests. Although he understood the young man's character, he dared not fully trust his promises due to the involvement of sectarian interests.
Who knows if such help will make the darkness a mere appendage of fate?
As the church of the former supreme god, the Church of the Dark Night would rather perish than be subservient to other churches like those smaller churches. Believers may kneel and beg for survival, but their god must never be inferior to other gods!
Silently walking to the center of the cathedral, Phil Gray saw a hunched figure kneeling before the statue of the Son of Night.
He was devoutly singing a hymn praising the son of night:
"In the embrace of the night sky, the stars sing softly."
Child of the night, you are the silent guardian.
The moonlight shines down, your kindness soothes my wounded heart.
Under your protection, the stars soar freely.
As night falls, your brilliance guides the way.
Through the fog, peace and hope are brought.
Starlight in the darkness, an unyielding faith.
Child of the Night, you are the eternal guardian until the dawn.
Your name, like a whisper, flows in my heart.
In the silence, we feel your power.
May peace accompany you every night.
"Children of the night, we offer you our most sincere praise."
His voice gradually grew hoarse, until it choked with sobs, and finally he prostrated himself on the ground, shouting loudly:
"My God, have you abandoned us? Where does the future of darkness lead?"
Bishop Eugene wiped away his tears, wanting to remind his pope.
Phil Gray stopped him, signaling him to wait a little longer.
At this moment, Bishop Eugene was immersed in grief and did not notice that the black cat on Pope Fate's shoulder had disappeared.
He was somewhat puzzled by the Pope's actions, but like the other, he turned his gaze to the statue of the god.
This statue, standing three meters tall, has stood here for nearly a thousand years. It was originally moved from the southeast corner of the Eastern Continent and was newly built. Time has left many mottled marks on it, but the devout believers still keep it in the most dazzling appearance of the deity.
The little boy bent over, holding a cloth bag, making a gesture of pouring out stars, bringing darkness and tranquility to the earth.
At that very moment, the statue moved!
The power of the Dark Night enveloped the entire church, and the little boy stood upright. He lowered his head and looked at the Dark Night Pope: "My believers, I have never abandoned you. The Dark Night will live on forever in Ver."
His voice, though young, was full of majesty and divinity.
The Dark Pope looked up at the statue in disbelief, his eyes blurred with tears, but he could still see all the gods he had believed in his entire life standing before him.
"God, we, the Dark Night Cult, have been declining for thousands of years. We have failed you." The Pope's lips trembled, filled with shame for having failed the God.
"No, you have done well. The faithful will receive the gift of darkness."
Just as the Son of Night finished speaking, powerful divine power erupted from the statue, and the Pope of Night and Bishop Eugene, bathed in the divine power, instantly broke through to the level of divine descent.
At this moment, the power of the Dark Night God permeated the entire parish. Every now and then, a follower would break through to the next realm. They also felt the aura of the god and knelt down, their eyes filled with tears.
The gods haven't abandoned them, that's wonderful!
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