Although Eli had lived in the Church of the Dead for seven or eight years, he had never heard of the practice of burying a group of followers with the Pope after his death.
Looking at the crazed eyes downstairs, he suddenly realized that his departure might not only have been to save his sister, but also to save himself.
He was born out of place with the entire Church of the Dead, who worshipped death and wished they could die immediately. But he cherished every life around him, whether it was a frail cat or his blood-related sister.
“Praise be to death, and thank Your Majesty for giving us the opportunity to embrace death ahead of time.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Praise be to the god of death! Praise be to Your Majesty!"
The other three, however, were willing to die, and even put in countless efforts for this spot.
After all, normally the Abyss of the Dead wouldn't accept those who seek death, but now, with His Holiness the Pope's guidance, they are able to successfully reach the Abyss.
Seeing their eager gazes and impatient expressions, the bishop nodded with satisfaction.
He ordered a servant to bring five glasses of prepared funeral wine and send them upstairs.
"You are His Majesty's followers and the most loyal believers of the God of Death. Now, His Majesty's bones form a bridge and his blood paves a road, leading you to the abyss. May you look after each other in the abyss, understand the true meaning of death, and serve the gods as soon as possible!"
After the bishop finished speaking, the three companions picked up the wine from the servant's hand and drank it all in one gulp. They soon collapsed to the ground, but their faces were smiling and their eyes were filled with infatuation.
"Praise death!"
Despite their eyes burning with envy, the believers downstairs couldn't help but exclaim in unison in praise.
Then their gazes turned to the other two followers, seemingly anticipating their next move.
Surrounded by these gazes, Phil Gray felt a chill; he didn't want to go to the abyss so soon.
"Everyone, I suddenly remembered that I have something to do. I need to finish it before I can go to the Abyss. I am now willing to give up this spot. I believe that there will be someone more outstanding who can get this spot."
The crowd's expressions changed instantly, becoming incredulous. How could someone give up such a wonderful opportunity? What could be more important than embracing death?
Eli had plans to go to the abyss to find the altar and rescue his sister, but that was clearly not the time.
He glanced at the crowd downstairs and said, "I'm also willing to give up my spot. Alas, if it weren't for the heavy responsibility entrusted to us by the God of Death, we wouldn't want to give up this opportunity. But compared to satisfying our own selfish desires, we must put the God's words first, don't you agree? As for followers, I do have someone in mind. The bishop's son is young, promising, and of noble character. I'm willing to give my spot to him."
After saying that, he winked at Arthur downstairs, giving him an expression that said, "Look how loyal you are!"
Arthur was stunned, unable to believe that such a windfall could fall into his lap.
He had begged his father for this spot countless times before, but his father refused each time, saying that he could not show favoritism.
The bishop's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "I know my own son well. He is not qualified. You two don't need to be so modest. This opportunity will not come again."
“Thank you for your kindness, but we must fulfill the divine commandment. Do you expect us to ignore the divine will?” Phil Gray smiled.
The bishop frowned, somewhat disappointed: "In that case, you may all leave now. There's no time left, so the remaining two spots will be forfeited."
"Thank you for your understanding. May death be with you." Phil Gray nodded slightly.
“Praising death and then invalidating it wouldn’t be right, would it? There’s really no time to choose again from so many people, but we can let your son come, so as not to waste the spot. I think no one will mind,” Eli insisted.
“Father, I was promoted to captain of the Cavaliers yesterday, and I performed very well. I think I'm qualified now…”
"Shut up! I will not allow my family to enjoy privileges beyond those of ordinary people because of me. Today's rites of passage are over. Time is up. Please continue your celebrations."
The bishop glanced at Arthur and gave him a threatening look, so the latter had no choice but to shut his mouth.
The other believers were moved by the bishop's words, after all, it was wonderful to have a bishop who did not abuse his power for personal gain.
But the gazes directed at Phil Gray and Eli were less friendly; they had wasted two follower slots, greatly angering those who constantly longed to return to the embrace of the gods.
Ignoring all the stares and whispers, the two left the church with nonchalant expressions.
"How can this bishop be so unrepentant about death? He won't even give his son such a good opportunity." Eli's hand was behind his head, and he accidentally touched the bag on his back. Only then did he remember that Hei Ye was still fast asleep, and his voice unconsciously weakened.
"For a young believer, faith is indeed everything, but after experiencing many things, he may realize that some things are far more precious than faith, such as family. I cannot say for sure that the bishop refused entirely because he was reluctant to be separated from his son, but that factor was more or less involved."
Phil Gray sighed as he recalled the mysterious old man he had visited in the Duer City Cemetery. "I always felt that the Church of the Dead's current philosophy has deviated somewhat from the true meaning of death. Life and death are interdependent. Believing in death is about not being afraid of death, being able to accept death calmly, and cherishing the time we have to live, not about being so extreme."
“You’re right. Perhaps the true Church of the Dead was built a few hundred years ago. It has been led astray by some people. Back then, believers did see death as their final destination, but they didn’t pursue it in such a perverse way. Instead, they believed that death in accordance with nature was in line with the laws set by God and was the true death. Otherwise, if they were to sacrifice young and promising followers like they do now, the church would only decline more and more. How could it have survived until now?” Eli nodded and agreed with his opinion.
"Those pro-war factions wouldn't want to seek death through war, would they? Whether it's the death of others or their own?" Phil Gray speculated.
“Possibly, but the leaders of the pro-war faction won’t personally get involved. They’ll just send their poor, foolish followers forward, making it seem like they’re receiving some great blessing while they’re dying. For the leaders, death is indeed what they believe in, but they’ll get it someday. Right now, they still want to enjoy worldly power and status.” Eli sneered.
"That's true."
"Heh, Death sent us here to end the internal strife within the Church of the Dead, probably because he wants us to change the status quo."
"certainly."
After leaving the church, the two found a bone cart vendor and bought a bone cart, along with a skeleton horse.
Clearly, they would have to make their own way to headquarters.
Once the city gates are unsealed, it will be time for them to leave.
The celebration came to an end in the evening, and groups of drunken believers left the cathedral. Phil Gray looked at the believers lying casually on the roadside like corpses and felt that they should worship the god of wine, not the god of death. But this world of Vell did not seem to have a god of wine. Was it the god of death who was doing it on the side?
Ignoring the drunken crowd, they drove their bone carts to the city gate, only to find it still locked.
"The celebration is over, why are people still forbidden from leaving the city?"
The guard, his face cold and devoid of emotion, said, "The city gates cannot be opened without the archbishop's orders."
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a rebellious intent. A dense surge of death energy was then poured into the skeletal horse, causing the carriage to leap into the air and, to the astonishment of the guards, soar over the city wall, which was tens of meters high.
"Quick, after them!"
"That damned guy!"
The undead knights guarding the city gate chased after the carriage, but the carriage, which had landed smoothly, sped away with the almost endless power of death and soon disappeared from sight.
They had no choice but to return to the city to report, praying that the escaped criminals were not from the water dungeon and would not cause any harm.
"I never imagined that we were chasing others yesterday, and today we're the ones being chased," Phil Gray said, both amused and exasperated.
"Isn't this what you always teach about the unpredictability of fate?"
The carriage sped along the straight road, their destination the transit city of Lampuga.
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