"The Church of Destiny was once incredibly glorious. Several families favored by the God of Destiny were renowned throughout the Eastern and Western continents. But now, even the church itself is reduced to ashes after its former glory. However, every decline has its reasons, and the truth will eventually come to light." Dwyer did not indicate whether he believed their excuses, but simply spoke with emotion.
"It's late, you should go back and rest early. My old bones can't keep up with you young people."
"Okay, Mr. Dwyer, see you tomorrow!"
Phil Gray watched the old man's departing figure and said, "Even a small town has such a wise man hidden among the apostates, and that high-ranking leader of the Chosen Ones. I'm a little curious how the Holy See hasn't been overthrown by the apostates all these years?"
“Not all apostates are this capable, and with their lax vetting process, it’s possible that we’re just undercover agents.” Patrick said, raising his lamp and looking around. “Now it’s just the two of us. I want to see if there’s anything else hidden here.”
“Besides the Vatican, what other force would be interested in these apostates? And the Vatican, in my opinion, is too busy fighting amongst itself to bother with spies here,” Phil Gray said.
Patrick knocked and touched everything around him, but it was just an ordinary basement with no hidden mechanisms or anything like that. He laughed and said, "Aren't we undercover agents? They should feel honored that His Majesty the Pope himself has come to infiltrate us."
"Shh!" Phil Gray said helplessly. "You'd better not mention anything about our identities. If there's someone eavesdropping here, we're all doomed."
Patrick patted his face. "Okay, I'll be more careful next time." He walked out of the basement, looked at the dark passageway outside, waved the light in his hand around, and then said with relief, "Thank goodness, there's no one eavesdropping like you said."
"Go back early, we still need to prepare for tomorrow's departure."
They returned to the hotel, and considering that the others were already asleep, they decided to inform them about the trip to the ruins the next morning.
Nothing was said that night.
Early in the morning, Patrick notified Eli and Ernest one by one. Fortunately, Eli had returned yesterday after they went to the rally, but he looked like he hadn't woken up yet.
"Should we bring some food? And warm clothes, it'll definitely be cold in the ruins. Let's bring blankets, and some hot water and alcohol too." Patrick was incredibly excited, as if they weren't going to a dangerous place, but rather on a vacation.
This young master, who usually stayed in the family, had never participated in such an event before.
"Whatever, your space stone is large, of course we have no objection." Eli yawned and waved his hand. "But I'm quite interested in that Mr. Dwyer you mentioned yesterday. I wonder if he knows where the Golden Butterfly Flower grows."
"What do you need so many flowers for?" Patrick asked curiously.
"The words of wisdom given to me by the God of Life are to praise the miracle of life with 100,000 different kinds of flowers."
"Collect 100,000 kinds of flowers?" Patrick was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped to the ground.
“Yes, I’ve only collected 20,000 kinds over the years. I simply can’t gather that many flowers on my own, otherwise I wouldn’t have thought of using the Flower of Life to upgrade. But I am interested in a legendary flower.” Eli took out a colorful book. “The book records that there is a golden butterfly flower in the Western Continent that grows in the sun and has never been seen in the shade.”
"A flower that has never seen the shadows? How can it grow under the sun forever? Do you think the child of night is just a decoration?"
“However, the words of the God of Life are indeed very specific and straightforward, unlike our God of Destiny, who always speaks like a riddle… Oh no, God of Destiny, I have no complaints against you.” Patrick hurriedly made a prayer gesture.
Everyone else burst into laughter.
"They're gone."
Phil Gray and his three companions boarded a carriage and headed towards the city gate.
The time spent in the carriage was quite leisurely. Eli was catching up on sleep, Ernest stared silently at the scenery outside, and only Patrick was excitedly talking about all sorts of unrelated topics.
Phil Gray picked up a few new books to pass the time.
As soon as I stepped out of the city gate, I saw several figures; they were some of the people who had stayed behind from yesterday's gathering.
"You've arrived." Mr. Allen carried a briefcase but didn't bring any servants.
“Mr. Allen, these are my two friends, Eli and… well, Orl.” Fearing the leader would discover Ernest’s identity, he made up a name haphazardly.
“Yes, hello gentlemen.” Mr. Allen smiled and nodded at them.
"Hasn't Mrs. Dean arrived yet?" Phil Gray glanced around at the people. The leader was sitting on a sloping hill, looking into the distance, while Mr. Dwyer was tidying up a cloth bundle.
“If they haven’t come, we’ll wait a little longer,” Mr. Allen said.
As the sun gradually slanted westward from its zenith, and noon was fast approaching, just as the leader was about to set off, a panting figure came running from the city gate.
"I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting. My husband was against it, and it took me a lot of effort to convince him," Mrs. Dean said apologetically to everyone.
She was carrying a small bag and wearing a tight-fitting black outfit, presumably for ease of movement.
“Alright, let’s set off then. The ruins are located in the area near Guk City. It will take about two days to get there from here,” the chief said, taking out a leather map.
"You ride in the carriage, I'll ride a horse."
Phil Gray looked in the direction the leader was heading.
It was a spacious carriage that could seat many people. Three strong white horses pulled two carriages, each with four seats. The black canopy covered the carriages completely, and below were glass windows that protected them from the wind and snow without obstructing their view.
Beside the carriage was a black horse, tall and strong, with long mane flowing freely. It held its head high and nuzzled the leader's cheek affectionately as he approached.
The entire route was covered with snow-covered farmland and winding paths. Once you left the city of Duer, it was hard to find any more lush trees and flowers.
They occasionally saw a few manors, as well as farmers wandering outside.
"Where shall we rest tonight?" Mrs. Dean, who was sitting in the front row, asked.
"It depends on the leader. I don't know if there's anywhere to rest around here," Mr. Allen said.
As the sun was almost completely below the horizon, they saw the outline of a village in the distance and heard the chief's voice, "Let's hurry to the village ahead."
Ernest, who was driving the carriage outside, flicked his braid, and his immense divine power flowed into the bodies of the three horses.
The carriage sped up instantly, catching up with the leader who was almost out of sight ahead.
The village then came into full view before them.
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