"You have an opportunity to meet His Holiness the Pope."

Patton heard a man in a dark blue bishop's robe say to him.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not see the other person's appearance clearly. He only felt that the face seemed to be covered with gray gas.

Of course, this was not a big deal. As a devout believer of the Lord, being able to meet His agent on earth was definitely the most glorious thing in Barton's life.

This made him so excited that he was speechless. With his body trembling slightly, he followed the bishop and entered the hall in front step by step.

Patton also couldn't give a specific description of the hall. He only knew that it was very grand and magnificent, and gave people a great sense of oppression, forcing him to lower his head in obedience.

Finally, he arrived at the steps.

At this moment, he seemed to have been given permission and subconsciously raised his head.

Then he saw a big golden retriever.

The dog was wearing a gorgeous dark blue robe like a curtain and a triple crown inlaid with various gems. It sat on a huge throne and looked at himself quietly.

“…” Barton was stunned.

This, this is His Holiness the Pope? Barton was shocked and panicked, with a strong fear rising in his heart.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw the morning light illuminating the ceiling.

Huh, huh... Barton sat up, breathing softly, trying to free himself from the influence of the dream as soon as possible.

"What happened?" His wife noticed something was wrong and straightened up.

Barton shook his head:

"A nightmare."

He did not tell his wife the truth, but that he dreamed that the Pope was a big golden dog.

He bet that his wife would say in horror:

"How can you have such a blasphemous perception?"

At that time, he could only shrug his shoulders and say:

"Just kidding."

You can't bring worries into your family life. This is a paradise on earth where you can relax... Besides, it's difficult for women to understand more profound issues. Their strengths lie in emotional thinking and love... Barton stopped worrying about his dream, got out of bed, and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

After having breakfast and kissing his wife and children goodbye, he left his home and took a trackless public carriage to his workplace on the edge of the city.

He worked for the Loen Antiquities Collection and Protection Foundation and had a good salary, which was considered middle class in a place like Ston City, the capital of Eastchester County.

On the way, Barton looked at the street outside boredly.

Because it was not directly affected by the previous war, the city of Stoen still retains its original prosperity, with carriages, bicycles, pedestrians and wild dogs coming and going, making it lively and noisy.

Patton had long been accustomed to such scenes and originally would not have felt anything, but last night's dream made him feel uncomfortable every time he saw a wild dog, as if it was the incarnation of His Holiness the Pope and he needed to salute and pay respect to it.

"Storm, please accept my confession." Patton raised his right hand, clenched it into a fist, and tapped his left chest lightly.

After a while, he arrived at the Loen Antiquities Collection and Protection Foundation and walked into his office while greeting his colleagues.

After hanging up his hat and coat, Patton relaxed and leisurely prepared himself a cup of black tea with some exotic herbs added. He was approaching middle age, and his energy in all aspects was declining. He always hoped to make up for his body in a simpler and less painful way.

After making the tea, Barton picked up a few newspapers on the desk, intending to adjust his state before starting work.

"Backlund's economic situation improved significantly last quarter..."

"There is a new pirate called the King in the Sonia Sea and the Raging Sea, the 'Queen of Stars'...

"Disi Bay fruit trade contact..."

After slowly reading the newspaper, Barton drank a sip of red tea and officially started working.

"A letter from Vernal?" While checking the documents on the desk, Barton found a letter from an old friend.

He was an archaeologist who worked closely with the Loen Antiquities Collection and Preservation Foundation.

Barton immediately picked up the letter opener, took out the letter, and read it carefully:

“My dear friend,

"My students and I discovered some interesting ruins in the mountains of Sivellas County. They may have come from the remnants of the Fourth Epoch...

"In that period of history that we don't know enough about, for various reasons, they left the city and entered the mountains and forests, no longer interacting with reality, and existed in the form of tribal groups...

“They may still be holding on to something, but it has long been buried by time, leaving only ruined buildings and corpses…

“My students and I will carry out protective excavation here, hoping to find more useful artifacts that can help us restore part of the history of the Quaternary Period. I wonder if your foundation is interested in this?

“…Here, I solemnly invite you to send a team over to confirm whether our work is authentic and effective…”

Going to the mountains... The first thing that came to Patton's mind was not the cultural relics and history, but the buzzing mosquitoes, the damp and dark environment, and the camp watched by wild beasts.

He shook his head, picked up a pen and paper, and prepared to draft a document on the letter and submit it.