Chapter 687: AFK Leveling Plan
After the results came out, the reporters were politely asked to leave the ceremony.
Of course, they didn't dare to say anything or cause trouble at this time.
Everyone knew that the next step would be a game of hide-and-seek with the assassin. Although the reporters were curious about the final outcome, no one dared to stay and get in the way.
The main reason was that they didn't want to arouse the suspicion and hostility of the Theocracy. They were invited here not because they had any face, but because the Theocracy was willing to give them this face. Similarly, if they angered others, they might have to take this face away.
They are just reporters, not newspaper owners.
If they angered the Theocracy and were ordered to ban all journalists from entering the Theocracy... no one would be able to bear the responsibility. They might even get into trouble locally - those officials would definitely do such a thing to curry favor with the Theocracy.
Therefore, the idea of "exclusive news" only flashed through people's minds, and no one dared to wonder who the master assassin who would eventually be caught would be.
...Of course, the bigger reason is that news like "Who is the assassin who assassinated the saint?" is absolutely no match for news like "The human pope is only 19 years old."
Often, the "exclusivity" and "authenticity" of news don't really matter. If everyone is passionately discussing something, even if you come up with truly valuable exclusive news, it's likely no one will pay attention.
In the end, only Aiwass and his three companions were left here by Saint Grey to have lunch together.
The lunch was very sumptuous... because it was not human cuisine.
Gray, a clergyman second only to the previous Eternal Pope, demonstrated to Aiwass her unique mastery of advanced divine arts. A banquet was held to celebrate Aiwass's appointment as Pope.
——She prayed to the host and summoned a table full of "heroes' banquet" out of thin air.
The host himself loved to give banquets to his friends, and almost every day was a sumptuous banquet. As long as a stranger came to his territory and expressed admiration and friendship, and brought any "sufficiently thoughtful gift", he could be invited to the banquet and eat until he was full.
After that, if you want to come, you can come anytime by bringing a gift; if you get to know them better, you don’t even need to bring a gift, and you can even order food.
Compared to the almost endless delicacies and fine wines in the dream world, all Gray asked for were some dishes from the banquet that day.
There were eleven dishes in total, not a large number. However, Aiwass didn't recognize any of them at all—because they were all delicacies cooked with dreamworld magic as ingredients. They were delicacies that didn't belong to the material world.
For example, one dish features tiny fish, silvery and moonlit, seemingly untouched by the cold, sweet broth. They manage to move with remarkable ease. When you eat them, aside from the cool, sweet flavor, you get a texture that's like fish belly, yet soft and jelly-like.
Another dish was thickly sliced and grilled dragon tail, smeared with a thick layer of black, sticky sauce. The spicy aroma, accompanied by white mist, rose up and filled my nose from half a meter away.
The most dangerous dish was a seemingly normal dish—a collection of crimson octopus tentacles skewered on iron skewers. But when Aiwass took a bite, it suddenly came alive inside his mouth and mercilessly punched him in the mouth!
It was only because Aiwass was stubborn enough to chew it up and swallow it that it finally obediently turned into energy.
These were still the ones that Aiwass could recognize.
There are also some dishes that look very strange but taste quite good - for example, a strange "crab claw" as big as a hammer, a large piece of soft meat with thorns like a sea cucumber, and pink meat that is like noodles but very chewy...
After Aiwas took a tentative bite and found that it tasted really good, he decided not to ask the smiling pure white saint "what they are".
——It tastes good anyway, there’s no need to add unnecessary psychological pressure.
The table was filled with a splendid spread of dishes, and it took Aiwas and his companions more than two hours to finish their meal.
Including Janice, there were five of them in total. A few more cardinals joined in, and they were able to finish it all without wasting anything.
At this time, the cardinals finally tasted "Holy Tree No. 1".
Everyone clinked their glasses in a friendly manner, then smiled and clinked glasses with Aiwass, and each of them called out "Your Holiness" in a very proper manner.
"You're really acting like me, right?"
Aiwass couldn't help but complain: "Didn't you tell me in advance?"
“Because it would be more realistic.”
Cardinal Galatea replied, "This is the script I wrote—everyone says I was given the job because I signed the contract with the Twin Mirror. I didn't know you well enough, Pope Aiwass. I could only choose the safest approach... I beg your forgiveness."
Her voice is so clear and cold, almost icy, that it reminds people of a frozen and cracked lake or a crystal wind chime.
She was the girl with a temperament as white as snow and long pure white hair who was previously possessed by the Twin Mirror Gods—the one whom Hengwo had secretly kissed.
She was the only one sitting at the table, but she didn't eat anything.
Because she was a construct—Aivaz knew the term construct. For example, mechanical puppets and rune golems were all considered constructs. And the Construct race wouldn't officially gain prestige until version 6.0... They were the "Star Crystal People," a vassal race of the extinct ancient civilization "Atlanteans."
Generally speaking, it is a kind of intelligent machine.
But unlike the Omnics, the Star Crystal People possessed souls, and therefore could draw upon the power of the Path. These souls were not created from thin air, but rather the souls of deceased "Atlanteans" stored within a crystal. These souls were then implanted into replaceable constructs, achieving a kind of "mechanical immortality."
Their most significant feature is the cardinal-like crystals on their bodies. Their second most notable feature is their limbs being icy cold.
In fact, now that I think about it carefully, this is actually somewhat related to the "Swamp Man" technology.
If nothing unexpected happens, Galatea should be a star crystal person.
Just as Aiwass was hesitating whether to say hello to Galatea to confirm, Cardinal Matilda came over.
"I actually did say that," Cardinal Matilda said helplessly, "Should I tell you in advance... But Gray said it's not necessary."
"Because I want to give you a surprise."
Gray said with a smile, reaching out to touch Aiwas's hair. "I heard that you have some resistance in Avalon? With such an identity... even if it's only for half a year as Acting Pope, no one will dare to oppose you when you return to Avalon.
"This is... a thank you gift for the 'jujube' you gave me."
Isabel on the side immediately looked over warily, and then Gray quickly touched Isabel's hair again in a soothing manner.
"resistance?"
Upon hearing this, Aiwass was stunned for a moment.
I have resistance in Avalon?
Isn't Avalon... already mine?
Then Aiwas realized that it was his character setting that cooperated with Isabel in acting when he showed weakness.
Ah, this...
...But this is not impossible.
Gray was right.
Even if it was just for six months as Acting Pope... Although everyone knew he was just a "puppet Pope," a "living coat rack" and "safe with legs" for Gray, who couldn't wear the "Holy Crown" because of the amber, as well as "designated PowerPoint speaker and stand-in media spokesperson"...
But even so, Aiwass can still touch some of the power of the Theocracy.
Even the king's groom and the earl's butler can be considered upper class people... let alone the substitute of the Eternal Pope.
With this status, the name Aiwass would become even more intimidating. After all, no one knew how many people Aiwass could attract within the Theocracy... and the Eternal Theocracy was a society steeped in favoritism. Even if Aiwass was only serving temporarily, he would surely receive support from the cardinals.
“…But this is such a surprise.”
Aiwass was somewhat helpless: "I was totally unprepared. Sherlock thought I was just here to attend a meeting, to join the crowd, and would be leaving soon. Who could have imagined that I would become the Pope after leaving for a while..."
But never mind, at least I got the benefit - Aiwass is not the kind of person who would take advantage of others and then be ungrateful.
"Then when will I take over?"
Aiwass asked simply, "Also, what kind of work do I need to handle?"
"You don't have to do anything."
Gray said bluntly, "As for the specific time...it's up to you. Actually, the Pope can only hold on for another two weeks, but if you have nothing else to do, you can take over earlier. Ideally, you can take over within a week."
"Nothing to do?"
Aiwass was a little confused.
Then he suddenly realized: "You mean... just like the Eternal Pope today, take a long nap?"
——Wouldn’t that mean going to jail?
Gray said helplessly, "Yes, this is the Pope's primary duty—to don the Holy Crown and then fall into a dream. In this dream, the Pope and the entire Giant Tree Kingdom become one. The Church's inexhaustible energy isn't just due to the 'blood of the giant tree'... In other words, if the giant tree were merely a 'corpse' left, it wouldn't be enough to feed so many people..."
“…I understand.”
Aiwass's eyes widened slightly. "So, the Pope actually wants to 'occupy the body of the giant tree' to keep it 'alive'?"
"That's right."
Gray nodded. "Your consciousness will permeate every corner of the Theocracy. Of course, you can also gather the power of the giant tree's blood to create an avatar. However, this avatar cannot leave the Theocracy... but it can do other things as it pleases."
"During this process, due to your intense devotion, your ability in the Path of Devotion will be directly raised to its highest level. The purer your path, and the more focused you are on handling matters related to the giant tree, the greater the benefits you will ultimately gain... If nothing unexpected happens, you will soon be preparing for the advancement to the fifth level. If necessary, I will find someone to accompany you in your advancement."
"As for the lifespan consumed by driving the Supreme Crown... I will compensate you as soon as possible. These matters will be taken care of before I enter deep sleep."
Gray spoke clearly and understandably, and it was obvious that she had already expected Aiwass to ask these questions.
Ah, no wonder...
Aiwass suddenly understood why the Pope was so powerful but could not leave the Theocracy.
Because the "Pope" people usually see is actually an incarnation of the Pope created by the power of the giant tree. It is essentially an illusion, not a living being. The real Pope is basically always in a deep sleep, and it is impossible to wake up for more than a few hours.
This way, it would be much better than going to jail——
It's not about lying there stupidly and doing nothing, but lying there and AFK to gain experience!
That can be considered a form of spiritual retreat!
Oh, but...
Aiwass suddenly remembered that he still had a chance to separate himself!
Today's Aiwass is not particularly "pure" because he still has a part of the power that comes from the path of transcendence.
But if Aiwass uses the gap between the two yin and yang to split himself into two... then he will directly obtain an "absolutely pure" devotee incarnation!
He could have left this dedicated avatar in the Theocracy to level up, while the other transcendent avatar, mixed with the Moon Children and the Great Sin Scholar, could have taken the opportunity to sneak over to Star Antimony to take a look.
As it happened, he had to go to the planet for something—he had to find a way to save Lily. He also had to go to the right places and rescue the right people before the Fallen Angels arrived.
This way, you can achieve both goals without any delay!
Perfect!
Aiwass nodded in satisfaction.
"...However, now that I'm acting Pope," Aiwass said seriously, "I think the 'war' with Xingti can be stopped.
"After all, the initiation of this war is somewhat related to me. If I, as Acting Pope, still support the existence of this 'War of Revenge', I believe the Theocracy's position would appear biased."
—At least it had to end before the Fallen Angels arrived. This was something Aiwass had already calculated.
Otherwise, after the Fallen Angel comes down, he will probably slap Avalon in the face as soon as he gets his footing.
"...If you can think that way, then that's great!"
Gray was also a little surprised.
Obviously she thought so too, but she didn't dare to mention it to Aiwassi.
"but……"
She glanced at Isabel hesitantly and said, "Shouldn't I discuss this matter with Isabel?"
"On all matters concerning Avalon and the Theocracy, Aiwass can represent my attitude and views."
Isabel answered simply.
Aiwass added: "In fact, I was planning to get married to Isabelle at the end of May."
"...Ah, congratulations then."
Gray was a little hesitant when she heard the news.
She frowned and asked, "Then... Your Majesty Isabel, will it be convenient for you to come to the Theocracy? I'm afraid Pope Aiwass will not be able to go to Avalon..."
"I'm afraid not," Aiwass shook his head, "because that is also the coronation ceremony of the new Queen of Avalon..."
"—I think so."
Isabel said so.
She looked up at Gray and said seriously, "Compared to being crowned in Avalon... I think being crowned in the Theocracy at the wedding with the Acting Pope is more sacred and has a higher standard. This way, it can also convey a certain concept to the people...
"—We in Avalon and the Theocracy are a close family."
I have a headache today, so I'll update one chapter first...meow.
I’d like to recommend a book written by a fellow book friend: “The Crows of Naples”!
(End of this chapter)
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