The expected excruciating pain did not come, but the whistling of the whip did stop.
Allen opened his eyes in confusion, only to be stunned by what he saw.
A white-robed man suddenly appeared between him and Alejo, his robes billowing, and he was looking down at his right hand.
It was the other person's fingers that gripped the sharp whip blade, and blood gushed out like rain, rolling and dripping down the tip of the whip.
He couldn't help but ask, "Who are you...?"
Allen stretched out his hand and instantly cast the first-level divine spell "Merciful Prayer," but unexpectedly, the dripping blood beads did not stop.
"My name is Joshua." The clear voice was surprisingly pleasant, but the blond man turned his head and stared at him intently.
Joshua?!
Allen, who had long been isolated in a secluded courtyard, only knew one Joshua.
His pupils contracted sharply as he stared in disbelief at the man who had floated off the ground.
The other person's appearance was so perfect; they were indeed blessed by God.
"And you? What's your name?" Joshua asked gently, completely ignoring the taut whip in his hand and the other man with a livid face.
Just as Allen was about to reply, he heard Alejan coldly snort, "So it's His Holiness the Pope. As far as I remember—"
Joshua glanced at him indifferently, and Alejo suddenly fell silent.
This is the sixth-level divine spell "Silent Prayer," an important spell used by priests against mages. In praising the gods, it naturally eliminates all distractions.
Alejo, who was forcibly silenced, was extremely resentful.
He tried to pull back the whip blade, but the opponent's fair fist, though seemingly weak, was inexplicably powerful.
Even though he used all his strength without making a sound, he couldn't do anything about it.
He could only stare at Allen, his eyes filled with warning.
If the other party immediately backs down, he will be magnanimous and forgive the past.
Feeling the cannibalistic gaze of his master, Allen lowered his head.
He said softly, “Your Majesty, my name is Allen. I have not received your investiture and have presumptuously usurped the position of cardinal. I deserve to die a thousand deaths.”
Allen thought that if he could no longer be a bishop, then he would be completely useless to Alejandro.
Then he could build a hut at the foot of the high cliff, become a hermit monk in seclusion, and dedicate the rest of his life to Dilis.
But Joshua pressed on, "Then, my dear subordinate, what is your surname?"
Allen stared blankly at the other person.
The other person's gray eyes were so unwavering, as if they had seen through all the truth and falsehood in the world, that he almost dared not meet their gaze.
The fickle Crown Prince, who had been fanning himself and making a ruckus all along, suddenly fell silent.
Having known each other for over ten years, Alejo didn't even know that Allen had a surname; he thought the other was nothing more than a lowly beggar.
“…” Allen remained silent for a long time before finally raising his head and murmuring, “Babylon… My name is Allen Babylon.”
Amber-colored pupils reflected barely visible tears.
His suffering was beyond anyone's comprehension.
But he was willing to step onto this execution platform, before the ranks of thousands of soldiers, and in the gaze of countless people, to swear his oath to the gods—
During the transition between the two dynasties, three magicians were the most renowned, and Gerhard was one of them, the ancestor of the Babylonian family.
But Gerhard Babylon accepted the revelation of the goddess Kirhona, renounced wealth and honor, and gave generously.
Eight hundred years ago, the patriarch of the Babylonian family advocated the professional ethics of magicians, but because he refused to abandon his faith in the goddess Gilhona, he was regarded as a heretic by the Holy Church of Light and hanged himself in the Reflecting Waters on the Red Moon Festival.
Then, the family scattered, and their names were forgotten.
Unexpectedly, hundreds of years later, the only surviving descendant of the Babylonian family entered the temple of Diris by mistake due to the command of the Lord.
Ultimately, Allen Babylon became so obsessed that he became the most fanatical follower of Diris in the world.
Despite being a notorious "enemy of God," he remains obsessed with the god who destroyed his family after several acts of betrayal.
This is the original sin that Allen keeps buried deep in his heart, a sin that no one can tell him.
However, the Babylonian people have long since vanished into the annals of time, and the reasons behind this are difficult for outsiders to understand.
The spear that pierced his heart originated from himself.
“I understand. Alan Babylon, it’s an honor to meet you.” Joshua released the whip blade from his hand, landed on the ground, and gently cupped the believer’s face. “You are injured. Come with me to heal your wounds.”
Allen shuddered.
He was almost instinctively afraid of being touched intimately by others.
"It's okay," he said with difficulty, turning his head away in embarrassment.
Such superficial wounds can be healed with any divine magic; there's no need for His Holiness the Pope to go to such lengths.
In his peripheral vision, he also saw that his master was angry.
Although to outsiders His Highness Alejanath may have always appeared expressionless, Allen knew perfectly well that his master was truly enraged at this moment.
“This is an order. Anyway, come with me now.” Joshua released his hand and walked away nonchalantly.
The other person was clearly half a head shorter than him, but the tone of their voice was irresistible.
Perhaps the other party knows more about God's deeds.
It is said that only the Pope of the Holy Church can speak directly with Dilis.
Allen gave a blank reply and was about to follow. To be honest, he found it hard to suppress the complex jealousy in his heart.
But at that moment, a strange voice rang in his mind:
If you go with him, never show your face in front of me again for the rest of your life.
Allen knew that this was a voice that could only be used after the contract was signed.
Having followed Alejo for over ten years, this was the first time the other party had spoken to him through such channels.
But right now, he's probably just too tired.
So much so that the thought of never having to see Alejo again brought him an unprecedented sense of relief.
He was indeed guilty. Allen thought this, but then finally laughed.
Betrayal doesn't become easier with repeated acts.
On the contrary, after repeated choices, he was willing to bear the cross of sin and climb arduously toward his God.
So Allen replied in his heart: "Yes, Your Highness. In that case, I shall take my leave."
Under the guidance of the gods, Eren and Alejo are no longer the closely connected "us".
From this moment on, "I" and "you" are each independent individuals. Once our intertwined destinies are freed, we embark on our own journeys, and neither of us should look back.
This journey may be one of no return; I hope you take care.
Wishing you and me a bright future.
This was the most audacious act he had ever committed in his life.
He dared not look at the other person's expression any longer, so he ran towards His Holiness the Pope, who was standing to the side, clearly waiting for him.
In the warm, gentle light, their figures gradually melted away, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
But the sun came out.
Amidst the brutal and bloody battlefield, a sudden burst of light shone forth. The seventh-level divine spell, "Praise of Light," generously and mercifully illuminated all directions, its pure white, radiant runes raining down to heal all the wounded.
The "Black Army," known for their piety, knelt on the ground in an instant.
The iron cavalry, who had been killing indiscriminately just moments before, were now completely disarmed and in tears, their will to fight gone.
Above the clouds, a vast and melodious hymn, seemingly from nowhere, chanted:
I was once lost, but now I have returned to the right path.
Once blind, now seen again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com