The sky was beginning to brighten, but it was still mostly dark, with the dense, impenetrable black mist lingering in the distance.
Mu Xuan rubbed his bleary eyes, stretched with a big lazy yawn, and let out a soft, comfortable moan.
“Mmm~ah~”
But immediately, Mu Xuan snapped awake.
That sound… it had changed. Normally, when he spoke and kept his voice low, he didn’t notice much. But now, as he relaxed his throat a little, his voice became clear and soft… especially that moan just now, which made Mu Xuan’s face flush slightly.
This voice really makes one’s imagination run wild…
Blaming all of it on his body’s changes in the pursuit of greater strength, Mu Xuan cleared his throat and tried to lower his voice a bit.
“Ah…”
Fortunately, it still sounded normal, though it lacked the mature steadiness it once had.
After slapping his own face in mild annoyance, Mu Xuan finished getting dressed, donned his robes, picked up his scepter, and walked outside.
Yesterday, he and Bakerze had concluded that before the morning prayer, they needed to expand the number of knights—at the very least, up to thirty.
This was not only to maintain daily order and clear away the strange intruders, but also because Mu Xuan and Bakerze had already planned to station a team of knights in the abandoned village to the north, sending people over to construct it and prepare to take in refugees.
For one thing, within the Light Barrier, the growth cycle of any seeds planted was greatly shortened, which was why the village never lacked food, no matter how many refugees arrived.
Once life settled down, the population was sure to grow. Plus, with Mu Xuan planning to accept more refugees and rescue those struggling to survive in the black mist, the current village definitely wouldn’t be able to hold them all.
As for expanding the village itself, that was no simple matter. Moving the barrier would create a gap, and without sufficient guards, Mu Xuan couldn’t risk it.
It would be much easier to establish a ring of small outposts first and then merge them together, easing the pressure of limited early manpower.
When he arrived at the open ground before the statue, Gryffind was already there with thirty people.
Thirty people!
The number made Mu Xuan quite pleased.
He’d estimated that maybe only twenty would be willing to come, so thirty was a surprise! And it wasn’t like Mu Xuan hadn’t made it clear—he’d given strict orders that no one was to be forced to become a knight and that the risks and responsibilities must be thoroughly explained!
This meant that people’s desire to become knights was stronger than he’d expected.
“Your Holiness, these are all devout believers willing to become knights.” Seeing Mu Xuan arrive, Gryffind stepped forward and spoke respectfully.
Mu Xuan nodded in satisfaction and looked at the thirty people.
“As the Pope, I must remind you all again: becoming a knight means leaving behind a peaceful life, and you could be sent to dangerous places at any time on orders. Are you still willing to become knights?”
“Your Holiness, I’ve wanted to be a knight for ages!”
“Because of the Goddess, we were able to escape the black mist. I want to fight for the Goddess as a knight too!”
“……”
……
Listening to their passionate words, Mu Xuan only felt awkward… In his previous life, he could never have spoken such things as “fighting for someone.” But here, it wasn’t hard to understand why these words were spoken.
For them, this was perhaps an oath to the Goddess, or the expression of their strongest will.
Just the way things were here, he supposed…
“Very good. Your resolve has been recognized by the Goddess. Now, as the forty-second Pope of the Church of Light, in place of the Goddess, I shall bestow upon you the Blessing of Light!”
Once Mu Xuan finished, Gryffind immediately bowed.
The thirty people also stood at attention, their faces a mix of excitement, anticipation, and reverence.
Soon, Mu Xuan gently waved the scepter, threads of Faith Power transforming into points of light, emerging from the scepter and floating into their bodies.
Immediately, silver light shimmered across the scene, and in a short time, everyone on the open ground was clad in a complete set of armor. At the same time, Mu Xuan divided out ten more threads of Faith Power and gave them to Gryffind.
“Praise the Goddess!”
“Praise the Light!”
As Gryffind began the chant, the thirty new knights behind him joined in at once.
Mu Xuan nodded in satisfaction and looked at Gryffind.
“Captain Gryffind, these people are to be handed over to Carmany for training and task assignments. Afterward, you have other missions. Understood?”
“Understood, Your Holiness!”
Watching Gryffind lead the thirty away, Mu Xuan’s eyes were filled with anticipation.
These knights—each and every one—had been granted five threads of Faith Power, nearly all he had at the moment.
To create this elite force, Mu Xuan had truly gone all out.
Then, Mu Xuan followed Gryffind to find Carmany, supplementing the other ten knights up to five threads of Faith Power each as well. As for Carmany, he was raised to twenty threads.
After giving Carmany his targets and assignments, Mu Xuan hurried to Bakerze’s office.
“Your Holiness.”
As Mu Xuan entered, Carmany greeted him while sorting a stack of papers on the desk.
Next to Carmany stood two rather nervous individuals, who immediately rose and saluted Mu Xuan.
“These are the candidates for bishop, both with some management experience.”
Having said that, Carmany paid them no more mind, as if nothing was more interesting than the documents on the desk.
“Since Carmany wishes to promote you both to bishops, are you willing to take the post and help maintain the church’s operations?” Mu Xuan looked them over as he asked.
The two seemed both honored and nervous, quickly expressing their willingness.
Seeing this, Mu Xuan said nothing further. With a shortage of manpower, they’d do for now; if they didn’t work out, replacements could be found later.
Then, ten threads of Faith Power entered each of their bodies.
It was only at this point that Bakerze put down his work and closed his eyes devoutly.
Mu Xuan took the opportunity to give Bakerze seven more threads of Faith Power, bringing him to a total of twenty.
Different positions needed different levels of power—otherwise, they couldn’t command respect.
“Praise the Goddess!”
After the two had slowly adapted to the Light Power within, Mu Xuan continued, “For now, the two of you will follow Bakerze and learn how to manage the various affairs of the church. Later, you will each be assigned to oversee other outposts.”
“As you command, Your Holiness.”
After discussing a few more matters with Bakerze, Mu Xuan quickly left.
Authority had now been delegated. If he wanted to appoint priests and deacons to help with affairs, he could—but Mu Xuan currently didn’t have any more Faith Power to bestow on them.
Besides, administrative members generally didn’t need to fight, so there was no need to grant them Faith Power.
However, there was one thing to be glad about: among those chosen, not a single one had failed to gain Light Power after receiving a few threads of Faith Power.
They all possessed a certain affinity with the Light!
Yesterday, Buzaki had taken Na’er out again, and Mu Xuan hadn’t stopped him. He hadn’t gotten around to strengthening Buzaki yet, but figured that having given him three stones this time, he didn’t need to worry much.
Although the goblin palace Buzaki discovered was indeed dangerous, it was also true that this allowed them to learn about a hidden threat ahead of time. To be honest, Buzaki was proving quite useful.
Returning to the area before the statue, Mu Xuan looked up at the rather petite idol, then glanced at himself, his expression a little dazed.
Some melancholy rose in his heart, but he shook his head and threw it aside.
When did I become so sentimental…? Is it the result of these bodily changes?
While Mu Xuan was still in a daze, people began arriving before the statue, one after another. Seeing Mu Xuan there, they all fell silent, communicating quietly below.
But as the crowd grew, some noise was inevitable.
By the time Mu Xuan realized, most of the people had already gathered below the platform. Almost all of yesterday’s refugees were present as well.
The knights under Gryffind were maintaining order in an orderly fashion.
There were so many people that the place was almost packed full, with many still crowding outside.
Mu Xuan decided not to wait any longer. Clearing his throat and lowering his voice, he began, “Devout believers, I am glad you could attend this prayer.”
“The Goddess’s radiance has fallen upon the black mist, forming this sacred land amidst the darkness. Here, you are safe from the strange; here, the divine grace of the Goddess dwells.”
“From now on, the church will be open to all. There is no need for me to organize gatherings, and no offerings are required to pray. So long as your faith is devout enough, you will attract the Goddess’s attention.”
“Bathed in the light of the Goddess, the Light will guide us, sweep away the strange, and purify the black mist…”
“……”
After a long string of words that left his throat a little dry, Mu Xuan finally stopped.
“Praise the Goddess!!!”
The people’s fervor was high.
It wasn’t just that they genuinely felt the benefits, but that the Goddess’s miracles were real—not distant and unreachable.
According to Mu Xuan, as long as one was devout in prayer, being noticed by the Goddess not only brought healing, but even the possibility of receiving the Goddess’s blessing and gaining supernatural powers!
Especially among the refugees who had arrived yesterday, emotions ran highest.
After all, mastering supernatural power was something they’d never even dared dream of.
They were always under threat from the strange, and constantly oppressed by those “lords” who wielded the polluting substances.
Even now, they found it unreal, fearing this life and this place were just illusions, to be shattered at the slightest touch.
Although Mu Xuan had tried to reassure them yesterday, some still feared that this was nothing but a wolf’s den in the disguise of the Light.
But now, with everything before their eyes and Mu Xuan’s speech, their minds had changed completely. Their faith in the Goddess was sincere beyond doubt.
In an instant, a great wave of Faith Power flowed in.
Originally delighted, Mu Xuan suddenly realized his height was shrinking again, and his exquisite features instantly drooped.
He had no choice but to release a bit of Light Power, placing it beneath his feet to increase his height, so that the believers wouldn’t notice anything wrong.
As the crowd’s fervor reached its peak, Mu Xuan led everyone in kneeling to pray.
Right now, he just wanted to finish as soon as possible and get out of there.
But the Goddess’s mischief was back at it again.
The scene before him changed, and suddenly a delicate, jade-like little foot appeared before his eyes.
Damn it!
Mu Xuan’s face darkened as he immediately looked up and took a step back.
The Goddess was sitting in a chair made of golden light, stretching her little foot forward.
“Long time no see, my little Pope, did you miss me~?”
“Didn’t we just meet yesterday…”
Mu Xuan looked at the loli Goddess’s cheeky smile, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
“That was just you asking questions. It doesn’t count as meeting~ It’s been three days since we last saw each other~”
After she spoke, the Goddess puffed out her chest proudly, her face beaming with smugness.
Mu Xuan shot her a sidelong glance.
What chest do you have to puff out, anyway…
“Wow, you’re amazing…”
His sarcastic tone and glance made the loli Goddess puff up her cheeks in indignation.
“You!”
She was a bit flustered and exasperated, but couldn’t seem to find the words to retort.
After a few deep breaths, she finally calmed down. Then she pulled out a little notebook and started scribbling in it.
Finally, she closed the notebook, displaying a “kind” smile.
Crap!
Is this Goddess holding a grudge!?
Seeing her smile, Mu Xuan shivered and immediately slid to his knees.
“Your Grace, I was wrong!”
Come on, pride isn’t worth much—he definitely didn’t want to be on the Goddess’s blacklist.
“It’s fine, as a Goddess with a broad mind, how could I possibly hold a grudge against my little Pope~”
Hearing her mention her “broad mind,” Mu Xuan instinctively glanced at her perfectly flat chest, but quickly looked away.
Liar!!! If you weren’t holding a grudge, what were you just writing in that notebook!?
Seeing Mu Xuan’s skeptical look, the Goddess put on a pitiful face.
“My little Pope doesn’t trust me. I’m so hurt… I was only recording the condition of your body…”
Mu Xuan’s mouth twitched; he had no idea what to say.
But his focus quickly returned to his own body.
“So, how is my body doing?”
The loli Goddess immediately changed expressions, beaming as she said, “Hehe, soon you’ll be shorter than me~”
Damn it!!!
Barely resisting the urge to punch the deity, Mu Xuan pressed on, “Get to the point!!!”
“Alright~ After some calculations, your height will stabilize at exactly 1.6 meters. And, your hair will turn white, too~”
1.6 meters… Mu Xuan felt a wave of bitterness. He used to be 1.78 meters tall…
Wait a minute, what’s with my hair turning white!?!
As if knowing he wanted to check, the loli Goddess helpfully conjured a mirror in front of him.
In the reflection, the tips of his hair were already tinged with white…
Damn it! Shrinking is one thing, but now my hair color is changing too!!!
Is this what Light Power does!? How is that even reasonable?
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