After that.
Lu Ming once again explained to them some precautions regarding the nature of Sequences.
What he granted to the two women was the truth and power of the Authority of Lies.
This was based on his own understanding of Authority.
After another round of careful and heartfelt instruction, only then did Lu Ming send the two of them out of the Divine Realm.
He walked alone out of the courtyard.
His gaze turned toward the distance, and as he watched—
A sinister and unsettling aura gradually spread over.
But as Lu Ming frowned slightly, the aura instantly dissipated.
A snow-white worm as tall as a person slithered swiftly through the deep forest and came right up to Lu Ming.
Its body was shrouded in slime, covered with enormous eyeballs.
It crawled on the ground quite naturally, all its huge eyes blinking as they fixed intently on Lu Ming.
As if showing submission and loyalty to him.
It opened its three-lobed, hideous mouth, emitting a rough and evil voice.
“Master, man, Evil-Eyed Worm, Bruth, will serve you eternally!”
Lu Ming nodded without any change in expression.
A being of demi-god level—even if it was an ancient evil—could still understand and learn human language.
“I will attach a portion of my Godly Sense within you. Obey my commands.”
The Evil-Eyed Worm swayed its head, then spat out a few words.
“Master, your servant is hungry.”
Hearing this, Lu Ming’s gaze grew deep.
Although the Evil-Eyed Worm was already under control, he couldn’t guarantee it would never cause trouble.
Just like now, its feeding required devouring living creatures.
If he didn’t let it eat, there was a small chance it might rebel.
After some thought, Lu Ming said,
“I’ll tell you when you can eat.”
The Evil-Eyed Worm blinked its eyes as if pleased, and tried to rub against Lu Ming’s leg.
But he refused.
Afterward.
Under Lu Ming’s watchful gaze, the Evil-Eyed Worm left the Divine Realm.
He watched as the worm flew off into the distance, looking back at every step. The sight struck him as somewhat odd.
It seemed a bit off; weren’t the rules he set supposed to guarantee absolute loyalty to him?
Why did this thing seem a bit like a dog?
Lu Ming shook his head and didn’t dwell on it. He shifted his gaze to Lisi, who was far away in the Violet Empire.
A few days ago, Lisi had suggested to Lu Ming that she, too, wanted to go escort the refugees from the Nation of Nature.
After all, those were her people.
Lu Ming thought about it and agreed, but still left a trace of Godly Sense on her.
That way, he could know immediately if anything happened.
Lu Ming’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Almost time for her to meet Ilena and the others? Good. The plan can officially begin.”
***
A carriage of the Church of the Dawn traveled through the outskirts of Violet City, heading toward the church.
Inside the carriage.
Sislia sat silently, looking at the four women across from her.
Her heart was in turmoil.
The two in front were the High Priestesses of the Fertility Church; the other two seemed to be their assistants.
They had been sent by Her Highness to help her counter the Church of War and the Church of the Ocean.
But what Sislia cared most about was—since when did the Fertility Church have two High Priestesses? She had no idea at all.
What was their relationship with Her Highness? Were they close?
Could it be!
Was there some unknown story behind all this…
“Her Holiness Sislia, are you all right? Why do you keep looking at us?”
A rather young priestess looked at Sislia in puzzlement.
She asked with great concern.
Feeling the sincere and gentle gaze from the other, Sislia couldn’t help but awkwardly avert her eyes.
“Her expression is so sincere, so gentle…”
“And yet I even suspected them of having… something with Her Highness… I’m so petty, so narrow-minded…”
Sislia sighed to herself, then forced a smile in return.
“No, I was just thinking.”
“I just received word that after Zorg escaped, the demigod from the Church of War immediately returned to the War Fortress.”
“And the suspected Supernatural from the Church of the Ocean has also disappeared.”
“We have a total of thirty-four transport caravans.”
“Three went missing, but there’s no definitive proof the two great churches attacked us.”
The two High Priestesses across from her exchanged a smile upon hearing this.
They spoke softly.
“Your Holiness, we don’t need to prove they did it. That doesn’t benefit us.”
“What we need is to make sure they can’t prove they didn’t do it. That alone is enough.”
Sislia was stunned for a moment.
Her eyes gradually brightened, as if she’d thought of a good idea.
Meanwhile, the two attendants beside the High Priestesses lowered their heads.
They whispered to each other.
“Ilena, this is the task His Lordship gave us, right?”
“Yes, Naya. His Lordship told us to pass that sentence on to Her Holiness Sislia, and then we just have to follow Her Holiness’s orders.”
“Mm! But to actually meet Her Holiness in person—I’m so excited, so thrilled. She’s really such a good person…”
Unaware that anyone was secretly chatting on team voice, Sislia’s mind raced with ideas.
A complete plan suddenly took shape in her heart.
After that.
The carriage stopped at just the right moment—they had arrived at the Church of the Dawn.
She rose and looked at the four, performing a standard prayer ritual.
“Everyone, we’ve arrived. You may get off now.”
Saying this, she was the first to alight.
***
Ilena and Naya, following behind their two doubles, disembarked with Sislia.
As soon as they stepped out.
Ilena saw someone she knew very well—and yet was utterly surprised to meet here.
“Li…si?”
Ilena’s heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes went wide; she had never expected to encounter her here.
Moreover, Lisi was actually a Water Elf?
That night, the memory of bringing Lisi and Lucia into Lu Ming’s divine temple surfaced clearly in her mind.
It felt like she’d pushed someone right into the fire pit… No, His Lordship is the gentlest and kindest god in the world.
But—it was still rather embarrassing.
A lovely flush instantly colored Ilena’s cheeks.
Naya, meanwhile, curiously sidled up beside Ilena.
When she saw Ilena’s face,
Naya immediately seemed to understand, wearing an expression that said, “So that’s how it is, I get it now.”
Ilena, even more embarrassed, clenched her teeth in shyness.
Fortunately, Lisi had no idea of their true identities.
She didn’t recognize the two women in veils, only felt they seemed somewhat familiar.
“Lisi, greetings to Her Holiness Sislia.”
Sislia stepped forward and shook hands with Lisi at the church’s entrance.
For some reason, she still felt a vague hostility toward Lisi.
She just couldn’t feel at ease with her, and felt that Lisi was no match for the two gentle priestesses personally appointed by His Lordship.
After a simple handshake—
Sislia suddenly turned around and faced all of Violet City.
With the strength of a Supernatural, she projected her voice and declared,
“Tomorrow, I, Sislia, in the name of the Church of the Dawn, will conduct a Great Interview in the Violet Empire’s central plaza.”
“I will interview the two High Priestesses of the Fertility Church and the Water Elf, Lady Lisi.”
“The interview will cover all origins and entanglements between the Nation of Nature and the three great churches: Fertility, War, and Ocean.”
***
These words swiftly reached every citizen in Violet City.
They even spread to the Imperial Family of the Violet Empire.
In no time, the topic of Sislia’s Great Interview spread like wildfire.
The Dawn Newspaper Agency even captured the moment of Sislia’s announcement on film.
Countless newspapers were printed.
Other agencies founded in imitation of the Dawn Newspaper Agency quickly rebroadcast the news as well.
With newspapers now serving as a channel for information,
The previously communication-poor empire could suddenly spread news much faster.
This matter became known throughout the empire in just a single night.
Passersby in Violet City all discussed the event.
“Hiss! Wasn’t there only one Fertility Church? Why are the Church of War and Church of the Ocean involved now?”
“Of course it’s true! You don’t know the half of it. The Fertility Church isn’t the only one up to no good. I was there at Lady Lisi’s speech!”
“I could see in her troubled eyes that she had something more to say, but the news was just too explosive—I didn’t dare expose anything!”
“Poor Lady Lisi, if she would accept me, I’d offer her my embrace!”
“Heh, you’re bold, brother. I do think there’s something there.”
“Think about it: after the Fertility Church was exposed, the Church of War and Church of the Ocean closed their doors too. Isn’t that odd?”
Lisi, leaning on a windowsill listening to the passersby’s chatter, couldn’t help but smile.
It was a scene she hadn’t witnessed in a long time.
After a sigh,
She looked over at Sislia and the others, seated together.
She was actually a bit puzzled.
His Lordship had told her the church was already established.
But why didn’t she know either of the High Priestesses?
Shouldn’t Ilena have been the first to serve as High Priestess?