Seeing Muxuan’s arrival, Lutherch lowered his head slightly, bowed to him, and then slowly stepped aside to clear the path.
After nodding to Lutherch in acknowledgment, Muxuan took two steps forward and turned his gaze toward the Dwarf warrior.
It was evident that, aside from some traces of Corruption on his skin, there was nothing wrong with the Dwarf warrior.
“Exalted Holiness! I… I beg you… bring Theodore — “
A golden halo reflected in the Dwarf warrior’s eyes, filling his heart with shock.
The moment the Pope drew near, an unparalleled sense of pressure and sacredness washed over him, accompanied by the warmth of the Lightforce.
Gazing at the Dwarf warrior, Muxuan remained silent for a moment before slowly raising his Crosier.
Specks of light sprayed from the Crosier and fell onto the Dwarf warrior, instantly healing the vast majority of the wounds on his body.
Still, there were no issues.
Muxuan’s brow furrowed slightly as he stared at the Dwarf warrior, but he soon relaxed.
At the very least, he could rule out any influence from the Strange or the Goblins.
The Dwarf warrior felt uneasy under Muxuan’s gaze.
Feeling the light radiating across his skin and seeing his wounds mend, he felt both shock and a great deal of worry.
‘Could His Holiness be refusing?’
“Since there is a problem, why must Theodore be taken to such a dangerous place?”
Muxuan’s voice was very soft, but in the Dwarf warrior’s ears, it was incredibly heavy, like a massive boulder pressing down on his heart.
Cold sweat involuntarily trickled down the warrior’s face, but he did not dare reach out to wipe it away.
His head bowed low as he hurried to answer Muxuan’s question, terrified of causing any displeasure.
“If the Great Artisan God develops a problem… only Theodore is capable of activating the ‘War Fortress’.”
The moment she heard the words “War Fortress,” the smile on Qiansitelin’s face turned into a solemn expression, and Muxuan likewise became pensive.
Though it was unclear how many Wonder Buildings the Votcan Tribe still possessed, every Wonder Building held an irreplaceable role within the Dwarf Tribe.
Since this involved a Wonder Building, whatever was happening to the Votcan Tribe was likely quite serious.
After a moment of silence, Muxuan made his decision.
“Lutherch, go and call Theodore here.”
“As you wish, Your Holiness.”
After speaking respectfully, Lutherch’s figure suddenly vanished from the spot, and a look of joy appeared on the Dwarf warrior’s face.
Turning his gaze back to the Dwarf warrior, Muxuan spoke in an unhurried tone.
“Perhaps I can go with you.”
The Dwarf warrior froze, almost doubting his own ears.
The Pope wanted to go to the Votcan Tribe with him?
But looking into the Pope’s unquestionable eyes, an indescribable wave of complex emotions surged into his heart, mixed with unbelievable ecstasy.
He suddenly dropped to one knee, pressing his rough palm tightly against his chest.
His voice trembled with excitement and the highest level of respect.
“Thank you for your mercy and assistance, Your Holiness! The Votcan Tribe will forever remember the kindness of the Light Church! Praise be to you! Praise be to the Light!”
“There is no need for that.”
As he spoke, the Crosier immediately emitted a soft glow.
The Dwarf warrior then felt a gentle force lifting him back up.
Looking at Muxuan, the Dwarf warrior became even more respectful.
‘Such pure Lightforce… I am certain this Holiness’s strength is terrifyingly powerful!’
For him to be able to develop the Church within the Black Mist and possess such power…
He never would have dared to dream that His Holiness would actively offer to travel to such a place!
While the Dwarf warrior was still in shock, Qiansitelin quietly leaned in behind Muxuan, her expression somewhat worried.
“Your Highness, shouldn’t we be heading to the Kostershka Mountains?”
The Lightforce quietly isolated their conversation from outside ears.
Muxuan tapped his Crosier lightly and said with a smile, “Don’t you find it a bit strange?”
Meeting Muxuan’s slightly amused gaze, Qiansitelin fell into silence.
“Does Your Highness mean — “
“Qiansitelin, you’ve become slow~”
Looking at Qiansitelin’s expression, Muxuan couldn’t help but laugh.
Having been led around by Qiansitelin for so long, he knew this suspicion would only be verified by taking a trip to the Votcan Tribe — it was finally his turn to win a round.
After another moment of silence, Qiansitelin finally let out a sigh.
“Your Highness, I shall follow your lead.”
Muxuan canceled the Lightforce isolating their voices.
Almost the instant it vanished, Lutherch appeared a short distance away.
Following him was Theodore’s complaining voice.
“What’s going on, Grandpa Lutherch? I haven’t had enough sleep!”
Theodore rubbed her sleepy eyes, her bronze braids tilted to one side and her small mouth pouting in dissatisfaction.
She had been sleeping when Lutherch suddenly snatched her from her soft, large bed and brought her here.
Her small face was even stained with a bit of dust she had accidentally picked up while struggling along the way.
“I was just dreaming that I forged a hammer that could glow…”
She grumbled, but when her gaze swept over the solemn atmosphere of the scene — especially when she saw the wounded Dwarf warrior — her eyes suddenly went wide.
“What happened?”
The remaining traces of sleep were completely dispelled by surprise and unease.
After receiving a nod from Muxuan, the Dwarf warrior rushed to Theodore’s side and explained everything in detail.
“Does Uncle Pope really want to help us?”
Hearing Theodore’s words, the Dwarf warrior’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively reached out to cover her mouth.
This was the Pope of the Light Church!
The Dwarf warrior’s heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
He threw himself to the ground, his forehead almost touching the floor warmed by the Lightforce.
His voice carried an unprecedented panic.
“Forgive her, Your Holiness! Theodore is still young and speaks without thinking! I beg for your mercy regarding her rudeness!”
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Lutherch frowned slightly, while Qiansitelin raised an eyebrow, looking at Muxuan’s face with a trace of playfulness.
Muxuan was stunned for a second, then he broke into a laugh.
‘Am I really that scary?’
After a brief silence, the tense atmosphere was broken by Muxuan.
He raised his hand, and a gentle yet irresistible force lifted the kneeling Dwarf warrior.
“She was only asking a question; there was no offense given.”
Muxuan’s words carried a sense of affinity and soothing power, instantly causing the Dwarf warrior’s hanging heart to relax.
‘This Holiness… seems quite approachable?’
The Votcan Tribe was currently cooperating with the Church.
As partners, the Church was certainly willing to help them.
That being said, the Votcan Tribe had drawn nearly all the attention of the Goblins within the Kostershka Mountains.
If they didn’t go to help, the Church would be the next one to face those dangers directly.