Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 164 Undercurrent (5k5)

Something happened in Rockland...? Luo Xiu's expression tensed up instantly.

He quickly browsed through the new task content, and his expression became more subtle.

The guard in front of him had completed the identity verification, returned the badge to Luo Xiu, and made way for him.

Luo Xiu took it casually and walked towards the church in a daze.

"Locklan" is dead. This news was revealed in [Hidden Mission: The Filthy Wail].

The people who killed Rockland were none other than the "Executioner" Koros and his subordinate Black Fang.

This is a pretty bad situation... Luo Xiu fell into thought.

"Executioner" Koros also intervened prematurely, which was something Luo Xiu had not expected.

Luo Xiu did have a guess that the "Executioners" and their minions would, at some specific time, deal a huge blow to the official forces of the Nolan Empire, but it would not be now, and the Alchemy Academy should not be the target.

In the previous invasion, the "Original Sect" attacked the church, while the "Blood of Thorns" attacked the Alchemy Institute.

In such a chaotic situation, the "executioners" should aim at the [Supreme] Law Office, so as to maximize the results of the battle.

However, the "Executioner" Koros did not take any action until he launched a surprise attack on Rockland, killed him, and took away "Side's Notebook" from him...

What is their purpose in taking the notebook away? As the "Executioner" of the fifth destiny of [Ku Tu], what is the significance of Koros wanting to obtain "Side's Notebook"?
Luo Xiu was a little confused and kept thinking about these questions over and over again.

But he didn't get a reasonable answer quickly, so he put it aside for the time being and started thinking about other questions.

Back to Rockland, according to Luo Xiu's original plan, "Rockland" is a chess piece that can attract the firepower from "Blood of Thorns" so that it can safely grow into a strong enough chess piece.

From this perspective, "Rockland" did indeed provide good protection for Luo Xiu, allowing him to safely advance to the fourth level of his destiny. The mission of "Rockland" was thus over.

However, it was obvious that other eyes had noticed him, and after the death of "Lockland", his turn would most likely be next.

"……grass."

Luo Xiu’s inner spirit surged, and he began to closely analyze his current situation.

Luo Xiu clearly remembered that in the hidden mission [The Stained Wail], it was described like this...

——The "Black Fangs" will find you eventually.

This is indeed possible and will happen.

Luo Xiu knew that there were traces of the connection between him and Rockland.

I handed "Said's Notes" to Rockland personally, and even tore off a few pages of it.

But the problem lies right here - as a [Intellectual] sorcerer, Rocklan cannot detect anything wrong through means such as "divination" and "prophecy", but their opposing destiny [Lost] can easily do such a thing.

However, within the "Executioner", there are many "Lost" fortune-tellers who were exiled to the country of crime.

In fact, for that group of fortune tellers, they only need to master the "medium" to ask the Great Mother a question - who gave this letter to Rockland.

This is a relatively close connection, so the [Lost] fortune tellers can get some answers that are like "revelation".

For example, it was confirmed that the person who gave the codex to Rockland was a "priest", his vague appearance could be obtained, and his approximate location could be grasped.

"...Tsk." Luo Xiu shook his head, his eyes becoming more profound.

However, this is not a big crisis for Luo Xiu.

After being promoted to the fourth level of destiny, Luo Xiu's strength has made a qualitative leap. He deeply understands one thing - he is different from "Locklan". If the enemy really comes to him, at this moment, even if he is facing the "Executioner" Koros, he may be able to fight.

The enemy's understanding of him is definitely not as clear as he is of them. Luo Xiu knows that this is also his unique advantage.

While thinking about how to deal with the situation, Luo Xiu had already walked to the main entrance of the church.

……

Sina City Church, the church interior.

The place of holy judgment.

Priest Leonard, holding the application for leave in front of him, remained silent for a long time.

His expression was a little complicated. This was the first time that Inquisitor Carlos Ross had asked for leave. If it were normal times, Leonard would have no reason to reject this application.

But it was obvious that the church was now facing frequent external troubles, and Leonard's tightly furrowed brows revealed his inner struggle.

"...Luo Xiu, you said you wanted to apply for a vacation of about half a month to a month."

Priest Leonard finally spoke: "But you should know that the current situation of the church and even the Holy See is not optimistic..."

"That's why, Master Priest."

Luo Zheng said calmly, "In Sina City, we have already dealt with two difficult enemies. The 'Blood of Thorns' has no foothold in Songyuan Territory, and the 'Original Sect' has also been severely damaged in the foundation of Sina City."

"Therefore, this is a rare and good opportunity for our Sina City Church to rest and recuperate."

"..."

Leonard listened to Luo Xiu's impassioned speech and did not give any response.

He only heard Luo Xiu continue, "However, Master Priest, you should know this."

"We should not indulge in this comfort. Being among the people and saving them from suffering is the meaning of our preaching."

“And maybe this is the path for me.”

"..."

Priest Leonard raised his head and looked deeply at the young priest in front of him.

"...I understand, Luo Xiu."

Priest Leonard nodded slowly and said:
"I approve your application, but I can only give you twenty days of vacation. You must come back before October."

This was Leonard's exceptional permission, and it was also his bottom line for taking risks with Luo Xiu.

……

Holding the application signed by Leonard, Luo Xiu left the church.

Twenty days of vacation...that should be enough.

Luo Xiu thought.

It is a relatively correct choice to leave the church and the city of Sina before the enemy actually takes action against him.

This would prevent the enemy from actually confirming Luo Xiu's true identity, and would transfer the risk to the main city of Songyuan instead of becoming a hindrance to himself in Sina City.

While thinking this, Luo Xiu had walked out of the church district, walked to the Triumph Square, and returned to the White Antelope Hotel.

After quickly packing his luggage, Luo Xiu came to the front desk and paid the next month's rent in advance to the girl on duty.

After that, he did not go to say goodbye to Anthony, Pamier and others, but left Sina City silently with Index alone and set out on the journey to the main city of Songyuan.

……

Dark Principality, border.

In Fafnir City, in a blood cave deep underground.

At this moment, the Lord of Blood Sacrifice was still immersed in failure and was in a depressed mood.

The inability to recover the "two-faced doll" was a heavy blow to the Lord of Blood Sacrifice.

This means that he will not be able to use the two-faced puppet to reduce the pain he suffers the next time he suffers "backlash", and he will once again face the hell of being unable to live or die.

It was bearable once or twice, but if it continued for a long time, the Lord of Blood Sacrifice knew that sooner or later he would lose control, his body would completely dominate his soul, and he would become a monster in the cage of his deformed soul.

Then, at this moment.

The Lord of Blood Sacrifice, he suddenly received spiritual guidance from the "Executioner" Koros.

"..."

The Lord of Blood Sacrifice was silent for a while, and connected with Koros' spirit.

"——'Lord of Blood Sacrifice'!"

Kolos's sharp voice suddenly sounded like thunder in the ears of the Lord of Blood Sacrifice.

"Because of your 'plan', 'Dusk' will be delayed indefinitely, and even the 'Ancestor Bishop' of the original sect paid the price of his death."

"You really should reflect on yourself, Lord of Blood Sacrifice. You are the main reason for this failure!"

"..."

The Lord of Blood Sacrifice silently endured the scolding from Koros without any response.

After the Executioner Koros stopped scolding, the Lord of Blood Sacrifice finally said in a deep voice:

"I admit that this was indeed my mistake."

"...But your minions were not harmed at all. What was lost was only the annihilation of our Blood of Thorns army and the death of a bishop of the Primordial Sect."

"But... are you really so naive to think that the people from the Theocracy are our friends? Isn't the death of one of their bishops a gain for us?"

"……Ah."

"Executioner" Cross suddenly laughed sharply, "Let's just leave it at that."

"But... I'm not here to ask you for accountability this time. This should be Fafnir's job, not mine."

"...Then what are you doing this for?" asked the Lord of Blood Sacrifice in a puzzled tone.

"In fact, I still remember what you said before."

Koros chuckled and said, "I have already dealt with Rockland, the 'generalist' of the Sina City Alchemy Institute, for you."

"I hope you are a smart man, Lord of Blood Sacrifice, and you should understand what I am saying."

"..."

When Koros said these words, it was visible to the naked eye that around the Lord of Blood Sacrifice, the air seemed to suddenly twist, forming slightly chaotic ripples.

"Lord Koros." The Lord of Blood Sacrifice pretended to ask in a puzzled tone, "So, what do you want to say?"

"I didn't expect, Lord of Blood Sacrifice... that what you wanted to get back from that Rocklan would be something like this." Koros said jokingly.

"..." The Lord of Blood Sacrifice was silent, but soon he suddenly said, "What do you want me to do?"

"It's very simple." replied Koros.

"Lord of Blood Sacrifice, I want you to agree to a few conditions. When everything is settled, I will return the thing to you intact."

"...You say it." The Lord of Blood Sacrifice replied calmly. Seeing the Lord of Blood Sacrifice showing a submissive attitude, Koros was very satisfied.

He then presented his conditions to the Lord of Blood Sacrifice:

"First, Lord of Blood Sacrifice. I want you to turn your back on Fafnir and truly follow me."

"..."

"...Okay." The Lord of Blood Sacrifice nodded in agreement.

"Secondly, within two days, I want to obtain all the detailed information about the conflict between you, Thornblood, and Rockland of the Alchemy Institute."

"...I will try my best to satisfy you." The Lord of Blood Sacrifice said vaguely.

“Third, this is also the final requirement.”

Kross paused for a moment and said slowly:

"I want you to tell me the correct way to use this secret item you have hidden."

"..."

This time, the Lord of Blood Sacrifice suddenly fell silent for a long time.

The conversation between him and Koros came to a strange stagnation.

"……Can."

Until the Lord of Blood Sacrifice, he was the first to break the silence and said to Koros:
"When this is all over, I will tell you everything you want to know."

"Very good." Koros nodded with satisfaction.

"I am very happy that you have such an understanding, Lord of Blood Sacrifice."

Koros smiled and said, "I hope you remember what you said today."

——Squeak.

The Lord of Blood Sacrifice suddenly felt that there was a disturbance in the spiritual communication between him and the "Executioner" Koros.

Afterwards, he could no longer sense Koros's presence, as the "Executioner" unilaterally severed the link.

"……Ah."

"It turns out that the 'Two-Faced Doll' has fallen into the hands of Koros."

The Lord of Blood Sacrifice, he suddenly smiled contemptuously.

"Koros...how dare you say such words to me..."

The spirituality of the Lord of Blood Sacrifice suddenly rose, emitting waves of cold and bloody aura.

"Just keep the sacred object safe, Koros."

"Thank you for telling me this..."

"When everything is over, I will kill you myself and take back my doll..."

"..."

……

In a hidden camp in Songyuan Territory.

"It's a bit unexpected, Lord of Blood Sacrifice..."

"Executioner" Koros was flipping through the notebook in his hand with a sinister smile on his face.

Although Koros did not know what was specifically recorded in the notebook, he could still clearly feel the waves of "forbidden" aura emanating from it.

That is definitely, quite dangerous stuff.

And in Koros's opinion, this taboo is undoubtedly a force that can be utilized.

"It's just that this is a product of [intelligence], and a large part of it is missing..."

Koros murmured, his fingers gently stroking the pages of the notebook, his thoughts drifting away.

Every time he touched the notebook, he would feel a headache for no reason.

This also made Koros more certain that this note must contain some unknown forbidden power.

"..." Koros thought deeply about this.

He did not intend to tell others the information in the codex, especially those related to [Intelligence].

This was out of trust considerations, and the extraordinary people of [Intellect] could not be trusted at all - the [Intellect] believers who had intersections with their executioners were a group of lunatics from the "Hidden Omniscient". Koros knew that they were a group of complete lunatics who had truly fallen into madness.

Since the Lord of Blood Sacrifice has hidden it for so long, he should know the correct way for non-intelligent extraordinary people to use it.

Koros made such a judgment.

Therefore, the first step for Koros was to strike the Lord of Blood Sacrifice first.

This was a naked threat, but also an olive branch. Perhaps, Koros could also kill the "CEO" Fafnir through the "Lord of Blood Sacrifice" and replace him.

Even if the Lord of Blood Sacrifice told him what was actually recorded in this manuscript.

Koros knew that he would not actually return the codex to him - he had complete superiority over the Lord of Blood Sacrifice, and he was the one who was leading the Lord of Blood Sacrifice by the nose.

No matter what, Koros would be able to gain a considerable benefit.

Koros thought so.

However, the problem now is that——

This notebook is incomplete!

The incomplete manuscript might belong to the Lord of Blood Sacrifice, or Rockland might have hidden the other half... They also knew the value of this manuscript, so this was also a form of insurance.

But before, Koros did not reveal this to the Lord of Blood Sacrifice.

And judging from the reaction of the Lord of Blood Sacrifice, he seemed unaware that the note was "incomplete".

That was Rockland, who had hidden part of the codex...

Koros' eyes flickered as he made his inferences in his mind.

And at this time.

"Lord Koros..." A voice sounded from the side, interrupting Koros's thoughts.

Koros raised his head and saw a man wearing a misty cloak standing right in front of him.

The cloak covered his face, and Koros could not see his appearance clearly.

But Koros knew his identity clearly.

That person was none other than the "Fallen Prophet" who had been exiled by the Theocracy and had lost his quadruple destiny.

"...Lord Koros, I have divined the outcome."

The Fallen Prophet spoke in a hoarse voice, then he raised his arm and drew a complete circle in the air.

In that "circle", a blurry picture gradually emerged.

He was a clergyman dressed in a priest's robe, riding a post horse and galloping across a desolate Gobi Desert.

Then, the picture in the "circle" changed and turned into a prosperous city.

A gleam of light flashed in Koros' eyes, and he recognized where this city was.

That was the largest and most prosperous city in Songyuan Territory where they were - Songyuan Main City!
The image slowly faded away, and the hoarse voice of the Fallen Prophet was heard at the same time. He said:
"Lord Koros... As you can see, this is the revelation given to me by the Great Mother."

"...Yes." Koros nodded, and then he gave an order to the prophet in front of him:

"Continue the divination. I want to know more."

"…Everything is subject to your will."

The Fallen Prophet bowed slightly and then stepped back.

"The main city of Songyuan... the clergy?"

After the Fallen Prophet left, Koros murmured to himself, chewing on this vague information:

"Could it be that the Archbishop of the Holy See... Songyuan Main City, is also involved in this matter?"

"...No matter what, it's still worth a try."

As if he had made some kind of decision, Kolos suddenly stood up and walked away to a deserted place with his hands behind his back.

It was not until they walked some distance from the camp that the air around Koros suddenly began to distort slightly.

"My minions..."

The Executioner, Koros, suddenly spoke to the empty air in front of him:

"Go to Songyuan City and bring back what belongs to me."

"..."

In front of Koros, the air suddenly vibrated violently, as if in response to his order.

After a moment, the tremor disappeared.

The "Black Fangs" had received Koros' orders and were carrying them out faithfully.

"Very good..." Koros smiled.

He had already begun to imagine the scene in the near future when he would recover the "incomplete" part of the notebook.

By the way, he could also take this opportunity to test the reaction of the Holy Court...

A broken, cruel smile appeared on Koros's face.

He was already prepared to welcome the triumphant return of his minions with the attitude of a victor.

This will be a victory for him alone.

Koros thought so confidently. He turned around and walked back to the camp.

……

(End of this chapter)