My dear witch, please turn evil according to the script!

Chapter 426: Hold on Firmly, There Will Be a Way

In a meat soup restaurant in the city of Heria that had reopened, Roland and Kalia sat side by side, opposite Little Grey, whose eating speed was no less than Kalia's.

Roland seems to have discovered a commonality among the sons of these evil gods.

She has a big appetite.

And they eat very quickly.

These kinds of soup restaurants were originally shops that served the poor, the lower classes, and laborers.

It emphasizes the ultimate cost-effectiveness and a very large portion size.

At least Roland himself couldn't finish a full single-serving meal.

But the two female companions he brought with him had already finished enough for ten people.

Four portions were for Kalia and six for Little Grey.

Roland was shocked.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone who could eat more than Kalia and eat even faster.

but……

Roland was still more concerned about what his father-in-law had just told him.

For example, the connection between the Papal City, the Ash Order, and the Underworld.

That's right. Although they sound unrelated, there is indeed a connection between these three things, or even a direct connection.

This is a fact that the Papacy has been burying all along. If it weren't for the fact that the Society has spent many years conducting archaeological research in various places, supplementing a lot of information from the Elven lands, and repairing a considerable portion of the historical records, this hidden truth would probably have disappeared into history.

Simply put, the Holy See itself is a branch of the Ash Order.

Yes, it is not that the Ash Order is a branch of the Holy See, but rather that the Holy See itself is a branch of the Ash Order.

It sounds like an unbelievable legend, and no one with a normal IQ would choose to believe it.

But it is what it is.

In the days before the Ash Order was called the Ash Order, at the end of the Age of Gods when the gods walked among mortals.

The vast religious force that had gathered together because of the blessings bestowed upon them by the gods was struck down by a powerful man who wished to remain anonymous.

That king believed that relying solely on the power and blessings of the gods would only hinder humanity's development and potential.

Of course, the most important thing is that these guys have their own troops and are not subject to the king's rule.

Thus, under the combined iron fist of the army's cavalry and the mighty power of the King, the first generation of the "Holy Church" was shattered.

The remnants of this massive organization then began to seek revenge and power.

Unsurprisingly, at the end of the Age of Gods, as the world's boundaries began to weaken, some of the higher-ups were easily corrupted by the delirium of the evil god.

However, in that era, the power of the gods had not yet completely faded from the earth, so the corruption was not fully manifested, and those affected only became more irritable.

There's no need to elaborate on what happened next.

A small group of high-ranking members who were not corrupted regained divine blessings through their strong will and faith. They then led members who were unwilling to stay in this corrupted organization to start anew, which gradually developed into the early Holy See.

The records included by the Society are derived from the recollections of devout clergy members and from even more ancient texts written on parchment scrolls.

As for the records of the other group, there are very few after that.

Because after the incident of these members leaving, those people disappeared.

They no longer operate openly, hiding themselves away, knowing only that they are always searching for the so-called "true god" and the "son of God who will bring revelation and salvation."

This is a record from thousands of years ago.

Until the death of the King and the collapse of that vast empire, in the chaotic years, various forces grew and developed rapidly.

The Holy See is one of the significant forces among them.

Until the Holy Ragnasia Empire was re-established, until the War of the Demon Kings began.

What followed was the history Roland knew.

The Demon King purposefully began to eradicate cultists, and even the evil god himself.

As a result, demons and humans even began to cooperate.

In the operation primarily targeting the Forgiveness Society, the influence of the other three followers of the evil god was gradually revealed.

It was because of this that the First Saints discovered the true nature of the Ash Cult.

The location occupied by the Ash Order is very likely the entrance to the underworld.

This part is deduced from the elves' records and some of the epic poems collected by the Society.

Furthermore, the followers of the Ash Cult have demonstrated the power to manipulate the dead and play with souls.

In addition, the Grim Reaper suddenly decided to close the Underworld...

Roland had a bad feeling. He looked at Little Grey, who had already defeated Kalia in terms of appetite and was still ordering more food, and his eyes gleamed with a faint, azure light.

He briefly activated the power of the Eternal Runestone, using the absolute rationality it granted him to ponder his decision.

Unfortunately, he was unable to find the answer.

Killing Little Gray now might weaken the true entity sealed beneath the Papacy City, but the consequences are unknown.

What if this clone was released from its seal precisely to be killed?

However, if the choice is not to kill but to observe, then it is necessary to keep him and Kalia together, and the distance between them cannot exceed 100 meters.

Moreover... not killing them doesn't necessarily mean there won't be any consequences.

The fact that the influence hasn't spread yet is only because Kalia, who can suppress her power, and I are there.

According to Xiao Hui herself, who had let her guard down during the meal, her power was completely suppressed by the aura emanating from Kalia.

The deathly silence extinguished the smoldering ashes.

But what would have happened if she hadn't met Kalia and had instead wandered outside on her own, slowly regaining her strength and memories?

Moreover, Kalia's existence and current situation mean that if the current situation in the Papal City is to be quelled, the upgraded Kalia, now in her ultimate form, is a force that cannot be ignored.

Laoka has completely evolved; he is no longer the good-for-nothing who would lose control and become self-destructive at the slightest disturbance or emotional fluctuation.

She is now a card master. Her stats and mechanics coexist, and she even has a counter-relationship.

It would be a waste to use such a helper only to guard high-risk targets.

At this moment, Kalia, who rarely eats so much, leaned back in her chair, patting her stomach with some resentment, and looked at Roland: "So we really have to go to the Papal City?"

“Hmm…and we need to get there as soon as possible.” Roland nodded. “I have a bad feeling about this, a feeling that is even worse than when I entered Isfar, where the cataclysm occurred.”

"It was a bad feeling, like the peaceful days were about to be completely gone from me."

Kalia laughed upon hearing this, and patted Roland on the shoulder with one hand: "Don't worry! I'm incredibly strong right now! Feel free to rely on me!"

Roland gave a wry smile: "It would be better to assign you a bodyguard. Your physical body hasn't become more resilient just because your strength has increased."

"As long as someone can get close to you, they can still kill you... Don't be too confident. Or when I have time later, I'll have Professor Russell make another set of magic circuits? I can implant them for you then."

Kalia shook her head violently: "No! Besides, I have ways to protect myself, okay?"

As she spoke, a faint shadow began to appear on Kalia's clothes and exposed body parts.

"Clang! Protective spell! This shadow is incredibly powerful!"

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm quite skilled in magic and have a pretty good imagination!"

Watching the two lovebirds in front of him chatting and laughing, so sickeningly sweet, Little Grey angrily picked up the braised ribs on the plate and tore off a piece of meat with all his might.

When these two were discussing their plans, didn't they even consider avoiding me?!

Damn it, I've really been looked down upon!
"Waiter, another order of grilled ribs, and some broth, with extra garlic, and some bread to go with the soup!"

After silently and loudly placing the order, Xiao Hui continued to stare intently at Roland.

Hmph, you little brat, I'll just empty your wallet!

Unfortunately, after I placed my order, the waiter came over apologetically: "I'm sorry, madam, I'm sorry, Your Excellency... all the food we have in stock has been eaten, and one of our chefs has collapsed from exhaustion. We really can't serve any more customers."

Roland smiled, took out ten Golden Eagle Coins from his storage ring, and neatly stacked them on the table: "Thank you. Is this enough to settle the bill?"

"That's enough!" the waiter quickly replied, then added, "You've given too much; eight Golden Eagle coins would have been enough."

"Consider the rest as a bonus for the kitchen staff. Remember to tell your boss that the bonus must be given to the kitchen staff."

Roland smiled and stood up, then took the coat from another waiter and draped it over his arm: "Let's go, Leah, and Little Grey too. If you're not full, let's go somewhere else."

"Once you've eaten, let's get down to business."

Kalia shook her head, a rare occurrence for her: "No... I can't eat anymore."

Little Gray didn't say anything. He silently picked up a tissue from the table, wiped his mouth and hands, and then stood up as well.

Although I wasn't completely full, being about 80% full is not bad.

I don't remember ever eating this much before.

Just as the three were about to leave the soup shop, Suren rushed out the door and, upon finding Roland, immediately shouted, "Roland! Something terrible has happened! The Papal City... the Papal City..."

Roland frowned: "Sulen? What happened? If it's a request for outside help, I already know..."

"No, not this!" Suren finally caught his breath. For a warrior at the peak of the eighth ring to be panting like this, it was clear that something serious had happened, and that they must have rushed over at top speed.

"The Papacy City... The Papacy City is completely out of control! The Pope and the saints have lost contact! Now, the towns surrounding the Papacy City have also lost contact, and the abnormal situation is spreading!"

"The last to report from the Papal Guard said they saw ashes falling from the Temple of the Sky!"

"The nearest Imperial border guards have already gone to check the situation. The teacher said... it's time for you to fulfill your previous promise."

(End of this chapter)