Black mist descends, and I and the witches take refuge in the dungeon.

"We were guided by the goddess; she led us here."

Mil made no attempt to hide anything. He pointed to the statue of the goddess not far away, his gaze fixed on the old priest, without a trace of pretense.

The old priest was clearly taken aback by Mil's answer.

He smiled:

"Why don't you think before you speak... Hmm, let me consider how to say it, maybe I should lie a little?"

"There's no point in lying to you, and if I couldn't fool you, would you believe me?"

The old priest licked his slightly purple lips:

"You strange young man, tell me in detail how the goddess guided you."

Mill shook his head:

"This is a different price. I need you to provide me with more information. After all, you told me before that this black mist is different. So what exactly makes you feel that it is different?"

Please tell me about specific examples, the specific impacts they caused, and any points that need attention.

The old priest chuckled, stroked his beard, and continued:

"I was planning to tell you anyway, but since you asked, I'll tell you now. You're such a bastard who won't take a loss."

Mil did not refute. He glanced at Anderbel, who was talking to a few children, before looking away.

"Well, let's start with the speed at which the black fog arrived this time."

First of all, the speed of the black fog was at least three times faster than any of the black fog I had ever experienced.

This is also why the Vatican's relief plan failed so miserably.

Moreover, based on my observation, the black fog is accelerating. At its current rate of expansion, it's highly unlikely we'll be able to escape its reach.

The old priest paused slightly at this point, glanced at Mill, and smiled as he said:

"Why do you not seem disappointed or panicked at all? Normally, shouldn't most people be crying their eyes out when they hear this news?"

"You seem to know something?"

The old priest squinted slightly, seemingly sizing up Mil, trying to read something from him.

"Yes, I know, but I won't tell you now. You continue."

Amused by Mil's shameless behavior, the old priest feigned anger and said:

"You're such a damn miser! If one of the seventy-two demon gods were to be included..."

"The goddess's voice echoed in my mind. She said, 'You damned old man, how dare you utter the name of the enemy here...'"

Mil quickly retorted, leaving the old priest feeling helpless once again.

In the end, the old priest waved his hand:

"I can't argue with you, you silver-tongued bastard. Alright, let's talk about the second characteristic of this black mist."

I sum it up myself as an unusually terrifying rate of absorption!

The old priest pointed towards the direction of Norton's town walls, his tone unconsciously becoming solemn as he said:

"I have observed the quality and size of the soul lamps on the walls of Norton Town. If it were facing ordinary black fog, it would take four or five days, let alone two days."

Four or five days is enough time for the other soul lamp to be transferred over.

But this time, it took half a day, not even half a day!

Even setting aside this example, look at the soul lamps within the Papacy.

This soul lamp is something within our Holy See, and in principle, it should last for at least half a month.

But the headlights can still last for three or four days, while the lower lights, if used sparingly, will probably run out in one or two days.

This speed is definitely not right!

The old priest frowned, and then continued:

"So, if we don't find a way to solve the black fog within this period, we're doomed."

Almost everyone will eventually return to a land of plenty; of course, if you don't believe me, you'll definitely fall into hell.

Mir ignored the old priest's last sarcastic remark and continued:

"What about Renee and the others? Did they encounter anything strange while searching for supplies?"

The old priest said softly:

"Of course there are. For example, a dead soldier suddenly came back with them, and was discovered by Renee, who dragged him to roast a soul lamp for an hour."

There were also members who responded to the name in the black mist and then disappeared. After that incident, whenever they were in the black mist, they all used nicknames.

Furthermore, even within the Vatican, it is not particularly safe. People often lose their minds and rush into the black mist, even when they are in the safe zone shrouded by the Soul Lamp, they still go insane.

Regarding this, I suspect it's due to mental pollution. Even I occasionally hear the voice of my deceased son, who keeps asking me to take his place... What an unfilial and despicable son!

At this point, the old priest glanced subconsciously at the dome, then squinted, tilted his head slightly, and continued:

"The last thing is that the time it will take for this black fog to dissipate is completely unpredictable."

Based on the diffusion pattern of black fog, most of it will stop after expanding to a certain limit, and then slowly dissipate.

However, according to a recent message from the Vatican, the black fog is still spreading.

In other words, the black fog hasn't even reached its extreme point yet. If we want to wait for the black fog to dissipate, it will take at least two months.

I think we probably won't live to see that day.

Of course, you mustn't tell anyone about this, otherwise despair will spread, and if everyone commits suicide, the blame will fall on your head.

The old priest subtly pinned another label on Mil.

Mil glanced helplessly at the old priest:

"Alright, now that I know so much, it would seem too stingy of me not to share my information."

Besides, you've cursed me enough. If I don't say something to salvage my image, I'm afraid Miss Renee will come back and kill me with a scythe.

Believe it or not, Father Ores, based on my estimation, the duration of this black fog is expected to be...

Mil paused here, and the old priest seemed a little anxious.

"You bastard, why do you only say half of what you mean? I really want to tie your tongue to the sole of my shoe and stomp on the heads of those bastards in the imperial capital who love to smell women's shoes!"

"What kind of bizarre analogy is that?!"

Mir couldn't help but retort.

What kind of gossip does this old priest follow all day?!

"Mind your own business. Back in the capital, the priest's favorite thing to do every day was to listen to those secrets in the confessional!"

Mir coughed, ignoring the damned old priest, and continued:

"About 134513 years."

"..."

The old priest fell silent.

"Are you serious?"

"Seriously."

"Then why did you come back?"

"I told you, the goddess told me the solution is in the basement."

"There's only one statue in the basement, so ugly it looks like it has male genitalia growing out of its face!"