Xingyue, is Xiaokai also considered Kai?

"Human, who gave you permission to call me by my name!"

Albion, clearly annoyed, said coldly, arms crossed.

"Eh, so Lord Albion isn't human after all? Hmm, I see. His habits are indeed different. You must understand, teacher."

Nero laughed merrily, casually observing the arrogant fantasy creature for a moment. She found it quite peculiar that this creature had acted so pitifully just moments before, and was now putting on such an air of arrogance.

"Oh, right, I just remembered I have something to do, so I won't bother you and Lord Albion any longer."

Nero pressed her forehead against Novia's abdomen, then looked up at him, quickly finished speaking, released his hand, glanced at Albion, and then left on her own. She could already imagine the look of rage on his face.

What a joke! He's just someone the teacher is using. No matter how much attention he gets, he can't possibly be more important than me. After all, the teacher used poison to control me...

Nero understood that this idea was strange and absurd, more than anyone else.

People will definitely say I'm mentally unstable, and there's nothing I can do about it.

At that moment, Novia was staring directly at Nero, not Albion.

"Nero."

"...Yes, yes."

Hearing Novia call, the girl turned around and answered in a stiff voice, nodding.

Nero thought his idea had been exposed, and his heart started pounding inexplicably. As for his flushed cheeks, they probably didn't notice because the sun was so bright.

However, Novia didn't consider these things and spoke to her:

"I've always thought this way: your songs have the power to bring happiness and should be sung to more people, so keep up the good work."

Watching the two figures gradually depart, Nero lowered her delicate, golden eyelashes and pondered Novia's words.

After all, she knew the effect of her concert at the triumphant ceremony before, even though she didn't say it outright.

"...It's better to suppress the urge to kill that guy after all. Let her be smug for a few days."

She suddenly muttered something softly, her fingers gathering magic as she took out the golden laurel flower that had been held atop Novia's head during the triumphant ceremony. Her gaze was intense as she stared at the laurel flower, then she gently stroked it and placed it back on her head.

Nero was absolutely certain that he was the most important person in his teacher's heart, and this would never and never change.

049: The Visit to the Burial Classroom and the Man Who Had Not Yet Become the Ancestor of the Dead Apostles

The midday sun floats in the sky, giving all living beings an overwhelming sense of its presence.

"I am Narubalek, the current head of the Burial Agency. I have met Lord Novia."

The man, whose right eye was covered by his hair, focused his gaze on Novia in front of him. Perhaps it was because Novia's deep blue eyes had an incredible charm, as if they were captivating, that Narubalek couldn't help but look around at her.

Apart from a white wooden square table and four straw-core chairs, there was no other furniture. Above, where a mirror usually hangs, was a silver copper cross nailed to a black line and set in a dark gold wooden frame.

There is nothing luxurious here; its simplicity, coupled with the miracles he has witnessed, makes him spontaneously regard this place as an incomparably solemn space.

"Now that you're here, you understand what I had Kobek conveyed, right?"

“We will naturally obey your decision, Your Excellency. From now on, the burial agency will no longer operate independently but will follow your command. We will also assign personnel to all forty-five provinces of the Roman Empire that are not needed, and we will recruit capable personnel from outside in the future.”

Narubalek could only manage a wry smile as he listened to Novia's gentle smile and words, because for the Narubalek family, this was neither a good nor a bad decision.

The head of the burial agency is named "Narubalek," which is a name of succession. Since its establishment, this position has always been held by members of the "Narubalek" family. Even the staff of the burial agency never recruit outsiders, in order to ensure the absolute purity of their faith and personality.

Previously, they had maintained independence from Judaism, so even when the Antichrist King Doro asked them to assassinate Novia, they refused outright because Narubalek believed it was a matter of doctrinal disagreement and there was no reason for them to intervene.

However, during the battle of Jerusalem, the three minutes of darkness that enveloped the earth made Narubalek realize that his lineage had done something terrible: they had failed to assist the Lord's messenger, a sin deserving of death.

Just as he was pondering how to clear his name of this crime, Kobek, carrying Novia's request, happened to show up at his door.

The Burial Authority was on high alert for the visit of a True Ancestor of the Dead Apostles, as they had no ability to deal with a Dead Apostle of such a high rank except for their leader. However, after being told that it was a former cult member who had come with a message from Novia, they were somewhat relieved.

But after learning of Novia's demands, the burial agency was thrown into turmoil again.

Because Novia's requirements are:

From now on, apart from the leader, who will remain the strongest "Narubalek", all other members of the Burial Agency must adopt a meritocratic approach. Members only need to be strong enough to eliminate those who are inconvenient to deal with. Anyone of any status is welcome to join, including those who are merely nominal believers.

He then formed a new "Burying Agency" with seven people plus one more chosen by him.

Besides these people, those who no longer needed to stay in the burial authorities were required to go to the forty-five provinces of the Roman Empire to be in charge of the newly built churches in the major cities, to deal with the hidden dead and spread the doctrine.

Novia's move effectively dismantled the long-established burial organization, inevitably causing internal disputes.

But after thinking it over, Narubalek agreed without hesitation and came alone to show his sincerity.

He understood that Novia wanted an absolute "killing" demon group, one whose members could all kill the True Ancestors of the Dead Apostles, and also hoped that ordinary people in various places could have some hope when facing the Dead Apostles through simple methods.

Although the lower ranks of the Dead Apostles are essentially like ordinary wild beasts, and one might not necessarily die if one mustered the courage to fight them, the problem is that they are 'human' in form. Therefore, ordinary people would only subconsciously fall into fear and find it difficult to resist.

"Give me a list of those people so I can contact churches in various places to pass it on."

Although Novia's words could be described as blunt, Narubalek did not feel uncomfortable at all, but rather thought it was only natural.

"Okay, I have prepared it for you. There are a total of 135 people. Please take a look."

Narubalek took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Novia.

"Let me see..." Novia flipped through the letter and then saw an unexpected name. She asked casually, "Speaking of which, are all the names in your family lineage the same?"

"Yes, besides the name 'Narubalek' being held by the strongest member of the family, there are also various other names that are inherited through battle, and in order to maintain purity, the loser will be executed."

"That's it."

Novia asked this question specifically because she saw a familiar name on the letter Narubalek handed over—

Be Ze.

Like the twenty-fifth of the twenty-seven Dead Apostles, the sword monk Be Ze possessed the principles of the sword and had woven a sword technique to kill the Dead Apostles.

He seemed to remember that the ancestor of the Dead Apostles, who was the teacher of Hier and the Nineteenth Ancestor, was a famous priest and the best swordsman of the time, who was said to have invented the Black Key in the year 300 AD. Perhaps this man was his ancestor.

“From now on, let’s abolish this rule.” Novia held up the letter, closed her eyes, and said, “The losing side doesn’t necessarily have to die. There will always be people who don’t want to win. So let them go and establish a monastery to take in abandoned children in anonymity. The empire and the local church will provide some financial support.”

“Understood.” Narubalek nodded. “Is there anything else I can do? I see you don’t have any guards around, sir. Is there anything I can do for you—”

“No need. My teacher and the eleven apostles of Jesus Christ will be coming in a few days. You can come with me to meet them in a few days.”

Although Albion didn't say anything after returning to the 'gun' because someone had brought him some, Novia didn't need to think twice before he was watching her closely. If she agreed to Narubalek's request, he would definitely be in a bad mood.

After seeing Nero return last time, Albion bit him again, but thankfully it only left a tooth mark instead of tearing off a piece of flesh.

"Yes."

"By the way, could you help me find someone these days named Locusta, with green hair, who probably lives in the forests of Gaul and survives on mushrooms all day long?"

Strangely enough, Novia clearly remembered that this mushroom girl, who was skilled in using poison, was not well-liked by ordinary people because of her mental instability, so she could only stay in the forest and live on mushrooms. However, with her knowledge of herbalism, she was hired to use poison to make money and kill people. Moreover, because those who hired her were all powerful people, she was always able to escape from prison. Logically speaking, she should be easy to find.

As a result, he didn't send any news at all, which inevitably puzzled Novia.

"Hmm... alone? I understand."

While finding a person in the vast Gaul was quite troublesome, it was still relatively easy for Narubalek, who was comparable to a normal Death Apostle Ancestor.

050: The Editing of the New Testament and the Key to the Kingdom of Heaven

Grayish-white snowflakes gently drifted down from the sky into the city of Rome.

“I believe it is necessary to compile your letters and the books you have written into a new covenant, distinct from Judaism, as a new part of the Bible.”

Novia spoke slowly to the crowd before her.

For Peter, who was listening...

The word "Bible" evokes a special feeling.

Because his destiny was decided at that time, at the beginning of the Sea of ​​Galilee, and as a witness on the summit of Golgotha.

For Peter, that person was everything, and he never imagined that one day that person would leave him.

But on that day, the eleven apostles were forced to accept—

Jesus suffered.

To let such a being perish is an act of evil, and an unforgivable sin.

For whom was that sacrifice made, and for what purpose?

If asked, that person would definitely smile and say it's so that people in the world would no longer have to suffer sin.

That is why Peter paid close attention to Paul from then on, and even though Paul had criticized him bluntly, he still admired him greatly.

Paul, who had once been an opponent of Jesus, was very capable and was able to spread the beliefs of his teacher Jesus to the Mediterranean and even the entire Roman Empire.

Logically, Peter should have resented Paul, since he was the one Jesus entrusted with the task and should have been the true leader.

However, Peter did not do so, feeling that he was not qualified.

Because, out of fear, he refused to acknowledge his teacher-student relationship with Jesus three times when Jesus was being interrogated by the high priest in Jerusalem.

Even after being forgiven, Peter could not tolerate accepting such blasphemy.

The old man's cloudy eyes cleared slightly as he looked at the man who had invited them, these old folks, to Rome to discuss the matter of Jesus, the teacher. The boy he had met when he went to Paul's place was now so grown up and had accomplished far more than they had, avenging the grudge that had been hidden in the hearts of the eleven of them.

Novia's purpose in bringing them here was actually quite simple: he hoped that everyone's letters or written books could be compiled into part of the Bible, and he also suggested that, if possible, each person should take some responsibility for the basic development of Christianity in at least one province, because it was growing too wildly.

It was so dazzling that Peter slowly closed his eyes. He felt that he was probably stimulated by the sunlight outside, so tears were seeping out uncontrollably.

"This is how it should be..."

Peter exhaled a deep breath and bowed his head deeply, deeply.

“Hey, Peter, why are you so distracted? You’re all grown up now, this is a day to celebrate.”

Paul, sitting next to him, patted Peter on the shoulder.

"I'm so sorry."

Peter shook his head gently to keep his tears from falling.

"You did nothing wrong. The one who's wrong... is me."

"Nothing."

“I used to scold you in public, which made things difficult for you.”

"No, that's not true. I've always been, both in the past and now... I'm certain..."

In front of Peter, whose vision was blurred, was his teacher.

"......affim......"

That person—

“You must be very happy. I have heard that Jesus’ teachers encouraged you not to give in, to cast your nets into the sea again, to walk on water, to bravely look at your weaknesses, to follow Him on the path of the cross, to give your life for your brothers, and to shepherd His flock. So please be happy, because what the world needs more are real people, not people who are beyond human.”

“You are an undisputed rock, as reliable as stone. Paul and I have always thought so, and we should both be like you.”

Novia smiled and said this to Peter, who was about to cry.

Seeing the silver-haired boy's smile, Peter suddenly wanted to laugh, but if he did, tears would stream down his face.

Once upon a time, Jesus said this to him:

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Now that you mention it, I don't want to give away this gift anymore.

Reminded by the child of his former teacher's words, Peter's spirits were lifted once more after his setback.

"Novia."

Peter's face suddenly turned serious, which made people involuntarily quiet down.

"Please say."

Look at Novia; Peter reflects his own confidence in those sea-blue eyes.

The old man looked at his hands and finally grabbed the ordinary key hanging around his neck. He held it tightly in his palm as if to confirm its existence.

"I've made up my mind. I'm giving this to you."

I don't know if the teacher will be angry, but in the end, it wasn't me who did this, it was Novia who did it. But given the teacher's personality, I guess she won't be angry.

Thinking this, Peter continued.