piratefiction Chapter 520: No Choice but to Die!
Chapter 520: No Choice but to Die!
“You didn’t see the layer of dirt I scrubbed off just now.”
Ashe shrugged. “Last night, I was rolling around in the rain, fighting with the Sanctuary. I was filthy and exhausted. Even if the Four Pillars Cult barged in, or if the gods themselves came after me, I’m still having this bath!”
Though Igor was also enjoying the bath, he couldn’t help but say, “If we could use this time to find an escape route...”
“Escape? How?” Harvey put down his plate, belching contentedly. “Don’t be fooled by the emptiness here; there are thirteen sorcerers on guard outside, one of them a Sanctuary Sorcerer. Even if you wanted to pee, they’d send someone to hold it for you. Where’s your chance to escape?”
“I’m a mental sorcerer skilled in the Dominance Sect,” Igor said coldly. “I never need someone to leave gaps, and a Con Artist never counts on someone not guarding their wallet.”
“But how many can you control?” Harvey replied nonchalantly. “And can you control a Sanctuary? Besides, the Four Pillars Cult has likely surrounded the Tribulation Fire Chapel. Any escape route has surely been blocked. Ashe’s suggestion is correct-rather than racking our brains for a strategy, it’s better to relax in a bath, recharge, and wait for fate to serve us a feast.”
“Interesting. Usually, I’m the one who bathes the most often; you usually use embalming as cleaning. Now you’re aware of the benefits of a bath?” Igor laughed in exasperation. “Ashe, as the First Gospel, will undoubtedly attract the highest level of attention, but you won’t. You clearly have the ability and opportunity to find a way out instead of countering my suggestion with nebulous values!”
“You’re too scared of dying,” Harvey shook his head. “You weren’t mentally prepared, so why did you come along? Regret is a blemish on your profession as a Con Artist, isn’t it?”
“And you’re too eager to die. But as a necromancer, I can understand that-who wouldn’t want to soak in embalming fluid?” Igor’s voice was full of sarcasm. “I didn’t intend to come; I just got dragged into this while trying to save Anfel.”
“...I’m sorry,” Ashe almost sank into the water. “It’s my fault for getting you involved this time.”
The two were taken aback, ignoring Ashe’s words.
“...Just consider it was for Anfel,” Harvey said. “But instead of fantasizing about us making a clean getaway, think about how we’re going to fight our way out.”
“Combat is necessary, but it’s not the goal-it’s a means, a bargaining chip,” Igor stated. “If the Four Pillars Cult can truly annihilate the Tribulation Fire Chapel, chances are we won’t be able to escape. But we can surrender.”
“Surrender?”
“If the Gospel thinks I can build a new Four Pillars Cult from nothing, why can’t I integrate into the existing Four Pillars Cult here, and even seize power when the opportunity arises?” Igor was already shifting his mindset. “If you can’t beat them, join them. It’s very reasonable. So even if we have to break through head-on, we need to show our value. Think of it as a job interview in a foreign land.”
“...Whatever,” Harvey lowered his eyes. “As long as you and Ashe agree.”
Tension.
Just then, Ashe revealed an encouraging speculation: “You don’t need to be so tense. The Tribulation Fire Chapel probably has a trump card against the Four Pillars Cult.”
Igor asked, “Why do you think that?”
“Because the First Gospel’s power is in intelligence, not combat ability,” Ashe explained. “When you’re being chased by a vicious dog, do you need a long staff or a handbook on ‘How to Beat a Vicious Dog with a Staff’? The fact that the Tribulation Fire Chapel is thrilled about summoning the latter means...”
Igor suddenly understood, “They have the staff to beat the dog, but they just can’t wield it effectively!”
Indeed, things were exactly as Ashe had predicted.
When they changed clothes and walked out of the palace, a red-robed priest was already waiting for them. “First Gospel, the Divine Hosting Ritual is ready. The beings of Tribulation Fire Chapel long for your blessings, and the heretic scoundrels fear your thunder.”
Harvey took the initiative to ask, “What is the Divine Hosting Ritual?”
“It’s a ceremony to draw upon the power of the Divine Spirit Demi-God,” explained the red-robed priest. “The power of the Tribulation Fire Chapel’s Divine Spirit will join forces with the First Gospel.”
“Hosting a Divine Spirit?!” Igor was taken aback. “So you actually possess a Divine Spirit?”
The red-robed priest glanced at Ashe to see if he had any intention of explaining, and upon confirming that he didn’t, the priest elaborated, “It’s not a true Divine Spirit, but a power that is just one step away from becoming a true Divine Spirit.”
“In our Land of Senlo, everyone possesses a form of divinity, and anyone can become a Demi-God. During the Gods’ Dawn period a century ago, Senlo had a grand scene with eight hundred Demi-Gods coexisting!”
“But not everyone can use the power of a Demi-God. Ordinary sorcerers can only borrow the brilliance of a Demi-God. To counter the Four Pillars’ heretics, we must fully unleash the power of the Demi-God!” The red-robed priest looked at Ashe with fervent eyes, “It’s said that the First Gospel can command any Divine Spirit Demi-God. Please join me in the Divine Hosting Ritual, and then you shall wield the overwhelming divine power of the Tribulation Fire Chapel!”
Ashe blinked, and soon after his freshly bathed back started sweating again.
He had not expected that after finally escaping the First Gospel’s divine corruption, he would still face the fate of being hosted by a Divine Spirit.
Moreover, the devotees were crowding tightly around, the subtle sounds of battle echoed from outside, and the urgency in the red-robed priest’s eyes was unmistakable. He had no chance whatsoever to delay or hesitate!
There was truly no choice but to comply!
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