Chapter 584

Four hundred and twenty-fourth chapter – Summer Tree

Aubye continued to speak to Anman, after hearing Aubye’s words, Anman sighed again.

“Sigh… I never thought things would come to this. In the past, no one ever imagined that we would have to resort to such extreme measures.”

“This is also something we couldn’t help… If we want to protect Summer Tree Island from the Radiant madmen, protect our traditions, and the faith in our goddess, we can only use this method. We must make the Radiant Church feel threatened; only then will they truly respect our opinions and engage in sincere communication instead of always maintaining an arrogant and unyielding attitude.”

Aubye said this to Anman. After listening to him, Anman was about to respond when suddenly, hurried footsteps could be heard from afar. A young man dressed in coarse clothing rushed to the scene. After catching his breath, he said to Anman and the others:

“Huff… Huff… High Priest! There’s news from Bahoda! Their operation has succeeded! They have completely taken control of the Radiant pilgrims and are on their way back now.”

“What? They really succeeded?!”

After hearing the young man’s words, Anman stood up directly by the fire, murmuring in disbelief. Those around him were also excited and began talking to each other. The worry on most people’s faces disappeared.

“Anman Sir, Bahoda and the others succeeded. Now we finally have the leverage to talk properly with the Radiant Church!”

Standing next to Anman, Aubye said to him. Hearing Aubye’s words, Anman fell silent for a moment before immediately responding to the messenger.

“Notify Fessa and the others on the mainland. Send out the prepared letter immediately to the Radiant Church, expressing clearly our intentions and demands!”

“Yes, I understand.”

After hearing Anman’s words, the messenger immediately responded and ran off. Watching the young man leave, Anman couldn’t help but sigh again. Then he silently turned around, looking towards a large tree where a natural-looking female “wood carving” stood. Looking at the gentle face on the carving that had not been carved, he murmured:

“I never thought… in the end, we would come to this…

“Mother of Abundance, please forgive our sins, and protect Summer Tree…”

Facing the wooden deity, Anman prayed devoutly.

…

On the north bank of Conquer Sea, in the capital of Iwig, Pelan.

Pelan city under the night sky was peacefully asleep. Inside the Cleansing Cathedral in the Church District of Pelan, there were faint lights flickering.

In the Cleansing Cathedral, Archbishop Antonio, wearing a simple silk robe, with gray temples and a slightly plump figure, stood with his hands behind his back, looking sternly at the tall stained glass window. In front of him was a young cleric with a respectful demeanor.

“You said what… This year, the pilgrimage fleet to Leachel Valley was attacked? All the pilgrims are missing?”

With a look of surprise, Antonio said to the cleric in front of him, who nodded and continued:

“Yes, according to the message sent by the third escort fleet of the Order of the Holy Ceremony Knights using light signals, they were disturbed by heavy fog while executing their escort mission. Several extraordinary beings, suspected to include a Canglang Singer, attacked them. Although the ships and personnel suffered no damage, three passenger ships carrying eight hundred fifty-one pilgrims were lost in the fog created by extraordinary abilities and completely lost contact.”

The cleric reported to Antonio. After hearing the report, Antonio fell silent, and a subtle light flashed in his not-so-big eyes. Suppressing something, he spoke calmly.

“The third escort fleet… yesterday, someone swore to me how important it was to review heretics, so important that even detaining four senior officials was considered ‘minor.’ Hmph… Do you think this situation is still considered ‘minor’ for him?

“From top to bottom, from red to black, our Tribunal is filled with incompetent people.”

Antonio mocked with a cold laugh, his words filled with dissatisfaction towards the vertical institution known as the Tribunal. Hearing Antonio’s words, the cleric in front of him was startled.

“Well… this… Sir, you should be careful with your words. If someone with ill intent hears this…”

“So what if they do? How many things have the Tribunal’s people messed up by arresting people everywhere? Everyone outside calls them madmen and neurotics. I think calling them madmen is already flattering them.”

Antonio frankly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Tribunal. The cleric next to him felt embarrassed. After mocking the Tribunal, Antonio redirected his attention to the incident.

“The attack on the pilgrimage fleet… It’s been a long time since such a thing happened. And this time, three ships and more than eight hundred people are all missing. The severity is quite high… Who has the nerve to be so bold? Could it be those snake cultists again…”

Antonio muttered. From the cleric’s description, he first thought of the Abyss Cult, being the archbishop of Iwig, he often dealt with the Abyss Cult.

Just as Antonio was quietly analyzing, the door of the Cleansing Cathedral opened abruptly, and another cleric rushed in, running towards Antonio and saying:

“Sir Antonio, there’s an emergency!”

“What happened now?”

Facing the new cleric, Antonio frowned and asked. The cleric immediately responded:

“Sir, just now, the telegraph room received a telegram, claiming to be from Summer Tree Island!”

“Summer Tree Island?”

Listening to the cleric’s words, Antonio was slightly stunned, seemingly thinking of something. His expression became even more serious as he continued:

“What does the telegram say?”

“The telegram says… the warriors of Summer Tree Island have ‘invited’ the Radiant pilgrims to visit their island. If we want these pilgrims to leave safely, we must immediately cancel the military action planned against the Summer Tree Archipelago and publicly promise never to preach here or force the people of Summer Tree Archipelago to change their beliefs.

“They said that the people of the Summer Tree Archipelago will adhere to their traditional beliefs that have been upheld for thousands of years. They will forever worship the Mother of Abundance, the goddess of bountiful harvests who nourishes all, and will not accept any other beliefs.”

The cleric read the contents of the telegram to Antonio. After hearing the cleric’s words, Antonio fell silent. After a long silence, he slowly spoke.

“Summer Tree Archipelago… I never thought it would be them… Were they pushed too hard this time?”