Chapter 604

Chapter 434 Conversion

“Mmm… I hope everything can end peacefully.”

……

“Haa… Finally… The traitor who was most likely to cause trouble has been caught. The matter with XiaTree is almost resolved. It’s exhausting…”

In the suite of a hotel in Trua, Dorothy slumped onto the sofa behind her chair after a long sigh. In front of her on the desk lay piles of draft papers filled with various writings, the result of her diligent work through the night.

Dorothy spent considerable time last night drafting a fake conversion plan for XiaTree. After referring to a plethora of detailed data, she finally had an initial outcome by morning. However, this came at the cost of her staying up all night, leaving her looking exhausted, disheveled, and listless.

“Ugh… I originally just wanted to take it easy and come up with a brief, rough plan, but XiaTree’s reward was so generous that it ignited my enthusiasm. I worked diligently through the night, and what I produced ended up being twice as detailed as initially expected…”

Lying on the sofa, Dorothy covered her forehead, thinking to herself. The thirty “Cup” points offered by XiaTree were too tempting, causing her to work even harder without realizing it.

“Now that the pilgrims are safe, XiaTree’s disaster is avoided, and the traitor has been caught. No matter what, XiaTree’s issue is nearly resolved. I just need to pay attention to some follow-up issues…

“If XiaTree’s people seriously study my plans, they should be able to deceive the Church. After all, even if XiaTree announces their conversion, the Church’s missionary work will be a long-term process. There are many opportunities to manipulate this transformation…”

Dorothy continued to think, not overly worried about the comprehensive conversion plan she had developed based on countless experiences. Even if there were problems, and the Church discovered them, it would only be XiaTree’s affair. In Dorothy’s design, Vania was merely used by XiaTree in the eyes of most XiaTree people except Anman. This meant that even if the conversion plan was exposed, the Church would struggle to hold Vania accountable, merely seeing her as another victim of XiaTree’s manipulation.

“In any case, XiaTree’s affairs are finally over. I can now focus on my own matters… After resting for two days, I’ll head straight to the White Stone Craftsmen Guild here…

“With the shortage of ‘Cup’ and ‘Stone’ spiritual energies, ‘Cup’ has become more abundant. Now, I mainly need to buy some ‘Stone’ secret transmissions. I’ve saved quite a bit of money…”

Thinking to herself, Dorothy yawned and stood up from the sofa. After tidying up the drafts, she went to the washroom to freshen up briefly before collapsing into bed, quickly falling asleep.

……

Iwig, Heart-Cleansing Cathedral.

In the vast and magnificent cathedral, a dozen figures stood straight and rigid within. They all held sharp lances, wore metal armor combined with black clerical robes, and their faces were concealed under heavy helmets.

The silent church knights stood before the deserted cathedral, exuding a deadly aura in front of the solemn Three Saints altar. In front of them, Archbishop Antonio stood with a serious expression, his gaze sweeping over these powerful warriors ready for action.

“In twenty minutes, the Gray Hermit will arrive above the Church District. Board it, and you can reach XiaTree by this evening. At that time, you need to find all the kidnapped pilgrims and rescue them. If anyone resists, eliminate them. You don’t need to consider damage to XiaTree as long as you rescue the pilgrims. You can use any means necessary.

“To ensure this operation is absolutely successful, the Sacred Realm has specially dispatched the Gray Hermit from thousands of miles away, allowing you to launch a covert attack on XiaTree. You have no reason to fail. Do you understand? You must save as many pilgrims as possible!”

Facing the solemn knights lined up before him, Antonio spoke sternly, and the knights simultaneously bowed and responded.

“We swear to the Lord, we will not disgrace our mission!”

Listening to the knights’ words, Antonio nodded. Then he slowly turned around to look at the huge Three Saints altar behind him, his gaze fixed on the Holy Mother altar. His solemn expression instantly turned melancholic.

“At the end… Is this inevitable?”

“Living in Iwig for so many years, it turns out to be all for naught… In the end, you still won, Justin…”

Gazing at the Holy Mother altar, Antonio sighed wistfully. Since taking office as the Archbishop of Iwig, he had never executed a purification order. But now, it seemed unavoidable.

With the commencement of the purification order, Antonio’s efforts to implement lenient policies in the Iwig diocese over the years would be in vain.

“You have crossed the line, XiaTree…”

Antonio lamented, just as he was considering whether to resign from his position as Archbishop of Iwig, a small door beside the cathedral opened, and a cleric rushed in anxiously.

“Archbishop Antonio! Major news! We have received significant information from XiaTree!”

Running towards Antonio in front of the altar, the cleric shouted while running. Antonio frowned upon hearing this and then asked.

“What news? Has XiaTree impatiently started executing hostages?!”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s about conversion! Conversion!

“The priest of XiaTree announced that they will release all the pilgrims and convert entirely!”

Approaching Antonio, the cleric said loudly after catching his breath. Hearing this, Antonio was stunned and then, after a moment’s hesitation, asked in disbelief.

“What did you say? Repeat it!”

“Yes, the priest of XiaTree announced that they will release all the pilgrims and abandon their old gods and practices, converting entirely to the Holy Mother on the spot!”

Standing before Antonio, the cleric said seriously, solemnly, and respectfully. Hearing this, not only Antonio was stunned, but the knights standing by also looked around in disbelief.

“Incredible… That stubborn Anman… has actually announced his conversion. What happened? Why did their change happen so quickly?”

Antonio said incredulously. He never imagined that the most obstinate XiaTree people would suddenly convert. Suddenly, tens of thousands of XiaTree people became devout followers of the Holy Mother?!

“Archbishop Antonio, according to their claim, they seem to have been converted after being inspired and instructed by a kidnapped pilgrim. That pilgrim appears to be a nun who believes in the Holy Mother. She reportedly persuaded XiaTree’s priests and elders with her teachings, leading to their decision to convert to the Holy Mother.”

Facing Antonio, the cleric spoke cautiously. Listening to the cleric’s words, Antonio couldn’t help but be stunned again, then he asked in disbelief.

“A nun who believes in the Holy Mother?”

“Yes, her name is Vania Chafelin. She seems to be a nun from the Prit diocese who came on pilgrimage.”

Listening to the cleric’s words, Antonio’s expression turned complicated. Then he slowly turned his head to look at the Holy Mother altar and muttered.

“Just a nun, using her teachings to make XiaTree convert entirely? Could this be a miracle You performed, Holy Mother…”