Chapter 71

“The real Bishop has arrived.”

Who could this Bishop be?

Why did she suddenly defect at this moment?

And… why would she inquire about the “Judge” promotion with me?

She seemed very familiar, almost as if we had met many times before.

Had I encountered her somewhere in the past?

Yulis’s mind raced as she pondered these questions.

But she also knew that her thoughts wouldn’t change anything. No matter how much she thought, it couldn’t alter the fact that she was powerless against the Bishop in front of her.

“You… you didn’t lie.”

After some hesitation, Yulis spoke, “Have we met before?”

“Yes, in my dreams,” Xia’er replied. “You’ve helped me a lot.”

Dreams? Helped her a lot?

This made Yulis completely give up on trying to understand.

She realized she couldn’t discern the other person’s emotions, as in Yulis’s perception, they never lied.

So, what was going on now?

The other person said they wanted to help her… Could she trust her?

“High Priestess Yulis, did I complete the ‘Judge’ ritual just now? Your instructions were somewhat abstract. How exactly was the ‘heretic’ determined?”

Xia’er only had two hours left, so she directly asked, hoping to get more information within that time.

Previously, when Xia’er interacted with Yulis, Yulis was mostly in a superior position, and Xia’er had to find ways to gain their trust or disguise herself as the “Holy Maiden” to win their support.

Now, the situation had flipped, and Xia’er became the one in control, with them depending on her for their lives.

In this situation, Xia’er hoped to gather more intelligence, whether from the Salvation Goddess Religion or the Arrival Sect.

At this point, Xia’er’s words gave Yulis some hints.

“Our rituals?”

Generally, the Salvation Goddess Religion wouldn’t disclose potions and rituals to outsiders, especially not within the Tribunal. It was unlikely they would share the “Avenger” potion ritual.

Because this path contradicted most doctrines of the Salvation Goddess Religion, it was a path of vengeance through killing.

So, when the Bishop of the Arrival Sect mentioned that the Salvation Goddess Religion provided the pathway, Yulis immediately thought of someone.

Aivana.

Recently, she had relied on a highly dangerous sealed object to obtain a set of potions and rituals from the Salvation Goddess Religion.

The sealed object was buried beneath the Clock Tower Church. If it were to explode, it would cause severe damage to the Salvation Goddess Religion’s overall image and trust. The stable situation they had built in Borough City could be destroyed overnight.

These followers weren’t fanatics; the Salvation Goddess Religion wouldn’t use any means to constrain them. Once a trust crisis occurred, they might switch their faith without hesitation, seeking refuge in other “safer” orthodox religions.

Aivana obtained the potion and ritual through this crucial information, but clearly, these rituals ended up in the hands of this heretical Bishop in front of her.

“You should know how the Tribunal operates,” Yulis cautiously began, “for them, capturing you, whether by killing or judging, counts as part of the replication ritual.”

“Tribunal?”

Xia’er felt exhausted but couldn’t show it. She just nodded as if she understood.

“The Tribunal is a double-edged sword for the Church,” Yulis raised her head to face Xia’er and continued, “because the definition of ‘judgment’ isn’t limited to ‘heretics.’ Therefore, Judges can easily go to extremes.”

“Especially since Judges are usually promoted from extreme ‘Avengers,’ which makes each of them unpredictable. This problem is almost unsolvable until they reach the third stage.”

“Specifically, sinners, traitors, and killers can become subjects of judgment.”

Hearing this, Xia’er gained a better understanding.

“The ‘Avenger’ path isn’t exclusive to the Church. The term ‘judgment’ isn’t unique to the Church either; it’s not restricted to judging heretics.”

Xia’er hesitantly asked, “What about the abstract aspects?”

When she asked, Xia’er already had some answers in mind, but she hoped to confirm them with Yulis.

“My understanding is ‘belief,'” Yulis paused slightly and then said, “whether it’s ‘Reformed Monks’ or the opposite ‘Avengers,’ their intrinsic motivation for replicating rituals is belief.”

Xia’er nodded slightly.

Indeed, it was abstract.

But Xia’er could understand a little bit.

Because she once became an ‘Avenger,’ she knew the whispers in an Avenger’s mind, the anger in their hearts, and the confusion after completing a revenge.

She could use a simple analogy.

For instance, a person who, after experiencing hardship or seeing their family brutally killed, completes a revenge and becomes an “Avenger.” The ritual is complete, the revenge is over, but the hatred remains.

If this person joins the Church, they might integrate their revenge and hatred into the doctrine, blindly killing heretics and purging any blasphemy within the Church.

If this person doesn’t join the Church, they might target anyone similar to the person who killed their family, using that hatred to fuel their actions.

To illustrate, if Xia’er were to imagine the DC superhero “Rorschach” drinking the “Avenger” and “Judge” potions, he would probably drink them instantly.

Xia’er understood why the Salvation Goddess Religion strictly regulated the “Avenger” potions.

It could create an angel who despises evil or, under the influence of the potion, a demon with extreme thoughts.

Belief…

Xia’er thought of the “Radiant Bishop” named Xiu.

In the third stage portrayal, she tried her best to portray herself as a symbol of the Church, acting without emotion, guided solely by doctrine. This was the embodiment of belief within the constraints of the Church.

Xia’er felt she had a new understanding of the third stages of these two paths, and she could sense some of her own beliefs.

Initially, Xia’er just wanted a peaceful life, with her sister in her plans too.

Thomas and Solari’s plan disrupted this peace, bringing about revenge. Anyone wanting to disrupt Xia’er’s peace could be seen as a “heretic” in Xia’er’s eyes.

And the second-stage Kiti, who clearly wanted to disrupt Xia’er’s peace, was the one Xia’er intended to judge.

To be safe, as long as Xia’er could use the “Avenger” save file in the next simulation to judge and k*ll Kiti again, she would likely complete all the replication rituals for the “Judge” — since she had already killed the other cultists once.

Yulis didn’t interrupt Xiaer’s thoughts, and at that moment, there was a knock at the door.

Dong-dong-dong —

Xia’er turned her head and saw Adelle standing at the door. Her hood had come off due to intense movement, revealing her silver-white hair and a face with torn lips.

“Sit anywhere, Adelle.”

Xia’er looked at Adelle and said.

By now, Xia’er had already taken off her mask, so Adelle wouldn’t be affected.

“Yes, Bishop.”

Adelle obediently nodded and sat beside Yulis, leaning against her sister.

She had been brainwashed into becoming a cultist but still retained her memories. All her actions prioritized the Arrival Sect.

Yulis felt relieved knowing her sister was sitting beside her and slightly increased her trust in Xia’er.

“High Priestess Yulis, I have a question.”

Xia’er looked at Yulis and asked, “I heard from Aivana that members of the Arrival Sect cannot attack each other, but why didn’t Adelle face any obstacles when I ordered her to k*ll Kiti?”

Xia’er had killed many cultists before and shot Kiti in the face. She didn’t seem out of place because she wore a “Substitute Holy Relic” around her chest, an extraordinary item that bore the mark effect for Xia’er.

But Adelle could bypass the mark to k*ll Kiti, who also had a mark, which puzzled Xia’er.

Hearing Xia’er’s question, Yulis held Adelle’s hand, her expression slightly stunned.

…Are you the Bishop of the Arrival Sect or am I?

And hearing from Aivana… When did the Bishop of the Arrival Sect need someone outside the Church to explain the Church’s secrets?

“You… don’t know?”

Yulis asked uncertainly.

“I don’t.”

Xia’er answered honestly.

Or… she wasn’t lying…

“Are you really a member of the Arrival Sect?”

Yulis finally couldn’t hold back and asked.

“No, I snuck in.”

Xia’er remained honest.

Sneaking in and becoming a Bishop… and shooting down the cult priest she had just battled…

Yulis instantly felt a deep respect for the Bishop in front of her.

And confirming that the other person wasn’t a cultist, Yulis finally relaxed a bit.

During this time, Xia’er didn’t waste any opportunity.

As a high priestess of the Salvation Goddess Religion, who had secretly fought against the Arrival Sect for years, Yulis knew far more about the Arrival Sect than Aivana or Xiu did.

At the same time, Xia’er learned from Yulis about an evil secret of the Arrival Sect.

That secret was about the Arrival Mark.

This mark indeed allowed members of the Arrival Sect to know each other’s identities without speaking, providing excellent concealment.

However, the Arrival Sect exaggerated the mark’s function in propaganda, claiming that those with marks couldn’t attack other mark holders.

One obvious reason was to maintain stability and increase cohesion.

Brainwashed followers were loyal to “Satan,” but it didn’t mean they would collaborate closely. Thus, during brainwashing, a psychological suggestion about the mark was added, making them call each other brothers and sisters to stay united.

The more important reason was to cover another truth.

This mark indeed prevented attacks on other mark holders.

But the physical mark could only be held by bishops and above.

In other words, the complete explanation of the mark’s effect was: unable to attack senior mark-holding bishops.

“How do you obtain this bishop mark?”

Xia’er curiously asked.

“This is only circulated among them. Unless you k*ll a bishop-level figure and take their mark, you can’t use it,” Yulis shook her head and said, “because you need both the brainwashing mark and the combined effect to activate that mark.”

That’s perfect.

“Gambler” Xia’er had been brainwashed and now believed in “Satan.”

“Does the Salvation Goddess Religion keep these bishop marks?”

Xia’er followed up.

As mortal enemies, they had fought for so long, resulting in mutual casualties. As spoils of war, the Salvation Goddess Religion likely had some marks.

“I don’t know,” Yulis shook her head. “I’m just a high priestess and haven’t reached the bishop level. This is my first encounter with someone from the Arrival Sect.”

“Oh.”

Xia’er nodded slightly, feeling disappointed.

Suddenly, Xia’er thought of something and asked Yulis, “High Priestess Yulis, can Adelle still be saved?”

Adelle, who had been pointed out, looked confused and raised her head to look at Xia’er, unsure of what Xia’er meant. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “This injury, I can heal it myself, Bishop.”

The air froze for a moment. Not only Xia’er, but even Yulis fell silent.

Xia’er: “I’m not talking about intelligence.”

Yulis: “I know.”

Yulis: “If Adelle cooperates, I can send her back to An Su with me. The Bishop has a way to remove the mark from her body.”

Xia’er: “What if she doesn’t cooperate?”

Yulis: “We’ll knock her out and bring her back.”

To prevent Adelle from suffering further, Xia’er looked at Adelle thoughtfully and said, “Adelle, from now on, you must listen to Yulis. No disobedience.”

“But…”

Hearing Xia’er, Adelle’s expression was conflicted. She said, “My sister is a heretic…”

“This is for the Mother Goddess and the great covert operation,” Xia’er continued to persuade her. “I need you to hide your identity and infiltrate Yulis’s side. During this period, follow Yulis’s instructions carefully, except for me, no other bishops can command you to end the infiltration.”

Hearing it was for the Mother Goddess, Adelle straightened up and replied hoarsely, “Yes, Bishop!”

Yulis tightened her grip on Adelle’s hand. Only then did she truly believe that the person in front of her was genuinely here to help.

She was also grateful for Xia’er’s command over Adelle, as it would reduce Adelle’s suffering.

“Thank you, sir,” Yulis bowed slightly and respectfully thanked Xia’er.

“Yulis, I have another request.”

Xia’er refocused her gaze on Yulis.

“Please say it. As long as it doesn’t violate the teachings, I can promise you.”

Yulis supported herself and sat up a little straighter, answering seriously.

“Suppose, just suppose,” Xia’er pondered for a moment and then asked, “if I had never met you, what could I say or bring to make you unconditionally trust me?”

Xia’er realized that gaining Yulis’s trust always took a lot of time.

If there were something that could make Yulis trust Xiaer at first sight or hearing, it would save a lot of trouble in future simulations.

Even in reality, it would quickly gain Yulis’s trust without exposing too much of Xia’er’s information.

“But… I already trust you.”

Yulis looked confused and hesitated to speak, “I can guarantee that I won’t reveal any information about you after I return, nor will I investigate Aivana’s potion trade…”

“Just suppose.”

Xia’er interrupted Yulis, “Suppose it was a day ago, and I needed to tell you about a nest of the Arrival Sect in Derton Manor in Borough City. What should I say to make you unreasonably believe me and join me to k*ll Kiti?”

Finally, Xia’er added, “I just like making wild, unrealistic assumptions.”

Xia’er’s last sentence made it clear that Yulis should ignore the logic and follow her assumptions.

Yulis stopped thinking about the feasibility and instinctively closed her eyes, seriously contemplating the question.

After a long time, Yulis opened her eyes and faced Xia’er, saying, “If you had told me the date of Sheng Year 739, January 17th, I would have trusted you even more.”

Adelle, who had been silent, suddenly shuddered and turned to look at Yulis upon hearing the date.

“Is this a special day?”

Xia’er asked.

To increase the credibility of this statement in other simulations, Xia’er needed to understand the significance of this date.

“The day my world lost its color,” Yulis pointed to her eyes, seemingly casually smiling.

“Adelle didn’t know the exact date before.”

What happened back then? Even Adelle didn’t know?

But it seemed this was a secret buried deep in Yulis’s heart, possibly never written in her spiritual notes.

“Alright, I remember,” Xia’er nodded and then said to Adelle, “Carry your sister, I’ll take you back to the Church.”

“You’re escorting us back?”

Yulis asked nervously upon hearing Xia’er’s words, “Isn’t this too dangerous for you? Your identity might be exposed at any moment…”

“It’s fine.”

Xia’er shook her head. She knew there might be cultists in the city, but she only had two more hours left in the simulation. After she left, let the city burn.

Earlier, Xia’er had already searched the entire chapel but found nothing, not even potions or money.

Now, Xia’er just wanted to follow Yulis back to the Salvation Goddess Religion to see if she could get anything good from the Clock Tower Church.

She promised she would just look, not take anything.

Yulis’s legs were broken, so she could only be carried by Adelle, while Xia’er walked ahead, climbing up the spiral staircase.

Their footsteps echoed in the stairwell. Suddenly, all the kerosene lamps dimmed.

The next moment, all the lights returned, as if nothing had happened.

Xia’er stopped, raised her hand, and signaled Adelle to stop climbing.

Plink, plink…

A step sounded from above.

Those steps sounded as if something sticky was on the legs, each step causing a nauseating sensation.

Who was it?

Kacha —

Xia’er pulled out her revolver, loaded a b*llet, and aimed at herself, pulling the trigger four times.

Almost…