Chapter 481 Meeting
Inland North Ufeiga, the capital of the Kingdom of Adus, Adis.
After Vaneya and her entourage arrived at Adis Station aboard the Desert Arrow train, they were warmly received by the Adus Revolutionary Army. Upon exiting the station, they were transported by special vehicles to the former palace of the Baruch royal family, where they rested for a night. The next morning, after breakfast, the leader of the Adus Revolutionary Army, Sha Di, came to visit and invited Vaneya to tour Adis with him, which she naturally agreed to.
It was still early in the morning; the sun had yet to reach its zenith, and the temperature hadn’t reached its peak. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Sha Di led Vaneya and a group of attendants to the bustling streets of Adus. The once grand Central Avenue was now quite dilapidated; many buildings showed clear signs of damage, with rubble scattered everywhere. Some areas bore scorch marks from fires, and the towering statue of the former king at the intersection had been toppled and broken into pieces. Various people were seen busily working around, repairing houses or cleaning streets. The broken statue of the king was being loaded onto carriages and carted away, while revolutionary soldiers stood guard at street corners, weapons in hand, maintaining order.
“This used to be Gold Staff Road, the most luxurious area in Adis and all of Adus, reserved for the upper class and foreigners to indulge in luxury and debauchery. The Baruch Dynasty invested heavily in building here. Originally, there were many traces of the Baruch royal power. We are now gradually clearing and repairing the damages caused by the battles. Once everything is settled, this place will be open to everyone.”
“Many foreign merchants used to operate here, but they have all left due to the ongoing war. Although we overthrew the Baruch rule, we harbor no ill will toward any foreigners. On the premise of safeguarding the interests of Adus, we are willing to engage with all foreign friends. Those who left can return to do business here if they are willing to accept the fairer laws of new Adus and behave more modestly. We welcome them and guarantee their safety…”
As they walked down the street, Sha Di introduced the surrounding situation to Vaneya, also explaining the policies and objectives of the revolutionary army. Vaneya nodded frequently as she listened, genuinely agreeing with his policies and measures.
“In the past on the main continent, I often saw reports about the fringe world beyond the main continent. They often featured various rebels trying to overthrow their own governments. In these reports, these rebels were portrayed as savage, uncivilized, and uneducated bandits, only knowing how to k*ll and rob, seemingly aiming to plunder and destroy the entire country…
“At first, I thought you and your men were like those bandits described in the newspapers—robbers powerful enough to plunder a nation. But reality has shown me that I was wrong. Your plans and the discipline of your men impress me…”
With a gentle tone, Vaneya spoke to Sha Di, maintaining her dignified demeanor. Vaneya was not particularly skilled at handling major formal occasions, but since last year, she had encountered such situations more frequently. Fortunately, each time she had relied on Dorothy for advice or direct control to manage the situation.
With Dorothy’s help, Vaneya had experienced various settings, from dealing with the Tribunal to the Wolf bl**d Association, from the Elders of Xias Tree to the Archbishop of Iwig. After gaining experience, Vaneya had become less dependent on Dorothy and could handle situations on her own, as she did now.
“Haha… It’s normal for the newspapers on the main continent to look down on us as backward border dwellers. However, what they say isn’t entirely wrong. There are very few true revolutions among the various uprisings in North Ufeiga; most are just rebellions. Many so-called rebels not only sh**t at their former oppressors but also at those who were once oppressed like themselves. Bloody and disorderly rebellions are common in many resistance events, but those who act differently are rare.”
Sha Di said to Vaneya, who nodded thoughtfully. Then she followed him further until they came across a square filled with long lines of people wearing robes, seemingly waiting for something.
“What is this?”
“Oh, this is where we distribute bread to those affected by the war. Normal life and production in Adis and the whole of Adus have not yet resumed. Many people affected by the war need this kind of aid.”
Sha Di responded to Vaneya, who immediately replied.
“I see, that’s good… We brought some food and medical supplies from Kankdar. We hope to help the people here. The supplies are still on the train. Mr. Sha Di, please send someone to fetch them and organize their distribution to those in need.”
“Oh… You actually brought aid? That’s wonderful. We need these essentials right now. Thank you, Sister Vaneya, for genuinely thinking about the people of Adus and respecting me.”
After hearing Vaneya’s words, Sha Di sincerely thanked her. He was not surprised that she brought aid, but he was surprised that she handed the supplies to him to manage, rather than having his people distribute them under the church’s name to win hearts. Vaneya’s actions clearly respected Sha Di’s dominant position in Adis, which elevated his opinion of her and slightly raised his expectations for the negotiations.
Facing Sha Di’s gratitude, Vaneya continued with a devout posture.
“May the people of Adus have a bright future under the light of the Holy Mother.”
As soon as Vaneya finished speaking, an old voice echoed nearby.
“Hah… The light of your Holy Mother probably won’t reach Adus. Of course, neither will the others.”
Hearing this voice, Sha Di and Vaneya turned towards the direction it came from. They then noticed Muhehtar, dressed in a robe, approaching them with several attendants. Sha Di looked slightly surprised upon seeing Muhehtar and asked:
“Lord Muhehtar, weren’t you supposed to preach in the temple this morning?”
“Yes, but there’s a meeting this afternoon. I wanted to rest, so I went out for a walk, and I decided to try preaching on the streets myself. Hearing you two were here, I came over to check,” Muhehtar replied, then glanced at Vaneya beside Sha Di with a glint in his eye. Vaneya paused slightly before smiling and saying:
“So it is Lord Muhehtar. As one of the influential figures of the Southern Sect, personally preaching is admirable, but if the teachings are slightly distorted, it might affect your reputation…”
After seeking internal counsel, Vaneya politely addressed Muhehtar, who narrowed his eyes and continued:
“Yes, the teachings must not be distorted or altered. But who is distorting or altering them, us or you?
“The Lord resides in the sun, illuminating all things. The salvation and great deeds of the Redeemer come from the Lord and belong to the Lord, not to others. All beings who sense and believe in the Redeemer should be grateful to Him. The Lord saves all, and all should be grateful to the Lord, not to anything else…”
Muhehtar said solemnly to Vaneya, who responded devoutly:
“Indeed, the Savior saves all, and all should be grateful to the Savior. Yet, the Three Saints are manifestations of the Savior, and they are also the Savior Himself. The Three Saints are the Savior, and the Savior is the Three Saints. There is no difference in essence, so why speak of anything else?”
Vaneya finished speaking, and Muhehtar paused slightly before continuing:
“The Lord’s divine power is boundless. No need for an incarnation to save the world or shepherd it.
“The Savior’s divine power is boundless and His status is exalted. There is no need for Him to personally save the world or shepherd it.”
Vaneya simply responded to Muhehtar’s statement, and Muhehtar, holding a scripture, continued questioning:
“The Lord, with His supreme work of saving the world, should personally gather the wishes of all living beings. An incarnation is merely to carry out tasks. Why should He gather the wishes of billions and usurp the role of the host?
“The wishes of billions of living beings are also their thoughts, desires, sufferings, and sins… Since the Savior has the supreme work of saving the world, why should He be disturbed by the myriad distractions and desires of this world? He rests in the divine palace of the sun, listening to the prayers of all beings. Entrusting this to the Three Saints is sufficient. All beings are born with the grace of the Savior’s salvation. Having received this grace, why should we demand that the Savior do everything personally?”
Vaneya countered sharply, almost translating Muhehtar’s question and providing her answer immediately, even countering him with her words. Muhehtar clearly did not expect this young nun to be so capable in debate, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Sha Di, who had been observing quietly, was surprised by Muhehtar’s disadvantage. Initially, he had just listened silently. After Vaneya’s responses to Muhehtar, his gaze shifted more towards her. Seeing Sha Di’s reaction, Muhehtar’s eyes flashed with slight anger before he continued:
“The light of the Three Saints only shines on the main continent. Your church colludes deeply with the main continent’s powers, exploiting the people of Adus. When the people of Adus suffer, none of the followers of the Three Saints rescue them. Instead, it is us, guided by the light of the Lord, who save this country.”
Muhehtar continued frankly. Listening to this argument, Sha Di’s brows furrowed slightly. Then Vaneya turned to Sha Di and said:
“The greatest contributor to saving this country is Mr. Sha Di. Through relentless efforts, he finally achieved his great cause. As a child, Mr. Sha Di once worshiped at the altar of the Holy Son. Despite countless hardships and infinite crises, he grew continuously and ultimately became a hero who saved the country. This is an achievement few can accomplish. I believe there must be some wondrous destiny behind it. Under some guidance, Mr. Sha Di has reached this point…”
Vaneya said to Sha Di, attributing the greatest credit for saving Adus to him, rather than the Savior’s Incarnation Sect. She implied that Sha Di was sent by the Three Saints as a believer. Hearing this, Sha Di scrutinized her again, while Muhehtar laughed.
“Haha… So you mean Sha Di is a believer of the Three Saints, Sha Di, tell us, who do you believe in?”
Muhehtar said to Sha Di, who fell silent. After taking a deep breath, he slowly said:
“I believe in… the Supreme Lord.”
“Be specific! Which Lord exactly? One of the Three Saints or the Lord? You used to be able to explain this well before,” Muhehtar said seriously. Sha Di did not respond immediately but fell into another silence. His originally resolute eyes were filled with many emotions, and his aura became oppressive, like a silent volcano. Vaneya’s eyes revealed a hint of worry.
“I believe in… the god who brings freedom and peace to Adus… And that god is…”
“Sir Sha Di! Outside the city, a migrating tribe and locals are in conflict over water! Hundreds of people have gathered there! There could be a large-scale clash. The situation is urgent! Please go and take a look!”
At this moment, a revolutionary soldier suddenly ran over from afar, urgently saying to Sha Di. Hearing the soldier’s words, Sha Di sighed with relief and said to Vaneya and Muhehtar:
“There’s an urgent matter outside the city. I must go and check it out. I can’t accompany you two for now. Let’s meet again for the afternoon negotiations…”
Sha Di finished speaking and quickly left with the revolutionary soldier. For a moment, only Vaneya and Muhehtar remained. After exchanging a glance, they both left without a word.
Soon, it was afternoon, and the first round of negotiations officially began in the conference hall of the Adus Palace. Sha Di, Muhehtar, and Vaneya, representing three factions, sat at the negotiation table to discuss the issues facing Adus.
Just like the conversation between Vaneya and Muhehtar that morning, this negotiation was not pleasant. The main discussion revolved around the issue of faith, specifically whether the new Adus should legitimize the Savior’s Incarnation Sect.
Vaneya represented the Church, whose bottom line was that Adus must not allow the formalization of heretical beliefs within its territory. New Adus must clearly distance itself from the Savior’s Incarnation Sect. The Savior’s Incarnation Sect demanded the expulsion of all Three Saints Churches and the takeover of all Glimmer Churches by their members. Their views were diametrically opposed, and the differences were immense.
At this critical juncture, Sha Di’s stance as the leader of the revolutionary army became crucial. However, during the entire negotiation, he rarely spoke and mostly remained silent. Even at the end of the meeting, he did not provide a clear stance.
Finally, the first negotiation ended without any constructive results, and everyone dispersed in an unpleasant atmosphere. After seeing off both parties, Sha Di returned to his residence alone by carriage, his expression still troubled. He gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Just then, a clear voice echoed beside him.
“Heh… I warned you long ago that collaborating with the ‘Lamp’ sect’s fanatics would eventually lead to big problems. Now you’re experiencing the bitter taste of being caught between a rock and a hard place, kid.”
Accompanied by this figure, a ghostly image appeared beside Sha Di—a mummified figure almost completely withered, wearing a long, curved golden crown, a veil covering his face, adorned with magnificent gold jewelry in the style of the First Dynasty of ancient Ufeiga. His pupils burned with ghostly flames. Upon seeing the apparition, Sha Di did not show any surprise but instead muttered:
“Setute… What should I do now…”
