Chapter 8: Church of Light (2)
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A giant sinkhole, huh?
Lin Nan’s keen eyes spotted a key word in the post from “Stuck in the Demon Camp but Heart Still with Han.”
“Xi, have you discovered any sinkholes around the Imperial Capital recently?”
“Report to the Lord, there haven’t been any.”
“Then expand the search. If anything comes up, notify me immediately via private message.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
The two of them communicated directly without regard to distance through their unique connection via the master and character card.
However, due to limited information, in case of emergencies or major issues, the character card would still prefer to report to the master in person.
That Man in Black Robe in the sinkhole…
After giving instructions to Xi, Lin Nan fell into deep thought.
Currently in the Empire, the only ones with magical abilities were the Harpists and Mages.
And all the Harpists were female, casting spells accompanied by the unmistakable sound of “ding ding dong,” making them quite distinctive.
So, those Men in Black Robe were likely Mages with imperial bloodlines.
Unfortunately, the current forum couldn’t support image uploads, so Lin Nan could only deduce the identities of those Men in Black Robe literally.
If we assume they are Mages,
then their appearance near the sinkhole must have been sanctioned by the Emperor.
The only question is, what on earth are they doing casting spells in that sinkhole?
Moreover, the players being held captive, kept barely alive at the lowest cost; it seemed just as “Stuck in the Demon Camp but Heart Still with Han” suggested, once those Mages completed their mission in the sinkhole, the players would likely face an unpredictable disaster.
Could it be… the Demon Race is trying to replicate the bl**d Sacrifice of All Spirits in the East Sea Underground Palace,
and pull off a similar performance?
With that thought, it seemed like all the questions made sense.
The Empire’s Emperor must have turned a blind eye to the Church of Light’s crazed expansion, continuously recruiting newcomers,
likely to gather enough followers in a short time.
Then, at some specific moment, gather them in the sinkhole and initiate a ritual.
So, from now on, she must keep a close watch on the movements of the Church of Light.
Once the cultists showed signs of large-scale movement, it would probably signify the royal family’s attempts to execute their plans.
Of course, these were just her speculations based on the current information, the reality might differ greatly from her thoughts. But for now, she could only proceed with her investigation according to the existing logic, making adjustments according to any new discoveries along the way.
“Please have Trissa come here.”
“Yes, Lord Messenger.”
The maid waiting at the door immediately went to convey the Lord Messenger’s command.
Before long, Trissa, who hadn’t returned home, arrived before Lin Nan.
“Greetings, Lord Lin.”
Upon hearing that title, Lin Nan felt quite fondly.
She helped Trissa up and smiled, “So, how does it feel to be one of the Empire’s three top SS Harpists?”
Trissa respectfully replied, “Without your teachings, Lord Lin, I fear I would never reach SS-level heights in this lifetime.”
“Don’t be humble; I’ve only given a demonstration once or twice. You and Edith’s grasping ability is remarkable; even I am impressed.”
“Even the driest firewood needs a source to ignite; Lord Lin’s kindness is unforgettable to me.”
While Trissa maintained a respectful demeanor,
Lin Nan could sense in her eyes a burning desire to achieve.
Like a teenager suddenly gaining superpowers, expecting them to stay modest and not attract attention is utterly impossible.
“Enough about that. I brought you here to ask you to do something.”
Trissa raised her head, her golden hair flowing like a glowing waterfall, eyes shining brightly, making her unforgettable.
“What would you have me do, my Lord?”
Lin Nan thought carefully before asking, “How has Count Morris been lately?”
“My father sent someone to inquire. After the embassy was thrown into jail, His Majesty has yet to send anyone to interrogate them, as if he’s forgotten them entirely.”
“And what do you think the reason is?”
Trissa pondered for a moment, “I believe… His Majesty might be looking for a scapegoat. After all, Prince Eric tragically died during the Sky Tower operation, yet most of the embassy members and the prince’s personal guard survived.
This will undoubtedly lead people to believe that incompetence of the subordinates caused the prince’s untimely demise.
Thus, to quell the anger of the Eric family, His Majesty must take a few heads to ensure royal stability.”
Lin Nan nodded, “So, this means Count Morris being imprisoned has nothing to do with the Church of Light?”
“Yes, up until now, there hasn’t been any indication that the Church of Light has extended its reach into the court.”
“Since Morris is a distant nephew of Prince Eric, he must also have royal bl**d, right?”
Trissa replied, “Yes, but being a distant relative, his bloodline is certainly quite diluted.
And during his time with the embassy, I never heard of Morris using any Mage skills.”
“Is it possible he hasn’t discovered his potential?” Lin Nan inquired.
“Mages, like Harpists, have their abilities linked to potential – in other words, the purity of their bloodline. While Morris might be able to use some minor Mage skills, if he hasn’t received proper training since childhood, those traits will fade as he matures.”
Lin Nan said nonchalantly, “Perhaps I could lend him a hand, getting him back in the Emperor’s good graces.”
Trissa was taken aback, “You mean we should immediately ask the Emperor for a decree of execution for them?
But… what about Adeline? Those two may appear to be master and servant, but they’re actually lovers who care deeply for each other.
Though Adeline’s position is lower, if we find a way, she could still be elevated to nobility.
So, please, let’s keep Morris from a quick demise, Lord Lin.”
Lin Nan replied, “… You’ve misunderstood. I actually want to help Morris.
So the reason I called you here is—if possible, I want to meet him.
Perhaps that’s the only way to spare his life.”
Trissa immediately responded, “Lord Lin, don’t worry. I will arrange it right away.”
As long as Morris can escape and not meet his end, Adeline, who’s been gloomy for days, will surely smile again.
But what Trissa doesn’t realize is that Adeline has actually been preoccupied with Lin Nan’s former bodyguard, Xi.
If there were a better option, she wouldn’t have her eyes on Morris.
