There's definitely something wrong with this murder mystery game-Chapter 770 - 656: That Dragon

Chapter 770: Chapter 656: That Dragon

Zuo Fang didn’t bring the young man to the Underground Temple with him.

He left the dragon above the castle and, after giving instructions to the Sun Knights guarding it, opened the secret passage and entered the Underground Temple alone.

Before entering, Zuo Fang glanced back sharply, and only after not detecting any signs of being followed did he feel somewhat relieved.

It seems the lad has some sense of restraint after all.

…

…

In the City of Light, at the Light Church.

Inside the inner temple, about twenty members of the Priesthood who had reached an agreement were seated around the long table of the temple.

Under the diffuse light of the temple, they were dressed in clerical robes edged with gold on a red base; some were white-haired and old, while others were in the prime of life, vigorous and full of energy.

The selection of the Supervisory Bishop was not about seniority.

In the words of the Holy Court, as long as one’s heart is true, anyone can become the most favored disciple of the deity.

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The specific method is similar to the entrance requirements of the Star Guild; getting the deity’s mark qualifies one to become a core member.

That’s how the Papal was chosen, too.

In the entire Holy See of Light, the two most prestigious identities are first, the Papal, and second, the Choir’s Holy Maiden; both have received the blessing mark of the God of Light, and their status in the court is akin to being incarnations of the God of Light on earth.

The Supervisory Bishops, on the other hand, are akin to God’s Acolytes walking the earth with the God of Light.

They too bear a mark, but it is simply the ordinary mark of Light; each Supervisory Bishop has the impression of a Sun Crown at the brow.

A golden halo at its center, with sixteen lines of light radiating around it—this is the Sun Crown of the Light Church.

Xu Shuo wears the Sun Crown on his head.

And he has none of such on his brow.

However, upon searching the Holy Father’s body, such a mark was found in his brain; this is what distinguishes a Supervisory Bishop from the Papal and the Holy Maiden.

And now, more than twenty Supervisory Bishops gather together, naturally for the matter of the Papal going to the Royal Capital to crown the Crown Prince.

As the Papal of the Holy See of Light, the pageantry of his departure must not be trivialized.

More significantly, the significance of this trip is different from the past.

Besides the overt dispatch of the Holy Court’s army to the Royal Capital, the Priesthood also plans to arrange the real Knight Orders on the other side to confuse the eyes of the Empire and securely escort the Papal’s chariot to the Royal Capital.

Although most of the Supervisory Bishops actually do not quite approve of the Papal’s visit.

Even if one wished to move against the imperial authority, a decoy could be sent to the Royal Capital; there was no need for him to go in person.

Xu Shuo sat at the highest seat of the temple, silent, propping up his chin reluctantly within the diffuse golden light, watching the group of colorfully vested people below.

After they had finished their heated discussion, Xu Shuo finally spoke, “Aside from the Bright Moon Knight Order setting out from Castle Kasai, dispatch another troop of the Holy Court’s army disguised as the Order of the Sun Knights to the north; once they enter the northern territory, have them remove the disguise and return.”

The Supervisory Bishops were momentarily taken aback, and the elder at the forefront asked, “What is this about?”

Xu Shuo said lazily, “No particular purpose, just sending them on a random run.”

Priesthood: “…”

So, he thought one smoke bomb wasn’t enough and decided to set off another?

It wasn’t altogether unacceptable.

Moreover, seeing the Papal taking such caution, the Priesthood felt somewhat relieved; if the person concerned were indifferent to the matter, then all their efforts in security would be for naught.

Just then, the altar between the conference table and the Papal Throne lit up, and the magic array underneath shimmered with golden light.

A jade stone then floated up.

Xu Shuo’s weary mood from staying up late was slightly lifted; he beckoned the jade stone over with a wave, his spiritual power probing into it, and saw a long string of characters.

He skimmed through the text swiftly, his eyes under the helmet stirring thoughtfully.

“Your Holiness, is it about the matter of Black Dragon Island?” asked one of the Supervisory Bishops below.

Xu Shuo nodded, “Black Dragon Island has been located by the Order of the Solar Knights; however, they have not found any black dragons there.”

Hearing this, the leading Supervisory Bishop revealed an understanding look, then glanced at the little Pontiff on the Holy Seat with an indulgent expression tinged with helplessness and said, “Although the ancient records did indeed mention the giant dragon race, that was a thousand years ago— them not being there is normal.”

So, it’s been so long without any sign of them, they might already be extinct.

Xu Shuo glanced at him upon hearing this.

He wondered whether he should just smack him in the face.

But after careful consideration, as the dignified and solemn Pontiff, he decided not to do such a thing.

Instead, he simply waved his hand and sent the jade stone over.

The chief Supervisory Bishop skillfully probed the stone with Light Magic, the jade then dissipated into light spots, and after that the text floated out for all to see.

…

Because Zuo Fang was not sure whether the Holy See of Light had any members on their side, nor did he know who would be the first to see the information he conveyed, the message on the jade stone was narrated in a very official tone.

He first briefly described the situation of the Knight Order landing on Black Dragon Island, then the case of the fleeing girl.

Finally, he noted—with simplicity—that although there were no dragons on the island, there was a dragon in the city.

Moreover, the dragon claimed to be the last one in the world.

Even more importantly, it seemed to have the intention of joining forces with the Holy Court.

…

After a while,

The very same Supervisory Bishop who had spoken earlier maintained his composure, as if he had never mentioned the absence of giant dragons.

He even furrowed his brows, thoughtfully analyzing, “Strange, if the race of giant dragons truly still exists, but no news of them has been heard for a thousand years. Why would it be that right when Saint Vlaro the Eighteenth wants to make a move against the Holy Court, a giant dragon also appears?”

Listening to him, one would think the Holy Court had not been plotting against the royal powers for decades.

The timing of the dragon’s appearance is actually quite normal.

Although I don’t know how the plot unfolds in the original world, the contradiction between religious and royal powers has accumulated for a thousand years, already swelling to a peak, where what is inexorable will rebound, and this shadow-like balance has reached a precarious point.

Otherwise, the current Pontiff would not want to overthrow royal authority, and the current King would not want to eradicate divine authority.

Both sides have long harbored this intention.

The incident at Black Dragon Island was merely a catalyst.

In reality, perhaps it was for this reason.

And this war between ecclesiastical and royal powers is bound to be long and drawn-out; whose house will be graced by the power of the dragon is unpredictable, with the situation changing every moment, and no one at that time could have foreseen the outcome.

But in the game,

It’s just that the players acted much quicker.

They do not need to worry about the chain reactions after the downfall of someone, nor do they need to worry about how their actions will affect the future; factions and missions have already been decided.

What the players need to do is to compress wars of ten or even a hundred years into mere moments.

Xu Shuo, propping his chin, smiled and said, “Regardless, now that the matters on Black Dragon Island have ended, let the Order of the Sun Knights bring that dragon back to the City of Light.”

The Supervisory Bishop was startled: “Your Holiness, the timing of that dragon’s appearance is too strange, it could very well be a trap!”

“My Chief Knight will not bring danger to me, this matter requires no further discussion. The Holy Court’s army heading to the Royal Capital will also be arranged to depart at noon tomorrow,” Xu Shuo said, brooking no argument.

“If you depart tomorrow, then what about that dragon…” The Supervisory Bishops were even more perplexed.

From the Tunus City-State to the City of Light, even if one were to ride hard without stopping, it would take a day and a night; wouldn’t this mean that the Pontiff would have just left and the dragon would arrive right after?

Then what’s the point of meeting?

Why have it come to the City of Light at all?

To deliberately set a timed bomb in one’s own lair?

Xu Shuo’s lips curled up slightly, but all he said was, “There’s no need to worry, I have my plans for that dragon. Focus on preparing for the Royal Capital. The City of Light cannot be left without an Overseer, so decide among yourselves who will stay and who will accompany me to the Royal Capital.”

As his words fell, the atmosphere around the conference table suddenly grew tense, with piercing glances being exchanged, even the elder Supervisory Bishops refused to show weakness.

To accompany His Holiness on a journey is of great honor!

The first battle in vanquishing the royal power that dares to defile the Pontiff’s divine might is even more so an honor for the entire Church of Light!

…