Chapter Fifty-Two: Marriage Alliance? Tell Me Your Reasons

The first day of the duel tournament passed for Link in a haze of idle thoughts. Today featured only minor church duels, nothing worth watching—just first-level combatants battling it out. Even Elia found them laughably weak, let alone anyone else.

Yet, upon witnessing these churches display their strength, Elia, Saga, and Aeolus felt inspired. At first, they lacked confidence in themselves, but seeing these ancient churches perform so poorly, they gained a visceral understanding of the might of the Divine Father’s Church and their own power. Their spirits soared, and they no longer felt nervous about the upcoming duels.

Link observed this and a satisfied smile curled upon his lips.

That evening, after returning to the Heavenly Spirit Church, Link prepared to retire early, but Lingwind sent someone to invite him to the chapel, saying there were important matters to discuss.

Entering the chapel, Link found not only Lingwind but also Elder Lingwater and Elder Lingwood. Puzzled, he asked, “Elders, what brings me here?”

Lingwind, the eldest, spoke first: “Archbishop Neil, we have asked you here to learn your attitude toward Lingdream.”

“My attitude toward Lingdream?” Link was momentarily stunned, then raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

Lingwind gazed into Link’s eyes, and after a long pause, she said, “Archbishop Neil, you are a wise man. In a short while, the congregation of the Heavenly Spirit Church will all join the Divine Father’s Church, and the Heavenly Spirit Church will cease to exist. Surely, you grasp our meaning?”

Link squinted, then answered calmly, “You wish to secure the congregation’s welfare through a marriage alliance?”

Lingwind nodded. “Yes. We have heard that you abolished the common prohibitions enforced in other religions. Lingdream, as the High Priestess of the Heavenly Spirit, is your equal in status. Therefore, we hope you will marry Lingdream.” She sighed, her voice tinged with sadness. “Please understand our dilemma, Archbishop Neil. The followers of the Divine Father’s Church all worship Father Link, but the Heavenly Spirit Church’s people are different. Their past makes it hard to change their faith. Without belief in the Father, they struggle to receive proper treatment. So we have resorted to this.”

Link glanced at Lingwind and countered, “Elders, I understand your reasoning. But is this fair to Lingdream?”

“Archbishop Neil, is there truly fairness in this world?” Lingwind’s tone was tranquil as she spoke of harsh reality. “Lingdream’s life was destined from the start. She will not oppose this. For us, Lingdream is not a tool, but our child. We watched her grow up; we are like mothers to her. What mother would not care for her child? Yet, as mothers and as elders governing the Heavenly Spirit Church, we are charged with protecting the entire congregation. We must, after we are gone, ensure their future is safeguarded.”

“After you are gone? What do you mean?” Link’s brows furrowed.

“Please do not misunderstand. It is not that we are unwilling to serve you, but we have another mission.” Lingwind glanced at Lingwood, who took out the ruined Prophet’s Eye.

Seeing the Prophet’s Eye, Link was surprised. “Isn’t that the Prophet’s Eye? What happened? Why does it contain a shadow?”

Lingwind spoke slowly. “To be frank, the Prophet’s Eye seals a terrifying dark demon. Every fifty years, the seal weakens, and each generation’s High Priestess of the Heavenly Spirit must strengthen it with her life and soul. Now, the Prophet’s Eye has lost its power; the seal is broken. We will fulfill the legacy of the elders, creating a new seal at the cost of our lives and souls, to prevent the demon from escaping.” She sighed. “Archbishop Neil, once the Festival of All Gods is over, we will go to Spirit Mountain outside Bass City and sacrifice ourselves. Rest assured, all matters here are entrusted to Priest Sunny. She and Lingdream will assist you in uniting the congregation.”

Hearing this, Link’s first thought was that it was cliché, the second that it was melodramatic. To encounter such a hackneyed plot—what was he supposed to say? Before traveling to this world, he would have mocked it without hesitation. But seeing the calm faces of the three elders, their brows marked by longing and nostalgia, he found himself unable to speak.

After a while, Link frowned. “Is this demon really so powerful? You must sacrifice yourselves to seal it? If it’s such a threat, why not announce it and let the experts deal with it? There are plenty of strong people here for the Festival of All Gods.”

Lingwind sighed. “If only it were that simple. According to ancient records, the dark demon possesses power equal to a Saint. Even weakened after breaking the seal, it can still fight at the seventh or eighth tier. Tell me, Archbishop Neil, do you think anyone here could stop it?”

Link gasped. Seventh or eighth tier strength—such a monster couldn’t be handled by sheer numbers. Seventh-tier combatants can unleash pressure; when they do, anyone below sixth tier collapses, and even sixth-tier fighters suffer. If it’s eighth tier, then even sixth-tier experts would fall. Just like in those internet novels where the hero’s aura makes all foes kneel—the pressure crushes anyone weaker.

Link hadn’t seen the church experts in action, but Count Lothar had said there were no seventh-tier fighters in Red Moon Province; the strongest was only early sixth tier, the Black-robed Archbishop of the Moon God Church, who hadn’t attended the festival. Among the assembled experts, fifth tier was the limit; against a seventh-tier enemy, they were mere fodder.

Thinking of this, Link frowned. “If the Prophet’s Eye sealed such a monster, why didn’t you tell me earlier? If I had known, I wouldn’t have absorbed its power.”

The three elders smiled wryly. Lingwind shook her head. “We did not expect you to absorb its power the moment you picked up the Prophet’s Eye. We merely wanted to see if you could hold it.” She paused, and seeing Link’s embarrassed expression, she added, “Archbishop Neil, do not blame yourself. This was foretold. At the foundation of the Heavenly Spirit Church, this day was prophesied, and so there have always been three elders.”

Link fell silent for a moment, then asked hopefully, “If the demon is still sealed, why not seek help from other churches to strengthen the seal, instead of sacrificing yourselves?”

Lingwind replied with a question: “Archbishop Neil, human hearts are unpredictable. If others knew, would there not be some who, seeing the demon still sealed, might try to seize it for their own ends?”

Link was speechless. Coming from a world rife with greed, he knew well the dangers of human nature. Even if they knew how terrifying the demon was, as long as it remained sealed, there would be those who would covet it.

Relying on others for the sake of righteousness was less reliable than hoping the True God System would give him a weapon capable of slaying the demon.

Wait—the True God System? Yes, it was still upgrading. When complete, might it grant him something useful? Even if not a weapon to kill the demon outright, perhaps something to help the elders seal it? What if the system became generous and gave just such a gift?

With this thought, Link quickly asked, “Elders, how much time remains before the dark demon breaks free of the Prophet’s Eye?”

Lingwind considered. “It should hold for ten more days.”

Link’s eyes lit up and he broke into a priestly smile. “Father above, Elders, do not speak of sacrificing yourselves so soon. The exalted Father would not stand by and watch noble souls like yours perish. Perhaps, in a few days, the Father will bestow divine grace, aiding you in sealing the demon.”

“Father?” The three elders exchanged glances. Lingwind frowned. “Archbishop Neil, you mean the True God will help us?”

“Let me say again, not the True God, but the exalted Father Link. Please don’t confuse the two.” Link emphasized, then answered, “Father is merciful. Even though you are not his followers, he would not watch you die needlessly.” He paused. “Elders, if you trust me, wait four days. Perhaps, after four days, a solution will appear. You said it yourself: ten days until the demon breaks free. We have plenty of time. Four days is not too much to ask.”

Lingwind hesitated, then nodded. “If it’s only four days, we can wait.” She made no further mention of whether the Father would manifest, indicating her trust in Link.

Link smiled. “Rest assured, Elders. I cannot guarantee Father will intervene, but I will do my best, praying to Father for you.”

The three elders replied with grateful smiles.

Then Link added, “And about the congregation, do not worry. Even if they don’t believe in the Father now, I am confident that once they witness his divine grace, they will become faithful in time. So don’t force Lingdream to sacrifice her happiness for their future. Let the marriage alliance be abandoned.”

He expected the elders to agree readily, but they exchanged meaningful smiles, and Lingwind said, “Archbishop Neil, we still hope you will consent to the marriage.”

“Uh, why?” Link asked, frowning in confusion.

“Because it is the concern of elders for their child’s future happiness,” Lingwind explained gently. “We wish Lingdream to marry you not simply for sacrifice, but for her happiness and the wish of all past High Priestesses. Each generation has hoped to live as a normal woman, to love, marry, and bear children—but their duty prevented it. With Lingdream, the mission ends, she is free. We hope she will find happiness and fulfill the dream of past High Priestesses.” She fixed Link with a half-smile. “From our observations, you are most tolerant of Lingdream, harboring no prejudice against her. We believe you can give her happiness. Everyone knows Lingdream’s temperament—besides you, we can’t imagine anyone else who could endure her ways.”

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A new week begins—asking for recommendation votes, favorites, rewards, clicks, and All Gods Festival votes. Anything at all, gratefully received.