Chapter 76: The Strange Source of Holy Power

[Ding, congratulations to the host. The second step of Fate’s Guidance, “Chaos of Destiny,” has been completed. The rift in time and space has been opened by evil humans. The final step of Fate’s Guidance, “Sanctification of Destiny,” is now active. Please, in the name of God, spread the radiance and become the Saint.]

[Ding, the host has completed Fate’s Guidance and attained the achievement: Fate’s Guide. Matching rewards… Matching complete. Congratulations, host, you have obtained the advanced item: Source of Holy Power.]

As soon as the system’s words fell, a black energy orb, no bigger than a fingernail, appeared out of thin air before Link. He stared blankly at the floating orb, his expression dazed for a long while before his brows finally knit together. “A rift in time and space, ascension to sainthood, and an advanced item handed to me directly? What’s going on? What is actually happening right now?”

This onslaught of information left Link deeply unsettled. He had heard of the rift in time and space before—one thousand years ago, the dark creatures that plagued the world had come from such a rift. Legend held that this world had two dimensions, one positive and one negative, separated by a barrier. The rift in time and space was a breach in this barrier between dimensions.

Back then, the Empire on Which the Sun Never Set had gathered the strength of ten Saints and countless heroes to seal the rift, using the Sword of Light’s Seal and other tools to suppress the dark creatures. Yet, a millennium later, a group of unknown people had opened the rift once more—and now it seemed linked to Link himself. How could he possibly remain calm?

As for becoming a Saint, while the exact meaning was unclear, the system’s words suggested he should continue preaching and growing stronger—perhaps even become a Saint in truth.

Finally, there was the advanced item from the system. Items weren’t part of the lottery options, nor did the system’s shop sell them. So far, Link had only obtained two such items, each more precious than divine powers. The first was the Basic Magic Core, which granted him a vast amount of magic and rapid recovery. The second was this black energy orb before him.

The Source of Holy Power!

The path to sainthood and the Source of Holy Power—what connection did these two hold?

Link contemplated this for a long while, then finally reached out and grasped the Source of Holy Power. The moment he did, its effect appeared:

Upon consumption, generates Holy Power.

Just these simple words, with no further explanation—no description of what Holy Power actually was.

Link’s brow furrowed further; never before had he encountered such a baffling item. He had no idea what use it had. He could understand Holy Power as a kind of force, but what exactly this force was, there was no clue. Was he supposed to experiment himself?

With no other ideas, Link gritted his teeth and swallowed the black energy orb.

At once, he sensed the Source of Holy Power transform, turning into an energy both warm and cold, which quickly moved toward his brain and settled deep within his mind as a strange new energy.

This energy was small and weak, as if it might vanish at any moment. Yet it gave Link a sense of vastness and grandeur, as though once it matured, it would become something incomparable.

Still, Link could not fathom its use. He could wield this new energy, yet it would not power any spell or martial art, nor did it enhance his body. It seemed to serve no purpose at all—a mere ornament.

An advanced, precious artifact, and this was what it did? It couldn’t boost any abilities, had no apparent use? System, why is everything you produce so unreliable? Is your true name not the True God System, but the Pitfall System?

Link cursed in frustration. He went to find others to test it further, but still discovered nothing. No one else could even sense this new force.

Helpless, Link set aside the matter of the Holy Power for now and reported the rift in time and space to the upper echelons of the Church of the Father.

He spoke under the name of the Father, and none doubted him. All were struck with terror. The rift and the dark creatures were tales of legend and myth, but to the people of today, they represented a catastrophe not to be underestimated. After all, the mighty Empire on Which the Sun Never Set had taken over a century to seal the rift and vanquish the dark creatures.

Though there was no concrete evidence that the dark creatures would return, the existence of the rift itself was certain. No one could afford to let down their guard.

However, the three Cardinals advised against making the matter public for now. They had no proof, and spreading word would only make them seem alarmist. The Father’s divine revelation did not carry much weight beyond their ranks and might make the Church of the Father a target for ridicule and attack by other factions.

Most importantly, since the rift was man-made, the culprit would likely be able to control it. If the Church of the Father made a public proclamation, they would become a thorn in the side of this hidden enemy, and the first to be attacked.

Even with the Father’s protection, the three Cardinals did not think this was wise. They suggested remaining silent for now, while discreetly alerting Count Lothar so he could prepare. If the threat was truly the rift, it would not be a mere regional issue.

Everyone agreed, and Link made the decision: the Church would maintain a semi-mobilized state of alert, ongoing projects would continue, and Altair’s spy network would begin gathering information on the rift.

When the emergency meeting ended, Link summoned Sisley and Milene to his room. This was the first time he had called them privately and informally, making the two girls extremely nervous, fearful they had angered Link.

Their worries were not groundless—since joining the Church, the two had caused their share of mishaps, especially Sisley, whose absent-mindedness led to frequent and laughable blunders: entering the men’s restroom by mistake, tripping over nothing, breaking dishes and cups—all in one month.

Yet Link had never punished them, which, though a relief, also made them anxious. Now, being summoned, they feared he would lose patience and drive them out.

After a month, these two homeless girls could not bear the thought of leaving the Church. Life here was not free, but the people were kind, no one forced them to work or showed them contempt. It might not match their former lives, but it was a thousand times better than the fear and hardship after the destruction of the Lotus Sect.

Moreover, though they had learned little of the Church’s core secrets, Link’s deliberate hints had revealed a few things: the Church had twice witnessed miracles, possessed a training ground granted by the Father for Holy Knights, and could produce powerful warriors in a short time.

All these “secrets” pointed to one thing—the Church of the Father was powerful, on par with the great sects, more than capable of destroying the Cult of Baal.

Under these circumstances, Sisley and Milene wanted nothing more than to stay. Thus, after a brief consultation, they knelt before Link as soon as they entered, apologizing earnestly. Link was taken aback, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Get up, I’m not sending you away. I just want to ask you something.”

The two exchanged looks of delighted surprise. Sisley quickly asked, “Archbishop Neil, you truly won’t send us away?”

Link nodded. “Of course not. Get up. I just have some questions for you.” In his heart he added: Even if you wanted to leave, I wouldn’t let you—my followers haven’t learned your alchemy yet.

Naturally, the two girls had no idea what Link was really thinking. Overjoyed, they stood up and promised to answer any questions as best they could.

Without further ado, Link explained his purpose: he wanted to know what the Cult of Baal had been after when they destroyed the Lotus Sect—what treasure was so important. Although the system had not said so directly, the events surrounding the Fate’s Guidance achievement made him suspect the rift was linked to the Cult of Baal and the relic they had seized.

But Sisley and Milene truly knew little of this. Though high-ranking members of their former sect, they had not been at the center. That secret treasure was a closely guarded mystery, known only to the Lotus Sect’s highest leaders. They could not give Link the answer he wanted.

Just as Link was growing disappointed, Milene, after a moment’s thought, said, “Wait, I recall hearing Archbishop Bill mention, by accident, that the treasure could open some kind of rift.”

With this, Link was certain: the rift was indeed opened by the Cult of Baal using that sacred relic. Without hesitation, he sent the girls to rest, and wrote a letter to be delivered by Saga on Whitewing to Bath City, detailing everything to Count Lothar. He trusted the Count’s wisdom to handle the situation.

With Whitewing gone, the Church temporarily lost full surveillance of the town. Saga and Whitewing would not return until morning, but Link believed a day would pass without incident. Yet he had forgotten a certain adage: when you believe something impossible, that one-in-a-million chance will come to pass.

That very night, a mysterious group approached the town. Their leader was a man in his sixties, his face sunken and grim. His eyes fixed on the town with a burning hatred, as if they could reduce souls to ashes.

Unlike their leader, the others wore conflicted expressions, torn and hesitant. At last, a man in his thirties spoke, his voice trembling: “Archbishop, must we really do this? If we use what the demons gave us, we will become eternal sinners in the eyes of mankind!”