NOVEL WEB Chapter 100
Chapter 100: The Archbishop Who Licks Boots and the Rust-Colored Faceless Angel (8000-word chapter)
Xia’er retreated to the back of the group.
Prior to this, in the Judge’s archive, the potions she had acquired from Adelle were not retained on her person. She was a “Judge,” not a “Missionary,” and therefore had no means to treat injuries. Thus, she stepped aside, allowing those with healing abilities to step forward and provide aid.
Gazing at Lucy, the “Fated One” lying nearby on the ground, still convulsing and bleeding, Xia’er couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt arise within her.
She raised her head and scanned her surroundings, spotting the altar not far away. Aside from the massive stones and bricks that had fallen from the collapsed dome, the interior arrangement of the Underground Sanctuary remained almost identical to how Xia’er had first seen it.
There were merely some additional barricades and white cloths used to cover certain religious symbols and slogans.
It had been over forty days since those factions arrived here… Investigations had been ongoing for more than forty days.
All that needed to be investigated had already been uncovered, and everything that needed to be taken had already been removed.
Not even forty days—considering so many factions working together, it would probably take less than two weeks to turn Derton Manor upside down.
Yet why were there still so many people here investigating?
Were they investigating? Or waiting?
If they were waiting for members of the Arrival Sect to come by setting traps, then surely there were too many people left behind. Moreover, quite a few of them were ordinary individuals assisting with the investigation. Wouldn’t staying here amount to suicide?
Xia’er approached one of the hidden passages and ascended along its length.
This passage led to Jiti’s office. Inside the passage, the stone bricks engraved with scriptures had already been smoothed out with files, leaving almost no trace of the Arrival Sect’s existence.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hidden passage, she pulled the switch. A loud sound of gears turning followed, causing some sand and rocks above to fall slightly. The bookshelf in front of her began to slowly open but got stuck after opening just a crack.
Had the mechanical instruments been neglected for too long without maintenance?
Two dark figures emerged from behind Xia’er, each grabbing one side of the bookshelf and using brute force to widen the gap enough for Xia’er to pass through.
After the bookshelf opened, Xia’er saw Jiti’s brightly lit office. Several young men and women dressed in the robes of the Salvation Goddess Religion were diligently searching through the books on the shelves. Upon hearing the noise from the secret passage, all their eyes turned toward Xia’er.
Two male servants who appeared to be undergoing the Replication Ritual and one female Reformed Monk stood there. The latter reacted the fastest, quickly stepping forward to Xia’er, bending down slightly, and respectfully addressing her: “Respected Judge.”
The other two servants also came to attention beside the monk: “Respected Sir.”
“Hmm.”
Xia’er spoke calmly, nodding slightly, saying, “Thank you for your diligence. Return to your work… You, come with me.”
At this moment, shadowy figures trailed behind Xia’er, and she still wore the robe given to her by Yulis, which intimidated the Salvation Goddess followers greatly.
The female Reformed Monk followed Xia’er without hesitation, watching as Xia’er sat in Jiti’s chair.
Xia’er casually pulled open a drawer whose lock core had been damaged. The place where Jiti’s Spiritual Notes once lay was now empty. Xia’er looked up at the Reformed Monk and asked:
“I’ve just arrived in Borough City and haven’t yet had the chance to visit Priest Yulis or Bishop Xiu.”
“Could you explain why the investigation has taken so long?”
Xia’er’s tone was calm, but her gaze betrayed an uncontrollable anger, making the young female Reformed Monk break into a cold sweat.
“Please forgive me, Respected Judge, we are truly doing our best to investigate.”
Perspiration dripped from the woman’s forehead, dampening the strands of hair around her temples. She continued nervously, “But we have found very little residual evidence…”
“We had Redemption Society experts examine every corpse, but we still couldn’t locate the body of the cult priest Jiti or another unidentified bishop’s remains… They…”
“Don’t be nervous.”
Xia’er interrupted the woman’s speech, saying, “Calm your breathing and recount your investigation again.”
“Be thorough and clear.”
Xia’er’s voice was noticeably gentle, and she deliberately slowed her speech, yet it somehow made the opposite party feel even more tense.
Perhaps due to the Tribunal’s inherently intimidating nature, Xia’er believed she had been exceptionally kind.
After taking several deep breaths on the spot, the woman finally managed to steady her voice and recounted the investigation’s details to Xia’er.
Since it was Derton Group’s premises, the Salvation Goddess Religion gathered their forces and joined with Derton Group to form a convoy that swiftly headed to Borough City.
However, when they arrived, Derton Manor was already deserted, and many extraordinary items had been looted during the chaos.
Derton Manor’s personnel began tallying losses, identifying traitors, and investigating the identities of every cult member.
Meanwhile, the Salvation Goddess Religion focused their efforts on investigating the Arrival Sect.
They not only discovered numerous Spiritual Notes belonging to cult members but most importantly found Jiti’s Spiritual Notes and what seemed to be an unfinished letter.
The letter detailed a cult member named Georgine under Jiti’s command encountering a bishop of the sect.
The letter clearly stated the time the bishop would arrive, coinciding exactly with the disturbance that occurred at Derton Manor. Naturally, they connected these two events, attributing everything to the actions of that bishop.
According to Missionary Yulis, she distinctly felt the arrival of a divine servant—a feeling both familiar and terrifying.
Familiar because His aura was warm and pure; terrifying because He wasn’t summoned by the Salvation Goddess Religion.
Yulis’ faith seemed somewhat shaken and was being restored with Bishop Xiu’s assistance, while others were fully engaged in investigating the identity of the Arrival Sect’s bishop.
Almost all the mummified bodies had been examined by the Redemption Society, but none matched the characteristics of Jiti or a third-tier Radiant Bishop, not even Georgine’s body could be located.
Even the skin fragments and dried blood on the ground were thoroughly checked, yet nothing was found.
It was highly likely that the bishop had already departed with the descended divine servant.
In the end, Bishop Xiu was forced to use the church’s forbidden arts, reconstructing the situation through a fragment of a cultist’s blood.
This reconstruction revealed a chilling truth to Bishop Xiu.
The sacrifice ritual had indeed succeeded.
Bishop Xiu saw the ethereal divine servant, and the indistinct figure of the bishop, who was kneeling in excitement, tears streaming down his face, before the image froze at that moment.
However, upon questioning everyone present at Derton Manor, no trace of any bishop was found. Even those who had seen him had their memories erased.
Currently, the only known information about the bishop was that he was male and a third-tier Radiant Bishop, with absolutely no other details leaking out.
The clues ended here.
During this time, they captured several members of the Arrival Sect infiltrating the investigation team, subjecting them to severe torture and even brainwashing, only to uncover an even more perplexing fact.
The Arrival Sect was also investigating the matter.
They were equally clueless about what happened at Derton Manor, and perhaps the Arrival Sect knew even less than the Salvation Goddess Religion.
This summoning was a private initiative of that bishop!
Now, the investigation had become a race against time.
The Salvation Goddess Religion must capture the Radiant Bishop faster than the Arrival Sect, intercepting the summoning ritual and the divine servant from his hands.
This explained why the Salvation Goddess Religion continued sending people to investigate here.
“Oh…”
Xia’er nodded slightly.
So the Salvation Goddess Religion was stuck here… But they would never find that bishop.
Because the bishop himself didn’t know how the sacrifice ritual started, and shortly afterward, he was consumed and absorbed by the divine servant, leaving no remains.
The divine servant used Jiti’s body to descend, now self-sealed on Amy’s back, who was under Aivana’s protection. The Salvation Goddess Religion would never uncover the truth.
Jiti’s letter intended for exoneration unexpectedly became misleading false evidence, completely freeing Xia’er from the matter.
Thus, Xia’er could ignore the Salvation Goddess Religion and Bishop Xiu. They hadn’t even noticed her, let alone involve her in such misfortune.
“What about Derton Group’s people? Why have they been investigating for so long here? Have they made any progress?”
Xia’er asked.
“Uh… “
The woman cautiously glanced at Xia’er, hesitating before responding, “I heard that in An Su, Derton Group is using the Arrival Sect as an excuse to start a large internal purge…”
“If it were merely recording events and determining losses, these matters should have been concluded two weeks ago. We don’t really know what they’re still investigating downstairs. They’ve practically pried up every brick to search…”
Hearing this, Xia’er nodded, realizing that this “Reformed Monk” didn’t know much more. To learn more, she’d need to conduct her own investigation.
“Alright.”
Xia’er nodded, casually asking, “Is Priest Yulis still at the Nightfall Inn?”
“No, Respected Judge. The Dehydration Syndrome infection has been completely eradicated. Priest Yulis and Bishop Xiu have already returned to the Bell Tower Church.”
The woman replied.
“Hm, continue your investigation.”
Xia’er rose and walked towards the door. As she passed the “Reformed Monk,” she lightly patted her shoulder, startling her.
After Xia’er exited and disappeared from sight, the two servants turned to the stunned “Reformed Monk,” cautiously asking, “Priest, was that person…?”
“Yes… Definitely from the Tribunal.”
The woman nodded, took a deep breath, and wiped the sweat off her forehead with a handkerchief.
“Feels quite… “
“Shut up, stop talking,”
The woman raised her hand, cutting off the young man’s words, saying, “Do not discuss Tribunal members behind their backs.”
Seeing the two return to checking each book, the woman finally exhaled in relief.
They were young and hadn’t yet been exposed to deeper secrets. It was normal for them not to understand the Tribunal’s fearsomeness. They were all the church’s sword bearers, whose blades pointed outward and inward alike. Interrogation, torture, and murder were the Tribunal’s specialties. Most of them were like fanatics, firmly believing in their hearts and prone to extremism.
Therefore, even speaking with them required utmost caution, lest one be accused and dragged away for investigation.
Calmly resuming her work, the woman reflected that the group hadn’t suspected the authenticity of that judge’s identity because the girl appeared just as awe-inspiring and formidable as other judges, and the casual mention of some information about bishops and high priests was convincing enough.
Even her lack of knowledge about recent events in An Su was understandable; she might have been temporarily transferred from elsewhere and hadn’t gone to An Su.
As Xia’er descended the stairs, pondering the intelligence she had obtained, she felt the trip was worthwhile despite impersonating the Tribunal’s identity. At least she gained some insights and confirmed her safety following the sacrifice incident.
The premature death foretold by Fate wasn’t caused by the cultists’ sacrifice event… Then what was it?
Xia’er’s mind recalled the investigative checklist she had written herself.
More investigations were needed regarding Derton Group’s “Fated One,” but progress was halted due to Lucy’s critical condition.
She wanted to know about Lucy’s doom…
I wondered if it was the same misfortune as my own and wanted to see if Lucy could provide some information.
As for the rest, there were still a few people who needed investigation…
Redemption Society: Professor Ashford.
Royal Family: Opoldusadious.
Arrival Sect: Archbishop Tara.
Professor Ashford was likely within the Redemption Society, but I currently lacked a way to communicate with them. The only one I could reach out to, Adelle, had already withdrawn from the Redemption Society.
As for Opold from the Royal Family, Xia’er also lacked means of contact and could only inquire through Aivana.
Regarding Archbishop Tara, Xia’er had encountered her descriptions several times in the notebook.
Tara seemed to have already found Amy and placed her under covert protection while continuously investigating Xia’er’s movements.
In the simulation, Xia’er met Tara twice. The first time, Xia’er didn’t recognize her as a cultist, and she didn’t pay attention to Xia’er either.
The second meeting happened on the street.
It was the day Xia’er’s leg bone was shattered and she was recuperating at home when Amy came to visit. As Xia’er escorted Amy out, an unforeseen calamity struck—gang warfare bullets aimed toward Xia’er and Amy triggered Amy’s back seal.
A servant of the deity instantly severed all the bullets and bowed respectfully toward Xia’er’s direction. This brief moment was captured by Tara.
Without hesitation, she rushed over, knelt beside Xia’er, and cried profusely, leaving Xia’er in the simulation utterly speechless.
After confirming that the servant’s message was known only to her, Xia’er in the simulation convinced her to temporarily hide within the city. Xia’er needed to obtain internal information about the Arrival Sect through her.
However, since the Arrival Sect’s base here had already been cleared out by Xia’er, Tara hadn’t been of much use so far.
Now reflecting on it, shortly after encountering Tara, Xia’er faced an unavoidable doom that required the use of transformation save abilities… Tara could be investigated again.
According to the notebook’s description, Tara seemed extremely fervent toward me, to the extent that she would believe anything Xia’er said. That’s why the simulated self decided to keep her as an informant, utilizing her identity and resources to conveniently accomplish tasks.
Moreover, despite being a higher rank than Bishop Prager, Tara’s potion digestion had only reached “Missionary,” with her personal strength at merely Tier 2.
Apparently, her promotion relied not on strength but on extensive knowledge and interpretation of the Salvation Goddess Religion’s doctrines, which earned her high status within the Arrival Sect.
After reviewing Tara’s position described in the notebook, Xia’er determined the next course of action.
If no information could be gleaned from Tara, she could consult Tara about “misfortune” under the guise of “a friend” to see if the knowledgeable Tara could provide answers.
If that yielded no results, then Xia’er would find Aivana and Adelle to contact Opold and Professor Ashford to continue the investigation.
Xia’er soon ascended to the second floor and, walking along the central staircase toward the main hall, saw members of the Redemption Society carrying a stretcher slowly moving toward the door. Their movement was deliberately slow to avoid causing secondary injuries.
Lying on the stretcher was Lucy, followed by a large group of Derton Manor employees. Though their faces were masked and devoid of expression, their actions revealed more tension than those of the Redemption Society members.
After all, the people of Derton Manor were quite superstitious about “luck.” If even the highly fortunate “Fated One” Lucy suffered an accident here, they might quit or strike rather than continue working here.
But as Xia’er descended the stairs, her eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She heard an extremely painful and desperate muttering echoing in her mind.
Lifting her gaze, she realized the source of the muttering was none other than Officer Lucy.
Even when her head was nearly crushed by a boulder earlier, she hadn’t shown much pain or despair. But now, after being administered medicine to stabilize her condition, she began exhibiting signs of despair?
Xia’er suspected that Lucy’s despair might be key to investigating the misfortune; she must know something.
In reality, Xia’er might have planned carefully before acting.
But in the simulation, with only 24 hours of activity time, she couldn’t afford hesitation. Any chance of obtaining intelligence warranted decisive action.
A shadow quickly darted along the carpet like a fish swimming toward the stretcher and then rose slowly in front of it.
A “Physician” noticed the strange phenomenon and immediately called out: “Stop!”
The burning shadow twisted before the “Physicians” and flashed several times, revealing Xia’er’s figure blocking their path.
“Sir, what is your purpose?” the leading “Physician” asked curiously, recognizing Xia’er as someone from the Salvation Goddess Religion but unsure why she blocked their way.
“Wait a moment,” Xia’er interrupted, stepping closer to the stretcher and leaning down to listen.
At this moment, Lucy’s eyes were completely bloodshot, red even as she struggled to move her throat and lips, speaking despite broken teeth and jawbones.
“Let me… gurgle…”
“Return… “
“Let me…”
“Go back…”
Xia’er’s actions quieted the previously noisy crowd. Those nearby almost all heard Lucy’s repeated words.
“Do you want to go back?” Xia’er asked, “Back where?”
Tears streamed down Lucy’s face upon hearing her words finally acknowledged. Blood mixed with tears flowed into her dark brown hair.
“Underground…”
“Sanctuary…”
Xia’er confirmed again, “You want to return to the Underground Sanctuary, right?”
Though Lucy didn’t know who the girl speaking to her was, and her vision blurred with blood, making it impossible to discern the girl’s appearance or even the color of her hair, she seemed to cling onto hope and answered with her last ounce of strength, “Yes!”
“Cough cough cough…”
After speaking, Lucy coughed up a large mouthful of blood, indicating her ribs had pierced her lungs.
Xia’er stood upright and looked at the people in front of her, saying, “What are you waiting for? Carry her back to the Underground Sanctuary.”
“But…” one physician started to say but was cut off by Xia’er.
“You’re from the Redemption Society, right? Professor Ashford is still in Borough City. Go back and bring him here to treat her. The treatment cost will be covered by Lucy and Derton Group.”
“But…”
“Double the payment.”
“But…”
“Triple the payment, plus an additional 100-pound reward for you.”
“Alright, I’ll go immediately.”
“Cough cough cough!!!”
Hearing Xia’er’s words, Lucy seemed agitated and spat out another mouthful of blood, then collapsed, seemingly resigned to her fate.
Xia’er turned to the Derton Group employees and said, “You, don’t just stand there! Quickly clear a space for Miss Lucy’s surgery.”
“Oh oh… Quick, everyone, go downstairs and clear a spot!”
The green and red chips scattered rapidly, rushing toward the Underground Sanctuary to start cleaning.
Xia’er’s shadows emerged from behind, taking the stretcher from the “Physicians'” hands. The shadows carried Lucy forward while Xia’er passed the physicians, asking them for some potions.
Of course, the cost would be charged to Derton Group.
Upon entering the hidden passage leading to the Underground Sanctuary, Xia’er waved her hand backward, closing the door.
The shadows carrying the stretcher stopped, and Xia’er approached Lucy, feeding her some life-sustaining potions.
Lucy Hilufa’s breath stabilized slightly due to the potion, and some of her bleeding wounds improved somewhat.
Looking at the helpless Lucy lying on the stretcher, Xia’er calmly asked, “Do you want to return to the Underground Sanctuary?”
“Yes…” Lucy endured excruciating pain, turning her eyes toward Xia’er’s direction, “Thank you, Inspector…”
“Why do you want to return to the Underground Sanctuary?”
Xia’er ignored her gratitude and continued questioning.
Inside the cold, dark passageway, four burning shadows held the corners of the stretcher, stopping in the dim tunnel.
Lucy felt a rare sense of trepidation, as if any wrong word could cost her life.
Do I… know her?
Lucy tried hard to see the girl’s face in the darkness but failed.
“If I don’t stay below…” Lucy paused for a long time before answering painfully, “I will die…”
“Why?”
Xia’er pressed further, ignoring Lucy’s evasions.
Regretting not using the “Tempter” save file to log in, Xia’er thought that if Tempter Xia’er acted, Lucy would probably reveal everything without much pressure.
“I… don’t know…” Lucy’s tone was filled with helplessness, as if she no longer intended to convince the girl, “I only know… when I’m not below… my luck gets… very bad…”
At this point, Lucy seemed to remember something, struggling to extend her bloody right hand toward her waist pouch. However, as her hand barely entered the black leather bag, a 20-sided dice fell out.
Drip… drip drip…
The dice rolled down the stairs and finally stopped four steps down. Xia’er controlled the shadows to move forward cautiously, ensuring there was no danger before approaching herself to check the number on the 20-sided dice.
“What is my number…”
Lucy desperately wanted to see the number but couldn’t manage it.
“2.”
Xia’er replied.
Lucy’s hand dropped limply, saying, “See…”
“Will you encounter misfortune when the number is too low?” Xia’er questioned.
Not knowing whether Lucy was friend or foe, Xia’er didn’t care about exposing information within the simulation as long as she obtained intelligence.
“Yes… Can you please take me down… as soon as possible…” Lucy’s voice carried a pleading tone.
Xia’er didn’t press her further and instructed the shadows to carry her downward.
There was no need to confront Lucy directly here because Professor Ashford would arrive soon, and Xia’er still needed to meet him.
With Lucy’s current injuries, even if Professor Ashford came, she wouldn’t be able to defeat “Inspector” Xia’er in this simulation.
Xia’er carried Lucy into the Underground Sanctuary. By then, the area around the sanctuary had been cleared, covered with carpets and clean white cloths laid on top.
Employees noticed Xia’er bringing Lucy down and hurriedly called others to make way for Xia’er, allowing the shadows to carry Lucy to the designated spot and lay her down.
Lucy, who had been tense until now, relaxed upon feeling herself inside the Underground Sanctuary and fell into a semi-comatose state.
Meanwhile, Xia’er searched the debris where Lucy had been hit while waiting for Professor Ashford to arrive.
After ten minutes, although Professor Ashford hadn’t arrived yet, Xia’er discovered a peculiar “coin” among the ruins.
The coin stood upright in the middle without support, its obverse side showing a rust-colored faceless angel, and the reverse side depicting a blood-dripping black demon eye.
Xia’er narrowed her eyes, withdrawing the shadows and refraining from approaching the coin.
Is this… a Sealed Object?
Does it belong to Lucy?
Since the simulation wasn’t over yet, Xia’er didn’t rashly touch it without knowing its information.
Just as Xia’er was about to turn away, the coin gently wobbled and then fell to the ground.
The rust-red faceless angel spread its wings, facing the fractured dome.
At that moment, footsteps echoed, and the secret room door was pushed open. Several “Physicians” dressed in black robes wearing crow masks surrounded an elderly man with a silver crow mask, heading toward Lucy.
“Professor, she’s over there.”
Professor Ashford had arrived.