The two young men didn't act immediately, even if Ed's idea wasn't a whim—from the moment he swept across the continent like a gust of wind, from the moment he saw the world in a very different way, vague thoughts lingered in the bottom of their minds, and only now could they be articulated...... And, more importantly, it was recognized by friends.

But he knew it wasn't something that could be done in a hurry. Until they were more sure, he couldn't have let Stobel use his life...... Or a more terrible price to take the risk.

He just wasn't sure how much time they had left.

Excited and apprehensive, he staggered open the door to his room. For a moment he didn't realize he was alone...... It wasn't until a familiar voice sounded that he was startled.

"Forgive me for taking the plunge. The middle-aged priest's tone was as calm as if he had just knocked politely and thoughtfully on the door outside the house to report his intentions, instead of waiting in the shadows for a long time, "Lord Freicher wants to see you...... And, sorry, I had to break your defenses. ”

Ed silently unbuttoned back the button he had just unfastened, and suppressed the anger that had risen up to Teng Teng—that meant nothing to Icabold Beria.

"Let's go, then. He said.

.

Sean Fletcher's body is in sharp decline.

Ed hadn't seen Shaun when he had just been rescued from Lydia by Scott, but he felt that it shouldn't be worse than what he was seeing...... The old man's crumpled and bloodless skin was almost entirely attached to the bones, and the paper was dry and thin, and the blue-gray veins stood out very clearly, and the earthworm-like sinuous snaking almost looked like some kind of strange tattoo.

But his eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if they were burning.

"After the Sidney Basin lit up with a light that pierced the sky, Hoyt Laval came to me. The old man was straight to the point, not wanting to waste a little time, "We have the same concerns as fellow priests...... Pretty much the same apprehension. This world cannot be without faith – nor can there be only one absolute faith in this world. ”

Such candor is in response to the trust that Ed has put in him. Ed understood this, so he just listened quietly and intently.

"Whatever Scott's purpose is, at least we know what we do. "That's why we made our decision." ”

He leaned over and pushed a thin roll of paper on the table towards Ed.

Ed took a breath. He shouldn't have been surprised...... Even the lords of the four towers high above the Archmage Tower had sensed the change in the power of magic and were looking for new powers at all costs, so how could the priests be ignorant and do nothing?

He carefully opened the scroll—the page that looked like it had been unfolded and rubbed many times felt unbrittle.

On the scroll of paper was a long list, the first of which was himself.

His fingers trembled slightly. He saw in it more familiar, or already heard, names, such as York Tracy and Jubroan Ginot...... Even Philip Zeri.

The best clergy don't know if they know that their names are arranged like this...... Like a well-prepared menu in a feast.

"It's ...... What?" he asked, gritting his teeth, warning himself not to start angrily accusing Sean at least before he could finish speaking.

"Sacrificing to the gods to gain power is not something that only the priests of Nesses do. Sean continued frankly, "Although we have forgotten this ancient ritual for a long time...... Because we believe that faith should be giving, not taking. ”

"So what are we?" Ed still couldn't hold back, "Sacrifice?!"

"It's not. Sean remained calm in his imminent rage, "You've also learned how to be a priest...... In your opinion, the so-called 'sacrifice' is only the most barbaric sacrifice of blood and soul?"

Ed swallowed back his knee-jerk rhetorical question, struggling to search through his memory. He wasn't really a good pastor, but he remembered it anyway.

"'No precious sacrifice can be compared to the most devout faith.'" He replied softly.

"Yes. "Sean," Ed ...... We will also pray. Even when the gods no longer listen, there is still power in our faith. ”

Ed bowed his head weakly—he almost never prayed.

"We have one last chance before the rules of the gods are completely broken. Sean's fingers tapped quickly on the table, but it wasn't his unconscious habit...... He couldn't control the tremor of his arm.

"The power of our prayers will be poured out on you. He said, "You will be very powerful...... More powerful than ever. ”

“...... Like a god?" Ed muttered.

"No...... Not God. Sean smiled self-deprecatingly, "Although I had plans to do so. But that's just too arrogant...... You are still human beings, and you will only be human beings, perhaps more like saints walking in this world. Your strength and dedication will be seen and remembered...... And their awe and gratitude will turn into another faith. ”

He paused to calm his breathing. It's just that such a simple statement has already made him feel difficult...... He didn't even stand up.

Ed was silent. He suddenly realized that although the methods were different, what Sean was going to do was very similar to what he wanted to do - they didn't know when and what form the enemy would appear, and instead of racking their brains to find those ancient secrets, following the shadow of the enemy, desperately trying to fill the holes that had leaked into a sieve, it was better to prepare everything and increase their strength...... Strong enough to face any enemy.

However, the clergy still put their hopes in the gods...... Rely on their residual strength. And he began to pour his hope into the world itself.

For a moment, he couldn't tell who was right and who was wrong, but for those who still had strong beliefs, and even most people who didn't know anything about the changes in the world, Sean's method might be more acceptable, right?

"We ...... Is there a choice?" he asked.

"Yes. Sean nodded dryly, "We have listed the names of the best, or the most devout, priests, but we are not going to make you the warriors who are bound to be at the forefront without knowing it. The ritual itself does not allow us to go against your will - it must be done with your permission. ”

“...... Has anyone said yes?" Ed asked.

"York Tracy. Sean replied, "There are others you don't recognize." ”

Ed licked his lips nervously. He wasn't sure if Sean would accept it, but he should at least let him know.

"I have ...... Another way. He said.