Master Adrian's Path of Modification and Silver Wolf's unparalleled gaming spree came to an end. For the time being, the Restricted Zone would be free of Rift Creatures.
A joyous outcome for all. Silver Wolf, having experienced the power of the [Preservation] Amber Hammer in reality, hadn't had her fill of fun and hurriedly opened a portal to leave.
To stay in Belobog, Adrian would need to book another room for her—too much hassle.
Silver Wolf had her fun, but Adrian's main business was far from done. Upgrading the Silvermane Guards' weapons was only part of the plan.
Before leaving, Silver Wolf jokingly remarked:
"I can sense it. A bit further ahead is the arena for the final boss battle!"
"Too bad my stamina's at zero. I don't have the energy for an adventure."
The area ahead? They'd explore it another time.
"Logging off. Bye-bye."
Adrian envied Silver Wolf. She didn't have to worry about sleep…
Wait a second!
It dawned on Silver Wolf. No wonder she always lost miserably when sparring with Adrian. Beyond his [Eternity] blessing, he must've been secretly practicing behind her back!
That [Eternity] Aeon was just too cruel, giving THEIR Emanators and Pathstriders no time to rest.
Silver Wolf muttered under her breath. In her mind, the [Eternity] Aeon's favorability was plummeting into the negatives, ready to sit at the same table as Nanook.
Well, let's think about it another way.
If both [Eternity] Ite and [Abundance] Yaoshi could grant immortality, then…
Why couldn't [The Hunt] Lan shoot an arrow at THEM too? If only THEIR Path could expand a bit—maybe one day Silver Wolf would witness that scene.
After seeing Silver Wolf off, Adrian turned and arrived at Everwinter Ridge. Gazing at the still-dormant Creation Engine, a slight smirk curved his lips.
Finish the job early, clock out early, and tomorrow would be another beautiful day!
…
Lower District, Boulder Town
"Ha, haven't seen you in a day… Why the long face? Don't tell me you got thrashed by the Silvermane Guards," Seele teased.
"Miss Seele, don't make it harder for old Sampo. Jack of all trades, master of none—every trade comes with its risks. Our line of work is the most injury-prone, but luckily, I had a stroke of genius and escaped the Iron Guards' prison," Sampo said, hanging his head.
He couldn't linger here long. He'd used a smoke bomb to knock out the guarding Iron Guards and needed to get back before they woke up, lest they grow suspicious.
If the Supreme Guardian learned of his jailbreak, she'd have an even better excuse to pin baseless crimes on their heads.
In the past, Sampo would've been delighted by such a situation—it gave the villains a perfect reason to frame the protagonist team.
Things were different now. If Adrian found out about this, Sampo's role might shift from sidekick to protagonist. Who knows what he'd do?
That church was a madhouse. What kind of good could come from the Aeon they worshipped?
It wasn't fair to judge others with tinted glasses, Sampo knew that.
But that was a freaking Aeon—how could it be the same?
Not to mention THEIR church. Just the fact that THEY hung out with that chaos-loving Aha was proof enough that THEY weren't some upright Aeon.
Speaking of which, Sampo had to bring up what happened with him and Silver Wolf at the church.
A prison inside a church was already absurd, but hold on—it got even crazier.
The golden-haired High Priest Blake was in conversation with another priest.
"Mr. Blake, thank you for listening to my troubles."
"No matter, devout Priest Lunt. Speak your worries freely. The supreme [Eternity] Ite will forgive all."
With that, Blake produced a soap-shaped stone carving and placed it before Lunt.
"Such trifles need not trouble Lord Ite. Confide in me… Hmm, this matter should've been handled by Frisna, but she's off playing under the guise of spreading doctrine."
The church's true leader was Frisna, while Blake was her deputy.
Seeing her neglect her duties for so long, Blake had already staged a coup.
"Laughable. Someone's actually using soap to represent themselves?" Silver Wolf sneered, adding another reason to mock him later.
"Uh, maybe we should find another place to talk?"
Sampo and Silver Wolf were hiding behind a pew. If anyone else entered the church, they'd be spotted.
The perspective shifted to Priest Lunt, who was earnestly sitting before Blake, beginning his confession.
"Please hear my prayer and guide me toward the path ahead!"
"I'm listening," Blake replied.
Silver Wolf and Sampo immediately pulled out their listening devices, tuning in intently.
"You know my heart holds no falsehood… But, but! A few days ago, I traveled to the Abundance Starfield and saw the people pursuing the Lord of [Abundance].
"The Abundance's followers created art, paintings, and poetry for their beloved deity, singing praises of THEIR benevolence and compassion across the stars."
"After seeing that painting, my heart was torn with conflict… especially those two towering peaks. It was as if I found my Idrila in them…" Lunt's eyes grew fervent, his pupils radiating boundless light.
"Huh? Seeing [Abundance] Yaoshi made him think of the [Beauty] Aeon? What kind of bizarre logic is that?" Silver Wolf muttered.
She'd heard of Yaoshi's story:
In worlds blessed by THEM, rivers and lakes never dried, flora and fauna were unbound by the cruel passage of time, freely blooming with vibrant life.
In worlds blessed by THEM, millennia passed in a glance. Mortals no longer feared aging or death, living leisurely and enjoying life's pleasures.
The Medicine King's mercy—how could that be linked to Idrila? Was he lusting after THEIR beauty?
Silver Wolf's expression turned to disdain. This guy was juggling three Paths at once!
Professing faith in [Eternity], yet captivated by [Abundance]'s portrait, and somehow connecting it to [Beauty] in his heart.
Lunt fell to his knees. "Oh no! That's the devil's portrait! Please, High Priest, forgive this sinner, tempted by other Aeons!"
"Lift your head, Priest."
Blake helped the floor-pounding Lunt up. He'd just cleaned the place—don't dirty the floor.
"It's fine. The divine forgives all. Cherish yourself, cherish the world… Come, recite our first tenet."
Seeing Blake's compassionate smile, tears welled up in Lunt's eyes.
"The tenet of the Eternity Church… permits all."
"Exactly. Even if you achieve nothing, even if you're lazy, even if you fancy inorganic life or, say, the Swarm—anything goes, as long as you don't align with the [Destruction] Aeon or the Anti-Matter Legion."
"As long as you act with love and commit no crimes, THEY will forgive all."
Seeing High Priest Blake's sincerity, Lunt could no longer hold back, sobbing with tears and snot streaming down.
"In this turbulent cosmos, we are but pawns in the Aeons' games. Only THEY, the holy Lord of [Eternity], have saved us from peril time and again. Come, let us show our highest reverence to THEM once more!"
"All for [Eternity]!" Lunt raised his hands, cheering.
"Devout follower, I shall grant you a sacred mantra. Should you face such temptations again, repeat it in your heart."
Blake leaned in and whispered something to Lunt. Silver Wolf and Sampo, eavesdropping, couldn't catch a word.
After hearing it, Lunt's pupils dilated. Blake patted his shoulder.
"May you resist temptation, devout follower."
"So it was the Abundance's followers adding fuel to the fire… Oh! I feel clear-headed instantly. Such a miraculous mantra—thank you!"
"Good. Repeat it a few times before bed. May you have sweet dreams tonight."
"Ohhh!"
Silver Wolf and Sampo: …
Silence, deafening.
"A bunch of lunatics."
Silver Wolf frowned. They were all followers of [Eternity], so how was the gap between Adrian and these people so vast?