Daly instinctively felt she should remain wary of the woman who appeared in her husband's dream, yet in truth she found herself immersed in a strangely serene state of calm…
After pondering briefly over the woman's words, she asked calmly:
"May I ask, who are you?"
Before the robed woman could answer, Dunn, fearing his wife might be discourteous, hurried to introduce her:
"This is Her Highness Arianna, Abbess of the Night Monastery."
Arianna… Abbess of the Night Monastery… Daly's gaze sharpened. As a Nighthawk, how could she be unfamiliar with that name?
That was the head of the Thirteen Archbishops, the possible future Pope! Either title alone meant she was an absolute heavyweight in both the Church and the Beyonder world.
If her identity were genuine, then her appearing personally to seek Dunn out signified that the Goddess' mission was by no means simple!
Of course, the possibility of it being fake was slim. After all, one could immediately verify by leaving the dream and praying to the Goddess—no point in fabricating a lie so easily exposed. Moreover, impersonating Her Highness Arianna would likely invite the Goddess' wrath directly!
Daly gave her husband a complicated look, then solemnly curtseyed:
"Good afternoon, Your Highness Arianna."
Within the churches, if a half-god of angel rank walked the earth, etiquette demanded addressing them with the suffix "Your Highness." Likewise, Popes, Pontiffs, and Patriarchs—the representatives of divine will—were addressed as "Your Holiness." Heads of a Church could also be called "The See" or "The Holy Seat." And often, "The Holy Seat" referred directly to the papal court itself.
Arianna drew a clockwise cross on her chest four times, devoutly responding:
"May the Goddess bless you."
She then added gently:
"I am an ascetic. You may simply call me 'Madam.'"
Daly gave no comment, but she didn't dwell on forms of address. After a pause, she asked directly:
"May I know what mission the Goddess has bestowed?"
At this, Dunn coughed, ready to help explain—but was met with a sharp glare from Daly, forcing him into silence.
He understood why. Earlier, Her Highness Arianna had mentioned that he himself did not want Daly involved. Of course his wife was angry, believing he wanted to abandon her…
Arianna regarded the couple calmly for a few seconds before answering with frankness:
"The task given to you is not complicated. The Goddess intends for you to replace a pair of bishops of the God of Combat Church stationed in Upor City.
"This couple has served five years in Upor, the largest Fusacian city bordering Intis. They are now being recalled to the capital, St. Millon.
"Your mission is to temporarily infiltrate in their stead, lying in wait for further orders.
"Dunn's time posing as a merchant was, in truth, a test of his capability. Judging by the results… he has passed."
Disguising as bishops of the God of Combat Church? Infiltrating St. Millon? Isn't that a little too much? At least it's St. Millon, not the Dusk Grand Temple… otherwise it'd be no different than stripping naked and lying before the Fusacian half-giants—just hoping they'll be gentle…
As Daly joked bitterly in her heart, Dunn once again spoke up:
"Madam Arianna, I still hold to my opinion: I request to undertake this mission alone. After all, my wife is pregnant—"
"Wait!" Before he could finish, Daly interrupted. She drew a deep breath, looked toward Arianna, and asked solemnly:
"May I ask, what kind of people are the bishops we are to impersonate?
"And another question: while day-to-day affairs might be simple, what about the God of Combat's regular masses? At such times, wouldn't two nonbelievers stand out like a sore thumb?"
"The detailed dossiers of the couple will be given to you once you accept the mission. I know your concerns. Rest assured, the chosen targets were carefully selected. Their interpersonal ties are simple, and mostly in Fusac's southwest, so they won't affect your activity in St. Millon.
"As for how to handle inspections…" Arianna looked at Daly, then continued, "The Goddess' oracle is: you may seek the aid of The Fool. He will resolve this matter for you."
The Fool…
So this mission wasn't only issued by the Goddess—it also held the attention of Mr. Fool?
Had the Goddess and The Fool truly formed an alliance? To oppose the God of Combat?
Shocked, Daly and Dunn simultaneously thought of this.
Daly was the first to recover. She turned to her husband and said softly:
"You heard it too. It's only temporary infiltration. The danger isn't great… And if you don't let me accompany you, what then? You'll form a household with another woman to pose as this bishop couple?"
Her tone grew dangerously sharp at the end.
Realizing that even The Fool's will was behind this, Dunn gave a bitter smile, abandoning his insistence.
He knew there was no longer any chance for his wife to be spared. Ever since she sought him out, Daly had already come under the gaze of that great existence. To resist further would risk unthinkable consequences!
Steeling himself, Dunn displayed the professionalism befitting a Nighthawk captain, carefully asking Arianna key questions, to which she patiently answered in turn.
Finally, with some confidence in his heart, Dunn pondered briefly, then asked his last question:
"Once Daly and I leave, what should be done with this current identity of 'Dwayne Dantès'?"
Arianna clearly anticipated the question. She answered calmly:
"In a few days, you will travel to Bayam for a major business deal. Daly, still early in pregnancy, will accompany you.
"Once there, a favored one of The Fool will rendezvous with you, assuming your identity."
She then looked at Daly and instructed:
"You must report this matter to The Fool afterward."
…
Toscat Island, the easternmost colony of the Loen Kingdom.
Klein had just used spirit threads to control and kill one of the island's most detestable gang leaders. Not only had he fed the man's flesh to Creeping Hunger, but he also made off with 758 pounds in cash.
But as soon as he stepped out, he "luckily" ran into Agalito's second mate, the demon "Slaughterer" Kircheis—bounty: 9500 pounds.
Sensing Klein's murderous intent, the demon reacted at once. But before he could escape, Klein manipulated Ludwell, the Admiral of Hell, to block his path.
What followed was a fierce battle, though entirely under Klein's rhythm. In the end, the "Mad Adventurer" Gehrman Sparrow successfully hunted the deputy of the Death Announcer, dragging the demon's corpse to claim the bounty.
News spread quickly across the island—and would, in time, become headline news on the seas.
For now, Klein was less concerned with fame. Back above the gray fog, he used Kircheis's soul to replace the trapped "Priest of Light" within Creeping Hunger, allowing the latter to find release.
But at that moment, he noticed Madam Daly's crimson star trembling violently, swelling and contracting…
Moments later, seated at The Fool's seat, Klein withdrew his spirituality from that star. He tapped the bronze table's edge, sighing:
"It has really come… Liu Bo truly does understand the Goddess better, even without all his memories restored…"
After a few murmurs, Klein calculated the dates, then "tapped" Daly's star, telling her that the handover would be set for May 2nd.
…
9 p.m., at No. 28 Kinster Street, Backlund.
Ebner had just returned from Bayam via "Teleportation." Fresh from a bath, he prepared to sleep early—after all, the past week had been overpacked with tasks, leaving him exhausted.
But just as he pulled up the covers, his spirituality stirred. His eight-legged Demon Wolf Messenger bounded over, tail wagging, holding a letter in its jaws.
Ebner tossed it a bottle of "Daniel's Distillate," then took the letter and tore it open.
"Lady Yaloran has asked to meet tomorrow night…
"Tsk, why do all the ladies inviting me lately choose night time?
"Did I trigger some kind of mystical 'passive' effect?"
He grumbled as he read, then turned his attention to the specified meeting place:
"In the deepest layer of the dream of Kabas Town, East Chester County."
(End of Chapter)