join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
The next day, morning.
Because he intended to report Lin Ruo, Roselle arrived at the Cathedral early in the morning, full of anticipation.
Having already created many inventions based on his knowledge from before his Transmigration, and even earning the title of Son of Steam, Roselle was naturally quite valued by the Craftsmen Church. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been registered with Steam. When he requested an audience with His Excellency Archbishop Bullock, the head of the diocese, he was granted permission with ease.
However, when Roselle was led by a servant to Archbishop Bullock's study, and after quickly adjusting his expression to appear like a devout believer and knocking on the study door, the voice that came from inside made Roselle suddenly freeze.
"The door isn't locked, come in."
This voice… seemed a bit familiar?
Roselle's brow twitched violently, and an incredible conclusion formed in his mind, making his breath catch.
Just then, the voice from inside continued:
"What are you dawdling for outside? Or are you afraid to come in?"
Who's afraid!
Roselle hardened his heart, thinking that it was 'one cut whether he stuck his head out or pulled it back.' He pulled open the study door and swept his gaze inside, sure enough, seeing a familiar figure.
The black-haired, black-eyed youth was leaning somewhat lazily by the window sill, holding a teacup in his left hand and a book in his right, looking utterly at ease. Seeing him enter, the youth even smiled and raised the cup in his hand, saying, "Want some tea? The Black Tea Bullock collects is quite good; I haven't had many better than this."
His relaxed and comfortable posture was as if he were inviting someone into his own home.
Yet, Archbishop Bullock, seated behind the desk nearby, smiled and said after hearing his words, "If Your Highness Lin Ruo likes it, you can take some with you when you leave. I also have other High Grade black teas collected; if Your Highness Lin Ruo is interested, you can take them all."
"As expected, little Bullock, you're still so thoughtful. I won't be polite then." The past Lin Ruo's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this, and he nodded unceremoniously, "If you have trouble in the future, you can find me. Consider it a favor owed."
His hobbies in life were few. Besides reading, traveling, making friends, persecuting, and being other people's "daddy," he probably only enjoyed various teas.
"It's just a small matter, Your Highness Lin Ruo need not be so polite." Archbishop Bullock apologized very politely, but anyone with a discerning eye could see he was in a good mood.
Roselle, witnessing this scene: …
Don't say anything else, just give me a universal "What the f*ck!"
Roselle was too lazy to think about why Lin Ruo was here. There were only two possible reasons: either Lin Ruo was a member of the Church himself, or his relationship with the Church was not shallow. Either way, his reporting action today had failed before it even began.
What Roselle was currently focused on was Lin Ruo's address to Archbishop Bullock, and Archbishop Bullock's address to Lin Ruo, as well as that "humble" attitude, as if a Junior facing an Elder.
"You are… an Angel?" Roselle swallowed with some difficulty, still unable to resist asking.
He had indeed speculated about Lin Ruo's identity, but he hadn't been bold enough to guess at the Angel level, only thinking he was a Sequence 3 or Sequence 4—mainly because Roselle wasn't very familiar with Zaratul at the moment and didn't know that he was actually a Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker.
"Yes, surprised?" The past Lin Ruo clearly didn't intend to hide much in this regard, enjoying Roselle's shocked expression while smiling.
Archbishop Bullock then introduced, "Roselle, this is Angel of Judgment, Your Highness Lin Ruo, an important ally of the Church."
While introducing, Archbishop Bullock was also observing Roselle.
He had naturally already received a divine oracle, knowing his God's Pay attention to of Roselle, and intended to increase his cultivation of Roselle.
But even though he would not question the command of the God he believed in, it was impossible for Archbishop Bullock to have no curiosity about Roselle at all.
He certainly knew the things Roselle had created after joining the Church, and he had long ago placed Roselle on the list of excellent talents to be cultivated. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reported his name along with other excellent Church newcomers to God.
However, too many excellent talents had emerged in the Church over the years; such lists appeared almost every few years. Roselle might have been outstanding and special among them, more capable of making a fuss than others, but he wasn't so stunning as to make Archbishop Bullock gape. So he was naturally curious how such a person would suddenly be given special attention by God, specifically named for increased cultivation.
And after witnessing the conversation between Lin Ruo and Roselle, and recalling that His Highness Angel of Judgment had requested a prayer room yesterday, a thought almost uncontrollably popped into Archbishop Bullock's mind—could it be that the God of Craftsmen opened a back door because of His Highness Angel of Judgment's Face?
No, no, no, I shouldn't think that way.
Archbishop Bullock suppressed this thought and withdrew his gaze from Roselle.
And hearing his words, even though he had anticipated it, Roselle still felt like he'd been struck by lightning.
For no other reason than that this Angel before him was his reader, and a Mandatory Maniac!
Would he have a good life from now on? Would he turn into a writing machine?
Thinking of this, Roselle felt a blackness before his eyes. If he could go back to the past at this moment, he would definitely give his past self, who wanted to copy books, two big slaps.
Why copy books for no reason? Didn't that just invite the wolf in?
But Roselle was Roselle after all. As someone who could change an era by himself, and who, even after suffering persecution by an Outer God in the future, could still strive for self-improvement and boldly jump as the Black Emperor to seize a glimmer of hope, Roselle undoubtedly had a big heart. He quickly accepted this fact and began to plan a strategy to break the situation.
First, he absolutely would not allow himself to become a writing robot. And the best way to escape this fate was to improve his status in the Church and demonstrate his value.
As long as his value was great enough, Roselle didn't believe the Craftsmen Church would not protect him or let Lin Ruo turn him into a writing robot.
Perhaps it was time to release a big killer… At this moment, Roselle's heart for invention and creation was incredibly firm.
As for writing books? Heh, the more Lin Ruo wanted him to write, the less he would write.
He, Roselle, also had a temper.
Across from him, Lin Ruo, who could fully tell what Roselle was thinking, blinked and decided not to tell Roselle yet that he had already been sold by the God of Craftsmen.
Just imagine, after Roselle painstakingly creates all sorts of inventions and creations, his status within the Craftsmen Church rises sharply, and he's full of hope that he can escape His shadow, only to be told that Lin Ruo was commissioned by the Craftsmen to "supervise" him, and no matter how much his status in the Church improves, he can't escape. What a wonderfully expressive look that would be.
Just thinking about it, Lin Ruo felt the tea in his cup tasted even better.
The previous two chapters have been slightly revised. Roselle's current status has been changed to having already earned the title of Son of Steam and having his name registered with Steam, but not yet being highly valued by Steam.
As for Roselle's status in the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, I analyzed it and felt that although he was valued before his High Sequence, he shouldn't have been too valued. Otherwise, he wouldn't have known about the interchangeability of adjacent pathways until 1154.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr