The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Chapter 434 So there's only one answer.

The bishop of the Dark Night Holy Court clearly hadn't expected that there would be anyone else in this dream besides himself, and immediately took a step back, watching Bernice who had suddenly appeared warily.

The nun in front of them was dressed completely differently from the nuns on the continent of Solon. Not only was it more form-fitting, but it was also more conducive to movement. Clearly, she was not a nun from an ordinary sect, but a clergy member from another continent in the fleet.

Not only that, the bishop also saw a similar temperament in the other person's eyes. The other person was a fanatic, the kind who was willing to dedicate everything to God. However, although the other person's eyes revealed madness, there was another layer of rationality. This rationality and madness were not contradictory.

When did you come in?

Although the bishop was trying his best to control the mask on his face, a look of terror still appeared on it.

"When? I've always been here."

Bernice said nonchalantly, and at the same time, a bench appeared behind her, allowing her to sit down gently.

Bernice placed the lantern on the bench, crossed her hands to support her head, and said, "On the contrary, you people don't even knock before entering someone else's dream. It's really impolite."

The bishop of the Dark Night Holy Court retreated continuously, adjusting his mask as he said, "No, impossible. No one but us should be able to tamper with dreams. Who are you? Why do you also know our secret techniques?"

"Your secret techniques?"

Bernice leaned back, crossed her legs, and frowned slightly, saying, "This is a power bestowed upon humanity by the goddess. You have only scratched the surface, yet you dare to claim it as your secret art?"

"No!"

Seemingly because of the religious issue, the aura of the Light and Shadow Cult Leader before them surged wildly, saying, "The starlight of the Lord of Morning Star is the only light that can pierce through dreams! We will follow the guidance of the Great Will, so that all may attain lasting enlightenment and happiness. Why are you heretics able to receive guidance into dreams?"

Looking at the bishop before her, who was both crazed and fearful, Bernice said with a hint of pity, "It seems that your understanding of dreams stops here. But I am very curious about how you enter other people's dreams. Since you're here, don't leave. Sit down and have a good chat with me."

Bernice waved her hand, and a similar bench appeared behind the bishop. However, the bishop adjusted his mask and said, "No need. I have no interest in chatting with heretics. We will all meet again in the eternal night. It's not too late to talk then."

Having said that, the bishop raised his hands, his expression turning into a sinister grin, and said, "Goodnight, nuns of the Empire, and Grand Master of Castile. We will meet again soon!"

"..."

There was a moment of silence, and the bishop remained rooted to the spot, awkwardly raising his hands.

The bishop glanced at Bernice, who was wearing a mocking expression, then at the silent gray-robed figure, raised his hands again, and said, "Goodbye!"

There was still a silent murmur, and the bishop remained awkwardly in place. But he did not give up. He raised his hands high again and cried out, "Great Lord of the Morning Star, your follower prays to you, asking you to see through the illusion of dreams and guide me on my spiritual journey!"

Seeing that there was still no response, Bernice snapped her fingers, transforming the scene into a solemn church, and said, "Why don't you try here? Oh, sorry, I forgot this is the goddess's church. Praying to your god might indeed have no effect, so why don't you try praying to our goddess?"

At this moment, the bishop finally realized the seriousness of the situation. Fear, like a venomous snake, rushed up his spine and straight to his head. He wanted to leave the dream, but found that the dream was like a sticky swamp, binding him tightly. His breathing suddenly stopped, his heart pounded, and cold sweat pierced his confidence like needles.

Only then did the bishop realize that he had just been breathing, sweating, and feeling his own heartbeat in a dream.

Looking up again at the church the other party had built in the dream, the church was so magnificent and the details were so rich. It was completely different from the scene when he threatened Garcia, where there was almost nothing but a long table. This was not the kind of richness of detail that a dream could produce. It could not even be called a dream anymore, but another reality.

In contrast, the dreamscape constructed by the Dark Night Holy Court was like a mirage, with only a long table, and it was also blurry, with details so blurred that they were impossible to see.

This was an absolute power difference. The bishop tried to open his mouth, but he couldn't make a sound at all. Only then did he realize that everything in this dream was under the control of the nun in front of him.

Bernice remained seated on the bench, legs crossed, holding a lantern. She gazed at the bishop of light and shadow, who saw Bernice's figure grow infinitely tall. He was now prostrate on the ground, and could even see the exquisite, gleaming black leather boots beneath her nun's robes.

The bishop felt the nun's gaze fixed on him, deep and unfathomable, cold and merciless, as if she wanted to peel away his very being, from his soul to his consciousness.

In that instant, the scene changed, and the group arrived at the entrance of the Northern Church Cathedral. Looking at the sacred and magnificent cathedral before them, with its ever-expanding obelisks reaching into the clouds in the distance, the bishop's mental defenses collapsed in that instant. They were too backward. Neither the continent of Solon nor the Dark Night Holy Court was far too backward. He had witnessed true knowledge and true God.

He felt that he had lived in ignorance all his life, and now he finally saw the true God. The bishop kept reaching his hands up toward the top of the church, as if he was yearning for something.

Bernice, still sitting on the bench, said, "I'm giving you one last chance: either accept the goddess's baptism and become a member of the empire, or be kicked back by me like a stray dog."

"Alright, make your choice."

Looking down at that condescending gaze, the bishop, after a few rapid breaths, removed his mask and said, "Then there is only one answer."

The bishop, panting heavily, let out bursts of maniacal laughter and gripped the black and white mask tightly, snapping it in two:

"The Dark Night Holy Court, Levian will be loyal to you."

"Not pledging allegiance to me."

Bernice corrected, "It is loyalty to the goddess and His Majesty the Emperor."

"Yes, for the Goddess and His Majesty the Emperor."

The bishop named Levian was now fully awake. His face, which was covered in sweat after he removed his mask, showed a mixture of fear, excitement, and longing.

“Very well, on behalf of the goddess, I allow you to atone for your past sins with your actions.”

Bernice rose, and several beams of light from her lantern entered the body of the bishop of light and shadow, completing his baptism and initiation ceremony in a dream.

The man in the gray robe had already found a seat in the church. Was this his dream?