Chapter 1927: Chapter 1927

The conversation at home continued. Hathaway racked her brain, trying to gauge Briny’s attitude without revealing the full truth.

"A Saint Son? Yes, well... you could see it that way. What would you think if you discovered that Jenkins was, in fact, a supernatural being, a whole level of existence higher than any of us mortals?"

"What would I think... I'd be honored?"

Briny offered an answer Hathaway hadn't anticipated. Seeing the surprise on the other woman's face, she tried a different one.

"Why would you feel that way?"

"In our short mortal lives, to earn the favor, love, and vows of a supernatural being... especially one who happens to perfectly align with human aesthetics, values, and our understanding of the world. How many women, from ancient times until now, have been so fortunate?"

Hathaway was left speechless.

"So we should be happy. We should feel honored by our husband's noble status. Isn't that perfectly normal?"

If, before this moment, she had felt a lingering unease about the fact that "the man I love and am about to marry is actually a god," Briny's answer made it vanish completely.

Hathaway stepped forward and embraced Briny, taking a deep breath and inhaling the scent of her golden hair. "I've been so foolish."

Meanwhile, Jenkins, blissfully unaware of the conversation unfolding at home, had already bid farewell to Alexia at the crossroads. He donned his black robe, tapped his cat, Chocolate, as a reminder to change its fur color, and then soared into the sky on his unicorn.

In fact, something major had occurred that afternoon, something Jenkins hadn't noticed on his way back. The sixth level of the black metal tower had erupted from the ground during the earthquake.

This was completely unexpected. Today was Tuesday, and the fifth level had only risen yesterday—Monday—just as he was returning to his home on Maidenhaven Road with the girls.

The interval between them was less than twenty-four hours. If his and the Church's speculation that the black metal tower had nine levels was correct, it meant only three remained hidden.

There were five days until his planned attempt to force Queen Isabella's abdication, five days until the end of the week, and roughly ten days until the one-year anniversary of his arrival in this world.

Even knowing that the remaining three levels were unlikely to appear with the same breakneck pace as the fifth and sixth, Jenkins couldn't completely suppress the anxiety welling up inside him.

The first level had statues of three kings inside; the second had changing characters on its exterior; the third bore the words "Moonlit Town"; the fourth pulsed with the power of shadows; and the fifth was suspected to be related to a "colosseum." The sixth level, which had appeared today, was also unique. Jenkins didn't even have to land to notice it; from the sky above the nearby blocks, he could smell the distinct scent of sulfur.

While the smell of sulfur didn't automatically mean demons, it was currently the most likely explanation.

Jenkins circled the area, confirming that the tower was the epicenter of the sulfurous stench. The smell weakened the farther he flew from it, posing no threat to the rest of the city.

Only then did he change course and fly toward the Sage's Church, landing before its main entrance in the quiet of the night.

Though it had rained in the eastern suburbs that afternoon, the city center had only been overcast. The ground was dry, and the last of the summer heat lingered, making it warm enough to be out in short sleeves even at night.

Of course, the people of this era had not yet adopted the habit of wearing short sleeves; long-sleeved shirts remained the fashion.

As Jenkins dismounted from the unicorn, he recalled the many nights over the past year when, as a Believer of Lies, he had furtively passed this very entrance or hidden in the distance, sending information to the church via paper airplanes.

Now, clad in his black robe with his cat in tow, he was brazenly walking up the steps to the main entrance, and an inexplicable feeling of pleasure and satisfaction swelled within him.

After a proper knock and a statement of his identity—even using his White Bone Holy Sword to prove he wasn't some bored prankster—he was formally welcomed into the church by a hastily summoned Miss Bevanna.

In the reception room, Miss Bevanna and another demigod on duty that night received Jenkins. Also present for the conversation were Mr. Smith, the Keeper of Secrets, and, for reasons unknown, Papa Oliver, who was there surprisingly late.

Jenkins asked, gesturing toward Papa Oliver.

"I thought I was familiar with all the important figures of the Orthodox Churches in the Nolan region, but this gentleman... Saint Son Williamette's teacher? Forgive me, but why is he participating in this discussion?"

The implication was that Papa Oliver's status was insufficient. In truth, Jenkins was trying to both conceal his identity as a Believer of Lies and fish for any information about the old man that he didn't already know.

Miss Bevanna fulfilled Jenkins's hopes. "Papa Oliver was the Grand Elder of the Keepers of Secrets for the Holy See a very long time ago."

The Grand Elder was the highest-ranking officer of the Keepers of Secrets in the entire Sage's Church. The current Grand Elder was stationed in Bel Diran, but Jenkins recalled that the man, Wood Broshier, had briefly visited Nolan when he was first named Saint Son.

Jenkins asked as he sat down.

Miss Bevanna didn't answer immediately, hesitating to reveal such information. So, Papa Oliver answered directly, "About a hundred years ago."

"Very well. Mr. Oliver, please forgive my earlier rudeness. I have taken the liberty of visiting so late tonight because I wish to explain what occurred in the eastern suburbs of Nolan this afternoon. I imagine you have been anticipating an answer."

The others also took their seats, and Papa Oliver asked suspiciously:

"Forgive me, but I'm a little confused. Why... did you come to the Sage's Church instead of going to the Evergreen Forest to discuss this?"

Going to the Evergreen Forest meant communicating with all twelve churches, whereas coming here meant dealing exclusively with the Sage's Church. Although the information would certainly be shared later, the initial approach carried a completely different significance.

"I am not attempting to fracture your alliance. In fact, I am more eager than any of you to see the Twelve Churches Joint Conference bear fruit. I came to you because you are the only ones who have a Savior Candidate. That puts you on equal footing with us."

This explanation was accepted by Miss Bevanna and the others. Jenkins then began to officially recount the afternoon's events. He omitted any mention of Mr. Hood, Mr. Black Cat, or Hathaway, focusing solely on the treasure and the Difference Engine, and providing a detailed account of the battle between the god and the machine.

"Tactically, of course, my Lord was victorious. A quarter of the enemy's core was severely damaged. But strategically, there was no winner. You are aware that at the end of an epoch, gods are not meant to readily offer aid to mortals. My Lord's intervention exploited a small loophole, one that cannot be used again.

"That a single strike failed to completely destroy that machine was something none of us anticipated. Its power was far greater than expected, and its intelligence is beyond our mortal comprehension. Therefore, on behalf of the Believers of Lies, I wish to make a formal proposal to the Orthodox Churches..."

Hearing this, Papa Oliver and the others sat up straighter.

"End your joint conference as soon as possible, then communicate with the secular monarchies and arrange a final negotiation with us to decide on the final Savior.

"Now that the machine is damaged, we can anticipate a brief calm—perhaps a week—before the final storm. We should use this time to negotiate our cooperation. As long as those negotiations are conclusive, it will be better than our current disarray, regardless of who is ultimately chosen as the Savior."

"When do you want to negotiate?"

Jenkins answered instantly. The timing was perfect—right after he forced the queen's abdication. Even if he couldn't immediately seize control of the entire kingdom, he would at least be the de jure representative of the Fidektri Kingdom, which would add considerable weight to his position in the final negotiations.

"We cannot give you an immediate answer. Monday is too soon. This doesn't just involve the churches; the three kingdoms also need time to prepare... We must discuss this matter with the other eleven churches before we can reach a decision. We will be as quick as possible, but even if we begin preparations immediately, the earliest we could hold the negotiation would be next Wednesday."

"This is why I've always detested complex church structures."

He remarked sarcastically. Miss Bevanna was tempted to retort that his cult's structure was simplistic to a fault, but they were allies now. There was no need to bicker like children.

"Mr. Candle, we are grateful for the aid the God of Lies has provided to the people of the material world," Papa Oliver added. "And we thank you for summoning a deity to confront the Difference Engine in this crucial time. The Church will not forget these kindnesses.

But how many of your people will be attending the final negotiation? This will affect our discussions regarding the time and place”

Papa Oliver inquired. Thıs text ıs hosted at novel~fire~net

Jenkins had to admire the depth of the question. Papa Oliver was truly sharp, using a reasonable inquiry to probe the true strength of the Believers of Lies.

But Jenkins had already considered all possible scenarios on his way here and had an answer ready.

"To demonstrate our sincerity to the Orthodox Churches, all of our order's Savior Candidates will be in attendance. Therefore, we expect Jenkins Williams to be present at the negotiations as well. He must be there. Otherwise, this negotiation will be utterly meaningless."