Dekan Begins to Suspect the Resurrection Church's True Nature

"Referee!! Is there no referee? Isn't this his responsibility?"

"I really want to cheer for the Imperial Sword Saint in the next match... No, those damn Imperials, thinking about it, it's Dekan going to the finals, which gives me a strange sense of relief..."

"What's even more infuriating is that I have to cheer for this bastard in the next match! How did our kingdom produce such a jerk?!"

Many audience members were cursing Dekan and even wanted to personally intervene and enforce justice.

This time, Dekan really acted despicably.

Even if he kills the Lord of Calamity, he will still be credited with a great achievement.

But that guy's final performance...

It really makes you think he's surrendered!

He deceived the emotions of all the viewers!

Why are you acting so realistically? You're not an actor!

And many people finally understood the pain of the Resurrection Church.

Most people get into trouble with the Resurrection Church, and then they can't find peace.

The Resurrection Church has never had peace since it offended Dekan.

However, since Dekan won against Alger in this way...

Therefore, he absolutely must win his final match against the Imperial Sword Saint; he cannot afford to lose.

If I lose, I'll become a clown.

This is tantamount to losing face for the entire Kingdom Association.

Of course, Dekan could also fully prove his strength in the final.

To convince everyone.

After all, many people have only heard about Dekan's strength but have never witnessed it firsthand.

Therefore, the understanding of Dekan's true combat strength is at a very abstract stage.

Whether he could defeat the Imperial Sword Saint was something no one could be sure of.

In the arena, Dekan also withdrew from Phantom Canyon.

Although the Phantom Canyon, this Artificial Shadow World, can prevent players from getting injured during consecutive elimination matches, thus avoiding a situation where it would seriously affect their performance in the next game.

After all, the injuries sustained will not be carried out of Phantom Canyon.

However, the Phantom Canyon has already been thoroughly explored by researchers Dekan.

For him, Phantom Canyon is his home turf.

And that [Pain-Shattered Heart] card was actually another of his fraudulent cards.

[Super Fake Card 5.0]

[Category: Equipment Card]

[Grade: Purple Rare]

[Class: 5]

[Effect: Can be disguised as a Tier 5 Epic quality (Crimson Epic) or lower Magic Card.]

[Note: What era are we living in? Still playing traditional card games?]

Theoretically speaking, within Dekan's understanding, the highest grade and class of cards he can produce is the upper limit of the [Fake Card] series he can create.

So the moment people saw the [Super Fake Card] disguised as [Pain-Shattered Heart] appear.

Everyone was convinced that Dekan had truly created the Crimson Epic.

A Card Crafter who hasn't reached this level of expertise cannot possibly replicate the Crimson Epic.

However, they hadn't anticipated this.

The true Crimson Epic that Dekan possessed was something they had never seen before, and would never see again: the [Dekan Gospel].

From now on, he will always pretend to have a Pain-Shattered Heart.

It can not only conceal the existence of the [Dekan Gospel].

It can also serve as a deterrent to all enemies.

Not far from Dekan.

"..."

Alger clenched his fists and bowed his head.

I feel like I've been completely defeated.

In every respect, he was no match for Dekan.

Besides morality...

But comparing morality to Dekan's always feels a bit off.

Dekan paused slightly as he walked past Alger.

"Saint Knight Captain Alger, if given the chance, I would indeed like to fight you fairly. But I'm sorry, I have a reason that I must win this match, a hundred times more important than finding out the identity of the 'Lord of Calamity'."

Alger looked at Dekan with a complicated expression.

In fact, Alger couldn't tell when Dekan was telling the truth and when he was acting.

This guy's acting is so natural and controlled.

He now feels that eleven out of ten things this person says are false.

But Alger knew that, for Dekan...

There was no longer any reason for me to lie to him.

Alger pondered for a moment, then, as if struck by a thought, said with some skepticism:

"You don't mean to...?"

"I have a question about the tenth-order Shadow World."

Dekan looked intently at Alger.

"..."

Alger initially thought that Dekan's strong desire to win the championship was a way to raise a question that would benefit him.

For example, questions about crafting legendary cards, or information that Dekan wants to clarify.

After all, the value of ninth-order divination is difficult to describe in words.

Of course, this divination method is not omnipotent and cannot be exceeded.

The more complex the problem, the more ambiguous, or even useless, the results will be.

The reason why many powerful figures know about the tenth-tier Shadow World is because the Astrologer once used this ninth-tier epic card to predict the greatest crisis that this world would face next.

No matter how many times you perform divination, you can only make a partial prediction that it will be a tenth-order Shadow World.

Due to the limitations of divination, it's impossible to obtain more precise information.

Unless other accurate information can be added as conditions in the question stem, the question cannot be formulated.

But in this world, probably no one can provide information about the tenth-tier Shadow World anymore.

"It's okay if you want to ask other questions; I won't hold a grudge against you."

Alger shook his head and said.

After all, the Astrologer had already tried his best to divine information about the tenth-order Shadow World, but all his efforts were in vain, yielding the same results repeatedly.

So even she herself was unwilling to waste any more precious opportunities making pointless attempts.

Even if Dekan's intentions are genuine, it is highly likely to be in vain.

"I swear to the Goddess, even if it's just to repay her kindness, I will find out about the tenth-tier Shadow World."

Dekan replied.

When Dekan mentioned the Goddess, his usual relaxed tone became quite serious.

He knew about the dream of Delois and Clodia.

It is necessarily related to the gem amulet he obtained from the temple of the Sun God Church.

Whether it's the story of Delois, the history of the Holy Kingdom and the Demon Realm, or the memories of the Master, they are all inextricably linked.

And the ultimate destination of all this is the Tenth-Order Shadow World, the Heaven-Piercing World-Destroying Battlefield.

"May the Goddess bless you."

Alger said so.

Even though everything Dekan said and did might be fake.

But Alger, in any case, did not believe that Dekan's gratitude and piety when he swore the oath were insincere.

He noticed the amulet of the Sun God Church on Dekan's body; Dekan clearly cherished it and took good care of it.

"And, I wish you success in defeating the Imperial Sword Saint."

Alger added.

Regardless of his personal opinion of Dekan.

Everyone hopes Dekan can win.

Dekan stared at Alger for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

At the beginning of the round of 16, after Alger openly challenged him, Dekan felt that he should make fun of Alger to do him justice.

Turns out, this guy really does have a good temper.

Too honest.

All of this made Dekan feel unmotivated.

It even seems like we shouldn't be teasing him like this.

"You're not bad... but to defeat an enemy like Fahim, you need to become a bit more cunning. You need to know how to deceive and how to launch sneak attacks! If even the Goddess's Saint Knight Captain were this honest, I'm sure she'd have a headache too."

Dekan extended his hand to Alger, but this time it wasn't a deception, but a genuine gesture.

Upon hearing this, Alger hesitated slightly.

Although Dekan seemed exceptionally sincere at this moment, Alger also felt that Dekan's words were particularly irritating.

The honest and easily deceived Saint Knight Captain that Dekan refers to seems to include not only Alger, but also Judith, who was tricked into becoming an idol.

"Yeah?"

So Alger grasped Dekan's hand.

I used a little force.

"It hurts, it hurts!"

Dekan shouted as he pulled his hand away.

Seeing Dekan's condition, Alger rarely showed a slight smile, released his grip, and cast a minor healing spell on Dekan.

The two exchanged a smile and didn't say anything more.

Farewell.

One day later.

The other semi-final ended in an unsurprising victory for the Imperial Sword Saint Adair.

The final match will be between Dekan and Adair in two days.

Who will win?

It also became the most talked-about topic in the entire Royal Capital.

However, during these two days of rest period.

Dekan had no intention of wasting time preparing any underhanded tactics or dealing with the Imperial Sword Saint.

But he has other things to do now.

So on the first day of the break, Dekan left home alone early in the morning.

He arrived at the vast park in the Royal Capital, found a quiet spot, and casually sat down on a bench.

He then began flipping through the book in his hands, seemingly to pass the time.

He was waiting for someone.

Waiting for a very important person whom we rarely see.

It is said that even the higher-ups of the Kingdom Association rarely see the true form of the Astrologer Sion.

Upon arriving in the Philoven Kingdom, Dekan immediately conveyed his desire to meet Sion.

However, it was merely conveyed upwards.

There has been no reply yet.

But today, I finally received a reply from Sion.

When Dekan woke up early in the morning, he saw a blue crystal on the windowsill. After analyzing it, he saw the message that Sion wanted to convey and her signature.

Sion told Dekan to wait for her by a bench in Philoven Memorial Park.

They didn't tell Dekan the specific location either.

This means that Dekan only needs to go there and find any bench, and the Astrologer Sion will naturally find him.

It was surprisingly informal.

So today.

Dekan was already waiting in the park.

"We meet again?"

Before anyone knew it, a figure had appeared beside Dekan.

He naturally sat down on the other side of the bench.

Dekan was slightly taken aback.

Because he remembered the voice.

My fists clenched involuntarily.

After leaving the Endless Purgatory of Eternal Pursuit the Shadow World, he met a young reporter with light blue hair at the academy.

Then he was asked some questions that left him speechless.

Later, Dekan read the report.

He finally realized that this journalist named Ludwig was a super hater.

Her reputation is so bad, and she bears at least 10% of the responsibility!

"You..."

Dekan had considered it.

If I ever meet this young reporter again, I will make sure she knows what Bishop of Pain is like.

However, Dekan is now at a loss for words when it comes to evaluating her.

So, you're a level nine Astrologer, and your hobby is just creating alternate accounts to smurf (or even kill low-level players)?

Dekan turned his head and looked at the playful girl in overalls; nobody knew exactly how old she was.

This is completely different from the dignified and elegant Astrologer described in the records.

What a strange person.

"We can't afford to offend them, we can't afford to offend them."

Dekan sighed.

Even if this guy is a support character, he might not be the real one.

But she's at the ninth rank, and Dekan has no way to deal with her.

"Your performance was truly brilliant. Now, even if you win the championship, we won't need to ask about the Lord of Calamity's identity."

Ludwig said with a smile.

She seemed to know a lot of things, but she always maintained this joking attitude.

"I don't want to talk to you anymore, I hate you. I only came here to give you this."

Dekan handed a document to Ludwig, then sat a little further away from Ludwig with obvious disdain.

Ludwig took the document and calmly cast a protective spell.

I quickly opened the file and read through it.

Do you think the Resurrection Church will attack the Philoven Kingdom this time?

Ludwig carefully put away the materials, just like a journalist.

Dekan: "The probability is close to zero, but I think it's always good to be on the safe side, even if not this time, it's worth it for someday in the future."

Ludwig: "Yes, I understand."

Dekan was slightly surprised by Ludwig's attitude.

She didn't seem to think that Dekan's words sounded like those of a lunatic.

Instead, they gave it serious consideration.

Did Ludwig somehow detect other clues? Or could this be divined?

Are you wondering why I would so easily take these outrageous scenarios you mentioned seriously?

Ludwig observed Dekan's expression and asked with a smile.

Dekan: "I'm just curious whether it's magic, wisdom, or luck or something like that."

Ludwig: "Let me tell you a secret, I have informants within the Resurrection Church."

"Um?"

Dekan frowned.

If the Resurrection Church is going to cause trouble this time.

Those who have access to intelligence must be high-ranking members of the church.

Moreover, even those involved in the operation would likely have little access to the complete plan.

Therefore, if Astrologer can obtain even a little information, then her informant must be in a very high position.

Which one is it?

"Dekan asked."

"I can't tell you! I have to protect the safety of our top intelligence agent."

Ludwig glared at Dekan and said.

"Cut."

Dekan clicked his tongue, realizing he shouldn't have talked to this annoying Astrologer so much.

"But if you ever find yourself in dire straits, call out his codename 'Unicorn,' and maybe he'll help you."

Ludwig said with a smile, his eyes closed.

"...?"

Can you help me?

Could he really be a bishop?

Upon closer reflection...

Dekan suddenly began to feel that the Church of Resurrection Church was a bit strange.

It is currently known that there is an insider involved in embezzling funds.

There was also a traitor in the Randir Kingdom who secretly helped Dekan.

If the Kingdom Association also has a mole within the Resurrection Church.

Furthermore, if the three individuals mentioned above are not the same person.

Of the nine bishops currently serving in the Resurrection Church, how many are traitors?!