Llane paused slightly in his approach. Seeing Bishop Aures's exaggerated expression beside him, he began studying Rich and his companion with curiosity.
Rich did not answer Bishop Aures's question directly. Instead, he strolled forward, a ball of gentle light appearing in his hand.
"Hold out your hands and carefully feel the will of the great Holy Light." Rich looked calmly at Aures, the aging man before him.
Aures composed himself and shakily extended his somewhat bony hands, pressing them gently against the ball of light.
In an instant, his consciousness passed through countless dimensions and arrived in a dark, empty space shimmering with iridescent light. While he was still bewildered, he looked up and saw an enormous, boundless golden sphere of light floating in the void.
His tiny body was like a mayfly, too insignificant to be seen.
"Wh... what is this?" Aures's mouth fell open as he stared at the scene in disbelief.
"My believer, are you certain it is me you believe in? Your will is neither steadfast nor absolute!"
A vast, ethereal voice resounded throughout Aures's soul.
"In the end, it is not quite what it seems! The light of this universe has not formed a will of its own."
A faint voice spoke with regret.
"Are... are you the Holy Light?" Aures asked uncertainly.
"Have you felt my will? Are you willing to put it into practice?"
A will different from the one he had always upheld suddenly flowed into Aures's mind.
"Hope! Freedom and peace, harmony for all, and the creation of an earthly paradise."
Aures strained to comprehend the information in his mind. The more he understood, the more he looked at the great sphere of light before him as though it were some terrifying being.
"That is impossible. I acknowledge your greatness, but