After sending the Naaru to the Divine Kingdom, Li Ming turned to Ria, who had been standing quietly off to the side. Amused by the girl's attempt to look composed, he said, "Ria, if you've brought something, take it out!"
"Oh no! The Holy Light noticed!" Ria stamped her foot in disappointment, then opened her tightly clasped hands. Five Old Gods radiating an evil aura flew out of her palms.
The moment the five Old Gods left Ria's hands, they fled in different directions without a second thought. Neither Ria nor Li Ming paid them any attention.
"Holy Light, I hope you like the snacks I brought you."
Seeing Ria's expectant look, practically begging for praise, Li Ming smiled helplessly. She was the girl he had raised, after all. He conjured a golden arm and gently stroked her head. Time had passed so quickly. How long had it been since he first saw this girl lying in a mud pit?
Back then, he had been incredibly weak, unable even to affect reality. This girl had always held unwavering faith in him, building the Holy Church into a vast organization, step by step.
Watching Ria enjoy his touch like a cat, Li Ming felt a faint stirring in his heart. Her attachment to him had never changed.
"Ria, you'll always stay by my side, won't you?" Li Ming suddenly asked with a trace of uncertainty.
"Of course!" Ria opened her bright eyes and looked at Li Ming. "I'll hold on to the Holy Light just as tightly as I did at the beginning, and I'll never let go. Holy Light! I won't let you shake off your one and only Pope." At that moment, Ria's resolve was absolute. Through their journeys across multiple worlds, it was this unwavering will that had