Ed's words were like a wake-up call, making even the last bug in Duolin's logic chain disappear.
That's right, that's exactly it!
As the saying goes, those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly; with just a little guidance from Ed, Duolin immediately grasped the key point.
The so-called apostates never existed in the first place!
For Yiden and his companions, their secret had to be kept from several new comrades, so what could be more logical than fabricating a non-existent "apostate" and having the bishop lead the investigation?
As a former Holy See guard, I would respond quickly upon hearing about this. I wouldn't return to the church until I caught them, and thus wouldn't discover their despicable deeds!
All that talk of extreme danger and carrying sacred artifacts now seems to be lies, just excuses to lure out these powerful outsiders!
It's impossible to catch someone who doesn't exist, and your time will be wasted in the long run.
Perhaps my current actions are all within that old man's expectations...
Thinking of this, Duolin's fist, which was wrapped in vines, suddenly hardened!
Despicable! Absolutely despicable! This vile fellow must pay the price for his blasphemy!
But then he suddenly realized something was wrong, so he looked at Ed with pleading eyes.
"Go ahead and ask."
Ed looked at those eager eyes and said helplessly.
Duolin felt that the person in front of him had become much closer since he had just made the oath, and his attitude had completely changed. Except for not untying him, everything else was fine.
He organized his thoughts and then asked his new and final question:
"Since the apostates that Yiden and others talk about don't exist, then who are you referring to as the apostates?"
Oh dear, you actually found the bug.
Ed smiled at Duolin; he had been prepared for this.
"Priest, what do you think of Yiden and his men's behavior in my eyes?"
"Betray..."
"Then what do you think I see you priests who are in the same church as Yiden?"
Duolin has lost count of how many times he's had an "aha!" moment today, realizing how it works!
No wonder the other party was so cold at first, only becoming friendly after I swore an oath. Putting myself in their shoes, I was seen as a heretic from a den of traitors in their eyes; not killing me on the spot was already merciful...
While moved, Duolin began to think about solutions to the current dire situation, but he couldn't come up with any good ideas, so he looked at Ed:
"So what should we do now? Should we fight back? The three of us Holy See guards (two of whom are crippled), plus you and these Elite Warrior, should be able to put up a fight against those apostates at the White Wax Town Church!"
Ed immediately shook his head:
"Do you think only White Wax Town does this kind of thing? They don't have the guts."
Duolin swallowed hard.
"You mean the province...?"
Ed still shook his head.
"Could it be that even the Verdant Holy See of the Holy City...?"
Ed nodded slightly.
"This kind of thing simply couldn't happen without the approval of the highest levels."
Duolin suddenly felt the world spinning before him, and his worldview and beliefs collapsed at that moment.
Human experimentation, a heinous act previously only seen among dark mages before the Demonic Tide, has actually occurred in the great and pure Verdant Holy See?
He simply couldn't accept this reality.
What upset him even more was that the boy's words made a lot of sense; this matter must have been authorized by higher-ups.
Even if he wanted to report this matter, it would most likely be a case of throwing a stone into the sea, and he might even die inexplicably as the whistleblower...
"Then... do you have any ideas?"
Ed, with a confident expression, looked at the bewildered warrior and shook his head:
"Corruption and depravity are irreversible. The Holy See is no longer the Holy See we know, and it has no way of changing back into the Holy See we know."
"To ensure piety, purity, and loyalty, we must reunite with the Tree God!"
Ed stared intently at the man below who was nodding frantically:
What's your name?
"My name is Duolin, sir."
" Duolin!"
The vines binding him had somehow come to release their hold, Ed reached out his hand to him once more, his words brimming with an air of absolute confidence:
"I am Bishop Ed Adrian, and I extend an invitation to you and your companions to join us in establishing— the Second Holy See!"
Second... the Holy See?
Duolin felt his brain was overwhelmed; could words in the kingdom's language really be arranged like this?
His throat went dry, and he felt as if Ed was also doing something blasphemous...
How much time do you need to think about it?
Upon seeing that he didn't immediately agree, the boy's tone changed slightly.
"I'm sorry... I just..."
Duolin was about to offer some explanation when he was interrupted by the other party:
"No need to explain. If you don't agree, that's fine too. I will let the five of you return to White Wax Town. Since it's for the reconstruction of the sacred Holy See, I naturally disdain to use despicable means."
" The Second Holy See does not intend to replace the original Tree Worship Church, but rather to act as the Tree God's sword, severing those corrupt and decadent parts, and allowing the Tree Worship Church, as the Tree God's favorite, to be Vitality!"
The unexpected answer warmed Duolin like the sun; he truly hadn't imagined that even now, he would still have the option of being released...
This warmth and kindness are qualities that only priests who remain true to their principles can possess.
With that thought in mind, he no longer hesitated and gripped Ed's hands tightly as well:
"Your Excellency, I choose to join you. Let us work together to uphold the Tree Worship Church and sweep away all injustice!"
Seeing Ed moved to tears, Duolin certain that he had done the right thing.
Ed gripped his hand tightly and said:
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you. From now on, you're free. No more vines will bind you. But... what about your companions...?"
Ed looked toward the other four rice dumplings.
Because their injuries were more severe, those people had fallen into a deep sleep after not receiving any feedback from the outside world for a long time. Ed's painstaking efforts in manipulating others only managed to win over Duolin.
The remaining task will now be entrusted to him.
"Please rest assured, Your Excellency, you have already explained so much for me. It would be too much of a waste of your time to have you repeat those words to them again. Let me do it, although... I am not confident that I can retain every single one of them."