Chapter 1252 - 563: The Vanished Archbishop

Chapter 1252: Chapter 563: The Vanished Archbishop

Ophidia squinted her eyes, pondering silently, unable to stop the slight twitch of her lips.

Once this thought emerged, it grew wildly like vines, connecting many seemingly coincidental events from the past.

The Archbishop’s every "temper" with Herbert, every seemingly dangerous "test," every subsequent "guidance" and "resource tilt," seemed to have deep significance.

Looking back now, it all seemed like preparing the core components for some enormous project in advance, or rather, like nurturing someone capable of taking over a mess... a successor?

No, why is there such eagerness and action only in matters like this!

She lowered her head, gazing with some pity at the young man lost in thought resting on her tail, couldn’t help but gently stroke his white hair with affection, sighing softly to herself.

Poor guy, probably still doesn’t know what he’ll face in the future, right?

Such a naive appearance, clearly unaware of what future awaits him.

"Hmm?"

Herbert didn’t quite guess the depth of Ophidia’s inner play, even if he did, he would only chuckle.

He doesn’t know?

Joking~

He knows all too well!

Herbert might be more aware than anyone of the direction his future takes, knowing well the path destined for him.

Surprised by Ophidia’s gentle touch, Herbert merely raised his head curiously to look at her, surprised by how suddenly tender she became.

Not kicking me out today?

But since someone took the initiative, he didn’t mind, comfortably enjoying the gentle caress of slender fingers.

Ophidia’s fingers, slightly cool, carried a faint violet-like fragrance, threading softly through his hair, indeed quite pleasant.

He half-squinted his eyes and asked, "If the flesh remains and only the soul goes out, where might he go?"

"...Probably places where the gods can’t find him." Ophidia hesitated for a moment, unsure of the Archbishop’s whereabouts.

As long as the Archbishop intentionally hides his whereabouts, no one in this world can find him.

The difference in power is on a completely different level, even attempting a prophecy would be impossible, shrouded completely in mist.

But given the Archbishop’s character, since he hasn’t announced to the world he’s gone out, he would certainly act as inconspicuously as possible.

He won’t let the gods notice, definitely would choose a place not detectable by them.

After all, he’s merely "off-duty" for a while, not completely "dropping the ball," he wouldn’t joke around with the monastery’s safety.

Herbert nodded slightly, pondering for a moment, then widened his eyes, pressing further: "In that case, did he leave any clues behind? Like letters and such?"

"No."

Ophidia pursed her lips, grunting displeasedly, "Not even a single note, let alone letters, I think he’s just doing it out of spite!"

The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed.

The Archbishop, being somewhat petty usually, surely seized the opportunity for revenge!

"Hmm?"

Herbert blinked curiously, confused.

Revenge?

Revenge for what?

Oh!

The resignation letter thing!

Leaving a resignation letter, then cheerfully running out... such an idea is indeed possible.

After all, at that time, they mainly wanted to see the Archbishop’s helpless look, not expecting such an "innovative revenge."

Herbert blinked, not daring to mention that the resignation letter event seemed intentionally crafted by them to test old Deng, even if being rebuffed seemed reasonable.

But at this moment, Herbert chose not to be the sensible one, decisively choosing to say nothing and joining the campaign against old Deng.

How could old Deng be so bad!

Even after leaving, he wouldn’t leave a letter, not even a notice, completely creating trouble for our work!

Such a bad old Deng!

Hmm...

Sometimes, logic is necessary.

But there are times when reason cannot be imparted at all.

In short, don’t resist, just join.

And after following Ophidia in attacking the Archbishop for a while, Herbert shared his guess.

"Only the soul, a place not easily detected by gods... do you think the Archbishop went to the Star Realm?"

"Star Realm?"

Ophidia paused, nodded hesitantly: "That... that does seem quite possible."

The Star Realm, to spiritual beings, is an excellent place for travel and adventure.

Though for most Star Realm wanderers, it’s fraught with danger, requiring constant vigilance, a hazardous place indeed.

The legendary walk on thin ice, fearing encountering insurmountable unknown disasters, even the epic have to be cautious, risks of mishaps at any moment.

However, for the Divine... although the Star Realm is not entirely safe, there isn’t much threat.

The Divine’s powerful divine format and divine strength, allow them to stabilize themselves in the Star Realm, resisting most risks.

They can even absorb the energy of the Star Realm to replenish themselves, or capture those floating fragments of consciousness to gain ancient knowledge.

However, because the rules of the Star Realm and other Divine Forbidden Areas are the same, gods, once fallen within, cannot be resurrected, it’s considered a place of ill-omen, rarely tread by gods lightly.

But would the Archbishop care about such things?

If he did care, he wouldn’t be constantly guarding at the Mist Mountain Range, this Divine Forbidden Area.

And if it’s only the spirit, without the encumbrance of flesh, then his movement within the Star Realm would be more convenient, even in treacherous lands he could explore boldly.

"If he’s gone to the Star Realm, then who knows when he’ll return, it might take some time indeed."

Ophidia frowned, huffing a bit in displeasure.

Some areas of the Star Realm have a time flow unlike the main material plane, sometimes hundreds of years might pass there, equating to a few days here, and other times, the opposite.

The Archbishop’s journey indeed makes the return uncertain.

"Just slacking off, huh!"

Though Ophidia complained with her lips, truthfully, she wasn’t very unhappy deep down.

Even she took a stroll for a while, the Archbishop couldn’t resist the urge to go for some air, it’s somewhat understandable.

Empathizing, makes sense.

In fact, deep within some corner of her heart, she hoped the Archbishop could spend more time outside.

On one hand, allowing him to unwind a bit.

The Archbishop carried too much, safeguarded for too long, it’s about time he temporarily laid down the burden to seek some pure freedom of his own.

On the other hand... with the Archbishop absent, her pressure could be slightly lessened, not always worried he’d discover the relationship between her and Herbert.

Seems, she could be bolder?

She thought, her tail sliding slowly, the tip climbing Herbert’s waist, the cool, flexible touch lightly rubbing through the fabric, hesitating whether to entwine him.

Meanwhile, Herbert was also pondering a question.

"Wait, if it’s the Star Realm, could the Archbishop coincidentally meet Finn?"

No way, no way!

There can’t be such a coincidence, right?

"Although it’s absurd, the Star Realm is so vast, the probability of them meeting is nearly nonexistent, but... what if?"

Herbert blinked, increasingly feeling such a thing might happen.

It’s well known, improbable events always seem to occur regularly.

"Moreover, considering Finn’s luck tainted with Sammi’s misfortune, this isn’t entirely impossible."

Question: What’s the worst encounter during a Star Realm journey?

Answer: Facing risks losing protection, supplies, coordinates, and... encountering a god with ill intent.

For Finn, met again by the Archbishop, it seemed nothing was missed, encountering all of it.

A grand slam!

"Furthermore, if during this period the Archbishop isn’t in the monastery..."

Herbert’s heart fluttered, his eyes suddenly turning odd, stroking his chin, blinking, whispering to himself: "Can I now..."

"Recklessly tear the house apart?"

.

.

A new month, asking for votes!!!

Asking for auto-subscription aaah—

[Voting place: monthly votes! Recommendation votes!]