Chapter 296 - 284: The Plan Must Continue (Part 2)

Chapter 296: Chapter 284: The Plan Must Continue (Part 2)

The Pianist pressed further.

"We’re not sure yet. It could have been for Shelter, or it could have been for Manifestation. I lean toward the latter. Humanity needs a seventh Saint right now, and the Manifestation Saint has the most motive to make a move."

The High Priest speculated.

Another Priest added:

"So They worked together to set this trap? They killed our Steward in Radiant City, destroyed our Holy Land there, and used it all to lure the Sovereign into an ambush?"

"That must be it. Those people... they’re so treacherous and vile!"

The High Priest cursed viciously.

"So what do we do now? How can we show our devotion to the Sovereign?"

Another Priest asked.

"The Sovereign’s recovery will take time. No one knows how long. And the help that we ants can offer is insignificant... However, the Sovereign has not ordered us to halt our operations. So, our current plan must move forward."

The High Priest glanced around at the faces of the others. Noticing their troubled expressions, he continued:

"I know that without the Sovereign’s Shelter, confronting the Sect on our own will be extremely difficult. That’s why we must be cautious. We must use our own strength to prove our capabilities and our devotion to the Sovereign."

In truth, not everyone felt the weight of the situation. The Pianist, for one, was secretly sighing in relief.

’As the Steward responsible for executing the plan, he was terrified the Sovereign would blame him for the failure in Radiant City and punish him for it.’

’The punishment would be an unimaginable agony, a terror beyond comprehension...’

’But thankfully, it looked like the Sovereign wouldn’t be holding him accountable for the time being.’

’That also gave him more than enough time to catch the scoundrel who killed the Steward.’

So, he spoke up.

"Before I came here, I performed a Divination and identified the Steward’s killer. I’ve already sent people to Radiant City to find him. We will bring him here to the City of Illusion, and his blood and screams will appease the Sovereign’s wrath!"

"Mm, well done!"

The High Priest nodded and added a word of praise.

"If everyone in our Sect had your sharp mind and loyalty, we wouldn’t be in such a sorry state."

The moment he finished speaking, another Priest interjected:

"But what about our plans for Radiant City? We’ve lost the Holy Land. Even if we send a new Steward, they’ll have no safe base of operations."

"Hmm... true... The Radiant City operation is the most critical part of the plan. We absolutely cannot abandon it. I’ll figure something out. I will provide another Holy Land and entrust it to a reliable Steward."

As the High Priest spoke, he turned his gaze toward the Pianist.

Everyone else present turned to look at him as well.

The Pianist, suddenly awkward, waved his hands dismissively.

"Well... the Radiant City operation is the most critical part of the plan. With my current strength, I’m afraid I’m not..."

"Strength isn’t the most important thing. What matters is a quick mind, meticulous thought, and a decisive, responsible character. That’s why you are the most suitable candidate. As for your concerns about strength, don’t worry. I will give you two grade-five Holy Artifacts for your protection."

As he spoke, the High Priest acted without hesitation. He reached into his robes and produced a very expensive-looking Ritual Dagger and a gleaming gold necklace.

Seeing this, the other Priests followed his lead, each presenting Holy Artifacts, potions, materials for Transcendence, and even large checks to show their support and confidence in the Pianist.

The Pianist quickly feigned an expression of being overwhelmed by the honor. While his words remained humble, inwardly he was ecstatic.

’He’d actually long felt that the Radiant City operation, being the core of the plan, should have been his responsibility from the start.’

’The pressure and risks would be immense, but it would also be far easier to gain the Sect’s resources, not to mention the Sovereign’s favor and Shelter.’

’He could become one of the Sovereign’s Beloved much more easily, rise into the Sect’s upper echelons, and maybe even become the Sovereign’s Deputy in the mortal realm, ruling over this entire world.’

’That’s why he’d always been frustrated about not being assigned to Radiant City. Instead, he was stuck in the City of Illusion, playing pointless games with boring high-society types.’

’They were all influential people, but their status meant there was little he could do to them, all while being constantly monitored and restricted by the Priests.’

’It was nothing like Radiant City, where he could have done whatever he wanted, completely free.’

Thankfully, the chance had arrived. Staring at the mountain of gifts piled before him, the Pianist knew the opportunity he had so desperately awaited was finally here.

The High Priest spoke again at this time:

"Work hard. As long as everything goes smoothly in Radiant City, the Sovereign will surely make you one of His Beloved after He awakens. When that day comes, even I will have to grovel at your feet."

"No, of course not. Your Grace is far too distinguished for that."

The Pianist was still putting on a humble front when a discordant voice suddenly cut in from the side:

"Just laugh if you want to. I can tell you’ve been holding it in for a while. It must be exhausting."

"Huh?"

The Pianist froze, whipping his head toward the source of the voice. ’Who the hell is so tactless? Who just said what I was thinking out loud?’

But what he saw was an unfamiliar middle-aged man, staring at him with narrowed eyes and a mocking smile.