Chapter 298 - 271: This Child Is a Little Different

Chapter 298: Chapter 271: This Child Is a Little Different

In the end, Shire could only put the matter of Magic Cannonballs on the back burner for now. After all, he hadn’t even managed to create a Cannonball from a Hand Grenade Fruit yet, so a Magic Bullet was still a distant dream.

His priority now was to finish the prototype of the Rune Mortar as quickly as possible, then figure out how to mass-produce it. Caocao had already developed a new Ability from the Evil God, something that hadn’t been reported to the Feathered Serpent Evil God. It was tantamount to stealing the Ability right from under its nose. Shire figured that petty snake would probably find out soon, and then the next batch of goblins would be "sent" over.

According to the Elephant Lord, although these Magical Beasts had ascended to become Evil Gods, they still retained their basic instincts, like hiding in caves or being inactive during winter.

Shire knew some snakes hibernated; he just didn’t know if the Feathered Serpent was one of them. If it didn’t hibernate, it would probably drive the next batch of goblins over very soon. And their commanders would, in all likelihood, be those "Dongtou" he had previously let go.

It was unavoidable. Marching and fighting in the forest was simply too difficult for goblins. ’For a bunch of creatures who can’t count past twenty—some missing fingers and toes, unable even to get that far—it’s just too hard.’

’I just wonder how many they’ll send this time.’

Shire really wished the Feathered Serpent Evil God would hibernate. Then he could lead his men on a sneak attack, maybe even have the Naga Race set up a Teleportation Gate on the shore in advance. He could launch a surprise raid before dawn and then "slay" the Feathered Serpent on the battlefield.

’That’s just wishful thinking,’ he thought with a wry smile, knowing his idea was a bit unrealistic.

After all, his enemy was one of only three Evil Gods in the Nightmare Forest. There was also a powerful Black Dragon to the east. The Elephant Lord had said that only the tiger to the north was unusually active in winter, but even that big fellow wasn’t willing to explore too far. It was another creature content to stake out its own territory and be left alone.

’However, if I can’t borrow Lust’s Ability, could I borrow someone else’s?’ Shire mused, pacing on the flat ground as he slowly walked back to the Fortress. In the distance, an elephant used its tusks and trunk to lift a felled log, preparing to carry it to a construction site. ’Just like borrowing the strength of this outside elephant herd?’

He mentally reviewed his connections, realizing the only truly powerful help he could possibly call on was from Sofia’s direction. Count Valentine was powerful, but he would probably try to chop off Shire’s green, bald head on sight. Vivian’s side was also formidable; two Great Mages teaming up could likely hold their own against an Evil God, but Shire didn’t want to disturb his sister’s magical studies.

’Asking Sofia for help is probably impossible, too,’ Shire sighed, kicking a loose stone. ’To get her to act, I’d have to claim to be the so-called Divine Chosen One. Too bad I’m not.’

’Looks like I can only rely on myself,’ he thought, stretching lazily as he walked into the Fortress entrance. ’Time to go crank up the pressure on Red Eyes and the others.’

"The success I’ve achieved to this day has all been through my own hard work. There are no outside forces to rely on. Red Eyes, activate."

...

「Torch City」

Outside the Bishop’s office in the Holy Oak Cathedral, a gentle voice called out, "Sofia, Bishop Luther will see you now."

For once, Sofia wasn’t yawning or dozing off in a corner. Instead, she straightened her robes and nodded. "I understand."

The nun watched the round-faced young woman in surprise, but seeing her walk calmly into the office, she said nothing more.

"Sofia, child, you’re back." Hearing footsteps, Bishop Luther raised his head from a pile of documents on his desk. He saw Sofia just standing there, silent.

"What is it, child?" He smiled, then turned to the nun. "Please prepare two cups of coffee for us."

"Of course, Lord Bishop." The nun nodded, turned to leave, and pulled the heavy wooden door shut behind her.

Only after the nun had left did Sofia speak. "Vissans is dead."

"Dead?" Archbishop Luther frowned. "Did you kill him?"

"Uh..." Sofia hesitated. She was trying to figure out how to describe her investigation. If she told the complete truth, she would inevitably have to mention Shire, which would also bring up the matter of the forest blessed by the Life God. Shire had repeatedly asked her not to say anything about him or his people, to just let them live in peace in the forest.

But she wasn’t very good at making things up. After all, deceiving a Bishop was sometimes seen as deceiving the Main God, and as someone who had grown up in the Church, Sofia’s faith in the Main God was incredibly devout.

"I killed him, I suppose. Or rather, not with my own hands," she finally said after a few seconds of thought. She had replayed this conversation in her head several times on the way back, devising various response strategies. This ambiguous answer was just one of them.

"Hmm," Bishop Luther mused for a few seconds. "It seems the man killed himself."

Sofia raised an eyebrow slightly. ’I can’t believe the Lord Bishop just filled in the blanks of my "lie" for me,’ she thought. ’Perhaps because I’m known for being so devout in the Church, everyone just completely believes me on the rare occasion I lie.’

Seeing the expression on Sofia’s face, the corner of Bishop Luther’s mouth quirked up. "Looks like I guessed correctly. You don’t need to blame yourself or be too sad. This was the path Vissans chose for himself."

A knock came from outside the door. After the Bishop gave permission, the nun brought in two cups of coffee and placed them on the desk.

After the nun had left again, Bishop Luther asked, "So, did he leave behind any notes or books?"

Sofia looked down, took a few books from the leather pouch at her waist, and stepped forward to place them on the desk. "There are only these."

Bishop Luther’s brow furrowed after just a glance. "Just these? Are there no others? Especially *Mushroom Spores and Life Form Variants*. That Evil Book must be sealed away."

"I’m sorry, Lord Bishop," Sofia said, shaking her head. "I searched many times. These were truly the only ones. As for that Evil Book, I never even saw it."

Bishop Luther stared intently at the round-faced girl for nearly ten seconds before breaking into a smile. "Alright, I understand, child. I can tell you’re not lying to me about the books."

"If there’s nothing else, you may go and rest," he said with a wave of his hand, dismissing Sofia. "I hear they’re making something delicious again today. Oh, right, go on and drink your coffee."

"No, Lord Bishop. I don’t really drink coffee anymore. I’m trying something else," Sofia said. After giving a bow, she walked calmly to the door.

"That child... she seems a little different than before," Bishop Luther muttered under his breath.

"By the way, Lord Bishop," Sofia said, her hand on the large door handle. She didn’t pull it open right away, but instead turned back to ask:

"Does the Main God... choose His own Divine Chosen One?"