However, this man was already dominated by his own Charm, so whatever she says now would not be doubted.
But she was also aware that this was only because the Cruising Bishop was originally off-guard towards her. Once she made an overly unreasonable request or waited for him to calmly think it over, it would be easy for him to perceive her anomalies.
She spoke slowly, with a hint of uncertain hesitation, "But I am the Saintess of the prophecy, isn't this just your personal speculation? What if you are wrong?"
"Impossible!" The Cruising Bishop decisively replied, which even made the Hero pause in surprise.
How much does this person trust himself? Truly disgusting.
"Then, if the Church does not agree with this direction of prophecy, wouldn't your sacrifice be in vain?"
Hero, you need not worry, the direction of prophecy for the Fire of Divine Sage is decided by the Receiving Ceremony Bishop himself." The Cruising Bishop took a deep breath, his tone leaving no room for doubt,
"Although this ritual has been sealed for a long time, it's still one of the foundations of the Church. Once the ritual is successful, even the Pope cannot defy the outcome of the prophecy. At that time, countless people from the Church will naturally come to greet you and naturally crown you as the Saintess."
The Cruising Bishop's expression gradually calmed, seemingly resolute in his decision.
Meanwhile, the Hero also swiveled his eyes, as if thinking of a good idea.
1. Weren't you also not thinking about saving the Saintess?
2. Why don't you go punish those darknesses yourself?
3. What do you think I truly need?
4. Don't you find it strange?
9. It's Black Gate's fault ♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
The Hero's expression became even softer, his voice as tender as soft feathers teasing the ears.
"But then, the person greeting me won't be you, right?".
At once, the originally resolute expression of the Cruising Bishop wavered, showing a pained look.
"You will be sacrificed for this ritual, won't you?" the Hero continued to inquire, with a pitying tone.
"Yes… yes…" the Cruising Bishop squeezed out two words between his teeth.
Then he lowered his gaze, unable to meet the eyes of the Hero any longer, his heart full of contradictions and struggles.
In reality, if truly convinced that the next Saintess was within his own faction, and facing fierce factional opposition, the ritual of the Fire of Divine Sage also wasn't an unacceptable choice for many.
The reason the Cruising Bishop thought of this method was also that the Church had relied on this ritual more than once in history, and it had helped them select outstanding leaders in difficult circumstances, steering them out of adversity.
But ultimately, if there wasn't a lack of alternatives, who would willingly sacrifice their life? Moreover, although slightly demoted, he was still a newly promoted bishop with a promising future.
But he really couldn't bear it—
"But you haven't done anything wrong, why should you offer your life for such a matter?" the Hero softly sighed.
"Is it really okay to punish yourself for the mistakes of others?"
The Cruising Bishop opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
The Hero was not aware of the intense factional conflicts inside the Church, nor did she understand the extensive power the nationwide Church possessed, and how revered the status of the Saintess was.
However, it was precisely because of this that her words seemed so direct, striking the doubts within his heart.
"Hero, I am doing this for you—"
"Bishop." The Hero's expression suddenly turned serious, causing the Cruising Bishop to swallow his words.
"Do you think I would sacrifice a friend for the sake of so-called status? Or are you just selfishly hoping that I won't refuse your selflessness? Even if it pains me?"
The Hero's gaze was sharp as a knife, making the Cruising Bishop fall into silence.
He was well aware of this reasoning, but...
"Besides, don't you think that someone else should really be responsible for this?"
The Hero's tone once again became gentle, as if enlightening him about something, her lips curling into a meaningful smile.
The Cruising Bishop looked up at her, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
[So what did the Black Gate do wrong?]
2. Erred in being too weak
3. Just right to take the blame ♛
7.8.9. Seems like it really knows something
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
"The emergence of Magic Cloud Undercurrents, along with the current Saintess's disappearance, don't you find the simultaneity of these events too much of a coincidence?"
Upon the Hero's inquiry, the Cruising Bishop pondered briefly.
He had indeed considered the strange aspects of this matter, but as a Cruising Bishop who travels all over and stationed at the Border, his contact with the Church's central administration was inherently weak, and he lacked the authority to access relevant data.
To figure out the disappearance of the Saintess and the ongoing internal strife was already a mark of his well-informed status, further investigation and intervention was beyond his capabilities, hence he thought of the extreme method of the Fire of Divine Sage.
"The Saintess is so powerful, and the Magic Cloud didn't cause too much damage before, how could she possibly disappear so simply?" the Hero added further, her tone assertive as if she had seen through everything.
The Cruising Bishop couldn't help but nod, admitting that her words made much sense.
"Then, there's only one truth: someone ambushed her in the sky." The Hero spoke calmly yet with a chilling tone, "Possibly relying on the chaotic magical environment, tearing open Space, and transporting her to a far distant place, creating the illusion of her disappearance..."