The longsword pierced through his chest, and Achisto's voice choked in his throat.
The High Priest of the 'Inland River Cult' stared with wide eyes, looking down at the blood-stained longsword.
But the outcome would not change.
Ripples stirred up once more behind him as the longsword was about to be withdrawn.
Achisto grasped the blade with one hand.
"Lord Hamlet, this is not my fault!
It's all Toran's fault!
I just naively believed the villain's slander!"
Achisto explained desperately.
However, the longsword had no hesitation.
The blade trembled slightly.
The next moment, fingers and palms flew into the air, and Achisto's chest was ripped open with a huge gash.
A figure fell to its knees.
"Lord Hamlet, you promised me, you had promised me!"
The kneeling Achisto's voice rose from a low to a high pitch.
Then, it abruptly stopped.
The longsword swept across the High Priest of the 'Inland River Cult's' neck, and the head flew high before crashing heavily to the ground, the eyes that had not closed in death staring straight at the Inland River.
Waves glittered, and the sound of waves rolled on.
Standing on the deck of his arcane ship, Gleisa Hamlet gave his sword a flick.
At once, the fresh blood clinging to the blade all fell upon the Inland River.
The crimson quickly faded.
Eventually, it disappeared completely.
The eldest son of the Old Lion slowly sheathed his sword, not sparing Port Doldot a glance.
For the eldest son of the Old Lion, Achisto's death had been predetermined.
Especially after Delpock, on whom he had expended great efforts to raise, had died, what reason did the dispensable Achisto have to live?
Only with Achisto's death could the eldest son of the Old Lion feel a bit better.
At least, it would let him believe that it was because of Achisto that his plans had gone awry, not because of his own miscalculation.
'It's not me who was wrong, it's Achisto!'
Gleisa Hamlet convinced himself.
Afterward, the eldest son of the Old Lion's gaze turned towards the white passenger ship on the surface of the Inland River.
"Arthur Kredos, this round, you've won!
But that's just this round!
Later, when your 'Oriental' passes through Ainhars Territory and Bert Territory, I'll welcome you in an even warmer way.
Of course, if you can make it to Inner Bay.
Then I will give you a real opportunity to face me!"
In a declaration brimming with noble pride, the eldest son of the Old Lion turned and walked into the cabin.
His golden cape fluttered against the night sky.
The arcane ship disappeared on the river's surface.
As if it had never appeared at all.
It was only the head on the dock, eyes wide open in silence, that told the whole story.
Toran stood there, stunned, his eyes completely out of focus.
The belief of this 'Inland River Cult' priest had collapsed.
The words of Achisto.
The plight of Achisto.
Both chipped away bit by bit at his once impregnable faith.
And as the faith was destroyed, the priest's heart was dying too.
Soon, this priest would become a soulless husk, living like a walking corpse.
But the priest was fortunate.
The eyes of the Southern Lost Spirit Medium were watching this fortunate soul.
"Good evening, Mr. Toran."
In her pleasant voice, the pale yet composure Grindelwald emerged from the shadows, dressed in formal attire and holding a crown-shaped cane, looking as if she had just come from a leisurely salon.
Toran heard such a greeting.However, at this moment, the priest of the 'Inland River Cult' showed no reaction.
To this, Grindelwald didn't mind, but simply smiled faintly.
"People with fragile hearts are worthy of respect,"
because most of the time, they are good people.
But good people trust others too easily."
Grindelwald whispered softly.
This time, Toran responded.
The young priest looked towards the white-haired Grindelwald.
"Do you think what this guy said is true?"
Grindelwald pointed at the corpse on the ground.
The young priest subconsciously wanted to admit that what Achisto said was true, after all, the corpse was right in front of him, was there anything more real than this?
But his long-held faith made him reluctant to believe it.
Even though, deep inside, he knew it might be false.
Faith enables rebirth.
Faith gives strength.
Faith brings happiness.
All sorts of positive guidance make faith extremely terrifying.
It can make people blind and unreasonable.
Grindelwald didn't need such people.
But his followers couldn't break the rules.
"Let's go, gather all the 'Inland River Cult' followers you can, and I'll take you to see the most authentic side of things."
Saying this, Grindelwald started walking.
In the gentleman's mouth was a soft chant—
"God has form, like a snake, very long, and thick.
God's Breath, highly toxic.
God's Command, all snakes obey."
Under the cover of night, the chant lingered.
And Toran shuddered, the young priest finally remembered the recent rumor 'The Master of the God of the Inland River, Southern Lost Spirit Medium Arthur Kredos'!
Could it be! Could it be!
The feeling of his whole body trembling as if it were electrified appeared.
even half an hour ago, this young priest would not have acknowledged this rumor.
This young priest wished from the bottom of his heart that the rumor was true!
Furthermore, this young priest had already started praying!
Delicious food will spoil over time.
Sweet air will start to stink with continuous rain.
Complete disagreement a moment ago.
Wholehearted support the next.
In just an instant, everything reversed.
Because, the one manipulating it all was the Spirit Medium.
It was Southern Lost Spirit Medium, who turned the impossible into possible.
On the Oriental, in the upper cabin, on the terrace.
Marinda watched as Grindelwald walked away with Toran, and with a lift at the corner of her mouth, she turned to look at Jacqueline, who was uneasy beside her.
"Can you get the 'Pain Church' to leave for a while?"
Jacqueline nodded and then gave orders via the Messenger Stone.
When she decided to come to the 'Oriental', Jacqueline had prepared to cooperate fully.
Requests , Jacqueline would not refuse.
But the following words from Marinda still stunned Jacqueline in place—
"Jacqueline, would you like to become my sworn sister?"
Marinda asked softly, her azure eyes shimmering with an appealing radiance.
Even Jacqueline, born into nobility, did not react immediately.
It was only after a full ten seconds that the elder twin sister snapped back to reality.
Subsequently, her eyes lit up.