Chapter 802: The Old Friend Is Gone

Just as Gawain had suspected earlier, the “Lantern Saintess” before him—the ethereal lady who had protected the entire expedition team seven hundred years ago—possessed far more information than the ordinary members of that group.

Frowning, Gawain asked seriously, “What exactly did he tell you?”

He wasn’t worried that she might refuse to answer. Since Selina had brought up these topics on her own, it meant the information was meant to be shared—perhaps even planned in advance for him, this ‘Wanderer from Beyond.’

Sure enough, Selina nodded soon after. “He told me that he had accessed ancient knowledge atop a towering spire forever bathed in starlight. He learned the weaknesses and truths of the gods.

“He said he couldn’t reveal that knowledge directly in the mortal world, because it would immediately alert the deities.

“He also said he would die in his prime, his soul taken as part of a bargain, but that he would awaken again. When that time comes, a powerful being would descend into this world by using his body as a vessel.

“That was all he told me.”

“No wonder…” Gawain finally understood, letting out a soft sigh. “No wonder you didn’t follow Gawain Cecil deep into the continent to find that tower, yet you still knew the details of that ‘bargain’—knew I would appear.”

Then, unable to suppress his curiosity, he looked at Selina and asked, “If you already knew I would take over this body and come into the world, if you already knew my true identity, why have you remained silent until now? Why not tell your fellow believers, or reach out to me sooner?”

“I don’t trust you,” Selina said bluntly. “Or rather, I’m filled with suspicion and caution toward a being from beyond the boundaries of civilization—something mortals cannot comprehend. Especially after seeing those fragmented visions related to you, I had to spend a long time observing your actions, to judge whether you were truly harmful.”

Gawain was momentarily speechless, then shook his head helplessly. “Even though my arrival was actively facilitated by Gawain Cecil himself, even though I’m very likely here to help your world?”

“Exactly.” Selina’s gaze was calm and steady as she looked at him. Her face still held a gentle, serene expression, but her eyes were deep and unfathomable. For a moment, Gawain felt a strange familiarity in those eyes—then recalled that Veronica’s eyes had once given him a similar feeling.

He understood.

Selina Gerfen was no longer the pure, white Lantern Saintess of seven centuries ago.

If it had been the Selina of seven hundred years past—even in her soul’s afterlife state—she would have held great trust in Gawain Cecil, full of hope and faith in humanity and the future. Even if a ‘Wanderer from Beyond’ suddenly appeared in the world, as long as Gawain Cecil vouched for it, she would have maintained at least a basic goodwill and trust. But there are no ‘ifs’ in life—by the time Gawain arrived in this world, resurrected through Gawain Cecil’s body, seven centuries had passed.

By now, Selina had long since lost her blind optimism for the future, and no longer expected kindness from strangers. She had grown alongside the Dark Cult, opposing powers beyond mortal comprehension. She was wary and suspicious of those indescribable beings who drifted outside the world and appeared suddenly. She doubted the ‘Wanderer from Beyond,’ and even doubted Gawain Cecil, who had made a pact with that entity.

Her cautious observation over several years was the product of both reason and human sentiment.

After all, she had maintained the Dark Cult as its archbishop for seven centuries—not by gentleness or humility.

“I understand your concerns,” Gawain exhaled, feeling no resentment. “So it seems I’ve passed your ‘inspection’.”

“‘Inspection’ sounds arrogant. I can only say that your current actions at least prove you bear no ill will toward mortals, which reassures me. Given the current situation, I have no choice but to trust you.”

Gawain didn’t dwell on the wording. He smiled faintly, then turned to gaze out through the wide floor-to-ceiling window at the city’s dazzling nightscape.

Selina fell silent as well, turning to look at this city—truly a unique ‘Magitek Capital’ of the present age.

“What do you think of this city?” Gawain suddenly asked.

“For a time, I was uneasy about your arrival,” Selina said softly, a hint of self-mockery in her tone. “Especially when you quickly raised an army, stirred up war across the southern lands, shattered the nobles’ rule, and overturned the old order. I even suspected your purpose was to bring war to this land—to end civilization through chaos.

“This city might be the best irony to mock my childish view…

“You only ended the old order. A new order has already been built on the ruins—only those with outdated eyes can’t see it.

“As for my personal feelings about the city itself…”

She paused, gathering her thoughts. After a few seconds, she continued slowly, “If I had known such a city could be built in reality, why would we have searched for a perfect land in dreams?”

“That’s a sentiment the old nobles I crushed probably wouldn’t agree with,” Gawain joked. “In their minds, there’s no city more chaotic, corrupt, or oppressive than Cecil City.”

Selina considered this and nodded in agreement. “True enough.”

Gawain glanced at her and casually said, “Since so much has been clarified, you don’t need to be so tense or guarded around me anymore. If you want, you can even think of me as Gawain Cecil himself—after all, I’ve inherited his memories, and as part of the bargain on this journey, I’m willing to take on everything he was.”

Selina looked at him deeply for a moment before replying slowly, “I’m not Beltira. I don’t have her magnanimity.

“To me, you’re just an outsider occupying my friend’s body. No matter how much you’ve inherited from this vessel, you’re still a ‘Wanderer from Beyond.’

“But since this was Gawain Cecil’s own choice, and no one’s fault, I will still try to treat you as a reliable ally—and in the future, as a trustworthy ruler. Of course, in front of outsiders, I will treat you as Gawain Cecil and won’t reveal anything that shouldn’t be revealed.

“Beyond that, please forgive me if I cannot.”

“Is that so…? That’s fine,” Gawain said with a smile after hearing her out. “After being ‘Gawain Cecil’ for so long, having you occasionally remind me of my true self… might not be a bad thing.”

Selina looked at him with some surprise and said softly, “You have more ‘humanity’ than I imagined.”

Gawain smiled but said nothing. After a few seconds of silence, he steered the conversation back on track:

“When do you plan to launch the operation against Sandbox One? When will you officially contact me and inform more cult members about cooperating with the Wanderer from Beyond?”

So far, only the archbishop and Pope Megor III knew about the Wanderer’s appearance in the psychic network. No information had leaked, effectively preventing panic within the Sleeper Cult. But when the operation against Sandbox One began, many more people would be involved—high-ranking bishops and senior clerics in charge of management and technology would participate directly. At that point, the cooperation between the cult and the Wanderer could no longer be kept secret, at least among core personnel.

And as Gawain continued to ‘recruit’ and ‘reform’ the Sleeper Cult, even the lowest-ranking members would soon learn of it.

Given the cult’s long-standing internal propaganda and speculation about the Wanderer, Gawain was certain that once the news went public, it would spark a spectacular chaos within the cult. He just wished he had more free time to enjoy watching the psychic network for a couple of days.

Selina could only see the calm on Gawain’s face, unaware of the mischief in his heart. She answered seriously, “In two days, we will hold another High Archbishop meeting. We hope you can attend. According to plan, we will orderly disclose the information beforehand, keeping the chaos to a minimum.

“As for the formal operation against Sandbox One, we want to start as soon as possible—we’ve completed personnel transfers and preparations. Once the meeting ends, we can begin at any time. I wonder if you need any further preparation or if you require our cooperation or information…”

“I have nothing left to prepare. Everything that needed to be done is done,” Gawain said casually. “If you can act after the meeting, I’ll participate directly. As for understanding the situation… you don’t need to worry about that. I’ve always been well-informed about your affairs.”

Hearing Gawain’s last offhand remark, Selina’s expression stiffened briefly but quickly returned to normal.

Gawain paid no mind to the detail and continued, “Besides, you should consider your fallback plans. After the crisis in Sandbox One is resolved, some troubles will only just begin.”

“You mean…”

“The Wanderer from Beyond’s identity in the real world is ‘Gawain Cecil,’ ruler of the Cecil Empire. The Sleeper Cult’s headquarters is in Typhon, and among the mid-level clerics, some are converted war priests or even Typhon nobles,” Gawain explained. “I believe these members are loyal to the Sleeper Cult, but do they still retain some… appropriate patriotism and loyalty to the crown?”

Seeing Selina silent, he went on:

“I believe that you, Pope Megor III, and many original cult members and high-ranking clerics persist for ideals. But you know well that as an ancient dark cult, you’re not all idealists…

“News of cooperation with the Wanderer will inevitably reach the mid- and lower-level believers. Many of them joined the cult for money, power, or knowledge. Such people—don’t underestimate them just because they’re in a cult. If a ‘demon god’ really appeared, they’d be the first to run.

“Do you think they wouldn’t go to Rosetta Augustus and report that the cult they joined really has a ‘demon god’?”

Selina was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“We’ve considered this,” she said. “The cult has evolved; members are no longer as pure as before. Cooperation with the Wanderer will certainly cause unrest among the many mid- and lower-level believers and clerics. It’s possible some weak-willed or overly panicked members will side with the official forces in Typhon.

“To address these risks, we have preparations. We may abandon some strongholds, relocate the church headquarters, and internally implement…”

“You don’t need to tell me the details,” Gawain raised a hand to interrupt. “Just handle it yourselves. I only want results.”

Selina nodded. “…I will relay your words to His Holiness the Pope.”

She then bowed slightly and took a half step back. “If there’s nothing else…”

Before she finished, Gawain suddenly called out, “Wait, don’t go yet. I have a few things I want to ask you.”

Selina looked at him in confusion, blinking. “Please, go ahead.”

Amid the shimmering starlight and glowing lanterns, Gawain gazed into Selina Gervin’s eyes—calm and still like a quiet lake. Slowly, those eyes began to merge in his mind with another pair of wide, familiar eyes.

“What exactly is your relationship with Patty?”

(Happy New Year, everyone~~)

(End of chapter)