Chapter 395: Arrangements

After calmly ending the call, the elderly man knew the other party should understand the situation now.

Indeed, Bihga Kotoko understood as she looked at the phone that had just disconnected. Her typically cold expression changed slightly after the silence.

She had only learned of these matters after inheriting her mother's responsibilities.

This was a secret passed down through generations.

Rumors had it that the island nation had no soil for paranormal phenomena until the first such event suddenly occurred at a certain time, causing significant casualties.

It was only when the church forcefully intervened that they understood the true orchestrators behind these paranormal incidents.

It was the world rifts.

According to her mother, the church had explained that world rifts could emit a mysterious power affecting the entire country. 

This was why the sudden surge in paranormal activity occurred in a country that otherwise had few or no such occurrences.

A swell of emotion rose in Bihga Kotoko's chest, showing that her feelings were not as stable as her expression.

In her generation, she came to understand much more.

The current ruler of the island nation, Bishop Pedrillo, who controlled the Greater Tokyo Diocese, was originally her father.

Thinking of this, Bihga Kotoko clenched her fists, her knuckles turning pale.

She remembered the detestable things her father had said.

World rifts were not unique to the island nation; they were everywhere.

For instance, in H country, the impact of the world rift caused a transformation in humans themselves.

In Argentina, the effect was the emergence of monsters that overran the lands, slaughtering humans.

Thinking of this, Bihga Kotoko's eyes narrowed slightly, as the image of a man flashed in her pupils.

"Can it be controlled?"

At this moment, in Tokyo's St. Maria Cathedral.

The old man, followed by clergy, walked deeper into the cathedral, finally stopping in front of a building similar to the church itself and calmly asked.

He raised his hand, and a holy light appeared in his palm, directly containing some strange energy dispersing in the air.

Father Milos, standing behind the old man, responded.

"Bishop, the magic array has been placed in advance and is currently under control. However, the energy that burst from the rift can no longer be reclaimed, and this may greatly impact the tranquility of the island nation."

The old man, known as Pedrillo, looked at the orb of holy light in his palm, containing a strand of faintly red mysterious energy, and sighed.

This dispersing mysterious energy affected more than just the social stability of the island nation; it also impacted his daughter, Bihga Kotoko.

Because his daughter was the most trusted saint of the island nation and its strongest medium.

Suppressing his worries, Bishop Pedrillo looked towards the main building trapped within a giant magic array and asked calmly.

"Hasn't it been deciphered yet?"

Perhaps reminded of Bihga Kotoko, the old man's tone became cold, much like his daughter's.

Father Milos shook his head and replied.

"Bishop, these mysterious energies can interact and merge with the local resentful spirits to form powerful wraiths. Currently, we can only eliminate these spirits to reduce their numbers."

Hearing this, Bishop Pedrillo was silent for a moment, simply looking at the main building before continuing with his entourage.

As the main door opened, what appeared before them was a space rift that split from the floor to the ceiling.

The rift, wide and vast, shone with a red glow like a giant dragon.

The vivid red emitted strong energy fluctuations, burning fiercely like a flame.

The space on either side seemed twisted and stretched, forming a red vortex that continuously rotated and wriggled, resembling fractured ice.

The red light flickered at the edges of the rift, like blazing flames, casting everything around in a red halo.

Feeling the rift's constantly escaping energy, blocked by the magic array, Bishop Pedrillo couldn't help but sigh. Despite his power, he was helpless against the rift.

The rift could neither be damaged nor moved.

Because past experiences had shown that any action taken against the rifts could provoke greater disturbances, affecting the entire world.

In ancient times, the world had suffered several calamities, one of which was caused by the church's attempt to destroy a world rift.

At that time, the church had to suppress and compensate for the disaster, resulting in the deaths of many core members, including bishops and numerous clergy, leading to even worse consequences.

Thus, a rule was established: world rifts cannot be destroyed, and no one dared to tamper with existing ones.

If a new rift appeared, like the fog incident York encountered, that was a different matter.

Although the current church was not as powerful as in the past, no one could be sure what would happen after attempting to destroy a rift.

Now in a peaceful society, not like the turbulent times of the past,

 no one dared to take that risk, nor did anyone want to.

Moreover, the church had made some agreements with the state.

Thinking of this, Bishop Pedrillo shook his head and said,

"Send a message to headquarters. Tell them there's been some activity at the rift here, but it's still under control."

This message, once delivered to headquarters, would inevitably reach York.

The old man silently apologized to York in his heart.

Father Milos and the other clergy bowed slightly and said,

"Yes, Bishop."

...

"We're here, Alesia."

Since they had driven back, by the time York returned to the Ashby Church in New York, it was already past nine in the evening, and Alesia was already fast asleep in the back seat.

"Mmm."

Alesia was like a real child, completely in that state where she couldn't open her eyes and wanted to stay in bed.

York smiled. Though a spirit, she was just like a child. No, she was indeed a child born to a human mother and had been asleep until now.

"Bishop, shall I help?"

When he returned, the Ashby Church was fully mobilized. Eileen, responsible for dealing with the congregation, and John Wick, responsible for security, were already outside, curiously watching the little girl in the car.

Although both felt she resembled little Sharon, the aura she emitted let them know this wasn't the Sharon their bishop had brought back, though she looked and was shaped just like her.

"No need, she doesn't like others touching her," York shook his head, refusing Eileen.

A joke, for any attempt to touch her would only invite Alesia's thunderous retribution.

Watching Alesia continue to resist opening her eyes and acting sleepy, York's expression softened as he reached out to lift her from the back seat of the car.

Just like when he had carried little Sharon in Silent Hill, Alesia naturally clung to his neck, her head resting on his shoulder as she slept soundly.

Still, York could hear Alesia's murmuring.

"Uncle York."

"Sleep well," York said gently, carrying Alesia towards Ashby Church.

John Wick and Eileen exchanged a look, with John Wick automatically moving to the front of the car, ready to drive it away.

Eileen followed closely behind her bishop.

"Bishop, is everything alright?" Eileen asked softly. She had always been attentive to the situation in Silent Hill. It was said that the West Virginia Diocese had dispatched several clergy to gather there.

That place was precisely where their bishop had aimed, and though she was worried, she trusted him.

"Yes, the results are quite good," York smiled, knowing what Eileen meant.

"Little Sharon's condition should have recovered."

Eileen's lips curved slightly, looking at the little girl resting on her bishop's shoulder, her face turned towards her.

"Bishop, then who is she?"

"Do you think she looks just like little Sharon?" Perhaps because the trip had been beneficial, York was in a rare good mood and played a little game.

"Who do you think she is?"

Eileen saw her bishop had already reached the door, quickly stepping forward to push the door open wider, replying,

"I think this little girl isn't Sharon."

York smiled and walked in.

The usual church layout, clean and neat rows of benches that could soothe many a compulsive mind.

The benches extended to a space below the pulpit, beyond which was the altar and then the eternal figure of Jesus, surrounded by a rich force of faith, allowing the church to transform holy water and enabling priests to use this power to fend off enemies while in the church.

Therefore, for clergy, the church was the safest place, and typical demons and evil spirits dared not come near.

"Indeed, she is not Sharon, her name is Alesia," York started to define the matter. Sharon was Sharon, and Alesia was Alesia; the concept of the trinity did not exist in his view.

He did not deny the existence of Sharon, nor of Black Dress Alesia, and similarly, he would not deny Alesia's presence; to him, they were all distinct individuals.

"Alesia?" Eileen's delicate eyebrows moved slightly, and whether it was an illusion or not, she suddenly saw the little girl resting on her bishop's shoulder seem to smile a bit, then looking again, she appeared normal.

"Yes, Alesia, she might be living with us from now on," York stated plainly.

Eileen nodded, her curiosity piqued by the little face identical to Sharon's,

"Yes, Bishop."

York thought for a moment, then looked back at John Wick, who had returned and was closing the door, and spoke calmly.

"Eileen, do we have any spare rooms?"

"There are, please follow me," Eileen responded.

York nodded, following Eileen with Alesia in his arms. Though he was the bishop, the specifics of the arrangements were managed by Eileen; he wasn

't sure if the vacant rooms were intended for other purposes.

This demonstrated York's character as rather mild-mannered.

In others' words, he was stern and merciless against evil, showing no pity, but to his own people, he was as refreshing as a spring breeze, a bishop who was approachable and well-regarded.

Therefore, aside from those bishops who both loved and hated him, York, whether in his priestly or now bishopric career, was highly esteemed among the clergy below him, and many wished to follow him.

Following Eileen to the residential area behind the church, York carried Alesia into a room under her guidance.

It was a very modern room, equipped with everything and quite spacious.

"Not bad."

York nodded, his gaze shifting to the wall, his lips twitching silently.

Hannah the hacker's room was also on this floor, and in his holographic view, Hannah was in a kind of sleepwear that lacked undergarments, revealing a perfect figure, sprawled asleep with recently consumed food waste and snacks scattered on the floor.

"Eat, sleep, play, and never short on money, truly no regrets to this life."

York commented wryly, pitying himself who still had work to do, later even needing to report to God for that meager 0.5 attribute point, telling a story.

"Damn!"

York internally complained, not sure if it was envy, but his expression revealed nothing as he approached the bed, preparing to gently set Alesia down.

However, Alesia resisted, her hands not letting go, murmuring,

"I don't want to! I don't want to sleep here."

York turned to look at Alesia, whispering, "Then where do you want to sleep?"

Alesia didn't respond, simply refusing to let go.

York felt a headache coming on, glancing at Eileen.

Eileen indicated that she was at a loss; she had never cared for children either.

Seeing this, York's headache worsened; he also had no experience with children and didn't know how to soothe Alesia.

At this moment, perhaps sensing something from Alesia's demeanor and the atmosphere, Eileen whispered,

"Bishop, maybe she wants to sleep in your room?"

York was taken aback.

"Could it be that this room feels too unfamiliar to Alesia, who has never been here before?" Eileen suggested.

York turned to look at Alesia, who seemed to be asleep, and said gently,

"Is that so?"

Of course, since Alesia hadn't responded before, she certainly wouldn't now.

York could only say to Eileen, "Eileen, then prepare a new room for me."

Eileen nodded.

Seeing this, York turned and left the room, heading to his usual sleeping quarters.

Fortunately, he hadn't conducted any experiments there; there was nothing in the room that couldn't be seen.

Besides the furniture and bathroom, the only additions were the books Eileen had bought for him.

Two large bookshelves demonstrated how hard he had been studying recently.

Even the desk was piled with books he hadn't finished reading.

With Eileen, York carried Alesia to the bed and tried setting her down.

As Eileen had suggested, perhaps the room having his scent naturally made Alesia let go.

York shook his head internally, removed Alesia's shoes, arranged her posture comfortably, and pulled up the blanket over her.

"Have a good sleep."

Thinking of Alesia's life, York touched her forehead gently and said softly,

"Uncle will always be here from now on."

After speaking, York stood up, took the unfinished books from the desk, and with Eileen standing by the door, turned off the light and left the room, closing the door behind him.

What he didn't know was that a slight smile curled on Alesia's lips, and then she shifted into a more comfortable position and blended into the bed covers.

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