Chapter 422: Legends and a Phone Call

Once they reached the ground floor, Makoto Koto looked up at the sky. It was unclear whether it was because the malevolent spirit had been expelled, but the dense, heavy clouds that had previously obscured the sunlight seemed to part, as if a dark curtain was being lifted, revealing a world no longer shrouded in gloom.

Suddenly, a brilliant beam of light pierced through the clouds like a sword drawn from its sheath, cutting through the darkness. It was as if the sun had gathered all its might behind the clouds, finally bursting forth in full glory. The black clouds, under the illumination of the light, gradually revealed their layered outlines, adorned with golden borders.

"By the looks on your faces, what has happened now?" Makoto asked calmly as she stretched out her pale arm from her wide sleeve to catch the rays of sunlight.

"The younger Miss seems to have caught the attention of another malevolent spirit," replied one of her female subordinates from behind her.

"From what we know so far, it might be related to a legendary type of spirit."

Makoto frowned at this and turned to her two subordinates, "A legendary type?"

According to the current classifications, malevolent spirits were divided into three main categories.

The first type, common spirits, were usually formed from personal grievances, accidents, or unfortunate fates. These spirits had relatively weak powers and primarily affected specific individuals or families associated with them. These spirits could be exorcised relatively easily by ordinary clergy through rituals and incantations.

Then there were the powerful spirits, a notch above the common ones. These were often born from major disasters or collective misfortunes, possessing stronger abilities that could affect larger areas, sometimes even threatening entire communities or regions. Exorcising these powerful spirits was not something ordinary clergy could handle; it required more advanced rituals and the spiritual power of high-ranking clergymen.

The spirit Makoto had just dealt with was of this powerful type, and it had been close to evolving into a legendary type due to its accumulation of dark energies.

As for legendary spirits, they represented the highest echelon of malevolent spirits. These spirits were typically associated with ancient legends, myths, or historical events, possessing immense power that could alter the natural order and impact entire nations.

Exorcising such spirits required special rituals and a tremendous amount of spiritual energy, sometimes even necessitating divine intervention. This indicated that legendary spirits were not merely individual concerns but required collective efforts to resolve.

"Yes, the younger Miss is currently at Plutarch Church," the subordinate added with a hint of nervousness.

"According to the church, this spirit leaves symbols in its wake and is an intelligent entity. Intelligent malevolent spirits have so far only been found among legendary spirits."

Makoto didn't respond but kept her gaze fixed on her subordinate.

"Corruption, insects."

Makoto stopped listening, placing her fingers on her temples, and muttered, "That is a symbol of death."

With that statement, Makoto seemed to see something additional in her mind's eye—she had replicated her sister Makoto Makoto's past experiences in her consciousness and saw everything Makoto had encountered.

Simultaneously, she created a world in her mind where her consciousness appeared right next to Makoto Makoto.

In this mental world, Makoto Makoto was happily chatting with some peers and walking through a neighborhood, eventually entering an apartment building.

"The sounds of children playing."

She watched the shadows stretch across the apartment complex and the free fitness area outside, observing the dense footprints in the sand, murmuring to herself.

Back in reality, Makoto looked at her bewildered subordinates and commanded, "Arrange a direct flight for me; I need to return to Tokyo."

"Yes!" The two subordinates quickly responded and set off to make the arrangements.

Makoto stood still for a moment, then reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone to dial her sister Makoto Makoto's number.

---

In the quiet Plutarch Church.

Sitting on the bench, Makoto Makoto watched Sister Eileen, who was replacing burned-out candles with new ones, and spoke out of boredom, "Sister Eileen, is this how you usually spend your dull moments?"

Eileen paused, looking back at Makoto Makoto, who was idly swinging her legs, "Not really. I read books, pray, chat with the faithful, sometimes engage in charity work, and occasionally go out to enjoy some good food."

Makoto Makoto expressed surprise, "I thought you spent all day in the church."

Eileen smiled, removed a candle from the rack, and threw it into the bin below before lighting a new one from another burning candle, "I used to, because I was wholly devoted to God."

"Oh?" Makoto Makoto raised an eyebrow.

As Eileen placed the newly lit candle in its holder, she reminisced, "Then Bishop York taught me. He said that people should enjoy

 life, experience everything life has to offer. That's what truly makes us human. He mentioned that God doesn't favor clergy who live like ascetics, as he never did and still made it to bishop."

"He even took me and Brother Hill, who always engrosses himself in research, out shopping and to taste different foods, and he gave Brother John a day off."

Makoto Makoto smiled and turned to look behind her where a tall figure sat at the back of the church, either sleeping or praying.

"That does sound like something Onii-chan would do. But how did Brother John spend his day off?"

"Brother John?" Eileen also looked towards John Wick, who was always tense and on guard at the back, and shook her head, "I don't know."

But as she spoke, the usually closed-eyed John Wick responded.

"That day I visited my wife, then returned to maintain the gun the bishop gave me, and after that, I went to practice shooting..."

"Cough, cough."

Listening to his straightforward response, Makoto Makoto coughed.

"You had a rich and fulfilling day."

"Thank you," replied John Wick, "I believe so."

Eileen smiled slightly and turned her attention back to replacing the candles.

"Ring, ring!"

At that moment, a ringtone broke the tranquility of the church.

"Ring, ring!"

Eileen stopped and turned to look at Makoto Makoto, as did John Wick, who opened his eyes.

Makoto Makoto was startled and instinctively looked towards her shoulder bag.

"That's my phone ringing."

As she spoke, she reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and looked at the screen.

"It's my sister's call."

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT