Chapter 602: I Only Consider You an Acquaintance

The Church of Light!

In recent years, the Church had developed at an even more rapid pace.

There were once rumors that the thirteenth Pope's health was failing, his lifespan nearing its end, and that a period of turmoil for the Church was imminent. Some empires, seeking to free their citizens from the Church's control, saw this as a potential opportunity.

But…

Now, those same individuals wanted to drag out the rumormongers and give them a severe lashing.

This is the failing health they spoke of?

The old fellow was alive and kicking, more energetic than anyone, making them look foolish for believing the rumors and scheming on how to exploit the supposed internal strife within the Church of Light.

Therefore…

They only wanted to say…

Don't spread rumors. Don't believe rumors. Don't create rumors.

Spread rumors, and your whole family will suffer.

Inside the palace…

The Pope sat on his papal throne, clutching the Radiant Scepter, the symbol of his authority. His mood was exceptionally good. Ever since signing the peace treaty with the Abyssal Lord, his life had entered a golden age.

Longevity was no longer a concern. As long as the Abyssal Lord, Archimonde, remained unharmed, he could live indefinitely. How many could claim to have signed a peace treaty with the Abyssal Lord?

Thinking carefully…

It seemed there were very few.

And he was one of them.

The only individual the Pope couldn't quite grasp was Lin Fan. Who was this guy? He had dispatched numerous believers to search, but they still hadn't found him.

However, he had discovered that this fellow had appeared in other places.

Slaying the Undead Monarch in the Great Tomb.

Slaying the Three-Headed Golden Saint Dragon and repelling the beast tide in Ironforge City.

These were all major events.

Yet, finding his specific location remained impossible. He had to admit, this guy was hiding remarkably well.

It wasn't that he wanted to find him and become best friends.

Rather, he wanted to know his location so he could actively avoid him in the future.

Just as the Pope was pondering these matters…

The sound of a horse's panting reached his ears.

The Pope was furious.

Who dared bring a horse here? Didn't they know this was the sacred land of Light?

"Come out! How dare you bring a horse to this place? This is blasphemy against the Light!" the Pope roared. As the Pope, his authority was absolute, and anyone who saw him would be filled with fear.

He was the god of the Church of Light.

He controlled everyone's life and death.

In the past… many Popes had wanted to claim the Church for themselves, but their lifespans were limited. Who could escape death? It was only now, in his generation, that he could truly say, "As long as I am here, the Church of Light will forever be mine."

But soon…

The Pope's brow furrowed. The approaching sound seemed familiar, yet also somewhat strange…

"Ah! I apologize. I didn't know horses weren't allowed here. Where should I park it then?"

The palace was radiant.

The Pope watched the figure approach. As he focused on the person's face, his originally domineering expression transformed into shock as he recognized who it was. He abruptly stood up from the papal throne.

"You… you…" The Pope pointed a trembling finger, seemingly excited, as if he had seen a long-lost father. His heart pounded rapidly, as if it might explode at any moment.

"Long time no see," Lin Fan said, waving at the Pope with a smile.

The Pope instantly remembered who he was.

He could forget everything, but he could never forget that situation.

Then, recalling the words he had just spoken…

He felt a deep sense of unease.

He had actually spoken so disrespectfully to this person. It was simply unforgivable.

"I wasn't talking to you just now. Please don't take it to heart," the Pope said, hurrying to Lin Fan's side. He took the reins from Lin Fan's hand and personally led the horse, guiding Lin Fan inside.

"You don't have to be so courteous," Lin Fan said with a smile.

The Pope replied, "It's only right."

He was joking.

He could offend anyone, but he dared not offend this person. Thinking of Lin Fan's terrifying power, he suddenly felt that the position of Pope wasn't so appealing anymore.

"How have you been recently?" Lin Fan asked.

"Good, very good."

"It's been a while. I just sent my daughter off today, so I'll be quite free from now on. Have you heard any news about the God of Darkness?" Lin Fan felt reluctant to send Ke Lan away, but for some reason, he also felt a peculiar sense of relief, as if freedom had returned.

This feeling was very subtle.

Quite strange.

The Pope said, "I've been having people inquire about anything related to the God of Darkness, but there haven't been any results."

He hadn't had anyone inquire about a damn thing.

He was trying to forget Lin Fan's existence, let alone think about such matters. But faced with Lin Fan's question, he had to act as if he had been diligently searching.

He had no other intention, just wanting to show his respect.

"Oh, it's alright. I haven't found anything either."

The Pope could only offer a forced smile.

"Have you been in contact with Archimonde? I haven't seen him for a while either. He seemed quite fond of you. You two should keep in touch," Lin Fan said, thinking of the Abyssal Lord. That fellow looked ferocious, but during their brief interaction, he seemed quite alright, a genuine character, just a bit short-tempered.

The Pope smiled wryly inwardly. To dare address the Abyssal Lord Archimonde as "Archimonde," perhaps only this person would be so bold.

"Ah, no, not really. Since that day you spoke to me, I've been busy spreading the Light, traveling everywhere, persuading people, without even time to sleep."

He thought about his own words.

It was a bit embarrassing.

Spreading what Light?

He went to various branches to consolidate his power, to spread his papal authority, to prevent anyone from causing trouble, and to send those with rebellious intentions into the embrace of the Light (or rather, eliminate them).

"Is that so? You've been working hard."

"Not at all, it's my duty."

But truthfully…

Because of Lin Fan's presence…

The Pope hadn't dared to lay a hand on any ordinary person. He only dealt with those who possessed some power, precisely out of fear that Lin Fan would find out and crush him.

Lin Fan said, "Call Archimonde out. Let's chat together."

"Please follow me. It's not very convenient here," the Pope said. He thought that opening the abyssal passage would cause abyssal demonic energy to leak, so it was better to do it in the underground palace.

No one knew about that place.

Moreover, there was a Light magic array there, so even abyssal demonic energy couldn't spread out.

The Underground Palace!

Just like before, the Pope drew the runes. A burst of light erupted, and the abyssal passage opened.

"Abyssal Lord Archimonde, descend…"

They waited quietly.

The Pope frowned. Something seemed amiss. Normally, the Abyssal Lord should have emerged by now. But what was going on? It felt rather peculiar.

Suddenly…

The abyssal passage trembled.

The Abyssal Lord emerged from the passage. In the past, he would always declare some domineering words upon arrival to display his might. But now, seeing the Abyssal Lord's condition…

Both Lin Fan and the Pope were stunned.

How miserable!

The Abyssal Lord was covered in wounds, his body broken and bloodied, appearing extremely battered. He looked as if he might die at any moment.

The most nervous one was the Pope.

If the Abyssal Lord died, he wouldn't survive either.

"Pope, your summoning was timely," the Abyssal Lord said weakly. Then, he noticed someone else was present. Looking closely, he was startled. Unexpectedly, it was the human he least wanted to see.

The very person who had made him, the Abyssal Lord, lose face.

Lin Fan said, "How did you get injured so badly…"

The Abyssal Lord pondered for a moment, then said, "I never thought that when we met again, I would be in such a sorry state…"

"Let me take a look." Lin Fan approached the Abyssal Lord and discovered that his injuries were severe. His flesh was mangled, his beating heart visible. A corrosive black mist lingered in the wounds, continuously eroding his flesh. "I'll help you…"

As soon as he finished speaking…

Dazzling light gathered in Lin Fan's palm, condensing into sacred magical power.

Seeing this, the Pope's face turned deathly pale.

"No… no, you absolutely mustn't!"

Lin Fan asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

The Pope stared wide-eyed, as if he had seen a ghost. "My lord, do you truly not understand, or are you pretending? He's the Abyssal Lord, wielding abyssal power. Using holy magic to heal him will only worsen his injuries." He could sense the fluctuations of the magical power.

If it landed, the Abyssal Lord would definitely die.

"He's the Abyssal Lord, possessing abyssal power. Holy magic will cause him severe harm," the Pope explained.

He was truly frightened.

I don't want to die yet!

Even the half-dead Abyssal Lord was terrified by Lin Fan's actions.

Fortunately, the Pope intervened in time; otherwise, he would have undoubtedly perished.

"Oh, I see. Then I have other methods." Lin Fan communicated with the World Will. The simple-minded Will wouldn't negotiate with Lin Fan; its only understanding was, "I must obey…"

Suddenly…

The Abyssal Lord felt an incredibly terrifying power surge into his body. His injuries healed, and even the corrosive power lingering in his wounds was purged.

He stared wide-eyed.

He couldn't believe it.

So terrifying.

How did he achieve this?

Even the Pope was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend how Lin Fan had done it. It was utterly inconceivable.

Feeling his vitality restored, the Abyssal Lord said angrily, "My territory was attacked by other lords. They were despicable, joining forces against me. I was severely wounded by them. If the Pope hadn't opened the abyssal passage and summoned me, I would probably have died at their hands."

The Pope felt lingering fear. He was grateful for Lin Fan's arrival. If he hadn't wanted to talk to Archimonde, he wouldn't have opened the abyssal passage. If he hadn't opened it, then things… would have been terrifying.

Suddenly…

Archimonde realized something.

"Not good! The abyssal passage is open. I just fought a great battle with them. They must know I've come here and will follow the abyssal passage to pursue me!"

"Quickly, close the passage, stop them…"

The Pope agreed repeatedly, but just as he was about to act…

Lin Fan stopped him. "It's fine, I'm here."

"Archimonde, why didn't you seek my help when you were in danger? We had a pleasant conversation before, and we can be considered acquaintances. If you encounter danger, just look for me. I won't stand idly by."

"Do you consider us acquaintances?"

Archimonde was stunned by Lin Fan's question.

Someone actually wanted to be friends with an Abyssal Lord?

"Yes, you are my, Archimonde's, most amicable close friend," Archimonde said.

Lin Fan said, "You make things difficult for me. We haven't known each other for long, so we haven't reached the level of close friends yet. In my heart, you are merely an acquaintance."

"Since that's the case…"

"You consider me a close friend, and I consider you an acquaintance. After we spend more time together, you will become my close friend."