Chapter 53: Listener

An ancient three-masted sailboat was navigating through a tumultuous storm in the sea. With the weather and the sea looking like a cataclysmic scene, the sailboat was like a withered leaf separated from its tree, but regardless of how the typhoons rampaged or how terrifying the waves were, it continued sailing peacefully without any signs of tilting.

Alger Wilson stood on the empty deck as he looked at the massive waves.

It's going to be Monday again... he muttered silently to himself.

At this moment, one of the only few sailors leaned over and asked reverently, "Your Grace, where are we setting course for this time?"

Alger surveyed his surroundings calmly. "Pursue the Listener from the Aurora Order."

...

The storm subsided as mist emanated. On a strange sailboat with cannons on board, an eight- or nine-year-old boy with soft yellow hair was looking at the pirates around him in fear. They were disorderly—some enjoyed barrels of beer, others mocked each other, and some even fought with their fists.

He turned to look at a black-robed man standing in the shadows. "Father, where are we going?"

Five days ago was his first time seeing his father, who proclaimed himself to be an adventurer.

If not for the oil painting his late mother left him that confirmed his father's identity and the fact that the orphanage had opened its doors to him, he would absolutely not leave his hometown and follow his only kin, who was also a stranger.

The man in the shadows lowered his head and looked at his son. "Jack, I'm bringing you to a holy place, a holy residence where the Creator once lived."

"Is that the Kingdom of God? We mortals can only enter by winning His grace." Jack had been well-educated by his mother and knew this much but was fearful about the matter.

Standing in the shadows, the man had an unforgettable jawline, as though he were a sculpture. He placed his hand to his ear in a listening pose and replied in a tone that sounded like sleep-talking, "Jack, mortals are a wrong concept. The Creator created this world, and He is everywhere. He exists in every living being. Therefore, all beings have godhood. Once the godhood attains a particular level, they can become an angel. The seven fake gods at present are only powerful angels."

"Look, I can now hear the teachings of the Creator. Ah, how extraordinary is this revelation! Life is only a tour of the spirit. When the spirit is sufficiently potent and resilient, we can find our godhood and fuse with even more godhoods..."

Jack could not understand the complicated description. He shook his head and asked another question. "Father, I heard from Mother that after the Creator created this world, He split into all beings and does not exist in actuality. Then, why does His holy residence exist?"

The man with the chiseled face was taken aback. He turned his head away as though he were listening to more murmurings.

Suddenly, he slumped down, knees on the deck. His exposed skin protruded black shards.

He clenched his head with both hands as his expression warped, and he shouted in extreme pain, "They are lying!"