Chapter 39: The Church of the Evening Bell

Having revealed his own intelligence, Bart naturally couldn't just let Silas leave.

"Now that my intentions are clear, it's your turn to answer me," Bart said, echoing Silas's earlier words.

Silas nodded slightly and asked, "What do you want to know?"

Bart picked up his cup. "Cooperation is built on a sufficient understanding between both parties. I mean no harm; I simply wish to investigate the situation of my potential collaborator. Your organization, your situation, your faith – I need to know it all."

Silas fell silent for a moment. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he instantly thought of a way to respond.

So, he crossed his legs, leaned back in his chair, and said with a composed expression, "The fact that I can speak so candidly with you means I naturally have my own capital. You know I am a Priest. You also know I am not a Priest of the Tri-Moon Goddesses. So, the question is!"

Silas's lips curled slightly as he stared at Bart. "Which deity's Priest am I, then?"

Hearing this, Bart's expression gradually became solemn.

At this moment, a possibility occurred to him.

"A mere apprentice Priest definitely couldn't know these things. Even if he were a genius, his superiors wouldn't reveal such information. From this, it can be inferred that this fellow is himself a high-ranking member of some church, or even a proxy who can communicate directly with a deity."

Silas continued calmly, "My Lord knows many things. He has a complete understanding of everything in this world. Who you believe in, what His name is, what abilities He possesses, and whose servant He is – my Lord is clear about all of it, and He has told me."

Hearing this, Bart's hand trembled slightly. He quickly placed it under his leg to steady himself, trying to appear calm.

As a core member, Bart had once, on a rare occasion, heard that above their faith, there was an even more terrifying existence, a being whose name couldn't even be described.

Even the entire Green Flame Brotherhood didn't know that name, yet this little Priest actually knew it!

He no longer dared to look directly at Silas, lowering his head to stare at his coffee, like a student who had just made a mistake.

"Such top-secret intelligence cannot be fabricated out of thin air. This fellow is very likely a vessel chosen by some deity. Otherwise, he would never have been granted so much terrifying knowledge. Perhaps one day, He will descend directly into this fellow and appear in the world." The more Bart thought, the more frightened and awestruck he became.

Silas was very satisfied with this effect and continued his bluff: "But rest assured, my Lord is not like those evil gods you believe in. He is a truly great, wise, and benevolent being. Regardless of whether you believe or not, as long as you can please my Lord, you will receive His protection and reward."

Hearing this, Bart looked up, his expression full of uncertainty. "Is it true?"

Silas uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and said in a low voice, "I can tell you this much: my Lord not only has human believers but also Demoness believers, and even some non-human believers. My Lord's love transcends race and prejudice; it is a truly high-level love."

"Demonesses?" Bart was even more surprised upon hearing this.

Those individuals had an irremovable mystical nodule in their bodies. According to his intelligence, it originated from some high-level, powerful force that ordinary people couldn't control or come into contact with.

That kind of thing was equivalent to an unstable bomb, a taboo for all organizations and churches.

No one was willing to associate with them.

"But then again, for such a powerful being, dealing with the hidden dangers of Demonesses would still be quite easy."

Silas, seeing that Bart was thoroughly bluffed, decided to end the conversation. "Alright, that's all for today. Some things cannot be spoken of too plainly, or your perception won't be able to bear it."

Bart didn't press further. He then asked, "What is your church called?"

"..." Hearing this, Silas fell silent.

"Church? We don't even have a church. How would I know what the church is called?" Silas complained inwardly.

Bart waited quietly, not pressing. At this moment, he had to maintain sufficient humility and respect towards Silas because this person could potentially be the incarnation of a deity in the future.

Silas had been lost in thought for over ten seconds.

In those ten seconds, Silas had considered many names: Storm Church, Church of Death and Storms, Mist Church, Frost Church, and so on. But none of these names quite matched what he had in mind.

Finally, he suddenly remembered the sound of bells that occasionally came from the ship.

Instantly, a flash of inspiration struck Silas's mind. He said calmly, "Evening Bell. We are the Church of the Evening Bell."

"Church of the Evening Bell…" Bart silently committed it to memory.

Silas continued, "As for our faith, given our current relationship, you are not qualified to know. When we have established a sufficiently close cooperative relationship, you will know."

After watching Silas disappear into the night, Bart let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Lord Bishop, how did it go?" Gick walked over from the side and asked tentatively.

Bart composed himself, suppressing his shock, and said calmly, "Treat him as a key partner and pay close attention. He is a clergyman and will be very helpful in dealing with the renegade faction. Maintain an absolutely good relationship. In the future, we can gain many benefits from him."

"Understood, Lord Bishop!" Gick nodded firmly upon hearing this.

At half-past seven in the evening, Silas returned home and saw Ada sitting at the table in the living room, reading a book.

Prepared food was on the table.

Seeing Silas return, Ada said seriously, "You're an hour late today."

"I have to work tomorrow. Mr. Bart treated me to a cup of coffee to thank me. Then we chatted for a while," Silas said casually.

Ada nodded in understanding upon hearing this, put away her book, and brought out the food.

Silas handed over the 2 Crowns he had just earned and said with a smile, "This is my income for these two days. It's enough for our new clothes and the Pale Moon Festival food expenses. You don't have to be so stressed."

Ada looked at Silas, took the money, and said with a smile, "Then I'll keep it safe for you for now."

Lying in bed after dinner, Silas returned to the warship.

Now, the warship was no longer desolate. Fourteen male and female warriors, clad in grey, close-fitting plate armor and wearing wolf-head helms, stood silently upon it.

These were the souls he had delivered; now, they had all become warriors here.

He wasn't sure about their combat capabilities yet, but their demeanor was very imposing and quite intimidating.

When Silas stood up from the throne, the fourteen warriors instantly held their weapons and knelt on one knee, exclaiming, "We respectfully greet our Lord's awakening."

Silas nodded slightly, his voice deep and resonant. "Rise, my warriors. Did anything happen while I was asleep?"

The leading warrior, Chuck, said in a low voice, "Reporting to my Lord, we heard your believers praying to you, offering their faith."