565 Return (2/2)

As Ye Qingxuan advanced, the banner with the sacred emblem on it was held high in the gale, and the believers became more and more fanatical, throwing themselves to the ground at the savior in front of them. The disorganized shouts gradually overlapped and merged into one, saying the same words with the same voice.

”Hand of God!” The crowd looked up at the figure of Ye Qingxuan and praised him fanatically, ”Hand of God!”

”Hand of God!!!” As the shouts of countless people gathered to a roar, it shook the world.

It was like the quiet city was humming in a low tone. As if its true master had finally arrived, it respectfully presented everything in its possession, humbly imploring the arriver to bestow salvation upon it.

In the deafening shouts, the people standing in front gazed at each other embarrassedly, their expressions change slightly. Despite obviously trying to remain calm, they could not hide the shock and fear emerging from the bottom of their eyes.

It wasn't that they were unclear about Ye Qingxuan's identity and his past. At the moment of Ye Qingxuan's return, the information of his past was presented to countless people.

In the beginning, they thought of uniting to control such a powerful force. After that, when they saw how powerful he was, they eagerly wanted to establish good connections with the distinguished young man that had returned. But now, they didn't even have the courage to stay here and introduce themselves.

At that moment, they finally understood that the newcomers were not loyal soldiers, nor naive heroes, nor impressionable politicians who could be persuaded with benefits and compromises.

The clergyman told them, ”Thou shalt bow and fear God.”

Under the deep purple vestment and the stole symbolizing justice, he was not the young man they had expected, but the archbishop sanctioned by the Sacred City, the Grand Inquisitor who had re-established the Religious Court of Inquiry, the Hand of God who had brought iron and fire with him!

All mortals intoxicated with power and desire were like dust in his eyes.

”Another a madman,” someone whispered.

…

”Lancelot, haven't you understood?” Mephistopheles turned back and looked at the dismayed Lancelot. He said, ”Avalon has changed, old friend, and so has the world. He is no longer the child you could protect. I know what you're thinking, but you can't change him. ”

Lancelot lowered his eyes and said nothing.

In the cheers of the crowd, Ye Qingxuan walked forward and smiled as he looked at the old archbishop in front of him. ”Archbishop Mephistopheles, it's good to see you so well.” Out of habit, he wanted to put his hand over his heart and bow, but just as he lifted his hand, he was stopped by Mephistopheles.

The murky blind eyes rose as if the archbishop was looking at a young man in front of him. After a good while, he smiled with a tinge of emotion.

”You are already the Hand of Gods, Archbishop, there's no need to bow to me.” As he spoke, Mephistopheles removed the signet ring, which was a token of power, from his index finger, and carefully put the ring on Ye Qingxuan's right hand. Finally, he bent down and drew the young man's right hand to his forehead, which touched the signet ring gently.

”I'm already old.” He smiled as if he had unloaded a burden. ”From now on, all matters in the Archdiocese of Anglo will be completely under your jurisdiction.”

Ye Qingxuan had never expected that Archbishop Mephistopheles would hand over the Westminster Abbey, which he had been guarding for decades, and the entire enchantment of Avalon to him immediately upon his return.

Although he held the concurrent post of Grand Inquisitor, in the hierarchy of the Church, he was still of the same rank as Mephistopheles. In fact, as a diocesan bishop, Mephistopheles could totally ignore Ye Qingxuan's opinions regarding the matters in the archdiocese.

It was a right granted to Mephistopheles by the Church. But at the moment, he handed all of it over to Ye Qingxuan.

”You probably still have many more things to deal with, I will not disturb you any further.” Mephistopheles did not give him time to refuse, but simply nodded and bade him farewell, ”I have prepared the encampment for your subordinates at the Westminster Abbey. I'll be waiting for your arrival there.” Having finished his words, he stepped back with the aid of his retinue and left.

But when he walked past Shi Dong, he paused for a moment and seemed to nod in reverence, but it was so subtle that it could hardly be perceived.

In the end, Ye Qingxuan sighed and looked in front. He looked at Lancelot, who had been waiting for a long time, and opened his mouth to say something, but didn't know what to say. However, Lancelot clutched his cane and walked towards Ye Qingxuan, brushing aside attempts from others to support him.

He came closer and observed the young man's face like he was trying to identify the contours from the past. As if he was looking at a family member who had finally returned after a long time, his gaze became complicated and gratified.

”You're back?” he asked softly.

”Yep.” Ye Qingxuan nodded and got a shock.

It was because Lancelot raised his arms strenuously and hugged him. For the first time in many years, Lancelot hugged him, but he had become weak and lacked strength.

”That's great.” He said, ”It's good to see you back.”

Ye Qingxuan was silent for a long time. He wanted to break away, but hesitated, and did not refuse in the end.

Soon, Lancelot realized his faux pas. He let go and rubbed his eyes awkwardly. ”Sorry, I was caught up in the moment. All these years, I have been hoping that you would return, It's really great that you came back.”

As he spoke, he supported himself with the cane and dragged Ye Qingxuan forward with staggering footsteps. ”Let's go, I will bring you back home. I have a lot to say to you, Little Yezi, a lot.”

But Ye Qingxuan stood where he was, and as he looked around, the look in his eyes became one of confusion. ”Why are you guys the only ones here? Where's Maxwell? The old b*stard, surely he isn't trying to put on airs, not even bothering to welcome me back?”

Lancelot was silent for a moment, put on a forced smile. ”Certain things beyond everyone's expectations happened. He couldn't make his way here for now.” He continued, ”Let me bring you home to get some rest first.”

Lancelot averted his gaze and refused to look at Ye Qingxuan's eyes anymore. ”A lot has happened while you were gone. You have enough time to make sense of it slowly.”

Ye Qingxuan looked at him and remained quiet for a long time. Finally, he slowly nodded. ”Alright.”