977 First Sermon (1/2)

Klein wasn't surprised at Patrick Bryan's answer. He nodded gently and said, ”Which incarnation number are you at?”

Based on what he knew, Undying died once every sixty years before reviving. They would then lose most of their memories, which needed to be slowly recollected. It was like the beginning of a new life.

This was knowledge that came from the potion, so Patrick Bryan easily understood what the Blessed meant. He deliberated over his words and said, ”I'm not 50 yet. I haven't been an Undying for more than 10 years.”

Klein then asked, ”When did you switch faiths to our Lord?”

Here, ”Lord” referred to the Lord of the Underworld.

Bryan recalled for two to three seconds before he said, ”I had just celebrated my 30th birthday back then.”

Stepping into the world of mystery at 30 and becoming a Beyonder. Becoming a Sequence 4 demigod before 40… This speed either means shocking talent or that he's a Blessed… Heh, indeed, his spirit and body had been influenced by the Death pathway's Uniqueness during that ritual… As Klein listened, he became more certain of his theories from before.

Of course, compared to how he had only taken a year to go from an ordinary person to a Sequence 4 demigod, Patrick Bryan's advancement speed was nothing.

On this point, Klein didn't feel that there was anything to be poignant about, because he was truly a ”Blessed.” Furthermore, he had cheats—far greater than one.

The only problem was that he wasn't sure if everything that he had done was enough to exchange for something.

After some thought, Klein asked, ”What's your current public identity?”

”I'm a businessman. I have two garment factories in Backlund. On the surface, I believe in the Evernight Goddess and am a supporter of the New Party…” Patrick Bryan introduced himself.

Klein nearly let out a scoff as he continued, ”How many Numinous Episcopate members do you have under you? What are they doing?”

Already prepared, Bryan answered eloquently, ”Two teams, a total of twelve Beyonders. Some of them are working at my garment factory while others are in the watch and clock industry. All of them have their own formal occupations.

”Typically, they will be careful when proselytizing to the people around them. The progress on this is very slow, nor is it the main goal. We do not have more than a hundred believers.

”Most of the time, they are searching for clues that God had left behind, as well as the different materials needed for the awakening ritual.

”With clues in hand, we will carry out operations. And once the materials are gathered, we will experiment in different awakening rituals and seek out the most effective one. I'm the main person behind this operation, and am also core to the rituals.”

You sound pretty proud of that… Klein asked about other matters and received detailed answers.

Finally, he thought for a moment before saying with a stern expression, ”In accordance with the revelation from God, you are to heed my instructions from this moment forth.”

Patrick Bryan immediately got up and gave a solemn bow.

”Yes, Your Excellency.”

Klein nodded slightly and answered, ”First, stop all rituals and stop gathering materials. God has already partially awakened. 'He' is in 'His' recovery stage, so 'He' isn't to be disturbed by 'noise.'”

From Klein's point of view, regardless of the changes in Bryan's awakening rituals, they were ultimately pointed at Artificial Death—the Death pathway's Uniqueness. This would only increase its chances of coming to life, making it disadvantageous for the Goddess to deepen her control over it.

And regardless if Klein was happy for this to happen or not, since the Evernight Goddess had assigned Bryan to him, he had to make such arrangements.

Patrick Bryan had zero doubts toward his explanation, because Death had indeed awoken, and ”awakening rituals” were, in essence, a form of ”disturbance.”

This Undying thought before asking, ”Your Excellency, what should we do next?”

Klein smiled with approbation.

”Continue seeking out clues for things that God left behind. This will aid in 'His' recovery.”

Upon saying that, Klein originally had a second request, but he was worried that there were too few clues to it, making it possible for the Numinous Episcopate members to stir up trouble with nothing to be done. He added, ”In addition, promote reading to all those around you and your subordinates, be it at the garment factory or elsewhere. Establish night schools or learning classes. Let the people around you extricate themselves from ignorance and savagery.”

To make it more convincing, Klein stretched out his right hand and pressed it to his chest. With abnormal piousness, he began preaching, ”God said one needs to understand the belief to believe.

”God said that to those who are lost, one has to first strengthen their body and arm his brain. This is because the kingdom 'He' promises is one without ignorance and savagery.”

Patrick Bryan didn't doubt Dwayne Dantès's words, nor did he find it strange that such records weren't found in the Numinous Episcopate's bible. This was because this person before him was God's Blessed, a representative appointed by God!

He earnestly nodded.

”I will heed God's teachings.

”May every spirit gain eternal life in God's kingdom!”