Above The Sky
Chapter 1017 - 1017 110 Twin Pontiffs 6000_2

1017: Chapter 110 Twin Pontiffs (6000)_2 1017: Chapter 110 Twin Pontiffs (6000)_2 It is only natural for me to punish them!

The Huai Guang Church, which has always upheld neutrality, avoided meddling in the affairs of nations, and remained weak and powerless externally—how dare they refuse me?

[I have power]

Therefore, the Grand Chieftain said in a deep voice: [I…]

He intended to speak those words.

But suddenly, he couldn’t continue.

Because, after a moment of rage, the Grand Chieftain was suddenly overcome with a chilling sensation.

——Just now…

he almost dared to boast of his strength before a Cleric on the Holy Mountain?

Indeed, the Huai Guang Church had never interfered in the affairs of other nations…

But this was no longer a matter of another nation.

This was him, personally, negotiating directly with the Huai Guang Church.

As Angqin Tasu the individual, rather than in the capacity of some Grand Chieftain.

Moreover, if he truly voiced his reasoning, saying, “Because I have power, I can rule over the weak,” then…

The Huai Guang Church, far stronger than him…

[This world is embraced by light.]

The Cleric calmly stared at the Chieftain.

He did not care about the momentary arrogance in the latter’s words: [Everyone should live in places once illuminated by light.]

[No one has an inherent right to ‘govern’ anyone.]

[Leave.

There is no place for your authority here.]

The Grand Chieftain retreated.

From that moment on, no one dared venture near the Holy Mountain, attempting to reclaim the refugees who had fled there.

“What’s wrong, Radiant Nun?”

In the carriage, Milos, the towering Dragonfolk warrior, rubbed her eyes.

Redemption Light, who had been dozing off for a moment, saw her junior gazing gloomily out the window and couldn’t help but reach out to pinch her dragon horns: “Missing home?

Would you like to visit when reporting back to the Holy Mountain this time?”

“No…”

Radiant Nun didn’t get annoyed at her senior’s mercenary-like gesture; instead, she sighed: “I was just trying to understand why the Holy Mountain welcomes any who wish to settle here, yet those who choose to stay are only the refugees of the recent generations.”

“Because everyone, myself included, wants to leave this overly…

dull land and see the outside world.”

“Oh?”

Redemption Light pursed her lips.

She widened her eyes and glanced at the nearby Glorious Sword: “Are you allowed to say that?

A Cleric openly labeling the surroundings of the Holy Mountain like this doesn’t seem appropriate, does it?”

“It’s fine to say.”

Glorious Sword opened his eyes, the ever-serene Cleric who carried a calm smile nodded: “We are well aware of this matter.”

“Most of those who live near the Holy Mountain are people without much desire, content with a quiet life, and seeking peaceful days.

The majority of the younger generation attempts to find new ways of living in the Empire, Steep Ridge Fortress, or Yanjiang.”

“There are no theaters here, no flashing lights or bustling nightlife, and no indulgence in sensual pleasures…

The more normal human desires are, the less likely they are to stay on the Holy Mountain for long.”

Saying this, Glorious Sword turned to look at the Dragoness Nun and nodded slightly: “Radiant Nun’s ability to admit this reality, to be willing to state the boredom of the Holy Mountain rather than, like other seemingly devout individuals, use delusional imagery to depict the Heavenly Kingdom within their hearts while failing to recognize reality…

This already counts as having one’s own thoughts.”

“However, Radiant Nun, have you figured out why?” the Cleric asked.

The gray-haired nun hesitated for a moment before tentatively answering: “Because…

of population?”

“Yes.

It’s because of population.”

Saying this, her confidence seemed to grow.

Radiant Nun closed her eyes.

She recalled the village where she’d once lived, where even oil lamps were rare and had to be purchased from the outside: “For example, wanting a single oil lamp—it’s incredibly difficult to make one ourselves.”

“A not-too-basic flame lamp requires glass, lamp oil, and a crafted lamp stand…

In other words, it requires a glass factory, an oil-processing workshop, and the training of artisans.”

“And the glass factory needs a sand mine, a ranch or fishery for oil production, an algae farm, and a group of lamp buyers to create demand, motivating artisans to learn and commence production.”

Speaking of this, Radiant Nun sighed deeply: “A single village cannot develop all this.

Once the population increases, people can no longer cooperate spontaneously; there aren’t sufficient established rules, and someone needs to step in to provide management and guidance.”

“But around the Holy Mountain, there’s no one managing anyone else…

No one desires governance, and no one wishes to govern others.

Those who do think that way head to the outside world; they don’t stay on the Holy Mountain.”

“I see…”

Redemption Light turned her gaze to the snowy expanse of earth, where faint traces of smoke could be seen on the distant horizon: “So you’re saying that we (the Huai Guang Church) deliberately suppress population growth to maintain this stable lifestyle around the Holy Mountain?”

“I used to believe that as well.”

Radiant Nun replied faintly.

This young nun, always steady and meticulous in her observations, had her own insight into many matters, which was why she could hold the status of a Cleric candidate at such a young age.

She raised her head, looking at the approaching Holy Mountain: “While studying with my mentor, I discovered that some monks think civilization is a poison.

They believe that when humans gather in large groups, kings and nobles naturally emerge, and collaboration among people shifts from pure mutual aid into exploitative means, preventing people from treating one another with equality.”