Work Prophet
Chapter 210 - 58: A Wonderful Prospect

Chapter 210: Chapter 58: A Wonderful Prospect

Upon seeing the newcomer, Miss Rabbit immediately felt that something was terribly wrong.

It was as if a petty merchant had been caught evading taxes by a tax officer right on the spot; her first instinct was to flee, but regrettably, she was seated in too conspicuous a place.

To get up and run now would cause too much of a commotion, and it would also be disrespectful to the actors who were performing earnestly on stage, so the girl had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Priest Martina, long time no see."

"Not that long, actually. Just a year ago, I was still teaching you."

"Hahaha... Yes," Miss Rabbit laughed awkwardly, trying to make small talk, "How have you been, Priest Martina?"

"I’m getting by, still have a few years left in me."

"How can that be? You’re only a little over two hundred years old, you should have at least another hundred years."

Martina glanced at Ireya but didn’t pick up on her line, suddenly saying, "Adelle is with you now, isn’t she?"

"Uh..."

"Given that child’s character, and your relationship with her, she would definitely try to help you when you’re in trouble."

"Adelle did indeed come to see me," the girl admitted.

"Is she still at your castle?"

"No, she wasn’t willing to come in. When she came looking for me, she kept saying something about how her life was already over and that she shouldn’t drag me down any further."

"Are you resenting the Church for how they treated her?"

"No."

Ireya paused, "Well, a little... no, actually quite a lot. I think the Church’s actions are quite disheartening. You should all be well aware that losing that contest wasn’t her fault. In fact, it would have been a certain loss for anyone facing Merlin.

"The Church didn’t want to send any of its renowned priests to challenge Merlin openly, so instead, you had Adelle, who had just become a priest, test the waters with Merlin for you. Forgive my bluntness, but that’s quite shameless.

"Adelle is my best friend, I understand her well. She’s not someone who would stoop to any means just to win. You arranged for her to cheat and then blamed her for everything afterwards, ruining her life and wiping your own slate clean. That’s not only shameless but also disgusting!"

Miss Rabbit let it all out in one breath and felt a sense of relief wash over her.

Looking at Priest Martina again, she saw a trace of contentment on her face, "You’ve been bottling these words up for quite some time, haven’t you?"

"Um..." The girl was a bit confused about the other side’s intentions.

"Not just about Adelle’s situation, but also the lizard people’s attack on your territory, and the Evil Dragon that terrorized the western lands not long ago. The Church didn’t take much action, which also disappointed you, didn’t it?"

Ireya shook her head, "I’ve actually come to terms with it these days. The Church doesn’t have an army, and there are indeed many times when it really can’t be of much help."

"Then do you know why the Silver Moon Church doesn’t have its own army?" Martina asked in return.

"It is said that this was an agreement between the Silver Moon Church and the various lords of the western lands, and if I remember correctly, this agreement has been around for quite some time."

"Indeed, High Priest Kaokas believes that the main duty of a Divine Officer should be to save lives, not to take them."

"But when the enemy is at the gates, not fighting back is a one-way ticket to death." Miss Rabbit felt she had quite the right to speak on this matter.

"That’s exactly why the Western Territory needs Lords. The major families all form their own armies to provide protection for their subjects," Matina said. "You see, Ireya, the goddess has her own plans for all of us."

"......"

"I don’t think it’s a big problem for the Church to form its own army. Without the help of Merlin and the Double Rest Sect, I couldn’t have survived this crisis."

"You’re too kind, child. That’s probably why Merlin chose you," Matina sighed. "Because he knows very well that what he wants, he could never get from the other Lords."

"So this is why you came to see me, Priest Matina, to drive a wedge between Merlin and me?" A cautious look appeared on the girl’s face. "I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I trust Merlin just as I trust myself."

"It seems that Prophet Merlin must be a very charismatic person. I’m getting more and more curious about him. Why didn’t he come with you to Rock Snow City this time?"

"Merlin? He’s on a vacation. That’s a precept of the Double Rest Sect, which he, as a Prophet, must also follow."

"Is that so? What a pity, I had wanted to meet him." Matina said, "I can understand the solid bond that you and Merlin have built through adversity."

"That’s great, then you can save your energy," the girl said forthrightly, no longer beating around the bush. "In fact, in a little while, I will also become a follower of Saturday. It’s not that the goddess isn’t good enough; I just feel that I might be more suited to the other side."

"Have you really thought this through? It’s not just about you; it will affect your family and descendants," the old woman looked at the girl.

Her words indeed provoked the last shred of doubt in the heart of the Lady. Ireya trusted Li Yu, but the girl did not know if her descendants and other Prophets of the Double Rest Sect could have as good a relationship as she and Li Yu did.

Who can truly articulate the future?

Matina’s voice continued, "Although you’re unwilling to call me your teacher now, I still remember the girl in the Temple who wholeheartedly believed in Pisya."

"Like all things of age, the Church certainly has its faults. The words you scolded before are the same ones I wanted to say. But fortunately, we still have time and the chance to correct all this."

"If you wish to return to the embrace of the goddess, the Church is willing to grant you the status of High Priestess."

"High Priestess?" Ireya gasped. "Doesn’t the Silver Moon Church have only seven Great Sacrificial Priests? Has someone passed away?"

"No, the Church is planning to establish an additional position of High Priest. This eighth High Priest need not involve themselves in the affairs of the Church on a daily basis, but would have the authority to oversee the Church. If there is any objection to a certain priest or matter, they can launch an investigation, and everyone, including the other High Priests, must cooperate unconditionally."

"But I am a Lord. Can a Lord also serve as a High Priest? There has never been such a precedent before."

"There hasn’t, but there is always a first time for everything. After internal discussion, the Church believes that given your current reputation in the Western Territory, you are fully capable of holding the position of High Priestess."

"Additionally, the Church is now beginning to self-examine and correct previous mistakes, including the matter with Adelle. Soon her reputation will be restored."

"Moreover, as long as you agree, we will build a Temple on your lands and place a Holy Artifact there. This will attract a large number of believers to make pilgrimages there. You could use this opportunity to encourage some to settle in the Green Field. This should be easy for you now."

"In a few decades, you’ll be able to build a city nearby. And you needn’t worry too much about the funding for the city; the Silver Moon Church is willing to sponsor half."