He was greeted with the courtesy of a saint. Many of them did not have any aversion to this. On the contrary, he was experiencing the foundation displayed by these people who believed in the Demon God Garen.
What was depth?
Were their hearts sincere? Were they really doing it out of their own will?
From time to time, many people would recall the image of an impoverished country that was like an empire in the depths of their minds — a country that did not allow the Internet, did not allow mobile phones, and could only listen to fixed radio stations on the radio. Their so-called faith was really fragile, but it made people feel both ridiculous and sad at the same time.
He hoped that these people weren't like that. At least when he came to the front of this huge 'cathedral', he saw that the believers in front of him were sincere and natural.
He didn't know how these so-called religious people were graded. Many of the people in front of him wore dark-colored clothes, but most of them were gray. It seemed that the older they were, the darker the color of their clothes. This also seemed to indicate their identity and status. When many walked through the huge gothic corridor, they felt like they had suddenly returned to the Empire of Saint Reims.
This architectural style did indeed exist in the Roslorian Continent, and many of the territories in the Saint Sophia Cathedral had traces of this style.
Why would this architectural style also appear in the central city of the Abyss Continent?
Many looked up and could even see the vivid murals on the dome under the bright firelight. The scenes depicted on the murals seemed to be the various stories of the Demon God Garen.
The footsteps were very light, as if they were unwilling to wake up the sleeping souls. Many looked so small in front of these statues that they couldn't even be compared to an ordinary citizen. But when the guards saw the Abyss Demon walking past them, they all knelt on one knee and silently chanted a prayer.
This kind of treatment was not even seen in the Sisfel Palace. There was a slope in front of them, and when they looked up, there were layers of pillars around them. The pillars were more than ten meters tall, and there were dense patterns on them. At the same time, there were also different colored stones on the ground that looked like a magic circle.
At the end of this road, there was a lonely figure standing quietly in the hall at the end, with his back facing them.
Jia Luo and the others were blocked outside the church. Needless to say, this was a private meeting of a very high level.
Unlike meeting the ruler of a country or the lord of a territory, most of them did not feel any pressure. The instinctive suppression of a ruler towards a subordinate seemed to be nowhere to be found here.
Of course, perhaps it was because many did not worship anyone as a god.
It was a desolate silhouette that looked ordinary. He wasn't tall, but his back was straight. His pure black robe was like the boundless darkness that blended in with the pitch-black floor of the hall. Everything seemed to be endless silence.
Many did not bow — for he was not a believer.
"There is no god in your heart."
This was the first sentence this legendary black-robed Count Aston spoke to many people. It was profound and incisive, but it was not mixed with the slightest bit of displeasure or mockery.
His tone was indifferent, like a glass of clear water.
"If God can't do what I can't do, then what's the point of believing in God?"
Many's reply was filled with a short-sighted mentality, as if facing God, he could only ask for more.
"Don't try to disguise your original intentions. Although you are not a believer, your actions are much higher than ordinary believers."
Earl Aston slowly turned around. His aged face had traces of the vicissitudes of time that couldn't be hidden. His face was like that of an old elf, but he didn't have long ears. Many people who looked at his face couldn't help but think of another person — the Troll Elder Valenz who had mysteriously disappeared.
The same feeling made many people feel a little dazed.
"Prometheus."
Many placed their hands on their chests and made a saluting gesture.
"Amira Aston.
You can call me Aston Count Aston. "
Aston Count Aston was not tall, only reaching many people's chests. However, this old man did not feel like he was looking up at many people. He lightly waved his hand and said, "Whether or not you believe in the Demon God, your identity has been determined."
Many people followed his hand and looked to the side. There was a statue in the center of the hall. This statue was not of a specific person, but it looked like a strange landscape mixed with countless races of the Abyss Continent.
Among the overlapping images, many people saw Medusa, Ducker Tauren, dark elves, demons, succubi and so on. Of course, there were even more races that could not be named. Most of them seemed to have been annihilated in the long river of history.
"Many things have disappeared in the clouds of the past. Perhaps our first meeting today will be the last, but this will not stop your arrival."
Aston Count Aston's words made many people slowly blink a few times, like a wise old man and not a fraud who repeatedly recited doctrines.
This movement meant that he was considering whether he should believe what he had just accepted.
"I think, my identity is just a humble passerby. If not for the false rumors of the believers, I don't think I would be standing in this position to talk to you."
Many used honorifics out of politeness. He did not think of this black-robed old man as an enemy or anything else. Logically speaking, this black-robed old man might be an existence that all believers would kneel and listen to like a pope. But here, many people did not feel a trace of the pressure that a superior should have.
In other words, the two fellows whose strength had surpassed the common understanding of ordinary people were no longer willing to use this so-called "aura" to impose any psychological burden when facing each other.
"Yes, humble passerby." Aston Count Aston's voice sounded very soft, not hoarse or old. "When have I not been?"
He opened his arms slightly, and only then did many people see that he was holding a black book in his hands. When their eyes shifted to the book, many people's eyebrows suddenly trembled.
"Is your so-called purpose to become stronger through continuous challenges?"
Aston did not seem to be interested in discussing status and identity. He directly asked a lot of questions without the slightest euphemism.
"Yes, there are some things that need me to be strong to protect. Compared to the gods, I prefer to believe in myself."
Many people looked at the huge stone statue. At this moment, his eyes had already moved away from the black book, and nothing unusual could be seen.
"Confidence," Aston Count Aston murmured softly. "But not arrogant. You are much wiser than him."
Many people did not ask who the person he was talking about was, but the number of people who could make this man standing at the top of the pyramid could probably be counted on one hand.
"So, why did you call me here?"
From the beginning to the end, he did not have the slightest intention to resist. From the moment he got off the carriage to this core area's hall, he did not say a word. Obviously, the old man in front of him was not someone who would call him here to talk nonsense and then leave.
"Before I answer your question, can I ask you a few questions?"
This old man seemed to have never asked such a question before. Facing this polite question, Many nodded.
"Messenger of Darkness. Do you know why I have this title?"
"I do not."
Many answered truthfully.
"The servant of the gods. That is what they call me. But why am I willing to be a servant of the gods?"
Aston's question was actually what many people wanted to know, but the old man did not give a clear answer. "You and I are similar in strength. Why do I do this? Because I understand that no matter how strong I am, I can never be higher than the sky."
"Servant of the gods is actually just a title that people use to look up to."
Aston turned his head and continued. "I do not know you, but I will say these words that no believer will ever hear in their lifetime. They are not teachings, but advice."
"I am all ears."
Many narrowed their eyes.
"You will walk further than me, so you should continue to walk."
Reaching out to gently straighten the wrinkle-free black robe, Aston's words were short, but there was an indescribable meaning in them.
Without giving much time to react, he continued. "Let me ask you the second question. Do you know why someone tried to assassinate you?"