"I don't know."
Many still gave the same answer, but their attitude was more respectful than before.
"That's why you've walked further than me."
Aston did not point it out. He turned around and faced Many in a formal manner for the first time. He gently lifted the book in his hand. "You've come for this?"
The black book was heavy but not clumsy. It was as light as a feather in his hand. Its inner luster flickered, but it did not seem to be made of metal. The faint magical waves were weak, but they were brewing like a volcano before an eruption.
"Yes."
Many nodded, but there was no greed in his eyes. He quietly focused his attention on the book, but his mind was filled with the image of a frail figure who once wore a black robe.
That book looked exactly the same as this one, but why did he not think that it was a sacred relic?
Perhaps he was not strong enough.
Many things in the past did not need to be reminisced. What he needed to do was to grasp the present.
"You can read this book, but it will not leave this place."
Unexpectedly, the Dark Messenger raised his hand and held out the black book that believers were willing to sacrifice their lives in exchange for a chance to observe it at close range.
Many was stunned for a moment. To be honest, there were countless thoughts in his mind, but none of them were as despicable as snatching it and running away. He reached out to receive it and thanked Aston softly. "I hope it won't disappoint me."
"It won't."
This should not have been an answer, but Aston gave him a firm reply.
Many did not even know what the real name of the book was. He only knew that it must have some connection with the Radiant Church. Otherwise, it would not have appeared in Becky's hands.
There were no words on the cover, and it felt rough but warm. It was as if the book was alive, with its own consciousness and breath. It reminded Many of the shock that Krillin's Blade had given him.
Doubt, curiosity, indifference and calmness.
These emotions made Many feel as if he was facing Aston himself, as if he was looking at an equally knowledgeable old man before he even opened the book.
"This is …"
When he flipped open the thick title page, Many could not help but exclaim in surprise. Because the words he saw made the memories that he had not used for a long time come alive once again.
The language of the Trolls.
It didn't matter what the content was, because it was certain that this item belonged to the Roslorian continent.
As the title page was flipped open, there seemed to be a soft murmur in the surroundings, but it was hard to hear it clearly. The low murmur reminded him of the conversation he had with Elder Valencia. All of this seemed to be another big mystery.
"That's enough."
Without flipping to the second page, many gently closed the book and returned it with both hands.
"The person appointed by Garen will walk on this dark continent and bring light to us."
Aston seemed to be reciting a poem softly, but the content made many understand a lot of things. The Dark Messenger gently took the book, and a faint magic fluctuation flashed.
"You've walked further than me."
This was the second time the Old Count had repeated this sentence, but many people understood the hidden meaning behind it.
"So, I'm going to face His Majesty who never stops?"
Many people looked at the top of the statue and saw that there seemed to be a throne waiting for them. But beside the throne was a tall abyssal demon. His body was so obvious that many people understood who this person was.
"His goal is to conquer, such as the continent that this ancient book belongs to." Aston seemed to have known many of Roland's identities, but he did not have the slightest intention to point it out. "If you have information about the second volume of this ancient book, or if you have it, then we can discuss who it belongs to."
"But not now."
Aston gently put down the book. His bright but not sharp eyes looked at many people, and then moved his gaze to the statue.
"He won't make the first move, right?"
"Carter is a smart and manipulative monarch."
Aston's answer was not superfluous at all, and it was watertight.
"But he has no wisdom."
That was his conclusion.
"I think I know what I should do."
Many nodded, and Aston bowed slightly. The two people who were thousands of years apart in age said goodbye to each other after a short conversation.
Level Ten.
This was the power that Many sensed from the old man. Of course, he was not sure if the dark messenger had taken that step, but the power level would not affect the outcome of this conversation.
Since he did not obtain the sacred relic, he understood that even if he tried to forcefully snatch it, there would be no result. He was not alone in this world. There were too many things that he needed to take into consideration. He did not have the black-bellied and ruthless attitude to sacrifice his comrades as pawns at any time. Perhaps he was not a qualified monarch, but he was a qualified leader.
Ruling the continent?
Many of them were not interested. All he wanted to protect was his own piece of the world.
Turning around and leaving the 'church', Many walked with the same posture as before. The believers on both sides were still kneeling on one knee, watching the Traveler leave. They felt something different. Free?
Or untainted by dust?
The mission in Stick Province seemed to have ended there. Many walked out of the church, but they were not in a hurry to leave. Instead, they found a nearby hotel and stayed there.
Facing Many, all the believers seemed to understand his identity in a short period of time. No matter where the carriage went, the bloodstains seemed to be a sign that made people on both sides of the street stop and salute. When Many got off the carriage, they received unimaginable courtesy as if they were emperors.
This was done spontaneously by the commoners and was definitely not forced.
Many of them had the illusion that they had effortlessly or even inadvertently won such a position. Then, compared to the politicians and nobles who had fought for their entire lives, even abandoning their wives, children, and friends, wasn't it a little too easy?
Ultimately, it was not the same.
Many accepted the worship of the believers without any pretense, but they did not make any impromptu speeches. They just silently walked to the bedroom that the hotel owner had prepared for them, and then closed the door.
When the maids got off the carriage, the surrounding people gasped. These maids were all as beautiful as flowers, and because they were inexperienced, each of them had a kind of pure shyness. Facing so many people's gazes, they could only look at the back of the figure in front of them and follow closely, like the guardian priests who served the gods in the legends.
The Demon God Garen's doctrine forbade promiscuous behavior and indulged in beauty. From this point, it could be seen that he was still a relatively reliable God. Compared to the false Gods that had appeared in history that violated human ethics and absurd doctrines, Garen's believers could grow to this extent after thousands of years. This doctrine that was affirmed by the people was naturally one of the reasons why Garen's believers could grow to this extent after thousands of years.
Right now, this' Apostle 'had many maids, but no one would stand up and question him. Perhaps this was the general mentality … When something was labeled, the believers would no longer go back and question it, especially when this' Apostle 'had just had a meeting with the Dark Messenger, Black-Robed Count Aston.
Many who entered the room did not have time to figure out the mentality of these believers. He chose to meditate quietly to recover his strength.
Of course, no one knew what he was waiting for.