Chapter Twenty-Nine: Link's Plan

Toronto had no idea that Link had worked through so much in such a short time. When he saw Link suddenly break into a smile, he thought Link was mocking him, and his anger flared uncontrollably. Yet the deaths of the two Mad God Hall followers filled him with dread toward Link, and he dared not act rashly. However, as a notorious local bully, how could Toronto be without a trump card? He furtively reached for his belt, as if retrieving something. After glancing at Link and finding him somewhat distracted, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes. He raised his hand, ready to throw whatever he held.

Yet Toronto could never have guessed that, though Link appeared distracted, the spirit eagle Bai Ling kept a close watch on him. Every movement was in Bai Ling’s sight, and as soon as Toronto made a move, Bai Ling conveyed a warning to Link.

So, the moment Toronto hurled his object, Link swiftly intercepted it with a fire surge spell. The bullet-like burst of flame shattered the item as it left Toronto’s hand, causing it to explode at once.

It was a violet sphere. Upon detonation, violet dust and smoke billowed out, and Toronto’s face changed drastically, horror overtaking his features. The smoke was less than a meter away from him, far too close to dodge.

Though Toronto immediately tried to retreat, he still came into contact with the smoke. His face instantly drained of all color, and he let out a shrill, ghastly scream as he frantically searched his body. “The antidote, where’s the antidote? Where is it? Found it, the—”

As he joyfully pulled out a small vial, his expression froze. Uncontrollable convulsions wracked his body, and purple blood vessels crawled across his skin, twisting his already fearsome visage into something even more grotesque.

The vial slipped from his trembling hand and clattered to the ground. Toronto himself collapsed limply, spasming ceaselessly.

Mouth agape, Toronto fixed his gaze on Link, and with the last of his strength, pleaded in agony, “Help... help me...”

At this, Link merely shot him a cold look and replied, “You have only yourself to blame. Don’t forget, this was your own poison.”

Toronto said nothing more—for he could no longer speak. In the end, he glared at Link with venomous resentment as he drew his final breath.

With a glance at Toronto’s corpse, and to prevent the poison from spreading, Link incinerated the body with a burst of fire. Then, turning toward the forest, he said in a deep voice, “You know what to do.”

“Rest assured, Archbishop, we won’t let you down.” The voices of two men came from among the trees; on closer look, they were none other than Darian and Alonzo, the very men Link had converted.

After their reply, the two quietly slipped away in another direction. At the same time, Bai Ling sent word that followers of the Father God’s Church, hearing the commotion, were hurrying over. Link immediately slapped his chest, his face turning pale as he coughed up blood, appearing grievously wounded.

When Saga and the others arrived, they found Link barely clinging to life, seemingly close to death. The sight filled them with shock and fury, and Saga rushed forward to heal Link with the Nine Suns Divine Art.

Yet Link stopped Saga, instructing everyone to carry him back first. Remembering that the Grand Cathedral of Holy Light could heal any wound, the group hurriedly helped Link back to the church.

Halfway there, Link’s eyes rolled back and he fainted, terrifying everyone. The effect of the Holy Light Cathedral only worked on the conscious; if someone was unconscious or in shock, they had to be revived first.

Helpless, they brought Link to his room, where Elia and Saga tended to him while others went in search of a doctor. In no time, the entire Father God’s Church was in a flurry, and the chaotic scene could not escape the notice of outsiders. News of Link’s severe injury and coma spread like wildfire.

Witnessing all this, Link—still feigning unconsciousness—couldn’t help but feel a touch of helplessness. The Father God’s Church was still too young. Though it was full of talent, there was not a single person able to steady the situation in his absence. They were all young, full of potential and ability, but they lacked experience. When faced with sudden crises, they were at a complete loss.

In truth, Link’s grave injuries and coma were nothing but an act. The blow he dealt himself had indeed made him cough blood, but the injury was far from serious. Even without the Holy Light Cathedral, he could recover with the Nine Suns Divine Art, and it would cost him little time.

Everything Link did was to fool the enemy. As the saying goes, to deceive the enemy, one must first deceive one’s own. That’s exactly what he did, and he also wanted to see how his people would manage in a crisis. Unfortunately, their performance left him sorely disappointed.

“It seems I’ll have to find someone older and steadier to hold the fort. Otherwise, if I’m ever absent during a crisis, chaos will reign.” After pondering a moment, Link let the matter go. “No matter. Even if I need someone, I must handle the current predicament first. It’s about time, or Elia’s eyes will be swollen from crying.”

Hearing Elia’s sobbing, Link felt a pang of heartache. Seeing him unresponsive, she wept in sorrow, using her unskilled healing magic on him and calling his name, her voice thick with fear and despair.

“Neil, please wake up! If you’re gone, I truly don’t know how to go on... Please, wake up!”

Hearing Elia’s helpless plea again, Link could no longer bear it. He decisively opened his eyes, looked at Elia at his side, and said in a weak voice, “Don’t worry, Elia. I won’t leave you.”

“Neil!” Elia broke into a tearful smile, her face lit up with joy.

The others in the room, hearing the commotion, all turned to look. Seeing Link awake, they were overjoyed, bombarding him with anxious questions, the room erupting in noisy chatter.

Link, somewhat exasperated, waited until the clamor subsided before speaking. “Go fetch Jack. Elia and Saga, stay. The rest of you may leave.”

Though puzzled by Link’s orders, no one dared defy him. Those not named immediately left the room.

Once the room was cleared, Link, under the surprised gazes of Saga and Elia, sat up with ease, showing not a trace of serious injury.

Elia, astonished, asked, “Neil, weren’t you hurt? How...”

Link scratched his nose sheepishly. “Sorry, Elia. Actually, I’m fine. The injury was self-inflicted and not serious at all.”

The two were stunned. Tears welled up in Elia’s eyes again, and she said in a voice both aggrieved and heartbroken, “Why would you do this? Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

Link, full of guilt at her words, forced a bitter smile and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Elia. I didn’t mean to deceive you, but I had no choice...” He then briefly explained the threats from the Mad God Hall and the War God’s Church. “That’s why I had to pretend to be gravely wounded.”

Once they understood the hidden reasons, the two were left shocked, but much of their resentment faded. Still, Elia protested, “Then you could have told us sooner! Why keep us in the dark?”

Link sighed. “I had no choice. To fool the enemy, you must first fool your own. And I wanted to use this chance to see how you’d handle a crisis. To be honest, your performance left me quite disappointed...” He gave them a meaningful look.

Realizing the truth, both fell silent, recalling their earlier panic with embarrassment, lowering their heads in shame. So Link had intended this as a test, but their performance had been abysmal.

For a moment, their frustration and resentment vanished, replaced by a deep sense of loss and self-reproach—they had let down the one who trusted them most.

Link did not comfort them, for this was the price of growth. He valued and relied on both of them, hoping they would become his right and left hands in the future. At a time like this, it was best to let them reflect.

Soon, Jack arrived. Like the others, after learning the truth, he too was filled with guilt and remorse. As the presiding priest, his conduct had been wholly inadequate.

Unlike Elia and Saga, however, Jack was older and more experienced. The moment he recognized his error, along with his remorse, he immediately sought to make amends. He said to Link, “Archbishop, should I go tell the others now, to stop spreading word of your injury?”

Link shook his head. “No need. By now, word of my condition has surely reached every corner of Chinko Town. There’s no hiding it now.” He paused, a faint smile appearing. “Still, you’ve inadvertently helped me. Now that they know I’m wounded, I suspect our enemies won’t be able to resist taking this opportunity to wipe us out.”

“You mean...?”

“That’s exactly what I want. We’ll turn their scheme against them.” Link smiled and shared his plan with the three. Their reactions differed: Jack, a former rogue himself, wholeheartedly supported Link’s strategy, while Elia, though uncomfortable with such tactics, ultimately agreed because it was Link who proposed them.

Saga, still young and upright, frowned. “Archbishop, isn’t this a bit underhanded?”

Link looked at him. “Saga, don’t forget—they used treachery against us first. I don’t approve of such means either, but as the Father says: ‘Return unto others as they have done to you.’ In other words, if they use such methods, we’re entitled to do the same. It’s not underhanded; it’s simply turning their own weapons against them.” He paused. “Saga, have you forgotten? If I weren’t strong enough, I’d already be dead, and you’d all be casualties of this struggle. It’s harsh, but this is the reality of religious conflict. We resist only to protect those around us.”

“To protect those around us...” Saga thought of his sister, of the fate that awaited them should Link die. His heart chilled, and his guilt and discomfort faded away.

He nodded resolutely. “I understand, Archbishop. You’re right. Against such despicable foes, we must show no mercy. I support your decision!”

Link nodded in satisfaction, then outlined the details of his plan. Once the three set off to prepare as instructed, he turned his gaze toward Chinko Town, his eyes narrowing. “The stage is set. Mad God Hall, War God’s Church—tonight will be your swan song in Chinko Town!”