Chapter Sixty-Seven: Deal and Promise

"Help?" Remilia stared at her teacup for quite some time before raising her head to meet Link's gaze. "Indeed, I do have something I wish to ask of you. However, with your current strength and that of your church, you are not yet capable of fulfilling my request."

"Oh? May I ask what it is you want us to do, Miss Remilia?"

Remilia looked at Link deeply. "The blood of the Ancient Holy Spirits!"

"The blood of the Ancient Holy Spirits?" Link was taken aback, his brow furrowed. "That... We don't even know if Holy Spirits still exist. We truly can't provide you with their blood."

"Not the blood of the Holy Spirits, but the blood of the Ancient Holy Spirits. Archbishop Neil, please do not confuse the two; Ancient Holy Spirits and Holy Spirits are not the same." Remilia gently shook the cup in her hand, sending ripples through the crimson tea. "The Ancient Holy Spirits are the oldest beings in this world. They are the first creatures created by the True God, endowed with unimaginable power. They are also the creators of countless beings in the Solakon world. The Holy Spirits, on the other hand, are their descendants. Though powerful, they are far inferior to the Ancient ones. Archbishop Neil, the dark demon you encountered in Bass City, Lumia, is actually a Holy Spirit—a Dark Holy Spirit."

"That dark demon is a Holy Spirit?" Link was stunned, also surprised by the information Remilia revealed. He had always believed the Ancient Holy Spirits and the Holy Spirits were the same, but now realized they were fundamentally different. What shocked him even more was Remilia's claim that the Ancient Holy Spirits were creators of all beings, which was...

"So, does that mean the Ancient Holy Spirits are gods who created all things?" Link couldn't help but voice the thought.

Remilia scoffed, "Gods? There is only one true god in this world, and that is the vanished True God. The rest are unworthy of the title. Though the Ancient Holy Spirits were creators, it was the True God who worked behind the scenes. Otherwise, how could the creation of life—something that involves the laws of existence—be accomplished by them alone?" She paused, set down her teacup, interlaced her fingers beneath her chin, and smiled. "Archbishop Neil, to be frank, I am also a Holy Spirit, and quite a famous one at that. However, my name is not known in the mortal world. When you reach a certain level of strength and encounter true mortal powerhouses, perhaps you will learn my name."

Upon hearing this, Link looked deeply at Remilia. He wasn't overly surprised, for when she first spoke of the Holy Spirits, he had already suspected as much; now it was merely confirmation.

Through Remilia's words, Link understood the world's 'true mythology.' Facing these Holy Spirits who had lived unknown lengths of time, invoking the Father God in their presence was probably laughable. He thus abandoned any pretense of being a divine intermediary and smiled. "So Miss Remilia is such a figure; I am honored. Yet, given your abilities and status, why have you helped my church repeatedly? I cannot fathom what you would need from us."

Remilia shook her head with a smile. "Archbishop, you are too modest. True, your church is weak now, but that does not mean it will remain so. To be honest, many Holy Spirits have inherited special abilities from the Ancients. For instance, the Dark Holy Spirit Lumia you met can control darkness, whereas I have inherited the power of fate—I can see the destinies of all beings and, to a certain degree, manipulate them."

To see and manipulate fate? What a terrifying power!

Even Link, calm as he was, couldn't help but show astonishment. Controlling fate—what level of power was this? He didn't know where it ranked in Solakon, but in the novels he'd read, this was surely the domain of the true gods.

Suddenly, Link felt immense pressure. Remilia continued, "You need not worry, Archbishop. Though the power of fate is formidable, it is not omnipotent, nor can it pierce all secrets. For example, your destiny is quite unique—I cannot see it at all. To nullify my power, one must either possess strength greater than mine, be an Ancient Holy Spirit, or the vanished True God. Which are you, Archbishop?" At this, Remilia fixed Link with a scrutinizing gaze.

Link's heart stirred. He was neither an Ancient Holy Spirit nor the True God, nor did he possess strength surpassing Remilia. So, was it because he was a transmigrant, or due to the True God system, that Remilia could not see his fate?

Whatever the reason, it was a boon for Link, for he need not worry about his destiny being controlled by another. Though astonished within, he maintained a calm exterior, leaving his true thoughts unreadable.

Remilia stared at Link for a long moment but discerned nothing, so she withdrew her gaze and continued, "Although I cannot see your destiny, Archbishop, I can see that of your church. From its fate, I saw its rise and growing strength, and also that my sister will be saved because of your church's ascendance."

"Oh? What has happened to your sister?" Link asked, sensing an opportunity for divine intervention.

"Her soul has suffered grievous injury and remains in a deep sleep. Only the blood of the Ancient Holy Spirits can save her," Remilia replied softly.

"I see," Link nodded, disappointed. He had hoped she was merely ill or cursed, circumstances in which he could use the Holy Light Cathedral to convince her to become a believer. But it turned out her soul was wounded and unconscious. The cathedral's powers were impressive, but ineffective for soul injuries, and an unconscious person could not benefit from its effects.

Remilia continued, "The Ancient Holy Spirits have been gone for thousands of years. I do not know where any might remain, but since your church's fate is entwined with my sister's, perhaps you will one day obtain their blood." She paused. "I know this blood is precious, so I will not make things difficult for you. I only require a single drop and will provide compensation greater than the blood itself."

As she spoke, Remilia suddenly raised her right hand, and a sphere of crimson threads appeared before her. She reached in and seemed to adjust three threads.

Immediately after, her already pale face grew even paler, cold sweat breaking across her skin. She was breathing heavily, as though she had just run a marathon.

Seeing this, Link was shocked, while beside him, Xingye anxiously rushed forward. "Miss, how could you do such a thing? Changing three fate threads at once is extremely harmful to you."

Remilia merely shook her head, saying nothing. Link, curious, asked, "Miss Remilia, what did you just do?"

Too exhausted to respond, Remilia kept her head bowed, breathing shallowly. Xingye explained, "Miss changed three fate threads of the Father God Church, turning what would have led to ruin or deviation into success and fortune. Though we do not know what will happen, it will surely bring three great strokes of luck to the church."

Link was moved. If true, this was a generous gift, full of sincerity. Yet more than the sincerity, the effect was astonishing—if Xingye spoke truly, it was as if the Goddess of Luck herself had granted her blessing.

The power of fate, indeed, was a force that rivaled divine power.

Looking at the exhausted Remilia, Link asked, "Miss Remilia, why did you do this?"

His words carried three meanings: why so eager to offer, whether such a cost was worthwhile, and since Remilia was so strong, why not simply force him to help her.

Remilia understood, and after a moment of recovery, looked up at Link. "To save my sister, any price is worth paying. Moreover, I do not believe I could easily defeat you. The power you used to overcome the Dark Holy Spirit is a threat to me as well."

Link realized that Remilia was wary of the events at the Paladin Hall—thus she immediately showed sincerity, rather than resorting to coercion.

This also showed that, though Remilia excelled in power, she was not adept at scheming, and valued family highly. Unlike officials in certain nations, who, even if unable to act against Link, would have debated endlessly.

Link nodded. "Miss Remilia, I understand your situation. Thank you for your help. Though I cannot say whether I will ever obtain the blood of the Ancient Holy Spirits, I promise that if I do, or find another way to save your sister, I will do my utmost."

Remilia glanced at the sphere of fate threads, a faint smile rising to her lips. "Archbishop Neil, thank you for your help. I also promise that if you save my sister, I will reward you generously." She closed her eyes, exhaustion written across her face. "Archbishop, tonight we will leave Qinke Town. Every year at this time, I will send Xingye to inquire about the Ancient Holy Spirit blood. If you find any clues, please tell her directly."

Link looked at Xingye, then nodded and took his leave, for Remilia's manner was clearly a polite dismissal.

Returning to the Father God Church, his mind still filled with all he had learned from Remilia, Link was startled by a sudden system message.

[Ding! Three benevolent fate powers have been detected residing in the Holy Light Cathedral. Would you like to absorb them? Upon full absorption, you will receive three opportunities for a lottery draw.]