Chapter 479: D176. Reproduction_2
Despite the perspective of duty, the Innocent must be brought back to the Holy City, whether willing or not, the only difference lies in “forceful escort” and “protective escort.” Since the other party made a choice actively, he naturally also had to respond.
[Black Gate’s Perception (Divergence points 30,60,90)]
D100=d100(57)=57
“Are you going to take her away?
Seeing that the two seemed to have reached some kind of consensus while he was unconscious, the Hero blinked and asked with mild surprise.
“Yes.” The Cruising Bishop nodded. “Although the organizational structure of the Black Gate is loose and contacts between different regions are not tight, enough time has passed, and if their remaining forces are concentrated in the Western Realm, they should have noticed something by now.”
The plan on the Border Plateau did not only fail, but all members were captured…
Although neither the Bomber nor the Masochist is a Pantheon level “key,” this loss was heavy enough for the Black Gate.
Even though the Black Gate’s influence at the Border has been completely eradicated, and they struggle to receive information from this place, if the other party infiltrates the border towns using Space Magic and manages to collect the latest movements, it wouldn’t be difficult.
And those delusional Sect Followers, upon realizing that their schemes are about to be uncovered, who knows what they might do.
In the situation where their next move was unclear, sending the Innocent to the Holy City promptly was the best strategy.
The Fourteenth Princess added from the side.
“This is also like splitting our troops; we each bring the intelligence back to the King and the Pope, and in case any issues arise, the Count will serve as the final safeguard.”
In the current Kingdom, the only way to communicate across long distances is through fixed Communication Arrays. However, these Arrays cannot move and are at risk of interception. Although there are Magic Patterns that can be used for personal connection, the communication range is limited and not seamless.
Out of caution, both the Fourteenth Princess and the Cruising Bishop chose the safest plan to avoid directly sending back intelligence through magic, but rather by delivering it themselves.
“I’m starting to feel a bit nervous.” The Hero exhaled, his gaze moving among the few individuals, finally resting on the Innocent.
“Be cautious as well, since you have now replaced the Masochist as the primary persona, those Sect Followers will certainly not treat you kindly, and even the Church might not truly accept you.”
The Hero looked up at the Cruising Bishop and gave a rueful smile, embarrassed by her blunt words, unable to retort.
The Church was never a utopia that unconditionally embraced anyone so long as their personality was kind, even the present Cruising Bishop had once vehemently refused the Snow Woman, a colleague.
Thus, the Hero was not naive enough to think that the Innocent could truly be forgiven just by repenting.
“Thank you for your concern. You are indeed kind, but rest assured, I am no longer a fragile woman without any means to fight back.” The Innocent smiled softly, bowing slightly.
“Moreover, since I have inherited this body, I naturally have to take on the responsibilities of this body’s original owner, myself in another role. A bit of consequence and hardship are only natural.”
Seeing her resolute attitude, the Hero refrained from further reminding, but remained somewhat curious.
“Why then do you wish to join the Church? If it’s just to provide information, there wouldn’t be a need for that, is it to atone for sins?”
“Atone for sins? Not at all.” The Innocent blinked in surprise, then shook her head with a light laugh.
“Of course, I understand your thoughts. The other me and I are entirely different individuals. The sins she committed, I am not obliged to bear… Although there is also such reasoning, more importantly, good cannot offset evil.
“Doing good cannot make up for past transgressions, and however many good deeds cannot serve as an excuse for evil actions. Otherwise, wouldn’t saving one person justify harming another?”
The Innocent maintained a calm expression and a refined demeanor, not resembling a personality born recently, but more like a well-educated noble lady.
“So, this is just my personal preference, once I couldn’t choose, but now, I hope to become someone like you, who brings hope and light to others.”
The voice of the Innocent was soft yet firm, her pretty face slightly blushed with a tender gaze that held a warm intent, staring directly at the Hero.
[Innocent’s Favorability]
D10+90=d10(7)+90=97
[Hero’s Detection]
D117=d117(3)=3
[Perception Extreme Failure~Due to Skill: Dirty Heart Language, although able to sense others’ thoughts, the recognition of good intentions becomes inaccurate]
The Hero’s emerald green eyes blinked, puzzled, meeting the increasingly eager gaze of the Innocent, completely failing to understand why she was looking at herself this way.
Is she expressing her fondness for me? Well, after all, I am her lifesaver, so it’s not strange.
Thus, the Hero responded with a friendly smile.
‘Your Majesty…’ the voice of the Gleaming Scale Serpent faintly echoed in the depths of consciousness, hesitant to speak out but ultimately remaining silent.
Meanwhile, the Fourteenth Princess and the Cruising Bishop exchanged glances, both having a foreboding feeling lingering in their hearts, eventually, the Cruising Bishop cleared his throat to break the increasingly strange atmosphere and made today’s summary:
“So, since everything that needed to be said has been said, let’s end here for today, the Hero and I need to prepare for departure.”
He looked towards the Innocent, adding: “Also, about that ability you mentioned that got erased, the one to take over someone else’s body, talk to me in detail about it later, perhaps someone in the Holy City…”
“Ah, there’s no need for that, didn’t I just mention it?” the Innocent interrupted the Cruising Bishop’s worried words in surprise.
“Sorry, perhaps I didn’t explain it clearly enough.” The Innocent spoke again under everyone’s puzzled gaze.
“This ability does indeed change the killer’s personality, allowing the deceased’s soul to resurrect in his body, but this process comes with great risks and is very easy to detect by others due to personality conflicts leading to loss of control of the body, which is impossible to conceal no matter what.” the Innocent explained.
“Although it can also be changed subtly, for the Professionals of the Church, just the memory of killing someone flashing in their dreams is enough to alert them to seek help.”
“By saying this, it indeed seems so, but then wouldn’t this skill be completely useless?” the Cruising Bishop first nodded then frowned in confusion.
The Innocent shook her head, her tone gentle as she reminded, “Have you all forgotten what I just mentioned about the reason represented by the King’s Black Wing?”
“Wings of Birth?” the Fourteenth Princess murmured to herself as she recalled.
Then, guessing something, she suddenly froze, forgetting her usual graceful demeanor, her mouth agape in shock.
“My goodness, are you implying that—?”
“Yes, the existence of the deceased cannot be severed from the killer by any means, but there is only one way that allows it to be transferred—and to be reborn.”
The smile on the Innocent’s lips settled down as she spoke indifferently.
“The soul of the deceased, when the killer’s lineage is continued, resides in an embryo, and after ten months of pregnancy, is born as a new infant.”
[Existence of the Rebirth Child (9 possible, 10 certain)]
D10=d10(3)=3