This is the grand cathedral of Wizord Academy. Asa had never been inside, and he rarely approached this place, for the majestic building exuded a solemn atmosphere that made him feel uneasy.

  It is only when one is in this grand building that one can fully appreciate the special power of religion. Even if he has never believed in any gods, he still feels the solemnity and majesty of the surroundings.

  Tens of meters high ceiling and magnificent interior give people a sense of vastness, depth, and solemnity. Sunlight pours in from the stained glass windows on all sides and above, casting a hazy glow that drifts through the space. The majestic murals on the walls display the majesty and grandeur of the gods without reserve. The sound of the pipe organ resonates through the air, making it impossible to discern where the low, heavy tones are coming from, as if this were an inherent property of the surroundings, a natural hallucination born of the awe-inspiring atmosphere.

  Asa was very suspicious that the two pastors who led the way had received special training in this regard. They walked with big strides in a solemn environment, but there was no sound, as if they were used to blending into the atmosphere around them, leaving only their footsteps echoing faintly and lonely in the empty room, as if highlighting the majesty of the surroundings. Asa felt that he had already been shocked by the majesty of this heavy environment, as if he was just an insignificant existence.

  Two priests led him through the nave, into a long corridor. At the end of the corridor, the priest opened the door and said respectfully: "Your Excellency, the person has been brought."

  This was a small room, with a small table and two chairs, surrounded by bookshelves. Compared to the solemn grandeur of the church outside, it seemed somewhat isolated from the world, with only a few windows high up on the walls letting in light. Bishop Ronis was standing beside the bookshelf, putting back a book, nodding at the two priests: "Alright. You may leave now. Close the door and remember not to let anyone else in."

  "Yes." The two pastors stepped out and closed the door behind them. All sounds and atmosphere outside suddenly ceased.

  Asa was a bit nervous at the door, he knew that in front of him was someone whom everyone in the empire looked up to and worshipped.

  "Don't be nervous, sit down." Bishop Ronis smiled kindly at him and pointed to the chair. His pure white silk robe and slender face made him look like a hermit who didn't care about worldly affairs, which matched the simple surroundings and didn't give off any pressure. Asa felt a bit more at ease and really sat down. He didn't know that according to etiquette, when the bishop was standing and talking to someone, only the emperor had the right to sit.

  "This is a room I had specially built," Bishop Ronis said, gesturing to the walls around them. "It's completely soundproof and opaque from the outside, so we can dispense with the formalities when there are only two of us present. I still prefer speaking without worrying about etiquette. When there are too many rules, people tend to focus on the rules rather than what truly needs to be done." His expression was affable, and his tone neither condescending nor patronizing. This air of effortless ease, combined with his extremely high status, somehow inspired an even deeper sense of reverence from within.

  "I heard you obtained a leaf of the World Tree?" Bishop Ronis picked up the teapot on the small table and poured himself a cup of tea, asking in a very casual tone, as if he was only asking if someone had bought some green vegetables. "And then you used it to save someone?" Sanduru's news seemed to have spread quite quickly.

  Asa nodded and said, "Yes." His heart was racing with anxiety, although he was certain that Bishop Ronis wouldn't scold him like Sandru did. He didn't want to be blamed by such a respectable old man either. Luckily, Bishop Ronis just sighed and shook his head, looking at Asa with a hint of praise. "I can tell you're a kind person," he said. Bishop Ronis handed the cup in his hand to Asa. "Try this tea I brewed."

  A Sa took a sip and shook his head: "I don't know, I won't drink this kind of tea, it's just too bitter."

  Bishop Ronies chuckled and said, "I've heard that brewing tea is an art form in some countries. To be able to make it so profound and intricate, it must be a very leisurely country." He sat down on the chair beside Asa and said, "Alright, tell me how you got that World Tree leaf. Be specific, I'm sure it'll be a fascinating story." He looked at him with a smile and anticipation, as if he was really just waiting to hear a good story.

  Bishop Ronis's eyes, which seemed dull at first glance as if he hadn't slept well for a long time, would reveal two bright lights shining deep within them once they met his gaze. The light was not big, but it had a piercing spirit. Being stared at by such a pair of eyes made it difficult to deal with him in a perfunctory manner.

  Asa recounted everything that had happened since he met the red-robed man, of course omitting the key points about how he hijacked the imperial minister and local officials. As for what Elder Cran said to him, he didn't care at all and looked down on the elves' stiffness, thinking it was just their own nonsense, so he almost forgot about it himself. He simply said that the elves wouldn't let him leave the forest because of some strange ancient legend or rule.

  Bishop Ronis didn't seem to mind this, and he appeared to be very interested in the matter of the Red Cloak, frequently asking for every detail. His expression was slightly smiling, occasionally nodding his head with a deeper smile, and occasionally taking a deep breath with a hint of bitter smile. The thin face had a vivid expression, but it was unclear whether it was due to his identity giving people a misconception or if he originally had such a temperament, neither calmness nor smiles would give people the feeling of wanting to get close to him, as if there was an indistinguishable majesty in it.

  After listening to Asa's account, he withdrew his gaze and stared at the bookshelf in front of him, as if he wanted to reorganize what he had just heard in his mind. Asa didn't dare interrupt, but looked on beside him.

  At last Bishop Ronweis turned his gaze back and asked Asa, "Have you ever heard of the Necromancer's Guild?"

  Aisha nodded. Almost no one hadn't heard of this name. It was an association formed by black magicians who worshiped death in a valley called Diya at the southernmost part of the mainland, said to eat human flesh, drink fresh blood, manipulate zombies and ghosts, almost synonymous with terror.

  "The magician you just mentioned who was met in the Whispering Woods is a member of the Death Spirit Association."

  A Sa nodded, he had also roughly guessed it early on.

  "Xander was also a member of the Spirit Parliament, at least a long time ago."

  "Ah?" Asa was shocked, he really found it hard to associate the old man who had lived with him for so long and still went out for a stroll every day with the terrifying monster that was said to eat human flesh and drink human blood. He really hadn't expected it, nor could he have imagined it.

  "For a long time, due to the lack of a true leader among them, they gradually became a relatively loose organization of magicians, and some even completely broke away from them, such as Sandru. However, there has always been a small group of extreme individuals who are determined to let darkness and death cover the world. Over the years, they have been secretly active within the empire, constantly infiltrating people's minds, establishing heretical organizations, dividing and shaking people's beliefs. This kind of destruction is the most dangerous. Once faith collapses, the entire country will also lose control. Throughout history, there have been countless wars and tragedies caused by fanatical beliefs."

  "Do you know what that book was that you lent to the Duke of Mlakk's daughter?" Bishop Ronis suddenly brought up the subject that Asa had been worried about.

  "I don't know." Asa found himself feeling a little guilty, like a child who had done something wrong and was waiting for an adult to come and pass judgment. Unconsciously, he had already been completely subdued by the profound and calm dignity of Bishop Ronis.

  "That is the notes left by Archibald, the founder of the Necromancer's Guild. It records various magical knowledge he knew in ancient texts. More importantly, it also records a dark meditation technique that he created for the leader of the Necromancer's Guild."

  Asa swallowed his saliva and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Bishop Ronis didn't notice.

  "Fortunately, no one has been able to truly master this meditation for hundreds of years. Those who dared to practice it mostly died from the backlash of dark magic in their hearts halfway through. Twenty years ago, Sandru stole this book out. I originally suggested that Sandru destroy it, but he insisted that it was a great work and I couldn't force him, so it remained. Sandru told me that he kept it in a very secret and safe place, so I wasn't worried, but I didn't expect you to find it, and then you lent it out without knowing... I'm worried about the dark magician you mentioned going to get the leaves of the World Tree. If he wants to use its life force to neutralize the backlash of dark magic in meditation, and this thing falls into their hands again, the result may be that a true Death King will really be created, and at that time, not only the empire but also the entire world will be in danger of being swallowed by darkness."

  This time, Asa didn't mutter to himself about how it was none of his business. This thing involved him personally and also concerned Bishop-sama and Sandoru. He respected Bishop-sama and didn't want to be scolded by Sandoru, let alone the fact that he had caused this situation himself.

  "But I also don't dare to openly look for this book, I suspect that there are already many eyes and ears of the Death Spirit Society within the imperial city, and perhaps even some people in high positions have joined their ranks. If they find out where this book is going, it's very likely that they will get to it before us. So now...I can only ask you for help with this matter. Please go retrieve that book...or...you might as well just destroy it."

  "I know you're a very capable young man," Bishop Ronis patted his shoulder. "So I believe you can, please."

  "I will. I'll definitely bring it back." Asa stood up and replied in a resolute tone. He hated being ordered around by anyone, but he couldn't resist entreaties, especially not when they came from the Archbishop himself.

  Ronnie looked at Asa with a smile and nodded, but suddenly he was taken aback, as if he had discovered something strange on Asa's face. The surprise was only a fleeting ripple, and he immediately regained his calm demeanor and tone to ask: "Young man, where are you from?"

  "Karendo Basin, that mining district southwest of the Empire." Asa didn't notice the Archbishop's subtle emotional fluctuations.

  "Ah." Bishop Ronies smiled and nodded, still so calm and collected.

  Duke Mula looked at this incredible scene, took a deep breath, and put down the iron cylinder in his hand.

  This is a long, cylindrical iron tube, one end thick and the other thin, with a glass plate inlaid at each end. It's an extremely strange thing, probably invented by some dwarf craftsman. Like all their inventions, it doesn't contain any magic, but when you look through the small end, you can see things very clearly from a great distance.

  He is now standing beside the window of an attic on top of a tall building far away from the Magic Academy. This place just happens to be able to clearly see the situation inside Archbishop-sama's study through this strange thing from the window.

  The Duke is now well aware of the preferences, character and habits of all the influential people in the capital, but only the Archbishop knows nothing about him.

  The archbishop seems to have no hobbies, no outstanding personality, and no special habits. So I don't know what he likes or dislikes, nor do I know what he's doing, so there's no way to cater to his tastes or deal with him. The archbishop has never taken a clear political stance, nor has he obviously leaned towards anyone, but he has always been an important link in the power circle of this entire royal capital.

  It's said that the Archbishop has a special private room, so the Duke spent enough money to buy a small town from a dwarf treasure merchant to get this wonderful iron cylinder. Then he spent several days in the city looking for a place where it could play its role.

  The duke would now rather spend half his estate on a gadget that can hear conversations from afar.

  Unfortunately, there is no such thing. Since it doesn't exist, we can only imagine it.

  What kind of status is enough to meet the bishop without kneeling? And even sit with the bishop on an equal footing? What kind of relationship can make the bishop pour tea for him? And pat his shoulder so intimately?

  I really couldn't have imagined it. The duke took a deep breath.