Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 398 - 391: Ignorant Arrogance

Chapter 398: Chapter 391: Ignorant Arrogance

After Luo’er left, Shariya got ready to leave even though it was already nighttime. He didn’t care, he wanted to find out exactly what Dulens was up to.

Coat on and clutching his list, Shariya hurriedly left the building and into his carriage. The academy wasn’t far from the Church district, only about twenty minutes away. As they approached the riverside, through the night Shariya could see the lights across the east district, where the skirmish between the Advance Team and the Hound Gang still continued. There was a rush of guards crossing the bridge, heading towards the east district to maintain order.

However, even amidst such a situation, the Church Court didn’t make a move. The Kingdom’s army was dealing with it whereas the Temple Knights stationed at the church did not move an inch.

Shariya vaguely remembered the last time the Church Court had been so angry they deployed the Temple Knights was during the academy’s hostage case. Dulens seemed very indifferent to matters unrelated to the Church, almost causing Shariya to forget that the Church Court had agreed to help the Advance Team handle Fu’en.

Upon arriving at the church’s castle, Shariya had his attendant inform Dulens of his request for an audience. Then, he stood quietly in the spacious hall, awaiting Dulens’ arrival.

This church was no different from ordinary ones, except that it was a place for the cardinal bishop to meet with guests. The architectural style was somewhat Gothic in style, with a tall dome and beautiful window carvings. In the middle of the church stood a ten-meter statue of the Goddess of Light.

The statue was feminine in nature. Although the Church has never publicly admitted the gender of the Goddess of Light, the public generally believes that the Goddess of Light is a woman, hence her depiction as the Goddess of Light. Consequently, most statues of the Goddess of Light take on female characteristics.

The hall was tall and spacious, with magic crystal lamps illuminating the church’s columns and domes around the clock. Unlike its architectural style, the decoration of the church was more Rococo style, with light milky-yellow color representing luxury and an elegant golden trim.

The designers seemed to want to offset the heaviness and solemnness of Gothic architecture with Rococo’s delicate and elegant beauty. The church was adorned with gorgeous and soft decorative carvings, as well as delicate and splendid porcelain.

When the magic crystal lamps illuminate the entire church, it presents a dreamy twilight beauty that is hard not to immerse oneself into.

However, right now, Shariya had no mood to enjoy this luxury. The soft light couldn’t dispel the shadow in his heart. Shariya’s mood was both tense and complex as he contemplated how to speak to Dulens.

About half an hour later, Dulens appeared at the church leisurely strolling towards Shariya. He wore an exquisite fur bishop’s robe and a high bishop’s hat. The decadence of many years had already taken its toll on his physique, making his large belly puff out noticeably under his robe.

His attire was mainly bright-yellow, with elaborate milky-yellow adornments. If Shariya didn’t know Dulens, he might have mistaken him for a king at first glance.

Dulens walked leisurely with a glass of champagne from Earth in one hand. Behind him, an attendant held a plate with sliced roast meat.

Seeing Dulens’ nonchalant demeanor, for some unknown reason, Shariya felt disgruntled as if he was being disregarded.

In the internal hierarchy of the Church, Shariya’s status was not lower than Dulens. In fact, if Shariya mastered forbidden magic, he would be promoted to a forbidden magic mage, holding a higher rank and benefits than Dulens.

While Dulens was a bishop, his magic comprehension was nowhere near Shariya’s level. His ascendance to the Cardinal role was solely due to his administrative and leadership abilities. The Church wasn’t a place where higher magical competency equaled a managerial position. Dulens once led the Judgement Legion on an expedition to the Ancient States, proving his managerial skills to be far more superior than Shariya’s.

"I’m sorry to disturb you while dining, Lord Dulens," Shariya said, bowing slightly as Dulens approached.

"No bother," Dulens waved his hand, smiling, "If you requested, how could I not receive you, Dean Shariya? I wonder, what brings you to see me so late?"

Shariya looked at him, keeping a calm face as he asked, "A few hours ago, there was an armed conflict in the East District. The Shani Advance Team fought with the Hound Gang to capture Fu’en. I was wondering if you knew about this, Lord Dulens?"

"Oh, I know," Dulens said, placing his glass on the plate, then picking up a fine silk to wipe the grease from his mouth before looking at Shariya and saying, "Someone has already informed me."

"So, why didn’t Sir do something?" Shariya asked, expressionless.

"What do you mean?" Dulens turned away to spear a piece of roasted meat with his fork. He was about to put it in his mouth when he heard Shariya’s question, so he put down the roasted meat, turned back, and asked, "What action should I take?"

"Assist the advance team to arrest Fu’en!" Shariya said indifferently.

"Huh," hearing his words, Dulens instinctively laughed. He looked at Shariya, a mocking expression on his face, "Why should I help those Otherworld people catch Fu’en?"

"The Church Court has promised to help the advance team catch Fu’en and bring him to the headquarters of the Shani people. Surely, you haven’t forgotten that?" With these words, Shariya looked up at Dulens.

"Shariya," Dulens fixed his gaze on him, and after a while, he smirked and asked sarcastically, "What benefits did the Shani people offer you to get you to speak for them?"

"They haven’t given me anything. I just think that if you promise something, you should fulfill it." Shariya replied unyieldingly.

"I have never promised them anything, so why should I help them arrest people?" Dulens asked, looking at him.

"Sir Dulens, the Pope has promised to arrest Fu’en. Your indifference puts the Pope’s reputation at risk." Shariya stated calmly.

"Stop threatening me with the Pope’s name. Don’t forget, we are in Holy Heart City, not Yazhi City, not the Holy City. Here, I have the say!" Dulens looked at him, his tone suddenly passionate.

Having said that, he turned around and continued eating the already somewhat cold roast meat. Shariya, standing behind him, paused for a moment before asking, "Would you mind putting into words why you’re reluctant to help them?"

Upon hearing his words, Dulens picked up a fresh silk cloth and promptly wiped the grease off his mouth before turning to inquire, "Why on earth should we assist those Otherworld people? According to what? Don’t forget, from the Aud Empire era to now, we have ruled this world for a millennium. How long have the Otherworlders been around? From the Prophetic War to now, it’s been barely thirty years. Why should we bow down to them?"

With that, he picked up his glass and took a sip of champagne, then continued, "Over these thirty or so years, nothing in this world has changed. We still control the whole of the northern region, several kingdoms, and the Otherworlders can’t touch us. For thirty years, they still haven’t been able to use magic, they’re still afraid of magic. What use is their so-called technology in our world? They claim their technology could obliterate our world dozens of times over and yet, didn’t they just lose over a hundred thousand people the other day, killed by magic!"

He put down his glass and, after a few paces, spread his hands and said, "I’ve always been puzzled as to why the Church Court would compromise with those Otherworlders. They, who cannot touch us, they, who still fear magic. As long as we firmly hold onto magic, they are doomed to only ever be guests. Their weapons, their purportedly amazing technology, no matter how advanced, mean nothing. This world is still under our control."

"So why should we make these so-called promises? Why should we help them? The Church Court has never been hospitable or warm. Why, as the hosts, should we cower before these Otherworlders. Why should we offer them help? Surely, it should be them bowing down to us in this world where we rule."

"So, it is Sir Dulens’ opinion that the Pope’s decisions are wrong, that the elders are short-sighted?" Shariya inquired emotionlessly.

"Please don’t misconstrue my meaning, Dean Shariya," Dulens said, turning back to face him, "I have no intention of criticizing the Pope’s decisions. I simply feel that we have no need to bow down to those Otherworlders. As a cardinal, I should have the freedom to voice my opinions in the Church Court. I’ve made it clear, let those people from the so-called advance team go. We don’t need them. Their collaboration with us is an honor in itself. The idea that they could want us to work for them is frankly laughable!"

"If Sir Dulens has any objections, they should be brought directly to the Pope, not addressed through inaction." Shariya replied, looking up at him, "Sir Dulens, remember, this is a promise the Pope made to the Shani people. Your indifference would dishonor the Pope."