Chapter 394: "Useful" God
The goddess is watching me?
Matthew was startled, but quickly calmed down.
He indeed had many secrets, but if the Goddess of Magic truly knew.
She not only would refrain from divine punishment, but might even increase her support for him.
After all, no one wanted to die, let alone a deity.
Of course, if the Goddess of Magic "did not know," this would count as a test from Matthew.
The reason Matthew came this way was to use the flag of the Goddess of Magic.
Pushing many matters onto the goddess could avoid numerous calamities and troubles.
Ultimately, it was just that Matthew considered the Goddess of Magic to be a "useful" god.
The simple understanding from his homeland had always told Matthew this.
Do not feed an idle god!
Of course, such rebellious thoughts were never publicly expressed by Matthew; it was merely how he acted.
After all, as an arcanist, it wasn't strange for Matthew to think this way; compared to those great arcanists who openly preached the "nature of the gods," he was far more restrained.
Matthew quickly composed himself, a genuine joy appearing on his face as he spoke with some expectation:
"That would truly be my honor."
Hearing this response from Matthew surprised Barrett even more than seeing the demon heart.
He glanced at the calm-faced Matthew, pointed towards one side of the goddess's statue, then lowered his head again, quietly reciting the scriptures.
Matthew withdrew his gaze from the nearly blinding bishop's robe, confirming the speculation of many players:
"This Legendary Peak priest also had quite a high-level spellcasting secondary class!"
With this information etched in his mind, perhaps to be useful someday, Matthew walked forward without hesitation.
A burly paladin was waiting for Matthew's arrival.
Meeting those deep black eyes, Matthew saw the brightly shining name above his head.
"Sun Sheng!"
Matthew was momentarily stunned, waves of shock surging within him.
The future first semi-divine paladin under the Goddess of Magic.
A Level 30 Peak Paladin who turned the tide countless times during the "Faerun Moguera Disaster."
Even after the fall of the Goddess of Magic, he was highly likely to reach godhood, ignite divine fire, yet chose to fall to resurrect the Goddess of Magic.
Due to his formidable combat power and his widespread teaching of the unique Paladin class to players, he was affectionately known as – Grand Sage Sun!
Matthew, who had once been quite familiar with the Goddess of Magic, naturally had a close relationship with Sun Sheng, but he never expected to meet him in the little corner of the empire that was Bloodmoon City.
Noticing Matthew's "astonishment," Sun Sheng smiled slightly and said:
"I've heard much about you, Arcanist Matthew Ser!"
The slightly disorienting "hometown dialect" brought Matthew back to his senses, prompting thoughts on related matters.
He wasn't particularly close to the Goddess Church of Magic, but at least had the status of a believer.
Furthermore, as a former "genius" arcanist, Matthew was confident he had attracted the attention of the church.
After all, every powerful spellcaster inevitably had to "befriend" the Goddess of Magic.
It was likely due to this recent connection with the church.
The only thing that puzzled Matthew was why, with all her power, the Goddess of Magic couldn't repair his damage?
Or was it something else?
The chaotic thoughts flashed by, and Matthew didn't reveal anything on the surface. Instead, he "bluntly" responded:
"Likewise, likewise, the name of Paladin Sun Sheng is also well-known within the Ser Family."
Sun Sheng gave Matthew a surprised glance, seemed about to say something, but suppressed the impulse, gesturing for Matthew to follow him into a room.
As soon as he entered, Matthew found himself facing a pair of eyes that shimmered like starlight, seemingly containing boundless arcane knowledge, making it hard for anyone to resist their allure.
For an ordinary spellcaster, this would have been an irresistible temptation.
Matthew, however, simply looked away calmly, slightly lowering his head, and greeted the figure in the priest's robe with a mage's salute:
"Greetings, Lady."
The owner of the eyes slowly stood up. Not surprised by Matthew's self-control, she approached and said:
"You've brought me many surprises. I hope you continue to progress!"
Her ethereal voice carried a trace of mystery, dreamy and illusory.
Matthew's gaze briefly became dazed but quickly recovered, his eyes regaining their sharpness.
He met a pair of curious amber eyes, belonging to a beautiful, vibrant girl with a touch of youthful playfulness.
She wasn't annoyed by Matthew's gaze; instead, she smiled sweetly and said:
"Are you the Arcanist Matthew?"
"Just call me Mira. I will be the deacon of the Bay Territory's Goddess Church, please guide me well."
It really was Mira!
The future first favored one of the Goddess of Magic.
The "unfortunate one" who perished at the hands of the Netheril Empire!
What surprised Matthew was that Mira didn't show the fatigue he remembered from bearing the goddess's descent.
She was so young, vibrant, without a face full of wrinkles or gray hair.
Matthew clearly remembered the despair and helplessness as Mira stretched her neck, resigned to her fate.
Thankfully, none of it had happened!
And it never would!
This was a transaction between Matthew and the Goddess Church of Magic, a method often used by non-arcanist lords as well.
Most arcanist lords chose to align themselves with the Savindon Council, striving to join major spellcaster organizations to become great arcanists.
The Savindon Council would control "caster qualification tests" for the territory, "provide at least one caster apprentice annually," and "shorten recruitment terms."
With such benefits, the Savindon Council would also bring more gains to arcanist lords.
Based on their arcanist level, the Savindon Council could provide corresponding knowledge and resources each year.
This was highly beneficial for most arcanist lords.
For non-arcanist lords, however, it was a considerable burden.
Thus, these lords sought out the Goddess Church of Magic.
Just like Matthew now.
With countless thoughts settling into calmness, Matthew did not change his plan just because he met a "familiar face," but spoke earnestly:
"Welcome to the Bay Territory. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration."
Seeing Matthew leave the room, Mira, with a faint smile, waved cheerfully, no longer maintaining her earlier maturity and composure.
Sun Sheng, who entered, looked at her with some indulgence. After she settled down, he reminded her:
"The team is assembled; we should prepare to head to the Bay Territory."
Brimming with anticipation, Mira waved at the statue of the Goddess of Magic in the room and walked out cheerfully.
A faint, lustrous glow flickered across the statue of the Goddess of Magic.