Nol suddenly forgot all about breakfast.
"What did you mean by I brought you here?" He got straight to the point. "What did you see that night?"
"Hehe."
Granny Meng kept her face turned ninety degrees, looking straight at Nol and laughing. The corner of her mouth stretched so much that the wrinkles on her face seemed to dance. "Hehe, hehe! You came to capture me, you killed me, you killed everyone, you never put up curtains, you spied on me from the window. I know everything. I saw you."
Nol felt uncomfortable hearing this nonsense.
In the early hours, when Granny Meng shouted in the street, he did glance at her from the window a couple of times. Any normal person would be annoyed if they worked late into the night and were then awakened at 5 in the morning by shouting. Nol merely glanced at her in frustration, never doing anything out of line.
Her way of scolding was always confusing, and Nol was getting tired of it.
He thought for a moment and mimicked Officer Luo's serious face. "Comrade, when you speak, you need evidence. Our security doors are uniformly installed and very sturdy. How could I enter your home?"
Granny Meng said nothing. Her gaze moved between Nol and Teest. Finally, she revealed her yellowish teeth. "There were no doors back then. Nobody had any," she said. "I saw you long ago. The police never believed what I said. Nobody ever does."
With that, she fluttered back to the dining table, munching on leftover eggshells, not sparing Nol another glance.
Nol sighed. "That's enough for today."
"You don't seem scared at all," Teest remarked curiously.
"With someone as imposing as you around, I've become used to dealing with mentally unstable people," Nol replied sarcastically. "From what she says, everyone here has something to do with me. You know my situation. It's not hard to guess. I was mentally prepared."
"Oh…" Teest dragged out his response. "Your mental fortitude is truly growing."
Nol glanced at him. "No, it's not about mental strength. I just know myself. Even if I did go mad, I would take it out in the management office, not on innocent neighbors."
"Taking a thousand steps back, even if I did go crazy enough to bother a neighbor, I wouldn't have such a shocking impact."
"Hmm, maybe you underestimate yourself," Teest said. "But I agree with you. Even if you went mad, you would still be a protector."
"Do you sweet-talk all your targets like this?" Nol asked, placing two plates of freshly fried meat pies in front of Teest.
"You misunderstand me. How could I sincerely praise those filthy things?" Teest sat next to Nol, pitifully poking at the meat pies. "Usually, I just smile at them and whisper some sweet words. Just like I would slice them up, not caress them… Mmph!"
Nol quickly glanced around and shoved a meat pie into Teest's mouth. "I'm truly honored then."
"And I never had any beliefs before. You are the first," Teest mumbled while swallowing the meat pie. "The Drifting Mercenary Group is truly dishonest. Don't be fooled by how Painter looks…"
Nol slowly moved away the meat pie he was about to use to silence him, his tone rising in anticipation. "Oh?"
Breakfast was the perfect time for gossip… No, exchanging information.
"You saw the faceless god pendant on Painter's chest, right?" Teest lowered his voice, whispering, "That necklace; their mercenary group uses a lottery to decide who wears it. The one who gets it wears it for a month. During that month, others treat the person wearing the necklace as 'God'."
"Wow…" Nol paused eating his meat pie. To some extent, this former pope was even more blasphemous than Teest.
Teest: "They pray, confide, and offer money to the person wearing the necklace. The one playing the role of 'God' listens, comforts, and prepares gifts for the others."
"To be precise, the entire mercenary group are non-believers. The Temple of Life was furious about this, and because of this, the current Pope specifically chose fanatical believers."
'Painter seemed like an interesting fellow,' Nol thought. If only Knight Eugene was half as enlightened.
"At least the Drifting Mercenary Group's prayers are sincere," Nol concluded with a smile.
"Ah, who told you to only have one believer like me?" Teest laughed in response. "Belief is a very personal thing."
...
When the delegation from the Temple of Life arrived, Nol had already prepared himself in a new outfit.
Having previously been recognized for his size, he now wore a broad, pitch-black cloak that concealed much of his figure. He purposefully wore platform boots, boosting his height to nearly two meters. Dark magic circles were embroidered beneath the cloak, ensuring that Nol's face and hands remained shadowed.
Kando was hidden deep within Nol's cloak, and in his hand, Nol held a sinister-looking long magic staff—a trophy they had won from a certain dungeon in the Black Forest. It featured an exaggerated dark staff head, assembled from bone, obsidian, and dark metal, resembling a deformed human face housing a magic stone. Tattered black ribbons were bound to the staff's handle.
With a variety of other magical accessories, his appearance was much improved from his time in Whitebird City, making him look like a formidable boss.
Teest wore a set of intimidating black armor. He concealed himself entirely in it, with not a strand of hair visible, standing to the left of Nol's armchair.
The neighbors were all out in full force, casting illusions within the tower. Beautiful floors were replaced by moss-covered brick walls, and the tower's sky was obscured by an unfathomable darkness. The dim candlelight transformed the opulent first floor into a somber splendor, reminiscent of a haunted mansion often seen in horror films.
In the vast reception room, only Nol and Teest were present. In a corner, a few doll eyes flipped, their pupils fixed intently on everything inside the room. A tiny magic earpiece was tucked into Nol's right ear. Made of cork inscribed with magical runes, it connected directly to Lynn's room—almost all the neighbors had crowded into her workshop, ready to provide real-time updates.
This time, the Temple of Life was very courteous. They sent a high-ranking priest from Grape Collar. In addition to the accompanying Knight Eugene, they brought along eight temple knights, two assistants, and four servants to deliver gifts.
"God will remember your kindness," the old priest, sitting at the other end of the long table, remarked with a chuckle. "This is truly a wondrous place. If someone hadn't guided us, even the High Priest might not have found it."
"Why worry about interpersonal relationships after turning into a monster?" The centaur was the first to speak, murmuring through Nol's earpiece.
"What did they bring? …Did anyone see?"
"It seems like some food and medicine—everyday items, much like what Xiao Xu prepared last time."
"Shh! Let's hear what the old man has to say."
Nol took a quiet breath, trying hard to sound profoundly ominous. "Enough with the pleasantries. I prefer humans who get straight to the point."
Eugene's eyebrows twitched, and his fingers moved slightly, as if ready to grasp the hilt of his sword. The old priest exclaimed with a hint of surprise, "I apologize. An old man's mind tends to wander… Master of Paradise, do you have a preferred name or title?"
"I have no name," Nol responded in a low voice. "As I said, get to the point."
The old priest paused for a few seconds. Nol could feel the man's evaluating gaze. "Alright, alright. Our god is a Goddess, so addressing you as 'Master' might seem out of place. May we address you as 'Manager' instead?"
"Esteemed Manager, our people have received your 'announcement', and we are hereby returning the two chosen beings to you."
"Bah, they surely have more than two in their hands," crowed the Raven Father through the earpiece angrily. "Last time they came to catch me, I overheard them—they have four just near Grape Collar!"
"I don't like being tested." Nol cleared his throat and said icily, "Not long ago, you had at least four unusual creatures. What happened to the other two?"
"They're not in good condition, making transport difficult," the old priest replied calmly. "Our people are doing their best to heal them. Once they recover, we'll send them back to you immediately."
Lynn sneered in Nol's earpiece.
"Is that so? Then I know what to reward you with," Nol replied without a change in tone. "Go south from Grape Collar for 350 miles. There's a hill covered with sunflowers. Behind a waterfall, one hundred steps to the left of the hill, lies the 'Festival of New Green'."
The old priest's face stiffened, barely concealing his excitement.
The Festival of New Green, a reward specifically chosen by Nol, was an intricately carved, leaf-shaped emerald created by the elves and lost after being stolen many years ago. It was recorded in the history of Tahe. The elves of those times had long vanished, making the gem ownerless now.
Being a rare magic core, it offered unparalleled healing powers and had a beneficial effect on plants, making it ideal for healers.
For the Temple of Life, which championed the banner of "Life" and used green as its symbol, this was the perfect bait.
This thing wouldn't directly enhance their combat abilities. With a Saint present, the Players would surely let the strongest "Flawless" Anakin find an excuse to use it. Perfect.
"Use it to heal my people." Seeing the old priest had calmed down, Nol continued in a hoarse voice, "As long as you return them safely, Paradise will always be generous in its reward."
"You are truly generous." The old priest sighed.
However, Eugene's expression showed no sign of softening. The corners of his mouth turned up, but there was no mirth in his moss-green eyes.
Nol tapped the table with his armored fingertips. "If there's nothing else—"
"Don't be so hasty, Esteemed Manager," Eugene finally said. "We recently received some unsettling news that we'd like to confirm with you."
"Go on."
"At the border of New Gemino, near Desolation Island, an extremely dangerous creature has emerged. It grows stronger by the day and has established its own stronghold. The local inhabitants are suffering greatly," Knight Eugene said gently, his eyes fixed on the darkness beneath Nol's cloak. "This creature understands all languages and possesses tools that people cannot comprehend. It's bloodthirsty and entangled with the Eternal Church… Is it also one of your 'people'?"
Beneath the gauntlet, Nol's fingers tightened.
His worst fears were being realized.
"People" didn't necessarily mean "absolute good". Indeed, most in Paradise were ordinary people with regular moral compasses, but among the thousands there, some might be malefactors.
Regular Players, despite their "immortality" confidence, held a fundamental moral check on each other. His neighbors, however, were scattered across worlds, with most believing they had "transmigrated" alone…
It wasn't without reason* that the Temple of Life acted so swiftly.
*Never go to the temple (Three Treasure Hall) for nothing (无事不登三宝殿) Idiom referring to there's a reason why someone unexpectedly visits or brings up a topic, hinting that there might be an underlying purpose request.
"I understand," Nol replied indifferently. "Whether it is or isn't, if it's causing trouble, Paradise will handle it promptly."
"For our benevolent Goddess, we too will send people to suppress it," Eugene said. "We hope you'll understand and avoid any confrontations."
"I assure you," Nol replied.
"The creature's information and our gifts are together."
Eugene bowed slightly, his gaze swiftly passing over the silent Teest. "Allow us to express our gratitude once more and apologize for disturbing Paradise's peace."
With a clap of his hands, the members of the Temple of Life left promptly.
"That old man seemed more like decoration. Our Mr. Eugene isn't so simple," Teest remarked as he removed his helmet, revealing slightly damp long hair. "Having a priest from a major city like Grape Collar accompany him suggests he's a Chosen One."
The previously icy Nol collapsed into a chair, looking as deflated as a melted ice cream scoop. "Is it just me or are there Chosen Ones everywhere?"
Teest undid Nol's ornate cloak. "Not that many. They're just more common in big cities."
"I have to be fair, there are many capable individuals who aren't chosen by the gods. Those who are chosen by two gods, apart from being powerful, tend to have something a little off with their minds… well, like me."
Nol looked at Teest silently. The kid did have self-awareness.
It made sense. Very pragmatic individuals like Golden Sword Billy wouldn't devoutly worship gods. They'd be content not opening stores in churches, much less causing a high-profile scene.
"I'm curious about Eugene's prophecy."
With the knight's help, Nol managed to rid himself of the heavy and cumbersome shoulder armor. It seemed better for the "Esteemed Manager" to maintain his mystique. Otherwise, his cervical and lumbar spine might be ruined in the long run.
"That guy is a well-known fanatic. His prophecy is probably dreadfully boring."
Teest leaned in and kissed Nol's forehead and said, "…So, what do you plan to do about the situation in Gemino?"
Thinking of the malevolent individual who might well be a neighbor, Nol's expression darkened.
"Just the two of us will go." Nol decided, removing the magical earpiece. "I'll be okay, but other neighbors might be affected mentally. They've just recently regained their spirits… If it's just us, we can also scout the surroundings and help Lynn set up a few more cameras."
"Just what I wanted," Teest said, tossing his helmet aside and letting his hair down.
...
At night, in the dining hall.
Facing his neighbors, Nol didn't like to hold formal meetings frequently, so he simply used the dining table as the conference table. There weren't many people at the moment. Aside from the solitary Granny Meng, the rest filled two large tables, with even Little Piel eagerly joining in.
"Nol and the others are going to New Gemino?" Little Piel stirred his mashed potatoes with a spoon. "But they haven't been here for long…"
"Since we've taken on the name of a monster organization, Paradise must handle monster-related matters," Lynn explained earnestly. She liked this obedient local child. "If they don't act soon, this could give the Temple of Life leverage over them."
"The Eternal Church is already annoying enough. It turns out the Temple of Life is also troublesome." Little Pierre pondered. "Where are the good gods?"
"Piel, one doesn't necessarily need faith to live. In fact…" Lynn began to speak seriously.
True to her corporate background, witnessing Miss Lynn impart moral education and ideology on-the-spot, Nol almost choked on his dinner bun.
"The situation in New Gemino is chaotic," Centaur Mr. Wu said somberly. "I've met other centaurs who fled from there. They all say that the Demon King's corruption is getting worse. Mutated monsters are everywhere, and the soldiers and clergy who go there can't leave… It's impressive that someone set up a stronghold there."
"Even if there really are monsters causing trouble, they might not be from our community." Elder Ma scoffed. "Moreover, those religious zealots never speak the truth. Who knows what's really going on?"
Ever since the rumors of "neighbors killing indiscriminately" started, Officer Luo had become quieter, his face showing unease. "Nol, can I go with you? I want to see which bastard…"
"That won't do," Teest interrupted. He was wary of the buns, but he took quite a liking to the meatballs made from meat filling. At the moment, he was holding a bowl of soup. "Sir, you should guard this Tower. Leave the villains to us."
Officer Luo's lips moved, but Julie patted his arm, subtly shaking her head.
"We'll take good care of any new survivors and keep in touch," Julie told Nol. "Safe travels to both of you."
Teest victoriously finished his bowl of meatballs.
"Alright, I can return anytime." Nol looked at Teest helplessly. "If the Temple of Life comes again, please contact me."
Regarding this journey, Nol had planned it perfectly.
With spatial teleportation, they could teleport near a landmark in Gemino and discreetly walk to their destination. This way, even the Goddess of Life herself might not be able to trace them.
The plan was perfect, but reality… always presented various challenges.
The unexpected occurred as they entered the border of New Gemino—
A torrential downpour made everything dark. The wind was fierce. Nol walked close to Teest, who conjured a knight's shield spell to keep them dry.
Even so, the muddy ground was difficult to traverse. Waterlogged meadows and treacherous marshes lay everywhere.
In a particularly large puddle, they found him.
A boy of about 14 or 15, emaciated, covered in bruises from falls and beatings. Webbed fingers, gray-black scales covering his chest and waist, and a fish-like tail, evident through his torn pants, lay listlessly to the side.
The pouring rain drowned out the boy's faint breathing.
"A siren," Nol said, stopping Teest, who was prepared to walk past. "Why is there a siren inland?"
"Who knows? Maybe he got lost," Teest replied.
"Save… me." The siren suddenly reached out, grabbing Nol's pants leg, mumbling deliriously. "I want to go… to… Paradise…"