Jiang Lin took the ring and scroll Ailiya handed him and examined them closely.
The ring was a dark silver color, its surface engraved with fine star-track patterns, cold to the touch.
The scroll was made from a supple beast hide, its edges embroidered with complex runes in gold thread, emitting a faint ripple of magical energy.
"This ring was personally crafted by my teacher. It is called the 'Star Track Ring,' and it can automatically trigger a rank-7 spatial displacement shield that lasts for three seconds.
"In theory, it can block a lethal attack from anyone below rank-8 once, but the cooldown is very long. Without an external energy source, it takes a full month to recharge after one use."
Ailiya pointed at the ring as she explained.
"As for this scroll, it is a 'Phase Warp Scroll.' Once torn open, it randomly teleports the user to any safe location within five kilometers, ignoring most spatial lockdowns.
"Of course, if the opponent has set up a spatial lockdown of rank-9 or higher in advance, it might fail."
Jiang Lin's eyes lit up.
He had met another wealthy lady!!
These two life-saving items greatly increased the safety of his plan to impersonate the Pope.
"Ahem, Big Guy, doesn't the Order have any support?"
The Big Guy fell silent for a moment before fishing out a crystal pendant from his person and handing it to Jiang Lin.
"Matthew, take this. It can also block a lethal hit once. My other life-saving tools are already soul-bound, so you can't use them. This is the only one you can use, and it can also block attacks from anyone below rank-8.
"However, it's a one-time use and triggers automatically.
"When it detects damage that your body cannot withstand, it will form a shield that lasts for one second."
Jiang Lin happily tucked the gifts away and put them on.
"So, should we continue investigating more array cores, or should we disguise ourselves as those three cultists and do what they normally do?"
Jiang Lin looked at the Big Guy.
The Big Guy pondered for a moment.
"Let's play it safe and wait until tonight for more reinforcements to arrive before we move.
"Also, Matthew, would it be okay if I report your special title to them?"
Jiang Lin nodded.
"No problem. It would be even better if they have other people who can cooperate with my plan."
This time, Jiang Lin saw how the Big Guy transmitted intelligence to the outside world.
First, he walked to a corner of the base he had built, where there was an array formation he had carved.
According to his explanation, this special array could direct information over long distances, expanding the effect of short-range communication magic crystals to cover the distance between cities.
This kind of communication was not stable, but it was an array that could be set up in a short time.
Normal instant communication between cities was usually done through a much larger array.
However, the cost was quite high, so unless there was an emergency, ordinary adventurers would write letters and take them to a post office, where the post office would send them out in batches through a long-distance teleportation array.
The Big Guy activated the communication array. As magic essence was poured in, an eerie blue light illuminated his face.
He quickly sent out the latest intelligence through the array.
Afterward, the three of them pulled the drag queen out of the Big Guy's biological storage space.
They began to interrogate him about his personal circumstances.
Soon, they had gathered enough information, and all three of them disguised themselves as the trio of minor leaders.
As the morning light grew brighter, Emerald City woke from its nocturnal silence.
The three of them went their separate ways, performing the daily routines of the cultist trio.
The daylight hours passed quickly.
Night fell once more over Emerald City, with lights flickering in the oppressive air.
Jiang Lin, the Big Guy, and Ailiya spent the entire day moving in their respective daily trajectories as the cultist trio.
They maintained secret contact through short-range communication crystals.
By now, a large number of elite members of the Paladin Order had entered Emerald City through various means.
Over twenty people had arrived at different times through the Court of Space.
More than fifty others had entered through the main gate via merchant caravans, carriages, and other methods.
It was said that another large force had stopped outside the city. Among them were array masters who had begun to carve various formations in a temporary camp outside the walls, such as large-scale detection arrays, temporary long-distance teleportation arrays, and large-scale lockdown arrays.
The three of them arrived at the cult base warehouse from the previous day.
Other cultists would be coming soon for a sacrificial activity.
The Big Guy spoke to the other two.
"Seventy-eight members of the support force have entered Emerald City. Among them are three rank-6 experts, twelve rank-5 experts, and the rest are rank-3 to rank-4 elites.
"The array masters at the temporary camp outside the city are carving a super-large-scale detection array. With the information we provided, it's expected to be completed in two hours. Once activated, it can cover the entire city and precisely locate the energy fluctuations of all array cores.
"Additionally, the rank-8 expert who said they would come to assist is on the way and is expected to arrive in three hours."
Pausing, the Big Guy continued.
"Furthermore, regarding the speculation for the 'Holy Son' candidate, the Order's intelligence personnel have combined past records and narrowed the list down to two people: the City Lord of Emerald City and the Temple Master of the Emerald City temple."
Hearing that the candidates for the Holy Son had been narrowed down, both were somewhat surprised.
"First, let's talk about the City Lord of Emerald City, Bernard Hoffman, a rank-6 archer."
The Big Guy pointed at the location of the City Lord's Mansion on the map.
"On the surface, he comes from a hereditary noble family and has managed Emerald City for over ten years.
"His administrative achievements are unremarkable; he barely keeps the city running, giving an impression of being mediocre or even somewhat muddled.
"He is fond of hosting banquets and collecting art, and his management of the city guards is quite lax."
He paused before continuing.
"But this might be exactly his disguise.
"Intelligence shows that over the past five years, approvals for infrastructure, underground pipe repairs, and several 'special construction permits' during night curfews in Emerald City...
"Many of these bypassed standard reviews and were approved directly by the City Lord's Mansion.
"He has enough power and convenience to hide the 'array cores' we saw in various parts of the city, or even underground, for a long time without being questioned."
Hearing this, both felt it made a lot of sense.
The Big Guy then said:
"The Order's intelligence personnel reviewed past records and found that about three years ago, City Lord Bernard once had a 'serious illness' for several months and stayed indoors.
"Afterward, his personality reportedly underwent subtle changes. Although it can't be confirmed, that period was enough to accomplish many things, including being replaced or deeply corrupted."
"What about the Temple Master?" the two asked.
"Temple Master Aaron Brightstar."
The Big Guy pointed to the location of the temple on the map.
"He is the head of the Emerald City branch of the Paladin Order, a rank-6 light-attribute mage. In theory, he should be the core for defending the city and fighting the cults.
"He comes from a family with a long history, a clean background, and a brilliant record.
"He has been stationed in Emerald City for five years, and his surface-level work is flawless. Even the city's public security indicators have improved.
"But because of that, if something is wrong with him, he will be the most lethal one."
The two listened to his explanation.
Jiang Lin felt that this surname was strangely familiar.
This seemed to be... the family of the Boulder City Temple Master—Lady Cecilia!
"He can perfectly cover all traces of cult activities, use the Order's authority to suppress internal investigations, and even reverse-engineer the Order's patrol mechanisms and resources.
"He can find ways to know the locations of all one-way teleportation arrays and their internal security layouts...
"If he is the Holy Son, then placing the core array centers inside the temple or underground would carry almost zero risk of being discovered."
The two nodded; it was indeed true.
"But... with his record, does he have a motive for betrayal?"
To this, the Big Guy replied:
"Intelligence indicates that Temple Master Aaron's only daughter fell ill with a rare magic depletion syndrome five years ago, just before he was transferred to Emerald City.
"It is said that she requires extremely rare and precious treasures or supreme-tier healing magic to prolong her life.
"The Order's headquarters once provided assistance, but progress was slow.
"This is a potential breakthrough point."
A brief silence fell over the warehouse.
At that moment, a coded knock sounded at the door—not the cult's code, but the Order's code.
These were the reinforcements they had called for.
The Big Guy stepped forward and pulled open the iron door.
Several figures in plain clothes with restrained auras quickly slipped inside.
Leading them was a cold-faced middle-aged woman with a short sword at her waist, her sharp gaze sweeping across the interior of the warehouse.
"I am Catherine, a rank-6 archer and the temporary field commander."
Her gaze lingered significantly longer on Jiang Lin, who was disguised as the purple-robed mage Morris.
Perhaps she hadn't expected that one of the core members would be a rank-1 adventurer.
Four people followed her—three men and one woman. Their auras were steady and restrained, all above rank-5.
The five of them walked into the warehouse and closed the heavy iron door with a loud thud.
"We have a general understanding of the situation."
Catherine didn't waste time and got straight to the point.
"The large-scale detection array outside the city will be finished in two hours. At that time, we will activate the array to lock onto the locations of all array cores, including those of the second hidden array.
"Simultaneously, the rank-8 expert Rod, who is lying in wait outside, will enter Emerald City. His mission is to be ready for any emergencies and to pin down the Holy Son if he appears.
"Your mission is to confirm as much as possible before the array is activated which of the two—City Lord Bernard or Temple Master Aaron Brightstar—is the true Holy Son, or if neither is."
After saying this, she looked at the three people present.
"Which one of you is Matthew?"
Jiang Lin, disguised as the purple-robed man, raised his hand.
Catherine wasn't surprised.
She took out a palm-sized golden badge and handed it to Jiang Lin.
"This is a 'Saint Light Resonance Badge.' Keep it on you.
"Should you suffer a lethal attack, it will automatically trigger, forming a rank-8 intensity holy light protection that lasts for three seconds.
"If not actively charged, it can be used once a month.
"Active charging can speed up the recovery of its internal energy."
Jiang Lin took the badge; it felt warm in his hand, and he could sense the vast power of holy light contained within.
Having gained another piece of life-saving equipment, Jiang Lin fought to keep his lips from curling up too noticeably.
However, Catherine's next words were something Jiang Lin hadn't expected.
"If you feel there is danger or you're not sure, you can abandon the plan to impersonate the Pope.
"The Order is giving this to you primarily to keep you alive, not to send you to the front lines."
She looked at the gloomy face of Morris that Jiang Lin was wearing.
"Before we all fall, we warriors of the Order will not let a child like you charge ahead.
"Your talent is above ours; you will certainly go much further than we ever could.
"For the sake of the many citizens of the Saintas Kingdom and to reduce the pressure of fighting the cults in the future, I hope you can protect yourself."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"I will be careful, but I will still do my best to contribute to this mission."
Catherine said no more and turned back to the trio.
"The moment the detection array is activated, there is a high probability of alerting the enemy.
"Regardless of who the Holy Son is, he will likely start the sacrificial ritual immediately.
"At that point, Emerald City will become a battlefield.
"Your primary objective is to protect yourselves. Second is to cooperate with us to destroy the array cores, and finally, attempt to kill the Holy Son.
"Is that clear?"
The three of them nodded.
"And what about the people of Emerald City?" Ailiya asked.
"We will minimize casualties as much as possible."
Catherine did not give a direct answer.
Just then, another knock sounded at the door.
This time, it wasn't the Order's code, but the code used by the cultists.
Ordinary cultists had arrived with newly captured sacrifices for the offering.
The group exchanged looks, and the five warriors of the Order hid behind the iron door.
Disguised as the bald warrior, the Big Guy went to open the door. He first cracked it open, and after seeing four people standing outside, he let them in.
"Lord, the sacrifices have been brou—"
Before the man could finish, the five members of the Order hidden behind the door struck, subduing the four of them.
They also rescued the so-called sacrifices.
The sacrifices were two unconscious civilians. The Big Guy placed them into his biological storage space.
There was no time to settle them elsewhere right now.
He could only leave them there for the time being.
Subsequently, the five-man team from the Order stood up and left to take part in the frontline actions within Emerald City.
Reinforcements from the Royal Capital were silently infiltrating and deploying throughout Emerald City, as a murderous atmosphere continued to gather.
At the same time, they were scouting and seizing more array core locations.
Meanwhile, the array masters waiting outside began to calculate the possible central locations of the array cores.
Inside the abandoned warehouse in the east of the city, the lights flickered.
Soon, three hours passed, and the detection array had been fully set up.
Furthermore, the rank-8 expert of the Order had already reached Emerald City.
However, to avoid exposing his presence by entering directly, he did not rush into the city. Instead, he prepared to travel via a pre-arranged directional teleportation scroll the moment the detection array was activated.
Jiang Lin, the Big Guy, and Ailiya received a communication from Catherine.
"The array masters outside have calculated that there is a seventy percent chance the centers for both array sets are near the City Lord's Mansion and a thirty percent chance they are inside the temple..."
Rate on N.U.
