The entire diary is made from an unknown material, not quite like sheepskin nor like cowhide, feeling rather coarse to the touch, yet obviously well-preserved.

This thing is definitely ancient, emitting a strong sense of history, but there are no signs of damage on it, and the writing on it hasn't faded or deformed.

Turning over the diary, the first page reads:

"Earth Calendar Year 1340, Month of Sowing, Day Seven.

Without a doubt, the gods are dead.

..."

"Wait a moment, you can actually read it?"

At this point, Kaster interrupted Ethan.

"Why wouldn't I be able to read it?"

In fact, Ethan couldn't fully understand it either, because the diary was entirely written in an ancient language. Even though he had a table of characters that Gustav had developed in hand, it was mainly used to parse the list of true names. For a pure record like this, there were still plenty of things that couldn't be easily deciphered using just the table.

But he certainly wouldn't admit that now.

"You..."

Kaster seemed somewhat doubtful and uncertain.

"What's the first sentence?"

He clearly didn't quite believe it.

"Without a doubt, the gods are dead."

"..."

Kaster fell silent.

"So this theory you're talking about, that the gods are dead, comes from this diary?"

Ethan speculated.

Kaster nodded slightly.

"Does this diary really contain a record of the whereabouts of the authority?"

"I don't know. This diary has been passed down from ancient times by the sect. My teacher told me that it involves the authority of an Ancient God, but..."

"But you can't read it."

It seemed Ethan had hit the point Kaster couldn't publicly acknowledge, plunging him into long-lasting silence.

Ethan decided not to look further; this thing needed to be brought back for thorough study, only by combining it with the table of characters could things work out.

At this moment, Ethan started reminiscing about Gustav; if Gustav were still around, things wouldn't be this troublesome.

"Alright, now let's talk about the matter regarding Tefula."

Kaster, still trapped in some form of strange silence, was momentarily stunned upon hearing Tefula's name.

"What about Tefula?"

"Let's talk about the transaction between you two."

————————

Tefula awoke from a nightmare, dreaming that Kaster had drained him to a husk.

Wiping the cold sweat off his forehead, he sighed inwardly, thinking he must have done too many inhuman things recently for that monster.

Once this matter is over, he must find a way to deal with that monster, or else it would always be a calamity.

But speaking of it, at this timing, everything should already be settled, right?

He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already three in the morning. Last night was when Kaster launched everything.

If all went well, the Southern District Mafia should be completely annihilated by now.

Joseph, let's see how you keep your position now.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but get up to make a call.

He called his subordinates; he had been too exhausted lately, not personally overseeing on site. The Southern District dispatched one of his confidants, tasked with monitoring the situation and liaising with Kaster.

This guy seriously, even after things ended, wouldn't he think to give him a call to let him know? Does he really not know how concerned he is about this matter?

While complaining inwardly and pondering whether to reprimand this subordinate, he went downstairs to make the call.

Yet he couldn't get through.

"Hmm?"

He immediately sensed something amiss.

He immediately called another subordinate and prepared to go to the Southern District at once.

At the same moment.

In the Southern District, within the Sanctuary.

The purge had already ended.

The heads of various families that had been sleeping were already silently killed in the dead of night.

Naturally, it was Vasini who handled the task.

And Valentino.

Valentino seemed amiable normally, usually keeping to his family's territory, never quarreling with others, yet when it came to actual action, he was extremely ruthless. Vasini hadn't killed many yet when he'd already finished them all off.

As the blood thoroughly flowed, the two stood before the deepest darkness, praying.

"So, what excuse should we use to announce these deaths?"

"A monster invasion killed everyone. We arrived and killed the monster, then declared war on Uttahan with blood for blood revenge. How about that?"

Valentino's tone was extraordinarily calm, indifferent, cold-blooded. Anyone who knew him before wouldn't have imagined those words could come from him.

"Welcome aboard, Valentino, henceforth we share this glory."

Vasini extended a hand.

Valentino, however, shook his head and said, "No, I don't need these. I already have nothing, I only have my daughter. Everything I do is just to please the deities, praise the Dark Savior!"

Having finished speaking, he began to pray again deep into the darkness.

Vasini's gaze turned profound; he took a look at Valentino and began to pray anew.

As they were about to finish their prayer, they once again received affirmation from the gods.

"Good."

Then, they saw a silhouette that had, at some point, already appeared in the darkness.

This person was naturally Ethan.

"Divine Envoy..."

Vasini hastily stepped forward.

Ethan glanced at him.

He suddenly remembered, standing there, respectfully said, "Godfather, you've come."

Valentino similarly offered greetings.

Ethan nodded, saying, "Your performance in this incident was outstanding. The gods are pleased, so they specifically sent me to bestow blessings."

Saying so, he took out alchemical items just captured from Kaster's old lair from a pouch forged by Huoyan.

A ring, and a dagger.

The ring possessed energy storing properties; Ethan infused it with a bit of the power from the Atonement Staff.

The dagger had some poison traits, he gave the dagger to Valentino, the ring to Vasini.

"This is a gift from God."

Ethan held an alchemical item in each hand as though he were holding honey and milk.

Vasini and Valentino came before Ethan devoutly, lowered their heads, reverently accepting these two alchemical items.

"Praise our Lord!"

"Praise our Lord!"

After taking the items, Ethan took out one more thing.

It was a bottle, which Ethan handed to Valentino.

"For your daughter. Your daughter's sustenance will never be cut off in the future."

Valentino, who just got a dagger, wasn't particularly joyful, showing more of a necessary reaction.

However, this bottle of liquid from Kaster really brought tears to Valentino's eyes.

"Praise our Lord."

This time, it was truly heartfelt.

Ethan observed them, in the darkened Sanctuary, as the Kingdom's foundations spread silently within the empire's heart.

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