Chika and Verde arrived in front of the Church of Augustus.

“Meh, the first church was bigger and had better design.”

Chika smirked.

“I guess not everything improved after 10,000 years.”

They approached the entrance. Chika snapped her fingers in an irregular sequence.

(Remember, avoid lying when talking to someone. Since they have Augustus’s Inhertience, there’s a high chance some here are capable of detecting lies and even reading minds. We were trained to block this, but doing so would only make us look suspicious. So, improvision is advised.)

Verde snapped his fingers as well.

(Noted. I take it communicating like this is unadvised as well.)

Chika coughed. Verde nodded. The two stopped snapping their fingers as they entered the church.

“Welcome to the Church of Augustus.”

They were greeted by a group of believers standing at the door.

“May I ask the purpose of visit?”

“My brother and I heard about the church and were interested in what kind of place it is.”

The believers looked at each other and nodded.

“Wonderful. Allow me to show you around.”

A young woman’s voice drew their attention. They turned their head. A woman dressed in purple and gold robes approached Chika and Verde.

“Hello, my name is Gaius. Perhaps you’ve heard of me.”

“We have. We’re huge fans.”

Chika was all smiles.

“Really? And why’s that?”

“Despite him being dead for thousands of years, you have convinced thousands of people to worship Augustus. We’re curious as to what kind of person could do such a thing, in a world where living gods roam the planet.”

Verde bowed his head.

“Seeing you in flesh and feeling the divine power flowing from you has convinced me. Pope Gaius, you’re an amazing person. I’m honored to be in your presence.”

Gaius laughed.

“You’re over exaggerating. I’m no one special. I just pass on the teachings of Augustus to his people.”

Gaius turned around.

“Follow me, I’ll show you around the church.”

“Thank you for your guidance.”

The siblings followed Gaius deeper in the church. The interior was silver with hints of purple and gold. It was very spacious and divided into sections. There was a section filled with statues of Augustus and phoenixes. Believers kneeled and prayed to these statues.

“I’m interested in knowing, why do they pray? Do they honestly believe Augustus will hear their prayers and grant their wishes?”

Gaius shook her head at Verde’s question.

“It’s not like that. In our church, we don’t pray in hope of a miracle. We pray to vent.”

“Vent? To who?”

“Ourselves.”

Verde frowned. Gaius laughed.

“You see, a lot of people have things they can’t say out loud. Frustrations they must keep hidden for multiple reasons. Praying is a way to silently vent those frustrations. When one vents they’ll naturally feel better.”

“So it’s like venting to an imaginary friend, right?”

Chika asked while smiling.

“In a sense. However, they don’t pray just to vent. Some pray for reassurance.”

“You mean they use a roundabout method to console and encourage themselves? They talk to themselves, telling themselves they’ll overcome whatever hardships they’re facing?”

Gaius nodded.

“…I don’t understand. What’s the meaning of such actions?”

“Then, ask yourself this Verde…Do you think the heavens would answer their wishes if they offered their prayer?”

“…That depends.”

“On the god, right?”

Gaius chuckled.

“You see, we live in a world of magic and gods who have the power to change lives, and yet most won’t bother to listen to the prayers of their believers.”

Gaius looked back at the siblings.

“If that’s the case, is praying to them any different than praying to a dead or made up god?”

Neither responded.

“Since the living gods won’t do anything, why does it matter if anyone will hear the prayer?”

Gaius turned back around.

“You see, the church doesn’t teaches it believers blind faith or waiting on miracles. We teach them to believe in the way Augustus lived, his way of life. We teach them how to believe in themselves and take control of their own fate.”

She glanced at those praying again.

“Alas, most mortals are weak. They need something to hang on to. Some form of higher power, or the pressures of reality will crush their fragile hearts and souls. That’s why they pray to a dead man from thousands of years ago. They wish to cling to him in hopes they could embody him in someway.”

“So in other words, Augustus is merely a tool for the weak to cling onto in these times of hardship.”

“Tool is a crude word, Chika. We prefer, Idol.”

She stopped and turned towards them again.

“This church only came into existence because your ancestor and your kins’ incompetence have sprouted fear in the people’s hearts.”

“………”

“………”

“No reaction to me knowing your identity? You guys have nerves of steel.”

“We weren’t exactly trying to hide our origins in the first place.”

Chika smirked.

“Or could it be that your church is prejudice against Tiamat’s descendants?”

Gaius smirked.

“Nonsense. We welcome anyone. Especially those who see the error of their ways and wish for a change.”

“Well, from what I can see, it’s obvious our clan has been slacking off since Augustus died. I’m ashamed and embarrassed as a member of the clan. We should’ve conquered this world thousands of years ago, not be on the verge of destruction.”

Gaius observed Chika for a while before smiling.

“Then, do you believe this empire needs change?”

“Of course.”

“Then, do you believe the church is essential to the empire’s existence?”

“I do.”

“Ha…Hahahahaha!”

Gaius burst out laughing. Verde and Chika showed no reaction to this.

“I can tell you’re telling the truth. However, the truth isn’t always the full picture, is it?”

Cloaked warriors started appearing around them.

“I see that you don’t trust us.”

“Of course, you didn’t lie but you still tried to deceive me. You recognize the importance of the church, but that doesn’t mean you agree with those running it. You want the church for yourself, right?”

“As expected from an ancient being such as yourself.”

Chika showed a beastly grin.

“You saw through our façade.”

“It’s not like you were trying to hide it.”

The cloaked warriors armed themselves. Verde stood back to back with Chika.

“I don’t sense life from them…I believe they’re golems.”

“I figured that as well.”

Chika locked eyes with Gaius.

“So, you want to fight us here? Are your believers all ready to die for the cause?”

“They are, but I have no intention of letting them die. These golems are here to prevent this.”

Gaius frowned.

“You guys were planning on slaughtering everyone in this church right?”

“Well, your believers have been directing bloodlust at us this entire time. It shows not only are they amateurs, but how much hatred they have towards Tiamat’s descendants. Since that’s the case, they’re potential threats, and you should know how Augustus handle threats.”

Chika’s eyes became purple.

“He eradicates them without hesitation.”

“So you wish to destroy the church and rebuild it into something you can control?”

A new voice reached their ears.

“?!”

A man dressed in full white was staring into Chika’s eyes.

(When did he…)

Her body couldn’t move. The man brought his face to hers.

“…I see. You’re the person Krow left behind.”

“I haven’t seen your face before but you’re definitely a member of one of the main branches of the Dragna clan. Strange, I’ve memorized every member’s face and name, and yet, you two are new…Just where did you come from?”

“We came back from the dead, I guess.”

Verde grabbed Chika’s collar and flung her. Rogan thrust his hand at his throat.

“Primus Art: Switch.”

A golem appeared in his place. Rogan’s hand beheaded the golem.

“Teleportation or is it Space magic?”

Verde and Chika were nowhere to be seen.

“They’re quick to escape. Or rather, you let them escape.”

Rogan shrugged as he turned to Gaius.

“I had no choice. They were prepared to use the believers as meat shields if it meant escaping. I don’t want our people to die for such a small matter.”

“I agree with you there. However, I wonder who those two were?”

“No idea, but this confirms that Rihan has officially wiped his hand of us.”

Gaius nodded.

“Those two were gathering information, something Rihan had no need to do. Then…”

“Miko has finally gotten involved.”

Rogan frowned.

“We’re running out of time. We need to increase our influence among the mass and turn the country against those in power. The people need to seize power for themselves.”

“And Nina? I haven’t heard from her all day.”

“Well, I was captured by Aeon Dragna.”

Nina appeared out of nowhere.

“Captured? Even with Bloody Oath and Original Sin?”

“I was tricked.”

Nina frowned.

“So how did you escape?”

She shook her head.

“No idea. When I came too someone took out Aeon.”

“Took him out? You mean he’s dead?”

“If not, he’s on the verge.”

She looked at Rogan and Gaius.

“As I thought, it wasn’t you guys who did it?”

They shook their head.

“Then, that means there’s a third party…But just who would kill Aeon?”

“Pope, we have a problem!”

A few believers came running to Gaius with frantic expressions.

“What’s wrong?”

“Over a dozen believers plus a few high ranking cleric members have been kidnapped!”

“What?!”

“They did that while escaping? How?”

Rogan mumbled.

“Who are you talking about?”

Rogan looked at Nina.

“Miko’s people. If he extracts information from them then our identities will be exposed depending on who they took.”

“Then, Miko will know I’m his enemy now…”

“That’s rare. It’s the first I’ve seen you wear a grin on your face.”

Nina touched her face to feel the grin.

“….I guess I’m excited. After all, Miko will have no choice to keep his promise this time. Especially, after what happened to one of his favorite cousins.”

Elsewhere, Miko was looking at a message on his phone. His vision turned red and he trembled as he read the message.

“Someone tried to kill Aeon. He is in critical condition.”