Chapter 1087: Chapter 423: The Fall of the Empire Awakening Event

Just maintaining the “Sin Beast” state without utilizing any strength… the mana consumption isn’t too high in this mode.

Aiwass dragged Grey into researching it for half a day, and only ended up consuming two standard units of mana.

In other words, roughly one mana point is needed every three minutes.

This means that if Aiwass desires… even without devouring the Sin Thorn, he can almost always keep this state active.

In this mode, Aiwass cannot pray to the Candle Master to replenish his mana, but with 284 mana points, he could sustain his transformation for approximately fourteen hours.

Considering this transformation is practically Aiwass’s trump card… rather than saving it purely for combat and fumbling its use intuitively during its first application, it’s better to let a reliable scholar research it and develop its usage a little.

After all, during the Sin Beast state, Aiwass can only utilize abilities pertaining to the Path of Devotion. This means he can no longer switch into the Great Sin Beast or perform spellcasting via the Sin Cards. Moreover, the more mana is used during the Sin Beast state, the irreversible conversion rate also increases, so the transformation should never be activated lightly.

After confirming the mana consumption and effects of other abilities, Aiwass solemnly said to Grey:

“I am about to begin the healing.”

Grey also nodded nervously, as she made one last touch to her amberficated eye, verifying its texture, before closing her eyes.

Aiwass wasn’t sure how exactly he should heal Grey.

He could only rely on his inner instinct and utilize the power granted by his wish.

He lowered his gaze slightly and pressed his burning white antlers against Grey’s forehead. However, Grey did not feel the pain of being scorched; instead, a steady warmth began flowing from the top of her head, permeating her entire body.

“[May all injuries and illnesses be eradicated].”

He murmured softly, “In… my name.”

The next moment, intense white flames spread from the tips of the antlers, enveloping Grey entirely.

As Aiwass voiced his wish, he felt the mana within him rapidly drain–within just two or three seconds, approximately forty to fifty mana points had been consumed.

For a brief moment, Aiwass worried whether he had enough mana, but the rate of mana depletion quickly decreased and stopped.

He glanced at his attribute panel.

A total of sixty-three mana points had been consumed.

… A steep cost.

Aiwass was startled.

Even when sealing the Wild Hunt, the mana consumption was only fifty points…

Yet the wish he made had already been perfectly fulfilled–

In merely four or five seconds, the white flames instantly dissipated.

An invigorated Grey opened her eyes.

The first thing she did was reach to touch her eye.

Instead of the familiar firm, smooth gemstone surface, what greeted her fingertips was a piercingly unfamiliar pain, causing her to involuntarily gasp, furrow her brow, and close her eyes.

Having grown used to touching her amberificated eye for years, she had long forgotten that normal eyes couldn’t be touched directly by fingers.

The stinging pain caused a tear to slowly stream down from the corner of her eye, yet Grey’s face instantly blossomed into an incomparably radiant and beautiful smile.

It wasn’t “surprise,” but rather “deep gratitude.” She had never doubted Aiwass’s ability to accomplish this, so there was no element of astonishment–but realizing that the amberfication disease had truly left her forever brought her a profound sense of relief.

For Grey’s restorative abilities, the injury from forcefully touching her eye healed in mere breaths. Yet her tears continued to flow uncontrollably.

This Saint Maiden, in every sense “larger” than Aiwass, now kept wiping her teary eyes like a lost little girl standing in the street unable to find her parents.

But Aiwass understood that this wasn’t out of fear or confusion.

It was the liberation from the mountainous burden she had carried for centuries.

Aiwass sighed lightly.

He bowed his head once more and touched Grey’s forehead with his antlers. This time, he invoked no power–he merely relied on the warmth of his antlers to share comfort, quietly accompanying her.

The plan had succeeded perfectly–Grey’s amberification condition was instantly and entirely cured by Aiwass.

Yet unlike Grey, Aiwass didn’t feel much joy.

The mana consumed during Grey’s treatment made Aiwass realize one thing: He could not rely solely on the power of wishing to heal everyone.

And his conversion progress bar silently rose to 7%.

–Healing Grey consumed around sixty-three mana. Coupled with the earlier usage of two mana points, the conversion rate had directly increased by 2%.

In other words… roughly every 33 mana points equate to a 1% conversion rate?

This seems reasonable. It aligns perfectly with the Holy Number of Devotion.

And when the conversion rate reached 7%,

Aiwass’s pure white fur abruptly gleamed with silver radiance.

His body emitted an even more divine radiance, faintly surrounded by a rainbow-like halo akin to the aura behind a god.

And the “Sin Beast Form” gained a brand-new effect:

[You are immune to instant death, fire, and holy damage]

Aiwass gained new strength from his benevolent action.

He also finally understood why the First Pope entered the Dream Realm at such a young age…

This power, that can seemingly aid anyone, is impossible for a good person to resist using. The more it is used, the more power is unlocked, the more one can accomplish… Ultimately becoming permanently half-human, half-deer is almost inevitable.

The same holds true for Aiwass.

From the moment he obtained this strength, it was destined that he would not meet his end as a mortal. He absolutely wouldn’t be able to stand by while others suffered and continue to lead his own happy life… In other words, this power fundamentally trades “the ability to look away” for “the ability to intervene.”

In essence.

When the Candle Master bestowed this strength upon Aiwass, He had already decreed that Aiwass would no longer embrace a mortal’s way of living.

Either he’d be devoured by the Serpent Celestial Marshal or emerge victorious.

And as long as Aiwass triumphed in the struggle against the Serpent Celestial Marshal, he would ascend as either a Celestial Marshal or a Pillar God.

… As for the identity of the Son of Si Zhu, it serves as a “lifeline” in the event of Aiwass’s failure.

Not even the Candle Master has complete faith that Aiwass will prevail.

If Aiwass ultimately loses, He has provided Aiwass a chance–a way to devour the Sin Thorn, use up his remaining mana recklessly to trigger some sort of miracle, and forcibly twist his soul into that of a Sin Beast, permanently abandoning his transcendent soul.

When Aiwass loses his transcendent soul, he is no longer of value to the Serpent Celestial Marshal. Hence, the Serpent Celestial Marshal would no longer be able to devour Aiwass to replenish himself.

In this manner, Aiwass could avoid being consumed by the Serpent Celestial Marshal. And once he becomes the Son of Si Zhu, his safety in the Dream Realm is assured…

In other words…

The true essence of this power is like a father’s phone call saying, “If things really don’t work out, just come home.”

Warmth, indeed, is there–it’s just…

“… So, you really don’t think I’ll succeed, huh?”

Aiwass chuckled lightly, reverting to his human form.

He reached for his clothes–the robe of the Cardinal in Red he had used earlier conveniently remained on the bed.

–Even the Candle Master doubts that I can win.

“Then I’ll just have to win for myself and show you.”

Aiwass murmured softly.

He’s always been stubborn by nature.

Aiwass looked at Grey… At this moment, without wearing the Holy Crown, he no longer had the authority to communicate with all the Cardinal Archbishops.

Thus, Aiwass spoke: “Inform everyone about what’s happened here… Your Holiness the Pope.”

“… No, you’re the Pope. I’m merely the Vicar Pope.”

The Pure White Saintess wiped her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse as she spoke: “The Church has always upheld the legacy of the Son of Si Zhu… This, we hold firmly in our hearts. We have always maintained a neutral stance because of the wishes and guidance of the Candle Celestial Marshal in ancient times. But now, with the Son of Si Zhu reincarnated in the mortal world… the Nine Pillars Divine Church must also begin to act.

“May I ask, what is your command now–”

“Let’s start by quelling the turmoil in Star Antimony; it’s becoming an unbearable mess to watch.”

Aiwass was somewhat surprised but quickly gave an unwavering order to the Holy Maiden wearing the Holy Crown: “If that’s the case, then intervene.”

April 1st, morning.

A piece of world-shaking news swiftly spread across all nations–

The Eternal Theocracy announced the removal of its permanent neutral status. This decision was unanimously approved by all the Cardinal Archbishops.