Chapter 1983: Chapter 1983: The Deal
Charles’s words left the three inside the iron gate speechless.
It was unclear how much time passed before Austin’s rough voice emerged from within: "Speak, what do you really want from us? If it’s just to humiliate us, then you’d better get lost quickly."
"We don’t have time to chat with you idly here!"
Hearing this, Charles smiled and said, "You’re right, I did come here with a purpose. And once you hear it, you’ll surely find it intriguing."
"Do you want to regain your freedom?"
After his final words, the inside of the iron gate became silent again.
However, Charles could clearly hear the breath of the three inside becoming increasingly heavy.
"Freedom? Charles, are you certain you can grant us freedom?" Austin asked.
Even before Charles could respond, Frank’s slightly hoarse voice rose again: "Even if you can grant us freedom, the price we have to pay won’t be small, will it? After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world."
Felix let out a cold snort, sarcastically saying, "You were the one who locked us in the tribunal, and now you say you’re going to let us out. Charles, you’re as cunning as ever."
"You’re too kind, too kind. My cunning nature is something I admit," Charles said with a smile. "However, about letting you out, I assure you, I’m not lying."
"As long as you agree to help me with one thing, I can release you once it’s done."
Upon hearing this, Austin asked, "What do you want us to do? Say it first, and then we’ll decide."
Charles wasn’t surprised by their cautiousness at all.
After all, these three were monsters from his time.
Once, all four of them were the mainstays of the Bright Church, with Austin almost replacing him as the Pope. So, dealing with the three of them, Charles was quite cautious himself.
Charles pondered slightly, then slowly said, "Actually, recently, the church encountered a problem. A martial cultivator from the East named Evil God has allied with the Blood Clan Netherworld King to wage war against our church."
"Both are very powerful, with combat abilities around the Peak of Supreme Realm. If I faced one, I could definitely win. But with both of them combined, even I feel troubled."
"To win this war, I plan to release you to fight alongside me."
"If you help me, I promise you will regain your freedom."
After his words, mocking laughter came from inside the gate.
Austin spoke up, "Who would’ve thought that even His Holiness would have a day when he begs for help? Charles, you’ve been regressing. The Blood Clan is innately countered by our abilities, yet you can’t even eliminate the Blood Clan."
"Once you reach the Supreme Realm, such countering becomes negligible," Charles said, "Otherwise, why would our Bright Church tolerate the Blood Clan in this world?"
Austin knew his words were true, but he glossed over it to mock him.
"So, how about it? I’ve laid out my conditions, now it’s your turn to decide," Charles said slowly. "As long as you agree with me, I promise to release you after we’re done."
Upon hearing this, Felix was still skeptical, asking, "What if you go back on your word later? You’ve deceived us before, to be honest, you have almost no credibility with me."
Austin and Frank didn’t speak but nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing his words, Charles was not surprised at all, as if he had anticipated Felix’s doubts: "I know that past incident left a poor impression of me. But that’s in the past; people can change."
"Alright, if you still don’t trust me, I can remove your seals first."
"This should convince you, right?"
After hearing this, the breathing of Austin and the others became heavy again.
After a while, Felix’s voice sounded again, tinged with disbelief: "Can you really remove our seals first? Aren’t you afraid we’ll just flee?"
In response, Charles said, "Honestly, I am afraid you’ll just leave. Once the seal is removed, I lose my means to restrain you. But I believe you will help."
"Because I’ve shown you my sincerity, I trust you won’t disappoint me either."
After his words, the three inside seemed to be whispering among themselves.
It’s unknown what they discussed, but ultimately, Austin said, "We can agree to help you, but once those two are dead, we’re leaving."
"That’s fine, it’s your freedom," Charles nodded without hesitation. "As long as you help me kill them, you can go wherever you want."
"Then we agree. Come in," Austin said.
Charles smiled slightly, then stepped forward to open the iron gate.
No one knew how long the gate hadn’t been opened; it was somewhat rusty and made a harsh noise.
Not until the door was completely open did Charles see the three waiting in the darkness.
Austin’s looks and body were as rough as his voice. As for Frank and Felix, they were pale and thin, like old men who had scavenged on the street for years.
The one thing they had in common was the solar mark on their foreheads.
This was the seal binding them, known as Divine Judgment.
It was rumored to be a Sealing Skill left by the Light God to judge heretics. Anyone branded with this mark could be killed by the caster at any moment with just a thought.
"Release our seals and fulfill your promise to us."
Austin said.
Charles nodded, then stepped forward, chanting incantations while gently tapping on the marks on their foreheads. The three experienced a sharp pain in their heads, and then the sun marks vanished.
The long-lost powerful energy finally surged once again in Austin and the others!
