Although the three of them had successfully escaped Locke Domain and entered the territory controlled by the Radiant Temple,
Kross and Marek had already been captured by Locke.
According to the information Gasco and the others had obtained, Kross and Marek were being transported to the imperial capital.
In at most two months, they would arrive in the capital to face the judgment of His Majesty Celes
Berkeley let out a sigh.
"Perhaps it's just bad luck. After all these years, we haven't found a single pure-souled individual."
"Otherwise, even if there were only one, any of us could have easily ascended to the Sanctum."
"At that point, whether it's our standing within the Temple of Light, or secretly rescuing Kross and Marek, nothing would be difficult."
Dar nodded in agreement.
"There's nothing we can do, Berkley. Since we've received this information, it's clear that among the noble class of the Frostsnow Empire, finding pure-souled individuals has never been a secret."
"After so many years, only a few have escaped to the Temple of Light and ascended to the Sanctum, which shows just how rare pure-souled individuals are."
"It's not strange that we didn't find any," Berkeley admitted,
"though it's unfortunate…"
Even Dar let out a sigh.
"If Cole hadn't betrayed us, we could have quietly searched for pure-souled individuals in our own territories within Locke Domain, giving us a small chance of breakthrough to the Sanctum."
"Now, even though we've entered the territory of the Radiant Temple, that hope is gone."
Indeed.
Within the noble class of the Frostsnow Empire, finding pure-souled individuals is practically an open secret. And in the Temple of Light's territory?
Ordinary people there are merely tools for the nobles to produce pure-souled offspring.
Any pure-souled child born could not escape the gaze of the local lords.
In fact, compared to the Frostsnow Empire, it's even worse.
The Radiant Temple was founded on faith.
All the common people are forcibly devoted to the Light God Augusta.
For them, if their child were a reincarnated angel under Lord Augusta, offering the child to a lord would bring extremely generous rewards.
For Gasco and the others, who had no territories, the chance of finding a pure-souled individual in the Temple of Light was nearly zero.
Even if they were lucky enough to encounter a newborn pure-souled individual, they would likely be hunted down by the local lord before reaching the cathedral.
At that point, forget about the three of them, even thirty or three hundred peak-level Level-9 warriors wouldn't be enough to fight a Sanctum-level adversary.
Hearing the two brothers talk, Gasco's anger immediately faded.
In its place, an immense excitement surged.
Now, Gasco felt immensely fortunate for the decision he had made over a decade ago.
The others had not handed over their pure-souled individuals because they hadn't found any.
Gasco had not handed one over because he wanted to keep a trump card for himself.
The world had proven that no one else could be relied upon.
With this card in hand, it would be easy for him to turn the tables.
Even completing the sacrifice would elevate him to a higher tier, granting endless longevity.
But before that, they had to reach the cathedral of the Temple of Light.
The pope of the Radiant Temple resided in the cathedral.
Only the pope could conduct the sacrificial ritual.
Thinking this through, Gasco wanted to speak.
Yet, just as he was about to, he realized that among their group, the strongest were himself, Berkley, and Dar.
If Berkley and Dar learned that he held a pure-souled individual, they might conspire to take it from him.
So, Gasco abandoned the plan to reveal it to them.
Still, he didn't want the three of them to separate.
After all, they were in the Temple of Light's territory, unfamiliar with the land. Three peak-level Level-9 warriors together were much safer.
"Berkley, Dar…"
"Brother Gasco, speak."
"I've been thinking. Within the Temple of Light's territory, it's nearly impossible for us to find a pure-souled individual."
"But that doesn't mean we have no chance to obtain one."
Berkeley and Darr exchanged glances, surprised by each other's reactions.
"Brother Gasco, explain."
"If what you say is true, we will follow your lead without question!"
Gasco was pleased with their response.
He then explained the reasoning he had just devised.
"Listen, Berkley, Dar…"
"From the information we have, only the cathedral where the pope of the Temple of Light resides can conduct the sacrificial ritual."
"In other words, whoever finds a pure-souled individual and wishes to offer them must go to the cathedral."
"Among these people, besides the current forces of the Temple of Light, there must be nobles from the Frostsnow Empire who have also found pure-souled individuals to sacrifice for power."
"With the Temple of Light's current strength, we cannot act recklessly."
"But we can take action against the nobles from the Frostsnow Empire."
"After all, the pope only cares about the offerings, not who they come from."
"If we manage to seize the offerings and complete the sacrifice before anyone reacts, once we ascend to the Sanctum, we will have enough strength to deal with the consequences."
"Brother Gasco, you truly are remarkable!"
Berkley and Dar's eyes shone as they gave him thumbs-up.
Indeed, as Gasco said, this might be their only opportunity to acquire a pure-souled individual and break through to the Sanctum within the Temple of Light's territory.
The power behind the Temple of Light is nearly all linked to Sanctum-level forces.
If they acted against anyone inside, the Sanctum warriors of the Temple could retaliate.
Even if they ascended, survival would be short-lived.
But if they target the Frostsnow Empire nobles instead, there would be no such aftermath.
After all, no Sanctum family from the Frostsnow Empire would have thought of using a sacrificial ritual to break through!
Once Gasco and the others seize the offering and complete the sacrifice, ascending to the Sanctum, the Frostsnow Empire nobles could only swallow the bitter pill.
(End of Chapter)
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