I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey

The voice was low, with a certain inexplicable magnetism and conviction.

Rodney turned his head and saw a black robed man standing in the corner.
The man's face was blurred, as if shrouded by mist that only revealed his silver eyes.
In the center of those black robes was a strange design that seemed full of magical power.

A long sword shrouded in flames.

Rodney immediately recited the name of the design in his mind—Path of the Flaming Sword.

The man in black strolled over and eyed the pope.
“Rodney, are you so unsure of your ideals?”

“Of course I believe I'm right!” Rodney first refuted loudly, then hesitated for a moment.
“But the bookstore owner, that Lin Jie fellow.
What the h*ll is going on? Vincent's power completely counters the Church of the Dome.
You've seen it yourself, we have no way of dealing with him.
What about your side?”

Rodney continued in a huff, “Didn't you all say that you would help me?”

“Fool!” The man in black glared at him.
“Do you want the Church of the Dome, or do you want power that surpasses Supreme-rank?”

Rodney shuddered, realizing this was no place for him to be angry, and returned to his senses.
The Pope lowered his disheveled head and replied, “Power, of course.”

The black robed man then muttered, “Then stop caring about everything else and focus on preparations for the ceremony to help the moon escape.
As long as it can leave the dream realm, we will be able to move to the next step of widening the dream realm's fractures and gaining its power.

“We will continue supplying you with materials, but now everything has to be sped up.
The Ash Chamber of Commerce's side is about to be exposed soon and you still want to mess around?

“Remember, your first duty is to help the moon emerge from the dream realm.
Understood?”

Rodney nodded his head grudgingly.
“Yes.”

The black robed man went to the window and crossed his arms, gazing out into the dark night sky.
“Lord Michael will take care of Lin Jie.
He has foiled our plans twice already.
As an enemy of Path of the Flaming Sword, we will naturally get rid of him.

“As for what Vincent intends to do, or what happens to the Church of the Dome, that is none of your business.”

He turned around, revealing his sinister silver eyes.
“Remember, we put you in this position of pope not to have you defend the Church of the Dome.
You aren't qualified to do so.”

Rodney recalled the identity of the man before him, one of the ten founders of the Path of the Flaming Sword, now codenamed 'Gabriel', the original pope that had founded the Church of the Dome at the beginning of the Third Era.

Compared to him, Rodney did indeed lack the qualifications…

——

The next day.

Claude worked all night and finally made it to the bookstore just as it opened for business.

The bookstore was the same as before, but there was one more person this time round.

The blindfolded priest was in much better spirits thanks to the newfound faith brought about by Eternal Doom, as well as the countermeasures he had come up with Mu'en in the dream.

The two had come to a consensus and decided to establish a new faith.

The congregation, though, would still need to be worked on and would especially require the cooperation of Secret Rite Tower.

After entering, Claude first greeted Boss Lin and thanked the bookstore owner for his help and cooperation.

Enthusiastic citizen Lin Jie replied with smiles all around, “It's nothing, it's nothing.
Upholding justice is everyone's responsibility.”

He then pointed to Vincent beside him and said, “This is the person involved, you can ask him for the specifics.
I'm still open for business so you guys can head next door to talk.”

“Next door?”

“Mhm, I'm going to open an adjoining store next door,” Lin Jie said with a wide smile.
“Mu'en will be in charge.”