Inner Destroyer

　"I won't say much about myself, but I've been fighting evil for far longer than you've been alive."

　"You rashly bring up your own contributions and those of the 'Association' to compete with their achievements. This is a great insult to the struggles and sacrifices made by everyone, and it also challenges the power structure and order within the church."

　"Some of them were planning to defend you, but when you said, 'This is all due to the church's long-term indifference,' you blocked your own path. I deliberately reminded you to be careful with your words, but you didn't notice."

　Father Amos's face finally changed slightly.

　Although the Knight Commander may not be good at speaking, and although he is reluctant to admit it, he also knows that what Knight Princess said is not without reason.

　Moreover, the theft of the Holy Spear was indeed due to his negligence at the time.

　The consequences of this incident have not subsided to this day.

　And this is not the only incident where the consequences of his negligence have continued to this day.

　"I know."

　Father Amos whispered, with a hint of self-reproach in his voice,

　"But this doesn't negate the results of my efforts so far. The demonic threat still exists, and the church's attitude remains unchanged."

　But Gwendolen just looked at him, and although there was a hint of understanding in her eyes, there was still a look of admonition.

　In response, Father Amos had no choice but to ask, "You didn't just come here to say these things to me, did you?"

　The leader of the Holy Lance Knights finally sighed a second time.

　Then, she stared at Father Amos with bloodshot eyes and asked, "How much do you know about Professor Vanstra's cruise ship incident? Brother Gabriel?"

　"Sister Elaine's report should have been very clear about this matter..."

　Gwendolyn shook her head and interrupted the priest: "Brother Gabriel, the Archdeacon already knows."

　"Know what?" Father Amos frowned.

　"Although my explanation isn't convincing, the people in this room are more sensitive to political blood than vampires. Some won't stop investigating just because the cruise ship incident was resolved by 'Rip Master'—especially those who have serious concerns about the existence of the 'Association' itself."

　The Vampire Knight's gaze fell on Amos, with a sword-like sharpness that had never been seen before.

　"I'll just ask directly."

　"Gabriel Amos—were you certain years ago that Professor Vanstra was the Silver Messenger?"

　"You deliberately arranged for Lei Pu Zhenren and your apprentice to happen to be

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　What exactly was he planning by hunting down Professor Vanstra when he was at his most vulnerable?"

　036: God recommends that if I become the Emperor of the Earth, I will die without regrets

　"Gabriel Amos—did you determine years ago that Professor Vanstra was the Silver Messenger?"

　"You deliberately arranged for 'Rep Master' and your apprentice to hunt down Professor Vanstra when he was at his most vulnerable. What exactly are you planning?"

　The question from the Holy Lance Knight Leader was as sharp as the edge of her sword.

　In an instant, Father Amos's fingers curled slightly, and his knuckles turned white from the force.

　His lips moved as if he wanted to refute, but in the end he just said stiffly: "Ms. Gwendolen... you misunderstood. I just want to be cautious and ensure that this information does not reach the ears that should not know..."

　"Cautious? Including concealing the existence of the 'Dialbit Messenger' from the Church and allowing him to run amok at the University of Rome?"

　Gwendolen continued to look at him, her eyes and words becoming increasingly harsh.

　"Finally, when Professor Vanstra collapsed and was at his most vulnerable, you exploited your position to disguise a crisis concerning world security as a common witch-hunt, handing it off to 'Master Rep' and your students... could you consider this 'caution'?"

　"This isn't the only time you've concealed something like this."

　"The Church knows. In recent years, it's become apparent that a voodoo cult has been hiding among the refugees from the Caribbean Islands, and its size is growing. Their secret leader may possess extraordinary powers. The Papal Council has questioned his true nature. However, the Association's investigations have been ineffective."

　"Last night, you suggested that Master Rep and Sister Elaine go to the underground library of Castel Sant'Angelo to search for books. Earlier this evening, during a break in the meeting, we received a report that Master Rep had captured a voodoo cult leader who had infiltrated the underground library, along with a dozen voodoo fighters."

　I'm afraid Father Amos really didn't expect the Vatican to question him about this matter - especially so soon.

　A thin layer of sweat seeped out of his forehead, and he subconsciously reached out to touch his cross pendant, but his fingertips trembled for a moment before he barely grasped it.

　Gwendolyn watched his reaction quietly, and finally sighed: "Father, I don't think you have betrayed the Church or God, but what are you planning?"

　What on earth was Father Amos planning?

　Now that his secret actions have been discovered, Father Amos actually wants to ask - why don't you understand what I want to do?

　His face remained pale, but after a moment's silence, his eyes grew firm, as if he were making a final stand. He slowly raised his head, staring at Gwendolen, his voice low and hoarse, "I've done all this so that Qi Xing can become the new Silver Messenger."

　The air froze in an instant. The leader of the Holy Lance Knights' expression froze for a moment, then she narrowed her eyes, a look of astonishment and anger evident between her brows.

　"You're crazy, Gabriel Amos."

　Father Amos did not avoid her gaze.

　Instead, he went a step further, his voice filled with a hint of determination: "I'm not crazy, Gwendolyn, I just see it more clearly than all of you."

　"I have been running the International Exorcist Association for thirty-four years."

　"Over the past 34 years, I have witnessed countless young people with brighter prospects, regardless of faith or race, working hard for a better world. But what is the result?"

　His voice became lower and lower, as if he was suppressing unspeakable anger.

　"This absurd and obscene world hasn't changed a bit! The only thing that's changed is the length of the list of the dead and missing!"

　His eyes were full of pain and unwillingness.

　"Our world is a vale of tears, and we struggle amidst the decaying remains of the dead devil! Our enemy is not any particular great devil, nor any particular race or nation—it is this entire irrational world!"

　"But what about our churches? What are they most concerned about? Economic crimes? LGBTQ+ people? Teenagers who have sex and take drugs?"

　His voice grew hoarse, filled with anger and sarcasm that had obviously been suppressed for too long.

　Gwendolyn stared at him, silent, but her brows were slightly furrowed. After a moment, she spoke in a low voice: "Gabriel, this cannot be your excuse."

　"Can't? Why not?!"

　But Father Amos's emotions finally burst out, his bloodshot eyes filled with pain.

　"Those children—those young people who were truly fighting for the world—were brutally abused and died miserably one by one!"

　"I saw with my own eyes how the demons cut off their limbs and used them as human shields. I saw their souls being torn out of their bodies and toyed with by demons. They burned themselves, sacrificing their hopes, dreams, and lives! But what did they gain?!"

　He suddenly stopped and took a deep breath, the sound seemed to be squeezed out from his throat.

　"Nothing at all!"

　The dim moonlight illuminated the deep pain and anger in the priest's eyes. He looked down at his palms, as if trying to grasp something, but in the end, he could only grasp at nothing.

　"I don't accept this outcome. I don't accept that their sacrifice was meaningless, that the world remains the same, that we are just living docilely, waiting for the next 'necessary sacrifice'."

　“So when I first saw Qi Xing’s combat record, I realized that he always managed to come back from desperate situations.

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　I was able to shatter the enemy's vicious plans at every turn, kill the enemy and save people, and win every battle - I realized that Qi Xing could become that force, the force that could change the world."

　"Sure enough, on the cruise ship, he succeeded! He defeated Satan and took a silver coin without signing a contract. And just as I expected, his vision went beyond that."

　"There are still twenty-nine silver coins scattered throughout the world. If he can find them all and master them, he can become the ultimate unreasonable man who defeats this unreasonable world—and my apprentice will guide him, influence him, and make him use his power for good."

　Perhaps for the first time in his life, he poured out the words in his heart.

　Gwendolen stared at the priest with a complicated look in her eyes.

　Finally she spoke, her voice very low but every word sharp: "You are truly mad, Gabriel."

　"You put it nicely, but if you really have such awareness, why don't you just tell them the truth?"

　Father Amos opened his mouth immediately, as if he wanted to refute, but he couldn't speak immediately.

　So Gwendolen continued coldly, "If you think Qi Xing should be 'that force,' if you think the world must change, then why not fully prepare him and Sister Elaine? Why wrap everything in lies and push them directly into danger?"

　Her tone grew increasingly sharp, her gaze piercing Father Amos's soul. "Even if you truly believe that 'Rep Master' is invincible—didn't your apprentice nearly die on that cruise ship?"

　These words finally hit the priest like a heavy punch, making his face pale and his eyes wander, as if he was recalling something he didn't want to touch.

　"If you really believe in them, if you really hope they can change the world, why do you hide it from them? Or are you afraid to let them know your plan?"

　Gwendolen did not stop.

　Father Amos opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

　"And how can you guarantee that 'Rip Master' won't do something contrary to your expectations later?"

　"How many people in history have taken up Judas's silver with good intentions, only to end up in tragedy? Everyone else thinks they are unique exceptions, so what makes you think Qi Xing must be the true exception? What guarantees do you have that he won't become the next tyrant?"

　The priest's eyes became dazed, as if he had been forced into a corner that he had always been unwilling to face.

　But Gwendolen showed no intention of stopping.

　Her voice was low, yet filled with deep anger. "You just said you didn't want 'necessary sacrifices,' but how many sacrifices did you allow in order to wait for Professor Vanstra to self-destruct and weaken, making it easier for Qi Xing to hunt him down?"

　"Do you dare to say that those victims were not 'necessary sacrifices' created by you yourself?"

　"You yourself don't have the courage to face the temptation of silver, yet you leave the risk to your friend. Waiting for him to save the world, waiting for him to save you in the process—Gabriel, is this the behavior of a follower of Christ?"

　The moonlight illuminated Father Amos's increasingly pale face.

　His shoulders were already shaking slightly.

　"I will confess everything when the meeting resumes."

　"No need."

　Gwendolen's voice was horribly calm.

　"The actual outcome has already been decided, but the Pope has decided to give you another chance. That's why we have today's inquiry meeting. If you have sufficient awareness of your mistakes, there may still be room for redemption, but..."

　There was no trace of sarcasm in her eyes, but rather a hint of cold sympathy.

　“But there are no ifs.”

　"Father, there's still a 'Silver Messenger' that you've been suppressing and not reporting, and you're planning to hand over to Qi Xing for hunting. He's hiding in Rome, and he and his men are wreaking havoc somewhere."

　"The only way you can make amends now is to help Sister Elaine and Master Leipu resolve this incident as quickly as possible."

　Father Amos looked up suddenly, his eyes full of struggle and confusion: "Compensation..."

　"Help her to eliminate Black Spartacus—as soon as possible. Lest a Silver Messenger, now becoming more acquainted with his own power, cause irreparable harm to the world."

　"After everything is settled, you will take the initiative to resign."

　Gwendolen's tone was firm and unquestionable.

　"If you voluntarily resign, the Vatican will maintain your dignity and allow you to leave at the appropriate time, allowing your apprentice, Elaine, to inherit your "Association"—so that your thirty-four years of hard work will not be in vain."

　On the other hand, this can also prevent things from becoming too embarrassing, so as not to anger "Rep Master" who has become the Super Silver Coin Messenger.

　Father Amos sighed deeply, his voice filled with weakness: "Is this... what the Pope meant?"

　Gwendolen did not answer directly, but just looked at him quietly.

　This silence itself is the most straightforward answer.

　"If you insist on staying in this position and eventually letting this matter escalate to the point of a formal hearing—"

　At this point, her voice paused slightly, and then her tone became colder than ever before.

　"Then everyone involved in the cruise ship kidnapping case will be present. The conservatives are curious about how you will explain their daughter's death to Miss Wenlan's parents."

　Father Amos's shoulders trembled slightly, as if he finally understood something.

　Arrogance takes many forms. Just as angels can fall from pride, so too can the best of good

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　Good intentions can also cause blood to flow from other good people.

　"I submit to the will of the Church."

　There were no words, no movements, and the final sigh seemed to express deep helplessness at the outcome that had already been decided.

　The leader of the Holy Lance Knights turned and left, never looking back.

　In January in Rome, Italy, the winter night brought with it damp and cold air, which quietly seeped into every brick and marble column.