Chapter Ninety-Eight: Patience and Longing

Renoli, Kyle, and the Seer watched as Lacey continued her ceaseless murmuring.

“Does this really work?”

“I have no idea.”

“It can’t, can it...?”

The three of them discussed it as they watched Sonia, hoping to glean even the slightest useful clue from her expression.

But Sonia’s face remained unchanged, still wearing that gentle smile, leaving them with nothing to read at all.

So the three could only keep studying the precepts and doctrines engraved on the stone stele, turning the matter over in their own minds.

Unnoticed, several hours passed.

Then Sonia received word that the chefs had already arrived on the island.

“I still have some matters to attend to. If you are willing to believe, you may stay. If not, you are free to leave the island at any time.”

After saying this to them, Sonia took her leave.

Lacey watched as Sonia leapt straight down from the temple, landing lightly in a tree below before dissipating the force and departing with effortless speed. Her gaze grew even more resolute.

The other three could clearly see every movement Sonia made. By the level of strength she displayed, she was not especially powerful.

Yet none of them dared to underestimate her, after all, the one standing behind Sonia was Kassadin, the God of the Void.

“What do we do now?”

“It’s already been hours, and we still can’t come up with a decent plan.”

Kyle said with a helpless look on his face.

“I have no idea what sort of action would best express our devotion.”

“If we keep dragging this out any longer, by the end of today we may no longer be among the first to join.”

Renoli could not help but feel anxious.

“Don’t rush. It’s not a bad thing if others come.”

“Tests usually concern one’s temperament. Let’s stay here for a day or two and see.”

“Since we’re already here, we might as well be patient.”

Seeing the two of them growing restless, the Seer spoke in a calm voice.

The two exchanged glances and nodded.

Lacey also had no idea what to do. She could only continue murmuring her longing for the Void’s blessing.

The day slipped by.

First, Sonia went to the harbor, brought the chefs in to settle down, and explained to them the five times each day when Mr. Kassadin ate.

Afterward, she returned to the villa.

“Mr. Kassadin, the chefs have arrived. In another hour, you may dine.”

Standing several meters behind Mr. Kassadin, who sat on the balcony gazing into the far distance, Sonia spoke respectfully.

“Mm. You’ve done well.”

Harvey gave a slight nod at her words.

“Thank you for your praise, Mr. Kassadin. But how should we deal with those people now?”

“Should we just leave them there and ignore them?”

After thanking him, Sonia could not suppress her concern and asked softly.

“When others arrive later, tell them the same thing you told those present now.”

“As for whether they are sincere enough, I will know for myself.”

Harvey replied.

As for what standard he used, naturally it was whether the system issued a notification.

From his experience, for the system to acknowledge them, the target had to grow curious about the Void, respect it from the bottom of their heart, and hold a true longing for it.

Lacey had actually already passed the system’s judgment more than an hour ago. She was merely waiting for his permission now.

The other three superhumans were also waiting for his approval.

The reason Harvey had not immediately granted it was that he was observing the temperaments of those three superhumans.

They were unlike those weak souls who merely craved power to change their lives. These three already possessed considerable strength.

If they were to obtain the power of the Void, their abilities would surely rise even further. Should their natures be violent or destructive, it would bring trouble.

Harvey did not want to become a caretaker and then have to clean up the messes made by these followers, so temperament required some testing.

And that test was patience. Those who were impatient were the most likely to act on impulse and bring about disaster.

“Very well. If you need anything, just call me.”

Seeing that Mr. Kassadin already had a plan for it, Sonia did not ask further. She turned instead toward the kitchen.

By the time evening came, before they knew it, the day had worn on. The group had arrived in the morning, and now they were thirsty and hungry.

“It’s been half a day already. We’re thirsty and hungry. Let’s find something to eat first,” Renoli said, feeling hunger in his stomach.

“I’d like to find something too, but can we even hunt here?”

Kyle was tempted by the idea as well, but on the territory of Kassadin, the God of the Void, he did not dare act recklessly.

“We can’t hunt? Then we can just go fishing in the sea,” Renoli said, a little exasperated at Kyle’s hungry yet timid expression.

“Right. Lacey, do you want something to eat too?”

Hearing this, Kyle immediately understood. Then he looked at Lacey, who was kneeling on the ground. Even though her lips had already begun to crack from thirst, she still kept whispering prayers without pause.

“Yes. Thank you for the trouble. Take this thousand as my thanks.”

At his words, Lacey opened her eyes, reached into her pocket, and took out a thousand of her own accord.

A thousand was more than enough for them to bring back some food for her.

Kyle had been about to say it was only a small matter and that no money was necessary, but before the words left his mouth, he saw the Seer quietly shake his head at him.

“All right. Wait here. We’ll be back soon.”

Kyle took the hint, reaching out to accept the money from Lacey.

If this had been before, when he dealt with Lacey, simply taking a little advantage of the situation would have been enough. But now that he had accepted her money, he felt that doing that would not be right.

Thus, Lacey was left alone in the temple, while the other three departed first to search for food.

“Seer, we’ve known Lacey for years. At the very least, we’re friends.”

“Why did you still take her money?”

As Kyle ran toward the harbor with the Seer behind him, he asked.

“We came here to seek Kassadin’s protection and join the Void Church.”

“But Lacey came here because she longs for power.”

The Seer paused at his words, his gaze turning a little complicated as he spoke.

“What’s the difference?”

Kyle thought about it for a moment, then asked in confusion.

“You fool. The difference is that if we fail to win them over, we can simply go back. No matter what, we are still superhumans.”

“Lacey came here because she longs for power. If she fails to obtain it, she likely will not be willing to return.”

Renoli also understood what the Seer meant, and seeing Kyle’s foolish expression, said it bluntly.

“I see.”

Kyle finally understood completely.

Soon after, while the three were talking and reached the harbor, they happened to see four people disembarking on the island.

“So this is Lord Kassadin’s island. It’s huge.”

“Cut the chatter. Hurry to the temple and see whether we can pay our respects to Lord Kassadin.”

“Go, go.”

As soon as they landed, the four began running along the path.

“Wait.”

Hearing the reverence in their voices when they addressed Kassadin, Renoli’s heart stirred. In a flash, he stepped forward and blocked their path.