In the past few days, Eden had intermittently absorbed nearly 10,000 points of hope energy.
Although there was still a significant gap from the 200,000 points needed, with the gradual recovery of his Little Sun's energy, he had now gained the ability to influence the real world.
One of these abilities was the creation of illusions, allowing him to project images into the dreams of others.
This was undoubtedly a powerful ability.
On a higher level, it was a "privilege" belonging to the gods.
Great deities could bestow divine revelations upon their believers!
Late at night.
Eden stood on the balcony of his bedroom at the top of the spire, gazing down at his territory.
In the Sacred Square below, workers were methodically carrying out the construction work.
According to the plan, in addition to restoring the God-Emperor's saint statue, a monument would also be erected at the foot of the statue.
Only those loyal followers of the God-Emperor, those who had made exceptional contributions to the planet Urth, would have the honor of having their names engraved upon it.
The time had come.
Eden closed his eyes, mentally connecting with the psychic core hidden within the head of the God-Emperor's saint statue.
As his consciousness merged with the psychic core, his psychic sense expanded enormously, nearly covering the entire territory.
What a powerful ability—at this moment, he felt as though he had become a lofty god!
He even made the psychic core imitate the fluctuations of the God-Emperor's psychic will.
This would make it easier to deceive people and avoid being branded as a heretic.
But the energy consumption was enormous.
Eden could feel the hope energy he had accumulated being rapidly depleted. He could only maintain the connection for ten seconds at most!
Fortunately, he had prepared in advance, quickly directing his psychic consciousness toward the state church.
He found Bishop Doni, who was deep in sleep, and activated his illusion-creating ability, projecting some images into his mind.
At the moment the projection was completed, the hope energy was exhausted.
Eden's consciousness forcefully detached from the psychic core and returned to his body.
That was close!
Creating an illusion consumed far more hope energy than expected—he had nearly failed.
In just a few seconds, he was completely drained, feeling as if he was walking on air.
But at least he had accomplished his goal, successfully embedding the carefully designed images into Bishop Doni's mind.
Now, it was time to see how effective it would be.
If it didn't work, he would have no choice but to restrain Bishop Doni by force.
Ugh, he felt even weaker.
Eden braced himself and returned to his bedroom, collapsing onto the oversized bed, large enough to fit ten people, and fell into a deep sleep. — In Bishop Doni's bedroom at the state church.
The room was stark, almost devoid of decoration.
Strangely, the alloy floor and walls bore deep gashes, as if they had been violently hacked apart.
Inside the room was only an iron bed, with a menacing power axe leaning against the headboard.
Bishop Doni lay on the iron bed, already asleep.
His expression was one of terror, as though he were experiencing something horrifying.
Once again, he was having a nightmare.
Since that terrifying, all-encompassing warp storm, Bishop Doni had been plagued by nightmares.
In his dreams, chaos and darkness consumed everything.
Blood rained from the skies, and the faithful wailed in despair, while heretics and demons reveled in bloody, cruel rituals.
The God-Emperor's saint statue had collapsed, trampled upon and desecrated, blood tears flowing from its eyes.
And there, Doni Moul, the loyal servant of the God-Emperor, was powerless.
The darkness swallowed Urth, growing thicker and deeper until it completely obscured the Emperor's light.
Countless times, he dreamed of the destruction of Urth, of half the empire suffering under tribulation.
The endless, hopeless wails tore at his soul, leaving him in torment!
In this current nightmare, Bishop Doni knelt before the toppled, corpse-strewn saint statue of the God-Emperor, shouting in desperation.
"Almighty God-Emperor, my faith in You has never wavered."
Tears mixed with the blood rain as they slid down Bishop Doni's face. "I beg You to cast Your gaze upon us, for the lost lambs need Your guidance!"
But no matter how much he cried out, nothing happened.
The massive, broken head of the saint statue was slowly being submerged by blood.
His despair reached its peak—he could bear no more!
Just as he was about to be consumed by the darkness, a ray of light pierced through, illuminating the shadows.
It was so warm, so resolute.
Wherever the light touched, the darkness retreated!
Bishop Doni felt the familiar presence emanating from the light.
It was the God-Emperor's radiance!
Praise the God-Emperor!
He could once again feel His presence; the God-Emperor had not abandoned His flock!
Bishop Doni lifted his head, gazing devoutly toward the glowing light.
Within it, he vaguely saw the great God-Emperor.
He wore golden armor, majestic and towering.
In the vision.
The God-Emperor pointed his sword forward, and a young ruler, following His will, led an army to break through the darkness.
He judged the heretics and drove away the shadow!
The scene shifted, and another image appeared.
The God-Emperor, seated on His throne, looked down upon all life.
Below the throne, a grand ceremony was being held, with the young ruler kneeling before the God-Emperor, offering his loyalty amid the crowd's adoration.
At this moment, Bishop Doni could clearly see the young ruler's face—it was none other than Eden Grant, the governor of Urth!
Eden Grant, bathed in the God-Emperor's light, was so devout, so benevolent.
He seemed like a natural-born ruler, one that inspired worship.
Bishop Doni also saw himself in the vision.
He stood beside Eden Grant, overseeing the ceremony, guiding him like a mentor!
This was the God-Emperor's Holy Oracle!
The concept of the Holy Oracle had long existed in legend. It was said that only the most devout believers and warriors could receive such a message.
For example, the Emperor's Champions.
Guided by holy visions, they would don the black armor of the Emperor's Champion, pledging their loyalty through endless battle!
Some were not only given holy visions but also received the God-Emperor's blessings.
Bishop Doni could feel it—the darkness in his heart was dissipating, and his body was filling with strength.
He had received the God-Emperor's blessing!
Instantly, Bishop Doni became fervent, loudly praying.
All praise to the God-Emperor!
The young ruler, Eden Grant, grew clearer in his vision, the God-Emperor's radiance becoming ever brighter, until it filled his entire sight.
The light became blinding!
The intense brightness woke Bishop Doni, and he realized it was already morning.
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, warm and gentle.
It had been so long since he had slept this well.
He wiped the tear marks from his face, certain that he had finally escaped the torment of nightmares.
The dream from last night was vivid in his memory, etched clearly into his mind.
Especially the face of Eden Grant—impossible to forget.
Eden had gone to great lengths, using an enhanced version of his appearance to ensure a lasting impact, making it the perfect template for his divine dream.
"The God-Emperor has shown the lost lambs the way..." Bishop Doni muttered.
After sitting in quiet reflection for a while, he seemed to have made a decision. Rising, he grasped his staff and walked out.
Though slightly hunched, Bishop Doni's steps were firm and resolute.
The great God-Emperor had delivered His Holy Oracle, selecting the one who would lead Urth out of the darkness.
As the church's priest and a devout servant of the God-Emperor, it was time for him to offer his loyalty in his own way.
The time had come to restore the church's glory!
(End of Chapter)