The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 36 The Saint and the Sleeping God
Courtroom, library.

It is still the usual black and gold, with gorgeous and cold gold-painted decorations.

After obtaining permission, Fernandez took Roland through huge bookshelves that were several feet high.

They are piled up like a small hill, and only someone strong enough can push it.

This collection of books and historical materials has even walls designed as bookshelves - extending from the floor to the ceiling.

Like a box full of books.

The ceiling is far from the ground, and if you step hard while walking, the footsteps will echo for a long time.

Fernandez talked as they walked, giving Roland some basic knowledge.

Sounds more like a myth.

"…Hundreds of years ago, Lady Delis used her own flesh and blood to promote a ritual that covered the entire world, causing the gods to fall into a long sleep. Since then, humans have been able to walk freely on the earth."

“It was also from then on that we truly became the masters of the world.”

These are the most basic things, and are the true history that every apprentice who steps into the mysterious world must know.

This is the origin of the so-called 'Sleeping God'.

They were not asleep until a hero stepped forward.

"Delis..."

Roland repeated it silently several times.

Face the gods and defeat them.

This is definitely worthy of being called a saint or a hero.

"In fact," the shadow of the grid on the bookshelf fell on Fernandez's face, making his features look a little blurry, "only God knows how to deal with God."

"Delis received help from a benefactor."

Fernandez said something that surprised Roland.

"The Father of All?"

"That's right. It was the Father of All Things that sent down the oracle, and the church was able to grant Delis the "Eternal Sleep Ceremony" in the oracle. So, she used it and drove it, thus liberating mankind from the control of the gods."

Now, Roland finally understood why the Holy Cross Church had such an extraordinary status in this land.

"Except for those lunatics who always want to awaken the gods, the Father of All Things is kind to every human being, especially the ritualists."

Roland agreed.

If what Fernandez said is true, then, to a certain extent, the more you know about the secret history, the more you should be grateful to the Holy Cross Church, Saint Therese and the Father of All Things.

She and He, to a certain extent, liberated humanity.

嗏

Roland didn't understand.

The Father of All Things, the Benefactor, the First Ray of Light—regardless of the name, shouldn’t He be one of the gods?

Why would He help humans and hand over the ritual that could harm Himself?

Roland was not the only one who asked this kind of question.

“Because of His selflessness.”

Fernandez walked through the bookshelves, a halo spreading across his silly face.

"He does not want to see humans suffer, nor does he want the gods to enslave us and manipulate us like puppets."

He pulled out a few books from the bookshelf and walked towards the sofa. "In short, when the gods fall asleep, humans will be truly free."

“Although we believe in the One who is Grace alone, we consider all others to be false gods besides Him.”

“But most people still have a very high level of respect for the other nine.”

Fernandez sat down, spread out the books, and started reading one by one.

There was no tea to go with the books, so he could only smack his lips and talk to Roland.

"Well, this is it."

He ran his finger over the characters on a certain line of a page and read:
"I wish they would sleep forever, but not harbor hatred."

"I rule the world, but I crown Him."

"The man who sleeps receives power and authority, and the one who sleeps receives honor and respect."

"Ten Crown God——"

"To the eternal sleep of the Holy One."

Ten crowned gods.

That is to say, on the other side of the world, in the sleeping world.

There are ten sleeping gods in total?

"Yes, for example, the organization I mentioned earlier is also the zombie you encountered - it comes from the Ring of Eternal Silence."

Fernandez said.

"Those people believe in the Eighth Crown God."

"The Eighth Crown: Lord of the White Crown of the Wasteland."

"The sleeping god of death, winter, silence, and the end."

As he spoke, he flipped through the books, and the pile became higher and higher.

The pages rustled.

People gained nothing.

This is not good news.

Fernandez's stubby eyebrows drew closer.

"That empty forest you described to me before—well, you didn't notice anything except the feeling of moisture and the touch of some trees and bushes?"

Roland shook his head regretfully.

"Where's the fairy?"
-
There is no fairy, don't talk nonsense.

"Now you can tell me about it in detail." Fernandez took his eyes off the book, put his hands on his knees, and faced Roland with a serious look on his face.

If everything is really as his deputy said, then things will be very troublesome.

"perhaps."

"Fernandez." Roland pointed to his eyeballs and then to his chest: "I have become more alert after coming out of there. In addition, some words are circling in my mind..."

Fernandez was not surprised: "We get knowledge from the sleep world, you are just lucky."

Then he asked, "How sharp are you?"

Roland tilted his head and pondered for a moment. He felt that it would be better to show it to Fernandez clearly.

So, he stared and held his breath, trying to control the tentacle to extend from his heart.

Gently move forward...

Touched Fernandez's knee.

The other party was very shocked.

He stared at Roland for a long while, then suddenly jumped up and paced quickly beside the sofa, pausing from time to time to look at him, rubbing his hands excitedly. "This..."

"You are an apprentice?!"

"You…Is that t-possible?"

"You will be the first, and perhaps the only, person in history!"

"Simply a perfect talent..."

"Roland! You don't know what a feat you have accomplished!!"

He said a lot, and quickly, and his footsteps were loud and slow.

Buzzing like a 200-pound fly.

"The first day! The first time! The first one! You are actually an apprentice! Roland, this, this is simply..."

"incredible!"

Fernandez couldn't believe it.

Because he felt it!
This kid is not talking nonsense -

He did master the "secret".

You know, from entering the sleep world, to perceiving the "Great Road", and to truly mastering the "Secret" - the gap between each of these three progressive stages is very large.

"Is that the 'water'?" Roland asked.

"Water? Oh, you can feel it draining away, right?"

Fernandez paused, leaned forward and confirmed: "Secret, or mystery, that's what we call it."

“Just like why fire burns.”

"This power that fills the body comes from the world of sleep. Only those who discover, sense, learn to absorb and use it can be called apprentices."

"The ritualist manipulates it and replenishes it at night in the sleeping world - Roland, you... you can really..."

He still couldn't believe it.

Roland nodded very restrainedly: "There are limits."

"There will be more in the future. As you continue to rise, you will be able to accommodate more and more "secrets"..." Fernandez looked at Roland's delicate face again and sighed: "I have never seen a person with such talent as you..."

"'Look at me', look at me. How am I today?"

Roland followed his request and used his tentacles to look Fernandez up and down.

Cold tentacles traced the priest's coat and trouser legs.

"You're dressed very formally today."

Fernandez was so happy that he laughed broadly: "Great! Great...!! Lady Enid is right! Roland, you are gifted... You are a natural ritualist!"

Roland thought he would be disappointed that he had not taken the 'right path'.

"That's not disappointment, Roland."

Fernandez didn't have time to wipe away the joy on his face. He folded his hands and couldn't help sucking his teeth: "...That's worry."

Fernandez did not find any corresponding record in the book of the dream described by Roland.

——There are only ten sleeping gods, and none of the sanctuaries where they sleep corresponds to what Roland said.

Therefore, this is probably a brand new one that has not been recorded...

And there is no road with gods at the end.

what does that mean.

Meaning, there is no 'big ceremony' on this road.

Let me return to a question:
Why are people who have mastered the "secret" called "ritualists"?
This is because different sleeping gods and paths under different principles each have different and exclusive "grand ceremonies".

These powerful, unique rituals enriched their bodies and souls.

It makes them powerful, it makes them mysterious, it gives them different colors.

It is the embodiment of principles, a gift left by the gods, and the most important link in every great path.

And there is no way of God...

There will never be a "grand ceremony".

Absolutely not.

It’s not like Fernandez hasn’t encountered similar situations before - this is a fact that is almost known to everyone in the mystical world and can be 100% confirmed.

Roland Collins was very unlucky.

You know, a grand ceremony is to the ritualist what the wheel is to the carriage.

Although it can still run without it, it is obviously far inferior to a normal carriage.

"Do you know how many "grand ceremonies" there are on the "Holy Flame" path under the Judgment Criteria?"

Fernandez was afraid that Roland didn't care, so he told him seriously:

"Twelve."

"The number of great rituals that a ritualist of the Path of the Holy Flame can obtain is twelve."

"There are four that act on the body alone."

The priest, with a serious expression, gave Roland an example.

"Sword of Judgment."

"The name of a great ritual I once performed."

"It permanently enhances my strength, speed, and even improves my recovery. Minor injuries no longer bother me - this is what distinguishes the ritualists of the Path of the Holy Flame from other ritualists."

"We are the only ones who can use this ritual."

“It’s the root of our strength.”

“Other roads also have big rituals that are unique to them and make them ‘special,’ ” Fernandez said.

If there is no grand ceremony on a road, then those who embark on this road are destined to be incomplete.

A long time ago, there were quite a few people like this.

An apprentice, or someone who got away with it.

Those people think they are smart and feel they have secretly found a "different" way - there are so many principles in the world that have not been mentioned, can't I discover a brand new great road that has never been set foot on?
Yes, a lot.

They succeeded.

The explorers were extremely proud and believed that their choice was correct and wise.

Consider yourself special.

But these people won't understand until they encounter battle.

They have never been "bathed" in the grand ceremony, and their collision with the real ritualists is like an egg hitting a stone.

"Don't go this way, Roland."

Fernandez held his shoulders.

"Go talk to Lady Enid, now."

(End of this chapter)