Tactical Base Swap

"Finally, I wish the month-long Industrial Expo a complete success!"

"Success my ass!" Luo Wei glared irritably at Charlton II on the high platform—he was genuinely sick of hearing that line.

"What's wrong?" Ophelia quickly turned to Luo Wei, unsure how her father had offended him.

Luo Wei took a deep breath. "Nothing, just a minor issue."

[Save Point: Crystal Palace Exhibition Hall]

[Remaining Loads: 2/5]

Two lives left... In truth, Luo Wei was being pushed to the brink.

That damned pink-haired woman... His gaze darkened further. Just thinking about how she’d schemed and manipulated him into running in circles made his blood boil.

A self-important, arrogant woman like her deserved to be locked in a pitch-black basement of some old mansion and punished severely—to teach her a proper lesson!

Learning from his last reload, Luo Wei calmed himself and reassessed the situation.

The current scenario was this: If he stopped the assassination and saved the high-ranking clergy, Eleya would target the local churches instead—a slow death either way.

But he couldn’t just sit back and let Adrian’s group do as they pleased, or the mission would fail outright.

So, Luo Wei’s solution was...

Screw saving anyone!

Let them all die!

He wasn’t playing Eleya’s game anymore. Now that he understood the mechanics of faith and had seen all her cards, he decided to flip the table. Whether it was the royal capital or the local churches, he wouldn’t lift a finger.

"Witch!" Luo Wei coldly called through the ring. "I need you to help me wipe out the Siston Theocracy—preferably level the Holy Mountain to the ground. Can you do it?"

"What happened? Why the sudden urge to destroy the Theocracy?" Tilis sounded puzzled but replied, "I can, but a forbidden-tier spell beyond the Ninth Circle... requires an extremely long incantation. And the Theocracy’s elites will definitely sense such intense magical fluctuations and intervene."

"Luo Wei, what do you mean...?" Ophelia was taken aback by his sudden shift. Just moments ago, they’d been discussing how to protect the emperor from assassination. How had they jumped to this? Had she missed something?

Luo Wei laid out Eleya’s infiltration of the Sacred Edict Church and his own plan.

"Swapping bases!"

"If Eleya wants to control the Vignar Church and monopolize the continent’s faith, fine—I’ll let her have it. In return, I’ll destroy her painstakingly built stronghold, the Siston Theocracy!"

"By then, even if she gets the Vignar Church, what good will it do? Her home will be gone! She’d be lucky to scrape together a quarter of the faith needed for godhood!" Luo Wei smirked ruthlessly.

Ophelia’s eyes lit up. "That’s actually not a bad plan! And with Tilis on our side, it’s highly feasible!"

She watched Luo Wei’s furious yet composed expression, her lips curling into a smile. Even when enraged, he remained level-headed—and always found the most unconventional angles to break a deadlock.

This was why she admired him so much. A man like Luo Wei was truly worthy of being chosen by someone as exceptional as herself.

After hearing Luo Wei’s instructions, Tilis nodded eagerly. "Maximum casualties, got it."

"Exactly. Your job is to kill!" Luo Wei’s voice was icy. "Every last follower of Eleya—from nuns to priests, believers to bishops—show no mercy! Kill, kill, kill!"

Tilis flashed an eerie grin. "Why would I hesitate? The Theocracy has been our Magic Hermit Order’s sworn enemy since its inception. It’s time to settle old and new grudges! I’ll rally the elders—plenty of powerful mages will join in."

"The two of us will keep Eleya occupied," Luo Wei said. "Without her, the Theocracy won’t stand a chance against a top-tier powerhouse like you!"

Tilis let out an excited laugh before cutting the magical link.

Afterward, Luo Wei and Ophelia followed the convoy, quietly awaiting the assassination attempt.

Long after Tilis left, the silent carriage grew heavy with tension. Suddenly, Ophelia glanced at Luo Wei, who seemed lost in thought.

"Honestly, compared to Tilis, who’s killed countless people, you’re the one with more reservations, aren’t you?"

"Me?" Luo Wei paused, then smirked coldly. "Not a chance."

"I’m no saint—I’m a claw of the evil god! No matter how many die because of me, I won’t feel an ounce of guilt. Especially not for enemies like the Theocracy."

"Oh, I suppose so..." Ophelia averted her gaze, her pale eyes drifting to the window.

Liar.

The carriage rolled onward, still far from the corner where the ambush would occur. The jostling ride filled the cabin with an uneasy silence.

Then, amid his chaotic thoughts, Luo Wei heard a crisp, mocking giggle—like a mischievous little girl whispering right beside him.

Frowning, he scanned the carriage, but only he and Ophelia were there.

Naya?

It’s me~ Long time no see. Did you miss me?

Luo Wei inhaled deeply, ignoring her as he stared out at the passing crowds.

Couldn’t be bothered.

But Naya wouldn’t let her chosen disciple off so easily. "Putting on such a calm front, but inside, you’re tearing yourself apart, aren’t you~?"

"Siston is a city of two million people, you know~ And atop the Holy Mountain, only the devout reside. You’d slaughter every last man, woman, and child?"

"Every day, priests shelter innocents from dark creatures, following their doctrines. Every night, kind-hearted nuns sing lullabies to soothe children to sleep~"

Naya’s voice dripped with faux sorrow. "How could you? How could you bear to kill them? The Luo Wei of the past was such a kind soul..."

Finally, Luo Wei scoffed. "As if I’d believe a creature like you cares about humans. Stop acting—you just want me to feel guilty, to suffer."

"Hehe, got me~"

"But everything I said is true, isn’t it?" Naya teased. "Back then, you were lowly but genuinely kind. Now, as you’ve grown to look down on humanity, you don’t even flinch at massacring an entire city. You’ve finally fallen just as I hoped~"

Her voice grew giddy. "This corruption... it’s the most delightful thing. Nothing tastes sweeter than a ruined soul like yours~"

"Then you’re bound to be disappointed." Luo Wei’s gaze drifted into the distance. "Because I was always like this—selfish to the core. So there’s no ‘fall’ to speak of."

Naya's laughter grew increasingly exaggerated. "Even the imperial princess can tell you're lying, yet you still try to hide it. How hilarious~"

Luo Wei glanced at Ophelia, whose expression grew more concerned by the second, and offered her a reassuring smile. To her, he must have looked like he was talking to thin air.

With a mocking grin, Luo Wei retorted, "Aren't you supposed to be busy? Did you come here just to laugh at me?"

"You're my chosen one—can't I show a little concern?" Naya's voice dripped with temptation. "Tell you what~ If you don’t want to dirty your hands but still wish to reclaim your old self, why not use the power I’ve granted you?"

"As the world descends into chaos, you’ll only grow stronger. A mere demigoddess is nothing to you. Doesn’t that sound tempting?"

"I’ll handle the affairs in the capital myself," Luo Wei sneered. "I won’t resort to the authority you’ve given me. Save your breath and leave."

Whether it was the [Chaos Level] restriction of this mission or the deep-seated resistance within him, Luo Wei truly had no desire to wield that power again. It was like an addictive drug—once tasted, the urge to indulge became nearly impossible to resist.

Moreover, he had a growing suspicion. Overusing the [Authority of Chaos] would inevitably twist him into something more sinister, more chaotic. He’d already caught a glimpse of it back at Thornflower Castle—how he’d eagerly anticipated more disorder, more amusement...

"Is that so~?" Naya seemed to sense his resolve, her voice laced with malicious glee. "Hehe, very well. Let’s hope you don’t regret this decision~"

Naya’s laughter faded into the distance until, moments later, it vanished entirely from Luo Wei’s surroundings.

The sharp-witted Ophelia had already pieced together what had just happened. Her grip on Luo Wei’s wrist tightened, her voice trembling slightly.

"It’s... over now, right? She’s... gone?"

"Yeah." Luo Wei squeezed her hand in return, soothing her unease. "Don’t worry. It’s fine."

Ophelia finally let out a relieved sigh.

Unnoticed, the convoy had slowly made its way into the bustling city center. Luo Wei leaned out, spotting the street corner where the assassin would soon appear.

"Let’s go," Luo Wei murmured. "Next, we face Eleya directly."

"Mm."