Chapter Twelve: Dark Boiling
“Oh? Mr. Aristotle resides in Sparta?” Surprised, Komer hadn’t expected this legendary martial sage, who was already regarded as a deity, to settle in Sparta. As far as he knew, this martial sage should have been missing for years.
“No, no, Mr. Kaladin. Mr. Aristotle lives a reclusive life; we don’t know where he is. But he has two disciples who have completed their training and are Spartans—Prince Shrupig and Mr. Kaiselen are both his outstanding disciples. Knight Kaiselen now serves as the chief swordsman of the kingdom’s royal guard, while Prince Shrupig is the head of the kingdom’s Olive Leaf Knights. Although they usually don’t participate in the Olympic competitions, if a champion in the gladiatorial contests isn’t a Spartan, they won’t hesitate to step in to prove that Spartans can never be overwhelmed by anyone.” Kamado’s words were filled with pride.
So that’s how it is! Komer finally understood how strong the Spartans’ sense of pride was—they couldn’t tolerate outsiders taking away their most cherished gladiatorial honors. Even if someone else won, they would still use this method to prove they had the power to defeat any challenger. Perhaps this was also their way of proving they were the strongest land power in the Southern Central Seas region.
The grand opening ceremony lasted an entire day before ending. People singing and dancing paraded through the streets of Athens. Official and civilian performance groups from various places in the Southern Central Seas took this opportunity to showcase their talents. Every street and alley in Athens became a stage for their performances—unique dance routines, poetry recitations, a variety of ethnic costumes, and displays of local specialties. At that time, Athens truly became a sea of joy. It was said that this atmosphere would continue until the Olympic competitions ended a week later.
Xuro and his group arrived faster than Komer had expected. Just three days into the Olympic events, the two High Patriarchs of the Secret Sect who had been guarding Komer at the Grammy Inn disappeared, replaced by Xuro and Uma.
From the first moment he saw the two of them, Komer knew that Umma, that simple-minded fool, must have been persuaded and brainwashed by Xuro. Seeing the dull look in her eyes before now suddenly ignite with a hint of fervor upon meeting him, Komer didn’t need to guess that Xuro must have poured a lot of nonsense into her during this time. With Xuro’s eloquence, dealing with someone like Umma, who had been trapped in the dark abyss for hundreds of years with no one paying attention to her, and coupled with their shared goals and interests, it was simply a piece of cake.
“Umma, I can understand your feelings, but I must remind you that this is no longer the era you lived in hundreds of years ago. I’m sure Xuro is aware of your identity as well. Even with King Kenifer III’s supreme magic and the entire power of the Dark Empire, they still collapsed after the Light Church united with those secular forces. Do you really think the Great Secret Sect can rise up and change everything now?”
Komer coldly struck at this androgynous figure. Her feminine psychology combined with her male physical structure made him feel somewhat disturbed, but since he couldn’t find a suitable body right now, this was probably one of the main reasons why Umma was so eager to start a war against the Light Church.
“Dark Lord, we don’t have such unrealistic ideas. But you should be aware of the roots and strength of our Great Secret Sect in the south. You must have felt the power of Proxis and Seramou. We have eight papal protectors like them in our sect. Do you think the Light Church’s strength in the south can match ours?” Xuro remained as calm as ever. It was precisely this composure that made Komer interested in continuing the conversation. As for someone like Umma, who was rigid-minded and oblivious to the current situation, he had little interest in explaining things to her.
“Then what does Xuro want to do? Destroy and eradicate the Light Church’s forces in the south all at once? Have you considered the Light Church’s reaction? Have you thought about the attitudes of those secular forces in these countries and cities?” Komer sneered disdainfully. “You overestimate the strength of your Great Secret Sect. It’s easy enough to eliminate the Light Church’s forces in the south—I believe your sect alone can do it. But you ignore the secular forces of these countries. They have always pursued a policy of religious freedom. The influence of the Dark faction, including your sect, is very limited in these countries and cities, especially in the upper and middle classes, where it’s far from reaching the level you think it can. It can be said that your sect has wasted many opportunities that could have been seized long ago.”
The expression of the Great Dark Envoy of the Great Secret Sect immediately became solemn. “Xu Luo is ignorant; please enlighten us, O Dark Lord.”
“Xu Luo, your Great Secret Sect has a solid foundation in the south and considerable influence among the lower and middle classes. Yet it seems you’ve overlooked an important factor—the feelings of those who truly hold power in the secular world. You’ve been too isolated from these worldly affairs, which is why you’ve never been able to make these secular powers realize your strength or the many unexpected benefits you can bring them.”
Kemo organized his thoughts before speaking calmly, “Maintaining the independence of the sect is certainly necessary, but if the Great Secret Sect wishes to take on the task of reviving the dark tradition, it must cooperate with secular forces. By leveraging their power, it can spread the dark faith into every corner of society, ensuring they can never leave you. Only then can the dark tradition build the strength needed to confront the Light Church in the north. Remember, these secular rulers are not ordinary people. Modesty and humility won’t win their respect—they need strength and power. They will only truly believe in and choose what can help them. They worship only the strong and powerful. Do you understand?”
Xu Luo’s face, once confused, now showed an indescribable sense of excitement and enthusiasm. He had thought of this before, but with the spread of ideas advocating freedom of preaching in the southern kingdoms and cities, and each place seemingly having its own patron deity, the Great Secret Sect had always hoped to win the support of the local people through a low-key and peaceful approach. This strategy had indeed been effective among the lower and middle classes. But now, perhaps as the Dark Lord said, it was time to change tactics.
However, what excited Xu Luo even more was not just the clarification of the long-standing obstacles to the sect’s development—it was the positive attitude evident in Kemo’s words that truly inspired him. The Dark Lord had usually avoided getting involved, but the determination in his words this time was a clear signal. What could have prompted such a change? Regardless of the reason, as long as he was willing to take on the leadership of the dark tradition, everything would become wonderfully promising.
“Dark Lord, does that mean we should make some adjustments in spreading and promoting our dark teachings to adapt to current trends?” At this moment, Xuro appeared even more humble, speaking in a completely deferential tone.
Komer laughed. He certainly understood what the other party had in mind. However, after experiencing the trials of the Tribunal, his mindset had changed as well. Simply avoiding and yielding seemed like no solution. Although he still lacked the strength to directly challenge the Church of Light, the landscape had changed—this was the South, where dark forces had natural advantages and roots. Expanding the influence of the dark forces and gradually making them the true dominant force in the entire South was exactly what he needed to do. Only then might he be able to stand tall with pride.
“Of course, Xuro. Not only do we need to adjust our strategies, but the Great Secret Sect must also take the initiative to unite the dark forces in the South, consolidating their power into a cohesive force. We must also make those secular powers realize the true strength of the dark forces, showing them that these forces can help solve many problems they cannot handle on their own. Only then can the dark forces truly establish a firm foothold in the South,” Komer said earnestly, guiding this key figure of the Great Secret Sect.
“Look at how the Church of Light operates in the North. Not to mention figures like Julius, Frentz, Vazinki, Noyola, and Lorenzo—these high-ranking members of the Church of Light—but even those diocesan bishops and chief magi scattered across the nations and cities of the Northern Alliance, who among them isn’t in control of everything in those countries and cities? Throne changes, the deposition of nobles, territorial exchanges, religious policies, ethnic conflicts—have there been any of these they haven’t interfered in? Even those arrogant orcs are played by the Church of Light like puppets without even realizing it. They order the orcs to attack mortals, and they lunge forth; they order them to retreat, and they obediently leave. This is the display of power! With strength and tactics, no one can get the better of them. When the day comes that the dark forces can achieve the same in the South, perhaps we can stand up to the Church of Light. But for now, we’re still far behind.”
He silently processed the new ideas and concepts that Komer had brought him. It was only then that Xuro understood why the Dark Lord had always been skeptical about the development of the Great Secret Sect. The ideas and demands Komer proposed indeed pointed the sect toward a new path—one that shifted from a grassroots approach to one targeting the upper classes, thereby gaining support from the mainstream society in the southern regions. By leveraging the sect’s existing foundation, it could truly become a powerful force in the southern part of the continent and reverse the unfavorable situation against the Church of Light.
“Dark Lord, I understand your meaning. We do need to consider what our next steps should be,” Xuro said, taking a deep breath. The dark forces in the southern continent were not limited to just the Great Secret Sect; it was merely the largest among them. Yet, the dark factions were interconnected. Though they might differ in some views and intentions, they shared the same overarching goals and beliefs—this was the foundation of the dark factions.
“Xuro, what’s needed now is to act swiftly, not to hesitate,” Komer said coldly. “In fact, the Great Secret Sect already has a solid foundation and plenty of opportunities. Isn’t the city-state of Piraeus the perfect testing ground? As far as I know, the governor and most members of Piraeus’ council are loyal followers of the god of the underworld, Hades. I’m not sure if they’re all members of the Great Secret Sect, but given its influence in the south, shouldn’t it make use of such a valuable asset? Don’t they consider the Gigantia Temple on Gozo a sacred place? Then why doesn’t the Great Secret Sect send priests to help them strengthen and expand this influence?”
“Whoever dares to insult the reverence for Hades should be met with unwavering support from the Great Secret Sect for Piraeus’ actions. No matter which city-state or nation it is, the Great Secret Sect and the dark factions must respond with the utmost determination and strength! Only in this way can they establish their image and earn the trust and reliance of people, especially those in power in the secular world. What they lack most now is precisely this trust and reliance. Once people become accustomed to relying on them, the dark factions will have succeeded!”
Komer’s words sent a shock through Xuro’s entire body. It seemed he had caught a glimmer of inspiration, yet also failed to grasp it fully. To make these secular forces see the Great Secret Sect and the dark factions as indispensable allies was exactly what the dark factions urgently needed to achieve.
“Thank you, Lord Dark, for your guidance. I have learned much from you. I earnestly request that you officially assume the role of Lord Dark of our Great Secret Sect and immediately take on the responsibility of uniting and leading our dark faction. I, along with all believers of the dark faction, will dedicate everything with utmost courage and perseverance to reviving the Holy Dark Religion.”
Waving his hand, Komer shook his head impatiently and said, “Xu Luo, I cannot yet appear publicly as a devout follower of darkness. I have more important matters to attend to now, and the dark faction, including the Great Secret Sect, also has urgent tasks to handle.”
“I am ready to follow your orders, Lord Dark.” After thinking for a moment, Xu Luo realized that now was not the right time to press too hard. Fortunately, the other party had not directly rejected his request, which was already a huge change. With gradual persuasion, there was no fear that they would not comply.
“The Olympic Games are an opportunity. Doesn’t the city-state of Piraeus also have teams competing? If there are outstanding individuals within the Great Secret Sect, why can’t they represent Piraeus and help them win honors?” Komer said slowly, “This is the perfect time for the Great Secret Sect to establish its image and gain trust and glory!”