?


    "Power of Faith? Why do you ask about that?" Lana Mokos queried.


    Before Ethan could reveal his intentions, Lana Mokos continued her exnation, "The Power of Faith is a double-edged sword. On the upside, it allows those of ordinary talents to enhance their capabilities. On the downside, it can hinder their growth."


    "Compared to other deities who''ve elevated themselves through personal endeavor, those who ascend through faith tend to be significantly weaker."


    "Of course, there are always exceptions," she added.


    Upon hearing Lana Mokos''s insights, Ethan finally spoke up, "There''s a deity in me City on the verge of awakening, one who''s been bolstered by the Power of Faith."


    As he spoke, he expelled the Power of Faith that had been instilled in him by Aneropo.


    The Power of Faith manifested as an immacte entity, reminiscent of the radiance emitted by the sun at dawn.


    Yet, upon prolonged observation, one could discern the cacophony of voices within it.


    These were the myriad wishes of those who prayed to the deity, an inherent characteristic of the Power of Faith that could not be separated.


    "You''ve made contact with him?" Lana Mokos expressed her astonishment.


    Out of genuine concern, she cautioned Ethan, "Recklessly interacting with a deity is not a wise move. Although that deity may seem unremarkable at a nce, any being capable of reaching that stature undeniably possesses extraordinary methods."


    Ethan hadn''t anticipated such concern from Lana Mokos.


    Her words, however, kindled warmth in his heart.


    It appeared that the notorious and cold-hearted Lana, as depicted by rumors, wasn''t so heartless after all.


    Ethan gave a nod, then added, "Rest assured, I''ll tread carefully. This time I''ve sought you out not only to coborate on the Power of Faith but also to propose another venture together."


    "Coborate again?" Lana Mokos'' face broke into an unexpected smile.


    She moved closer to Ethan, her countenance radiant with mirth, her eyes, gleaming like stars, fixed intently on his. Drawing a soft breath, she inquired yfully, "If you seek to coborate with me, have you readied mypensation?"


    "Compensation? Lana, we''ve faced life and death together," Ethan retorted, feigning indignation.


    With a roll of her eyes, Lana Mokos responded, "Separate matters, separate deals. Remember, you still owe me from ourst endeavor. Lay out your intentions, and I''ll weigh thepensation due."


    "Alright, you truly are cold-hearted," remarked Ethan. But then, with a shift in demeanor to one of solemnity, he stated, "I intend to enve the Son of the Sun, Aneropo."


    "What do you mean? Are you in earnest?" Lana Mokos asked, her voice infused with disbelief.


    To enve a deity? Such a notion seemsughably preposterous.


    Yet, Lana Mokos knows Ethan all too well, understanding that he doesn''t jest about matters of this gravity.


    But how could such a feat even be possible?


    Without hesitation, she pressed, "By what means?"


    Ethan responded with conviction, "You''re aware I''ve grasped the Soul Language of Nature, the primordial force of the soul. Before that, I acquired a particrly unique ability named the Envement Contract. Its purpose is to bind and ensure absolute loyalty from those enved. However, its potency wanes against souls of immense strength."


    "But things have changed," he continued with an air of mystery.


    "Having delved into the secrets of the soul, the Envement Contract might be better termed the Soul Contract. Yet, to cast the Soul Contract, the individual must not resist. And Lana, with your mastery over illusions, you can aid me in ensnaring our adversaries."


    Ethanid out his n in a single breath.


    This scheme wasn''t conceived from the onset.


    It crystallized only after Ethanid eyes on the Son of the Sun, Aneropo.


    And when he realized the feasibility of this audacious thought, an uncontroble fervor ignited within him.


    To enve a deity - if sessful, the rewards would undoubtedly be immense.


    "You truly are mad," even Lana Mokos couldn''t help but remark, an undertone of astonishmentcing her voice.


    Then, with a yful smirk, she added, "Coincidentally, I can be quite madcap at times. Tell me how you''d like my aid. But once your n seeds, you must lend me that Son of the Sun for a few days of study. A true deity, albeit a weakened one, might offer me a spark of inspiration."


    "Agreed," Ethan responded without hesitation.


    The two then delved deep into the intricacies of their n.


    In essence, Ethan would maintain a facade near Aneropo, and just as Aneropo was on the cusp of sess, Lana Mokos would ensnare him within her illusion.


    For it''s at the brink of triumph that a person''s guard is often the lowest.


    With Aneropo''s consciousness trapped in this mirage, he''d be but putty in the hands of Ethan and Lana Mokos.


    Naturally, the sess of this plot hinges on its smooth execution.


    Yet for both Lana Mokos and Ethan, joining forces seemed to almost guarantee the n''s infallibility.


    Time swiftly spanned two days, and within that window, me City was rife with unrest.


    The Son of the Sun Trade Association began the mass distribution of the Sr Reagent, even unveiling an enticing "use now, payter" scheme, which immediately drew in the hesitant masses.


    Almost half of me City''s popce had partaken in the Sr Reagent.


    Such a triumphant oue filled the robed figures in ck with palpable tion.


    And naturally, Son of the Sun, Aneropo, shared in this jubnce.


    Gathered beneath the city in a subterranean za, the cloaked individuals once again summoned Aneropo from the central bonfire.


    In a rare show of emotion, Aneropo revealed a smile, instructing the assembly, "You will set up altars at these specific locations in me City. Ignite mes atop these altars, and once they all ze, begin chanting my name... This is the rite of descent, and I will not tolerate any blunders."


    "Yes! Majestic Son of the Sun!" The myriad figures draped in dark robes chorused in unison before dispersing from the underground za.


    As Ethan was preparing to meld with the departing crowd, Aneropo''s voice resonated again, halting him: "ck Dragon, stay!"


    Puzzled, yet maintaining the guise of a devout follower, Ethan turned to Aneropo and inquired, "Honored Son of the Sun, is there another task you wish your servant to undertake?"


    Aneropo cast a nce at Ethan, sensing something amiss.


    However, he didn''t dwell on the feeling, cing unwavering trust in his own potent power -- more urately, in the boundless confidence of his deity status.


    "ck Dragon," Aneropo began, "you are to stall the me Witch, Hilna. When the ritualmences, I shall bestow upon you infinite strength, enabling you to withstand Hilna''s onught. Aplish this, and I, personally, will usher you into the realm of deities."


    Aneropo''s words dripped with seduction.


    Seemingly overwhelmed, Ethan fervently vowed, "Majestic Son of the Sun, I will unquestionably fulfill your directive, staunchly preventing the me Witch from sabotaging the ceremony."


    "Good. You may depart now," Aneropo dered.


    Subsequently, Ethan exited the subterranean za.


    The meticulous preparation for the ceremony that would engulf the entirety of me City was unfolding smoothly.


    The Son of the Sun Trade Association proposed the erection of several altars to extol the sun.


    Given their prior acts of generosity, their request was readily approved.


    Soon, various altars were erected, drawing numerous unsuspecting citizens who flocked to observe or lend a hand.


    Yet, this was unmistakably abnormal.


    From atop a tall building, Ethan silently overlooked the teeming masses below, asionally casting anxious nces in the direction of the me Church, wondering about Hilna''s current intentions.


    Firstly, he knew Hilna recognized the peril of the situation.


    Secondly, Hilna''s message ryed by Khosro clearly indicated her reluctance for Ethan''s assistance.


    But relying solely on her power, how would Hilna confront a deity on the cusp of revival?


    Although Ethan harbored uncertainties and was deeply concerned for Hilna, he respected her decision when she rebuffed his help, understanding that it was a carefully considered choice.


    Thus, he refrained from undue interference, promising himself he would step in only if Hilna found herself in peril.


    Naturally, this didn''t conflict with Ethan''s previous n to enve Aneropo.


    Ideally, Hilna would resolve the predicament. If she couldn''t, Ethan was poised to intervene.


    As Ethan observed the myriad of pedestrians below, all of whom had consumed the Sr Reagent, he noted with surprise how they were drawn, seemingly mesmerized, towards the altars, basking in a subtle warmth emanating from them.


    What astonished him even more was his newfound ability to perceive the flow of the Power of Faith.


    "Could this be due to the excessive Power of Faith Aneropo bestowed upon me?" Ethan pondered.


    In his view, the ethereal golden glow of the Power of Faith detached itself from the people and wafted towards the altars situated in different parts of the city.


    Yet, it wasn''t merely the Power of Faith that departed from them; it also siphoned their spiritual power.


    "Is this what they call offering to a deity?"


    A realization dawned upon Ethan.