Man in the Ark: Revitalizing Kazdel

Inside the dilapidated monastery's sanctuary, a priest, draped in a deep green robe, carefully treads around the flowers growing from the broken floorboards, gradually approaching the monastery's bishop, who is praying devoutly.

The priest stopped half a meter behind the bishop, looked up at the Lateran icon, and gazed at the wings and halo for a few seconds before speaking softly.

"I often wonder, what exactly is the difference between people? Is it physical differences that hinder us, or something else?"

"From the moment we are born, everything that shapes us drives our thoughts in different directions, leading to different conclusions..."

"So, is there really such a thing as mutual understanding in all of this? Stefano, as a Sarkaz, can you answer this question for me?"

The pagan priest looked down at the monastery bishop, leaning forward as if seeking instruction humbly.

The vast sanctuary was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After an unknown amount of time, Bishop Stefano opened his cloudy eyes and let out a long sigh.

“I once thought that the unique empathy among the Sarkaz would unite us as one. The holy city built by the Sarkaz would become the only sanctuary on this land of suffering.”

"It wasn't until those Lateran envoys happened to visit this monastery that I realized that even those of our own kind, capable of empathy, cannot fully comprehend each other's thoughts and beliefs. Perhaps true mutual understanding will never be achieved on this land..."

Bishop Stefano raised his hand, his withered fingers reaching towards the sun-bathed icon, as if offering his faith or seeking answers from the divine.

"Now the Lateran envoy has reported the situation of the monastery to the Holy City, and Kazdel's landships are docked outside the plot. This small sanctuary is ultimately an illusion."

"So you've made up your mind to take my advice?" Aulus pulled a long silver box from his robes, from which a foul-smelling slime oozed from the gaps in the lid. The slime from the rotting flesh of the dinosaur dripped onto the church floor, polluting this sacred place.

"By adding this flesh and blood to today's Holy Communion, everyone can be assimilated into one, without distinction..."

"However, I still hope you will carefully consider whether to continue to uphold your beliefs. I have long been walking on the path I believe is right, and I hope you will too."

Aurus withdrew the long silver box before Bishop Stefano could react. His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened, leaving only a few drops of foul-smelling slime behind. Aurus offered Bishop Stefano a choice, but did not entice him to make one.

Regarding the birth of new kin, Aulus has always maintained an attitude of respecting individual will and letting things develop naturally. However, a huge change has recently occurred in the deep sea, and if the power of the angels can be borrowed, the horde will usher in a new round of evolution.

"Wait...it seems we have a guest. I won't disturb you." The heightened hearing, enhanced by the Hai Si cells, caught a faint sound, which seemed to be the sound of a gun being cocked.

Considering his status as a wanted criminal in Laterano, and not wanting to get into trouble, Aulus quickly jumped out of the window and left. The next second, Remian entered the sanctuary in a wheelchair, her gun pointed at the broken window from which the commotion had come.

"He escaped again, what a nuisance." Remian muttered to herself, sheathing her sniper rifle and clutching it to her chest, then looked at Bishop Stefano before the icon. "That man just now, he's a wanted criminal from Laterano, you seem to know him?"

“No… I don’t know them. Miss Remian, won’t you go and see those guests from Kazdel who have come from afar?” Bishop Stefano turned around, using his body to shield himself from a few drops of slime on the ground.

“You are the bishop of this monastery, so you should be the one to receive the guests. I am just a guest like them. If it is convenient for you now, please come with me.”

The two walked together to the guests' room. Bishop Stefano, who had remained silent the whole way, suddenly asked, "Who are those guests, and why are they here?"

"His Holiness the Pope is about to convene the Council of Nations, and they are envoys heading to the Holy City to attend the meeting. The two current Demon Lords of Kazdel are also among the guests who have unexpectedly visited the monastery."

“This…” Bishop Stefano paused, jolting as he prepared to receive two demon kings at the same time. This was the most stressful thing he had ever faced in his life.

"You don't need to be nervous about this, I'll be there to help."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Remy."

......

A small prayer room in the monastery had been temporarily set up as a guest room, and a large crowd of curious onlookers had gathered at the door and windows. They all wanted to see if the legendary Demon King was truly the gentle yet powerful monarch the Sarkaz hunters had described.

Spriya summoned several Sarkaz nuns to maintain order among the gathered crowd and prevent them from disturbing the conversation inside. Gerald, a hunter of considerable prestige among the Sarkaz residents, sat respectfully on a small wooden chair, receiving Theresa's concerned inquiries.

Gerald's hunting party went out hunting three days ago and was spotted by the passing Kazdel landship on their return journey. Theresa was intrigued by the Sarkaz people who had appeared near the Holy City and invited them aboard to learn more, which is how she learned of the existence of the monastery.

A Lateran monastery that houses Sarkaz, Sarkaz, and other races is like a paradise straight out of a story; it's hard to imagine what life there is like.

Upon learning of the Sarkaz people's plight, Theresa immediately consulted with Roy, and they decided to temporarily change their route and deviate towards the monastery.

"Host Tiffendal, I remember your name. You and your squad fought for the Tower of Babel. After a devastating battle, you never returned. Many assumed you died in that battle..."

Theresa clearly remembered the names and faces of every soldier. Before going into hiding, Horst Tiffindar was a rising mercenary captain during the Kazdel Civil War. If he hadn't left Kazdel, he might now be a member of the military's management.

"I have failed Your Highness's expectations..." Facing Theresa's gentle gaze, Gerald lowered his head, feeling guilty, his calloused hands nervously rubbing together.

"Don't be like that, I didn't mean to blame you. Everyone's life is unique, and in that situation, your choice was undoubtedly reasonable."

"Now that we've encountered our landship, what are your plans? Will you return to Kazdel, or stay here?"

"I...I don't know, please give me some time to think about it."