While heading towards Hilly's research lab, Bishop York, feeling unsettled, instructed Erin who was following him.
"Erin, check on Father Diego's exorcism. I'm worried something might have gone wrong over there."
Given his level of sensitivity, it was rare for him to have such strong premonitions. When he did, they were usually accurate.
This wasn't like the common suspicions and fears ordinary people experienced. Human intuition could be influenced by the environment and one's own state.
For instance, walking alone at night often made people feel like they were being followed, even if it was just their imagination.
Sometimes, when people were in a poor state, they might think they saw something eerie when it was just a trick of their mind.
Such illusions did not affect someone of York's stature. When he felt something was amiss, it was unquestionably real.
Erin nodded seriously. "Yes, Bishop. I'll do that."
York nodded and continued walking towards Hilly's lab.
He currently had two deacon monks under his charge, each engaged in their own activities when not occupied. John Wick spent his time praying to increase his holy power, while Hilly was dedicated to his research, which now included York's blood.
Indeed, with his current state, York believed he could achieve longevity. His regenerative abilities seemed to defy death itself. His main goal now was to see if he could extend this benefit to others.
In a hundred years, aside from the godly Alesha, most people would turn to dust. Though clergy could live longer than ordinary people—many bishops were eighty years old and still vigorous—they too would eventually die.
Thus, York felt compelled to prepare. Having found his own companions, he did not wish to return to his previous solitude. Luxury, once tasted, was hard to relinquish.
Upon entering Hilly's lab, the distinct atmosphere of a research space enveloped him.
The large room was filled with equipment he didn't recognize.
Passing by the busy figure of Hilly, York saw a particle collider, holy stones that were usually found only in sacred places, and containers of holy water.
In addition to these, there were advanced technological weapons.
In essence, the lab contained the most refined and high-tech equipment available worldwide.
To help Hilly realize his potential, York had orchestrated the acquisition of all this.
Meanwhile, the commotion caused by York and Erin drew Hilly's attention. He looked up, his messy hair making him appear more like a stereotypical scientist, and greeted them with surprise.
"Bishop, Sister Erin, what brings you here?"
York approached, glancing at what seemed to be a microscope used for studying cells, and smiled.
"Just checking on your progress."
Hilly's face lit up with the characteristic excitement of a scientist. He licked his dry lips and said eagerly, "Bishop, how did you get that blood? Could it be from a troll king?"
York recalled the effort it took to extract his own blood. It had been a difficult task, as his skin had developed an extraordinary level of defense. Any knife attempting to pierce his skin was like tofu hitting a hard stone, shattering upon impact. Even bullets simply crumbled against him, much like the invulnerable Superman from another world.
Indeed, it was quite remarkable.
"Yes, it's the blood of a troll king," York said, choosing not to reveal his true nature until the results were out.
A god-like body was beyond ordinary imagination. He didn't wish to be seen as a deity, but rather as a bishop in Hilly's eyes.
"This is incredible! Come, take a look!" Hilly exclaimed, his enthusiasm palpable.
Raising an eyebrow, York looked into the microscope under Hilly's guidance.
"The cells in this blood are more active than any I've seen, with the ability to devour foreign cells, showing strong exclusionary properties."
As Hilly explained, York saw countless tiny particles moving rapidly, creating streaks of afterimages due to their speed.
It was indeed a rather terrifying sight.
York also witnessed the devouring process Hilly mentioned. Foreign cells near these aggressive cells were quickly engulfed and vanished.
"I introduced various viruses, like smallpox, Ebola, HIV, and SARS, along with other resilient cells. They all met the same fate—consumed and transformed into similar cells," Hilly said in awe.
"This could be a panacea, curing all diseases. The only unknown is whether it would also consume human cells. If they can coexist, humans would no longer fall ill, and lifespans would increase."
York stood up, having seen enough to understand his body's capabilities.
Though he could perceive everything at a particle level in his current form, cellular details were beyond this scope. The transparent function of his stereoscopic vision didn't reach the cellular level.
But once he reached the six hundred mark, this function might evolve significantly, perhaps allowing him to see into the human body and diagnose undiscovered ailments.
"So, you can try experimenting with animals first to see if it can coexist with human cells," York suggested.
Hilly nodded. "I will, Bishop."
York smiled, momentarily putting this issue aside, and looked towards another area.
There, strange weapons caught his eye. They resembled bombs and firearms but had undergone significant transformations.
"I heard you have new research?" York asked, focusing on a bomb-like object.
In truth, he had a penchant for explosives, paying more attention to them than anything else.
At this, Hilly became even more excited. "Yes, Bishop, I finally managed to transfer the holy energy from sacred stones to other objects. This brings us one step closer to realizing your vision."
York's lips twitched. His previous suggestion of detonating a holy nuclear bomb in hell to spread God's word had only been a jest to inspire Hilly.
He hadn't expected Hilly to actually achieve this.
He glanced at the large equipment and then back at the excited Hilly, beginning to wonder.
"How did he manage it? Could a particle collider alone guide holy energy from sacred stones?"
"Eventually, we'll achieve the grand dream of conquering hell, making them fear to harm us," Hilly reiterated, repeating York's jest.
He walked over, picking up a small object resembling a grenade.
"Bishop, this is the holy grenade I just developed. It explodes with holy light, far surpassing my previous holy water grenades in power. If there's enough holy energy, there's no limit to its strength."
Staring at the grenade, York smiled, recalling his past.
Originally, this had been his exclusive method against demons, but now it seemed clergy could use it too.
"Not bad, but the power is still a bit low," York chuckled.
"But it's certainly enough. I'll use the Norwegian diocese as a test site to promote your weapons."
Hilly suppressed his excitement. "Thank you, Bishop! I'll continue to enhance their power."
"Don't go overboard," York laughed.
At that moment, a few clergy members arrived, drawing everyone's attention.
York narrowed his eyes slightly, his earlier premonition returning. It seemed Father Diego's exorcism had failed.
"Erin, go see what's happening."
Erin nodded and approached the arriving clergy. After a brief exchange, she returned to York.
"Bishop, Father Diego's exorcism failed."
She spoke gravely, "Brother Wolaway and Lady Mehliban's family escaped, but Father Diego is missing."
York's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at the waiting clergy.
"So where is Brother Wolaway now?"
"He's waiting at the church," Erin replied.
York nodded, heading towards the church.
"Let's see what's going on."
An exorcism failure was a significant event. While failures weren't unheard of, the death of a clergy member during an exorcism indicated a powerful demon, likely beyond a single priest's capability.
Just as he had encountered a high-ranking demon at a convent where a nun had died, dealing with seventy-two demon gods.
Although the seventy-two demon gods were now insignificant to him, they remained challenging for the church.
Entering the church, York saw a weary Brother Wolaway.
Judging by his condition, it seemed the exorcism had been quite difficult, possibly a trap laid by the demon.
"Bishop York!"
Brother Wolaway rushed over and knelt, his eyes red.
"Please save Father Diego!"
York calmly lifted Wolaway with gentle force, sighing.
"Tell me everything about the exorcism."
Seeing the bishop's calm demeanor, Wolaway's agitated heart found peace. He nodded.
"Yes!"
Thus, York quickly learned all the details. Wolaway's description of the demon's form and transformations didn't match any known demon.
This meant the demon's file and true name were not in the church's records.
"I understand," York said calmly, placing a hand on Wolaway's shoulder. Power surged, and Wolaway fell unconscious.
York handed him to a nearby clergy member.
"Take care of Brother Wolaway."
"Yes, Bishop York!"
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