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Chapter 1059 - One Final Gambit
🕑 Added 2025-01-22 12:14:34 +0000 UTCThe atmosphere in the negotiation room wasn’t great as Jake had clearly set himself up as a highly contentious negotiator who wasn’t easy to convince of anything, much less reach a compromise with. Still, the head priest tried.
“Please relax. There’s no reason for us to be antagonistic toward one another,” the head priest raised his hands. “I do not disagree that you did indeed have some – if not perhaps even primary – claim of the Usurper’s soul, but the Holy Church has also invested heavily in him.”
“Oh, I’m fully aware of that,” Jake said, staring down at the man. “You not only assisted him during this conflict in the Milky Way but even facilitated his Usurper ritual.”
The tension instantly grew as Jake broke it slightly by smiling. “Thanks for that, by the way. Made the fight a lot more interesting and enjoyable. I don’t even want to imagine how disappointing his power would have been if he hadn’t been empowered by Yip of Yore’s Records.”
Jake wasn’t even lying with that one, those were his genuine feelings. Feelings he could see evidently threw the head priest off quite a bit, as in his head, it probably didn’t make much sense to thank people who actively sought to make your enemies stronger.
“However, that still doesn’t make up for all the shit you did in the rest of the galaxy,” Jake said, his smile gone. “You helped Ell’Hakan kill a lot of people and create a lot of chaos. Manipulated entire civilizations. You quite clearly positioned as an opposing force in this conflict, and now you want me to consider the Holy Church’s investment in the enemy leader of this war?”
“I know it’s presumptuous, but... yes,” the head priest sighed. “Ell’Hakan holds incredible value to the Holy Church. Not just in the minds of us mortals, but even the gods have made it clear they require us to bring his Truesoul to them. They are also the ones who invested so much in him. We, as mere mortals, are merely following the will of the gods. Soldiers on a quest we do not even know the true purpose of... only that failure is not viewed as an acceptable option.”
Jake did have to hand it to the priest, he wasn’t bad at his job. He had clearly also studied Jake quite a lot with how he framed everything. It was well known that Jake had a particular view of freedom and that he preferred to fight powerful opponents, so the priest was trying to make it as clear as possible that they didn’t want to fight or truly had any personal reasons to fight.
He was effectively saying that should Jake be aggressive, he was just killing soldiers following orders.
The thing is, Jake had always viewed that excuse as complete and utter bullshit. There was always a choice, and the head priest had clearly already made his. He probably couldn’t even imagine going against the Holy Church... or, more accurately, the branch of the Holy Church he was working for.
Jacob was clearly from a faction that would prefer for Ell’Hakan to be permanently removed from the multiverse. At least nothing else would explain his prior actions. However, he couldn’t show this outwardly, and he even went as far as to speak up and argue for them to keep the Truesoul despite their previous encounter.
“Storing a Truesoul is not an easy matter, and I would like to inquire if the Chosen of the Malefic Viper even has a method should we hand over the Truesoul?” Jacob asked calmly.
It was effectively a rhetorical question, as Jake naturally didn’t. The only way to forcefully take and store a Truesoul was by using a Transcendent skill, and needless to say, Jake didn’t have one of those lying around.
The only reason why Jacob had been able to store the soul was because Ell’Hakan had given prior consent and the Usurper ritual had imprinted him with Records facilitating it. At least, that was the working theory.
Truesouls were usually the domain of the system only, after all, and every member of the Holy Church knew that. Thus, they also knew that Jake “losing” the Truesoul of Ell’Hakan wasn’t really a thing, as it was never something he could have taken in the first place. Something the head priest had also alluded to before. However, even if Jake couldn’t take the Truesoul, it didn’t mean he didn’t have something he wanted to do with it.
“I already had intentions toward the Truesoul, but you stopped what was meant to happen,” Jake simply said, crossing his arms while glaring at the Augur.
“And what might those intentions be?”
“As I said, exactly what you stopped from happening,” Jake continued in a sharp tone. “I faced Ell’Hakan with the intention of giving him a true death, and you taking his Truesoul made that not the case. My hunt isn’t finished before the Truesoul returns to where it belongs, and I don’t take it kindly when people interrupt my hunts.”
Once more, Jake’s words were very purposefully chosen. The Holy Church wanted to present that they were operating under the orders of their gods. That they had no real choice in the matter.
Jake argued that he also didn’t really have a choice. That backing off would go against his Path, and who was the Holy Church to ask Jake to compromise? What kind of compensation could possibly be adequate to convince the person who’d ranked number one in all of Nevermore to compromise their own Path?
The mood in the room changed yet again as Jacob’s face fell – great acting, by the way – and Bertram even moved half a step closer to the Augur. As for the head priest, his expression was also dire, even if he hadn’t quite given up yet.
“This truly puts us at an impasse,” he said, sighing. “We truly cannot hand over the Truesoul, and you do not seem willing to accept any outcome that doesn’t involve you leaving without the Truesoul returning to wherever they go once dispersed. Am I correct in that assumption?”
“That does seem to be the gist of it, yeah,” Jake nodded, the negotiations having definitely fallen apart by now. Which, to be fair, was bound to happen if both sides were unwilling to compromise in any way whatsoever. Jake just had to feel like he at least tried and gave them a chance.
He was almost ready for things to take a violent turn as the head priest turned out to have one final gambit.
“I hoped we could reach some kind of compromise, but it seems that’s impossible,” the head priest began. “However, perhaps there is someone you can reach an agreement with. As I said, we are operating under the direct orders of the Holy Pantheon, and I have been granted the honor of allowing you an audience to directly commune with the one who initially wanted to recruit Ell’Hakan into the Holy Church.”
Jake had to be honest; that was a bit of a plot twist. He had expected to negotiate with some mortals, but it appeared like that wasn’t where the diplomacy would end. Getting such an offer instantly made Jake suspicious, though.
He was the Chosen of the Malefic Viper, yes, but Jake was still only a mortal. Gods tended to be quite arrogant, and based on all Jake had gathered, the god from the Holy Church who had originally struck this deal with Ell’Hakan couldn’t be weak.
That is to say, a top-tier god of the Holy Church was offering to directly negotiate with a mortal... either the god in question was an oddball, or something fishy was going on. It also had to be considered that summoning a god from the Holy Church to communicate with Jake couldn’t be cheap or easy, considering the continued semi-lockdown of their universe.
All in all, he was suspicious, but he still ended up agreeing, if for nothing else but his own curiosity. If things ever got dangerous or risky, he trusted his intuition to warn him anyway.
The look on the face of the head priest also made Jake think this could be a legitimate offer, as he genuinely looked as if he’d just offered Jake the best damn present imaginable.
“Very well,” Jake ended up nodding, and the slight look of disapproval on the head priest’s face only made Jake more assured there was some legitimacy to the offer. If not, the priest wouldn’t be so offended that Jake wasn’t elated at the mere offer of being in the presence of one of the Holy Church’s great gods.
“Allow me the honors,” the head priest said as he moved to the side of the town hall building. There, Jake saw the etchings on the domed ceiling that he embarrassingly hadn’t recognized earlier as a formation. In his defense, it didn’t really look like one, though. It looked more like an artistic mural with actual pictures and stuff, but upon closer inspection, there definitely was a bit of energy hidden within.
The head priest got down on his knees and placed his hands together as he prayed in front of the mural. His body began to glow with holy energy soon after as the mural responded. The two priests who had come along supported the older man, as this clearly took a toll on him. Compared to a Chosen like Jake with a direct connection to his god, this poor priest had to do way more.
At the end of it, he even took out a brooch and held it high, Jake instantly feeling that this wasn’t some low-rarity object. The brooch began to shine before shattering into pieces in a shower of holy light mere moments later, filling the room with light that quite frankly felt uncomfortable as it washed over Jake. Luckily, this light rapidly gathered and began to take form, and as it did, a new aura manifested within the room.
The head priest was already down on his knees but was soon joined by everyone else from the Holy Church, including Jacob and Bertram. Jake felt a few disapproving glances being thrown his way, but he didn’t budge in the slightest as he stayed standing, even as the subtle aura of a god began to bear down on him. An aura that contained something that surprised Jake and instantly put him on guard.
By now, the figure of light was nearly fully formed. The projection summoned by the priests wasn’t of the highest quality visually, but at least it could show the general form of the god in question.
The figure before him was tall and thin, though Jake was not sure if size mattered at all in this context. The god wore what looked like a normal robe and had a fully humanoid outline, though again, hard to tell their race before ascension just from that. The only other truly notable thing was the person’s hair. It was long, around knee-length, and floated in the air unpredictably.
This figure looked down, but even before that, Jake already felt the god and even a number of other gods all observing him. He looked up to meet the eyes of the figure made up entirely of glowing yellowish holy light as he let the god speak first.
“Chosen of the Malefic Viper. I’ve heard much of your exploits and peculiar nature,” the god said in a booming voice that Jake couldn’t determine if was male or female.
“I can’t say I know much about you considering I don’t know who I’m conversing with,” Jake spoke bluntly, feeling quite a few death stares on him, even from Jacob and Bertram... and this time, he really couldn’t tell if they were genuine or not.
“You are speaking to the Lodestar Matron, the Fourteenth of the Holy Light,” she spoke, the name Matron pretty much confirming she was a woman.
Plus, Jake already had some insight into the Holy Church and thus instantly knew what “Fourteenth of the Holy Light” meant. He also knew who the Lodestar Matron was. Her being Fourteenth of the Holy Light meant she was the fourteenth god to ever ascend in the Holy Church, meaning she was old. Really old.
She was a god not focused on combat, but one who lived up to her name of being a guiding star for everyone her light fell upon. She was a bit like an Augur in that respect. The Lodestar Matron also held a very high position in her faction as she was one of the top people in charge of one the most important parts of the Holy Church:
Recruitment.
For her to want Ell’Hakan... yeah, it made sense. Moreover, it being the Lodestar Matron also explained why the Church had wanted her to speak to Jake directly. He also now knew why they had struggled a bit with making the formation.
It wasn’t easy allowing the effects of her Bloodline to also bleed through, after all.
--
King Iludar remained wary as they prepared everything. Even now, he remained skeptical of Kindroth, but so far, the elf had done everything as they’d planned. The spot he had chosen was also a good one.
They were in the middle of a mountainous region not that far from Haven but far from any other settlements. Iludar had already sent scouts to check out the entire area while constantly staying ready to retreat should anything go wrong. He’d spent a lot investing in a very expensive escape token that would allow him to travel over a million kilometers away upon activation. Would this leave him in the middle of space? Yes, but that was better than being outright slain and at least gave him a path to survival.
Not that he planned on using it.
“What’s the progress on the formation?” he asked the mages, who were busy putting down a magic circle meant to suppress the magic of the witch.
“It’ll be done within ten minutes,” the mage confirmed, much of the work having already been done beforehand as they were effectively just transcribing a not overly complicated sealing formation.
“Good,” he nodded before quickly checking in with the ranger team he’d sent to follow Kindroth. They were the best stealth experts he had, and alongside some of the few spies and scouts he still had left on Earth, he confirmed that the elf was doing his job. He’d arrived in Haven and was now to drag out the witch.
This is our one chance, he told himself for the umpteenth time. In truth, Iludar still wasn’t sure why they wanted the witch who served the Malefic’s Chosen dead that badly. Sure, killing her would create chaos and trouble for the Chosen, but it wouldn’t cause any major damage in the long term. He could always just get another manager for his planet from the Order once the universe opened up.
Still, it wasn’t something for him to question, and this remained their best hope for a good future. As losers of war and former loyals of dead gods, what faction would want them? What faction would risk making enemies with the Chosen of the Malefic Viper? His unique abilities made many factions view him favorably, and Iludar was well aware that his own value and the value of his army weren’t high in the grand scheme of things.
That’s why he would do everything to grasp this chance given by the Holy Church. Kindroth was the same. A traitor with no home who was forced to flee alongside them. A massive fall from grace for the so-called Voice of the One, but Iludar truly shouldn’t speak, seeing as his title of King was simply for show now.
A few more minutes passed, and everything was still as it should be. Iludar had eyes on everyone of note or had intel about their locations, making him more confident than ever. Soon enough, he also received a message.
Kindroth was on his way. It appeared that he’d also taken that assistant of hers along, but that was truthfully expected. A number of elites from Haven also joined them, which was once again also expected. There were a total of nineteen people in her escort group, with one of them even an old plant by Iludar and Ell’Hakan that Kindroth had helped assure was close to Haven’s leadership.
Soon it’s time... Iludar breathed a sigh as he looked at the finished formation and the thousands of elites hidden in wait under several concealment formations they’d also pre-prepared.
This was the best chance they would ever get, and either the witch or he and his army would die today... and he had no intentions of dying. Even if one of the true elites of Earth could show up unexpectedly, Iludar felt confident. One person could only stop so many, and it wasn’t as if Haven could instantly summon an entire army to match his. Besides, all they had to do was kill the witch, and if he had to escape on his own afterward...
Well, his entire army would die, true, but that was a sacrifice he was willing to make.
Comments
Dave
Tftc
Mitchell Meyers
This king is fucked
Greedsmith
First off, why do I suddenly feel like Kindroth is a double agent? Secondly, they’re all dead 😂 I can’t believe how delusional they all are 🤣
Phil Ritter
Can only agree Tom will save the day. Jake can rest assured he is with Sandy otherwise he would have royally fucked up. No 1st nevermore placement etc
Morloc13
Exactly True and remember that even Villy said it was a mortal problem and that he wouldnt get involved unless other gods did.... Well they just opened that door and I can see Villy porting in to Primordial 1 and having a hard conversation with this god. Who are you to bargin whith my chosen?
AA
If they go after Jake or Miranda, they are effectively insulting Villy. At that point even the holy mother would be hard pressed to find a reason to stay his wrath. Gods fking with the chosen of a primordial is a nono....and he outranks that stupid god
deednam
I wonder what of the remains of the king will come into play
Zuuuuuri
There shall always be a bigger cliff to hang off of…
Mike
I was just re reading book 6 and Miranda was already working on forming projections in Chapter 74 A New Path in D grade so with her now having hit mid C grade this could for sure be a projection or clone walking up. At some point if I am Miranda I am not leaving my witch domain ever and just sending clones around. You can do mobile domains as said in her nevermore chapters but just seems smart to make people come to fight you.
Mike
I think it's more like the bloodline is self limiting in a way. Villy has always talked about how Jake and by extension his bloodline has far more control over it's abilities that any other even able to limit different aspects of it. So the bloodline limits itself and only grows as Jake grows due to self preservation. The system gives it the evolution power because it is rightful his and by making it to that space it has earned it so to speak. If Jake ever hits an evolution quest that would probably be the first evolution where the bloodline does not unlock or upgrade. Just my rambling theory based on the info we have.
Hezekiah Laguatan
I can just smell the cliffhanger, I think I've built an immunity to zoggy's ones
Carter
Pretty sure they said it wasn’t working …. Or possibly limited … I don’t remember but I am not sure if Villy actually knows what specifically is happening. Though it wouldn’t surprise if he is aware and is already acting on it in the beck ground.
Little Silly
…I didn’t think of that, but if that is their plan, then they should be prepared to never gain any foothold within the 93rd universe until the ones who made and participated in that plan are recycled into the system fully, including this matron granny.
Jordan Mazza
Tom incoming to be the hero of Haven
Corvid
"I have an army!" "We have a Tom. He's just built different" -Sandy
Corvid
Yep, time for Snappy to live up to his namesake again
Richard Rader
I wonder how far away the ice dragon’s mountain is?
Frédéric Cantin
Tyftc
Kyler
True yet, Jake still agreed to having her show herself rather than not, he asked for her appearance rather than her forcing her way into the situation. She was able to safely scheme her way into instead
LadyTempest
True but this wouldn’t have even been an option if not given her approval beforehand. So essentially she was planning to get involved knowing Jake probably wouldn’t compromise
Rhett Russell
The bloodline isn’t really upgrading, that gives the impression that it is changing like the skills do, instead it is more unlocking, he already has the fully powered bloodline, he just can’t use it without like exploding or something idk, instead when he evolves it gives him more access to his bloodline without it killing him, this is done probably by his bloodline itself, as it would know that he couldn’t handle it through instincts and therefore would wait before he was stronger to unlock it.
Miguel Sanchez
Even the FS was surprised when Jake told him his bloodline upgraded….. so I doubt it’s a normal thing… also Jake’s Bloodline is not a fan of manipulation in anyway… he MIGHT get a skill and or upgrade to include a FAFO for that Matron
K R
I can think of a few people and some very intelligent beasts showing up with the power to kill more then just an army.
Sam
Umm, Jake has only been World Leader for at most a year? He only became World Leader after he defeated Earth's prima and there was a total of 5 years to complete the event and the Milky Way Galaxy is way ahead of schedule. So Miranda hasn't had decades to prepare Earth.
Little Silly
Agreed, barring others also hidden from FS knowledge, there is currently only Jake. We can theorize if it will become more normal or common, but for now it appears limited to him and potentially his children depending on what they inherit from him…if he ever does have kids and his bloodline is even able to be spread.
Little Silly
The bloodline upgrading was something the First Sage saw as new, but he can somehow know all about the current multiverse…it seems to be a Jake thing. Also, the First Sage believed grading up would solve the issue, overall implying it’s assumed impossible to change a bloodline beyond it adjusting to different people. I believe when gods gathered at Nevermore it was stated none of the Primordials present knew it was possible for a bloodline to become “dormant” or even be suppressed like Jake’s. There’s a reason the keeper of forbidden knowledge, student of the First Sage, the Malefic One told Jake to not share about his bloodline with anyone, ever, when hearing about it.
Little Silly
And this is the only thing he’s ever done…
Chloe
Betting he dies and she lives. Mostly just like her a bazillion times more than him. Oh and for our favorite character with no lines in this one... REeeEEee! Tyftc
Unlisted Pokémon Hudson
The fallen king would look down on this false king
Rocotrap
Do you know da queen?
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Paul B
I see that you’re cultured 😂👌🏾
thendavesaid
There's also Kindroth's character to consider. He's ultimately a con-artist whose number 1 concern is making sure he has a comfortable position from which he can profit. Leaving Jake's faction, where he can be considered a high ranking official, to join Illudar's group of relatively weak (in a multiversal way) group of refugees doesn't fit his character. I kinda imagine that Kindroth's god has a similarly mercenary mindset, considering he often worked with, but never officially joined, the Holy Church. Joining a startup faction of gods early on means a lot more opportunity for securing a comfortable spot than being an allied outsider to the largest faction in the multiverse. It's like, if you were to apply for a job at a company, but everyone in it is immortal, what do you think your promotion prospects will be?
Grine
Oh thank you for the reminder! I totally forgot about that.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Canis
Like say the actual sisters of the verdant Lagoon. Because I'm down for that.
Burkes
“Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice that i am willing to make” - Lord Faarquad
Vinstro
There was a meeting/strategy session quite a bit ago, IRCC, where Kindroth was told to go be a double-agent since that's what he's good at (or alluded to him doing this)
Mike
Hm I do agree that we could see God's from Villys faction get involved but I don't know if Jake will ask for it. Though it depends on if the live stream is working currently and the viper is seeing all this play out
Mike
Ah no accord for God's killing mortals. It's just frowned upon since it escalates situations unnecessarily. What is an accord is the bloodline accord meaning no forceful recruitment for the purpose of breeding and obtaining a bloodline. Now this does mean that she is involving herself in C grade matters and can't complain if God's from the vipers faction involve themselves in her matters now.
Rob Lyon
And he knows if he crosses Miranda or Jake Jake will hunt him to the end of the multiverse
Mike
You must mean Arnold the Void Mechanic not Arthur Jacobs dad yeah? And yeah after someone mentioned it in the comments I am starting to feel like this God is really toeing a line. And while the viper didn't go the last time the accords were broken and sent snappy instead, I could see him making a visit this time. If it's even needed. The holy mother is also a signatory in the accords and could probably easily smack this bish down if needed. She just needs her to cross that line ever so slightly
Rob Lyon
Plus we have never seen what Lillian can do in battle
Rob Lyon
This does sound like a God interfering with Jake so The viper may handle it not to mention this God's getting really close to crossing the line of the bloodline accords
Rob Lyon
There are two people on earth that can basically instantly summon an army Arthur has all of his drones he can summon and Vesperia can release all of the drones inside her internal hive. Plus the The sword saint and Carmen are both army killers. And we've never really seen Miranda or Lillian truly let go before I don't see this going well for the Invaders
Rob Lyon
I think the the Holy Mother is cleaning house and will disavow the entire subsect that is trying to start shit
Joshua Millins
Androgynous is the best fit. Meaning neither male, nor female but somewhere in between. "In an androgynous voice" Sadly to most it comes off as pretentious or arrogant to drop dictionaries on people.
Beef Wrench
Is the verdant lagoon gonna get a feature soon 🤔
Joshua Millins
Well that goddess just royally fucked around. Now we have to find out how badly. God(dess)s are normally not permitted in punching down unless provoked first. What she has just done is put the largest kill me target you can place on her head. Using bloodline skills on a unascended mortal is likely pushing the line of what is considered acceptable by the accords. Not too mention what they plan to do with Hakans soul is not acceptable by the majority of the greater multiverse. One word from Villy to the other primordials would start a domino effect. Only because the 93rd universe is cut off are they willing to risk the ire of all gods, factions and the system itself.
Rob Lyon
Yeah think they're going to try something and Miranda is going to be like this whole planet's mine
Rob Lyon
Honestly I think the Holy Mother is doing some housekeeping and dealing with a fringe faction of the church thru Jacob
Ty Cooper
I could see pulling for more power but I don't think she would challenge the Mother. The mother's faith farm is too strong and if they loose her Transcendent the holy land would go with it. That would make the whole holy church crumble.
Rob Lyon
Jake was more susceptible to EH's blood line because he is more emotional than the sword saint But it's something he has worked on. And I don't see that God's bloodline doing much other than pissing his off
Rob Lyon
100% this
Bobtur
Bloodlines can’t evovle. Only Jack’s does. And that also surprises the First Sage. At best it is too strong for your grade and you need to evolve so your soul can take the load. Umbra is not interested in Jack because of her Bloodline (if she has one, no one knows so far and it was not mentionned that Jack felt one during the colosseum of mortal.). She is interested in him because his Bloodline counters her so much that it will force her to make a transandence or evolve an existing one to beat it, as stated by Villy. Same reason Villy would not want to kill someone with a Bloodline that completly immune oneself to poison but would try to recruit that someone and/or monitor him/her. Wich Umbra did with Sim Jack and Caleb.
Rob Lyon
Yeah I 100% see the holy mother being in on this through Jacob using it as an excuse too clean house or reconsolidate her power. I believe the 14th matron is going to try to use the holy mother as a shield and it's not going to work well for her
Jordan Mazza
"Surely they can't summon an army out of no where" *in pops Vesperia with an army of wasps and Sandy with Earth's Elites in it's stomach*
Mike
I don't think he is gonna have to use a void sphere here. Miranda should be able to mark Iludar or maybe sandy helps chase. Lots of options
Jordan Mazza
Maybe Vesperia is hiding out in Haven
Alex
It was hinted that the first sage would be in trouble if he truely tried to kill Jake's soul though
Rob Lyon
Yeah I can see Jake going yo Villy this god is becoming an issue and him or someone from the order that is around the same power level that can gain some exp from her taking care of her. I also think she's trying to get that bloodline to go against the holy mother so I don't see the Holy mother getting in the way.I think she'll let Jake and Jacob clean house.
Mike
Based on his conversation with the first sage Jake may be a special boy when it comes to an upgrading bloodline. You may grow to use your bloodline better but Jake is probably the only evolving bloodline. I mean I don't want to say only but after that FS convo I do believe that may be the case
Alex
I've a pet theory she tried to kidnap his kids and so killed his wife
Rob Lyon
True but if that god proves to be an issue he can tell Villy. Then Villy, Snappy or Duskleaf can handle the problem. And being part of the Holy church won't save her from the viper. First I don't think the Holy Mother has approved of what she is trying to do and even if she has I don't see the Holy Mother going against The Viper and the Order. Honestly I think she's having Jacob do some house cleaning via Jake and Villy
KollegvomMirgan
But it is near haven so it should probably still be in range
Corac
I think technically it is. But she hasn't had time to build the defense totally. Nor do I think a c grade is strong enough to have her witch domain cover all of earth yet
William WIlson
I don't think these are the same mountains. If they were I'd expect some mention of the wyvern. Also those mountains are between Haven and the 2 cities the court claimed, where as these mountains sound to be only near haven. I'm imagining it maybe the same mountain range we hear about while Jake's in havens dungeon.
JJB4345_80_815
@Austin Barton - some random god from the church may be a little inaccurate. First, the Church of the Holy Mother is one of the, if not THE, top organization(s) in this story. Second, she's OLD, being one of the earliest members to reach godhood. How many eras has she had to investigate and refine her era? Remember, Umbra is interested in Jake because she believes that he's the key on improving HER Bloodline of the Shadow Realm or whatever it's called. Maybe this 14th Matron (Lodestar Matron) has already found someone that allowed her to evolve it? Can't tell until we know more...
Luke Scheffe
I think it's close enough that they'll react poorly to him bringing it up, but ultimately, technically in the clear enough that they feel confident they can get away with it.
William WIlson
I think it's pretty safe to assume it's the majority of the planet. Which would explain the formations.
brjenness
might be just trying to get info on Jake's abilities and local leadership is sacrificial pawns.
Grine
OK so King Iludar is falling into a trap. And I suppose Kindroth still work for Jake?
Abhishek
Villy is a peak level existence. There are plenty of undergods in the faction who can handle this matron.
Sailesh Kumar Kumar
TFTC
Kyler
Jake accepted the option of the goddess getting involved. She didn’t force her way into making a negotiation
Austin Barton
The bloodline upgrading is something villy sees as special and worth investing in. I think some random god from the church didn’t get that lucky.
Edward Sutton
Billy gave plenty of advice in my opinion, or as much as he usually does. He typically only gives direct advice when it is about system, alchemical, or multiverse things. In this case he just said Jake could do as he pleased, which is honestly the most common advice Villy gives.
Mike
Ah yeah since those accords do seem to have come to being due to something related to his dead family. This god might think the holy mother is a shield but I don't see that working for her...
JJB4345_80_815
@Sacchito - Bloodlines are System accepted cheat codes. Jake had to be consistently wary of El'Hakan's bloodline during the final fight and he was a fellow C-grade. A God's Bloodline has the potential to have upgraded (Like Jake's) multiple times. It depends a little on how strong her Bloodline is, some can be very weak, and what the Bloodline allows her to do. Most likely Jake's Bloodline will activately fight against hers, but depending on what hers does there might not be a great way for it to be countered. Jake was more susceptible to El'Hakan's Bloodline than the Sword Saint, so we will see how the story unfolds...
KollegvomMirgan
Probably but i'm not sure if it was ever mentioned what the criteria for her reach as witch were...
Zogarth
Fix
Adam Charron
Isn’t she running the whole world for Jake now? Haven was her territory to administer before. Now Jake is world leader.
brjenness
never stick your sword in crazy
Ty Cooper
I have been wondering. Villy is staying completely out of this, not giving any advice whatsoever because once a god gets involved other Gods can join in. So not that there is a god getting involved doesn't that mean other Gods can get involved. So the witches might be able to help out as well. Plus this God keeps toeing the line with the bloodline accords. She might push the wrong button here and Villy can swoop in and kill her.
itsdlow
If Villy doesn’t get to them first >:D
Blaq Jesus
I think its because any kind of future sight didn't work.
RobbieDonei
I personally think Jacob is working directly for the Holy Mother and shes using Jacob to get Jake to basically do a bit of housekeeping as some of the church have lost there way/corrupt. Something of that ilk was mentioned a few chapters back with sub factions working differently
RobbieDonei
True I forgot about the Queen
Sacchito22
I think the 14th matron might overplay her hand a bit, of they're bringing her bloodline into play. Jake just got soul strengthening training with the First Sage and can stand up to a Primordial's aura without flinching or losing ground. Anything she can try to do to influence Jake isn't about to be as effective as she thinks it should be. Hell, especially after hunting a manipulative bloodline like cheeto's down.
Jeff McCulley
also eluded to >alluded *although he’s also being elusive
Xarow
Made me ponder if this is a hint that a certain queen is there too who can summon a army…
Demonshadow639
Sandy…
Mike
I do see Jake killing a god or gods before godhood but probably not an old god.
NovaZero
What do mean "after"?
NovaZero
I blame it on the Dota, but why do I hear "May I cut in?"
JJB4345_80_815
So, if I remember correctly, in book 2 when Jacob talks with the Holy Mother, she warns him about interacting with Jake. I believe that the overall gist was that she was concerned about conflict with the Order of the Malefic Viper. And yet this 14th Matron is kinda going against the wishes of the Holy Mother? The Primordials are on another level of gods. Villy just proved that by killing the Yipster. By a god trying to mess with (I'm guessing via Bloodline) The Chosen of the Malefic Viper, isn't she opening herself up to reprisal? Also, isn't she skirting the will of the Holy Mother? If I was Jake, or Jacob, I would have stressed that you are members of the Church of the Holy Mother, NOT the Church of the Holy Mother's Pantheon. You want to follow a God's will, but what you should focus on is if that is ALSO the will of the Holy Mother. If it isn't, then are you abiding a TRAITOR of the Holy Mother? Maybe she's not a traitor, but simply has lost her way, and needs the Holy Mother to guide her back to righteousness? When Zogarth says something like: "Surely they can't summon an army!" My first thoughts are: "How are they going to summon an army, 'cause it's coming!"
Ali Asgar Amin
I think this was pre-planned by the sword saint - it was foretold in the earlier chapter where The Sword Saint was unable to find Lludar and was in deep thought until he had some epiphany !!
ABTelford
So exciting - the anticipation is killing me!…and tomorrow will be killing in your story! Lol!
Kain
Poor king getting played so hard. But desperate people see what they want to see I guess.
Kain
Honestly that could be Kendroths desired outcome and why he would help set up this ambush, the king and his army getting ambushed to be clear cause again aighnt no way he’s actually trying to merc Miranda, it escalates the direct conflict between the church and Jake nicely setting Kendroth up to profit as a usurper when/if Jake ever gets around to killing his god for ordering/trying to set up Miranda’s murder.
Phasmatic7
Thankies for the chapie zogie
Kevin Watson
also holding out that the number one manipulator kindroth is manipulating me with this double agent twist, he seemed smart enough to know that Earth is the investment you wanna make
Allie Fischer
I don't think he does know much, everything he has thought about her is from her words and appearance. The only thing that is background information he had is the basic knowledge of 14th to ascend because of her title
Kevin Watson
i just can’t see haven failing here, and i’m wondering if Arnold can just make that escape item not work, isn’t that like his thing? either way the Holy Church is really setting itself up to be hunted
Brad
I am hoping so. But if he kills Miranda then that would make the holy church his enemy for sure.
Endern
EH really had a bad influance on his followers, they became delusional as well.
Rewdan
Zargoth you’ve surpassed yourself again. This is exciting on both fronts. With what’s going on in Earth, and with Jake and the 14 is almost too much. Can we get two chapters a day please? TFTC
JJB4345_80_815
Yes, thank you for the chappy Zogarth!
KollegvomMirgan
isn't it possible, that mirandas territory has expanded way past only haven? I really hope we get to see how she has grown too and not only some surprise with all the "unknown" aces of earth
Brendan Bowen
Thanks for the Chapter
Exaiter
Hope he purges them
Boomer
Plus even Jake says witches are scary and makes a note to not mess with then in their domain again. (Dark witch in nevermore)
RobbieDonei
Cant just summon an army... brother the next void machine god Arnold is literally on the planet
Max
Its a Jake knowledge&mindset Problem he has. Buddy knows nothing useful and forgets the classes and professions of his own Friends but he somehow can remember the most useless knowledge in a second or gets extremly rare knowledge from His Sagacity Skill.
James W
The first sage just upgraded his sagacity skill and Villy's blood, Jake has a huge library of knowledge he just needs a search term
denym123
I am thinking that the church is going to try and trade Miranda for Cheetos soul, not realising that Jake would then be trading the planet and everyone on it for the threat/attempt
Christian Sullivan
Zog I swear to villy
mrthorwahl
I'm crossing my fingers for exploding frog rain.
Max
That would be the biggest bitch move and would have to end Jakes Path or the whole novel would be Shit.. they took the loot from THE HUNTER. Jake isnt there to negotiate with them on how to be Friends/ how He can Help the HC gets new records. Why should He even Help These Guys who use him Like a little c Grade Slave? He is there to get his loot and to end the Problems which the holy church started for him for years..
Mike
It's tough since when read as a book there are like no cliff hangers. Like the books really don't end in cliffy spots. So it's really just us as web readers that put ourselves through our own hell
Mike
That is what people believe to be a truth so Jake killing one earlier in S grade or even somehow in A grade would be up his ally. Though if it's A grade it would probably be some super niche thing rather than a straight up battle. And not with an old god for sure
Johnny_B
Well, weren't those mountains close to the tunnels where vesperia made her home? Instant army, coming up!
Mike
Sword Saint magic painting
Devin Williams
The Holy Church is worsening their situation. At the moment, they would have likely been able to have a few planets as outposts as long as they played by Jake's rules. But now? If they attack Miranda and earth? They gonna be told to gtfo.
Mike
I am split on what could happen on earth. On one hand Miranda could die, she has not plot armor and it would be a good way to truly piss Jake off and true this from a holy battle to a holy war. But on the other hand there is a lot setup for Earth to turn the tables. King Iludars wording has me thinking that rather then the Sword Saint showing up on his own he my picture in with an army since Iludar said "it wasn't as of Haven could instantly summon an army to match his" and anyone who has read this far knows what Zog likes to do when people make statements like that. Though it really isn't necessary since the sword saint is an army killer with the sword rain mythical skill. As for Miranda herself she is a witch and in mid C grade, she has to have some sort of body double skill at this point. At least usable within her Domain(Earth). Also I don't think the escape artifact will matter much once you are marked by the witch of Haven. Nothing to be said on Jakes side really, I am curious if we got another manipulative bloodline though. Jake might need to do some Holy Church god hunting after ascension.
SmokeJam
No shot we are killing Miranda now. That would only happen if Zogarth ran out of ideas and needs post-system civil war part two. Miranda is too essential to Jakes faction to kill her now. And don't forget, she is a witch. Iludar might expect only Haven is her territory, but she got decades to prepare earth as her territory. I can't see a situation where she is disadvantaged right now.
Hotep Saxis
Every week I tell myself I’m gonna wait til Saturday to read the week’s chapters and then fold instantly every day. Crack I tell you.
Hotep Saxis
Definitely not. Need to be at least a demigod, peak S grade.
Eric Haase
I really hope to see Miranda in action a bit more, so she and her abilities will get the recognition they deserve
Eric Haase
Things sure are heating up. Loving it.
fruit dragon
Damm you're right we've been waiting since the tutorial
Canis
Iludar is about to get the fuck beaten out of him I think.
Xander
Yeah I don't want to suggest wholesale rewrites of sentences I just point out odd or awkward phrasings and leave it to the guy that's written more books than me to figure out if he wants to change it and how 😀
Canis
Jake has met her boss already.
Milings
Jake didn't know before nevermore, 50 years is a long time to learn about all the gods
Mike
Her soul goes to the verdant lagoon upon death per her class. I don't know if the means resurrection is on the table but at the very least she won't go to the true soul recycling factory
Daniel Brian
Interesting, but I doubt Jake would go for it. In his eyes, he's taking something back, not trading.
Ty Cooper
I like that line of thought
Andromeda Adams
So many interesting things happening! How exciting! Tyftc!
J W
Could be that Jake in his initiate laziness only studied the factions causing his home issues and hadn't gotten around to investigating no hostiles.
Alex R
Id be surprised if he wasnt being bait. He knows how strong Jake is. He should know how strong Miranda is.
Micah Molina
I kind of feel the Verdant Witches are the ones setting him up. It sounds crazy but that's why it makes sense to them. Jake killed the leader of EH's faction. Iludar is the second in command. So, for those crazy goddesses, it's only natural for Miranda (Jake's second in command) to kill Iludar. Lmao
fruit dragon
Maybe he's just playing both sides
Dragon
Most likely kindroth is a triple agent seeking to start a war between the holy church and Malefic order, I think Miranda will die but has the option to be revived
John
Maybe “in a voice that could belong to either a male or female”? Or “in a voice lacking the distinction of male or female”?
John
Vesperia could be there. Not only an elite, but one with an army. And not much else to do.
John
I’m thinking more along the lines of persuasion. Maybe a weaker or different version of EH
fruit dragon
No it's it's close to going over the eddg but they technically have his consent
Andy Swearingen
Also I'm really hoping that the talks with the holy church God end up with Jake agreeing to use Jake juice to help make an angel in return for a peaceful release of Cheetos soul.
Stuart Thwaites
Almost definitely. She wants to mix El Hakkan's in with her own and make good use of the children... would using the kid go against the agreement about bloodline holders?
MarineDebris
I'm sure he learned a lot while I'm Nevermore.
Andy Swearingen
I really hope this stuff with kindroth is all a ploy working with Miranda to take out iludar. I really like what I've seen from him and Jake really needs more powerful subordinates not just strong buddies that are all part of other factions.
Arieh Sochaczevski
I’m now thinking it will be local beasts just waiting for the go order.
Psyck0
Good thing robot don't need hair
Seiryus
Funny that they think Arnold needs to be present anywhere in order to make an impact. But it would be even more terrible if the robots were followed by exploding frogs.
Stuart Thwaites
I was gonna argue the 'if' but after thinking about it and reading it aloud, I can't disagree.
Arieh Sochaczevski
Oooh! I hadn’t considered that the local beasts might be on- call for this. They needed to stay out of Prima business, and wouldn’t have been involved in the faction wars, but defending earth from invasion should be on their list. I wonder what the effect of losing the Fallen King will be, though.
Ty Cooper
I don't see it happening but I really hope Miranda doesn't die. Also low key hoping Kindroth is a double agent that is helping Miranda. Kindroth might know that if he helps kill Miranda there will be nowhere to hide and that Jake will track him down and kill him no matter what. Hope he has the same conclusions as Arnold when el turd tried to recruit him.
IceHeart
He didn't necessarily know about the bloodline until he sensed it as it came through with her in the projection
fruit dragon
Maybe a calming bloodline, and they think hes just pissed off
Arieh Sochaczevski
No way. However old this Matriarch is, it’s at most her presence and her bloodline. Neither will hold up against Jake’s. If Jake wants to argue the point (I somehow doubt it) it will be all about grade. She sent C-grades, making it C-grade business. If she gets involved beyond talking to him, she’ll be elevating it to where the Primordials will get involved. She doesn’t want that, as she’s trying to end-run around the Holy Mother. Better off failing than getting caught.
Psyck0
Mainy an assumption on them getting record from slyphie and possibly jake and with both being high c grade and the hawks being active hunters should be c grade
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter 🙂
Arieh Sochaczevski
Thanks for the chapter!
fruit dragon
Maybe after Jacob hinted Jake did some homework. No that even more unrealistic
Noah Mclelland
Do we think the bloodline Isa persuasion based one, maybe a weaker version of el hakens and she might try convince Jake to let it go?
fruit dragon
Sandy hiding an army
Sean
Really hope we get a “THUMP” we haven’t had one of those in a while
Devillelouch
So possible army spawners: Vesparia, Arnold, Blue Whale. Other option is witchy magic.
Xander
Hopefully Lillian too cuz i wanna see that Lucentae (however you spell it) power!
Sal
How come Jake doesn’t know Nature’s Attendant or his bloodline but knows almost everything about this random god
Sean
Carmen is near Arnold in case she’s needed at the Holy Church. Plus Williams gotta be around there somewhere
Xander
TFTC :) "Jake couldn’t determine *if* was male or female." the if is unnecessary and awkward here. "Something the head priest had also *eluded* to before" someone else mentioned this should be alluded
fruit dragon
The godes is probably also some kind of mind fucker
Clint
Thoughts on the Lodestar Matriarch’s Bloodline? Obviously it’s something that helps to recruit people to the Church, and something that could synergize well with EH’s bloodline if they spent a bunch of generations crossbreeding them. Perhaps something related to faith? I could see Jake’s chosen-heretic status being crucial this week. The fact that he literally can’t convert to another god seems like a hard counter to any forced conversion. (Even assuming his Bloodline doesn’t just nope gets away.)
AfroMocha
Hoop what has happened to them? Are they c grade yet?
fruit dragon
No silfy might come by
brjenness
No way an old god is stupid enough to try and use her bloodline on the piper's chosen. Is she just sitting this up to put Jacob in charge of the milky way's church faction after some house cleaning. Jacob is more of a guiding light.
Cory Sauls
Looking forward to the anti-climactic squashing of IIudars forces. Lmao. TFTC!
Dalton Dawes
Metal tornado with a chance of frogs.
Clint
And Iludar learning that a million kilometers isn’t nearly enough distance to escape a witch’s hex once she has his scent.
dragonslaver
It'd be funny if that was the summoned army iludar doesn't worry about xD
Mohammed Sheekh
Maybe Arnold's mythical skills were mentioned so we can finally see what he can do, I'm pretty sure he's the only elite in haven right now
Ali Asgar Amin
About time they give Miranda the chance to showcase her witch abilities and growth!!
Shane
Tftc! Also, I think you might have used "eluded" when you meant to use "alluded".
Tilen Praprotnik
Thanks for the chapter
Rob Lyon
This is going to be fun . Can a B grade kill a god? And I really think he underestimates Miranda and all of Haven she's not going to let him get away
Rick Delallata
Ooh, I can't wait to see how both of these situations develop
Gary Kamikawa
I like that we got another double today to see both stories progressing. Perfect for getting to Friday and being left with cliffhangers with Jake & Earth! TFTC
Tr0LLach
Oop Villy's been itching and they gave him an excuse
Psyck0
Watch you hairstyle
brjenness
You must work to max your cliffhanger resistance skill.
Psyck0
I forgot about Misty's army of myth beast all probably low c grade by now but possibly just high d grade dependa on sylphie power leveling them
brjenness
I'll settle for the mystie and hawking show like with the cattle. Maybe some whale and giant snake back up.
Sarianne Roodenburg
I'm divided, do I wait till the weekend to read all chapters at one's and avoid daily cliffs or read them every day and try and survive the cliffs.... My curiosity is going to be the death of me 😅
Esch
So this Matron Lady is about to get a rude awakening on whose is the top dog Bloodline
Andyr98
I think kindroth is just acting a bait to draw him into a trap
joel southard
Nice thank you for the chapter
Staudi
Tyftc!
Zebramonkey
Thanks for the chapter
Blackbriar
Can't wait to see how this plays out. Also, I'm dying for another Sylphie chapter. I miss hearing from her point of view.
Bettafish
So... The holy church is trying to subvert Jake's free will while ambushing Miranda with an army.... that can't possibly backfire horrendously.
Jana
Please, tell me that tomorrows weather on earth is Raining rude, exploding Frogs
C0bra$
Thank u for the story
Keldra
It's getting good
Psyck0
It be terrible if an army of robots with void weapon has showed up out of said void and began a field test.
Lawrence
Not a good idea to fuck with a witch.
Matthias
Tftc
Beemoss
Tftc
Connor
Thanks for the chapter
Mrburns93
Tyftc
