While My Mage Wife Grinds, I Power Up Idly-Chapter 98: The Rival Signal of a Certain Evil Organization

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: The Rival Signal of a Certain Evil Organization

Ashu smiled faintly, and with Antikythera, returned to the human world.

In a flash of light and shadow, the two arrived back at the site of the earlier fierce battle.

He walked toward Anna’s direction and left a sentence behind: "Of course I trust you, Antikythera. Go and do it. I’m waiting for your good news."

"Yes! Lord Bishop!"

As soon as the words fell, Antikythera’s figure instantly disappeared. Now that he had a new mission—to prove himself—naturally, he moved swiftly.

Ashu quickly flew toward Anna and the others.

Seeing their relieved expressions, he landed and said, "Anna, Ymir, let’s quickly return to the Atras Empire."

This place had just seen a fierce battle and would surely attract countless eyes.

Getting out early was the best option.

"I’m glad you’re alright. I just sensed that Assassin’s presence—I thought..." Anna patted her chest and said.

"Heh, he’s now a Cardinal Deacon of the Cidi cult."

Anna naturally thought of this too. "It’s rare you could tame an Assassin skilled in stealth here in the Netherrealm."

It should be known that Ashu did not have the spiritual perception talent. He only managed to capture that Assassin thanks to Anna’s hand-holding with "Magical Essence."

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even have seen him.

And the Netherrealm was thick with mist, clearly favoring the Assassin’s style of combat on this battlefield.

Under these conditions, Ashu not only won but also tamed his opponent—a true miracle.

As Ashu flew with the two toward the Atras Empire, he explained, "It’s a long story. I almost fell into desperation and was about to give up. Fortunately, in the Netherrealm, under the Reaper’s favor, I awakened a new ability from the Reaper faction. Now, even with my eyes closed, I can see the life waves of living beings."

"I see." Anna sorted out her thoughts.

This meant that the Netherrealm’s mist and the Assassin’s stealth were rendered meaningless.

But hearing this, Ymir felt a strange familiarity.

Big brother, are you sure the skill you’re talking about isn’t the one I awakened?

What does it mean that you can see life waves even with your eyes closed?

Isn’t that my Eye of Death?

Before Ymir could ask, Ashu further described abilities her Eye of Death lacked.

He said, "Not only that, I can also predict their Death. It’s like a form of divine power. When a living being is about to die, a gradually appearing Reaper’s handprint shows up on their body."

"Oh? That’s something I haven’t heard before. But if that’s true, then that Assassin had no real advantage in front of you," Anna said.

Upon hearing this, Ymir immediately frowned. She repeatedly tested her own Eye of Death, but no matter how she tried, this ability never appeared.

Predicting a person’s Death—this ability might seem trivial, but in reality, it allows one to judge whether their move will truly hit or be dodged or countered.

If it’s a solid hit, then you strike.

If it’s going to be dodged or countered, then you prepare your next move in advance.

Ymir cast a jealous glance at Ashu’s profile. Clearly, she was the last true Devotee of the Reaper, yet she was utterly crushed by Ashu.

Her dissatisfaction was real, but so was her forced acceptance.

She had thought that after reclaiming the Scythe, she could at least overpower Ashu a little.

But no matter if she lost the Scythe or regained it, she was completely dominated by Ashu on all fronts.

Even for similar abilities, Ashu’s quality was superior.

God of Death, oh God of Death, why is this? What was the suffering I endured all these years worth?

Full of resentment, Ymir followed Ashu back into the Atras Empire.

...

Meanwhile,

Within the Kingdom of Ankgarde,

A shadow followed the guidance of Cidi Evil Power and found the hideout of the new Cidi cult.

The moment he appeared, it caused a stir throughout the new Cidi cult.

The temporary leader, Greenfur, was ready to face death.

He led the charge, standing at the forefront among the Devotees, staring down the newcomer.

He immediately recognized the attire, the mask, the very image—one of the Four Great Bounty Hunters, Antikythera.

Antikythera’s power level was Shadowkill Master, corresponding to Grand Archmage rank.

Greenfur himself was only a minor Archmage.

With such a gap, if battle broke out, his side would be slaughtered mercilessly like chickens and dogs.

"You..."

Before Greenfur could finish, Antikythera took the initiative to explain, "For Ashu, for Cidi."

This slogan sounded like a secret password used by a certain evil organization’s rival faction.

Upon hearing this, most of the Cidi Devotees, including Greenfur, relaxed.

The name Cidi might be widely known.

But the name Ashu, Bishop of the new Cidi cult, was always a secret.

Only insiders knew Ashu’s name.

This meant that Antikythera was an insider.

"Parishioners, I am the new Cardinal Deacon appointed by Lord Bishop. I have come to lead you in expanding the cult and spreading great love," Antikythera said.

He showed no arrogance or bragging. After revealing his identity, he calmly asked Greenfur, "Before now, Parishioner, you led the group. Please tell me, what developmental difficulties is our cult facing?"

Greenfur opened his mouth but was so overwhelmed with emotion that he struggled to speak.

He had racked his brain but never dared imagine that the famed Antikythera was actually an ally!

With such incredible power now on their side, wouldn’t the Cidi cult’s growth be smooth sailing?

After composing himself, Greenfur finally answered, "Your Eminence Cardinal Deacon, previously, the biggest problem our cult faced was the Bounty Hunters’ raids. However, I have received a message from Sion—I didn’t expect this crisis to be resolved in such a manner. First, on behalf of the Parishioners, I welcome you. Second, we still have a predicament: the Devotees of the God of Deceit are hunting us down."

Greenfur himself came from the God of Deceit Devotees; otherwise, he would have long since been captured by them.

After all, the Kingdom of Ankgarde lies within the territory of the God of Deceit.

"So," Antikythera pulled out his razor-sharp dagger and said, "it’s time I sharpen my blade with the skulls of God of Deceit Devotees."

"May Cidi bless you."

"May Cidi bless you."

After reporting back at the base and making himself known, Antikythera swiftly set off toward the nearby God of Deceit Devotees.

A Shadowkill Master wanting to act—unless the Cardinal of the God of Deceit cult intervened—was nearly unstoppable.

But a small border heresy issue wasn’t enough to alarm the lofty Cardinal.

So,

Antikythera first arrived at the God of Deceit Church in Dadley.

He waited until the dead of night, then silently slipped inside the Church.

Wherever he passed, blood splattered on the spot.

Until—

He reached the Bishop’s quarters within the Church.

The Bishop of the God of Deceit branch in Dadley was a middle-aged man with long green hair.

His green hair was smooth and glossy; he was busy lighting a lamp and writing a letter, the contents unknown.

When Antikythera effortlessly picked the lock with his dagger and entered the room, the heavy smell of blood hit him.

"Hm? What’s going on... i-is that you?!"

In the flickering candlelight, the Bishop dropped his pen onto the floor with a clatter.

He didn’t dare reach down to pick it up, fearing that doing so might cost him his life.

He didn’t dare look away either, because he knew exactly who had entered the room tonight.

"Antikythera, do you—do you need something? You were hired by above to eliminate the Cidi Devotees. Do you require any assistance now?"

"Heh." Antikythera moved in a flash, and the dagger was suddenly pressed against the Bishop’s neck.

"What blasphemy. A Devotee of a false god, and you think you can hire me to wipe out the great love followers?"

"W-what?"

"You don’t need to know anymore. Go tell the Reaper yourself."

Pffshh—

The Bishop’s artery burst, spraying blood three meters across.

"This is the last one. This Church is finished." Antikythera wiped his dagger on the Bishop’s clothes, ready to leave, but then noticed a letter on the desk.

"What’s this...?"

He looked closely.

On the letter were several key terms—standing out as clearly as a gemstone among coal.

First: Queen’s Faction.

Second: "Atras."

Third: "Luminous saint."

"My Queen, at this critical time, Lord Atras has stated that our focus should not be on wiping out a mere handful of Cidi Devotees—a bunch of heretics who only know indulgence. In just over two months, the Imperial Princess will have her coming-of-age ceremony. He hinted that he intends to use our forces to assassinate the ’luminous saint’ who will officiate the ceremony for the Imperial Princess. If we do this, we will surely face fierce retaliation from the Holy Cultivator Guild. However, Lord Atras has promised that if we succeed, he will fully support us in thoroughly rooting out the Duke’s Faction..."

Antikythera read the letter aloud.

The letter was clearly unfinished; only the corpse knew what else was meant to be written.

He didn’t know who this Lord Atras in the letter was, but he knew the neighboring country was called the Atras Empire, and the royal family there carried the surname Atras.

Since the letter mentioned the Imperial Princess, it was naturally a conspiracy involving the Atras royal family.

What surprised him even more was that the Queen’s Faction of the Kingdom of Ankgarde was colluding with the Atras Empire’s royal family!

For the sake of the two vile parties’ power struggles, they were willing to go this far.