Chapter 370: Balance of Power

Under intense pressure and competition, a temple—one that could be considered luxurious by Gale Island’s standards—was swiftly constructed.

Naturally, this could not have been accomplished without the design and oversight of the craftsmen Ling specifically brought back from Nagrand, nor without the assistance of the sea beasts under Boulder’s command. However, considering that every tree on Gale Island had long been regarded as both sacred and precious, and that even Queen Gale’s own palace was merely a nest built over many years from fallen branches, the sheer scale of this structure—which consumed nearly one-fifth of the island’s total trees—was enough to demonstrate the sincerity of the birdfolk.

With the fishfolk completely eradicated, large schools of fish now roamed freely in the surrounding waters, providing both the penguinfolk and the harpies with an abundant source of food. This was likely the biggest reason they were willing and able to commit to such an endeavor.

At Queen Gale’s request, Wu Qingsong personally donned his ceremonial robes for the first time to preside over the baptism ceremony in the newly completed Xuanyuan Temple, officially welcoming the harpies into the faith. However, as part of the agreement, the penguinfolk king—Oran—had by then already become a priest and participated in the ceremony as Wu Qingsong’s assistant, translating his words from the common tongue into the birdfolk’s language.

It was worth noting that the temple had two sets of entrances—one at the bottom for the penguinfolk and another at the top, allowing the harpies to fly in and out freely. Inside, numerous perches had been installed to accommodate them. If the Xuanyuan Temple in Nagrand was a two-dimensional space, then the one on Gale Island was truly three-dimensional.

Thus, as Wu Qingsong recited the carefully modified script that Morin had painstakingly adjusted to align with birdfolk customs, he found himself addressing an audience densely packed throughout every level of the structure. The sheer number of them filled his vision, making him slightly dizzy.

“This place is now in your hands,” Wu Qingsong told Morin and Boulder. “Internal affairs will still be managed by the harpies themselves. The church should only offer guidance when necessary—do not let them feel we are attempting to seize political control. The church’s daily operations and interactions with the birdfolk will be handled by Morin. If military force is required, Morin, you will report the situation and your thoughts to Boulder. Boulder will then assess whether military action is necessary and formulate a plan accordingly.”

Morin glanced at Boulder, but with its face concealed beneath its hood, there was nothing to be seen.

“Boulder, I need you to ensure the safety of the church,” Wu Qingsong said.

“Priority level?”

Wu Qingsong considered briefly.

“First, ensure the safety of the personnel from Nagrand—especially Morin and Kelly. Second, the development of the church. Third, the protection of the temple and the clergy’s safety and interests. Fourth, the safety and interests of the believers. Finally, the security and stability of the entire island.”

“The clergy takes precedence over the believers?” Boulder asked.

“Qualified clergy take priority over believers,” Wu Qingsong clarified. “Morin will handle daily affairs—he should already have enough experience from Nagrand to manage most situations. Boulder, your primary role is to act as his military backing, ensuring that he can carry out his duties smoothly. The ultimate goal is to cultivate more penguinfolk priests to weaken the harpies’ actual control and influence, allowing Xuanyuan to become the true faith of the birdfolk as quickly as possible. Remember, at the core of it all, we need more devoted believers, so that we may gain more warriors to fight against the elves and obtain more soulstones. Every action you take should revolve around this objective.”

“Understood,” Boulder replied indifferently.

“I will leave behind five soulstones in Morin’s care. If any believers generate soulstones upon death, Morin will also be responsible for keeping them,” Wu Qingsong stated in Boulder’s presence.

“Yes.” Morin glanced at Boulder cautiously and replied in a low voice.

“One soulstone per month should be sufficient to sustain the undead’s energy consumption,” Wu Qingsong continued. “If conflict arises, the consumption will naturally increase. Boulder, in such cases, you may request additional soulstones from Morin. If nothing unexpected occurs, I will return every three months for a full report. Major but non-urgent matters can be discussed then, while urgent issues are delegated to the two of you to resolve together. Morin oversees daily affairs; Boulder commands military actions. Any questions?”

Boulder remained silent. Morin hesitated for a moment before carefully expressing his gratitude for the arrangement, his commitment to the task, and—

“If that’s all, I’ll be going.” Wu Qingsong finally interrupted, unable to endure Morin’s lengthy words. “I trust you will work well together.”

The old walrus, Ivers, along with most of the sealfolk sailors, had already been discreetly transported to Nagrand by Ling. Wu Qingsong certainly wasn’t going to let them roam the mainland spreading tales of their experiences, potentially exposing the fact that the birdfolk still inhabited Gale Island.

As compensation for their forced relocation, he granted each of them a plot of land and a wooden house. He also offered them employment in the Ice Sea transport fleet. Additionally, he had them write letters, which were handed over to the Dark Moon organization, requesting their families be brought to Nagrand.

Only the sealfolk named Bilus chose to stay. As an illegitimate child, he had no ties to the mainland.

Naturally, he converted to the Xuanyuan faith, and Wu Qingsong instructed Morin to invest more effort in training him to become a priest.

“Do you really think they can work together smoothly?” Ling asked on the way back. “Morin seems pretty scared of Boulder.”

“I don’t know,” Wu Qingsong admitted. “But if Boulder intends to do anything, it won’t be easy on an isolated island like this. Given Morin’s nature, if Boulder ever did cross a line, he would likely endure it silently, perhaps even yield temporarily, and then report everything when we return. Morin wields little power but holds significant authority. As a rabbitfolk, no one besides me can offer him greater status or honor, defection isn’t an option for him. Boulder, on the other hand, is strong but counterbalanced by Morin. As an undead, it has little opportunity to conspire with the birdfolk. If its behavior remains as it was in Nagrand, that would be the best outcome.”

After a pause, he added, “Given its intelligence, I don’t think it would do anything irrational.”

As an undead, it could no longer commune with nature as it once had, nor could it live as it did in the past.

So what did it still desire?

Freedom? Power? Knowledge?

Wu Qingsong suddenly thought that perhaps he should find the time to properly read through the lengthy and tedious philosophical sections at the beginning of The Book of the Dead.