Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

【Anno: Please forgive me, my brother. When I released you from Guangdi Prison, I knew that sooner or later, we would stand on opposite sides.

An Shuo: Even so, I still haven't forgotten our vows.】

Anno found Rufeite lounging on the sofa in his boxer briefs, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. He tossed the clothes in his hand toward Rufeite. "Put them on."

Rufeite shifted his legs, scratching the inside of his thighs, and raised his neck to look at Anno, a brow arched in curiosity.

Sitting down beside him, Rufeite asked, "Guess who I just met?"

"An Shuo," Anno replied, his tone sharp.

Rufeite suddenly sat up straight, crossing his legs as he glared at Anno, frustration simmering beneath the surface. The memory of An Shuo's almost confessional words ignited a desire to confront him. "How do you know?"

With an air of calmness, Anno explained, "We are twins; we share a special connection. Also, just now in the hall, many people noticed us, yet they acted as if they didn't see. Rufeite, your consciousness can spy on and control hearts, and I had that thought at the time."

Rufeite's expression darkened. "He asked me to bring you a message."

Anno's eyebrows rose, surprise flickering in his eyes. "This isn't like him."

Rufeite felt his anger rising again but fought to contain it. "He said he still remembers the vows you made. He hasn't betrayed you and is looking forward to meeting you again."

After a long silence, Anno lowered his eyes. "I understand."

What does he understand? Is this a love-hate drama? Rufeite, though generally steadfast, began to regret letting An Shuo go in Guangdi Prison.

With a cold expression, Rufeite stood up and started to dress. Just as he buttoned his shirt, Anno spoke, his tone turning serious. "This is an ancient ritual."

Rufeite paused, throwing his suit pants aside. "A ceremony?"

"Yes, a ceremony. In a sense, religion today resembles a governmental group, but three thousand years ago, it was merely an agency under the United Nations. While it held significant power, its political influence and religious morality were mutually supportive. Religion was purer then. There's a ceremony that takes place in the Silver Hall next to the Light Hall, a ceremony of loyalty between brothers-no betrayal. An Shuo and I have a blood pact, mediated by our consciousness. If one day I betray him or he betrays me, the sea of consciousness will devour itself, and I will die by my own hand."

Rufeite frowned deeply. "An Shuo said he didn't betray you. What does that mean? Why did he say that?"

A bitter smile crept onto Anno's lips. "This is a question I've never considered. I locked An Shuo away until just now, thinking he was a traitor. Now I realize he only betrayed the religion, not me."

"How can consciousness or a blood covenant determine who betrayed whom?" Rufeite pressed.

"Heart. Concern. I have been concerned about him all these years since I locked him up, thinking of ways to redeem him. In this sense, even though I imprisoned him and we haven't met for thousands of years, the blood covenant believes I have not betrayed him. As for An Shuo, he simply betrayed the religion."

"Betrayal? What defines betrayal?" Rufeite asked.

"Betrayal is when I harm or kill him for my own benefit."

Rufeite challenged, "What if you had killed him instead of locking him up for the sake of the religion?"

A self-deprecating laugh escaped Anno. "That's what I just considered. An Shuo saved me; he knows me too well. If he fought me to the end, I would likely kill him for the sake of the religion. At that point, my consciousness would backfire, and I would not escape death."