Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Anno understood that Rufeite's sudden appearance on Blue Mercury was no accident; it was a directive from Anshuo. The timing, precisely four years after his departure, began to make sense.

Two years prior, Rufeite had a falling out with Arthur, the chairman of Jindi. Arthur sought to embed his influence within the United Nations, leveraging a series of trade cooperation contracts while publicly supporting sanctions against the military. At that critical moment, the Bolai family unexpectedly reclaimed their property in Hades, and Rufeite's mother fled with a significant sum of cash, earning her the status of a most-wanted fugitive in Jindi.

The conflict between Rufeite and Arthur ignited on a small planet outside Virgo. Interstellar pirates were terrorizing local residents, and Rufeite, present on the planet to preach, seized the opportunity to confront them. Unbeknownst to him, the leader of those insignificant pirates was the brother of Arthur's mistress, marking the beginning of a deep-seated animosity between Rufeite and Arthur.

The confrontation escalated tragically when Rufeite was shot in the chest by a light energy weapon. It was said he had not invoked the Sea of Consciousness at that moment, a fact only Anshuo and Anno were privy to. In that critical instance, Rufeite's power of faith had nearly depleted, leaving the Sea of Consciousness unable to shield him.

Since that day, Rufeite had not resurfaced in the Blue Water Galaxy. Fortunately, the black jade he carried protected his soul, allowing him to lie quietly in his room. The light reflected from the water-blue rippling walls danced across his face, and now and then, small fish swam by, their tails flicking through the water, sending ripples that kissed Rufeite's visage.

Anno sat by the water's edge, silent as he watched the man on the bed. Rufeite still wore the vibrant red robe of the Heavenly Religion, without its jacket, and remained in a deep slumber, the black jade resting on his chest. Anno could only imagine the heart beneath that stone, once full of life, now reduced to a mere metal skeleton, void of internal organs and blood vessels.

Waiting for Rufeite to awaken, Anno recalled Anshuo's assurance that it would be no more than twenty minutes. However, his mind felt clouded, thoughts drifting like leaves on a gentle stream.

He reflected on Rufeite's almost obsessive love for him. What could inspire someone to abandon the physical form of another, choosing instead to cherish only the soul? Anno felt overwhelmed, unable to comprehend such depth of feeling.

His gaze fell upon the cold "body" lying before him. Was this truly Rufeite? The same soul, yet reduced to a lifeless metal construct emerging from a religious research laboratory-an entity devoid of emotion, merely executing the learned habits and thoughts of its original soul.

Without a human vessel, without the complex structure of body and brain, could one truly be considered a complete person?

Could the soul think independently? Was its perception akin to that of a living being?

These were questions Anno and iShares had deliberated. Anno's conclusion was clear: the fusion of soul and body defined a person. The soul was tethered to the body not due to an absence of substance, but because its thoughts and perceptions required a corporeal anchor.

Rufeite needed a human form. No matter who he was, he should not be relegated to mere machinery.

After a period of quiet contemplation, Rufeite slowly awakened.

Anno remained still, watching as Rufeite blinked awake, confusion clouding his features for a moment before recognition dawned. He swiftly turned his gaze to Anno beside the bed.