Abdin raised his hand to interrupt him. "What is your mission in this place? I have never encountered any clerics here in my entire life. I was informed that you live far away, and Yusta'Diyum doesn't want you within her borders."

Upon hearing this, the man frowned and shook his head. "How unfortunate! Do you believe those infidels have anything to say other than fabrications? Listen, if you want to embrace my faith, nothing can stand in your way. What is your name?"

Abdin shook his head sadly. Revealing his name would inevitably lead to the oath of faith.

However, that wasn't the issue at hand. The problem was that every religious follower knew the name or names of Abdin. They were taught that from the very beginning at school.

Giving his name as Commander would be like shining a bright neon sign on his forehead, announcing that he owned the castle.

Undoubtedly, it was the castle that had initially attracted the man.

"My name is Yuba," Abdin said.

"Hmm, Yuba. Such a nice name," the man replied with an overly enthusiastic nod. "Oh, dear brother Yuba, I invite you to join the fold of Sawa. All your troubles..."

Once again, Abdin cut him off before he could finish.

"What offense did you commit against those men? Are you aware that Biyakis wouldn't take lightly killing their men?"

The man glanced at the site of the recent massacre and shrugged. "Oh, don't worry about those infidels. I don't have the power to properly punish them right now, but they will receive their due when my superior arrives."

"How did you offend them?" asked Abdin again.

He remained quiet for a moment before sighing and replying, "I trusted one of them, but he betrayed me. He promised to take me to their leader, the founder of this castle, but I eventually discovered that he was lying. So I executed him according to the laws of my faith."

Abdin smiled weakly, recalling the incidents during his time in the West. Betrayal according to the faith of Sawa carried the death penalty. As someone who had killed thousands of their people, Abdin was more deserving of a death sentence than anyone else. Simply killing him would probably not satisfy their anger.

"Understood," he replied. "So where are you heading now?"

"Well... I haven't decided yet," the man replied. "But I think I'll keep searching until I find something. By any chance, do you have any news about the founder of this fascinating castle?"

Abdin stared at him, pretending to be confused.

"Oh no, don't worry, it's nothing," he reassured him quickly. "I'm Rin, by the way, and I believe the founder is my long-lost brother. I would appreciate it if you could help me find him. Money is not an issue," he said, offering a bag of coins to Abdin. Abdin scrutinized him from head to toe. So it was 'his brother'? Hmm.

"I don't know anything about the owner," Abdin said. "But I overheard my friend talking about him. I can connect you with him if you want."

"You are so blessed, oh Yuba!" Rin gave him a quick bow. "Connect me with him so I can fulfill my religion's decree."

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"Wait, wait," Abdin raised his hand. "I want to know which side you're on in this castle and how long you've been here. I won't be able to help you if you're not on my side."

Rin frowned but quickly masked it with a smile. "I arrived in this castle two days ago-two weeks since I entered the continent. I am not taking sides, I'm just seeking my brother. I'll leave when I get what I want," he promised.

Abdin gave him an incredulous look. "Only two days?" he asked skeptically. "Where is the rest of your company? And do you think anyone would want to leave this castle after experiencing its abundance? Where else would you find such power if you leave?"

Rin clenched his teeth. He believed that Abdin was one of those greedy invaders attempting to conquer the castle. However, Rin knew the castle's disaster better than anyone, and as soon as he fulfilled his wish, he would distance himself from this monstrous place.

"We are not from here. We come from the West. As for my companions, some of them are not in this empire, and others are not even on this continent."

"Not on this continent? What do you mean?" Abdin understood Rin's meaning perfectly well, but his face never revealed it.

He understood the pattern followed by the clerics from the years they had spent tracking him down.

Usually, they would split up after arriving in a settlement, with each Archbishop taking his followers and going in a different direction.

Only the news about Abdin would bring them together, allowing them to ambush him. Without any news, they would continue searching, and after two or three years, they would regroup and move to another location.

That was how they had been tracking him, and Abdin had never suspected that one of their students was here on the continent.

But that wasn't surprising, considering it was impossible to single out one person among a million others.

Rin sadly shook his head. He looked at Abdin with pity, closed his eyes, and raised his hands in prayer. "Oh Lord Sawa," he prayed, "I seek your permission to punish this servant of yours. He didn't wrong me, but he is reluctant to help religion. And..."

In an instant, Abdin vanished and reappeared just in front of Rin. In quick succession, he tapped Rin's chest three times, his neck twice, and his forehead once.

With that action, Rin's blood circulation and cultivation were effectively bound.

"I helped you, but you tried to hurt me. Is this the way of the faithful?" Abdin spoke calmly.

He still needed some information from Rin, which is why he hesitated to kill him immediately.

Rin's face displayed surprise. Abdin had caught him off guard, and Rin never saw when he uttered any incantations or when he attacked him.

He never saw it coming, even though he was on guard at the time and had nearly finished a prayer.

Nevertheless, Abdin defeated him effortlessly, and now Rin was unable to move or even speak. All his cultivation outlets were blocked, and he couldn't utter a prayer.

"How much are you willing to pay before I take you to my friend?" asked Abdin.

Rin tried to open his mouth but found it impossible. Seeing his struggle, Abdin moved closer and lightly tapped his forehead. Rin's tongue was instantly freed, and he was able to speak.

He took a deep breath and stared at Abdin again. The look he gave was filled with fear, but mostly it was one of surprise.

"I will pay whatever you want," he replied.

Abdin grinned. "I want a level seven Ayrid or higher. The more Ayrid you have, the more information you'll receive."

Using a level seven Ayrid or higher was the only way to send an intercontinental message. Each appointed Archbishop typically gave three Ayrids to their subordinates before parting ways.

If Abdin could obtain all three Ayrids from Rin, it would mean that he had not yet shared information about the castle with anyone.

Having the opportunity to inform them about the castle and its owner would attract a significant reward and promotion for Rin. Perhaps his name could even be recorded in the revered book of history, to be recited by faithful followers for centuries to come.

The expectations attached to this could make Rin delay sending the news to his superiors.

If Rin had only been in the castle for two days, as he claimed, Abdin was confident that he had not yet revealed the news.

Nevertheless, he needed to see those Ayrids to be certain.

"You're crazy," Rin said in disbelief. "Where do you think I can get a level seven Ayrid? Forget it then if you're not going to accept any money." His mouth frothed as he spoke.

"Haha," laughed Abdin. "Alright," he said. "I even heard my friend saying that the man's name was Commander and that he once met him. But forget it since you don't have any level seven Ayrid."

Abdin turned on his heels and began to leave.