"Hmm."

"Gray is dead, is that a good thing?"

"That's right, it is indeed a good thing."

"What's good about it, may I ask!"

Before dealing with Laris, Mary discovered that there seemed to be an even bigger problem in the city hall that needed resolving.

"Lizi, this is the Far West, right? What's the most important thing in the Far West? It's neither law nor reason, but faith. This understanding is deeply ingrained in this land. Gray would hold two-hour long meetings with them every day, yet it wouldn't compare to a single word from the goddess's spokesperson."

Ethan said, "So Gray's disadvantage is because of his identity. He wasn't even a believer in the Goddess of Life. The name of the Truth Society doesn't work as well in Oasis City as the Church Court does. Now that he's dead, dead in a way that several doctors can't bring him back, but you, aren't you here? If at this moment Gray suddenly resurrected, wouldn't he suddenly gain a sense of divinity, as if his contributions were recognized by the goddess, who specifically allowed him to come back to life."

Mary was completely taken aback, even responding with an "Uh-huh" to express agreement with Ethan's words.

"Then let's see, once Gray miraculously resurrects, and encounters someone like Laris whispering among the commoners, can we ask Laris, 'Brother, who are you?'"

Gray is the one who got shot and was personally brought back by the goddess, with the entire Life Divine Teachings backing him up.

"Huh?"

Mary suddenly saw the light, "Makes some sense, but there's still a problem."

"Go on."

"I'm not the Goddess of Life, even if I saved Gray, he couldn't represent the will of the goddess."

She understood clearly, in people's minds, the Church Saintess at best could be considered a stronger spokesperson, vastly different from the actual status of the Goddess of Life in their hearts.

"Then Old Sen, let me tell you something," Ethan said, "Are kings and nobles born superior?"

Since the reversal of the Goddess of Life allows for competition for this position, why can't Mary, who has also comprehended Bazatous's powers?

"Lizi, don't forget, you've got one extra tuft of hair than Bazarian, and that's an advantage not to be overlooked in an election."

Mary, though not fully comprehending Ethan's meaning, was greatly shocked.

She couldn't help but admit she was convinced, going over Ethan's line of thought again, only to find his theory impeccable.

Therefore, Gray getting shot was indeed a good thing.

However... something still seemed a bit off about it.

Mary scratched her head.

Damn it, it felt like something was invading her mind!

"Let's do it then."

Mary decided not to think anymore but to act. Gray hadn't been dead for long; his soul hadn't entirely dissipated. After understanding Bazatous's powers, there was still a way to make Gray come back to life.

Just before stepping out of the city hall office, she suddenly stopped again.

"Senzi, how about Bazarian? Hard to deal with?"

This was their first direct confrontation with Bazarian since arriving in Oasis City, and she wanted to probe Ethan about it since even someone as powerful as Ethan, after a brief encounter with Bazarian, seemed like a candle in the wind today. She suspected that Lindong might have participated in that battle because the white ragdoll cat on Ethan's shoulder looked listless.

In a situation of two against one, to fall into such a passive position. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Bazarian's power is terrifying!

"I don't know."

"Don't know? Didn't you fight her?"

"No, I didn't."

Mary was stunned, "Then what's up with you today? And where did the red collar on your cat's neck come from? Did it hurt its neck?"

The ragdoll cat opened its eyes into a slit.

Ethan glanced at Mary, whose gaze was pure and innocent, and waved his hand, "Alright, that's enough for you."

It seemed that Lizi previously instigated his cat to attack him, without actually knowing what exactly Lindong would do.

Thinking about this, Ethan felt relieved.

Because he suddenly recalled, according to credible records of the Holy Scripture, Saint Mary had been a lifelong bachelor.

................

That night, Laris personally presided over Gray's burial ceremony.

The firelight illuminated the faces of the people in Lower City. With highly provocative words, he pointed the blame at the Upper City officials, holding a torch high in his hands, impassioned.

This is a war that concerns everyone.

Retreat and concession won't solve any problems. The changes Mary brought are just a temporary cure, once she leaves Oasis City one day, the city's situation will deteriorate rapidly. The officials will intensify their actions and conduct an unprecedented reckoning, by then, no one will be spared.

From the very beginning, there was only one path before them.

That is to fight till the last moment, until every official in Oasis City and even in the Far West is killed.

The firelight reddened Laris's face, he was very pleased with today's speech.

Yet after the proclamation of the coming war, the crowd was dead silent.

This was not quite the situation he had imagined.

Logically, the residents of Lower City should have been steeped in grief over Gray's death, a moment when their hatred and anger would be most easily ignited.

Laris quickly noticed the strange looks in people's eyes. Their gaze was not on him, the speaker, but over him, looking behind him.

After the silence, there was surprise, even exhilaration.

"Mr. Gray!"

Laris turned his head, and when he saw the old man sitting up from the fire, he, just like everyone present, stood frozen in place.

This... How is it possible?

They had clearly shot Gray at close range, ensuring his death!

The old man's eyes were first somewhat dazed, then as if recalling something, he looked down at his chest, the old tuxedo on his chest still bore traces of blood, there was a bullet hole through the tuxedo, yet his body, which should have been penetrated, had mysteriously been restored.

This scene made Laris clench his fists tightly, nearly grinding his teeth to pieces.

Miraculously resurrecting also proved another thing—this is the power of the Goddess of Life, does it mean the goddess's scale is tilting towards these detestable people who profess rationality?

This resurrection "performance" was full of illusion and emptiness for both the old man and Laris. The joy over the miracle felt as if it no longer concerned them, their gazes intertwined, leaving only the two of them at this funeral.

"Laris."

Gray's parched lips moved.

Before he was shot down in the central square, he had never directly questioned Laris, but Gray could feel that Laris's hatred for the Upper City surpassed anyone else's, so intense that he wanted to kill everyone indiscriminately, even those from Lower City who had worked as servants in the homes of nobles and officials were not exempt.

Gray understood Lower City and every person here.

Over the past few years, many of them had suffered persecution from the Upper City, and some had even seen their families destroyed, except Laris...

In Gray's impression, Laris and his companions were young and had always mingled in the taverns of Lower City.

Gray had investigated, but could not find out their origins.

Most of them were orphans who had nowhere to go, and in a place like Oasis City, it was difficult to trace their backgrounds.

Gray gazed deeply at Laris, "Tell me, Laris, what exactly have the people of Upper City done to you?"

"Nothing."

Gray clearly saw Laris suddenly smile, the young man still holding the torch, his eyes seemed to be burning with hellfire, his smile twisted and ferocious, making Gray shiver.

He felt as if he were facing a demon from hell.

"They have done nothing to me."