Knowing and Respecting

The Void Cult members were now all exceptionally powerful.

Sarah’s arrival naturally drew their attention, and they carefully listened to what she had to say.

When they heard how Miss Sonia viewed them, they were delighted as well.

They truly respected Miss Sonia and were willing to follow some of her instructions.

They also regarded Miss Sonia as someone of higher status, but the fact that she did not see them as subordinates was something worth being happy about.

Moreover, aside from revering Lord Kassadin, there was no clear hierarchy on the island.

"Sonia-senpai has unfathomable strength?"

Sarah picked up on the key point in Lord Kyle’s words and found it somewhat strange.

"No one on the island has ever personally seen Miss Sonia fight with her full strength."

"However, most of the island’s residents can fly, and Miss Sonia was the one who taught them."

"Didn’t Miss Sonia tell you that?"

Kyle found this rather strange as well.

"I thought Sonia-senpai was just an ordinary person like me…"

Hearing these things about Sonia-senpai, Sarah felt as though her worldview had been shaken, and she murmured softly.

"Miss Sonia used to be an ordinary person, but she gained Lord Kassadin’s recognition and received his blessing."

"After joining the Void Cult, she ceased to be an ordinary person long ago."

Upon hearing this, Renoli recalled the strength Miss Sonia had displayed when he had first seen her. It had not been particularly formidable, so he spoke up.

Two years ago, when he and Kyle had come with several others to pay respects to the Void Cult, hoping to receive a blessing and join it—

Miss Sonia had seemingly joined only recently at the time, so the speed she displayed had not been particularly impressive.

However, as someone who could directly interact with Lord Kassadin, it was only natural that Sonia’s strength would have advanced by leaps and bounds over two years.

This was also regarded as common knowledge within the Void Cult.

And leaving aside whether offending Miss Sonia might bring down divine punishment from Lord Kassadin—

Miss Sonia’s contributions to Void Island were obvious to all.

"So receiving recognition doesn’t just mean getting a raise…"

After hearing Lord Renoli’s words, Sarah murmured thoughtfully.

"Judging by you, Miss Sonia never told you how to pass Lord Kassadin’s trial either."

"Then don’t hope that anyone else will reveal the contents of the trial to you."

"The island’s rules forbid revealing the specific details of the trial or the conditions for passing it."

"However, you are the first person Miss Sonia personally brought back, and she gave you a job that will sustain you for a year."

"So take your time learning about the island, then see whether you can gain the recognition of the great God of the Void Kassadin."

Hearing Sarah’s words, Lacey realized that Miss Sonia had not revealed much to Sarah. She did not disclose much either, but she still offered Sarah some reassurance.

The Void Cult’s trials had become increasingly difficult. What had once taken only a few days now lasted several months.

Even if ordinary people saw that everyone on Void Island possessed superpowers and knew that gaining recognition would grant them unparalleled strength—

Without knowing what exactly the trial entailed, it was not impossible for ordinary people to remain on the island for several months.

But for ordinary people to remain on the island and maintain their devotion for months was an extremely difficult matter.

This made Lacey thankful more than once that, when countless outsiders had been unsure whether the Void Cult could be trusted, she had come here immediately after hearing about it.

Sarah heard Lacey’s reassurance, along with the news that no one could reveal how to pass the trial.

She recalled Sonia-senpai saying that telling her would only make it harder for her to pass the trial.

Later, although Sonia-senpai had never explicitly told her the rules, she had said that if Sarah wanted to gain Lord Kassadin’s recognition—

Then as long as she worked earnestly, she would naturally have a chance of passing the trial.

Although the hint was vague and did not guarantee success, this was likely the only reminder Sonia-senpai could give her.

If she said any more, Sonia-senpai herself would be breaking the rules.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lady Lacey. I’ll think it over carefully."

Thinking this, Sarah thanked Lacey.

"If Miss Sarah can gain Lord Kassadin’s recognition, then you will truly have integrated into the Void Cult."

"If you cannot, you will have to leave sooner or later. But I hope you can pass."

"After all, one more compatriot means one more companion."

Hearing this, Kyle looked at Sarah and said with a smile.

"Although I do want to gain strength as great as all of yours, it would be better not to hold too many expectations."

Hearing this, Sarah understood Sonia-senpai’s true status and how important this opportunity she had been given was. Because of that, she also knew how she should approach this opportunity.

After all, Sonia-senpai had said that no one could understand Lord Kassadin’s thoughts.

The meaning of those words was that even Sonia-senpai’s personal recommendation could not guarantee that Sarah would pass the trial. That was why she had concealed so much from her.

She was letting Sarah go with the flow and see whether she could pass the trial and become a member of the Void Cult.

Tony merely ate quietly at the side as he listened to their conversation.

Most Void Cult members did not understand Harvey, so they did not know this, but Tony understood Harvey.

The Void Cult’s trial sounded difficult, but if it caught Harvey’s attention, then let alone waiting several months, joining the Void might only take a few minutes.

Whether it was Tony, Pepper, Steve, or Banner, they were all obvious examples. They had not faced much of a trial when joining the Void.

Harvey certainly would not suddenly find an outsider to serve as a recorder for no reason, much less have Sonia personally recommend her.

Since Harvey had done this and made Sarah this recorder—

Then as long as Sarah performed well and did not do anything illegal or disorderly, it was only a matter of time before she gained recognition and joined the Void.

The banquet lasted until midnight.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they thanked Tony Stark together before leaving one by one, thoroughly satisfied.

Moreover, hearing Sarah’s impression of Miss Sonia made them respect Miss Sonia even more.

Inside the villa atop the mountain.

Sonia, dressed in a light nightgown, looked at the photo Sarah had sent of herself sitting at the same table as Renoli, Kyle, and Mr. Tony.

She knew that Mr. Tony and the others had taken the initiative to look after Sarah.

This finally put Sonia completely at ease, and a smile appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.

Third chapter of the day delivered.