“Publicity and hype?”

Thuke was even more confused.

“Why go through all this?”

Ah… so that’s it.

Roland finally understood.

So this was Tina’s plan? No wonder she kept bringing up Faith Power earlier.

“I suspect it’s tied to Faith Power.”

The speaker wasn’t Tina—but Autumnwater.

His realization came almost simultaneously with Roland’s, yet he voiced it without hesitation.

“Let more people witness our actions, and they’ll form opinions. Once we slay even part of the monster horde, they’ll see us as heroes ridding the land of evil—earning praise and admiration. And even if viewers only feel that way…”

Autumnwater slightly narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze to Tina.

“…it still generates Faith Power. Of course, only if these so-called ‘Faithhunter Goggles’ can truly collect that energy like a Deity.”

Xue Die remained silent, but had clearly paused her game, now fully immersed in the discussion.

Agnes showed no emotion. Even Roland, skilled at reading people, couldn’t decipher her thoughts. Judging from earlier reactions, she too had been kept in the dark about the “become a Deity within ten years” plan. Meaning Tina stood alone—convincing everyone with benefits alone would be tough.

At the very least, Roland and Sasha were already having second thoughts.

Thuke, the last to react, was also the most expressive—likely the living embodiment of everyone’s unspoken worries. His jumpy reactions were noisy, yet oddly endearing.

“F-Faith Power?! Using videos of us defeating monsters?! Can that even work?!”

“Theoretically, yes. Back home, I discussed this with several Deities. They agreed: doing good deeds, spreading kindness and values—it does accumulate Faith Power, however slightly.”

Tina glanced down at the video site on her screen labeled “Di Shi.”

“In the old days, building temples, erecting monuments, slaying monsters for the people—all boosted faith. But it was slow. Deities are immortal; time was never their enemy. Just patient accumulation.”

She wasn’t wrong. For a Deity, followers meant reputation and goodwill.

Still… *“Back home, I chatted with several Deities”*—what a casually terrifying remark. No wonder nobles like her treated Deities as commonplace. Rumor said even a Count’s personal guard ranked Deity-level… But such matters were distant. For Roland, knowing too much brought no safety.

“So Tina believes online exposure can efficiently boost visibility?”

Xue Die spoke up for the first time, expression grave, locking eyes with Tina.

“The internet is dangerous. One moment they praise you; the next, a single misstep casts you into an abyss.”

“There, critics hide behind anonymity. No status, no face—total freedom that breeds suffocating tyranny.”

Autumnwater nodded deeply. Tina merely shrugged with a faint smile.

“That’s a challenge we’ll face *together*. Overcoming it is what makes us an organization, right? For now—just a trial. Everyone, put on your goggles.”

Roland retrieved the goggles from his Spatial Storage Ring, turning them over in his hands for a few seconds. Then he looked up at Tina, voice low and firm.

“Sasha and I withdraw. We forfeit all rewards.”

“…I agree,” Sasha added with a nod.

“An A-rank monster isn’t a ‘trial’—it drastically raises our death risk.”

“This clashes with our principles.”

Both placed the goggles on the glass table.

“Risking life for coin can be fair trade,” Roland continued. “But this mission—five thousand, fifty thousand, even more—isn’t worth it.”

He added quietly, “Neither Mr. Kong Li nor Miss Tina asked if we wanted to be filmed. Being put on display, judged by countless strangers… feels no different from being a wanted criminal—even when doing good.”

Tina looked mildly surprised, yet understanding.

“You’re right, Roland.”

“So… your answer?”

Roland’s mind raced—he wouldn’t survive having his wings broken and tossed off this airship for speaking up.

Tina shook her head.

*Snap.*

A woman of pure frost materialized before them.

Like winter given form.

Her mere presence froze Roland and Sasha to the bone.

“This lady’s name is confidential. She is a Deity.”

Roland shuddered.

*A… Deity?!*

Everyone but Agnes froze in stunned silence—even their trembling ceased.

So sudden. So casual. So… terrifying.

Before her, Roland felt utterly exposed. Even a twitch of his finger would be seen.

“If we refuse… we die, right?”

He forced the words out through fear. Silence meant death. Speaking might still be his last act.

“Ah—don’t misunderstand!” Tina waved hastily, then sighed, head bowed. “I’m such a failure… everything I say or do feels malicious to others.”

“Let me clarify Miss’s intent,” Agnes interjected with a sigh, turning to Roland.

“Miss invited a Deity from the start as observer. This guarantees no deaths during the bounty mission. She only wished to ease your deepest fear. She hid the Deity’s presence to prevent complacency—but since Roland and little Sasha voiced such strong concerns… without this assurance, the trial simply couldn’t proceed.”