“Your Eminence, the Polluted have already been dealt with. The remaining seventeen people pose no problems.”
After counting the number of people, Beikeze reported to Muxuan.
Muxuan nodded in understanding.
The original No. 29, now with Gelifinde and the other two added, left only twenty people.
Better than the number he had expected.
To be honest, if there were any other way, Muxuan would not have chosen to eliminate these Polluted. Although they had been tainted, they had not yet reached the point of losing their reason and turning into monsters.
If the pollution could be cleansed, and they could be turned into believers, it would be another source of Faith Power.
But unfortunately, Muxuan was unable to remove the pollution. People said that Faith Power was a cure-all, but in reality, that was far from the truth.
The primary function of Faith Power was to grant blessings, or, more violently, to destroy. For ordinary people, Faith Power could bestow all kinds of abilities and enable their bodies to generate the power of light.
But when it came to the Polluted, all it could do was mercilessly destroy. This was clear from the strange transformation of that idol.
It was the power of light that could pull the Polluted back from the brink. Yet even that was subdivided.
Gelifinde’s light was the strongest among them, but unfortunately, his Light Power leaned more towards destruction.
Buzhaci’s, on the other hand, was focused more on self-enhancement and the attachment of strength.
As for Beikeze, he was indeed more attuned to healing, but the concentration of his Light Power was not even as strong as Muxuan’s.
Muxuan’s Light Power encompassed all, but because its concentration was insufficient, it still could not strip away the pollution.
Muxuan’s next plan was to let the light envelop the village, then forge an idol and complete the first true prayer.
But to do that, the Polluted had to be removed. If they were simply thrown out into the black mist, they would inevitably become twisted. Therefore, Muxuan had no choice but to have Gelifinde kill the Polluted.
Would he feel guilty or ashamed?
Of course. The power he wielded could have saved them… Yet Muxuan would not let these emotional fluctuations change his mind. He had never wavered in his thoughts towards Hel, let alone this matter.
When fragments of past Popes’ memories poured into his mind, Muxuan understood clearly that the cruelty of this world demanded the abandonment of unnecessary emotions.
Reviewing all that had happened, Muxuan took a deep breath, straightened his body, and said, “Now, it is time to let the lost believers return to the embrace of the goddess…”
The three with Gelifinde immediately bowed their heads and saluted, “Praise the Goddess!”
Muxuan then pushed open the door, looking at the people lying throughout the room, and slightly raised his scepter. A gentle halo of light slowly descended, and the slumbering people gradually awoke.
“Hiss…”
“Ugh…”
“……”
As the people woke up, more and more began to make sounds. Perhaps because they had slept so long, their minds were still somewhat groggy.
“Your… Your Eminence?”
Someone quickly regained their senses, looked toward Muxuan at the door in confusion, then realized they were no longer in their original room.
Muxuan did not speak immediately, but quietly observed the crowd in the room. Without Hel’s control, noise quickly filled the whole space.
Once everyone was awake and just as panic was about to ignite like a powder keg, Muxuan stomped his scepter and said sternly, “Silence!”
The crowd instantly quieted. No one spoke, and all eyes were fixed on Muxuan.
“Everyone, I regret to inform you, Hel has betrayed the church…” Before Muxuan finished speaking, someone immediately retorted.
“Impossible, Bishop Hel would never betray the church!”
Seeing the crowd’s emotions about to boil over again, Muxuan quickly called out in a low voice, “Silence!”
Hearing the commotion, Gelifinde hurried in. He wore no armor, yet his presence immediately caused a stir.
“Monster!”
Someone shouted, and panic instantly swept through the crowd.
That person whom they believed to have died in the black mist was now alive before their eyes—how could that not inspire fear?
Gelifinde said nothing, drawing out his inner power instead. In an instant, light enveloped his entire body, forming an impenetrable suit of armor.
The silver brilliance shone especially bright in the darkness.
This sudden transformation silenced everyone.
In this darkness, there was no light at all. Even if some displayed special abilities, they were always using tainted materials. The only light they had ever seen was from the Popes’ scepter, passed down through generations.
Yet the scene before them now seemed a miracle!
They turned their gazes back to Muxuan, hoping for answers from him.
Feeling their burning eyes, Muxuan cleared his throat and said, “As you have seen, Gelifinde has received the goddess’s blessing.”
“And we discovered something was off with Bishop Hel a long time ago. The time when food was short and people were sent out to gather supplies was to get Gelifinde out for later rescue.”
“As we expected, Hel betrayed the church and destroyed the idol. We used this chance to transfer you here, away from danger…”
After Muxuan spoke, some among the crowd looked as if their faith had shattered, disbelief etched on their faces; others turned to Gelifinde, their eyes brimming with emotion.
“Your Eminence… why are there fewer people…”
Someone had noticed the missing people and voiced their doubt.
“The goddess bestowed a revelation upon us, and we used the chance to root out the hidden abominations.”
As soon as Muxuan finished, several people wore expressions of lingering fear.
So that meant, the missing people were all hidden abominations… Just thinking about how they’d been hiding among them without anyone noticing was terrifying…
Hiss… Just the thought made their skin crawl…
But fortunately, the goddess revealed it, and Your Eminence wiped out those abominations!
After a bout of self-comfort, that person looked at Muxuan with newfound respect and devotion.
The goddess is still watching over us!!!
Many others shared the same thought.
Muxuan also sensed two new wisps of Faith Power in his scepter.
Knowing these words were effective, Muxuan decided to play his trump card.
“Pious believers, the goddess has never abandoned us. Now, please step outside and witness a true miracle!” After speaking, Muxuan and Gelifinde led the way out the door.
Buzhaci and Beikeze were already standing not far away, their expressions serious as they waited for Muxuan’s instructions.
As the crowd gradually filed out, Muxuan stood before a massive stone, with Buzhaci, Gelifinde, and Beikeze before him. Further ahead stood the somewhat disorganized crowd…
With a look of piety, Muxuan offered no lengthy sermon.
One hand pressed to his chest, the other slowly raised his scepter. A faint light gathered at the scepter’s tip, then rapidly intensified.
Seeing this, those in front held their breath, watching excitedly as Muxuan displayed a miracle.
Soon, the light enveloped both Muxuan and the giant stone behind him. Muxuan’s face appeared especially divine beneath the radiance.
Muxuan lowered his head slightly. In the next instant, several pillars of light pierced the darkness, shooting straight up into the sky…
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.