https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-131-Lanchi-Starts-to-Play-Mind-Games/12584069/
Chapter 132: Lanchi Starts to Lead the Normal Clergy Astray
Chapter 132: Lanchi Starts to Lead the Normal Clergy Astray
Within the sacred cathedral, a fervent gale swept through, stirring up an intense fervor.
Gone was the tranquil atmosphere, replaced by passionate and fervent religious zeal.
The colorful light filtering through the stained glass windows illuminated the challengers' faces, their eyes gradually filling with determination as if touched by the power of the divine.
"Praise the Great Goddess of Fate! If I am a heretic or a traitor, may my fate be guided towards destruction!"
"Heretics and traitors deserve death, may their families suffer the same fate! I swear this in the name of the Great Goddess of Fate as my witness!"
Regardless of their personal beliefs, everyone present began to emulate Lanchi, repeating his words with conviction.
Normally, it would be unheard of for the clergy of the Church of the Goddess of Fate to resort to forcing individuals to profess their loyalty and praise the Goddess as a means of proving their innocence.
Nor would they typically engage in such repulsive behavior towards heretics.
This went against the very teachings of the Church—never to force any being to submit to fate.
The coercive tactics of proselytization, often associated with cults, were unheard of among the clergy of the Goddess of Fate.
However, the current circumstances were far from ordinary.
The urgency of the situation was paramount, directly impacting the lives of everyone present, the potential disasters that could arise from the failure of the Shadow World, and their ability to capture the heretics threatening the world.
When faced with such dire consequences, personal emotions and scruples became irrelevant.
For those challengers who were innocent, openly professing their praise for the Goddess of Fate before the Shadow World's recording program incurred no loss, and they could swear with a clear conscience.
But for the heretics among them, it was a different story.
Should they, in the presence of the Shadow World's live recording, sincerely praise and swear allegiance to the Goddess of Fate, all their efforts in hiding within this world for so many years and any potential achievements within this Shadow World would be for naught.
Their path to advancement within the Church would be irrevocably severed.
Strong emotions filled the cathedral, binding the challengers together like a tightly wound rope. It seemed as if they had been ignited by a divine passion.
Their voices rang out in fervent prayer, echoing through the grand hall, their words merging into a tidal wave of sound that touched the hearts of all present.
"Has everyone spoken?"
"Is there anyone who hasn't yet spoken?"
The young master of the merchant guild, fearless in the face of potential backlash, actively scanned the crowd, second only to Lanchi.
Even the three clergy members set aside their ethical duties to scrutinize those present.
Anyone who displayed resistance or refused to join in was immediately suspect.
Any attempts at justification were pointless at this point.
They would undoubtedly be restrained by the collective might of the group.
"Shall we go another round?"
"This time, let's unify our words and repeat Lawyer Lanchi's original statement."
And so, within the cathedral, after Lanchi had set this unusual precedent, the challengers grew increasingly fervent in their declarations, swearing various oaths to the Goddess of Fate!
Under this fervor driven by ulterior motives, the challengers' faces became consumed by passion.
They channeled their hatred and persecution of traitors into their faith, making self-forgetting vows to the deity, each word resonating with power and echoing throughout the holy place.
Listening to everyone's enthusiastic and gradually joyful oaths, one after another...
"Go ahead and laugh if you feel happy, no need to hold back," Lanchi suggested, feeling that this Shadow World should be filled with such joyful harmony.
"...I don't think anyone can force a smile right now," Hyperion quickly added, playing along.
Within the sacred cathedral, an unusual fervor consumed the challengers, their faces illuminated by the vibrant light filtering through the stained glass windows. With growing enthusiasm, they professed their loyalty and praise to the Goddess of Fate, their voices echoing off the hallowed walls. However, amidst this passionate display, two individuals stood out, their hearts heavy with conflicting emotions.
The young master of the merchant guild, unable to contain his schadenfreude, laughed out loud, well aware of the turmoil within the hearts of those forced to partake in this bizarre display. The three clergy members from the Northern Continent, despite their knowledge of the immoral and doctrinally questionable nature of their actions, couldn't help but join in the euphoria, their faces lit up with delight.
As the laughter and joyous atmosphere filled the cathedral, Hyperion found it challenging to hold back his own amusement. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and the challengers, driven by their circumstances, embraced the moment, disregarding the moral dilemma they faced. The sense of transgression and the pleasure of trampling over heretics created a heady mix of emotions that would be forever etched in their memories.
"All of this is due to the blessing of the Great Goddess; we are without sin."
The clergy's actions, so contrary to the teachings of the Church of the Goddess of Fate, would undoubtedly lead to severe punishment from the Church upon their return. Yet, in this moment of collective euphoria, such consequences seemed distant. The challengers, swept up in the fervor, continued to praise and make vows to the Goddess, their voices fervent and their faces alight with an unhinged joy.
The mysterious and abnormal zeal that engulfed them cast an eerie shadow over the beautiful stained glass and golden sculptures, transforming the sacred cathedral into a place of twisted devotion. Their prayers and cruel oaths echoed through the silent sanctuary, creating a stark contrast between the divine light and the dark undercurrents that now permeated the once-holy place.
As the atmosphere intensified, the challengers' behavior seemed to transcend mere religious devotion, taking on an increasingly frightening and bizarre nature.
...
In the council chamber of the Sage Court at the Hecate Academy, a heavy silence hung in the air despite the room's soft color palette. The teachers, their faces stern, averted their gazes from the central screen, none daring to utter a word.
The dean, Loren, who also served as the high priest of the Church of the Goddess of Fate, remained silent for an extended period, his eyes fixed on the bizarre scenes playing out on the magical screen before them.
"....!?”
Loren's eyes widened in disbelief, and his mouth hung slightly agape as he struggled to find words.
Their once orderly and virtuous church had been transformed into a scene of madness, with its followers appearing more like fallen believers under the influence of an evil god. Even the Church of Resurrection would denounce them as a cult!
On the screen, the three clergy members, the executioner, and the paladin seemed to be having the time of their lives alongside Lanchi, as if they had discovered a novel method for identifying heretics.
Loren's blood pressure soared as he witnessed the desecration of the image of the Church of the Goddess of Fate, knowing that this recorded moment would have irreversible consequences. "I will make sure to report and criticize these three clergy members from both the Northern and Southern Continents," he said through gritted teeth, his voice heavy with frustration.
From that day forward, he vowed to warn all clergy members to stay away from Lanchi Wilford, especially the young and impressionable ones whose faith might not be strong enough to withstand such corruption.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
