https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-415-The-Convenience-of-the-Faith-Module/12851157/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-417-Communication-Optimization-Multiple-Channels/12851159/
Chapter 416: The Abyssal Web Loading
Chapter 416: The Abyssal Web Loading
"Looks like this year's harvest won't be enough to feed us. I'll have to send the eldest to be a serf for Lord Harris. At least he'll have a chance to live," Sam, with his face etched with worry, said sadly.
"We have to offer a portion to the Church of Holy Light, another to the Church of Fertility, then a portion to Pastor Alva and Pastor Brandt, a portion to Knight Kino, and another to Lord Harris." After dividing the harvest, Sam found that only a little remained, not even enough to eat, only enough to plant for the next spring.
He didn't understand why, despite his hard work, he still couldn't even fill his stomach.
As for not giving these forces or people, that was out of the question.
The Church of Holy Light was his faith, the Church of Fertility protected his harvest, and the two pastors were the representatives of the gods on earth, so they could not be neglected. The knight protected their safety, and if he didn't give, the consequences would be severe.
And then there was the noble lord, who owned the land. The noble lord kindly rented the land to them for work, so rent had to be paid.
"Oh, my God, I forgot about the tax collector's grain tax," Sam's expression changed. This way, he might not even have enough to eat, only enough for next year's spring planting.
Farming on the kingdom's land required paying taxes. The noble lord's was rent, and the grain tax went directly to the kingdom.
Of course, the grain tax was just one of the taxes he hadn't paid yet. In addition, there were water taxes, cloth taxes, clothing taxes, and various other taxes. Every year, he had to hand over all his income.
Fortunately, he was still alive, because those who didn't pay were hanged by the tax collector, even if they claimed to have no money.
Sam was used to these things. From his grandfather, no, even his grandfather's grandfather, it had always been this way.
"Sir, do you have a moment? I would like to take three minutes of your time to tell you about our Heavenly Father and Savior," a middle-aged man in a simple black robe walked over and stopped Sam.
Sam was flattered and quickly said, "Yes, I have plenty of time, Pastor Sir."
This was the first time he had met such a kind and gentle pastor. The man's attire was different from that of the pastors of the Church of Holy Light and the Church of Fertility, who wore many expensive ornaments.
More importantly, the man didn't have the arrogance or disdain that other pastors had.
"Thank you very much, Sir. I believe you worship the God of Holy Light and the God of Fertility, right? They may know of your devotion, but they have never responded to your prayers, have they?" The red-robed pastor's tone was filled with concern.
"Yes, Pastor Sir, we are just a group of poor people, not noble pastors or lords, so the great gods do not respond to us," Sam's tone was cautious, not expecting this kind and gentle pastor to speak to him like this.
"Yes, so, would you be interested in abandoning the faith of these two and turning to our great Lord, the Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor? He has boundless power, not only ensuring a bountiful harvest and the health of your family, but also bringing you good luck and wealth," the red-robed pastor's tone was persuasive, almost seeming untrustworthy.
But since he was a pastor, a representative of the gods on earth, Sam was hesitant.
"Sorry, I may not be able to support the Black Abyss Emperor," Sam said hesitantly, as his current means could not accommodate another faith.
In fact, his heart was pounding when he refused, fearing that the pastor of the Abyssal Will might kill him. This was not an unusual occurrence. Pastors had never shown mercy to heretical poor people, even though this pastor didn't seem like those from the Church of Holy Light.
"No, no, I think you misunderstand. The Abyssal Will does not require your offerings. The great Black Abyss Emperor only needs your faith. You need to offer your faith, and He will protect you from life to death," the red-robed pastor explained.
"Really?" Sam was shocked. He didn't expect such a response and could only say fearfully, "But I already worship the God of Holy Light and the God of Fertility. I think the great Black Abyss Emperor..."
"He won't mind, because He is the true god. If you want to believe, pray to the great Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor."
After saying this, the red-robed pastor left on his own.
Sam watched the elongated shadow of the man, feeling uneasy and fearful. He felt he had offended a pastor, which was a terrible mistake. He wished he had agreed earlier, as it was just a matter of worshipping another deity.
As for the strange name of the deity, the Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor, that was not something Sam needed to consider. He was just a poor, lowly peasant with limited knowledge of the gods, and the only way he could learn about them was through the teachings of the pastors. However, the church never allowed people like him to enter.
Every time they listened to the sermons, they stood outside the church, while only nobles, knights, and high-ranking mages were allowed to sit inside.
By the time Sam came to his senses and wanted to chase after the red-robed pastor, the man was already gone, leaving him feeling disheartened.
"May the words of the pastor be true, and may the great Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor protect us!"
Seeing this, he knew it was too late, but he had no other choice. He could only try to follow the pastor's advice and embrace this new faith to atone for his sins.
[Abyssal Web Loading]
Suddenly, a glowing panel appeared before Sam's eyes. Even though he couldn't read, he understood what it was.
Before he could react, the panel changed.
[Loading Complete, Welcome to the Faith of the Great Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor]
[Your Current Faith Points: 0]
[Believer Level: Shallow Believer]
[Faith Exchange]
[Shallow Believer Level]
[10 pounds of staple food: 10 Faith Points]
[1 pound of meat: 20 Faith Points]
[...]
[Disease Treatment: 1~??? Faith Points]
[Precautions]
[As a Shallow Believer, please pray daily and maintain at least 10 Faith Points. If your Faith Points drop below 10, you will lose your believer status.]
[Faith exchanges will deduct corresponding Faith Points based on believer level, Faith Points, items exchanged, and region, among other factors, as transport fees.]
[Please deepen your faith and raise your believer level to better serve the Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor.]
"My Holy Light... My Black Abyss Emperor, this is a miracle!!!" Sam's face showed indescribable excitement. He understood what this was.
He had instinctively wanted to call out to the God of Holy Light, but seeing the Abyssal Web, he quickly changed it to the Black Abyss Emperor. If he had really called out to the God of Holy Light, it would have been blasphemy, and this miracle might have been taken away.
"I think I should carefully consider how to serve the Black Abyss Emperor." Sam's previously numb eyes now showed a rare glint of clarity, as if everything before had been a distant memory.
"This is the true deity, He is merciful and kind, and God loves all people!"
As Sam walked toward his dilapidated home, he muttered to himself, his elongated shadow appearing twisted and sinister, as if harboring a demon.
"Hey, old Sam, where are you going?" A passing peasant, who seemed to know Sam, noticed his mumbling and realized something was off, though he couldn't hear what Sam was saying.
"I'm going home. I forgot something." Sam's tone was calm as he made up an excuse.
As Sam walked away, the other peasant's voice carried a hint of mockery: "Forgetting your tools, no wonder you can't even afford Lord Harris's rent."
Sam walked quickly. When he returned home, he saw his wife and children working, and his expression was different.
"Sam? Why are you back? You should be in the fields. Oh, I know you need a rest sometimes, just for today," his wife said, surprised at first, then chattering on, seemingly dissatisfied.
"Let's have a serious talk. This is a family meeting. I want to introduce you to our Heavenly Father and Savior, the great Abyssal Will·Black Abyss Emperor," Sam said.
His wife and children exchanged glances, finding it strange.
(End of Chapter)
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