The Promotion

When Ansu and Celia arrived at the gathering, few cultists noticed them. In the center of the crowd, a heated argument seemed to be taking place.

"Elder Samantha! We cannot go on like this!"

"The Restorationist faction has caused us trouble time and time again! Those mercenary fools have not only severely violated the teachings of the Echoes of Truth but have also led the organization into crisis multiple times!"

"If we continue to endure this, they might even hand over our entire roster to the Church! Those idiots are capable of anything!"

"That's right! Exactly!"

Indignant voices rose from many cultists within the crowd.

"They are no longer ordinary cult members! We must strike hard! Why are we still keeping them around?"

Aside from these radical cultists, Ansu noticed that the situation was not entirely one-sided. An elderly cult leader wearing a golden mask was attempting to de-escalate the atmosphere.

"Believers, compatriots, I understand your thoughts..."

"But you know the current state of the cult... we really shouldn't make such a big fuss. This plot against Samantha was surely just a few individuals from the Restorationist faction acting on their own. The other elders wouldn't be that foolish."

"I suggest we simply have them hand over Colin and the others. I believe they will agree..."

As expected, after he finished speaking, the gathering became even more chaotic, nearly devolving into a brawl.

"Elder John! You are far too biased toward them!"

"You old geezer, John, why are you standing on their side? Could it be that you're a traitor too?"

Ansu suddenly felt a light nudge against his elbow. Turning his head, he saw the deep purple eyes beneath the golden mask filled with impatience.

"How boring. Every secret gathering is like a shouting match at a market."

Celia was irritated by these arguments within the cult. She pulled Ansu's arm, wanting to take him to the side for a while until the tedious debate ended before meeting her teacher.

But just as they took a step, Samantha, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke:

"Of course we must purge all apostates. Any organization members who collude with the Church must die!"

The cultists broke into cheers.

"However!" Samantha's tone shifted. "We cannot allow the cult to continue splintering! I intend to convene a new Council of Elders. Regardless of the conflict between the two factions, we must elect a true cult leader for the Echoes of Truth! I believe this time is the best opportunity for our Truth faction to take full control of the organization!"

After she finished, the cultists began to buzz with discussion. Ansu and Celia exchanged a look.

"A clever move," Celia chuckled softly. "Now, at least, no one will be dissatisfied."

Ansu nodded. Although Samantha didn't cater to the radical believers, she wasn't just compromising either; she had thrown out a topic that everyone was even more excited about.

After all, several elders from the Restorationist faction were at fault first. If she could use this opportunity to gain the support of most elders and become the legitimate cult leader, it would be an excellent choice.

The hope of the Truth faction regaining power thoroughly stirred the believers present. What pushed the atmosphere to a climax, however, was the execution of the traitors.

Ansu really had his eyes opened this time. He witnessed various 'novel and strange' methods of execution, but regardless of the method, each was an incredibly horrific torture for the condemned.

For instance, a cultist was kneeling on the ground not far away, his face pale. Celia mentioned that this man was her teacher's former lover, Elder Simon.

Ansu studied him carefully. Although Elder Simon was older, he was quite handsome—a dashing middle-aged man. It was no wonder Samantha had taken a liking to him.

Subsequently, after the executioner displayed his 'craftsmanship,' this high-ranking traitor of the Truth faction had his skin entirely peeled off by a specific type of black magic designed for torture. His bloody body looked like a Licker from Resident Evil, and his agonizing screams pierced straight through one's skull.

The other traitors were also executed one by one. The scent of blood spread everywhere, and the gathering site quickly transformed into a slaughterhouse.

Celia was already getting bored. She and Ansu waited silently on the outskirts for a long time before Samantha's gaze finally landed on them.

"Celia, come over here for a moment."

Celia gave Ansu a look, and the two walked toward the center of the gathering, one after the other. The cultists parted to make a path for them.

Under the gaze of countless silver masks, Ansu lowered his head and followed unhurriedly behind Celia.

"Why didn't you tell me you arrived?" Samantha looked at the approaching Celia, her tone slightly reproachful.

Celia shrugged and said nothing, so Samantha's gaze slowly shifted to Ansu beside her. "This is the assistant you chose? The new member who uncovered the Church's conspiracy?"

Ansu nodded and said respectfully, "Cult Leader Samantha."

Samantha smiled and said, "Celia told me you're still a student and that your magical talent is very high? Truly young and promising!"

"Thank you for the praise, Cult Leader."

"No need to be so nervous. Now that you've joined the cult, we are brothers and sisters." Samantha smiled, her words showing great care for Ansu.

"As long as you embrace the ideals of our Echoes of Truth, all your fellow cult members here will have your back. The God of Magic shall be with you."

"The God of Magic is with me!" Ansu switched to repeater mode, not saying a single word more than necessary.

"Thanks to you this time, Celia was able to help me find the traitors around me." Samantha studied Ansu and suddenly suggested, "How about you stay by my side from today onward? There is currently a vacancy in the middle management of the cult. I appoint you as the new inquisitor. What do you think?"

Ansu couldn't help but feel surprised. Although he expected her to promote him, he didn't expect it to be such a high position.

The cultists erupted into a buzz of discussion.

The inquisitor was a position responsible for the discipline, judgment, and punishment of cult members, with a status second only to the elders.

And this young man was just a newcomer who had joined a few days ago, a bottom-level executor, yet he was suddenly promoted above most of them...

However, some elders found Samantha's logic sound.

As she said, there were vacancies in the middle management. Installing a trusted person who had rendered great service would be beneficial to Samantha's faction...

Only Celia's expression changed instantly. She frowned and stared at Samantha. "Teacher, why are you trying to take my person?"

"Hmm?" Samantha hadn't expected Celia to object.

"He is someone I carefully selected from the academy! I observed him for a long time and spent a lot of energy for this!"

Celia gripped Ansu's wrist tightly as if declaring ownership. "In short, he is my assistant, my person. Teacher, if you need someone for that inquisitor position, go find someone else!"

Samantha quietly glanced at Celia's tight grip and felt surprised.

Celia rarely showed such outward emotion. Most of the time, she had no interest in anything other than magic and treated everyone with cold indifference...

But today, she expressed clear opposition just because Samantha wanted to take this young man away?

Samantha frowned, pondering for a good while.

Even though she was dissatisfied with Celia's selfishness, she ultimately agreed helplessly.

"Fine... then I won't transfer him to my side."

Celia breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Ansu felt a bit helpless; after all, he had wanted to keep a low profile...

"However, given his intelligence and ability to uncover a Church conspiracy that no one else noticed, it would be a waste to leave him as a bottom-level executor."

Whether it was the merit earned by this young man named Ansu Morris or Celia's special attitude toward him, Samantha's interest was greatly piqued. She narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing him.

"In that case, I appoint you as the deacon general of the Benalu District, with the code name 'Hermit.' If you have a need, you may mobilize and command all executors within the city. How does that sound?"

Ansu instinctively looked at Celia, thinking that refusing again would be disrespectful.

The position of deacon general didn't require him to leave Celia's side and offered relatively more freedom. Celia shouldn't refuse.

Celia had no objections and nodded slightly to Ansu.

"Yes! Thank you, Cult Leader Samantha!" Ansu immediately spoke with a grateful tone, his eyes showing immense excitement.

Loyalty! Pure loyalty!