Crown Square, the most brilliant pearl of Rhine City.
Located in the Crown District at the heart of Rhine City, it is adjacent to administrative buildings like the City Hall, commercial towers, and transit hubs. It is also dotted with numerous commercial establishments, lending the square a sense of vitality amidst its solemnity.
Yet, among the surrounding facilities, the most eye-catching feature is the striking cluster of buildings on the eastern side of the square.
Its administrative name is the Church District, while the common folk call it the Kingdom of Faith.
The cathedrals of the four official churches and the chapels of the other eight major deity churches are all concentrated here.
Compared to the Black Night Cathedral, with its black-and-gold color scheme, the most prominent structure in the Church District is the gold-drenched, opulent Church of Wealth, dedicated to Tina, the Lord of Wealth.
Until the middle of the Fifth Age, the Church of Wealth was not considered a major church; though it had many believers, its status was not high. But in the last three hundred years, especially in the fifty years since the popularization of the steam engine, the size of the Church of Wealth has skyrocketed, and its number of followers has increased exponentially, leaving many in astonishment.
The tide of history is unstoppable; what is there to be surprised about?
Lynch curled his lip, passing by the Fountain of Grace, where it was said that throwing in a penny could bring good luck. He glared viciously at the coins covering the bottom and left the pool behind without looking back.
‘Hmph, maybe I’ll build a church later and sell indulgences; then the money will just roll in.’
【That is not a good idea, Lynch. Churches tried that during the Mythological Era, but there were competitors; it is useless.】
‘Tsk, what a pity. This is the age of polytheism, after all.’
Equally golden is the Sun Church's Cathedral of the Blazing Sun. Compared to the dark gold of the Church of Wealth, the Cathedral of the Blazing Sun is even more dazzling. The Sun Church's followers tend to be as aggressive and ostentatious as their doctrines, which is quite repulsive.
At least, it is repulsive to Lynch.
With a meaningful glare at the golden-robed priest preaching loudly at the church entrance, Lynch was just about to quicken his pace when a voice from behind caught his attention.
“This gentleman, please slow your steps and listen to the voice of the great Sun God, Sol.”
Who is so unlucky as to be targeted by a missionary? They must look like a total pushover. Hehe.
Lynch did not pay it any mind, just curled his lip, chuckled with malicious intent, and sped up.
“Sir, please wait.”
The voice was even closer, giving Lynch a bad premonition.
Wait, that unlucky pushover couldn't be me, could it?
Your sun god is not as great as my Lady of the Red Moon. Not interested. Get lost.
Lynch turned a deaf ear, quickening his pace instead, trying to leave the voice behind.
“Mr. Lynch Levive, please stop. You carry an unclean aura.”
Hmm? Coming for me? And unclean?
Lynch's expression darkened, and he stopped.
He did not take this as simple missionary rhetoric.
What does 'unclean' refer to? Are they talking about the aura of the Swelling Daughter?
In the small world, the court arcanist Moliere once inadvertently admitted that he had arranged the accident to burn the documents, and according to Miss Valente's analysis, the person who did it was likely from the Sun Church.
Does this mean the Sun Church should know about my actions? Are they working together? Or just using each other?
Stopping me in public on the street like this—what are they trying to do?
Slowly turning his head, Lynch looked at the person running toward him.
It was a middle-aged priest in golden robes, in his thirties or forties. Because of the robes, it was impossible to tell if his physique matched the mysterious person who had set the fire two days ago.
He looked honest and simple, like an ordinary middle-aged uncle.
However, the stinging sensation between his brows made Lynch realize this person was not ordinary at all. He was at least a rank four soul severer. Has the Sun Church become so extravagant that they put mid-rank soul severers at the door to solicit customers... or preach?
“Unclean? And so what?” When the man reached him, Lynch narrowed his eyes and asked noncommittally, “Do you want to help me take a bath?”
“The Lord is benevolent and wishes to open His arms to all lost lambs. As long as you sincerely repent to the Lord, confess the sins you have committed, and sever your connection with unclean things, we are willing to cleanse you of your impurity and return you to the Lord’s embrace.”
So they are here to show off their power.
Lynch felt a surge of anger.
They burned my things and bombed my house for no reason, and now they come to threaten me to my face. Heh. Sincere repentance? Who should be sincerely repenting? And demanding I confess my sins—how arrogant. Who do you think you are?
If they hadn't been waiting for Miss Valente's investigation results to find definitive proof that the Sun Church was responsible, the two of them would have already come knocking. But that does not mean they can tolerate the other party's casual provocations in the meantime. Besides, Lynch no longer represents just himself. He stopped playing along and said coldly:
“When did it become the turn of Sol’s followers to question what a soul severer of the Red Moon does?” As he spoke, he slammed his cane into the ground, his expression growing colder. “Repent to him? Does he have the qualifications? Are you blaspheming the crimson moonlight?”
The golden-robed priest choked, but he shut his mouth, not daring to speak recklessly.
Everyone knows how to frame others. Did they really think my online arguments from my past life were fake? Lynch sneered:
“Saying I am unclean? Asking me to repent for my sins? Heh, alright, then I will give you an official answer. As a soul severer of the Lady of the Red Moon, my heart and actions are clear as a mirror, and everything I do is holy. Anyone who questions my purity is blaspheming the crimson moon. So now I will give you a chance: tell me, do the followers of the Sun God Sol intend to publicly blaspheme a fallen god and formally declare war on a fallen god’s soul severer?”
“I...” The golden-robed priest stepped back, not daring to speak again.
“Heh, unclean, repent. Do you know what I am about to do? Would you like to come with me and talk about my impurity and sins in front of Mrs. Nightingale? Let the patients waiting for me to save them die a little more?”
The accusations were getting bigger. This time, the priest didn't even dare to speak. He took another step back, his expression becoming quite spectacular.
“Heh, don't want to help me cleanse my impurity anymore? Then I’ll be off. I don’t know how many people are waiting for me to save their lives.”
Lynch turned away with a sneer and looked back:
“Next time you want to talk to me, learn how to speak like a human being first. Otherwise, I won’t understand you.”
With that, Lynch let out a scoff and walked away without looking back, leaving the golden-robed priest frozen in place with a twisted expression.
Actually, Lynch understood that the other party definitely had a purpose in calling him over. If he had lowered his stance and cooperated, he might have learned more inside information. But Lynch had no intention of indulging their arrogance. Finding me is one thing, but burning my friend's house and then wanting to talk? Learn how to communicate with people first.
With a cold snort, Lynch collected his emotions and returned to a gentle expression, as the Church of Suffering, dedicated to Fiona, the Lord of Suffering, had already appeared before him.
A white, tower-shaped cathedral, full of holy and solemn atmosphere. A red Ouroboros pattern hung at the church entrance; that was the holy emblem of the Church of Suffering.
The Church of Suffering has the most chapels because their chapels also function as hospitals, which has earned the Church of Suffering a large number of followers.
However, in the main cathedral in the Crown District, the daily traffic is far less than that of the other three churches; by comparison, it is slightly desolate.
Like the Sun Church, several clerics in white holy robes were handing out flyers.
They were all young women in tight, waist-cinching robes that looked similar to nurse uniforms from his past life. They were full of youthful energy, pulling at passersby to shove missionary flyers into their hands.
The problem was that there were hardly any passersby to begin with. As soon as they saw Lynch, the girls’ eyes lit up, and they quickly surrounded him.
“Sir, sir, please donate some money for the medical expenses of the homeless in Rhine City. A few pennies will do.”
“Sir, please participate in the donation event for occupational diseases of steam workers.”
“Sir, sir, save the children. The number of homeless children in Rhine is increasing every year. Please donate some money to help them.”
Damn, this is actually the most terrifying place. No wonder it’s the most desolate; hardly anyone passes by. Turns out, if you pass by, you get skinned.
Lynch’s face turned green. He covered his pockets and ran for his life, leaving the girls, who were stamping their feet in anger, behind.
“Sir, sir.”
Why are there more? This time, the voice came from the side.
“This money must be yours; I picked it up for you.”
“That’s right, it’s mine.”
The reply blurted out, and he subconsciously stopped. Lynch turned around and saw that he was almost past the church entrance, and a kind-looking old woman was holding a one-penny coin, smiling and shaking it at Lynch.
Hiss. Mrs. Nightingale, please don't do things that don't befit your status. With your status, is it appropriate to use a one-penny coin to trick people?
At least use a one-pound gold coin.
“Ahem.” Although his face was a little red, Lynch still conscientiously snatched the penny and tucked it away. “Why are you standing outside?”
“Otherwise, someone would have run past.” The old woman looked at Lynch and nodded with satisfaction. “I am very happy to see that you are truly willing to come. The power of Mordiggian has begun to manifest, and relevant patients have already appeared. Time waits for no one, but I must tell you first: the risk of asking you for help is very high, and... there is no reward.”
“Isn't it enough to just contribute a little blood?”
“When it comes to the Great Old Ones, how could it be so simple? In terms of action, you indeed only need some blood, but in terms of mysticism, it is much more complicated.” The old woman sighed and patted Lynch on the arm. “You are a good child, so I don’t want to hide the danger from you. Come inside first, and we will talk inside. I will tell you the details. You can consider it while you listen—whether you want to take this risk for these innocent people.”
Rate on N.U.
