Chapter 858

【 UNDERCURRENTS SURGE, A SPARK IGNITES 】

And so, Frank began studying the teachings of the Church of Life under Old John.

Before he knew it, another half month had passed.

This time, things were different from when he had merely flipped through the Holy Scripture.

With the wide variety of educational materials provided by Old John, as well as the careful guidance of this esteemed missionary of the Goddess of Life, Frank developed a much deeper understanding of the teachings of the Church of Life.

—Equality for all beings, unity and mutual benefit.

What the Church of Life pursued was a world without oppression, where everyone worked together toward a common goal, where supernatural beings and ordinary people each fulfilled their respective roles without distinction of status, helping one another and progressing together…

In its vision, it was a truly harmonious world of universal unity.

There would be no nobles, no wars, and no privileges.

Although supernatural beings would still be respected, they would also be subject to certain restrictions. No one would be allowed to become an oppressor simply because they possessed greater power.

It was a world filled with hope and light for everyone.

As Frank delved deeper into the teachings of the Church of Life and followed Old John in his missionary work and awakening education, he gradually came to understand that inspiring the people to strive for a better life was a necessary catalyst, a necessary opportunity.

And beneath that opportunity, the concept of “equality” was the foundation upon which everything could be changed.

Because of equality, supernatural power had to become part of the people. It could no longer be merely a tool for rulers to maintain their authority. Instead, it had to become a force that improved the well-being of ordinary people.

Because of equality, knowledge should not be restricted. The people’s minds needed to be enlightened, and everyone who wished to improve their circumstances should be able to change their fate through learning.

Every life deserved respect, and every life deserved the opportunity to realize its own value.

This was the core of the teachings of the Church of Life, and it was also the most powerful weapon for changing this dark age.

At this moment, Frank understood.

This world did not belong to any one person, nor did it belong to any particular group.

It belonged to everyone.

Only by representing the interests of the vast majority of the poor, and by uniting the poor, commoners, merchants, and nobles who had awakened to the concept of equality, could they overthrow the decaying noble system, overcome the corrupted Eternal Church, and advance toward a new era…

Only by liberating the entire world and freeing supernatural power from its chains of exclusivity could the forces of production be fully utilized, thereby allowing everyone to live a happy life.

The Eternal Church represented the past.

It represented the interests of the nobles.

Its purpose had already been fulfilled by this point, and it needed to be swept into the garbage heap of history.

In the past, Frank would never even have dared to entertain such blasphemous and treasonous thoughts.

Yet after studying the various doctrines of the Church of Life in depth, he found himself deeply convinced by them.

Without realizing it, his position had undergone a complete transformation, while the conviction and fighting spirit in his heart grew increasingly fervent…

“I finally understand. Only by believing in the Goddess of Life, liberating the common people, bringing the lofty power of the supernatural down into the mortal world, and allowing everyone to benefit from it can we achieve equality among all living beings and usher in a beautiful new world!”

Holding the “textbook” Old John had given him, Frank spoke with excitement.

His expression was fervent yet devout, and a light had already begun to shine deep within his eyes.

It was the light of hope, the light of an unyielding fighting spirit…

At this moment, he had finally become a true believer of the Church of Life.

The radiance of faith blossomed around Frank. Under the gazes of the players and Old John, the light of faith surrounding him quickly changed from the green of a non-believer to the white of a shallow believer, then from the white of a shallow believer to the blue of a devout believer. Finally, the blue transformed once more, settling into the purple of a fanatical believer…

Faith was fanaticism.

After finding a goal worth striving for and a path forward, the most powerful force within Frank’s heart finally erupted.

At this moment, he had leaped directly to become a fanatical believer of the Church of Life.

At the same time, accompanied by an ethereal, almost imperceptible chime, Frank suddenly noticed that something had appeared within his field of vision…

They were strange panels filled with numbers and various annotations.

At the same time, a stream of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind…

Life Believer…

Goddess’s Blessing…

Task System…

NPCs, and… Elven Chosen Ones.

As he digested all these various memories that had suddenly appeared in his brain, Frank’s eyes were filled with astonishment.

At this moment, he had opened the door to an entirely new world.

“This… this is…”

Frank exclaimed in surprise.

Seemingly knowing what Frank had awakened, Old John smiled slightly.

“That is the task system, a blessing bestowed by Her Divine Grace upon every one of Her devout believers.”

As he spoke, Old John reached into his robes and took out a badge shaped like the Scepter of Life, before personally fastening it to Frank’s chest.

It was a symbol that the believers of Life took great pride in, an honorary badge that could only be possessed by leaders who led the faithful in their struggle within the human kingdoms.

“Now, we are comrades.”

Old John smiled.

“Comrades?”

Frank was curious.

It was the first time he had heard the term.

“Comrades. Those who share the same aspirations and walk the same path. Once we believe in the Church of Life, we become fellow travelers, partners, and comrades-in-arms.”

Old John smiled as he explained.

Afterward, he added:

“These are words used by the Elven Chosen Ones. As the Goddess’s most loyal warriors, no one understands the meaning of the Church of Life better than they do. I also think this term passed down from them suits us very well. We… are all warriors of the Church of Life!”

“I see…”

Frank nodded in realization.

He touched the badge on his chest, mulling over the word “comrade.” The more he thought about it, the more meaningful he found it, and the more he liked it.

“You’re absolutely right. From now on, I am also a comrade striving to liberate all of humanity!”

Frank spoke devoutly.

“Lord Frank…”

Old John’s expression became solemn as he looked at Frank’s sincere expression.

“Teacher, please go ahead, I am listening.”

Frank respectfully returned the greeting.

At this moment, his respect for Old John had grown even stronger. He had already come to regard him as his mentor in life.

“Lord Frank, the demons in the southern territories have already been completely eradicated by the Elven Chosen Ones, and the Abyssal corruption that once plagued the land has also been purified by the Goddess’s divine power. The refugees are now returning to their homeland, and countless cities and villages are waiting to be rebuilt. The people need someone to guide them, someone who can bring them hope and help them rebuild their lives…”

Old John paused for a moment before continuing.

“Would you… be willing to go there and become the new leader of the human branch of the Church of Life?”

Old John looked at Frank with sincerity, his eyes filled with expectation.

Meeting his earnest gaze, Frank suddenly felt a surge of pride and fighting spirit rise within his chest.

“Of course, Teacher. I am willing to raise the Goddess’s banner and lead everyone in the southern territories toward a new path!”

He spoke firmly.

“You must be certain. This is a path filled with hardship and danger. Once you set foot upon it, it means that you will become the enemy of the nobles, the enemy of the empire, and the enemy of the Eternal Church…”

Old John’s expression became solemn as he seriously warned him.

“Of course. I have been prepared for this for a long time. For the sake of a better future, for the glory of Her Grace the Goddess, I will dedicate everything I have!”

Frank spoke with solemn determination.

“Even if it may lead to death?”

“Even if it may lead to death!”

“Even if it may lead to utter ruin?”

“Even if it may lead to utter ruin!”

Old John extended both hands and clasped Frank’s hands, his face filled with satisfaction.

“Very good… May the Goddess bless you. May the radiance of Life forever shine upon you. May you lead everyone onto an entirely new path!”

As he spoke, he glanced to his side.

“These are the Elven Chosen Ones and believers of Life who have resolved to go to the southern territories and make a difference there. They will follow you and become your right-hand men.”

Frank followed his gaze and saw the elves and believers of Life who had gathered there. From a distance, there appeared to be nearly a thousand of them.

A small portion were humans, while the majority were elves.

The former looked at Frank with friendliness and respect.

As for the latter… just like the elves Frank had encountered before, they were friendly as always.

In fact, their eyes were practically shining with excitement…

They seemed almost excessively enthusiastic.

However, oddly enough, many of the female elves kept glancing between the hands clasped by Frank and Old John. Their eyes were excited yet somewhat strange, leaving Frank completely baffled.

It was only after he and Old John released each other’s hands that their gazes finally shifted away.

After accepting the mission from Old John and clarifying his goal, Frank left Larona.

When he had initially arrived here, he had brought only a thousand or so mercenaries with him.

But when he departed, their number had nearly doubled.

He did not go to visit Adam, the Saint of the Eternal Church, again.

He had already found his own path.

After watching Frank leave, Old John also instructed the believers to pack their belongings and embark on a new journey.

“Lord John, are you leaving Larona?”

The slum residents looked at him with reluctance.

“My friends, the light of faith here in Larona has already begun to take root, but people are still struggling in dire circumstances, without hope and without a future in many more places across the continent…”

“Thus, I’ve decided to go into those places to continue spreading the light of the Church of Life.”

Old John smiled gently.

“B-But my Lord! don’t you know? The Eternal Church has already ordered the arrest and execution of all missionaries of the Church of Life who preach within the Eternal Church’s territory. So it will be far too dangerous if you go there!”

A believer of Life who had suffered persecution and fled from another part of the empire said worriedly.

Old John smiled slightly.

“To advance despite knowing the difficulties, that is the courage and fighting spirit possessed by the believers of Life.”

“Don’t worry. I will protect myself.”

“Then… then we will follow you! We will also spread the Goddess’s true faith together!”

One of the believers spoke excitedly.

Old John gently shook his head.

“As everyone has said, the place I am going next is not particularly safe. The fewer people there are, the better.”

“Don’t worry. With the Elven Chosen Ones with me, I will be perfectly safe.”

He smiled slightly and gestured to both sides.

Following his gaze, more than a dozen elves stepped out from the crowd. They bowed to Old John and stood behind him.

They were more than a dozen players, each possessing Golden-rank strength.

They would protect Old John and continue spreading the faith across the continent.

After bidding farewell to the Life believers of Larona, Old John embarked on his journey.

When he had first arrived here, this place had been filled with ruin and despair.

When he left, however, he left behind light and hope.

When Old John departed, the slums of Larona were packed with people. As many as ten thousand believers came to see him off…

It was an unprecedented spectacle that stirred the entire city of Larona.

The seeds of hope had already been sown.

Now, all that remained was for them to bloom and bear fruit.

༺⟐༻

Within Larona’s inner city, inside the Eternal Church’s temple.

An old man dressed in holy robes knelt before the statue of the Eternal Lord, praying. Suddenly, he paused slightly and looked toward the window.

As if sensing that the old man was distracted, a young priest approached and respectfully bowed.

“Lord Adam…”

“Has he… already left?”

The old man suddenly asked.

“Yes, my lord. He has already left Larona.”

The priest hesitated for a moment before answering.

“He’s left…”

The old man let out a deep sigh.

He turned around and walked towards the window.

Autumn had already arrived. The maple trees outside had been dyed a captivating golden red.

A cool breeze gradually swept through, and leaves resembling little palms drifted gently downward.

The leaves rustled in the wind. In the distance was a deep blue sky.

There was not a single cloud in that sky, only endless azure depths.

Looking at the maple leaves spinning as they fell in the wind, the old man slowly extended a trembling hand and touched the sun-shaped badge representing the Eternal Lord hanging against his chest.

“Autumn has arrived…”

His gaze was as deep and tranquil as that azure sky.

༺⟐༻

After bidding farewell to Old John, Frank led his followers back to the southern territory.

With the war finally over, the southern frontier entered a great wave of returning refugees. Every day, countless people arrived with their families, making their way back to the homeland they had been separated from for more than a year.

Some had traveled through distant lands and seen places far more prosperous and beautiful than their ruined homeland, but no matter how wonderful those places might have been, they could never truly be called home.

Only the land where they had been born and raised possessed that familiar warmth, that reassuring sense of belonging that could reach deep into their hearts.

However, although the invading demons had been completely destroyed and the Abyssal corruption had been purified by the Goddess’s divine power, the scars left behind by the war could not be erased so easily.

The cities had been reduced to ruins, the roads and buildings had fallen into disrepair, and vast stretches of farmland had been left abandoned. Homes needed to be rebuilt, fields needed to be reclaimed, and countless lives needed to be put back together.

Everything in the southern territory… had to begin anew.

At the same time, elsewhere in the Holy Maniya Empire, the persecution of believers of the Church of Life and the pursuit and execution of its missionaries continued unabated.

In fact, the situation was becoming increasingly severe.

The Eternal Church’s response was growing more and more intense, while the Inquisitorial Knights appeared with increasing frequency. Wherever the Church of Life’s missionaries were discovered, arrests and executions soon followed.

Yet there were some things that could no longer be erased through fear and violence.

Once an idea had taken root, it was like wild grass spreading across the plains. Even after being burned by a raging wildfire, it would eventually return with the coming of spring.

And once people awakened to a new way of thinking, they would possess a resilience and fighting spirit that had never existed within them before.

That was not something that could simply be crushed through crude violence.

The more the Eternal Church attempted to suppress them, the more deeply certain seeds of faith and hope took root among the people.

Although the empire as a whole remained relatively peaceful on the surface, beneath that calm exterior, the currents were already surging. The seeds of a coming storm had quietly been planted, waiting for the right moment to break through the soil.

Upon returning to the southern territory, the first thing Frank did was announce the establishment of the Pathfinders’ Alliance, with the southern territory as its center.

At the same time, he officially renamed the Dawn Mercenary Group, changing its name to the Pathfinders of Life.

This was no longer merely a mercenary group.

It was the beginning of a new organization, one that would carry the teachings of the Church of Life, gather those who shared the same ideals, and lead the people of the southern territories toward a different future.

As news of this spread, more and more believers of the Goddess of Life from all across the empire began making their way to the southern territory and joining them.

One person became ten.

Ten became a hundred.

And then, more and more people gathered as what had initially begun as a single spark had already been lit into a blazing fire.

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