Chapter 1010: The Unreliable Saintess (Part 4)

It seems the Demon Race’s army is hovering at the edges of the Empire, yet the Empire is already in dire peril.

Initially, the neighboring Golden Empire could not withstand the Demon Race army’s offensive for even a month, suffering total defeat, with the Imperial City being breached in just seven days.

The Minister of Military Law stepped forward decisively and said, “This is a tremendous opportunity. With Divine Spirit’s assistance, we have a chance to resist the Demon Race’s attack and even reverse the situation!”

“It seems the Divine Spirit hasn’t abandoned us, always watching over us, appearing just when we need it!”

Subsequently.

Other ministers also joined the discussion, agreeing it was excellent news, believing that if they could fend off the Demon Race’s army, becoming a religious nation was far better than facing annihilation.

The Emperor fell into deep thought, leaning on an opulent chair, without making an immediate decision, fingers tapping incessantly on the armrest.

This indeed is good news.

As the Emperor, he always wants to maximize benefits while weighing the pros and cons, knowing that once a large-scale religion emerges within the Empire, the Imperial Family’s powers might be partially divided.

In ancient religious nations, the Great Sect Leader wielded more authority than the Emperor as the Divine Spirit’s executor on earth, while the Emperor played more of a managerial role.

He doesn’t want the Empire destroyed, nor does he wish for the religious influence to become overly large, as a religion backed by a Divine Spirit will undoubtedly grow rapidly. Once firmly rooted in the Empire, some matters may become unpredictable.

…

Late at night, filled with stars, a Galaxy stretched across the entire sky.

The Magic Consultant and Prime Minister secretly met with the Emperor in a modest yet ornately decorated room, with incense lit while the entire room was shielded by a Magic Array, isolating inside from outside.

The Prime Minister and Magic Consultant were both loyal individuals whom the Emperor trusted completely, thus privately inviting them to discuss matters.

The Prime Minister, being a shrewd and composed person, immediately identified the issue but pretended to inquire:

“Emperor, is there any concern regarding the matter of the Divine Spirit?”

The night was very quiet, and the Prime Minister’s elderly voice appeared clear, echoing in the empty room.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor fell silent for a moment before nodding and saying, “Though there is a method to fend off the Demon Race’s army now, and it is indeed joyous, we are uncertain of the authenticity of that so-called Divine Spirit. If it harbors malice, we need to be cautious.”

“Yet, we cannot outwardly express our concerns lest it angers the Divine Spirit. Do you think there’s a way to achieve both goals?”

The room fell into brief silence; the Prime Minister and Magic Consultant seemed thoughtful, although they had contemplated this issue prior.

The Emperor’s intent was clear: he wanted the assistance of the God while preventing the religion from growing too rapidly to impact the Imperial authority.

In their positions, thinking of such issues was easy; however, solving them posed a significant challenge.

Gods are likely not foolish; deceiving them wouldn’t be easy, and excessive actions might push the Empire towards destruction instead.

The Prime Minister glanced at the Magic Consultant beside him, smiling as he said, “Lune has deeply studied ancient history and understands ancient religions well, hence might have a better solution.”

The Magic Consultant, Lune, internally cursed the Prime Minister, sly fox that he is, while maintaining a smile on his face, nodding as he replied:

“There is indeed a method; the development of religion boils down to two points: constructing chapels and recruiting followers.”

“We can prioritize constructing chapels in frontline cities to establish religious faith, aiding in thwarting the Demon Race army’s invasion.”

“As for populous internal cities, they can take their time as constructing chapels isn’t a task accomplished overnight…

The Emperor revealed a slight smile, finding the method agreeable, but refrained from voicing his opinion immediately and instead looked to the Prime Minister beside him, seeking his thoughts:

“Prime Minister, what do you think of this method?”

The Prime Minister felt the Emperor’s gaze and his eyelids twitched; with God perched but three feet above, he feared saying too much lest the Divine Spirit heard. Nevertheless, he spoke reluctantly:

“This method is indeed sound, it’s all about buying time. If we can delay until defeating or repelling the Demon Race army, we will be free of many concerns.”

The Emperor exhibited satisfaction and gently said, “We humans living in the magic era do not hold the Divine Spirit in great awe; this is a transaction, offering a fair exchange without sacrificing the entire Empire!”

The Divine Spirit has left for too long, losing its majesty. At least, that’s how it is among the Empire’s high-ranking nobility who already enjoy authority, and as vested interests, they think little of the Divine Spirit.

Conversely, the ordinary people at the bottom might still hold some reverence for the Divine Spirit.

As for Mages, not actively researching the Divine Spirit is already noteworthy.

…

Takka brought Linda before the idol, calmly saying, “As the Saintess of All Beings Sect, you possess the right to directly communicate with the Divine Spirit.”

“Ah?” Linda showed a look of bewilderment, having yet to grasp the situation, when she was suddenly smacked on the shoulder, kneeling.

In an instant, the right eye of the idol turned vivid as if a living eye moving, glimmering with intense white light.

Linda saw the indistinct figure standing amidst the stars, mysterious and majestic, unreachable, slowly turning its head and casting its peripheral gaze upon her.