Your Faith Is Strange...

One round of data registration is complete.

To express his devotion to the Sea Serpent Queen.

Roger reluctantly offered another 10 Gold Disc.

The priestess named Serena immediately beamed with joy.

She naturally took Roger's arm.

He led him into a dark cubicle:

"It is really rare to see a devout and pragmatic believer like you these days."

"I happen to be free today."

"I will personally baptize you."

Roger naturally had no reason to refuse.

Serena is the chief priestess of this temple.

Within the church, their rank was second only to the select few and Divine Art Master at headquarters.

She personally performed the baptism.

The results will definitely be extraordinary.

At present.

The two went into the cubicle.

Three minutes later.

Roger then walked out with a beaming smile.

The priestess, on the other hand, was pale and her steps were unsteady and weak.

Roger warmly helped her walk, feeling very satisfied. "This money wasn't wasted after all!"

On the data panel.

"Under the guidance of the Divine Art Master Serena, you have completed your initiation baptism into the ' Sea Serpent Church '."

"You have received the second-tier divine grace: Flame of Life."

"Flame of Life: Under the blessing of the Sea Serpent Queen, your life force has become surging and vigorous."

You will be immune to most of the following diseases, toxins, plagues, and curses; your Magic Resistance is increased by 10%.

Your Defense Value increases by 10%;

Your movement speed is increased by 10% and your health regeneration rate is no less than 10 points per second; Duration: 30 days.

"Is this what it feels like to cling to someone's coattails...?"

Receiving divine grace is a very comfortable thing.

I was just in the cubicle.

Roger almost hummed out loud with joy.

"If even a level two divine grace is like this, what about a level one divine grace?"

He was thinking about it.

They helped the long-legged priestess back to the room where she registered her information.

The latter slowly took a brand-new badge from the cupboard next to him and handed it over.

Roger took it and looked at it.

The badge depicts a scene of raging waves.

Amidst the waves.

The outline of a Giant Serpent that blots out the sky is vaguely revealed.

It has to be said.

The genuine Divine Art Badge of the Church of the Ascended is exquisite.

Besides its exquisite patterns and subtle design, it also boasts other advantages.

Its attributes are also very real.

"The Sea Serpent Queen's Believer Badge (Item for Devout Believer)"

"Attribute: Perception +1"

"Divine Spell 1: Compass"

"Divine Spell 2: Gale"

"Divine Spell 3: Immunity from Drowning (Group Divine Spell)"

1 attribute point, 3 divine spells.

Compared to this badge.

What Icadore, what Withered King... they're just too unimpressive! Right now...

Roger happily pinned the badge to his chest.

From this day forward...

He now has powerful backers in these Jian Sea Islands! And his backer will soon become the strongest woman in the islands... no, perhaps the strongest woman in Quenan.

In this way...

Even if he accidentally caused some trouble.

As long as you don't get expelled from the church.

There will always be a final refuge.

This is the benefit of joining a large organization.

certainly.

Joining the Sea Serpent Church is not an easy task for the average person.

Although, apart from the temple at the headquarters of Thousand Serpent Island.

The priestesses on other islands are available simply by giving money.

But ordinary people can't satisfy their appetites.

Only a sect leader like Roger could achieve this.

Only those with the financial means can force their way into the membership.

"You have successfully joined the Sea Serpent Church, and you have reached a new milestone— False Believer."

"False Believer: Your faith is distorted, it has a corrupted flavor."

"Corresponding title: False Believer (You can distinguish other False Believer)"

"This title is acceptable."

"How could there be other False Believer in the Sea Serpent Queen's church?"

Roger chose to redeem it without hesitation.

"One of me is enough!"

"We must report them if necessary, to clean house for the Sea Serpent Queen!"

At present.

The two chatted for a while longer.

The main issue concerns the scope of authority and responsibility of "Licensed Missionary".

Compared to the "Temple Knight" and the "Queen's Holy Guard," who require actual action.

Missionaries are indeed the freest of jobs.

Regularly donate to charity.

Occasionally, they spread the gospel of God.

As long as you don't do anything that violates religious rules, you can do anything.

However, Roger paid a high price to join the church.

Their desires naturally extend beyond this.

Seeing that Serena intended to see the guests off.

He immediately spoke:

"I am new here, and although I am eager to spread the gospel of God, I lack the tools and manpower."

"I wonder if there are any channels within the church?"

Serena was slightly taken aback.

His eyes immediately became somewhat amused:

"It seems you're eager to prove yourself."

This statement carries a somewhat warning connotation.

Roger smiled and said, "I just wanted to do what I could."

"Certainly."

"Everything is according to the church and God."

Serena frowned slightly, and after a moment, she pondered:

What do you want?

Roger frankly said:

"Ships and people... Divine Art Ship capable of long-distance navigation, experienced sailors, and if there are reliable channels for recruiting mercenaries or followers, that would be even better."

Serena shook her head. "Divine Art Ship is impossible."

"The situation in the northwest is tense right now, and most of the Divine Art Ship have been transferred there. It's impossible for them to make room for a newcomer like you."

"As for manpower, the church does have some channels, but you'll have to pay for it yourself."

Roger said calmly:

"I can recruit people myself."

"But there's the problem with the boat."

"I feel that only you can help me."

Serena instinctively wanted to shake her head, but the next moment—

She suddenly understood Roger's gaze.

His expression turned ugly:

Are you threatening me?

Roger smiled and placed his hand on the badge:

How could that be?

"Our faith in God is so profound that I felt you could definitely help me."

"Hint: You used 'intimidation' and 'threats' against Serena."

"Extraordinary Perception: You sense that Serena feels guilty for accepting your bribe."

The priestess's expression was incredibly complicated.

After a while.

She suddenly smiled warmly again, "You're right."

"Ah, I remember now..."

There was a businesswoman named Megan.

She had a caravan inherited from her father and a merchant ship named "The Earl".

Because her father is a member of our church.

Therefore, the Earl was modified by divine magic.

This meets your requirements.

The current situation is—

The girl named Megan was framed and ended up owing a large sum of money to loan sharks.

In a desperate move, she staked everything on her previous voyage.

The result, of course, was unsatisfactory.

Megan was driven to desperation after Deep in Debt.

Two weeks ago.

She came to me, asking for the church's protection.

But I refused.

I recently heard that she's prepared to sell herself to save the ship.

Unfortunately, no one dared to make a bid.

As far as I know, this is because the mastermind behind her scheme was one of the "South Scratch Ten Sons," who had a deep pirate background.

Upon hearing this...

Roger frowned slightly:

You want me to provoke the pirates?

Serena smiled and said, "In the Interstellar Sea, all pirate ships have to give way when they see the church's ' Black Blue Flag.'"

"I didn't help her simply because I felt the time wasn't right."

"In fact, I had been keeping an eye on her every move; I was planning to wait until she completely broke down before I stepped in."

This way, they can acquire her fleet at a relatively low price.

But considering our connection...

I've decided to give you this opportunity.

The premise is...

You can handle those loan sharks and any potential retaliation from the South Korean authorities yourself.

I'll say all of this in one go.

Serena handed Roger a wooden box.

Inside were three Black Blue Flag of different sizes.

On the flag.

It features Giant Serpent and waves, similar to those on the emblem.

"Notification: You have obtained the ' Sea Serpent Queen's Divine Flag '"

"Sea Serpent Queen's Divine Flag: Intimidation Power of the Interstellar Seas +10"

"I see."

Roger accepted the box.

"The Earl is docked in the shipyard on the east side of the island."

Megan hasn't dared to disembark for a moment these past few days.

She was terrified that she would be disembarking once she got off the ship.

Those panicked sailors would then mutiny.

Serena's smile looked a little stiff.

"Please find some time to go there in the next day or the day after."

"It's just the right time for a hero to save the damsel in distress scene."

Roger bowed quite politely.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the badge and said meaningfully, "Thank you for the information."

"I will come back to you for baptism in a month."

Until Roger's figure completely disappeared outside the temple.

The priestess angrily summoned one of her personal servants. "Tell those moneylenders."

"I'm no longer involved in the Earl's affairs."

"Let them do whatever they want, let them do it to death!"

dusk.

Red East Island.

In the dock area of the pier.

Between two black "merchant ships".

It was a magical sailing ship, somewhat old in appearance, but very clean after being washed.

The deck of the Divine Art Ship was empty.

The sailors were having fun on the island.

Only a few crew members, loyal to the Megan family, are still making a final stand.

But in the captain's cabin.

Captain Megan, the woman who was the backbone of the ship, was already in a state of utter confusion.

She has tried every possible means these past few days, but hasn't been able to borrow a single penny!

Even when she spread the word that "she would serve whoever could solve the financial crisis of the 'Earl'", she was still willing to serve him.

Surprisingly, no one paid any attention! This left Megan devastated.

She even began to doubt her own charm.

Actually, her looks and figure are both top-notch.

But on this sea.

Everyone knows that there are plenty of beautiful women out there.

Money and life are more important! Megan herself is well aware of this.

She was simply unwilling to give up the "Earl" that her father had left her!

"The Sea Serpent Church".

"Only the Sea Serpent Church can save me."

Megan's mind flashed back to the greedy face of the priestess named Serena.

A wave of nausea washed over me.

But she knew.

There is no other way.

The only option is to sell this ship to Serena at a bargain price.

Near Red East Island.

Only she has the ability to take down this ship.

I've figured it all out.

Megan, looking somewhat dejected, tidied her messy hair, trying to look more presentable, and then opened the hatch.

There were six people outside the door.

They were all veteran sailors who had followed Megan's father for many years.

I could see the worry written all over these people's faces.

Megan reassured her, "It's alright."

"I have an idea."

One of them said with great concern, "I just heard some news. That woman, Serena, has privately claimed that she's abandoned the Earl..."

"How is that possible?"

Megan felt a sudden dizziness! She had just mentally prepared herself!

How could they...?!

Just then.

The gangplank attached to the ship's side and the shore began to tremble violently.

Under the wary gaze of the sailors.

About twenty burly men in blue uniforms came ashore in one go!

"They're from the sake shop."

"I heard that the female captain owes the captain of the Sake Ship a lot of money..."

"Hmph, of all the people who have died on this island over the years, how many didn't owe ' Tenkai Saburo ' money?"

On the dock.

A group of onlookers were discussing in hushed tones.

On the deck of the Earl.

"Ms. Megan."

"Our captain thinks it's time for you to pay back the money."

The burly man in blue, who was leading the group, said with ill intent:

"If you don't pay back the money, this ship is ours."

"Our captain has also heard that you're willing to sell yourself to save the ship. Heh, others don't appreciate your beauty, but our captain doesn't mind having you keep him company. Perhaps we can even waive some interest..."

Megan turned pale with anger.

But she still managed to remain calm and said, "I have money. My grandfather passed away and left me an inheritance, which is located in ' Holy Stone Port '..."

The burly man in blue rudely interrupted her, "Our captain only wants cash."

As he spoke.

The men in blue surrounded them menacingly.

It was at this moment.

A middle-aged man strode across the gangplank and onto the deck.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the people on both sides.

He walked to the stern of the boat on his own.

They hung up a blue and black flag.

"I am Bard Licensed Missionary of the Sea Serpent Church."

"I hereby announce..."

"The ship has been taken over by the church."

The man said slowly and deliberately, "I'll give you 10 seconds."

"Anyone who remains on board after 10 seconds who is not originally on board will be considered to be 'obstructing the spread of the Queen's Gospel.'"

"And I will be responsible for taking them to see the Queen."