Religion really is a fine tool of rule

"... Blood God?"

Alfred stared in astonishment at the dark-haired man before him.

Isn't that one of those evil gods that's been circulating lately? I remember his full name is... God of Blood and Shadows...

His expression quickly changed, because according to MI9's information, the one spreading the Honorific Name "Blood God" was the Blood Pirates, the men of "King of Blood" Alexander Gascoigne.

The "Blood God" faith is directly related to [Blood Bishop]!

So what is the connection between this guy in front of me and Alexander Gascoigne...?

Alfred couldn't help but think.

Then he saw the young man with black hair and black eyes, who had an ordinary appearance, suddenly turn his head and look at him.

"Is there something you need?"

The young man asked with a smile.

"!"

Alfred's heart skipped a beat, but his MI9 training allowed him to immediately control his expression. Calmness was key; it was rare to encounter someone like this. This was a good opportunity; perhaps he could extract some information from him...

"Oh, it's nothing."

He shook his head, a perfectly timed hint of curiosity on his face, "I just haven't heard of this 'Blood God' you mentioned..."

Oh, you mean this?

Upon hearing the other person mention his faith, the black-haired man immediately perked up and began to speak eloquently, "You don't know the Blood God? That's such a shame! The Blood God is awesome, brother. Let me tell you, anyone who doesn't understand the Blood God is destined for a relatively unsuccessful life..."

I don't know about Blood God, but I don't think my life has been a complete failure...

Alfred's smile became somewhat stiff.

No, we need to take the initiative!

He wasn't really interested in being proselytized, so he quickly changed the subject, "Wait, Your Excellency, I actually have a question. Why do you look down on the Church of the Evernight Goddess so much?"

"It's not so much that I look down on them, but I mainly think that the Holy Bible and doctrines spread by the Church of Evernight are really ridiculous."

The black-haired man shook his head, a mocking smile appearing on his face, "What do you mean by 'patience is a virtue'? What do you mean by 'blessed are the poor, for Goddess kingdom is theirs'?"

His target was the Holy Bible preached by Priest Sharp Priest, who was preaching on stage. Perhaps because most of his audience today were poor and destitute, Neil Sharp's sermons focused on the chapters in the Night's Revelation celebrated the lowly. These chapters mostly told stories of Goddess and their saints performing miracles to save innocent, suffering, but devout poor people.

"Isn't it good that Goddess favor the poor?"

Alfred frowned and asked.

The black-haired man merely sneered.

"This isn't favoring the poor; this is deceiving the poor."

His dark eyes were filled with contempt. "He deceived them, saying that there was a wonderful paradise in this world. As long as they worked honestly while they were alive, endured the oppression of noble lords, and lived a diligent life, they would ascend to the heavenly Divine Kingdom after death, where they would find eternal peace and redemption."

"Religion is indeed a good weapon for control, capable of manipulating the spirits of the natives of the Southern Continent."

The dark-haired young man spoke with a cold, mocking tone, "Loen knows how to do it well. He colonizes both physically and mentally. Kill the most disobedient ones, control the most obedient ones, and after a few generations, they'll be content to be slaves."

"You!"

These words struck a nerve with Alfred, and his emerald eyes sharpened instantly.

A manipulative fellow...

He suppressed his anger, scanning the young man up and down, memorizing his features. There were too many people in the Square now; it wasn't a good time to act. He'd definitely bring people over after the crowd dispersed to capture this guy and interrogate him properly! "I disagree with your statement."

Alfred couldn't hold back any longer and retorted, "The Goddess is mostly encouraging everyone to be good and live life positively."

Then, he waved his hand, pointing to the crowded people in the Square.

"Moreover, the Church organized this missionary work to bring a better life to these people!"

Alfred said seriously, glaring at the dark-haired young man opposite him. He could not bear to see his beliefs vilified as a tool of rule, nor could he accept that his ideals were merely a mirage.

"..."

The young man looked at the enraged Alfred for a second, then two seconds, and then the corners of his mouth gradually turned up.

"Pfft... Hahaha!"

He actually laughed.

Is it funny?

"Alfred asked coldly."

"It's alright... I just find it a bit ridiculous..." The black-haired young man rubbed his sore facial muscles from laughing and straightened up. "Okay, let me ask you a question. Guess why so many local natives have gathered here today?"

"Because Sharp did his job Priest well, he inspired the local people..."

Alfred hesitated, sensing a subtle malice in the other's question, "Isn't that why?"

"Heh... Neil Sharp is indeed a devout and earnest Missionary..."

The dark-haired young man's lips curled up again. "But the reason so many people are here to hear him preach today isn't because of his personal charisma."

What's the meaning?

If not because of Sharp, then what could it be?

Alfred looked around with suspicion in his heart.

He quickly noticed the problem: most of the poor natives around him looked blank and numb, their eyes glazed over as they stared at the podium. Many people on the periphery quietly moved to leave, but were stopped by the soldiers with guns and weapons, and stood obediently under their glares.

The number of those soldiers was unusually large.

Could it be...?

A sudden, uneasy suspicion welled up in Alfred's mind. Please remember the only official website address: www. deqixs. org. This is the only website; other websites may be discontinued at any time.

"Alright, that's enough about the stories from the classic texts for now."

Just then, Neil Sharp's sermon on the altar came to an end. He looked around at the crowded people below, seemingly wanting to interact with them, and said, "If you have any questions, please raise your hand and ask me."

Apart from the very enthusiastic people in the front row, the general public on the periphery had a lukewarm response, except for a thin little child who raised his hand.

"That little kid, then."

Neil spoke in Dutanese.

The little boy who was called stood up and looked at Neil with innocent eyes. "Sir, I'd like to ask, when will you let us go?"

"... ah?"

Neil's smile froze.

"I was planning to go work odd jobs at the shop today, but these soldiers insisted on forcing us to come here to listen to you speak."

The little boy spoke the truth, pointing to the soldiers behind him, "Sir, if I don't work today, I won't get paid, and my family depends on me to support them. I beg you, please finish this quickly."

"..." A look of bewilderment crossed Neil's face. He glanced at the embarrassed and angry soldiers, then at the numb and fearful citizens, and suddenly seemed to understand something.

These people were actually forcibly driven here by General Sanchez's troops...

Beneath the altar, Alfred finally understood. Sanchez was probably trying to curry favor with them, the people of the Northern Continent. But this action, coupled with his own earlier remarks, made everything seem so ironic.

No wonder that dark-haired young man was amused by his own words.

Will it bring a better life to the locals?

No, thanks to our group, they can't even continue living a normal life!