Exorcism Ritual

The church's underground chamber was brightly lit.

Kraun cautiously surveyed his surroundings.

White candles formed a large circle, burning silently. Melted wax trickled down the candlesticks before slowly hardening.

Two burly constables stood at each of the room's four corners.

Silver powder had been scattered across the center of the floor, forming the pattern of an Eight-Pointed Star.

Two concentric circles surrounded the Eight-Pointed Star, marked with writing he did not recognize and strange symbols.

Nick wore a pristine white robe, with the Church's Holy Emblem embroidered over the chest.

He stood within the candle circle, holding a thick Holy Scripture. Its metal cover gleamed with brilliant gold and was likewise engraved with the Holy Emblem of the God of Flame.

Seeing him enter, Father nodded lightly. "Kraun, stand in the middle of the ritual."

As Kraun remembered, Father only wore this outfit on God's Birthday each year.

If it was a blessing, it wasn't a disaster. If it was a disaster, there was no escaping it.

This setup was definitely far more than a simple questioning.

Suppressing his unease, he walked calmly into the candle circle and stood at the very center of the Eight-Pointed Star.

As he stepped onto the ritual diagram, his right foot paused for the briefest moment before grinding down hard.

When he took his position and saw that the pattern on the ground had not distorted in the slightest because of his action, he felt somewhat disappointed.

Nick spoke in a deep, solemn voice. "Kraun Morty, as one of God's people, you will undergo a Holy Baptism today."

Kraun frowned slightly and corrected him.

"It's my honor, Father. But you misspoke. My name is Kraun Moya."

The grave look on Father's face eased slightly as he spoke again. "Names are merely symbols. Our Lord remembers the spiritual aura of every lamb that has ever prayed to Him."

"Child, though you have lost all your blood relatives in this world, you will forever remain beneath the watchful gaze of the gods."

"Ahem, ahem." Kraun coughed twice, looking a little embarrassed. "Father, I have to interrupt again. I still have an older sister who married and moved to Rhine City."

By now, he had completely absorbed the original owner's memories. He even knew clearly when he had experienced his first primal urge.

Many things the original owner had forgotten had also returned to him vividly.

He was more genuine than the original owner now!

Nick's expression finally relaxed. He often bought herbs from Old Moya to use as incense, so he was fairly familiar with Kraun's family.

Those possessed by Evil Spirits had extremely muddled memories and spoke incoherently.

Kraun's thoughts were clear, which strongly suggested that he was unlikely to be possessed by an Evil Spirit.

As for why he had survived the Evil Spirit's slaughter, it could only be attributed to the merciful protection of the Lord of Flame.

Even so, the exorcism ritual still needed to be performed for the most accurate verification.

"Child, please close your eyes and silently recite our Lord's scripture."

After Father finished speaking, his voice suddenly rose. "In the name of the Lord of Flame, we drive out every filthy soul from you."

As Father's tone rose, the candle flames shot upward by a great deal.

Nick's voice became distant and lofty, echoing through the room as though it came from high above the clouds.

The silver powder on the floor turned blazing red, making the ground beneath Kraun's feet resemble a land of fiery molten lava.

The constables in the four corners all widened their eyes at this divine sight, and their faith in the God of Flame immediately became far more devout.

Kraun noticed none of it. With his eyes closed, he only felt as if he were drifting through a warm place.

". . . All evil forces, Evil Spirits, and Monsters, stay away from the lambs who believe in our Lord. Cease your harm against them."

Nick raised the Holy Emblem before his chest and pressed it against Kraun's forehead. "Evil Spirit, reveal yourself!"

The Holy Emblem burst into light, as bright as the Fiery Red Sun, then vanished in a flash.

Seeing wisps of black mist rise from the person beneath the Holy Emblem, Nick was startled.

Was he really possessed by an Evil Spirit?!

During an exorcism ritual, evil creatures were greatly weakened. Holy light would ignite them, exposing their traces.

Only evil creatures would burn with black mist during the ritual.

The black mist around Kraun gradually faded away, yet nothing abnormal appeared. There was even an intoxicated look of enjoyment on his face.

Father clenched the Holy Emblem tightly and shouted, "Evil Spirit, reveal yourself!"

The Holy Emblem shone again, and more black mist steamed from Kraun's body, though it was much fainter than before.

Kraun felt two scorching warm currents flow through his body in succession, and his entire body immediately felt lighter.

After a long while, hearing no other movement, he opened his eyes and met Father's puzzled gaze.

Could it be that only some residual Evil Spirit corruption remained in his body? Nick asked in confusion, "How do you feel now? Do you feel any discomfort?"

"I feel like my whole body is filled with strength!"

Kraun clenched his fist hard. "It feels great. Father, can you do it two more times?"

Heh. Two more times? Are you trying to bankrupt me?

The ritual had originally been called Holy Baptism.

Believers bathed in the ocean of divine power, purifying the filth within their hearts while strengthening their bodies and enhancing their Life Essence. In the past, even ordinary nobles could not enjoy such treatment.

Exorcism was merely one of its incidental functions.

The candles and powder used in the ritual required a great deal of money to exchange from the Church. Otherwise, the Church's allocated quota alone would never be enough.

Nick suddenly broke into a smile. "Of course. One Holy Ritual costs 50 Gold Shields. You received two baptisms just now, for a total of 100 Gold Shields. Would you like two more?"

Though I also received the ritual's blessing, you must pay the full cost of the materials!

Upon hearing Father's words, Kraun's smile froze on his face.

One hundred Gold Shields? You might as well rob me!

Did you get my consent before giving me this kind of service?

The smile on Nick's face became even kinder as he said gently, "If you don't need another Holy Baptism for the moment, then settle the bill. Will you pay in cash or monthly installments? My interest is very low for monthly payments—five ten-thousandths per day."

"Father, why is performing a ritual so expensive?" Kraun forced a smile. His instincts told him he had been swindled. His teeth itched with hatred, but his expression remained pleasant.

In the Faruk Kingdom, few people dared to fall out with members of the Church of the Lord of Flame.

Nick put on a profound air and said, "It isn't expensive. It's merely that the price of these things is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

He silently added, I merely sold the same materials twice, that's all. Consider it compensation for the Faith Power the Sanctuary had accumulated and consumed.