The effects of the Sea-Praying Ritual

Lumian didn't respond immediately, because he was now Louis Berri, the adventurer who didn't understand the Highland Language.

After Lugano finished translating Noelia's words, he smiled, nodded slightly, and said in Intis language, "Please come in."

He stood up as he spoke.

Lugano, who had already arrived at the door, opened it.

The visitor outside was indeed Sister Noelia, Combat Nuns from the Order of Abundance. Today, she was neither wearing her black cloak nor her religiously symbolic Black-Backed White Patterns bicornered hat. Her thick, black curly hair cascaded down her brown Leather Armor armor, and her light blue Eyes were bright and alert.

Lumian glanced at the two Revolver Straight Sword behind Noelia and the Pistol at her waist, then smiled and took two steps forward.

Thank you for your help.

Noelia previously needed Lugano to translate, responded this time in Intis language:

How did you know I was here to offer help?

Lumian made no attempt to conceal the purpose of his performance today, pointing to his head.

He meant what I deduced in my head.

Of course, his earlier thanks were actually to thank the other party for helping him digest a little more of the "Conspirer" Potion.

Noelia's thick, bushy eyebrows twitched slightly, and she nodded approvingly.

She then turned her gaze to Lugano and Ludwig, as if seeking Lumian's opinion on whether the two should leave, while Lugano wore an expression that said, "I don't want to hear this, I don't want to get involved."

Lumian didn't make things difficult for him, and gestured for him to take Ludwig outside for a walk and buy some street food.

After the two children left the Suite, Lumian said to Noelia, "You actually speak Intis language! You didn't say a word last time."

Noelia smiled and replied, "We often have to take turns guarding the mountain passes on the southern slopes of the Piraeus Mountains."

The Piraeus Mountains are the name given by the Kingdom of Feynapotter to the Dalege Mountains, which Shepherd always cross during their migrations to reach the Plains and pastures of provinces such as Gaia.

Before Lumian could ask any more questions, Noelia tucked a stray hair behind her ear and said with a smile, "It's not very polite to make a Lady stand and chat with you."

Lumian then invited Noelia to sit on the Long Sofa, while he chose the Armchair for himself.

Noelia looked at him and began to speak to herself:

"The Sea-Praying Ritual in Santa Port date back to the late Fourth Epoch period, more than a thousand years ago, making them ancient enough to be considered so. The Church once conducted a cleansing, relocating all those who knew about it and purifying all Participant. However, less than a hundred years later, people here have begun to secretly hold Sea-Praying Ritual again."

She didn't explain why she was sharing this history; it seemed like she was simply making a sharing session.

"Was the cleaning stopped after that?" Lumian asked.

Noelia pursed her red lips, her expression grave, and said, "In this matter, the orders from above are often contradictory. Sometimes they send us, the Order of Abundance, to handle it, and sometimes they indicate that we should observe for a while. And all of this has received the countersignature of the Blessed."

Lumian learned from the "Magician" Lady and the Curly-Haired Baboon Research Society Church the Church of the Earth Mother has two major systems: the Divine Grace and the Blessed. The Divine Grace refer to the Beyonder Clergy who walk the Pathway of "Earth" and "Moon". The Blessed are those favored by the Mother Goddess in other Pathway. The orders issued by the Divine Grace must be countersigned by at least one Blessed to be valid; otherwise, they will be regarded as products of the influence of Evil God and Devil.

Lumian didn't understand why the Church the Earth Mother would create such a complex system that seemed to be designed to guard against those with Divine Grace, but he believed there must be a reason for it.

After experiencing so much, he became increasingly aware that some seemingly insignificant rules in the Mysticism World might conceal bloody lessons.

"Are you Divine Grace, or Blessed?" Lumian asked after a moment's thought.

"I am Blessed." Noelia did not explain her specific Pathway.

Lumian nodded slightly, signaling the other person to continue.

Noelia smiled and sighed, "After a long period of back and forth, we finally decided to tacitly approve of the Sea-Praying Ritual. At least it will bring prosperity to Santa Port and will have little impact on people outside the Participant, so it will not cause social unrest."

"This all happened a long time ago. I can only understand the general situation through old records, and I can't really grasp the specific reasons why they persuaded the Mother Superior, the president, and the Bishops. In any case, the Sea-Praying Ritual became a traditional folk custom in Santa Port, which led to the vigorous development of maritime trade and fishing in the area."

At this point, Noelia crossed her arms over her chest and said Devout, "Life is precious, and a bountiful harvest is joyous."

Lumian's gaze sharpened slightly, and he asked directly, "Why did you change your prayer gesture?"

Is there a problem with this?

Noelia opened her eyes and said with a smile, "This is a prayer gesture we used to use often, but later the Mother Goddess regained some of her lost Authority, so a new prayer gesture is needed for formal occasions."

She stood up, slightly parted her legs, raised both hands high, and began to explain to Louis Berri earnestly, as if she were preaching:

"With feet connected to the benevolent earth, hands touching the spiritual sky, and between them the radiance of life—this is the realm of Mother Nature."

Could they possibly regain some of the Authority they had lost? Lumian was somewhat puzzled, but that wasn't the point.

Noelia sat down again and continued, "We haven't tried to figure out the Core Process of the Sea-Praying Ritual, but through years of monitoring, we've still managed to gather some information:

"The ' Governor of the Sea ' who successfully receives the Sea possesses the power to manipulate this Sea Area and prevent Shipwreck, but this seems to come at the cost of their lives and something else. At the same time, the Sea-Praying Ritual will bring about the rapid reproduction and vigorous growth of various life forms in this Sea Area, ensuring a bountiful harvest for fishermen. In addition, it also has some manifestations of Destiny; the families that ' Sea Maiden ' marry into will become more or less fortunate, and this is not just due to the preferential treatment they receive."

The effects of the Sea-Praying Ritual sound very complex... It embodies the power of the ocean, as well as aspects of Destiny, reproduction, and harvest... Lumian couldn't figure out why for a moment.

Noelia looked at Lumian's face with bright but gentle eyes and said, "The committee members of the Fishing Guild, some villagers of Milo Village, and Participant in the Core Process of the Sea-Praying Ritual have all gained some magical powers. We have dealt with the kind of Little Demon you encountered before, and when we were chasing some Criminal, we discovered that they could transform into a Lizard -like Monster."

Humanoid Lizard? The kind of Humanoid Lizard from the Paco Family? Lumian never expected to get a clue about this from Noelia.

Noelia smiled:

"Later we discovered that people who could transform into Lizard- like Monster had one thing in common."

"What do they have in common?" Lumian didn't hide his curiosity.

Noelia replied with a half-smile, "Their mothers were both once ' Sea Maiden '."

The child of the "Sea Maiden"? The Child of the Sea? Which of Ruvio's brothers and sisters did I kill? He not only turned into Humanoid Lizard, but also went mad and severely injured his own mother? Lumian instantly connected many things and felt that he had grasped the essence of the Paco Family's Commission.

But then he had some doubts:

If that's true, it's no secret to families with "Sea Maiden," so why would the Paco Family want to keep it from Juan Oro and other members of the Fishing Guild?

Noelia didn't ask him what he was thinking, and said in a teasing tone, "After confirming that those Lizard- like Monster were related to the Sea-Praying Ritual, we specifically warned the committee members of the Fishing Guild. After that, no more of these Criminal appeared. They were all well disciplined and controlled. So, sometimes, I understand why the higher-ups tacitly allowed the Sea-Praying Ritual to be held in Santa Port. They are much more obedient than you adventurers and easier to control."

Noelia's underlying message was, "I just told you not to get involved in the Fishing Guild's affairs, and the very next day you Forced Entry the ' Governor of the Sea's ' residence and pointed a gun at Juan Oro's head. You're much more troublesome than those people from the Sea-Praying Ritual!"

Lumian smiled but declined to comment.

Noelia hesitated for a few seconds, then looked into his eyes and said, "I don't know what your purpose is in investigating the Sea-Praying Ritual, nor do I want to find out. I can only tell you that if your actions endanger the entire Santa Port, we will intervene directly and expel you."

"Under this premise, we may be able to provide some assistance."

Lumian picked up the straw hat that was placed beside him, pressed it to his chest, and said, "It is my honor."

Noelia did not say what the Church the Earth Mother hoped to gain from this matter, nor did Lumian ask.

The Combat Nuns of the Order of Abundance rose and walked toward the door.

She placed her left hand on the Handle, then suddenly turned halfway around, her Eyes sparkling with a smile, and asked, "Would you like to keep a child?"

Lumian paused for a moment, then said, "Lady, isn't your topic a bit too abrupt?"

Noelia, her eyes filled with pity and a hint of maternal warmth, said, "According to our assessment, the danger of the Sea-Praying Ritual requires at least a Saint or a 'Level 1' Sealed Artifact that can be effectively used for a short period of time to deal with it. I don't know what you're planning to do, but once you're involved in this, it's not something you can just walk away from."

"Before this, have you considered having an heir? I can help you."

"Are all the reasons your ' Earth Mother ' Church's Combat Nuns give for inviting people for a one-night stand so unusual?" Lumian was speechless for a moment.

Noelia said earnestly, "Offspring are the continuation of our lives. Flowers wither and fall to the earth so that they can bloom even more beautifully the following year. Don't you really want to consider having offspring?"

"Not for now," Lumian replied curtly.

Noelia said with a regretful expression, "You can come to me whenever you've figured it out."

After saying that, she opened the door and went out.