Redd received letters jointly sent by Douglas, Marcus and Theora in the study room of the castle.
The letter was very long. Each of the three stated the current situation from their own perspective and analyzed the possible chain reactions that would result from continuing to implement the clearance order.
The letter listed specific numbers and cases, explaining that if the scope of the purge continues to be expanded, Free Cities's economic and social order will collapse within a few months.
The wording in the letter was cautious and restrained, but the anxiety and uneasiness revealed between the lines was difficult to conceal.
All three hope that Redd can reconsider the method and intensity of the cleanup, at least allowing them more flexibility and room for judgment in the execution process.
Redd threw the letter on the table, then picked up a pen and wrote a big word "kill" on a piece of paper.
Then fold it and stuff it into the envelope, throw the envelope to the sender and ask him to take it back.
When the three of them read this letter, they should know what to do.
Redd just don't believe how firm the beliefs of these so-called believers are.
If their faith is really that strong, then send them to meet their gods.
As for the operation system and management system of the trade City-States, it does not matter if it is shut down and chaotic, even if it is a mess.
Red God's belief must not continue to exist in his territory.
If those believers refuse to obey his rule because of their faith, then their existence has no value.
Redd does not need to use faith to maintain power, he only needs to use fear and interest to maintain order.
Those who pay taxes on time and obey management can survive; those who choose faith over obedience will be eliminated from this system.
The way to eliminate them is simple - make them disappear.
Douglas, Marcus and Theora, who had already gathered in Pentos City-States, all fell silent after seeing the reply.
Although I had expected it, when I saw the word "kill" on the letter, I still couldn't accept it.
Following this order will almost destroy the existing operating system, which is equivalent to tearing it down and starting over.
How many people will die during this process? They all know it is a terrifying number when they think about it.
The bishops, monks, armed believers of the church, as well as the ordinary believers who were incited, are all covered by the word "kill".
The three of them sat opposite each other, and the candlelight in the tent swayed in the night wind, lengthening and shortening their shadows on the tent wall.
The silence lasted for a long time, and no one spoke.
Among the three people sitting opposite each other, two of them looked at Douglas.
Although he did not speak, his eyes showed that he hoped Douglas would personally go to Valyria City to persuade His Highness Dragon King to change his mind.
Douglas couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth twice. How could he have such ability?
In front of Redd, he could only obey. He didn't have the courage to persuade or disobey Redd's orders.
Although he is trusted by Redd, even Demon Dragon is given his command.
But if he really dares to disobey Redd's order and refuse to execute it, then trust may collapse and he may not be able to protect himself.
So he simply spread his hands and said that he had nothing to do.
He tapped the letter on the table with his fingers and said, "Dragon King has already made a decision, we can only execute it."
The deeper meaning of this sentence is - this order cannot be discussed and must be implemented, even if you don't want to do it.
Redd's orders are on top. If you don't follow them, think about what will happen.
As the only woman present, Theora said in a serious tone, "We will be cursed by the gods."
Marcus is silent and does not speak.
Douglas warned, "Whether the gods will curse us, I don't know. But if we don't do it, Dragon King's anger will burn us to death."
Now that they have reached this point, the three of them know very well that they can only go to the dark side in one way.
The three of them dispersed. They will completely eliminate the Red God belief from the trade City-States at any cost.
When Douglas walked out of the tent, residual smoke was still rising from the ruins of Pentos in the distance.
The remains of the buildings burned by Dragonfire showed a dim, charred outline in the night.
He looked at the ruins and thought about repeating the same scene in other City-Statess, thinking about the streets and houses that were about to be engulfed in flames, and the figures that were about to run screaming in fear and then be covered in flames.
His stomach churned for a moment, and then he suppressed it forcefully.
He turned and walked towards his tent, preparing to gather the remaining troops after dawn and continue to advance according to Redd's order.
In the following days, Douglas, Theora and Marcus simultaneously launched large-scale clearing operations in their respective City-States.
Douglas set out from Pentos, taking the remaining Demon Dragon and the reinforcements transferred from Volantis, along the land and sea routes of Free Cities to clear out the strongholds of the Red God church one by one.
Theora adopted a more systematic approach in Lys. She registered all churches in City-States and required each church building to hand over all weapons and armed personnel within a specified time. Those who failed to do so would be regarded as hostile forces and directly destroyed.
Marcus took a more radical approach in Braavos. He sent mercenaries and garrisons to raid all Red God church strongholds in City-States at the same time, killing all the monks and armed believers in those strongholds.
Then those buildings will be converted into warehouses or barracks, and the symbols of Red God will be completely erased from the public space of City-States.
The purge operation quickly exceeded the scope of the Red God church itself.
Other churches that refused to hand over their armed forces were also included in the purge.
Douglas, Theora and Marcus all chose the most thorough method when executing their orders - no distinction was made between the Red God church and other churches. All religious organizations with armed forces were regarded as potential threats.
The bishops and monks were arrested, the believers were dispersed, and the armed men were disarmed and sent to labor camps.
Those church buildings were confiscated or destroyed, and those sacrificial objects were burned together.
Rows of gallows were erected in the public square within City-States, and those identified as core members of the Red God church were publicly executed to shock those who still hesitated or tried to resist.
Resistance inevitably emerged during the purge operations.
Some Red God church strongholds refused to surrender after being besieged. Those believers blocked the entrances with furniture and stones inside the stronghold, trying to block the outside army with their flesh and blood.
Those strongholds were eventually destroyed by Dragonfire or siege engines, and those who resisted were buried in the rubble.
Some City-States civilians launched sporadic riots during the purge because they sympathized with the Red God church or were dissatisfied with Redd's rule.