When the plot-skips players into the game world

Chapter 736: Chapter 121 Our Cause is Not Just Chapter 736: Chapter 121 Our Cause is Not Just Aiwass immediately understood the meaning of Pure White.

The way things are done in the Holy Nation is essentially “Give me some face, and let’s call it even.”

——In essence, it’s all about who has the bigger clout.

Put nicely, it’s called a “sectarian state”; put bluntly, it’s a gangster state.

This is probably why the problems with Cardinal Loki’s side were difficult to deal with before, but now they’re much easier to handle.

It’s because Loki is already dead.

As the leader of the Controlled Flame, he was not only one of the Ring leaders recognized by the Candle Master, but he was also essentially the idol of all “commoner elves” in the Holy Nation — or more accurately, those elves whose parents couldn’t provide a legacy.

In the Holy Nation, lineage and wealth don’t matter as much as “influence.” And normally, this kind of influence is inheritable, like being “somebody’s son,” “somebody’s daughter,” or “somebody’s student”…

So, if a person’s parents have no achievements, have no friends, and have no clout, then they cannot inherit any influence and are essentially like “commoners” of other races.

The core base of the Controlled Flame is this group of elves — since they don’t have a legacy, they figure it would be fairer if no one relied on the legacy system.@@novelbin@@

Now that Loki is dead, his charisma and influence are bound to decline.

Furthermore, the Papal Guard has uncovered evidence of his crimes, and even though the full conspiracy hasn’t been confirmed, this will undoubtedly cause severe turmoil among Loki’s followers.

With the man already dead, how many would still be willing to follow a deceased leader?

There will certainly still be fanatical followers, but for most people, a dead person cannot lead them.

If a new leader doesn’t emerge quickly within the Controlled Flame, the organization itself is likely to collapse; and even if a new leader does emerge, their influence will surely diminish significantly.

“…In that sense, in the Holy Nation, killing an important figure actually costs less than injuring one.”

Aiwass also understood the meaning of Pure White and couldn’t help but feel the irony: “Truly…a peculiar custom.”

It’s like the difference between provoking a gang leader and killing the gang leader — the former means a fight to the death, while the latter can open up possibilities of assimilating the opposition.

Despite being a nation of Dedication, it nevertheless has the feel of a gang war.

“That’s how the Holy Nation is,”

Freya didn’t mind it at all: “Why else would I be studying here…

The biggest convenience is that the authorities here are more susceptible to bribes.

Only, the bribes that can influence them aren’t money, but ‘acts of helping others.’

“For example, taking that furnace out already breaks the rules of the Holy Nation.

But because I promised to ‘heal Amberficate,’ I was allowed to temporarily keep it here.

If I ultimately fail, then I’ll have to return the item and submit the work I’ve completed so far.

All of these things are negotiable.”

“Exactly.”

Pure White nodded, looking at Freya: “The research into ‘Tears of Time’ is very dangerous, and I hope you will suspend its study.”

“I’ve already terminated the research and destroyed all samples,”

Freya immediately raised her hands in defense.

“That’s good.”

Pure White nodded with a stern expression, speaking slowly: “Although the deaths of Mercedes and Gloria are not your fault, the cause of the incident ultimately lies with you…”

“What can I do?”

Freya asked.

“Since your research was exploited and indirectly harmed others, I’m punishing you to strive for the healing of others.

I hope you can develop a healing potion that is at least 80% cheaper than existing ones and possesses at least half of their efficacy,”

Pure White said: “I will sponsor your research and protect your patent, and afterwards, the Holy Nation will have the permanent production license for this potion.

We’ll distribute them as ‘Holy Water’ to churches everywhere to alleviate the problem of clergy being too exhausted and lacking Mana.

Of course, you’re still free to sell it to others, or produce it yourself.”

“Give me three months,”

Freya responded promptly without bargaining, nodding decisively: “At most three months.”

“Good,” Pure White nodded as well.

Then, they both turned to look at Aiwass.

Freya chuckled and shrugged: “See, Aiwass?

In a sense, the Holy Nation is the most utilitarian — because it allows ‘good to offset evil.’ Therefore, it’s the most suitable place for researchers like me who occasionally overstep the boundaries.”

“But what if others can’t do what Sister Freya has done?”

Aiwass asked.

“Then go help others,”

Pure White answered without hesitation: “Go save lives, heal, and work in the community.

Even in prison, one is to produce something or perform labor.

If a person can’t do anything beneficial for others to atone for their sin, or if their crime is unforgivable, only then we consider punishing or destroying them.

“But in the Holy Nation, ‘Punishment for sin’ has no inherent value.

Everyone is born with sin.

Most people are not innocent; they just haven’t been caught or punished.

There is too much lacking in this world.

Instead of mourning for the dead, it’s better to do something for the living…

or offer something.”

“…what do you mean by ‘destroy’?”

Aiwass keenly sensed that Pure White spoke of “destroying” rather than “death penalty.”

“You are very perceptive.

That’s good,”

Pure White nodded appreciatively: “It will help with your future life in the Holy Nation.

“—Yes, the Holy Nation typically does not use capital punishment.

Because life is extremely valuable…

If one must kill a person, then the death must also be beneficial to others, or even to society as a whole.”

“Transcendents of the Path of Devotion can use their own lives to heal disabilities that are normally incurable, they can even heal others’ damaged souls; and if they don’t possess healing abilities, they can be used to make various materials.”

“Blood essence, bone powder, internal organ extracts…

or for drug experiments, human dissection, organ transplantation, necromancy.

A person’s life should have some meaning.

If living can only bring destruction, at least in death, bring some meaning.”

Looking at the astonished Aiwass, Pure White’s expression became stern, “If you truly intend to become a Cardinal Archbishop, you must confront this ‘necessary evil’.”

“…Necessary evil?”

Aiwass heard the familiar term again.

“Exactly.

Punishment is for suppressing evil, but using sinners is not, and destroying corpses even less so—we must first recognize that this is a sin, that this has already crossed the boundaries of ‘suppressing evil’.

“What we do is not just.

But we must bear this sin, to seek benefits for more innocents and the public.

You are a Cardinal Archbishop, no law in the Material Realm can punish you, so only you can oversee yourself—what complies and what oversteps, it’s all up to you.”

“…I understand.”

Aiwass nodded gravely and in pain.

Without a doubt, this was a “sin” that the ordinary citizens of the Holy Nation would not realize.

He also understood why he always felt that those Cardinal Archbishops were mad to varying degrees…

As agents endorsed by the Pillar Gods, they were, in some sense, the highest ranking people in this world.

If an ordinary person said this, one could say “you don’t have the right to do this”—but the Cardinal Archbishops indeed have the right to do so.

And it is the Nine Pillar Gods, who manage souls after death and rule over the entire world, that grant them these rights.

The so-called divine right of kings—though they are not Monarchs, they possess supreme powers equivalent to those of Monarchs.

This is also why the Cardinal Archbishops are able to govern territories within the strongest nation in the world.

The Nine Pillar Gods that grant them their power have not clearly defined the scope of this power.

As long as it can be justified, they can act as they please.

Until they step completely out of line, and the Nine Pillar Gods retract their authorization.

In other words, the only oversight of the Cardinal Archbishops’ actions lies in their own conscience and morality.

And they do not know the Nine Pillar Gods’ specific judgments and assessments of them, they can only go by feeling; and there’s no reference value, because the standards of the Nine Pillar Gods are even different among themselves, and although the Cardinal Archbishops are all in the Holy Nation, the sources of their authorization vary.

Considering this, Aiwass once again became aware of something—

…The Path of Devotion does not necessarily mean that one is a “good person.”

In a certain sense, the Contributors may actually be the most cruel.

Because sometimes they are aware that what they do is evil… but for the ultimate purpose of good, they still proceed resolutely.

The most dangerous is not the bad person who does bad things, but the bad person who firmly believes that they are doing good.

As the atmosphere in the living room grew heavy, Pure White clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention, especially that of Aiwass, “Alright, let’s leave that matter here.

But as your elder, I have a special request for you, Aiwass…”

The young Holy Maiden, who appeared to be just over twenty, spoke thus to Aiwass.

“I know.”

Aiwass interrupted and replied, “I will apologize to those innocent Priests who were affected by my actions, heal them, and provide compensation.”

Pure White nodded in relief at Aiwass’s understanding, “Although I think that explaining the situation clearly will suffice.

Everyone has a good temper, they all know the Rite of Fire, and they will be able to heal themselves quickly…

The key is the attitude.

As long as you’re not too proud, think you’re superior to others, or leave after hurting someone without an explanation, that’ll be fine.

“But how to handle it specifically, it’s up to you.

If there’s anything you don’t understand, or if there are any other troubles, you can come to me, or you can go find Cardinal Matilda.”

“Yes.” Aiwass nodded in response.

“The entire Controlled Flame will be under investigation later, so they probably won’t have time to trouble you.

But having said that, you should still be careful of their retaliation…

Loki still has some fervent followers.”

Pure White cautioned.

She assessed Aiwass and asked, “Do you really want to learn Advanced Divine Arts?”

“…Hmm?

Why not?”

Aiwass counter-questioned as he noticed the tone of her voice seemed off, “Could there be any life-threatening danger?”

Upon hearing this, Pure White immediately laughed, “That’s unlikely.

After all, this is the Holy Nation; we won’t let you encounter any life-threatening situations.”

—That’s not necessarily true.

Aiwass thought to himself.

He had been in the Holy Nation for less than three days, and he had already encountered so many incidents.

“If you want to study, then you need to start preparing now.”

Pure White said earnestly, “Advanced Divine Arts are not just some Transcendent knowledge; they are actually a complex ritual.

It is divided into three stages, the first part is mastering the skills, the second is selecting a deity to complete a long ritual, and the third is passing their assessment and gaining their recognition.

And just the first stage has stymied countless people…

so you don’t have to rush.”

“Although your bishops from Avalon haven’t all arrived yet, you can start learning in advance…

I will send you the corresponding books tonight, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come to me for guidance.

I’ll be repairing the damaged ritual mirrors in the Eleventh Ring during this time, and I won’t be going anywhere else.

The Eleventh Ring does not require an appointment and no recordings are needed, you can come at any time.”

“Alright.”

Aiwass expressed his sincere gratitude.