Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 412 Doctrine Torture and the Successful Recruitment of God's Chosen Priests

After listening to Fandral's explanation, Su Li felt that this world was still quite dangerous.

Warriors like knights and berserkers, who pursue power, honor, and close combat, are most likely to become followers of Khorne due to their anger, thirst for battle, and extreme obsession with victory, ultimately turning into bloodthirsty butchers who only know how to kill.

Doctors, pharmacists, gardeners, and farmers—those intimately connected to life, disease, decay, and the cycle of regeneration—are most vulnerable to falling into the clutches of Nurgle. Their despair for a cure, their distorted yearning for the continuation of life, and even their morbid "appreciation" of the decaying process, can all be transformed, under the whispers of the Father, into a fanatical drive to spread plague and filth. Those mired in the plague of despair, patients who have given up resistance, and certain Druids or environmentalists who pursue "natural balance" to the extreme often become breeding grounds for Nurgle.

As for scholars, sorcerers, engineers, and conspirators who immerse themselves in the ocean of knowledge and pursue endless mysteries, their thirst for knowledge and insatiable desire for power easily lead them into the realm of cunning and trickery. For forbidden knowledge, the ability to foresee the future, or the power to manipulate the threads of fate, they will not hesitate to abandon morality, play with people's hearts, and become loyal wizards and spies of the Lord of Deception. Anyone with an extreme obsession with "planning" and "control," such as certain politicians, spies, or strategists, is also not immune to the allure of cunning and trickery.

Artists, hedonists, nobles, celebrities, and even some warriors who pursue "pure beauty"—those who seek ultimate sensory stimulation, artistic perfection, physical pleasure, or emotional experience—are Slaanesh's sweetest prey. Their desires are insatiable, and ultimately, in the pursuit of higher and more intense stimulation, their souls and bodies are devoured by Slaanesh's ultimate pleasure, turning them into degenerate sensual fanatics or distorted "works of art." Even a swordsman obsessed with perfect swordsmanship may slide into Slaanesh's abyss.

Su Li was taken aback and asked Fandral, "Is there any way to protect him from the corruption of chaos?"

"Unwavering faith in the divine is the strongest bulwark of the human soul, and the sharpest spear against the whispers of chaos." A deep, hoarse voice, yet carrying an unshakeable, rock-solid strength, came from behind Su Li. The voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the tranquility of the Star Dew Orange Domain, carrying a sense of vicissitudes honed by hardship and an utterly pure conviction.

Su Li and the others turned around abruptly. There stood a priest, his aura like a blazing flame, silently appearing behind them. He wore a faded, patched, coarse linen robe, his bare feet calloused and scarred, looking weary from his journey. His face was etched with the marks of time, but his eyes, like two inextinguishable holy flames burning in the cold night, were sharp and pure, seemingly able to pierce through all falsehood and pretense.

His gaze swept over Fandral, over the nuns with frightened expressions, and finally landed on Su Li.

"My lord," his voice was steady and powerful, as if stating an eternal truth, "the power of chaos is rooted in the emptiness of the soul and the uncontrolled desires. Khorne exploits anger and the desire for conquest, Nurgle exploits submission to despair and a twisted yearning for 'eternity,' Tzeentch exploits greedy thirst for knowledge and ambition for manipulation, and Slaanesh…" He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through space, landing on the mountaintop, "...it corrodes the boundaries of all senses, transforming the pursuit of 'perfection' into an endless abyss of depravity."

He took a step forward, and the pebbles beneath his feet seemed to become solemn because of his presence. There were no powerful magical fluctuations on his body, but he exuded a pure aura that calmed the mind and dispelled all distractions, subtly resonating with Stardew Orange's purifying domain.

“Faith,” Dante continued, each word striking the listener like a hammer blow, “is not blind worship. It is an absolute identification with and wholehearted devotion to a higher order, to goodness and light. It fills the void with hope, restrains desires with discipline, replaces greed with dedication, and resists the temptations of the senses with inner peace.”

He raised his thin but unusually steady hand, pointing to the Star Dew Orange tree that shimmered with a restrained silver light: "The power of this tree lies in its ability to purify the evil and soothe the soul. But the true fortress must be built deep within the soul." He then pointed to his weathered chest, "Faith is the cornerstone of that fortress. It anchors the soul to the order of light, rendering the whispers of chaos as futile as waves crashing against rocks."

His gaze refocused on Su Li, a hint of insight in his eyes: "You want to use Friedrich's talent? Sure. But the prerequisite is that he must be in an environment where the faith is strong enough to suppress and purify his inner corruption."

"And the faith in the Goddess of the Sun is just as ardent, scorching, and pure, purifying the believer's body like a flame and dispelling all chaos."

"Therefore, as long as he can devoutly and without any distractions believe in the Goddess of the Sun, he can resist the corrosive influence of Seraphim."

Su Li looked at the barefoot priest in front of her, whose clothes were tattered but who seemed to radiate a great light, and immediately had a guess.

After all, he was too much like a follower of the Goddess of the Sun, who always emitted golden light that was enough to blind ordinary people.

Hilde stepped out from behind him and introduced, “My lord, this is Lord Dantin, the Ascetic Saint. He requested to see you immediately after we found him.”

Su Li smiled and said, "I have already sensed Lord Dante's pure, resilient aura, radiating power, discipline, and faith, as fiery as hellfire. There should be no one else but an ascetic saint like him."

Dante nodded slightly in acknowledgment and said, "It is an honor to meet you, Bauhinia Knight. You are the pride of our entire church, and your deeds are widely known even in Maleburg. The expeditionary legion you dispatched has added glory to the entire Church of the Sun Goddess."

Su Li calmly replied, "This is my due repayment for being blessed by the Goddess of the Sun. However, Lord Dante's preaching of the doctrine just now has given me a deeper understanding of faith."

Dante's eyes, burning with the flame of conviction, scrutinized him. After a moment, a hint of softening appeared on his weathered face.

"To hear you speak like this is the radiance of the goddess." Dante's voice was still deep and hoarse, but it had lost some of its initial sharpness and gained a hint of inquiry. "Bauhinia Knight, you are favored by the goddess and bear the heavy responsibility of pioneering and protecting. You must have a unique understanding of the goddess's teachings. In your opinion, what is the essence of the sun goddess's light? Is it the purifying fire that burns away filth, or the life-giving light that nourishes all things?"

Su Li did not answer immediately. His gaze swept over the dust on Dante's bare feet, over the patches on his penitent robes that symbolized his suffering, and finally settled on his eyes, which seemed to see into the depths of his soul. He sensed that this saint was not seeking a standard answer, but rather testing the depth and direction of his faith as a lord.

“Lord Dante,” Su Li began slowly, his voice steady and powerful, “the light of the Goddess of the Sun is both a sword and a sheaf of wheat. It is not a single thing.”

He paused, gathering his thoughts, and continued, “The Goddess’s Light is first and foremost the Flame of Order. It burns away the filth of chaos, dispels the gloom of despair, and purifies with its merciless flames those twisted, corrupt beings who seek to overthrow the foundations of the world. This flame forges the courage of knights and the discipline of warriors; it is our sharpest weapon against the four Chaos Gods and their minions. Without this flame that burns away darkness, there is no order, and life cannot continue.”

Dante nodded slightly, flames flickering in his eyes, clearly acknowledging Su Li's understanding of the goddess's war and purification aspects.

“The flame of order… the radiance of life…” Dante murmured, his deeply lined face revealing no obvious expression, but the flame in his eyes seemed to burn brighter and purer. “My lord, your understanding… is quite profound. The goddess’s radiance does indeed possess the dual power of destruction and creation, protection and punishment. However, understanding is one thing, and putting it into practice is another.”

He took another step forward, his rock-solid aura solidifying once more, his gaze falling upon Su Li with a tangible intensity, as if conducting a final scrutiny. The air itself seemed to grow heavy with his presence; the tranquil glow of Stardew Orange and the pure power of faith emanating from Dante intertwined, creating a strange and solemn atmosphere.

"Then, Bauhinia Knight, Lord Su Li," Dante's voice boomed like a great bell, each word carrying immense power, directly addressing the core of the doctrine: "Now, confront the faith within your heart, and tell us, and also the goddess high above the sacred sun—for whom does the sword you hold in your hand truly shine?!"

This question, like a red-hot branding iron, was imprinted on everyone's hearts. Fandral held his breath, the nuns clutched their prayer wheat, and Hilde watched Su Li with tense eyes. They all knew that this was not just a question, but a trial of the soul, the ultimate interrogation of the ascetic saints into the essence of their faith in the Lord.

Su Li's answer will determine what kind of "chivalry" he will gain, and will also define the tone of his future path.

Su Li met Dante's gaze, which seemed to pierce through his soul, without flinching. His mind flashed back to his experiences since his transmigration: the bloody battles to drive out the minions of chaos, the painstaking efforts to establish his territory, the joy of seeing farmers harvest the first ears of wheat on the cultivated land, and the solemnity he felt now in front of this pure saint.

Su Li took a deep breath, choosing to follow his own understanding of "balance," combined with the path he had gleaned from his duties as a lord. His voice was clear and firm, echoing in the solemn air:
"Both the sharp edge of a sword and the ears of wheat require a balance of light and flame."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across his territory, over the knights who followed him, and finally settling on Dante, his eyes sharp and clear:
"When chaos rages, attempting to defile order and destroy life, my sword will be a blazing flame that burns away all filth. Wherever its edge points, not a blade of grass will remain, solely to cleanse the world and rebuild the foundation of order!" His voice carried the knight's unwavering will and sharp edge, as if there were the sounds of metal clashing.

Then, his tone shifted, becoming even more composed and steady: "And when order is upheld and threats temporarily recede, the sharpness of this sword should be sheathed, transforming into the radiance of protection. It protects the golden ears of wheat under the farmer's sickle, the peace in children's dreams, the laughter by the hearth, and every hope and life within the territory that can grow under the light of order! The sword's point is not for conquest, but for protecting this hard-won peace."

After the words fell, there was silence.

Dante Slok, the ascetic saint, showed no dramatic change in expression on his weathered face. He simply gazed deeply, deeply, at Su Li, his eyes burning with holy flames as if trying to see right through Su Li's soul. Time seemed to stand still.

After a few breaths, Dante nodded slowly and very solemnly.

"The Way of Balance..." Dante's voice remained deep, yet it sounded like a believer's prayer, a sacred hymn: "The flame of order burns away darkness, thus opening up fertile land; the radiance of life nourishes all things, thus ensuring the continuation of order. Where the sharp edge points, the protection follows... Two sides of the same coin, endlessly cycling... What a wonderful Way of Balance!"

As his words fell, a strange phenomenon occurred! An invisible, gentle yet incredibly resolute power spread out from Dante and Su Li. This power was neither purely purifying nor a burning fighting spirit, but rather a luminous aura imbued with vibrant life, unwavering faith, and inner harmony. Like the warm spring sun, it quietly permeated the hearts of everyone present, washing away weariness, strengthening willpower, and even making the Chosen Knights feel a slight clarity in their understanding of bloodline power, and making the nuns feel that their connection with the goddess during prayer seemed smoother.

As the radiant aura imbued with vibrant life and a belief in order gradually subsided, tranquility returned beneath the Maiden's Ring, though the lingering resonance of divine resonance still hung in the air. Dante's holy flames subsided, and his weathered face bore the relief and satisfaction of a mission accomplished. He gave Su Li a slight nod, a gesture that already carried a sense of farewell.

"My lord, your faith and path have been witnessed by the Goddess. May your sword and your ears of wheat flourish under the Goddess's radiance. As long as you practice your faith, I believe your territory will one day become a model place of faith for the Goddess's church." He slightly adjusted his weight on his bare, calloused feet, his gaze seemingly already fixed on the wider land beyond his territory, a land in need of spreading faith.

Su Li keenly sensed this intention to leave. If the conversation ended there, Su Li was certain that this saint would take his leave; he had come to the Black Forest Territory to spread the Goddess's teachings.

Now that his goal has been achieved, with the calluses on his feet and his aura like hellfire, he will definitely not stay in the same territory for long.

Su Li resolutely said, “Lord Dante, your teachings and testimony are like sweet rain falling on parched land, greatly benefiting me and my people. The Goddess needs practitioners, and even more so, she needs guides of pure faith like you! The Bauhinia Territory is newly established, and everything is in ruins, with the shadow of chaos never far away. We need you! We need the Saints' Pavilion to remain here, using your holy flame and wisdom to help us build that fortress of faith deep within our souls!”

Dante shook his head slightly, his tone calm yet firm: "My lord, your request to stay is an honor for the goddess. But as a saint, my chivalry is different from yours; it lies in walking, in spreading, and in igniting the holy flame in more souls. A comfortable stay is not what I seek, nor is it the mission bestowed upon me by the goddess."

“I understand that Your Excellency Saint’s purpose is to spread the doctrine,” Su Li immediately replied. “That is precisely why it is essential to keep you in the territory. Not for comfort, but so that your ‘travels’ and ‘spreading’ can be twice as effective, allowing the Goddess’s radiance to shine further, wider, and deeper!”

These words caused a barely perceptible ripple to flash in Dante's eyes. He looked at Su Li in silence, waiting for her to continue.

Su Li took a deep breath and offered his most convincing bargaining chip, which he had carefully prepared: "Lord Dante, I have top-tier equipment here that can greatly enhance your missionary abilities. Rainbow Silkworm Silk, have you heard of it?"

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly: "I've heard a little about it. It's said to greatly enhance a priest's authority and preaching ability."

"Exactly!" Su Li's tone carried a hint of pride. "My territory has successfully tamed the Moonlight Silkworm in the Ring of Maidens and mastered the technique of spinning Rainbow Silk!"

He paused for a moment: "Of course, as you just heard, making this silk garment with iridescent silk is not easy. My tailors and designers are very likely to be targeted by Seneca if they want to complete this kind of craftsmanship."

Then, his gaze fixed on Dante's burning, fiery eyes, and he said, word by word, "I am willing to do everything in my power to tailor priestly robes made of iridescent silk for you and the priests of the Sun Goddess!"

"But you also need to take care of all this in my territory to prevent any deviations. I believe that as more priests put on their robes of rainbow silk, the territory of the Sun Goddess faith will inevitably expand further."

This suggestion, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, finally stirred up ripples in Dante's heart. His gaze instantly sharpened, and the two holy flames flickered violently as he stared at Su Li.

Rainbow silk! Such an extraordinary material! As an ascetic saint, he had long since abandoned fine clothes and ornaments; coarse linen robes were sufficient. However, Su Li's suggestion was not about pleasure or vanity, but rather pointed directly to the core of his lifelong pursuit—spreading the faith!
“This priestly robe made of silk,” Su Li’s voice was full of power as she described the breathtaking sight, “will make the divine light surrounding you even more radiant, gentler, more infectious, and more approachable! It will make every sermon you utter penetrate the fog of the soul, and every prayer resonate more deeply with the grace of the goddess! It will allow those in despair to see the light of hope more clearly; it will allow hesitant and wandering souls to feel the call of faith more firmly!”

Su Li stepped forward, looking directly into Dante's eyes: "Your Excellency, this is by no means a luxurious indulgence, but a 'weapon' to spread the glory of the goddess! It can cleanse more souls and ignite the faith of more Sun Goddesses on your pilgrimage and your missionary journey! Imagine, when you wear this robe, walking through the chaotic wasteland, the plague-ridden villages, or the towns where faith is wavering... you yourself are a moving lighthouse built of the goddess's light! The radiance and appeal it emits will be something you could never reach even if you traveled barefoot across thousands of mountains and rivers!"

He concluded emphatically, “Staying in the Bauhinia Territory is not a stagnation, but rather a means to acquire this powerful tool that will make your missionary work twice as effective and allow the Goddess’s light to shine even brighter! For the glory of the Goddess, and to save more souls shrouded in the shadows of chaos, I implore you, Lord Dante Slok, to remain here! Once the Rainbow Silk Robe is complete, it will accompany you on your journey, spreading the faith of the Goddess of the Sun to more believers!”

Su Li's words echoed in Dante's heart like divine revelation. Refusing clothing other than the coarse linen robe was a precept of asceticism. But the vision Su Li described—that extraordinary tool that could significantly enhance the appeal of faith and save more souls—violently challenged the core of his belief that "spreading faith" was his highest mission.

His withered fingers unconsciously twirled the rough patches on his clothes, his gaze lowered, as if listening to the voice of the goddess deep within his heart, waging an unprecedented and intense struggle. His rock-solid aura remained, but now carried a heavy weight, as if he were enduring an immense test.

Time seemed to stand still. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the final decision of this ascetic saint.

Finally, Dante slowly raised his head to look at Su Li, his voice hoarse and heavy, yet carrying a resolute determination: "My lord... the vision you described... points directly to my most devout pursuit. If everything can truly become as you say, a bridge to save more lost sheep..." He took a deep breath, as if to etch this momentous decision into his soul, "Then, for the sake of spreading the goddess's glory, Dante Slok, I am willing to remain here for now!"

Then, he took a step forward and said firmly, "But my mission is to expand the faith in the goddess, not for your worldly wars. I will be a mentor to your knightly order, not a weapon in your hand."

"Deal!" Su Li agreed without hesitation, a huge weight lifted from his heart, a relieved yet expectant smile spreading across his face. The ascetic saint Dante Slok, this walking beacon of faith, had finally stayed!

Moreover, she had brought such a powerful ally to the Church Knights, so Freya should think about how to repay her!
This female deputy head of the delegation and deputy dean is about to sign a series of unequal treaties with me again.

Seeing Su Li's confident smile, Dante took a deep breath and said, "Perhaps now is the time for your territory to prosper. Not only the support army, but I too will inevitably become a member of your territory. Perhaps this is the goddess's will, allowing me to stay here to guide knights to your allegiance."

"Then the reinforcements?" Su Li asked in surprise, "Which reinforcements are you referring to, Lord Danting?"

Su Li and Xilude looked at each other, they really couldn't think of anything, where could they find reinforcements?
(End of this chapter)