Comprehensive network wizard, magic emperor.

Chapter 216 The Heretical Name of the Stone Tower

During the day, visitors from afar often travel through the suburban fields, pass by the town, and embark on the desolate path leading from the headland to the lighthouse.

Some arrived by horse-drawn carriage, some by car, and others slowly walked with a cane.

Some were impeccably dressed, surrounded and supported by servants, like elaborately wrapped bouquets. Others were dressed in coarse cloth, arriving alone, their eyes filled with shyness and sorrow, like a postage stamp left untouched.

The low gate of the lighthouse courtyard was open, and visitors entered. They saw local armed townspeople, swords and guns at their sides, standing guard at the gate. No matter how distinguished or humble the visitor, they paid them no heed or offered any comment. So these people had no choice but to line up at the gate and wait for the bell to ring.

The patients who came to visit had heard that most patients who visited Shita Town recovered, and even those with intractable diseases and incurable conditions could often be saved simply by coming to the town.

It seems the five gods have a special fondness for this place, otherwise why would they frequently bestow blessings? Therefore, believers often come to the local church to worship, not for healing, but to pray for less suffering in their lives. The discrepancy in the order of the five gods' images enshrined in the Shita Town church has long been a topic of discussion among the people.

On the first day of winter each year, the diocese chief priests of Jinbei City begin their inspection tours of local parishes, seminaries, church schools, hospitals, and denominational communities. This process often takes one or two months. Before the New Year arrives, the chief priests in each region must complete their inspections and then travel to the Five Gods' Church in the Holy Kingdom of Xinwei on the bountiful continent to report to the Pope.

In previous years, the church in Shita Town would only receive a tour group in the depths of winter. But this morning, the celebrant's convoy had already arrived outside the town.

The celebrant's inspection tour does indeed prioritize certain areas, such as newly established parishes that urgently need support and assistance, parishes that have not been inspected for a long time or have frequent problems, and parishes where the number of believers is growing or decreasing rapidly.

The church in Shita Town has been operating smoothly for many years without any special needs, so it has always been the subject of delayed inspections. However, this year a serious incident has occurred.

First, the priests of the surrounding villages and towns and the city noticed the loss of believers. Following the clues, they found that they had all gone to Shita Town, and then learned that there was a suspected heretical problem in the town that reversed the order of the five gods.

The priests of the five gods learned during their studies at the monastic college that heresy is more dangerous than paganism, that external opposition can help unite the community, while internal decay and disease often lead to the decline of the community's strength.

Reversing the order of the five gods is an extreme act of disrespect. The priest of Shita Town parish knowingly committed this offense, indicating that he was determined to do so.

The church's carriage stopped on the road.

The high priest Jinbei learned that the town's roads were blocked by vehicles and horses, making them difficult to pass.

He lifted the glass curtain of the white-painted carriage and peered out. The narrow streets of Shita Town, usually frequented only by pedestrians, were now filled with the honking of whale oil trucks and the neighing of horse-drawn carriages. The air was thick with the pungent fumes of exhaust pipes and the stench of livestock. Tourists from other places weaved through the traffic like small fish in a rocky reef.

The MSG shops in the old town and the food factories at the docks were packed with customers, the White Snail Tavern was full of explorers seeking information, the town's church was always filled with believers, and the lighthouse on the cape attracted patients from all over.

Every day, the number of newcomers exceeds the town's permanent population by two to three times. Overcrowding has become the norm; traffic jams don't stop just because the chief priest is there, and the town's narrow roads don't tolerate them.

Therefore, the last group of people had to get out of the car and walk. The priest led the way, with the papal envoy beside him, followed by the deacons and the envoy's assistants. On the left and right were more than twenty believers who served as staff and guards.

They arrived at the church, which was surrounded by carriages and horses.

“It’s truly vibrant, with a large number of believers,” the papal envoy said in a low voice. “High Priest Vitaly, a remarkable priest has emerged in your parish.”

The high priest lowered his head and waved his hand in front of his chest. "Revered brother, why do you despise me like this? I am also shocked and surprised by what has happened here. Can this question of heresy be used as a reason to attack a pure comrade? What are your intentions in saying this?"

"I will report everything here to the Holy See truthfully." The envoy's smile faded, and he glanced at High Priest Jinbe beside him a few more times. "It is simply your duty."

Their arrival elicited joyful cheers from the believers gathered outside the church. The crowd surged forward, and the priest and the envoy wore bright, friendly smiles, speaking in a tone that was as pleasant as a spring breeze.

The page at the door turned and scurried into the church.

Upon learning of the arrival of the inspection team, the old priest behind the pulpit paused his sermon to the congregation and led his page toward the gate.

Sunlight streamed through the towering doors, casting a bright area behind them. The old priest emerged from the depths of the church, stepping into the radiant light, and stood face to face with the chief priest and others, who were facing away from the sun.

He bowed deeply and said, “Welcome, High Priest Vitaly, brothers of the Holy See, fellow priests, believers of the Five Gods. Miracles have graced us all.”

The high priest pursed his lips, while the special envoy beside him raised his eyebrows. Ignoring the stares of the surrounding believers, he demanded in a deep voice, "Which god is responsible for this miracle?!"

“The five gods are one. Therefore, miracles are not from any one god, but are the saints of the five gods incarnate.”

"Which scripture mentions that one of the five gods is a miracle saint?" He used his peripheral vision to observe the priest's face, which was pale and stiff, like chalk soaked in water.

The old priest smiled calmly and softly recited the scripture: "This matter is recorded in the 'Acts of the Elders,' 'Therefore He transformed into an old man with white hair, wandering in the woods, enlightening those who walk.' It is also described in the 'Revelation of the Father,' 'The Book of the Transfiguration of the Good Mother,' 'The Book of the Craftsmen,' and 'The Song of the Warriors.' The five gods descended to earth in incarnation. Since ancient times, those who manifest miracles are saints."

The high priest's fingers twitched, and he felt a chill run down his spine. Claiming miracles has never been a positive slogan in history; rather, it's the starting gun for armed rebellions. It's often warlords who need religious endorsement to proclaim divine intervention.

He pondered in his mind what might be related to a prominent figure in Stone Tower, and then a name popped into his head—Cochin Ancher, the governor of White Rock Island, a duke who had repeatedly stated publicly that he had received a blessing after praying at Stone Tower Church and thus regained his health.

The papal envoy stared intently at the old priest's serene face, then looked around and noticed the armed militia patrolling outside the church.

After a brief silence, his tone suddenly softened. "Alright, you've convinced me. Your Excellency Vitaly, in my opinion, this parish is developing well and thriving, and there is no need for further investigation."

“Priest brother,” the high priest looked at the old man before him, “must it be this way? If you simply turn that painting back to its place, no one can criticize your achievement. Why must you take this heretical step?”

“I have also thought about this, High Priest Vitaly, but how can such disguise and concealment not be a blasphemy and disrespect to the miracle saint I serve? The order of the five gods should be like this. If it is wrong, it is because people have misunderstood the scriptures. The saint descends to set things right.”

The congregation inside and outside the church praised it.

But the clergy were not moved by the old priest's sincerity. They knew that preaching was just a performance, and the old priest was just an actor who was too immersed in his role.

Ignoring the envoy who kept giving him meaningful glances, High Priest Kimbe said, "As the New Year approaches, I will present my proclamation to the Pope, including everything that has happened here, and your words. You should know what the end result of heresy is."

"The age of saints is coming, Vitaly brothers." The old priest revealed a bright and warm smile. "There will only be one outcome: those of us who follow miracles will triumph."

"Then we'll wait and see." High Priest Jinbei left in anger.

(End of this chapter)