Don't disturb the sorcerer's scientific research

Chapter 175 The Mother Goddess is Tempting Believers
Another evening arrived in the town of Çachdis. The sky was red, the sun was not visible, and night was fast approaching.

The disheveled adventurers returned.

Compared to when they left, they looked more like refugees. However, despite their disheveled appearance, they seemed to feel a sense of relief when they returned to the town.

I managed to get back before it got dark.

Even the townspeople who were complete strangers, standing on the roadside watching them curiously, seemed to become friendly towards them.

It was embarrassing, but at least I found a little sense of security.

An adventurer warned, "Go home quickly! Get home and hide! Put on all the protective gear. This place is surrounded by vampires, and they'll definitely come back tonight. It's very dangerous."

"So you came back to protect us?"

A local child asked.

"Forehead……"

This was a rather pointed question. The adventurer stammered awkwardly for a while before finally answering, "It will be safe, it will definitely be safe. We just need a little help from the Church of the Moon Mother. Yes, just a little help, and then we will complete the quest, and the town will be free from the threat of vampires..."

His voice trailed off, clearly lacking confidence, and he probably didn't even believe what he was saying.

Who knows if the church's help will be enough to get them through this ordeal? Perhaps they will be the unlucky ones who die here, just taking it one day at a time.

What's even more pitiful is that these adventurers had no idea that the biggest problem in Çachdis Town wasn't vampires at all...

The group arrived at the ancient castle where the church was located.

The church guards outside the gate, dressed in black robes and carrying long spears, were not surprised by the arrival of these adventurers.

Because the priests had already given orders that if any adventurers from outside returned, they should be brought into the church.

They called this dilapidated castle a church.

A proper church should have a church, but since there was no money to build one, they had to make do with what they had.

This castle not only functions as a church, but also integrates a series of functions such as classrooms, church headquarters, and courtrooms.

The guards at the gate had no idea why the priest knew the adventurers would return.

They simply felt that this was another revelation for the faithful followers of the Mother Goddess.

In this place, the Mother Goddess can be used to explain everything, because that's what the scriptures say.

Therefore, other books that spread "bad and heretical ideas" are not allowed in the town of Çachdis. Learning to read is discouraged, and even if one does learn to read, one is not allowed to read any other books.

The Bible of the Mother Goddess contains all the knowledge a person needs in a lifetime, and the answers to all questions. All one needs to do is devote all one's energy to studying the Bible of the Mother Goddess.

It must be admitted that the Cult of the Moon Mother has put in a lot of effort to control its small base in Chachdis Town.

If a person's environment and knowledge from birth are all modified versions of those of a cult, then it is perfectly normal for him to think that all the abnormalities of a cult are normal.

So, when the adventurers arrived at the castle gates, the guards asked them questions before they could even speak.

"Lost lambs, have you come to the embrace of the Mother Goddess?"

Among the scattered adventurers, there were a few who were relatively strong, and they were temporarily elected as leaders without any voting or anything.

They exchanged glances.

First of all, the term "lost lamb" is really annoying. What does it mean? It implies that you are all lost if you don't believe me.

The idea of ​​them "entering the embrace of the Mother Goddess" is also strange, as if they were planning something. They just wanted some help, or cooperation, to see if there was any possibility of solving the vampire problem. They didn't necessarily have to convert.

However, since they now needed someone's help, the junior leaders checked their ideas and gave their answers.

"Yes, we have come to seek the help of the Mother Goddess."

It's getting dark, and if we keep arguing here, what if we end up being locked out?

So whatever the guard says goes.

However, some people still asked curiously, "How did you know we came here..."

“I don’t know, but the devout servants of the Mother Goddess know, and the Mother Goddess knows everything. She will pass on what we need to know to the devout servants.”

The person who asked the question probably wanted to roll their eyes.

I held back.

If the Mother Goddess is so powerful, why can't she just help deal with the vampires outside the town? She's such a powerful goddess, doing something like that shouldn't be difficult for her.

However, these words resonated strongly with the priests in the group.

That's absolutely right. Although the gods are different, they think the same way.

Led by one of the guards, the adventurers entered the castle.

When they entered the castle, they had no intention of joining the sect directly, nor did they know what they would face.

Compared to the dilapidated outer layer, which at first glance looks like it's about to collapse, the interior of the castle is in much better condition.

It at least looks like a place where people live.

It can barely be considered a building.

The guards led them to the main hall, which had been transformed into the shape of a church.

In terms of form, one can see the influence of many well-known religious sects, resulting in a very "free and casual" mix.

The tables and chairs in the main hall all looked quite old. The priests of the sect sat in the front row, followed by ordinary believers. Leading the believers in prayer at the very front was the high priest who had banished the vampire's offspring the night before.

Seeing this, the adventurers felt even more disheartened.

It's not that there's anything wrong with the prayers, but rather that the church, which is the most important place for prayer, looks rather ordinary, not even as good as some churches in wealthier villages. The overall strength of the church is seriously questionable.

Several people have already begun to question the Moon Mother Goddess's abilities.

Even if this god is not famous, as long as he has the power of a demigod, even if he is not even as good as a demigod but has only touched the boundary of the divine realm, his sect should not be so shabby.

This is considered quite bad even among evil gods.

The guard explained, "It's evening prayer time now. After the priests have finished studying the scriptures, they will come here for their last prayer of the day. It should be about ten minutes. Please wait patiently."

The adventurers had no choice but to listen in.

As I listened, something seemed off.

They soon discovered that the language these believers were using in their prayers was a completely unfamiliar language.

I've never heard such a prayer before.

However, they only found it a little strange. There are so many languages ​​in the world; perhaps it was some kind of obscure language spoken in this place.

I'm just a little curious. If this is the language spoken here, why haven't I heard the townspeople use it in their daily lives?

In those few minutes, they also noticed the only slightly refined thing in the church.

A holy statue.

The high priest stood directly beneath the icon.

If nothing unexpected happens, this should be the statue of the Mother Goddess.

The carving is exquisite, though it certainly can't compare to those of master artists. But it's quite rare to see such a well-made statue in such a small place.

The statue's clothing is incredibly lifelike; the hard stone has been sculpted to resemble the texture of light fabric. The face of the Mother Goddess is also as if she has come to life, with her features exquisitely detailed.

Aside from one thing, this figure looked a bit too young, like a little girl, which didn't quite match the grand title of Mother Goddess. Not only was she young, but her expression was also somewhat frivolous, a frivolity tinged with coquettishness, and her eyes held utter disdain, looking down at him as if he were trash. The adventurer, being stared at like that, felt a little excited.

It looks nice, but it doesn't feel quite right here.

Although almost all gods have an ageless lifespan and can grow to look whatever they like, almost all statues of human-shaped gods are sculpted in a relatively solemn and dignified direction. Even if a god creates a young image for himself, the statue will be a young but mature, "old and small" appearance.

After all, the places where the icons are located are basically places for believers to pray, and prayer needs to be solemn and dignified.

Strange holy statues, incomprehensible prayers, dilapidated religious sites, an all-black appearance, and inexplicable abilities when expelling derivative beings.

It was eerie; the entire sect exuded an air of mystery.

Adventurers would never choose to seek help here if they had no other choice.

I feel like even if I get help, it will only bring trouble later.

Oh, and there's something else really strange: why are all these priests women...?

Just as the adventurers were filled with questions, the evening prayers ended.

“Lost lambs,” the high priest said, looking at the “refugee” adventurers whose appearances weren’t particularly out of place in the dilapidated castle, “I have been waiting for you for a long time. Are you ready to offer everything and throw yourselves into the embrace of the Mother Goddess?”

Faced with the high priest's question, the adventurers were momentarily at a loss for words.

It was the warrior with slightly better skills who stepped forward first.

“You misunderstand. We have come to seek the help of the Mother Goddess and you. We are deeply grateful for your rescue last night. As for the ability you demonstrated that caused the vampires so much pain that they were able to escape, could you please teach us that? We are surrounded by vampires here. If we can obtain that ability, and combine it with our strength, we might be able to break through.”

The warrior briefly described the vampire barrier they encountered on the mountain path.

“We can pay money or pray to the Mother Goddess if we can use that ability.”

His meaning was clear: it was okay to pray to the Mother Goddess, but only during this period. If praying to the Mother Goddess could lead to a successful escape, then it would be fine.

It can offer faith, but only for a limited time.

Complete faith is definitely impossible; this sect seems too sinister.

His answer was met with agreement from the other adventurers.

The high priest was not surprised by this situation. She calmly said, "You can obtain that ability, and even an even stronger one."

"really?"

"But! There is only one way: to embrace the Mother Goddess. The Mother Goddess revealed to me today that you are destined to become the key to ending this disaster. This is the choice of fate."

This statement caused a division among the adventurers.

Some people still insist on not believing in religion.

This thing looks too dangerous. It's hard to say whether vampires or these people are more dangerous.

And even if believing in it truly leads to salvation, what if this cult is one day targeted by a major church like the Holy Light Church, deemed a cult, and eradicated?

They didn't believe that this so-called Mother of the Moon could stand against the Holy Light Church.

If I had that skill, I wouldn't be here.

Think about the legends of the Holy Light Tribunal, how those punitive knights dealt with cultists identified by the Holy Light, and the so-called "holy restoration" surgery.

Good heavens, I'd rather just be sucked to death by a vampire.

Meanwhile, another part began to waver.

"What do you mean by 'dedicating everything'?"

When opinions differ within a team and the team begins to waver, it's not far from complete collapse.

The question was asked by a female wanderer.

The high priest smiled and replied, “Of course it is your faith, your life, and the rest of your life that will be dedicated to serving the Mother Goddess, practicing Her teachings, fulfilling your vows to Her, and contributing to the coming of the Kingdom of Women.”

The opposing adventurers hadn't yet figured out what this female paradise actually was.

What started as a quiet discussion escalated into a heated argument that hadn't yet fully erupted.

"To give everything, that sounds too extreme."

"If we don't do this, I'm afraid I'll die tonight."

"You believe her if she says she can provide power? You believe me if I say I can make you ascend to godhood?"

"She banished the vampire yesterday, so if you can banish the vampire today, I'll believe you too..."

……

As the argument teetered on the brink of conflict, the adventurers, already hastily assembled and under immense pressure due to their perilous situation, were like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.

But at this moment.

"Roar--"

A shrill scream came from not far away.

The adventurers immediately fell silent.

They were all too familiar with that voice.

It was the voice of a vampire clone, a super-powerful vampire clone.

How did we get so close?

Meanwhile, Jia Xiu, who was hiding in the church, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, those derivative bodies hadn't been checked and could still be used today.

He certainly didn't do the work that Priestess Samantha was supposed to do. It was almost dawn, and the morning meeting was waiting for him; there was no time to dig up the coffins one by one.

Jia Xiu quietly huddled among the priests, watching the situation unfold.

The adventurers were in complete chaos.

I haven't forgotten the terrifying experience from last night, and now it's happening again.

Worse still, the roar wasn't just a single sound; there were many derivative forms tonight.

Accompanying the roar were the sounds of heavy footsteps rushing by and the pounding of a hammer on the door.

The dilapidated wooden door was clearly no match for the decoy's rampage and quickly crumbled.

Several demigods with their gaping maws stood at the entrance, their bloodshot eyes fixed on their prey.

Mia, who was mixed in with the adventurers, quickly looked for Jashu, wanting to know if they could launch a bomb attack now.

Jia Xiu quickly gestured for them not to rush, especially Bubu.

"Priest, High Priest, drive them away quickly!"

The warriors who were unwilling to convert earlier are now also crying for help.

The high priest shook his head indifferently. "There are too many. Even I am powerless to help. You have rejected the choice of fate."

"How could this be? I believe, I believe now, I embrace the Mother Goddess!"

The alien entity charged forward, getting closer and closer, its fate seemingly sealed.

Suddenly, the statue of the Mother Goddess burst forth with dazzling light...

(End of this chapter)