The way of doing things here in the Theocracy is to "give me some face and let this matter end here."
——Essentially, it’s about comparing who has more face.
To put it nicely, it’s called a “sectarian state”; to put it worse, it’s a gangster state.
This is probably the reason why things on Cardinal Loki's side were difficult to deal with before, but are now easier to handle.
It's because Loki is dead.
As the leader of the Controlled Fire, he is not only the leader of one of the circles recognized by the Candle, but he is also basically the "civilian elf" of all the Theocracy - or to be more precise, the one whose parents cannot find him.
The object of worship of the inherited elves.
The Theocracy does not pay attention to bloodline and wealth. The greatest resource is "influence". Under normal circumstances, this influence can be inherited. For example, "someone's son", "so-and-so's daughter", "so-and-so's daughter",
A student of so-and-so"...
Therefore, if his parents have no achievements, no friends, and no face, then he cannot inherit the influence from his parents, and he is equivalent to a "commoner" of other races.
The basic base of "Controlled Fire" is this group of elves - since they have no inheritance, it is better for everyone to stop using the inheritance system, so that the resources will be fair.
Now that Loki is dead, his appeal and influence will inevitably decline. And the Pope's guards have found evidence of his crimes. Although the complete conspiracy has not yet been determined, this will have a severe shakeup for Loki's followers.
.
Everyone is dead, how many people are willing to follow a dead person?
There will definitely still be fanatical followers, but for most people, a dead man cannot lead them. If a new leader is not born in time within the controlled fire, I am afraid that the organization itself will collapse and disintegrate; and even if
When a new leader is born, his influence will inevitably decline significantly.
"...From this point of view, killing a big shot in the Theocracy is actually less expensive than hurting a big shot."
Aiwass also understood the meaning of pure white, and suddenly felt a little ironic: "It's really... a strange custom."
It's like provoking a gang leader and killing the gang leader - the former means you will fight to the death, but the latter gives you the possibility of co-opting the gang leader.
It is obviously a country of dedication, but it feels like a gang fight.
"That's what the Theocracy is like."
Freya disagreed: "Why else would I study here... The biggest convenience is that the managers here are more likely to accept bribes. However, the bribes that can influence them are not money, but the 'fact of helping others'
.
"For example, if I bring that furnace out, I have already broken the rules of the Theocracy. But because I promised to 'Heal Ningpa', it can be placed with me temporarily. If I can't complete it in the end, it will be
Return the things and hand in the completed content. All these things can be discussed."
"That's right."
Chunbai nodded and looked at Freya: "The research on 'Tears of Time' is very dangerous. I hope you can suspend its research."
"I have terminated the research and destroyed all samples."
Freya immediately raised her hands in defense.
"This is good."
Chunbai nodded and said slowly with a serious expression: "Although the death of Mercedes and Gloria has nothing to do with you, the cause of the matter is you after all..."
"What can I do?"
Freya asked.
"Since your research results have been used by others and indirectly harmed others, then I will punish you for working hard to cure others. I hope you can develop a treatment drug that is more than 80% cheaper than the existing treatments and has at least half the cost.
A powerful healing agent.”
Pure White said: "I will sponsor your research and protect your patent, and then the Theocracy will obtain a permanent production license for this potion. We will use it as a kind of 'holy water' and send it to churches everywhere.
To alleviate the problem of insufficient mana and excessive fatigue of grassroots clergy. Of course, you can still sell it to others, or produce it yourself."
"Give me three months."
Freya did not bargain, but nodded readily and replied: "At most three months."
"Okay." Chunbai also nodded.
Then, the two of them looked at Aiwass at the same time.
Freya chuckled and shrugged: "Did you see it, Aiwass? In a sense, the Theocracy is the most utilitarian - because it allows 'replacing evil with good'. So it is the most utilitarian.
Perfect for a researcher like me who accidentally crosses the line from time to time.”
"Then what if others can't do things like Sister Freya?"
Aiwass asked.
"Then go help others."
Chunbai answered without hesitation: "Rescue people, treat people, and work in the community. Even in prison, you have to produce something or work. If a person can't do anything beneficial to others,
To pay for our own sins, or if his sins are unforgivable, we will try to punish him or destroy him.
"But in the Theocracy, 'punishment' itself is meaningless. Everyone is born guilty, and most people are not innocent, but have not been discovered or punished. There are too many things lacking in this world.
, rather than commemorating the deceased, it is better to do something for the living...or contribute something."
"...What does destruction mean?"
Aiwass was keenly aware that what Chunbai said was "destroy" rather than "death penalty".
"It's good that you're very sharp."
Chunbai nodded appreciatively: "It will be helpful for your future life in the Theocracy.
"-Yes, the Theocracy usually does not use the death penalty. Because life is extremely valuable... If a person must be killed, his death must also be beneficial to other people and even the entire society.
"Extraordinary people who devote themselves to the path can use their own lives to heal disabilities that are usually incurable, and can even heal the damaged souls of others; and if they do not have healing abilities, they can also be used to make various materials.
"Blood essence, bone powder, visceral extract...or drug experiments, human anatomy, organ transplantation, necromancy. There must be some meaning in human life. If living can only bring destruction, at least it will bring destruction after death.
It makes some sense."
Looking at the stunned Aiwass, Bai Bai's expression became serious: "If you really plan to become a cardinal, you must face this 'necessary evil' head on."
"...a necessary evil?"
Aiwass heard a familiar term again.
"That's right. Punishing crimes is punishing evil, but using criminals is not, and destroying corpses is not. We must first know that this is a sin. This is no longer the limit of "punishing evil".
"What we do is not just. But we have to bear this crime to benefit more innocent people and people. You are a cardinal. There is no law in the material world that can punish you, so only you can
Supervise yourself – it’s up to you to decide what is in compliance and what is out of bounds.”
"……I see."
Aiwass nodded solemnly and sadly.
There is no doubt that this is a "sin" that ordinary residents of the Theocracy are not aware of.
He also understood why he always felt that those cardinals were all lunatics to varying degrees... As representatives with the endorsement of the Pillar God, the cardinals were, in a sense, the highest-status people in the world.
If an ordinary person said this, they could also say "You have no power to do this" - but cardinals really have the power to do this. And what gives them power is the Nine Pillars who manage the souls after death and govern the entire world.
The so-called divine right of kings - although they are not monarchs, they have the same supreme power as monarchs. This is why cardinals can rule an area in the most powerful country in the world.
The Nine Pillars who gave them power did not clearly define the specific scope of this power.
As long as you can explain it clearly, you can do whatever you want.
Until they completely cross the line and the Nine Pillars withdraw their authorization.
In other words, the only people who can supervise the behavior of the cardinals are their own conscience and morality. And they do not know the specific judgment and rating of the Nine Pillar God on themselves. They can only rely on their feelings; and there is no reference value, because the Nine Pillars God has no reference value.
The criteria for judging pillar gods are even different. Although different cardinals are all in the Theocracy, the sources of authorization they receive are different.
Thinking of this, Aiwass also realized one thing again——
... Devotion to the road does not necessarily mean that you are a "good person".
In a sense, devotees are the most cruel.
Because sometimes they know what they are doing is evil...but for the ultimate goal of good, they still carry it out unswervingly.
The most terrifying thing is not the bad people who do bad things, but the bad people who firmly believe that they are doing good.
When the atmosphere in the living room became dull, Chunbai clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention, especially Aiwass's eyes: "Okay, this matter is over. But as an elder, I have nothing to say to Aiwass.
There is also a special request..."
The young saint who looked like she was only in her early twenties said this to Aiwass.
"I know."
Aiwass interrupted directly and replied: "I will apologize, treat and compensate the innocent priests who were affected by me."
Chunbai also nodded happily for Aiwass's understanding: "Although I think it would be fine as long as we explain the situation clearly. Everyone is a good-tempered person, and they also know the art of sacrificing fire, and they will be able to give themselves to themselves soon.
The key to cure... is an attitude. As long as you don't be too proud, think you are superior to others, and just leave without explaining when you hurt someone.
"But how to deal with it is up to you. If you don't understand something or have any other troubles, you can ask me or go to Cardinal Matilda."
"Yes." Aiwass nodded.
"After that, the entire Controlled Fire will be under investigation, and there should be no time to trouble you. But that being said, you still have to be careful about their revenge... Loki still has some fanatical followers."
Chunbai warned.
She looked at Aiwass and asked, "Do you really want to learn advanced divine arts?"
"...Hmm? Why not?"
Aiwass heard that her tone was not right, so he asked: "Is there any danger to his life?"
Hearing this, Chunbai immediately laughed: "That's not the case. This is the Theocracy after all, and you won't let your life be in danger."
——That’s hard to say, Aiwass thought.
He had been in the Theocracy for less than three days, and he had already encountered so many things.
"If you want to study, you have to prepare now."
Chunbai said seriously: "Higher divine art is not as simple as some extraordinary knowledge. It is actually a complex ritual. It is divided into three stages. The first part is to master the technique, and the second part is to choose a god to complete it.
A long ceremony, the third part is to pass the other party's assessment and get approval. And the first stage alone has stopped countless people... so you don't have to worry too much.
"Although the bishops of Avalon haven't arrived yet, you can study in advance...I will send you the corresponding books tonight. If you don't understand, you can ask me. During this period, I will always
Circle Eleven is not going anywhere to repair those broken ceremonial mirrors. Circle Eleven does not require an appointment or recording, you can come at any time."
