This invitation was so ridiculous that Sister Livia couldn't believe it at first. She looked at Carabosse with doubts and confusion for a while. It wasn't until she noticed that the dark witch's face was calm and unwavering that she finally agreed.
I believe this is not a joke she made with herself, but a sincere invitation.
But precisely because it comes from the heart, it makes people feel even more ridiculous.
"Why?" Livia's first reaction was to question: "What benefit will it bring to you if I join the witch association?"
"Of course there are. For example, we gained a new member with great potential. Although he is a little naive and a little weak, he did not give up on himself after knowing the truth about the fate that was imposed on him. Such a persevering character,
It is in line with the concept and spirit of the association. If the great cause of the association is to be realized, outstanding talents like you are indeed indispensable, Miss Livia. In addition, from my personal point of view, I am also willing to believe that you can be on another path.
Achieving great achievements, just think of it as my...expectations for you."
Carabosse laughed softly. Although her temperament was a little cold, she looked very pretty when she smiled.
Sister Livia did not expect that the highest praise she had ever received in her life would come from her enemy. She was a little distracted for a moment, as if something was pressing on her chest. It was heavy and made people breathless. When she realized that she was
Unknowingly, a feeling called gratitude gradually emerged. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze and turned her head aside, not daring to look into Carabosse's eyes again. Perhaps the darkness in them was too deep and too deep.
So gentle, she was afraid that she would drown in it and be unable to extricate herself.
Carabosse saw her reaction in his eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched. She did not laugh at the nun's innocence and weakness, but she actually felt grateful because of the enemy's few kind words when she was down and sad, because this was also the right thing to do.
This is what makes her look at Livia in a different light.
She still said slowly: "This is also good for you, because you have already seen the methods of the True Spirit Sect. If in the past, believers who followed the Ring of Humanity still remembered the King of Curses,
They have not exceeded the admonition of Kenos to keep their own duties; but now they have begun to violate the ancient teachings and touch the forbidden knowledge. The cultivation experiment of the Holy Son Gabriel and the deception of you are just among them.
It’s just one case, but it’s by no means the first case, and it certainly won’t be the last case. If you are willing to join the Witches’ Association, I don’t guarantee how good you will get. In the association, everyone has to start with the most basic things.
, you can only be promoted after accumulating contributions; but I can guarantee that no one will deceive or hide you, and let you suffer the same treatment as you did in the True Spirit Sect. In fact, we are even willing to support you to become the leader of the True Spirit Sect, from within
Transform this sect that is now in decay and make it rejuvenate and become the True Spirit Sect you ideally want."
Carabosse's last words made Sister Livia raise her head in surprise, her eyes a little unbelievable. Because, hasn't the Witch's Society—or the union of religious orders supported by the Witch's Society—always been an admirer of religious dictatorship?
?They are committed to suppressing other religions and elevating the status of the Seven Orthodox Churches. How can they support themselves in reforming the True Spirit Sect?
"You seem to have misunderstood something, Miss Livia." Carabosse shook his head and said: "The association has never thought of monopolizing the power of faith. In fact, faith is just a tool for us to facilitate us to maintain the stability of the social structure.
.Do you know that the seven great gods believed in by the United Order are actually fictitious?"
Sister Livia opened her eyes even wider. If it weren't for the excessive bleeding that made her face look a little pale, she would not have been able to tell that she was an injured person with such an emotional look.
Carabosse smiled: "Of course, it cannot be said to be completely fictitious, but seven divine concepts fabricated based on the royal characteristics of our seven witches: sin judgment derived from fear, death derived from death
For the destination, the reshaping of order derived from disputes, the silence and tranquility derived from darkness, etc., believers recognize and follow this concept, and society will naturally become more stable. But if you want to find the real aura of purifying sin,
It is impossible to find gods such as the Embrace of Return, Crimson Dragon God or Queen of Serenity. Even if we find them, it will be us witches who act in the name of saints, not gods. Can you understand the difference?
"
Sister Livia seemed to understand, but she at least understood one thing: this so-called witch association does not value faith, or in other words, they value the unique function of faith in ruling society, but they do not value religion.
By-products derived from belief such as gods.
"So, our implementation of the "Religious Decree" has never been for the sole purpose of monopolizing the divine right of belief. Since the seven righteous gods do not exist, then what is the meaning of divine right? Even if the divine right does not exist, faith itself is enough to play a role. But in this world
Most of the religions only focus on the theocratic power behind them and ignore the beliefs on the front. They are eager to call for the coming of gods and expand their power and majesty. This is a huge threat to the stable social order, so we
We have decided to eliminate them. But for those religions that value faith more than divine rights, we still reserve the right to preach independently. Isn’t this enough to show our inclination and attitude?"
Carabosse said: "It just so happens that the True Spirit Sect is such a religion that values faith more than divine rights. As I said just now, people do need limited restraints to prevent themselves from stepping into taboos if they agree with the concept of the Cursed King Kenos.
Realm. In recent hundreds of years, the True Spirit Sect has been deteriorating and no longer has the purity of faith. But if it were you, you might be able to change this phenomenon and reunite the increasingly degenerate believers under the light of the ring of human reason.
, rather than blindly pursuing the protection of the so-called Saint Gabriel."
She stared deeply at the nun in front of her: "If you are willing, our Witch Association will do our best to help you, because an internally stable True Spirit Sect is also in line with the association's interests."
Livia's breathing became heavier unknowingly, and then she sadly realized that it was not that the wound was aching, but that she was a little moved by this proposal from her enemy.
Clear away the dirt, cleanse the faith, and let the True Spirit Sect return to the ideal appearance of Lord Kenos, the Cursed Ring King, and what he has always believed... The believers of the Ring of Humanity should become the defenders and taboos of human truth.
The gatekeeper of knowledge, instead of causing countless devout souls to die one after another in order to give birth to the so-called gods like at this moment, only to receive the pity and regret of the enemy in the end.
She slowly closed her eyes, breathing slowly and evenly, like a clear river flowing in the hall. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes again, her eyes had returned to clarity, and she asked word by word: "Originally, I should have nothing to do with it."
I reject you without hesitation. This has nothing to do with the conditions you gave. It is purely a matter of different positions. But... you did not laugh at or look down on me because I am a poor person chosen by God. On the contrary, you still value me so much. This makes me sad.
I'm very grateful. So, can I ask you a few more questions, and only after I get the answers will I seriously consider your invitation."
Carabosse was right: "Excuse me, Miss Livia, is there anything else you don't understand?"
In fact, many aspects are unclear. For example, the relationship between the religious orders and the witches' association; for example, why did the seven witches choose to side with humans since they were betrayed by humans; for another example, in addition to the "Religious Decree"
In addition, what other unknown activities have been carried out by the Witches' Association... But Livia knew in her heart that it was meaningless to ask these questions now. If she decided to join the Witches' Association, she would know about it sooner or later; if she didn't want to
If you join a witch association, knowing too much may not be a good thing.
What determines whether she joins the witch association is the next crucial question and answer.
"Please tell me," she looked directly at Carabosse, her eyes as clear as lake water: "What exactly does the Witch Association want to do?"
"Huh?" This was a very vague question, but it got to the point. In such a weak and sad state, her logic was still very clear, which made Carabosse's evaluation of Sister Livia a little higher. She did not
Instead of answering, he asked, "What are you referring to? The idea of the association? The ultimate goal of the association? Or is it simply about the "Religious Decree"?"
"Nature is your philosophy and goal." Livia affirmed: "The philosophy of the True Spirit Sect is self-restraint, and its goal is to master limited truth and protect taboo knowledge; then, what are the philosophy and goals of the Witch Association?
If I want to join your ranks, I have to follow these concepts and work hard for this goal, right?"
"There is no doubt." Carabosse said: "Then let me tell you, the idea of the association is to let all fantasy return to the embrace of reality."
Livia was slightly startled when she heard this. This concept sounded a bit too vague and confusing. However, she quickly thought of the full name of the United Order and the charity relief agencies and industries they opened in the Seven Stars Area.
Various measures were taken during the revitalization, and he suddenly showed a thoughtful expression: "That's why it's called...the United Realism Church?"
"That's probably it." Carabosse looked up and saw that the sound of fighting in the distance had gradually weakened and was floating in the wind. It seemed that the battle there was about to end. Although Mufasa the Convict was brave, he couldn't.
With the support of Saint Gabrielia, it was impossible to fight against the 11th Division of the Crusaders led by Octavian. It was just a pity that the ruins were damaged. After this battle, the damage was probably a little more serious.
Bar.
She pointed out: "Unrealistic fantasies will only cause huge disasters, and some people will eventually return to reality."
Livia pursed her lips, not sure whether the "some people" in this sentence included herself, because until she was defeated by Carabosse, she always cherished the illusion that she was the heir of the Son of God, not a cold person.
lie.
Carabosse did not continue to poke at her sadness, and said: "This is the concept; as for the goal, the association is divided into many different agencies, each agency has its own plan, and its scope is too wide.
I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain clearly in a while. Moreover, these plans are all internal secrets, so I can't reveal them to you for the time being. The only thing that can be made clear is that these plans ultimately point to the same great cause, which has been our witch association's goal since its establishment.
The ideal we pursue is to create a beautiful and equal new world."
"A beautiful and equal new world?" Livia wanted to laugh when she heard this, but she did laugh. The corners of her mouth twitched, and her pale lips opened and closed, passing cold warmth to each other: "What the association has done
Can what we do really be called beautiful and equal?"
"I don't know which point you are referring to, but -" Carabosse paused and said seriously: "If it is to eliminate factors that endanger social stability, then I firmly believe that all measures are understandable."
Sister Livia was silent again.
Factors that endanger social stability... Extraordinary beings and magicians are in the same category, aliens and monsters are in the same category, and fanatic believers who long to summon and conceive the coming of gods are probably also in the same category. Now, there is another believer in the True Spirit Sect,
Even Livia herself did not agree with what Brother Mufasa did, so how could she think that Carabosse and the witch association behind her had done something wrong?
She quickly figured it out and no longer struggled with this point, but changed the subject: "My body contains the soul of the Holy Son Gabriel, and the Witch Association is willing to accept me. Aren't we worried that one day he will lose control?"
Create a powerful enemy for you?"
Although no matter how powerful the enemy is, it seems that they are unable to fight back in front of the witch, but the threat of the gods is not only reflected in their power, but also their refined power that is difficult for ordinary people to resist. Even in the past
Saint Midea of the Steam Order was conceived and refined into a fanatical believer by Alexander the Machine God, which then triggered major events such as the deus ex machina, the disintegration of the machine body, and the Steam Holy War. Where did the people of the Witch Association get their confidence from?
How can such a threat be controlled?
After hearing Sister Livia's doubts, Carabosse smiled: "You don't need to worry about this."
"You can think about a question: Since the seven righteous gods are all fictitious concepts of divinity, then the power of faith generated by the day and night prayers of hundreds of millions of believers united by the sect will not be placed on them, thereby creating something like
Is it an imaginary god born after the nature of kingship like Saint Gabriel? Also, since the manuscript "First Interpretation of Spirituality" left by Tumi has a huge power of faith, then other holy relics handed down from ancient times to the present day
Could it be that they don’t have the same properties? And the United Order has been secretly collecting and sealing those dangerous holy relics. With such a huge amount of faith power gathered together, wouldn’t it cause disaster?”
"These concerns are very reasonable, but no similar incidents have happened so far."
Sister Livia opened her eyes wide: "Could it be that..."
"Yes, as you think, our witch association has the means to contain and control the power of faith. Of course, specifically, this is an extremely important secret, and it is not convenient to reveal it to you now. But if you
If you are willing to join us, whether it is the power of faith collected by the True Spirit Sect over hundreds of years of misdeeds, or the soul of Saint Gabriel residing in your body, we can solve it for you."
When Livia heard this, her expression was slightly moved, but there was some hesitation in her eyes: "If I lose the soul of the Holy Son Gabriel, I will turn back into an ordinary human being. Such me is also what the Witch Association needs.
Talent?"
"Naturally, because human value is not originally reflected by strength. Not all witches' associations are magicians and wizards, but more are mortals without any extraordinary power, and the wisdom and rationality of mortals are what we are.
What you need most is the same for you, Miss Livia."
Carabosse looked at her deeply: "There are limits to power, but there is no limit to wisdom. Regarding association, I have said almost all that I can say. Under the premise of understanding this, what path will you choose?
Please tell me your answer, accept it, or reject it?"
She stretched out her hand to Sister Livia again, which was a gesture of invitation, but to the weak and helpless nun who was sitting next to the wall, it was more like pulling her out of the mire and pool of blood and witnessing the light again.
One hand.
The nun looked at the hand blankly and said nothing.
Those ideals and longings, those beliefs and prayers, those things that she once firmly believed in and those that are now broken and torn apart, those pious chants that echoed under the church dome and the faces that greeted her warmly
Kong...Some things seem to be gradually becoming illusory, while some things are becoming reality.
Perhaps, as Carabosse said, unrealistic fantasies will only cause huge disasters, and some people will eventually return to reality.
She raised her head, looked past the witch, and landed on the collapsed and broken dome. At the same time, she opened her mouth and spit out her answer slowly but firmly: "..."