Pirate Kingship-Chapter 653 - 458 Abyssal Cult, Mystifying (6300)_2
It was the desperate resistance of conscientious individuals, both internal and external, provoked after a millennium of the Traditional Faction’s oppression through the eleventh tax, Indulgence Certificates, and various other methods. It was also a deadly stab aimed at the vitals of the Traditional Faction.
In essence, Lancaster’s choice to support the Protestant Doctrine was because he saw its Organizational Power as inadequate; the true aim was to weaken ecclesiastical power within the Kingdom of Hightens and enhance royal Authority. Such an ally was naturally not as strong as the power-hungry Traditional Faction, let alone as active as the Traditional Faction in seeking eternal life, vainly attempting to become Angels on earth or even Gods, forever occupying that supreme authority. This made them exceptionally reassuring. The Traditional Faction had chosen its own path; it could not completely blame others for any resulting ire.
Even if Byron ascended to power in the future, for the sake of the Authority in his hands, he would still have to cooperate with the Protestant Doctrine. Even if he really couldn’t get along with those Sages, he could establish his own Royal National Church, being both King and the head of the Church. After all, Byron had never, from beginning to end, considered completely shaking off the Church to go it alone.
Did he think this was still his past life, where "living on one’s sweat and bread, doing one’s own work, and relying on neither heaven nor ancestors was the definition of a true man"?
My lord, the world has changed!
Besides accepting the title and presenting "the Emperor’s New Clothes," another primary purpose of Byron’s return this time was to assess the capabilities of his collaborators. He needed to evaluate in advance whether these former partners could help him alleviate the pressure from the Traditional Faction once he went to war with the York Family.
Hearing Catherine’s consolation, Holy Hammer Oliver also realized his lapse in composure. He looked at Byron, his expression correcting itself, and said, "On behalf of the Church, I thank you all for your timely intervention that prevented the disaster from spreading. Please withdraw for now; leave the rest to us, the Night Watch."
Byron replied, "Very well. The identities of the victims and the manner of their deaths are somewhat sensitive. It’s not appropriate for us to be deeply involved, so we shall trouble you with the rest, Your Excellency."
Byron had already learned from his father that Holy Knight was Oliver’s Extraordinary profession, while Night Watch was his primary duty.
The Night Watch is an independent organization within the Church, existing in any nation recognized by the Silver Law. They never interfere in secular affairs, existing solely to protect the human species.
The organization’s maxims:
"We swear to protect this world and fight against the ’Deep Sea’!"
"We hide in the shadows, having no truck with power or status!"
"We are the sword-bearers, and one day, we shall die by the sword!"
The organization itself bears a powerful curse from the Sea of Origin Matter: "None shall have a peaceful end."
No one in this organization lives to die of old age.
Such selfless, public-interest-focused positions within the Night Watch are indeed highly suitable for most Holy Knights, who often have no children and possess only unwavering faith. This is also why the Traditional Faction, despite knowing that many among the Night Watch and Holy Knights are dissatisfied with their actions and have secretly joined the more purely devout Protestant Doctrine, can neither eliminate them nor dare to try. If they dared to discard their own ballast, the Church itself would be the first to suffer the backlash.
As Byron and his party were about to leave the hall, Holy Hammer Oliver suddenly spoke up, reminding them, "I seem to have detected the stench of an Evil God and Their hounds here. If any of you receive news of Heresy, please report it to the Night Watch immediately. Especially you, Lord Byron; if you are interested in joining the Night Watch, I am willing to be your sponsor."
The "Evil Gods" referred to by the Church are the Old Gods. However, as a Monotheistic faith, the Church would never acknowledge that those entities stewing in the Primordial Ocean once stood shoulder to shoulder with the Creator.
"Lord Holy Hammer, certainly," Byron replied. "My ennoblement ceremony is the day after tomorrow, and I also wish for no disruptions. As for joining the Night Watch? Perhaps we can collaborate when the opportunity arises."
Byron agreed verbally, but inwardly he sneered:
Report those suspected of Heresy, of converting to an Evil God? How dull. This time, I intend to see rivers of blood!
Although he admired the noble character of these Holy Knights and the Night Watch, he could never become one of them. As long as civilians were not affected, he would love nothing more than for the Royalist Party and the Earl’s Party to slaughter each other to the bitter end. If the fighting wasn’t brutal enough, Byron might even intentionally stoke the flames.
Leading Catherine and Saranthe out of the building, the imposing Wings of Death formed two neat rows behind them, silently following in the rain.
TRAMP. TRAMP. TRAMP.
The unseen pressure caused the belated City Guards and the Star Chamber Court officials, who had arrived late and were only responsible for the cleanup, to swallow hard. They automatically parted to either side, none daring to approach or speak. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Meanwhile, Byron’s Divine Sight focused on the increasingly thick storm clouds gathering several hundred meters overhead.
Ink blurred on the Sailing Logbook: "Painted Spirit Number Ten, Rain God Notos. Creator: Hell Painter Leonardo."
A gleam in his eyes, he instantly understood why a Death Stranding incident had occurred when the Material World had only just entered the "Intertidal Zone."
Flooding everything is difficult, but causing localized flooding is easy. For example, a torrential downpour, coupled with... a bloodbath within the Court. Things are becoming more and more interesting.
[Hidden: Death Stranding Incident Amidst Bipartisan Conflict, Historical Influence 28] The Decryption Rate subsequently jumped to 46%.
「...」
Several streets away from the crime scene, the attic of a building with an excellent view had been meticulously arranged to resemble an artist’s studio. The small space was filled with exquisite paintings of various sizes. However, while these oil paintings seemed vibrantly lifelike, their subjects were all excessively gloomy and gory.
