This Holy Knight is So Despicable!-Chapter 626 - 545: We Became Counterfeits
The reputation of the Holy Mountain spread rapidly in an extremely swift manner.
A large number of believers suffering from the affliction of Dark Corrosion hardly believed it when they heard there was such a place that could heal the sin of Dark Corrosion.
But as time passed, stories of successful cases began to be celebrated more and more.
Almost everyone knew that there was a heavenly kingdom on earth atop the distant Holy Mountain.
The Light believers living there were indescribably happy every day.
There was an envoy of Light there, possessing the power to dispel all miseries.
Dark Corrosion could be purified with just a wave of a hand.
Even other hidden ailments in the body would be healed together.
The poor believers bound by Dark Corrosion had basically only one recourse: to slowly await death.
Yet all of this changed due to the emergence of the Holy Mountain.
As long as one went to the Holy Mountain, they could be healed.
As long as one went to the Holy Mountain, they could survive.
As proven, never underestimate people's desire to survive.
To stay alive, they would grasp desperately at even the faintest and most illusory hope.
This is an instinct that comes from the deepest part of a creature's soul: if they can live, who would be willing to bear infamy and die like weeds?
Thus, more and more patients left their homes, embarking on the road toward the Holy Mountain.
These people gathered together on the road, forming a long path.
The impressive spectacle was like countless small streams eventually merging into a torrent rushing toward the Holy Mountain.
Gradually, people no longer referred to this act as merely seeking treatment but praised it as a [Pilgrimage].
The pilgrims were still seen as sinners in the eyes of others, but the sin of the sinners was no longer unforgivable, leaving them only to wait for death.
They needed to embark on the Pilgrimage, and by taking one step at a time toward the Holy Mountain, gradually atone for their sins.
As a result, people began to call the path walked by these pilgrims the Path of Redemption.
Initially, rulers and administrators in various regions and kingdoms were very pleased.
After all, within their territories, these sinners afflicted by Dark Corrosion were very troublesome existences.
Their bodies became weak, hence they could no longer engage in any work or labor.
They were somewhat contagious, thus needed to be specially isolated.
Due to the drastic change in their lives, the fall of their status, and their gradual approach toward predetermined death, they developed different emotions, thus triggering various riots.
Now, these troublesome folks each set out on a journey, following the so-called Path of Redemption to the Holy Mountain for pilgrimage and worship.
The original troubles suddenly disappeared on their own, leaving numerous King Lords so pleased they couldn't sleep.
Too wonderful, simply too wonderful!
Perhaps there really was a Divine Envoy of the Holy Light on that Holy Mountain.
His actions truly saved the kingdom and the territory!
However, happiness often proves to be temporary.
As more and more pilgrims reached their destination, and were also received by Lette.
Under his efforts, one batch after another of sinners were healed, regaining their health.
As a result, news that the Holy Mountain could indeed cure the Dark Corrosion disease spread rapidly across the continent through the already connected Redemption Road.
Now, no one doubted the reality of the Holy Mountain anymore.
The people's yearning for the Holy Mountain reached its zenith!
Thus, a peculiar phenomenon began to emerge.
More and more people joined the Redemption Road to take a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain.
This segment of the population was actually healthy individuals, the labor force of every kingdom and territory.
But there was no helping it; the name of the Holy Mountain was simply too resounding.
After all, previously, the terror of the Dark Corrosion disease was bone-deep, being dreaded throughout the entire continent.
Now, this frightful calamity was suddenly being healed, elevating the Holy Mountain's prestige to an unimaginably high peak!
Most importantly, accompanying the verified news spreading through the Redemption Road, aside from the fact that someone on the Holy Mountain could genuinely cure Dark Corrosion, there was also the claim that the heavenly kingdom on earth was real.
Through word of mouth, the area surrounding the Holy Mountain was depicted as a magnificent place that had never even been recorded in the Light Holy Scripture.
Those living there only need to work to live an affluent life.
Any illness could be cured, elders could receive care, and children could get an education.
As long as they focused on kindness, everyone had a bright future!
Such a place was simply where people yearned to live in their dreams.
In that case, what were they waiting for? Let's embark on the pilgrimage journey together!
Even if the rumors of the heavenly kingdom on earth were false, there would be no harm in worshipping the Holy Mountain.
After all, even dark sins like Dark Corrosion, which tormented to death, could be dispelled through a pilgrimage. The sins burdening oneself could surely be purified too!
In life, who hasn't borne some sins?
Purging them, whether or not there's an issue, is always good.
Besides, what if the rumors of the heavenly kingdom on earth were true?
Wouldn't that offer a chance to stay there and lead a happy life afterward?
Such a temptation was not small!
Thus, the pilgrimage path that originally belonged only to Dark Corrosion patients suddenly filled with all sorts of healthy pilgrims.
And the vast loss of population promptly alarmed the states and fiefs.
Kings and lords across various regions issued decrees, strictly forbidding the population from leaving their territories, or they would be executed without mercy.
Yet these commands had little effect.
Because the soldiers executing these orders were also yearning for the Holy Mountain.
Moreover, preventing believers from making a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain? That sin was hefty!
The Holy Mountain was so efficacious; what if it imposed punishment, and I couldn't bear the burden!
Even though in some areas, the rulers' toughness had some effect, the fact proved that as long as the thoughts don't slide, methods are always more than difficulties.
Those healthy citizens, to embark on the pilgrimage journey, resolutely and proactively contacted those infected by Dark Corrosion, consequently contracting the disease themselves.
Then, they set out on the pilgrimage path in the guise of patients; such behavior could be described as hardcore.
Critically, those believers who went really didn't return.
They began constructing habitable areas around the Holy Mountain, gradually forming one natural village after another.
If things continued this way, the nations and fiefs would soon become nominal!
The rulers who truly couldn't stand it banded together and sought out the Light Divine Court, inviting them to manage the situation!
Don't just collect money without doing anything!
If we don't start taking action, everyone will meet their end together!
And at this time, the Light Divine Hall had grievances that couldn't be articulated!
If they could step in, they would have done so long ago!
Key is, now their situation is extremely embarrassing!
After all, the Holy Mountain could cure Dark Corrosion, yet as the orthodox official sect of the Holy Light, they couldn't provide a cure!
The Pope's current mood could be described in one sentence.
"Damn, we've become counterfeits!
No, things can't continue like this. Someone, have the Holy Daughter form a delegation to the Holy Mountain to talk it out!
Hurry up!"
