Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Wearing a mask, Lanen walked the streets of Arkham, experiencing firsthand the post-disaster Arkham City for the first time.

Although he had seen through promotional videos what the people of Arkham had endured, nothing compared to the immersive feeling of witnessing it with his own eyes.

The people of Arkham City only witnessed the strange occurrence for a mere half hour, but its impact was devastating.

It was a completely unexpected natural disaster. The anomaly suddenly appeared in reality, or rather, due to Sauron's ritual, the citizens of Arkham City were pulled into a dimension where they could see the anomalies, starting a one-sided hunt.

Children lost their fathers, lovers lost their beloved, mothers lost their children.

Scenes of life and death separations were everywhere, with casualties yet to be fully accounted for, expected to exceed thousands. The constant sound of fire engines and ambulances filled the streets. The most severely damaged block saw many houses collapsed, reportedly due to a large truck that went on a rampage, crashing into buildings.

Other blocks also suffered significant damage, especially in residential areas. Arkham City, with its long history, has many old-style residential buildings from the last century, which easily spread fire once ignited.

Official firefighters were overwhelmed, leading to civilians spontaneously organizing to take on firefighting and rescue missions. People in volunteer uniforms were frequently seen moving about.

Lanen originally wanted to help but, touching his mask and recalling his last experiences in the hospital at night, decided against it and just watched them from a distance.

He had his own matters to attend to.

Lanen's purpose was to approach the Camui tribe. To establish a power base, integrating the forces at his disposal was an essential step, and the first person he thought of was Carmen.

Carmen, the leader of the Camui tribe, was also a true master of potion-making. Many in the tribe could brew potions or identify herbs, which was a significant advantage for players. Moreover, the Camui district was the only place with a potion shop NPC, influencing players' choices.

But when Lanen arrived, he noticed something amiss in the district.

To put it bluntly, not a single volunteer was in sight.

More than that, even vehicles distributing food and emergency medical supplies didn't stop here.

Frowning, Lanen walked into the district.

The streets as far as he could see showed varying degrees of damage. The houses here, many of which were rudimentary, wooden, or mud-brick, suffered collapses or were on the verge of it, posing a dangerous sight.

Upon arrival, Lanen saw several adults setting up tents for temporary living, women cooking over fires, and children aimlessly playing around a broken plank. The Camui wore distinctive ethnic clothing, predominantly red with white tassels, though worn and patched, with children's clothes dust-covered.

From any perspective, their lives were far from easy.

As soon as he entered the district, he attracted quite a bit of covert and overt attention, but soon an adult man approached Lanen, and the others withdrew their gazes.

"Lord Lanen."

It was only when this man approached and spoke that Lanen realized it was Carmen.

Huh? Wait a second?

Lanen looked at the man before him with surprise. Was this really what Carmen looked like?

It wasn't that Lanen was overreacting, but Carmen seemed to have changed a lot. Lanen's first impression of Carmen was of a patient on his deathbed, almost mummified. He had thought Carmen was quite old. Later, when Lanen visited him, Carmen had recovered somewhat but still sat in a wheelchair, his cheeks hollow and looking quite unwell, appearing to be in his thirties or forties.

But now, the man standing before Lanen was in the prime of manhood, about 1.8 meters tall, neither bulky nor thin, with the light brown skin characteristic of the Camui people, deep-set features, large eyes reminiscent of the Aryans from his previous life, and mysterious beauty in his black pupils.

"Carmen... you seem to be in good shape," Lanen said.

Carmen smiled slightly: "Yes, thanks to you, Lord Lanen. After you left last time, I took a lot of potions to recuperate. I've mostly recovered now. It was shameful to appear before you in such a disheveled state."

As he spoke, he bowed slightly, gesturing invitingly: "This isn't the place to talk. Please, follow me."

Lanen nodded and followed Carmen into a building, under the curious gazes of those around.

This modest two-story building was Carmen's home that Lanen had visited before. It looked more disordered than last time. Noticing Lanen's gaze, Carmen's cheeks reddened slightly: "I'm very sorry for this unsightly scene! I've been busy making potions since the disaster and haven't had time to tidy up."

"No, it's okay," Lanen said, his eyes scanning the scattered, unidentified herbs on the floor. The room was filled with the scent of various potions, indicating how busy Carmen had been. It's no wonder Lanen didn't see anyone seriously injured on his way here.

The effectiveness of these potions was extraordinary, which explained why they were so highly regarded on the player forums.

However, Lanen did have some questions: "Are you all right here? Why haven't any volunteers come to help?"

"Well, we're managing. When the disaster struck, I organized our people to seek shelter in time. Many were injured, but no one died," Carmen said with a bitter smile. "As for volunteers, our district rarely sees government-organized volunteers."

Hearing this, Lanen couldn't help but frown.

"In my past life, I somewhat knew about the plight of the Camui tribe from forums. Seeing it now, has it become this severe? Outside this district, I saw ambulances and volunteer teams, but none here."

Noticing Lanen's expression, Carmen comfortingly said, "You need not worry about us. In the religion here, we Camui are the 'Forsaken by God', so we are accustomed to such situations. In fact, since modern times, the attitude of others has improved a lot. We are grateful that the local government allocated this district for us to live in."

"Forsaken by God?" Lanen was puzzled.

"Yes," Carmen said softly, "Have you heard of this legend...?"

In the legends of this world, after leaving Eden, Adam and Eve propagated on the scorched earth, leading to the human race. But due to the land's barrenness and disasters, humanity nearly perished several times. God, unable to watch this, chose three people from the crowd, bestowing upon them divine wisdom.

The one granted the vision of the vast lands became the prophet, guiding the people to fertile land and water sources.

The one endowed with the power to heal diseases became the shaman, responsible for God's rituals and acting as a bridge between God and humanity.

The last one had his hand taken by God, who stroked his hair and eyes, asking if he was willing to offer them to Him. Without hesitation, the man cut off his long black hair and blinded himself. God, pleased with his resolve, gave him the power to see through fate. Raising his hand, God told everyone that this man should lead them, guiding them as He did.

The three became leaders of the human race. Two under the hand of fate, and humanity thrived under their guidance. However, one day, a natural disaster coincided with an enemy attack. The shaman betrayed the others, leading his people away from their homeland.

God was angry and decreed that they would bear the name 'Camui' for generations, marking them as those who forsake Him. He forbade them from settling on the land for long, as their departure's price was eternal wandering.

Carmen spoke of this legend with a calm tone, but his eyes unusually flickered, like a pond disturbed by a thrown stone. Lanen listened in silence.

"Since then, our Camui tribe has been wandering. Before the dawn of modern civilization, we were even hunted and driven away," Carmen said with a bitter smile.

"Have you ever tried selling your potions?" Lanen asked. "With their remarkable effectiveness, there must be people who recognize their value."

Carmen replied, "There are some who do, but they only recruit individual tribe members and require them to renounce their Camui identity, culture, and ethnic markers before accepting them."

"Those still here are unwilling to do so."

"Why must you forsake your Camui identity?" Lanen couldn't understand.

"One reason is religious issues, and the other..." Carmen pursed his lips, "There's a belief that the Camui are a cursed people. As long as one carries the Camui identity, any power employing them will be cursed, soon leading to bankruptcy or the leader being betrayed, eventually causing the downfall of the entire force."

"Just like the legend says, wherever the Camui stay, that place gets cursed, so we can only wander."

"Is that so," Lanen nodded, "then would you like to join my power?"

Carmen suddenly looked up, his lips trembling, "You... did you not hear what I just said? The Camui are..."

"I know," Lanen remained calm, "I just don't believe that such a curse will come true for me."

How to put it, Lanen wasn't exactly a disbeliever, but given his current situation, he might meet his end before any curse of the Camui could strike.

If he couldn't quickly envelop the players and become the faction with the most player members in the game... his identity exposure, followed by various powers' schemes and captures, seemed imminent.

The fourth disaster was an unpredictable bomb. Lanen, burdened with debts, was solely focused on surviving the current crisis. As for the curse, he was, after all, a god, so it shouldn't be too severe.

That's what he thought, but of course, he couldn't say it outright.

To Carmen, Lanen's casual words hit him like a boulder, weighing heavily on his heart.

The Camui had been struggling for years. Though the Arkham government, pressured by human rights organizations, had allocated a district for them to temporarily reside in, who knew how long such a policy would last.

They had experienced too many cycles of hope and disappointment, too many expulsions, betrayals, and returns to wandering, homeless and adrift.

Moreover, Lanen was Carmen's faith, his master. Lanen's words of acceptance shattered Carmen's defenses.

Lanen watched as Carmen's eyes quickly reddened, and the man, strong and composed, wept before him.

Lanen: ???

"I'm fine, I'm just too happy," Carmen awkwardly wiped his tears, "Sorry, I've been under too much pressure recently. I never thought..."

He was so incoherently happy that even Lanen was a bit dumbfounded. He hadn't said much, and the Camui joining his virtually nonexistent power seemed more like a gain for himself, yet Carmen was so thrilled.

Lanen quickly said, "Don't you need to discuss this with your people?"

"No need!" Carmen beamed, showing his white teeth, "They won't object! I am the leader of the Camui tribe. We follow the ancient tribal system. The direction the tribal leader takes is the direction the Camui tribe will go."

Well then, Carmen is actually the leader of the Camui tribe. I almost forgot about that.

I didn't expect such a major challenge to be resolved so easily; I was worried about what to do if Carmen refused.

With the biggest problem solved, Lanen breathed a sigh of relief and joked, "You agreed so readily. Aren't you afraid I might sell your entire tribe?"

"No fear," Carmen said decisively, "because the Camui tribe has nothing left to lose. We're already at the bottom, so any direction we go is upwards."

"Besides," Carmen looked intently at Lanen, his voice low, "without you, our tribe would have been doomed anyway."

At that time, Lanen thought he was referring to his previous rescue of Arkham.

It wasn't until much later that Lanen realized Carmen's words meant much more.

Suddenly, Carmen asked somewhat awkwardly, "My lord, may I inquire about the name of our church?"

Wow, we're already using 'our', huh.

Lanen fell silent for a moment, then broke into a cold sweat.

It's over. I forgot to name the faction.

When I left today, my mind was only on how to persuade the Camui tribe to join my asset-less organization. I hadn't thought about what comes next, and I'm terrible at naming things.

"My lord?" Carmen looked at Lanen, puzzled.

Lanen's mind raced, his eyes deep and thoughtful: "...The Secret Church."

Ogres had said his identity was a secret not to be revealed.

[The Unspeakable Mystery]

"Secret..." Carmen murmured the word as if engraving it in his heart, tentatively asking, "Does it mean our mission is to operate in absolute secrecy, never to be disclosed?"

"...No."

What a joke, are players the kind of people who can keep secrets?

Lanen said, "The meaning of 'secret' is that the entire church exists for a secret."

Everything was for preserving his identity as the 'Gatekeeper', which necessitated the founding of this church.

Carmen seemed to half-understand, but as Lanen's own plans were still vague, he didn't elaborate further.

"Carmen, you will become the first priest of the Secret Church."

Carmen looked up in shock, "Me, I?"

Lanen nodded, "There's no one more suitable than you."

The Camui tribe excels in herb gathering and potion-making, especially Carmen. He is a potion master who shouldn't be present in the early stages of the game. His knowledge of the occult might even surpass Lanen's. Lanen couldn't think of a more fitting candidate for priest.

However, this held a different meaning for Carmen.

He had already shared the legend with Lord Lanen; the Camui ancestors were the bridge between humans and gods, but the Camui had betrayed God.

Yet, despite this, Lanen still wanted him to be a priest.

What a magnanimous and kind charm this was, not only accepting their tribe but also entrusting him with such great faith.

Carmen took a deep breath and, to Lanen's astonishment, knelt on one knee: "I shall not betray your trust."

Lanen: "...Rise."

Alright, he was still not quite used to all this.

As Lanen helped Carmen up, Carmen asked, "Then, how should we pray to you?"

Lanen, who had just racked his brains for a church name: ...Here we go again.

Fortunately, this time Lanen had already pondered over the words of prayer, thanks to his past life's exposure to various rites. He chuckled softly, "You may address me as:

The Overturner of Fate

The Unspeakable Mystery

The New Sovereign of Nature and Forests"

The first line subtly hints at Lanen's origin (dice and players), his current identity, and the power he wields.

Actually, there's another line 'The Gatekeeper of Dreams and Reality', but Lanen's goal is to protect this secret, so of course, he wouldn't reveal it.

As he uttered this prayer, three points of light in the Dream Rift suddenly halted in mid-air.

Karens, Alqi, and Edmund all heard that voice.

Karens was receiving work reports from subordinates, Alqi was dragged into overtime by the chief, busy as ever, while Edmund was in a deep slumber.

But upon hearing that voice, they all subconsciously repeated it in their minds.

They faintly felt some connection deepen, as if the existence of that being was branded deep within their souls.

Karens waved his hand, signaling his subordinate to continue the report, while Alqi, amidst curious inquiries from colleagues, nonchalantly continued signing documents.

Carmen assured that he had memorized the prayer and would swiftly have all Camui join the Secret Church. Lanen nodded, "I'll leave it to you then."

"No, no, this is my honor!" Carmen's whole demeanor glowed, his eyes seemingly sparkling, "I will do my utmost to spread the faith. Moreover, from now on, the Camui's potions will be provided exclusively to our companions in the Secret Church!"

Lanen was startled, "That’s not necessary... at least not for now."

Although Lanen recruited the Camui tribe for their potions, he hadn't intended to limit their trade solely with the Secret Church. He knew this would attract more players, but in the early stages with fewer players, he didn't want the Camui's cash flow to suffer.

They were already living a hard life. Lanen, having the Camui join his force, was already a benefit for him; he couldn't possibly add to their struggles.

"But if enemies buy our potions, everyone will feel uncomfortable," Carmen said.

Lanen responded calmly, "You seem to misunderstand something, Carmen. Do you think I invited the Camui tribe to join just for your potions?"

Carmen's expression paused, as if to say 'Isn't that the case?'.

Lanen almost choked, coughing, well, that was part of it, but...

That was not the main reason.

Lanen shook his head, "Your tribe itself is the greatest treasure. More than the one-time potions, I hope you realize that it's you who are the true treasures in my eyes."

So many NPCs with skills/knowledge, isn't this where the faction's daily tasks are sourced from?

Carmen's mouth opened slightly, Lanen's casual words struck his heart like a heavy hammer.

No one had ever told them that they were treasures.

The Camui, always driven away and viewed with hostility, when could they ever be described with such a word?

"If possible, I'd like the Camui to get along well with my play... followers. You could employ them for tasks like gathering herbs or as assistants in exchange for discounts on potions. I hope you can become friends, brothers."

Carmen was already feeling dizzy with all this.

Seeing Carmen's state, Lanen had to pause, waiting for him to digest everything before saying, "I won't force the Camui to worship me, nor will I compel you to change your culture. Just be yourselves. Live as you have been living. If you can teach some of your skills or knowledge, that would be great."

"…Lord Lanen," Carmen's eyes brimmed with tears, "I won't betray your trust. Can I hang our church's emblem at the door?"

The church emblem...?

Lanen stiffened.

"And your doctrines, I'd like to use them for preaching."

Oh no.

Lanen fell silent for a moment, then spoke gravely, "There's no need to rush, Carmen."

I'll have to think about it when I get back.

#Designer's Hell#

Afterwards, Lanen hurriedly left the Camui district as if escaping, needing to properly flesh out his faction.

Meanwhile, Carmen gazed puzzledly at Lanen's departing figure.

Strange, why didn't my lord inform me of the church's emblem and doctrines?

He pondered, could it be...?

Could this be a test?

A lightbulb went off in Carmen's mind. Yes, he was now the priest of the Secret Church. How could he consult their savior for everything? Aren't the doctrines and symbols of a church something that should be created by themselves? That's his responsibility!

What He said, 'No need to rush, Carmen', wasn't about telling him later but a subtle reminder that this was his job!

Carmen understood completely. This was Lanen's first test for him. The doctrines and emblem of the Secret Church should be created by him!