Chapter 181

Chapter 181

"Tax Collector: According to the information we've gathered, the New Bishop emerged suddenly over a decade ago. Back then, natural disasters were quite frequent, with tsunamis and earthquakes happening from time to time. As you know, the New Port is close to the sea, with many fishing villages and small towns, and its development was slow. People by the coast tend to be more superstitious, believing these disasters were punishments from the heavens."

"Tax Collector: That's when a man stepped forward, claiming that the Virgin Mary had descended to Earth to pray for humanity's fate."

"Blood Acolyte: Such a classic cult rhetoric, but did the villagers really believe it right away? How did they prove she was the Virgin Mary? By saying she became pregnant out of nowhere? That's too cliché, isn't it?"

Though it was true in myths that the Virgin Mary conceived miraculously as a virgin, there was no way to verify such a claim.

"Tax Collector: It wasn't just about her miraculous pregnancy. The church claimed that since the Virgin Mary was sent by God and blessed by Him, she wouldn't die before completing her mission. Even if injured, she would heal swiftly."

"Tax Collector: I spoke to other believers, including some older ones, and it seems that many had witnessed this firsthand, with some even participating in the proof. To this day, they can vividly describe the process of her arm being cut off and then regrowing. I cross-checked several accounts, and it's basically certain that this wasn't mere hypnotism or persuasive speech."

"..."

"Hmm, a rapid-healing ability, huh? In the context of this world, it's not impossible, like Carmen's potions or perhaps some form of corruption."

"Black Cat: There were also investigators previously who possessed similar abilities. They likely used this as their main propaganda point."

"Sigh, those cultists truly deserve the harshest punishment."

"It's just a game, why take it so seriously, hhh?"

Divine Being on Earth's gaze was fixed on the intelligence dug up by the tax officer, not averting his eyes until Fors called out to him, "Daydreaming? Keep watch!"

Regaining his composure, Divine Being on Earth whispered, "My apologies."

They were currently situated on a small hill, where a tall fence had been erected and electrified—except for a small area. Fors claimed this was his only means of communication with the outside world, undetected by the Salvation Society. All other routes were guarded by cultists and mercenaries. Occasionally, cultists patrolled the foot of this hill, hence the need for Divine Being on Earth to keep watch.

As he scanned their surroundings, movement caught his attention from the other side of the fence. A figure slunk out, whispering suspiciously,

"Is anyone else there with you?"

"Nope, just me here."

After exchanging their secret code, the person on the other side cautiously poked their head out. Through the gaps in the grass, Divine Being on Earth noticed the military uniform they were wearing.

The person on the other side grumbled, "Didn't we agree that I'd contact you, and you shouldn't initiate contact? Our unit has strict rules lately, forbidding any communication with them. If I'm found out, I'll be discharged immediately, and might even face a military tribunal."

"Medicines are urgently needed here; a patient can't hold on much longer," Fors said with a rigid expression.

"Sigh, with the situation in there... you can't save everyone, you know," the man grumbled as he handed over the medicine. "Use it sparingly, they're cracking down on this lately. News of the plague isn't being suppressed, and drug manufacturers are hiking prices. We can no longer get discounts from our usual sources. The guys and I will cover you for now."

"I don't need your help. I can afford it."

"Just take it. How far will your money go? Are you still planning to treat the patients or not?"

Fors pressed his lips together. People like him, with their straightforward and stubborn nature, found the thought of owing someone money deeply uncomfortable. Yet, he had no other option now: "Add it to my tab."

"I've taken note. Make sure you return them," the man chuckled. "Did you find your daughter inside?"

"Not yet. Let's not talk about it. I need to go back." Fors clearly wasn't keen on discussing the matter further and shot an annoyed glance at God in the Flesh, who had been eavesdropping.

"Fors!" the man called out. "You have to come back alive… I don't have many comrades left. I don't want to retire without someone to talk to."

Fors didn't turn back. He waved and hurried down another path with God in the Flesh.

God in the Flesh listened quietly to their conversation, piecing together a lot of information in her mind. No wonder Fors was so skilled with a gun and could obtain supplies under such tight security.

"He's a military doctor?" he asked.

Fors glanced at The God Among Us. "In a manner of speaking."

"You came here at this hour to look for your daughter?"

Fors grew discontented. "Why should I answer you?"

The God Among Us replied, "I did spend some time in the church, so there's a chance I've seen her. Tell me more. I still have friends in the church who could help with the search."

Fors scoffed. "You've nearly forgotten even common sense. How could you possibly recognize someone?"

"Yet, I do have a considerable number of friends."

"With so many friends, why seek help beyond the church?" Fors easily picked at the holes in Divine Will's argument.

God smiled upon the mortal realm and said, "We share a common purpose, yet we incessantly seek external allies. After all, with our current strength, it is not yet within our means to contend against the main force of the Savior's Congregation."

The words were unassailable. Fors looked at him skeptically but, after a moment's hesitation, reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a crumpled photograph. "Take a look."

God Among Men took the photograph - an old black and white one - featuring a girl who appeared to be around ten, her smile radiant and captivating.

"How old would she be now?"

Fors fell silent, his voice hoarse. "If she's still alive, she'd probably be in her thirties. Her name is Marina."

"Damn, father-in-law!"

"Sob sob sob, such a beautiful lady!"

"What a stunner, this game has some aesthetic going on."

"Hmm, I don't know why, but she seems familiar to me. Has this NPC appeared before?"

"No recollection. Impossible, I know every wife in this game like the back of my hand."

God Among Men committed Marina's facial features to memory before nodding seriously at Fors. Carefully tucking the photo away, Fors continued, "I have no idea if she's married or has children by now. If you come across a child who resembles her..."

"I understand. I'll do my best to bring them back."

"No, you need to keep your distance from him," Fors said.

God Amongst Men was taken aback. Why?

Before he could ask, Fors suddenly grabbed God Amongst Men's hand. "Oh no, someone's coming. Damn it, they're not supposed to be patrolling at this time."

But it was too late. Both of them could see a pair of cultists in black robes approaching from the opposite side. It was now too late to find cover.

With a rapid thought process, as Fors behind him was about to draw his gun, God Amongst Men stepped forward to shield him.

From the current situation, it was clear that Fors was a key figure in this instance dungeon. Doctors were invaluable resources during the Bubonic Plague era. Even if he died, other players could still inherit his role.

The two cultists stopped in front of God Amongst Men, their gazes lingering particularly on the backpack behind Fors. "Which district are you from? How did you end up here?"

"We're delivering supplies to someone."

"Is that so? Let me see your backpack."

After Fors' explanation, God Amongst Men knew that all the resources here, especially medicines, were under the control of the Salvation Society. If Fors's backpack were to be searched, they would be in trouble.

Frost discreetly formed a question with his fingers on God Among Us's back, but God Among Us didn't respond. He noticed another group of people behind the two believers. They were stationed thirty paces apart; if anything happened to one group, the others would surely notice.

Moreover, the believers were armed. It would be uncertain who would come out victorious in a fight, and their only means of communication with the outside world would be compromised.

Thus, they absolutely couldn't resort to violence.

God Among Us took a deep breath and put on an amiable smile as he spoke to the believers, "These supplies are for my relatives. Can you two make an exception?"

He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the scar beneath, and the patrolling believer's expression turned surprised, "You're Father Blessing?"

So I'm still a priest? God Among Us thought to himself, smoothly putting on a professional smile, "Yes, I am."

"The Second Feast is about to start, isn't it? Why are you still here?" the other believer asked in surprise.

"Is that so? I haven't heard... Sorry, I've been too tired lately and have forgotten many things," God Among Us tapped his forehead, "My memory, I apologize. I really do have urgent business. Could you two possibly let me through?"

The two believers exchanged glances but didn't step aside. Instead, a hint of caution appeared in their eyes as they stared at God Among Us.

"Are you really Father Blessing?"

The divine entity on Earth sighed, acknowledging the scarcity of information. It wasn't aware of what it might have said incorrectly. Resigned, it spoke, "It's true, and I can prove it to both of you. Allow me to complete a prayer in a unique language, and then you'll understand."

As the deity murmured a series of intricate and incomprehensible words, punctuating them with prayer gestures, it indeed seemed authentic. However, the doubt in the believers' eyes deepened, one of them even raising their gun.

"???? What's the big guy saying?"

"Is the master going to stumble? I'm so worried."

"It seems like it's not going well. Time for the battle round."

"What is the master doing? Haha, praying randomly, clearly, they don't believe it."

"I feel like it's fading. This attempt is forced."

In the next moment, the two cultists' gazes began to waver and confusion set in. The divine entity declared, "We are doing secret work for the Church. You have never seen us before, nor will you divulge any information about us to anyone."

"Aye."

"?????"

The live chat was flooded with question marks.

A system notification, visible only to the gods on Earth, appeared:

"Hypnosis: Cast successfully."