Chapter 699 Evil Moriarty (asking for monthly ticket!)
"The Church is like the police, army, and government agencies of the Nine Pillars of God. Our power comes from the Nine Pillars of God, and we accept their protection. As their representatives in the material world, we must be responsible to them."
Joan nodded and said, "This has been explained since the very first chapter of the textbook. Every priest is a citizen of the current nation. As an individual priest, he belongs to his family, his people, and his country. However, as a group, the Church of the Nine Pillars of God always belongs to the Nine Pillars of God and will not lean towards any political system in the material world—not even the theocracy itself."
"Harpies, dwarves, trolls, and giants are all creations of the previous Ennead. However, aside from the giants who caused immense damage to the elves, we must also provide equal protection to all other races. Not to mention the Children of the Moon...they are also Hengwu's people. We cannot afford to deal with another wave of Hengwu's people just for the sake of Hengwu's people. The Theocracy does not have the position to do so, and cannot bear such a responsibility."
It’s very simple. It was the Iris people themselves who accepted the Moon Child.
The situation of Iris is similar to that of the ancient Parthian Empire... except that the people of the ancient Parthian Empire are gradually awakening, while the people of Iris are constantly sinking.
"……I see."
The honey badger nodded and gradually calmed down.
She actually understood it all, but... it was still a little hard to accept.
Even the Theocracy cannot judge the Son of the Moon, so does that mean it depends on self-awareness?
But what if the "self-awareness" of those foolish people itself... is to become the Children of the Moon?
Eternal youth, immortality, immunity to illness and death - everyone knows the benefits of being a Child of the Moon, but how can they explain to these common people who can't even read a few words that once they become a Child of the Moon, it means that another soul has taken up residence in their body?
They don't even know what a soul is!
So Hawkeye can only threaten with death: once you become the Son of the Moon, you will be hunted down by Hawkeye.
But this also makes Hawkeye feared. When everyone is inclined to fall, no one wants to have such a ruthless supervisor above their head.
So they became the villains...
"That's why we need your help."
Ruoan said softly.
She walked forward, reached out her hand and gently stroked the honey badger's hair.
The gentle feeling, like that of a candle, made the honey badger squat down involuntarily, allowing Ruoan's hand to touch her hair - she even squatted down subconsciously, and only then did a feeling of surprise emerge in her heart.
"The Theocracy is indeed concerned about this matter, but we cannot bypass the Church's own restrictions. But from another perspective... Ms. Honey Badger, I remember you said you are not afraid of death, right?"
"Yes."
The honey badger answered without hesitation: "The day I joined the Hawkeye Organization, I swore an oath - to avenge the Moon Child, I will do whatever it takes."
"Adapting to the Dao is the path to survival. You possess the fifth level of adaptability, but your obsession even outweighs your desire to live... So is there a possibility that you actually have the potential to dedicate yourself to the Dao?"
Ruoan whispered soothingly, "I do have a little understanding of the path of dedication. In my opinion, you too have the ability to become a dedicated person."
"…Dedicated? Me?"
The honey badger was a little bit unbelievable.
In her opinion, devotees are those who help others and save lives.
But she did the opposite - she killed no one knew how many people.
"Evans is also human, yet he became a cardinal and now even acting pope. Who says humans can't hold high positions in the Theocracy? If you come to the Theocracy, you can at least become a bishop, or even an archbishop... At least reach the fourth level, which I think is no problem.
"By then, you'll have your own say in the church. Maybe you can persuade other church members to go to Iris as individuals. At the very least, you can gain the support of the Iris Church for your organization."
Joan said gently.
"I... maybe I'm okay..."
The honey badger said hesitantly.
She was indeed moved - you could tell from her expression.
And Aiwass also understood Ruoan's thoughts.
Rather than allowing the Theocracy to acquire a fifth-level assassin, she was the type who preferred to draw others into the path of devotion.
Another thought also came to his mind.
So he asked, "Since you can do it, do other members of the Hawkeye organization also have such 'larger than life' thoughts?"
"…Others?"
The honey badger was stunned for a moment, then understood Aiwass's subtext.
"Your Holiness, do you wish to...acquire the Hawkeye Organization?"
She asked in disbelief.
This was the first time the honey badger called Aiwass His Holiness the Pope - because it was also the first time Aiwass exercised the power of the Pope.
"why not?"
Aiwass asked in return, "You're desperately short of money, aren't you? Besides that, you're also short of people, because you have a bad reputation. And the Iris Council is hostile to you, so you might even receive a scam order if you take one."
"In this case, it's just a change of employer - what's unacceptable?"
Unlike Ruoan's sympathetic approach, he started with a very realistic three-hit combo.
—Are you out of money? Are you out of work? Are you unable to find a job?
There was obvious hesitation on the honey badger's face.
"I have an idea...Ms. Joan."
Aiwass turned around and spoke to the Eternal Pope.
Ruoan, who looked only thirteen years old, immediately corrected her, "Please call me Miss Ruoan. I'm not married yet."
"Then Miss Ruoan... I was wondering if we could conceal part of the truth?"
Aiwass asked.
"uh-huh?"
Ruoan raised his eyebrows and motioned for Aiwass to continue.
"Cardinal Loki has passed away. The last part of him..."
Aiwass thought of the perfect man he had sealed into a card. He paused, then continued, "He no longer exists in the material world. Continuing to undermine his reputation, while it will still suppress the Controlled Fire...but in reality, we are committed to professionalization. They are actually a force we can use to win over."
"So I was wondering if there could be this explanation - that the Honey Badger was actually hunting down the Perfect Man, and in the process, she accidentally injured the Eternal Saint.
"Because the Perfect Man did pose a huge threat and loss to the Theocracy... This temple is an ancient temple that has existed since the Silver Crown Dragon ascended to the throne of Pillar God, right? Now it has been destroyed by the Perfect Man—and this Perfect Man just happens to be a follower of Xiong Tiansi.
"He also attacked citizens of at least two circles and threatened them with death. Since the Theocracy wants to interfere with the Children of the Moon but lacks the right to do so, it might as well make this matter public instead of hiding it."
Aiwass patiently explained, "Hawkeye is an assassin organization, so working for anyone is just working for them. There are some things that the Theocracy can't interfere with... but we do care.
"So, can Hawkeye be a force that isn't actually affiliated with the Theocracy, but receives funding from it?"
"...Noble Red?"
Isabel, who had been silent until then, blurted out.
"The noble red of doing good."
Aiwass corrected.
This is a method that the orthodox Holy Maiden Pope would never think of.
But for the evil Moriarty, this was an easy solution.
——Since it is not convenient for the Theocracy to take action itself, or even to hire people, wouldn’t it be better to train an agent who has the same aspirations but is not bound by the Church?
Failure to do so would be a waste of the Church's resources and influence.
Such a strong organization is restricted and bullied because it is too educated... This doesn't make sense.
Although he didn't know what the subsequent plot of the game would be, he had seen dissatisfied feedback from players on the forums - the Pope had concealed the appearance of the Perfect Man and placed all the responsibility for the previous split in the Theocracy on himself. This was to prevent the Theocracy from launching a holy revenge, and also to restore the Theocracy to unity.
She is too gentle and too devoted. But sometimes, finding someone to blame for these conflicts is not the best way to deal with them.
There is actually a better way to use the opponent's force against you.
"And this way, we can also dampen the arrogance of those vampires in Iris who fanatically worship the 'perfect man'!"
The honey badger also reacted: "They have always dreamed that once a perfect person is born in their tribe, they will be able to compete with the Theocracy. They have become more and more arrogant over the years. Now, on the one hand, it has been proven that the perfect person is indeed powerful, but he is completely no match for the Pope. Maybe they will be more content with this."
"So, you agree?"
The corners of Aiwass' mouth rose slightly.
The honey badger just shook his head: "I can only speak for myself."
The implication is that she has agreed.
He joined the Church not just as a believer embarking on the path of devotion... but also as a member of a secret organization inclined towards the Church, willing to serve the Church.
"And in fact, there are some people who are not suitable to join us."
Honey Badger quickly spoke again: "There are also many scum and lunatics among Hawkeye... If the Theocracy wants Hawkeye, I only suggest extracting some of them."
Aiwass looked at Ruoan: "What do you think?"
Joan shook his head helplessly. "You're the Pope now, you have the final say. This doesn't cross the line... But Aiwass, you must remember. The Church's lofty influence comes from its reputation and position... Always remember this and don't lose sight of it."
"I'll remember that."
Aiwass nodded slightly.
Ruoan looked at Evans with some emotion. After his stature had further shrunk, he was now taller than him, and he felt something in his heart.
An unprecedented human pope...
Which direction will you lead the Theocracy?
But there is no doubt about it.
Her own position must be made clear.
Ruoan stood on tiptoe, touched Aiwass's hair, and said softly:
"——I believe in you, go ahead and do it."
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(End of this chapter)
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