Two days later, as Analia led a large number of angels and missionaries into the duchy, the spread of faith began in full swing.
At this time, in a private residence in the capital of the Duchy of Hammank.
“Father, that’s how it is. No matter how we try to persuade this unfilial son, we can’t get through to him,” said a well-dressed couple with worried expressions.
“Understood, I’ll talk to him.” The missionary in the white robe nodded, his expression gentle.
“You don’t need to waste your energy, Father. I am grateful to God for the peace He has brought to this country, but I cannot believe in Him,” a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old said stubbornly.
"Child, I understand your..."
"No, you don't understand!" the boy suddenly became agitated and shouted, "I'm different from others. I was born with a magic-resistant constitution and cannot learn any magic. I prayed to the Church of the Gods, but I received no response. Later I realized that so-called miracles are just powerful applications of magic, and even the gods cannot solve my problem."
"If that's the case, why should I believe in them? I will find a new path on my own!"
“Child, I know you’re anxious, but don’t get agitated.” The missionary’s smile remained gentle as he spoke slowly and deliberately, “Have you ever heard of science?”
"Science? What's that?" The boy and his parents were both taken aback.
"The Holy Lord, in His mercy upon all beings, left countless paths to strength at the beginning of creation, and science is the fairest of them all." The missionary pointed to an empty tin bucket in the corner of the room and said, "Gentlemen, may I borrow this?"
“Of course, Father.” The host stepped forward and carried it over.
"Child, to help you understand more intuitively, I'll explain now, and you can do it yourself."
"Okay." The boy shrugged and replied with a hint of curiosity.
"Pour some water into it first, hmm... that's enough. Next, put it on the fire to heat it up until the water boils."
After waiting a short while, the preacher continued, "Alright, you can move it now, but be careful not to burn yourself. Now, go and get a basin of cold water to pour on it."
The boy did as he was told, looking surprised, then said impatiently, "Father, what's wrong with doing this... Wow, what is this?!"
Boom!
With a loud bang, the boy was startled. He looked up and saw that the thick metal barrel had been completely flattened in the middle.
"W-what's going on?" the boy asked in surprise, as he hadn't sensed any magical fluctuations at all.
"This is a basic application of atmospheric pressure. Anyone can do it once they understand the principle," the preacher explained, while taking out a pen and drawing two arrows on a piece of paper.
"Look, these are two ordinary arrows. Now let's take a transparent cup, fill it with water, and look at it from here."
"Huh... why is the arrow pointing in the opposite direction! Is this... is this an illusion?" The boy was shocked. He even thought that if this technique were used further, wouldn't it create an effect similar to a magical illusion array?
"No, this is the principle of light refraction," the preacher said, "These are simple applications of science. If you study them more deeply, even an ordinary person can create weapons powerful enough to destroy the world."
"Is...is this real?"
"Of course, believers in the Holy Light never lie."
"How can I learn this kind of knowledge?" the boy asked with longing in his eyes.
“Look,” the preacher smiled and pointed around, “this water, this grass, all things in the world, science is hidden everywhere. If you are devout enough, the holy light will guide you to discover their secrets.”
......
In another town within the country, at the execution ground.
"Prisoner Adoru, robbery, murder, sedition, and coercion of women... After investigation, the charges are true, and he shall be punished for multiple crimes." A middle-aged man dressed as a judge solemnly announced, "I hereby declare the execution of death sentence number seven immediately."
Upon hearing this, the two soldiers quickly escorted the prisoner to the iron frame and tied him up in a spread-eagle position.
The seventh death penalty was a punishment for serious offenders, in which two sharp spears would be inserted through the head and down to the feet.
"Wait! You can't punish me!" Adoru suddenly shouted. "I have now reformed and am a devout believer in the Holy Lord of Light. Aren't you afraid of divine punishment for treating a believer of a true God like this?!"
"this..."
The judge on the platform hesitated slightly.
With the defeat of the Abyss and the declaration by the Hammak royal family that the Holy Lord of Light was the only god of the duchy, the status of divine authority had risen above all else. Even the emperor, who was high above all others, could not arbitrarily punish a believer, let alone him.
Seeing this, Adol became even more smug and shouted, "Release me now! I still need to go to the temple to pray. Can you afford to delay me?"
"Your Honor." Just as the middle-aged man was in a dilemma, a missionary in a white robe stepped out from the crowd.
"Father." The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, performed a church salute, and asked, "What do you think should be done about this?"
"May I ask him a few questions?" the preacher said gently.
"Of course, please ask."
"Are you a follower of the Holy Lord?" the preacher asked as he stepped forward.
“Yes, Father, under the light of the Holy Light, I despise and loathe my former self. Now I have completely reformed and only wish to serve the Holy Lord devoutly and atone for the sins I have committed,” Adoru said hastily, even squeezing out a few tears from his eyes.
The preacher nodded and said, "The Holy Light will protect every devout believer."
Upon hearing this, the judge on the platform, as well as the soldiers and civilians around him, darkened their expressions. Could even such a heinous criminal be forgiven?
A subtle smile played on Adoru's lips.
These idiots are so easy to fool, it seems like in the future...
"Then carry out the execution."
What? Everyone was stunned and looked over in confusion. Why did the priest change his mind so quickly?
"This... Father, I am a follower of the Holy Lord of Light!"
"Don't worry," the preacher smiled faintly, "as long as you are devout enough, the holy light will protect you from being killed."
"What a joke... Father... Ah! Ah!"
Two soldiers, both at the advanced warrior level, plunged two specially made spears into the ground, one on each side.
Amidst the flowing blood, the agonizing screams continued unabated.
Everyone looked on curiously, only to see a faint white light shimmering at the wound, barely keeping him alive.
"Kill me...kill me now...ah!" The intense pain piercing through his body nearly drove him to a mental breakdown, and he screamed madly.
The screams gradually subsided after ten minutes.
He died.
“It seems he did not sincerely repent for his sins, and the Holy Light rejected him.” The preacher said to the judge with regret, “Your Honor, you only need to act according to the punishment. If one is a devout and virtuous person, the Holy Light will protect him; if one tries to mock the Holy Light, he will be punished twice as severely as he was.”
“Thank you, Father.” The judge smiled and said sincerely, “Praise be to the Lord of Light.”
"Praise be to the Holy Lord of Light!" the surrounding people and soldiers echoed.
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