Chapter 196 - The First Church (2/2)
Here, such situations clearly did not exist.
“Everyone interested in the way of the Holy Light can drop in. The space in the preaching hall is really big! People who do not believe in the Holy Light but have minor illnesses and injuries can come too. Healing holy water will be provided here every day!” Wright stood happily on the steps before the entrance of the church, his loud voice so resonant that the whole square could hear him. “But those with major illness and injuries have to inform me in advance. Holy water is processed from river water. Its effects are limited. Healing spells should still be used for major illnesses…”
Gawain stood at a side and watched as the continuous stream of believers of the Holy Light, or civilians who wanted to collect some holy water, walked into the church. Listening to Wright’s loud greeting, he suddenly couldn’t help but chuckle: it was his first time hearing a Cleric actively admit that the raw material of holy water was river water, and he even reminded people that the healing effects of holy water weren’t good…
Meanwhile, Heidi stood beside Gawain. She had already perceived some deeper significance from this ceremony today.
When she saw that there were occasionally civilians thanking the feudal lord while walking into the church of the God of Holy Light, she asked in a low voice, “Ancestor, are you putting religious authority into your own control?”
“I actually have no intention about holding religious authority and whatnot, but I dislike being controlled by religious authority even more,” Gawain said coolly. “The church is a good thing. Theurgies, holy water, sacred objects, and war clerics are all good things. But if these things have their own system and will, then they’re not quite good anymore.”
“A good number of aristocrats would be on guard against the overdevelopment of churches, but there was never anyone who’d thought of using such a method to ‘cage’ it.” Heidi revealed a thoughtful expression. “You used explicit laws to stipulate that all religious activities had to be approved by the feudal lord and ritualized actions to show everyone who to listen to when the feudal lord and the gods are put together, and you also expressed the feudal lord’s support for the church… Ancestor, your handling of matters is always unpredictable.”
Yet Gawain shook his head. “It’s not that no one thought of using laws and power to repress the church, Heidi. I’m not the only smart person. —— It is only because all of them do not have the resources to. We are very lucky that the southern border is an uncultivated land with many years of regress. Many things could be constructed starting from zero, and Wright is also really devoted to the way of the Holy Light, instead of being a scheming ‘true believer’. That is why I was able to lay this foundation, but in the central and northern regions where the power of the church is already deeply ingrained, I would not be able to do so at all. ——Just like how you were able to perceive the significance behind my actions, those shrewd bishops would be able to do so as well.”
Heidi faltered for a moment. She had to admit that Gawain was reading this matter very clearly, but she was also a little curious. “If we were at those places, what would you do?”
“Very simple, it would work so long as your fists are bigger than theirs,” Gawain laughed. “Sometimes, problems that cannot be solved using the brain are instead the simplest. Just competing with fists would do.”
Rebecca listened to Heidi and Gawain’s discussion at the side. She essentially didn’t understand a single word of the earlier half, but she understood Gawain’s last comment and was especially in favor of it. “Lord Ancestor is right! Problems that can be fought out aren’t problems!”
Gawain helplessly darted a look at Iron-Headed Girl. “Could you listen more completely? I emphasized on using brains before fists!”
Heidi was just about to follow and teach her a lesson, but an Amber crawled out of nowhere. “She’d realize that her brains weren’t enough after using her brains…”
Before this ultimate disgrace was beaten up, Gawain moved and held down the person’s head. “Your skin will itch if you do not provoke someone every day, huh? —— Why are you here? Don’t you dislike the Church of Holy Light and places like it?”
“I’m here to watch the fun—— Let go, ay, let go.” Amber struggled vigorously under Gawain’s hand. In the end, she simply shifted into the shadows and escaped the devil’s clutches. “Let me tell you, actually this cleric feels pretty okay to me. He’s not as nasty as those clerics of the Holy Light that I met previously…”
Gawain knew this half-elf very well. Only after she was done complaining did he ask, “Other than watching the fun, there should be another reason why you’re here?”
“Tch, an old cured meat, but your eyes are pretty sharp…” Amber pursed her eyes. Then, before she was beaten up once more, she swiftly sputtered, “Pittman is looking for you. ——Said he made a breakthrough in the research on mass-producing Druid potions!”