Chapter 601

Chapter 433: Provocation

Conquer Sea, Summer Tree Archipelago Main Island.

In the early morning, the elders from various islands of Summer Tree and other important figures gathered in the council hall to discuss an important resolution that could determine the future of Summer Tree. After intense discussions, they finally reached a unified conclusion.

“Alright, since that’s the case, we can decide now. Everyone will honor the ancestors’ will and use these methods to conceal our faith in the goddess. We need to subtly guide the people’s habits over a long period of time.”

“Fortunately, Glimmer does not require immediate conversion from the newly converted pagans. After our declaration of conversion, they will come to educate us for quite a long time, allowing our people to slowly turn to their Three Saints. Our task will focus on this educational phase. Though it presents some difficulties, the ancestors have provided us with sufficiently detailed methods. I will delegate specific tasks to each of you later.”

In the council hall, Priest of Abundance Anman sat on his main seat, facing the important members of the abundance faction with a serious demeanor. After hearing Anman’s words, the audience exchanged glances and nodded slightly, seemingly devoid of any opposition.

The aim of Summer Tree’s plan to abduct the pilgrims was to protect the Faith of Abundance. They understood that such acts of abduction were extremely dangerous and could likely provoke Glimmer’s wrath, annihilating all of Summer Tree. However, faced with the powerful Glimmer, they lacked better ways to negotiate, and most were unwilling to fight against Glimmer in their hearts.

Now that Anman had proposed a better method that would allow Summer Tree to reconcile with the Church without completely abandoning their faith in the goddess, why not embrace it? Moreover, this method was revealed by the ancestors and tailored precisely to Summer Tree’s circumstances, causing no burden at all.

At this moment, there were virtually no opposing voices in the hall. Noticing the crowd’s response, Anman nodded slightly. Just as he was about to continue speaking, a voice suddenly arose from below; it belonged to an elder.

“Priest Anman, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask. Although the methods of pseudo-faith revealed by the ancestors are ingenious and can help us secretly retain our faith in the goddess beneath Glimmer’s education without being detected, that only comes after Glimmer accepts our conversion and begins their teachings. How can we be sure they will accept our conversion? We abducted their people and now suddenly decide to convert; surely, such a change in attitude is too drastic.”

“Such a significant shift will not go unnoticed by Glimmer, and it could easily raise their suspicions, leading them to believe it is a trap. If they do not trust us, it will be difficult for us to convert.”

The elder before Anman spoke slowly, filled with concern. Listening to the elder’s words, Anman responded with assurance.

“Elder Dodu is correct; if our change in attitude is too drastic, it will indeed raise Glimmer’s vigilance, making our later pseudo-faith efforts difficult to implement. Therefore, our change in attitude needs a reason; we need a basic pretext to explain why we are suddenly willing to convert to Glimmer. A sudden change without cause will only lead to suspicion.”

As Anman spoke, Elder Dodu, listening to his words, inquired further.

“Priest Anman… from what you say, it seems you have already found a suitable reason? What justification do we need to explain our sudden willingness to convert?”

Hearing Dodu’s words, Anman smiled mysteriously. He then turned his gaze toward Bahoda, who was sitting not far away, and slowly spoke.

“Bahoda, if I remember correctly, on the three ships you abducted, there is a nun from Glimmer named Vania, right? You mentioned that during your return, to treat the injured crew members and sailors, you sought the help of this nun with extraordinary healing abilities? After healing those sailors, she even volunteered to treat you?”

“Yes, our initial thought was simply to retain more leverage for negotiations with Glimmer, so we let the nun treat those injured Glimmer sailors. However, we didn’t expect her to exhibit such compassion and say she wanted to treat us, her enemies.”

“Initially, I also doubted her motives, but after ensuring her healing was effective, I accepted her offer. She managed to heal almost every one of us without any side effects. It seems she truly is just being kind. This is the first time I’ve seen a Glimmer member extend a hand to their enemies.”

Bahoda responded seriously to Anman’s words. After hearing his reply, Anman stroked his beard in satisfaction and addressed the crowd again.

“It appears that among Glimmer’s ranks, there are indeed merciful individuals who do not distinguish between friend and foe and respect every life. With such a kind and loving nun willing to risk danger to cure us, why should we not be moved?

“The nun, a believer in the Holy Mother of Radiance, saved us—who were supposed to be her enemies—with a universal love. We are touched by this similar great love and may even mistake her for a messenger of the goddess. Therefore, we feel the divine radiance in her and she teaches us the right path.”

“Hehe… I have studied Glimmer; they particularly cherish stories of saints who sacrifice themselves to preach.”

Anman spoke playfully to the assembly. Listening to his response, the crowd fell silent, and after exchanging glances, they understood Anman’s intention.

Yes, their change of attitude needed a reason, and this reason could completely stem from the noble act of a virtuous person awakening their conscience. They could be persuaded and taught to choose conversion, and the one educating them could be that selfless nun from the ship.

“Yes, we can leverage that nun, have her treat other injured people in the city, leading Glimmer to believe she has brought the so-called Holy Mother’s gospel to Summer Tree. We should invite her for a faith debate, pretend to lose, and spark her desire to preach, thereby cooperating with her, so Glimmer believes our decision to convert was influenced by her teachings!”

Clapping his hands, Elder Dodu exclaimed excitedly. Listening to him, the assembly began to engage in lively discussions once more, brainstorming how to portray Sister Vania as the noble figure “educating” Summer Tree, providing a cover for their true intentions to disguise their faith.

After another round of discussion, they decided to make the selfless nun their cover and the justification for their “conversion.” They immediately agreed to bring the nun to the site shortly, guiding her to “heal and preach” in Summer Tree, followed by a deliberately arranged religious debate in which they would concede, giving them ample reason to “convert” to Glimmer.

“Alright, since everyone’s discussions are concluded, Bahoda, please go fetch Sister Vania and have her wait outside. Once we are ready, we will bring her in.”

Anman instructed Bahoda. After hearing Anman’s words, Bahoda nodded and left the council hall, as the others began discussing how to “deceive” Sister Vania, with nearly everyone participating, except for Aubye, who sat quietly in the corner.

‘This is bad… something’s not right. Why would that old man Anman suddenly receive some revelation from the ancestors… If Summer Tree doesn’t directly confront the Church, and the Church doesn’t take strong measures to cleanse Summer Tree, wouldn’t all our previous efforts be in vain?’

Sitting in the corner of the council hall, Aubye furrowed his brow, deep in thought. As a believer in the Abyss Cult, his mission was to ensure a conflict between Summer Tree and the Church would inevitably occur, to guarantee that Summer Tree would be subjected to a cruel purification.