Chapter 46: Shearing Wings!
Talon City.
In a dimly lit temple, a group of scantily clad women gathered near the altar.
“Lord Ti Ni.”
A dark-skinned, voluptuous woman hurried in from outside the temple, exclaiming, “Treina is dead. She was attacked by a group of wanderers while passing through the Lake Bottom Alley, and everyone with her has died. By the time we arrived, there were only corpses on the ground.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the women near the altar displayed shock, and then exchanged unsure glances.
Many of these women had darker skin, but most were extremely beautiful. They were not human, but half-elves, the mixed-breed offspring of Drow and humans. The Whip Maiden’s faith was also spread in the Underdark, and as one of the deities of female supremacy, she had a small number of believers in the Underdark. Since all the high-ranking members within the church were women (similar to Rose behind the spider), a small number of Drow women, along with some mixed-breed Drow, served as high priests within her church, responsible for corrupting Talon City.
“Have you tracked down those assassins?”
The woman named Ti Ni was a charming half-elf, though her skin color suggested she wasn’t of Drow heritage.
“No,” the incoming woman shook her head.
Upon hearing this, Ti Ni couldn’t help but reveal a bitter smile, then waved her hand to close the doors, and with a serious expression addressed the others present, “Sisters.”
“The situation is very critical.”
“The true god who governs shadows, wanderers, half-elves, thievery, and tracking, Soren, has attacked our church!”
“With our church’s strength, it will be very difficult to resist.”
“And our deity has yet to make an appearance! If this continues, I’m afraid everyone present will d*e at the hands of those assassins! The enemy’s wanderers and assassins are too numerous, they are omnipresent, and far too many sisters have left us during this time.”
“At this time.”
“We must make a choice!”
Hearing the words of the female priest named Ti Ni, the other women looked puzzled, with some clever women showing signs of fear.
“I think those of you with insight have already noticed.”
Ti Ni gently waved her hand, and strange shadows that resembled blurred human forms appeared from the dark corners; she slowly continued, “All the sisters I’ve invited this time are half-elves.”
“Our former deity, Lavita, cannot defeat the powerful Lord Soren.”
“She has abandoned us.”
“At this time, we can only save ourselves. I have chosen to serve the great Lord Soren!”
“He is the protector of half-elves!”
“In his mercy, he is willing to accept us half-elves. As long as you change your faith and serve him sincerely, then you can retain your current status and identity.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air, followed by a vicious snakehead whip striking at Ti Ni, accompanied by a furious, sharp female voice: “d*mn traitor! You actually abandoned the faith of my lord!”
“Lavita will not fail!”
“All you traitors will d*e in torment!”
No church is without zealous believers, and Ti Ni was not surprised by the sudden attack; she also swung her whip, then retreated.
At this moment, the assassins lurking in the shadows moved as well. Accompanied by a cold gleam, three wanderers simultaneously pounced on the attacking Drow, and the next moment, bl**d splattered as this zealous believer of Lavita fell dead in an instant.
The intense smell of bl**d seeped into the air.
Everyone’s spirits sank, for they realized one thing: if they did not surrender to the Church of Shadows today, none of them would likely leave alive.
Ti Ni was one of the bishop-level priests in Talon City.
If even she had betrayed Lavita’s faith, then could the tormented church really defeat the powerful Church of Shadows backed by Modo and the Overseas Islands?
“I am willing to serve the great Lord of Shadows!”
Thud.
As the sound of the whip hitting the ground echoed, a beautiful woman with darker skin put down her weapon; she was a mixed-breed Drow. As a half-elf, accepting Soren’s faith was easier for her than accepting other deities because Soren originally ascended to divinity through half-elven priesthood.
Although the core divine profession was “Shadows,” half-elves were still under his protection.
If Soren’s church truly expressed a willingness to accept them, then they should have the opportunity to integrate.
Once some things start, the rest tends to follow more easily.
Whether they wanted to or not, upon seeing the bodies lying on the ground, the half-elven priestesses, predominantly women, all expressed their willingness to change their faith and serve Soren. Regardless of whether they were sincere or feigning, as long as the people began to surrender to Soren’s church, the situation would shift to a direction more favorable for the Church of Shadows.
They were just a group of mortals.
And this was a clash between gods and churches. Although Lavita had considerable strength in the surface world, a portion of her believers still gathered in the Underdark.
Relying solely on the Talon City church would likely be insufficient to contend with the Church of Shadows.
“High Priestess!”
After all the half-elven priestesses gave up resistance, Ti Ni entered a prayer room in the back, bowed her head humbly toward the woman hidden in the shadows ahead, and carefully said, “The half-elven priests in the temple area have mostly surrendered.”
“If you agree.”
“I will persuade the other half-elven priests to abandon resistance as much as possible!”
The figure of the High Priestess stepped out, and upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on her face as she slowly said, “My lord is merciful.”
“As long as they are willing to surrender to my lord.”
“Then whether they are half-elves or not, they will receive forgiveness!”
“The demise of Lavita is only a matter of time! She has lost her true intention as a divine being! Obsessed with the desires of domination and submission! Only by believing in my lord Soren can you obtain salvation!”
“The shadows will protect you!”
The actions against the Whip Maiden Lavita were comprehensive; the assassination operations from the Central Zone were merely a facade, while the division and subjugation planned by the High Priestess were crucial. As a mind sorcerer with a profession level of 30 or above, she could easily exploit the enemy’s mental vulnerabilities, and these half-elves serving Lavita were just the beginning.
Since it was decided to act against Lavita, Soren’s aim was not just to k*ll her; he intended to assimilate Lavita’s entire church!
……………(To be continued ~^~)
