Take your time.

But unfortunately, on the way back to the Mage Tower, Zuo Si was stopped by several priests of the Church of the Goddess of Poison and Disease waiting halfway.

Looking at these devout believers in Talona, ​​he immediately frowned and asked in an impatient tone: "What's the matter with you?"

"Yes, your distinguished elect. There is a very important matter within the church now, and you are urgently needed to make a decision. Priest Yvette specially sent us to invite you to the temple." The leading female priest hurriedly explained.<

/p>

Although this "Son of the Plague" usually ignored the church and its believers, she knew very well how much Talona doted on the mortal before her, so she didn't dare to show any slights at all.

"Is it important? Do you need me to make a decision?"

Zuo Si frowned even more tightly.

Because he made it clear during his last conversation with Yvette that he would not participate in any management of the church.

"It's not convenient to talk about this in public, so please make sure to go to the temple. Moreover... the officiant also said that he has specially prepared an extremely precious gift for you."

When saying these words, the female pastor showed a trace of bitterness and helplessness on her face.

I’m afraid no one will believe me if I tell you.

A divine church invites the chosen ones of its own goddess, but even uses "inducement" methods.

But the cruel reality is that Zuo Si just does this.

When he heard that there was a gift for him, he agreed to follow him to the temple without saying a word.

The group passed through the chaotic bridge area and soon arrived at the magnificent temple that was completed not long ago.

However, unlike other white temples in the area, the outer walls and dome of Talona's temple are painted with silver-gray paint, giving it a strange aesthetic.

The moment he walked into the hall, Zuo Si immediately felt that he was wrapped in an invisible energy.

Through these energies, he can clearly feel an unparalleled emotion of joy and joy.

There is no doubt that these energies are divine powers born from faith.

The joy and happy emotions are conveyed from the huge statue in the hall.

"Dear elector, you are finally here."

Yvette, who had been waiting for a long time, hurriedly took the initiative to greet her, and bowed with one hand on her chest in a very humble manner.

Not only her, but all the priests and other clergymen following behind her also paid tribute to the "son of the plague" appointed by the goddess without exception.

Countless priests and believers bent down and bowed, and the scene looked very spectacular.

But it is a pity that Zuo Si was not interested in this situation and the scene at all, and asked simply: "You asked people to call me over. What is the important thing? You can talk about it now."

Yvette nodded without thinking: "Of course. Actually, this is what happened..."

Soon, the chief priest of the Amn Church explained the previous controversy about unauthorized modification of doctrine and the goddess's unusual reaction in detail.

In particular, it is emphasized that the small groups composed of young pastors have developed a large number and scale of believers.

If it is not handled properly, it may lead to a series of quite serious consequences.

After listening, Zuo Si immediately ordered: "Where are those young pastors? Let them choose a representative to see me."

"As you wish."

Without saying anything, Yvette winked at the cronies around her.

The latter understood it and immediately turned around and disappeared into the corridor leading to the living area at the back.

In about seven or eight minutes, he came back with a young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties and had short black hair.

"Your Excellency, the elector, this is the trainee priest who secretly tampered with the goddess's teachings.

His name is Ilze, and he was originally the son of a pharmacist.

However, because his father made a mistake in preparing herbal medicine, he accidentally poisoned a patient with the wrong dose, so he ended his life out of self-blame and shame.

Since then, he has joined the church and become a follower of Talona, ​​concentrating on studying various viruses, bacteria and toxins."

Yvette briefly introduced the identity and background of this young man.

Zuo Si looked at the young man's eyes with great interest, and after a full minute he asked in an uncertain tone: "Why did you take the huge risk to tamper with the teachings without authorization? In other words, what prompted you to do this?

Thoughts?"

The young man smiled bitterly and replied: "You may not believe it. In fact, I don't know why. I just suddenly had such an idea. I simply felt that poison and plague should not only have an evil side.

It should be neutral, just like magic, knowledge and death. It should exist objectively and should not have a specific stance or camp.

And my father taught me more than once when he was alive that many poisonous animals and plants are actually important materials that are essential for making potions.

Since toxins can save people, why can’t plagues?

With this idea in mind, I began to learn more about the viruses and bacteria that can cause various diseases, and began to teach people how to prevent them through good hygiene habits.

Since there is no need to use magic and the results are very obvious, many poor people from the bottom of society gradually became Talona's followers voluntarily.

No one knows better than them how terrible it is to be sick.

Often a sudden illness can destroy a family, leaving the only man who can earn money bedridden, and he may even be saddled with heavy debts.

So I think this is a very good development direction if you want to increase the goddess's influence and number of believers in Faerûn.

After all, there are always more poor people than rich people, and there are always more common people than nobles.

But the faith and influence they provide are almost the same."

After hearing these words, which were completely unlike what a trainee priest could say, Zuo Si's expression suddenly became very strange.

Because he seriously doubted that the reason why Ilze had such an idea was not due to his own will, but that he might have received some kind of "enlightenment" or "hint".

To put it simply, this young man's soul and thinking were affected by a more powerful force.

You don’t need to ask to know that if you can unknowingly control a priest, the most suspicious person is naturally the god he believes in.

Thinking of this, Zuo Si raised his head and cast his gaze at the giant statue of Talona, ​​the goddess of poison and disease in the hall.

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but he always felt that the corners of the statue's mouth were slightly upturned than when he first came in.

Is it possible for a chaotic and evil goddess to actively plan to change her alignment?

Zuo Si expressed strong doubts about this.

But the problem is, the facts are now before our eyes.

Just as he was deep in thought, Yvette, who was standing next to him, finally couldn't help but cautiously probed: "Your Excellency, is there any problem with this doctrine? In other words, the church can recognize its legitimacy and then carry out large-scale

Promotion?"

"I don't think it's a big problem.

And as Ilze mentioned, doing so can greatly increase the number and influence of the goddess's followers in the mortal world.

However, in order to avoid doctrinal contradictions, it is best for Ilse to separate from like-minded young pastors and form a new sect alone.

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!

In this way, two conflicting doctrines can be accommodated at the same time.

Just like many neutral camp gods will give birth to various branch sects based on the believers' own understanding."

Zuo Si shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

For him, whether Talona is in the evil camp or the neutral camp, there is essentially no big difference.

The only advantage is that if the goddess of poison and disease really changes from chaotic evil to absolutely neutral, then his reputation as a chosen one will also become slightly better.

At least it won't cause local rulers to get nervous as soon as it appears.

"That's it! I understand! Please rest assured that in two days I will personally take charge of this matter and find a location for the newly established sect."

Yvette made the guarantee without hesitation.

Although the chief priest of the Amn Church knows very well that if Ilze's sect develops in the future, it will definitely have a huge impact on him.

After all, different sects that believe in the same god do not deal with each other, and are even hostile to each other. They quarrel with each other whenever they meet, which is a relatively common situation in Faerûn.

The most typical example is Silvanus, the god of nature and the father of the oak tree.

Its followers have been divided into "extremists" and "moderates" from the beginning.

Even if the former sees a woodcutter entering the edge of the forest to cut some firewood, he will regard it as disrespectful and damaging to nature, and then kill him as an "enemy of nature" without any explanation.

This is even true for cutting firewood, not to mention things like mining and large-scale logging.

If they deem it necessary, they will even summon countless beasts and elemental creatures to launch a large-scale attack on the towns around the forest.

In contrast, the moderates are slightly better, advocating the harmonious coexistence of civilization and nature. Even if they encounter logging, mining, etc., they will only expel them at most, and will not kill people easily under normal circumstances.<

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Moreover, conflicts between the two groups often break out because of their different ideas, which can even lead to one group killing the other group.

In Faerûn, a land influenced by the gods, the conflict between various ideas and philosophies is so fierce that "devils" with extremely extreme thoughts and behaviors are everywhere.

If the goddess of poison and disease eventually becomes a neutral god, then conflicts between the good camp and the evil camp under her will inevitably arise.
To be continued...