Chapter 298: Purification

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."

"..."

From the Belobello Church, a series of lengthy prayers echoed through the air.

York was holding the documents that Marcos had just brought over, his lips curling slightly.

"Although it's my first time, it's not bad at all."

At this moment, Makarov Dreyar was no longer a janitor, but the respected Father Makarov to these followers.

"Keep it up, keep pushing."

Before York opened the documents, he glanced at the virtual window in front of him.

He now owned two churches.

The Pluto Church was advancing towards a level four church at a very fast pace.

The number of believers was growing daily, but due to regional limitations, the growth rate of Pluto Church would eventually slow down and stabilize.

The newly established Belobello Church, however, was still skyrocketing by the second.

It had already reached the same level as Pluto Church, both being level three churches with over three thousand believers, capable of accumulating three hundred divine power points.

"With this rate of growth, it only needs two days to advance to a level four church, capable of accumulating four hundred divine power points."

York shifted his gaze from the virtual window, his heart filled with pleasure.

He loved this feeling of rapid growth.

Not to mention the subsequent creation of more churches.

Adding the authority to confer priesthood.

York didn't even know what kind of power he could ultimately wield, but presumably, he was enough to demolish nations with a single strike.

"If I could double the magic power."

York stared at the document in his hand, which detailed the attitudes of the local authorities.

Like in Belobello Town, authorities everywhere welcomed them.

"Since the next place is you."

York continued to spread his influence locally, choosing the county closest to Belobello Town.

He aimed to cover the entire Free Nation like a fishing net, maintaining peace everywhere.

At that moment, York looked up at the door.

Now with a priest, he had taken a step back to let the priest face the forefront.

In a holographic scan-like display, Marcos was hurriedly entering.

"Trouble?"

Seeing Marcos's anxious face, York put down the document in his hand, composed.

Whether trouble arose or not, he was always prepared.

The journey was never meant to be peaceful.

After all, the world was still in a post-apocalyptic state.

He didn't believe that his presence would immediately bring peace to the entire Free Nation without the appearance of rotspawn.

At the same time, something was bound to happen.

Seeing Marcos appear at the door, York's right hand rested on the documents on the table, speaking calmly.

"What happened, weren't you patrolling Belobello Town?"

Hearing the calming voice, Marcos finally relaxed his emotions, bowed slightly, and then spoke the words that made York narrow his eyes.

"Bishop, the border has fallen, and a serial killing has occurred in the nearby town of Staht, suspected to be caused by spirits infected by rotspawn."

Upon remembering the photos and information that had just been passed to him, Marcos took a deep breath.

"No, it should be that rotspawn have appeared in Staht Town."

Finished speaking, Marcos looked at the calm bishop in front of him, seeking help in his eyes.

"If I hadn't appeared, what would you have done as usual?"

York tapped the documents with his right index finger and looked at Marcos.

"Border falls, relocate a hundred miles, and separate from everyone on the border," Marcos said through clenched teeth.

"All local authorities need to quarantine Staht Town, send out all janitors to perform differentiation work in Staht Town, and trace the source of the rotspawn!"

"Separation?"

York stared at Marcos: "That means giving up on the people at the border?"

Marcos suddenly kneeled on one knee, his voice solemn: "Bishop, this is the only choice."

He said, raising his head, "If you are here now, we can have many options."

York raised his eyebrows slightly: "Let's hear it, I want to know your plan."

"The border is far, they advance, we retreat, fighting for time."

Marcos took a deep breath and said word by word: "I heard that you have eyes that can discern everything, can instantly spot the location of rotspawn, and can also restore spirits to normal."

"If possible, we can maintain a safe distance while retreating, keeping a safe distance from the advancing evil spirits until you intervene."

Upon hearing Marcos's words, a look of approval flashed in York's eyes.

"This guy really gets it, seems to understand my needs."

Looking at Marcos kneeling with his head down, unable to see his expression, York

 started to smile.

Yes, talent is the most important; after all, territories will always exist, waiting for a ruler.

Once people are gone, it would take decades to see another mature, independent-thinking individual.

According to Marcos's previous approach, this separation would certainly kill all those on the border.

The so-called sacrificing one to save many, erring on the side of caution, slowing down the development of demonic power, thereby gaining a period of peace.

"Truly desperate."

York stared at Marcos, feeling a twinge in his heart. There's always a cliff when you keep retreating; the world is only so big, there's not much space to fall back on.

Fortunately, he was here...

The plan Marcos mentioned could avoid conflicts, preserve the infected spirits and people who would die in the conflicts, and also drag out time for him to reach the frontlines.

For this plan, he undoubtedly maintained approval.

York thought for a moment and said calmly: "Use your plan for the border issue, and as for Staht Town, let Father Makarov handle it, let him get some practice,

I can't possibly take care of everything by myself."

Marcos suddenly looked up.

York had already picked up the document: "Don't worry, as long as you keep me in your hearts, I will always be with you."

Saying this, York stared at the document, smiled at Marcos, and said.

"I will be watching all of you, and you can also get a preview of what a clergyman can really do..."

Hearing this, Marcos could only suppress his thoughts and respectfully replied: "Yes! Bishop."

York waved his hand.

Marcos stood up and left.

Not long after, Marcos and Makarov, who had become a priest and had been personally mentored by him, left the Belobello Church and headed straight for nearby Staht Town at a very fast pace.

Time equals lives saved, arriving in time could save many people.

"Rotspawn are rubbish, only capable of infecting, so the potential spirits are a bit tricky..."

All the while, York, who was watching everything, put down the document, leaned back in his chair, and placed his hands behind his head, his feet on the boss's desk.

His gaze was intense, as if he was watching everything.

Indeed, he could sense Makarov's perspective, could sense everything around Makarov.

He could also see the silent janitors and Marcos in the vehicle.

...

"Is there any difference after becoming a priest?"

In the vehicle, Marcos looked at Makarov, who was sitting beside him in a priest's robe, and asked.

This question echoed in the vehicle, and everyone's gaze rested on Makarov.

Including the driver and the copilot, they watched through the rear-view mirror.

In their eyes, Makarov now seemed different from before.

Not only was he more composed than before, but his appearance had also visibly changed.

His previously tired, dim face was now radiant and visibly younger, even his graying hair had faded, which was noteworthy because Makarov's hair had turned partially white due to fatigue.

Makarov felt his colleagues' gaze, exhaled softly, and patted the bag on his lap.

"If there's any change, it's that I have the power of the equipment."

Continuing, Makarov said:

"I've also learned related skills."

"I can restore spirits to normal and clear rotspawn."

"I can attack and defend."

"I am stronger than before, even if four or five people attack together, they probably couldn't beat me."

The people in the vehicle silently listened, digesting his words one by one.

Makarov looked at the silent Marcos and said, "You should know, this is a power that can contend with demons."

"Yes."

Marcos relaxed, a glint of reminiscence in his eyes.

"We have all seen the power of demons, and we have seen it merely wave its hand, and instantly kill hundreds of people; we were all stunned then,

That's not technology, it's a power we cannot comprehend."

Makarov pursed his lips, his right hand subconsciously stroking his steel hand, where he had once lost his left arm.

That inexplicable power, invisible and intangible, yet felt overwhelmingly unstoppable and unbearable.

"I asked the bishop, and the bishop said this is supernatural power, a force beyond ordinary human capabilities, which ordinary people cannot withstand."

Marcos clenched his hand, closed his eyes, then opened them, his eyes resolute.

"And now we finally have this power, able to resist the power of demons."

Everyone in the vehicle, including Makarov, silently nodded.

In line with Marcos's words, they shared a common sentiment.

"We must utterly eradicate the demons..." Marcos said.

Meanwhile.

York chuckled as if watching a movie.

"Heh."

..............

Staht Town.

At every necessary pathway, a group of soldiers with cold expressions appeared.

They were fully armed, each holding formidable firearms and more.

Besides

 these, these soldiers, following orders, also set up technological weapons like machine guns at crucial points, securing the entire town of Staht.

At the same time, a few janitors were put in charge of overseeing everything.

Marcos and others, able to command all this, reached the central avenue of Staht Town.

At this moment, the area was on full alert.

This was Marcos's method.

Of course, it was also deliberate, mainly because the nearby Belobello Town had a bishop.

Even though the bishop had invincible power, Marcos and others did not want this incident to affect the bishop.

Although they were ordinary people, they also had the heart to protect the bishop.

Because the bishop is the savior of the whole world.

Facing the salutes of those guarding the checkpoints, Marcos looked at the calm Makarov.

"The bishop said, you will lead this operation, what do you plan to do?"

Makarov exhaled softly, having once asked the bishop about the priest's way of handling rotspawn incidents.

Makarov pulled his backpack, took out holy water, and walked forward.

"The bishop said the most effortless method is to first identify the spirits, expel them, and I need your assistance."

Marcos nodded, waved his hand, and led everyone to follow Makarov's steps.

As they entered the boundaries of Staht Town.

Makarov's approach was very straightforward and aggressive.

He led everyone inside, first checking the local authorities, the police station, and the barracks maintaining order.

Although the local police station was the reporting party, Makarov did not want to let them go, leading his team to take complete control of the police station.

Then he took out the holy water and dripped it onto the heads of the personnel at the police station one by one.

Following the bishop's advice, he knew to control the situation first by checking the authorities' personnel, then gradually take control.

And controlling the situation required more manpower.

As the bishop had said, having control measures in place meant that more people equaled more power.

...

At the controlled police station.

"No."

Seeing no abnormal situations, Makarov shook his head, letting the person in front of him leave, then looked at the next person coming forward, dripping the holy water bottle onto this person's head.

"No."

Makarov continued to shake his head, dripping as he spoke to Marcos and his colleagues nearby.

"The bishop said holy water has holy properties, inherently opposed to darkness, with exorcising and warding effects; if it's truly a spirit, a corresponding reaction will definitely occur..."

Marcos and his colleagues exchanged glances, noting these words.

At this moment, one after another, personnel came up for inspection, all turning out to be normal people.

Until the last person, dressed in a police uniform, under control, came forward to be identified by Makarov, his expression seemed uneasy.

Makarov instantly noticed this, and without waiting for the person to come forward, acted on his instincts and flung the holy water at him.

Caught off guard, the police officer appeared stunned, seemingly not expecting Makarov to act so suddenly.

He showed a ferocious expression, making a move to draw his gun.

This scene, reflected in everyone's eyes, confirmed the presence of a spirit, causing alarm and action, but all were a step too late.

Only Makarov remained coldly composed because the holy water had already hit the officer about to draw his gun.

Aaahhhhh!

The officer's body emitted a thick smoke, as if burning in flames, screaming in agony.

His actions hesitated.

Then, he was forcefully subdued by the quickly reacting soldiers nearby.

"Whether it's a spirit or rotspawn, as long as the demonic seed hasn't been nourished by blood into a flower, as long as the demon itself hasn't appeared in the world, the rest are just ordinary people to us clergy..."

Echoing the bishop's words in his mind, Makarov watched the chaotic scene before him, his heart stirred. He took a deep breath, channeling the unfamiliar energy within him to purify the spirit in front of him, and began to recite.

"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we come before you, asking you to bestow your grace upon us, to purify our hearts..."

In the eyes of Marcos and everyone present, Makarov suddenly became sanctified.

___________________

(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)

If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters

Read Ahead

Patreon.com/INNIT