Instigator and Protector of Violence-Chapter 324: [Blessed Touch]

Four days ago.

Maurice, anxiously waiting outside the chapel, finally met with Ethan and his group.

Ethan said mysteriously to him, "Actually... there is an important task to be assigned to someone, but there is currently no suitable candidate."

"Is it... the will of God?"

Maurice caught the underlying meaning in Ethan’s words and immediately asked.

"You could say that. I saw something in a dream."

Ethan nodded.

"What?"

"God says there is a sinner lurking in the Royal Capital, and he must be purified."

"Then..."

Maurice was somewhat puzzled.

"We are not true disciples; we must purify him in the name of God."

Ethan immediately relieved his doubts.

Maurice nodded in understanding.

"So... that person, is it me?"

"Do you wish it to be you?"

This was a very subtle exchange.

Maurice couldn’t help but swallow a lump in his throat.

"God said the purifier shall receive His blessing and one day return with the tides."

Ethan added another line.

Maurice remained silent, seeming to be contemplating something.

"I..."

"Perhaps we should find someone more devout."

Ethan shook his head at Johnny Blackbird and was about to open the door.

Maurice finally reacted, hurriedly stepping forward to stop them, "No, no, no, my devotion is beyond question. Have you forgotten that I have received divine revelation from the Goddess? I am the most suitable candidate."

"This is the will of God. Are you sure you want to take it on?"

Ethan questioned again.

There were many issues here, and Maurice could certainly understand them.

The simplest being, why did Ethan only come to him, and not seek out the High Priest and others?

However, maybe... they also believed he was the most devout?

"I’m sure; my heart for the Goddess has never wavered."

Maurice hesitated no longer. He couldn’t wait any more.

This lifetime, perhaps there were only a few chances like this.

He had seized the last opportunity, but not completely, and he couldn’t afford to miss this one.

"Then... listen carefully."

Ethan explained the general situation to him.

It was essentially to gather people and bring Shark Jensen back from the Golden Coast Tavern in three days.

"If anything happens..."

"Don’t worry, this is the will of God, a mission bestowed upon me by God,"

Maurice said with unwavering conviction.

Maurice did very well, even exceeding expectations.

Because after finding Shark Jensen dead, he said nothing and took responsibility for the matter upon himself.

He wasn’t genuinely secretive towards Ethan and Johnny Blackbird.

Instead, he realized this could be his best chance to realize his ideals.

If he were executed or handed over because of this, he might become the new Saint.

A common principle is that the fastest way to become a saint in religion is through self-sacrifice.

He was already prepared for self-sacrifice.

So, he feared nothing.

This fearless attitude reached its peak when Heigen laid the blame on him.

Finally, he could die.

Yet, at that moment, the sound of the tide roared throughout the chapel.

Everyone’s expressions subtly changed.

They were familiar with this scene.

The last time Johnny Blackbird sought divine guidance was just like this, so could it be...

As everyone was filled with doubt and suspicion, Maurice was enveloped in the most brilliant sea waves.

Soon after, Maurice was lifted up.

People seemed to see a vision of a pair of hands gently resting on Maurice’s head.

As if in reward, or perhaps in praise.

"Goddess above!"

Maurice was the first to react, beginning to pray and praise, his hands continuously moving like flowing water.

The others naturally couldn’t lag behind, with Pope Edwin taking the lead, leaving the rest to follow suit.

Heigen, who was about to pronounce Maurice’s crimes, now had an inscrutable expression.

Because he knew, Maurice would not die.

This was equivalent to the Goddess personally safeguarding him.

This signified approval of his actions in purifying the sinner.

But... was it truly the will of the Goddess?

Heigen very much wanted to look back at Ethan and Dape’s expressions, but he couldn’t.

The sound of the tide slowly receded amidst the prayers of everyone.

Maurice’s demeanor took on an even more divine aura.

"Alright, please take me out,"

He once again spread his arms wide.

Pope Edwin said nothing, and Heigen could only cough to break the silence.

"Maurice, God has already rewarded you, so what you did was right, and we have no authority to punish you."

"Since it is the will of God, then, this matter is justified. Heigen, go and tell Lockeby, Shark Jensen deserves death."

Pope Edwin finally spoke.

This also served as the final judgment.

A fiery light shone in Maurice’s eyes.

It was done.

Finally done.

Following this incident, his status and influence would undoubtedly rise.

Furthermore, he didn’t have to die.

He strove to keep calm.

This was a moment where he couldn’t lose composure—he was someone whose head had been touched by God.

"Yes, Holy Father."

Heigen’s emotions seemed stable, or perhaps he had completely hidden them.

After speaking, he walked out.

No one knew what he was thinking.

And that afternoon, the Port District became noisier.

Because the Sea God Church refused to hand over the murderer, declaring it was divine will that Shark Jensen deserved death.

In an instant, the atmosphere became extremely tense.

Sea King Lockeby’s influence in the Port District was undeniable; it was a reputation he had built over decades, and no one dared to kill his men in the Port District without consequence.

He had to do something.

The entire Port District was like a powder keg on the verge of exploding.

In the heat of summer, it was easily ignited.

Meanwhile, greater troubles loomed for the Sea God Church.

Though Pope Edwin’s words were sufficiently authoritative, their impact was equally detrimental.

The Kingdom was a land without religion.

The Sea God Church’s continued existence was not only due to past contributions to the Kingdom but also because the Popes across generations were wise and knew how to maintain the church in such a land.

Yet, whether it was Maurice’s actions that night or his response today, both had overstepped boundaries.

A transgressive religion is undoubtedly dangerous.

Countless eyes already fixed on the Sea God Church that afternoon.

Kingdom Defense Bureau personnel gathered near the Sea God Church.

And there were gazes from the Royal Palace as well.

Of course, none of this seemed to concern Ethan, who had already left the Sea God Church.