I Am the Minecraft Master, Not the God of Light!

Chapter 22: The Power of the Church, A Poison

“Bishop Leial.”

Ian straightened up, the scepter gently tapping the ground. Instantly, Leial and Markov led their men, charging out like tigers into a flock of sheep.

In the ensuing silence, the sound of bones breaking mingled with screams.

Before long, seven or eight wailing individuals were dragged out.

Judging by the extent of their joint contortions, their limbs had likely been broken.

The citizens of Blackwater City were startled, but glancing at the endless water still pouring from the sky, they puffed out their chests and stared at Ian with fervent eyes.

“His Holiness the Pope is merciful and gentle; this action must have a deeper meaning!”

“That's right! Maybe these people are infiltrating demons!”

“The Light of Dawn won't mistake its own children!”

The rising whispers stunned Leial and the others.

Shouldn't they be the ones offering these comforting words?

How could the citizens be giving themselves a way out?

Faith…

Could it be so terrifying?

Could it so quickly poison a person's perception like a drug?

At that moment, Leial and the others gained a new understanding of the power of faith.

Looking at the wailing people on the ground, a cold glint flashed in Ian's eyes.

Of all times for something to happen in Blackwater City, why did it have to be on the third day after the Forbes family arrived?

Ian didn't believe no one was stirring things up in the dark.

He instructed Markov and the others to lift their heads, facing the citizens of Blackwater City.

“Everyone, think carefully. Have you ever seen these people before?”

The citizens of Blackwater City looked at each other. After a long while, the old man from before tremblingly stepped forward.

Supported by others, he walked around in front of the group, then exclaimed in surprise.

“Your Holiness, strange…”

The old man pointed at the group.

“I've lived in Blackwater City for over twenty years. I wouldn't say I know everyone, but anyone from Blackwater City should be at least somewhat familiar.”

“But these few…”

Case closed!

Ian nodded slightly and said softly,

“These people are puppets controlled by the evil demons. Evil demons are more terrifying than succubi. They infiltrate the hearts of people, silently inciting them to fight and shed blood.”

“It is these evil demons that caused everyone to lose control for a moment, committing such acts.”

Hearing this, the crowd recalled the events and exclaimed in astonishment.

“That's right! It's him! I remember, this guy was the first to speak ill of the great Light of Dawn!”

“This guy also belittled the great Church of the Light of Dawn!”

“Damn evil demons! You almost harmed us! Slandering the Church of the Light of Dawn, slandering the Pope, execute them!”

“Execute them! Execute them!”

A wave of indignation rose.

Ian smiled without a word.

For the citizens of Blackwater City, having confirmed the existence of the Light of Dawn, they would naturally think of their earlier doubts about the gods.

In their panic, they would naturally find scapegoats to blame in order to exonerate themselves.

This was human nature.

Ian beckoned, and Markov and the others escorted the group back to the City Lord's mansion.

He then put on a compassionate expression.

“The Light of Dawn will not blame everyone for being bewitched by the evil demons.”

“As long as everyone is steadfast in their faith in the Light of Dawn, neither evil demons nor demons can harm you.”

“As for these people, the Light of Dawn is merciful and willing to give them a chance, to exorcise the demons from them, so that they may be reborn.”

With that, Ian raised the scepter high. In the sunlight, the scepter radiated golden holy light.

“Children of the Light of Dawn, stand firm in your faith, follow in the footsteps of the Light of Dawn, and one day, you will see the Light of Dawn and enjoy eternal peace!”

“Long live the Light of Dawn!”

With that, Ian, amid the roaring prayers of “Long live the Light of Dawn,” instructed Leial to continue presiding over the recruitment ceremony.

He then took Lesia and the others back to the City Lord's mansion.

At the edge of the crowd, a girl dressed in a large black robe covering her entire body gazed at Ian.

The girl didn't look fat, her face pale, and just looking at her face, she had a frail beauty.

But the body shrouded in the black robe was even wider than Markov's burly frame, which was indeed a bit strange.

She looked up in shock at the rain falling from the sky.

After a long while, the girl clasped her hands together and, like the other citizens, prayed devoutly.

Then, she took out a water bag and lined up to fetch water.

…

On the other side.

Entering the castle within the City Lord's mansion, closing the door, and isolating the noise outside.

Ian casually took off the crown and handed it, along with the scepter, to Lesia beside him.

Sitting on the sofa, Ian gracefully cut the roasted steak in front of him.

“Young Master Ian, those people…”

Lesia asked in a low voice.

“Harlan, torture them.”

“Yes! Young Master Ian!”

Harlan's mouth cracked into a bloodthirsty arc as he took those people to the dungeon.

Markov leaned close to Ian's ear and whispered,

“Young Master Ian, Blackwater City has big problems.”

“I noticed just now that after the Blackwater City riot, the city defense army didn't maintain order at all, and some people even participated in it.”

“Should I take people to…”

Markov made a cutting motion at his neck.

He wasn't joking. Although the Blackwater City defense army had a military name, it only had three hundred people at most.

The most powerful knight among them wasn't even as strong as anyone Ian could casually pick here.

Plus, the resources brought from the MC world.

Not to mention anything else, just taking the longbows weighing hundreds of kilograms in their hands could slaughter the city defense army in minutes.

Ian said indifferently,

“Not for now. Although the Church of the Light of Dawn has now firmly established a foothold, suddenly creating such a slaughter will frighten the believers.”

Lesia frowned.

“But such a city defense army…”

Ian picked up a piece of steak, paused.

“Investigate and see who they met before today's riot. Make a record of those with problems.”

“In a few days, have them go and encircle the remaining demons and monsters in the western forest.”

Lesia's eyes flashed, and she said softly,

“What if they don't want to?”

“Then it's not up to them.”

Ian sneered.

“The faith in the Church of the Light of Dawn is booming. In a few days, after seeing more miracles, Blackwater City will become an impregnable land of faith for the Church of the Light of Dawn.”

“Those who violate the command of the Light of Dawn are heretics. The existence of heretics may affect the descent of the miracles of the Light of Dawn.”

“Spread this news, and the believers will solve everything.”

Hearing this, Lesia and the others thought about the fanatical gaze of the believers they had seen today and couldn't help but feel a chill.

The power of faith is the sharpest knife and the most poisonous poison.

But thinking about it from another perspective, issuing government orders in the name of the church is probably more effective than the City Lord's mansion's orders.

Controlling faith is more effective than controlling policies.

Lesia and the others fell into deep thought. The significance of the Church of the Light of Dawn seemed to be more powerful than they had imagined.

Ian slowly finished the steak in front of him and took the water Frannie handed him to rinse his mouth.

Undeniably, this method of manipulating faith was insidious and malicious.

But it was very useful.

If he could grasp the right measure, it would indeed allow Blackwater City to develop faster.

At this time, Harlan returned quickly with a bloody smell.

“Young Master Ian, they confessed.”

“Oh?”

Ian leaned back on the sofa with a playful smile.

“It seems they are more soft-boiled than I thought.”

Harlan scratched his head and smiled honestly,

“Actually, Young Master Ian…”

“They were very proactive. I hadn't even started torturing them when they confessed immediately.”

“They said everything in detail, only asking me at the end whether the Light of Dawn could still forgive them and protect them after their repentance.”

Ian raised an eyebrow, curious.

“What did you say?”

Harlan grinned.

“I sent them to see the Light of Dawn directly.”