Inner Destroyer

　However, Qi Xing couldn't laugh at all. He just felt disgusted.

　That "Black Spartacus" treated everyone who was not a "Silver Coin Messenger" as a toy doll, but he was quite generous and polite to Qi Xing, as if he wanted to be on equal terms with him.

　But unfortunately, Qi Xing still only felt nauseous.

　He must kill that arrogant idiot.

　Tear up the ████ of that "Black Spartacus", pull out the ████, dig out the ██ and ██ and feed them to the crows.

　“Has the Italian government taken any emergency measures?”

　After shaking his head, Qi Xing asked first.

　Now that things have come to this, I finally have to explain - the ordinary people in this absurd world actually have some knowledge of supernatural powers.

　The general Muggle public doesn't know about magic. They don't know that monsters, demons, and gods are real. They don't know about these "magical" things.

　But on the other hand, the general public also knows about superpowers, hypnosis, and even qigong - yes, qigong is considered a scientific superpower in this world that can be studied!

　Although these things are unscientific in Qi Xing's world, in this world, the general public generally believes that "superpowers" - at least not very strong superpowers - are "scientific." It's just that they are extremely rare and not usually seen.

　Why can superpowers be "scientific" but magic can't?

　If the general public knew that magic, fairies, and demons existed, modern society would undoubtedly collapse. Scientists could claim that demons were simply radiation-induced genetic mutations. But they absolutely could not admit that they could actually sign contracts with you, buy and sell your soul, or grant you wishes—otherwise, modern society would inevitably collapse.

　Similarly, if ordinary civilians see demons smashing things in the streets, they will think that they are genetically mutated monsters, perhaps a terrorist attack using biological weapons... unless the demons' actions are too unscientific and cannot be explained by genetic mutation.

　"The Prime Minister has now announced that this is a toxic gas leak, and the cumulonimbus clouds contain highly toxic pollutants that can cause biological mutations. Citizens are urged to stay at home and not go out."

　Father Amos sighed.

　"But the government's response to those already affected by the disaster and in need of rescue is remarkably slow. We suspect that some key figures within the Italian government have been persuaded and controlled by Black Spartacus."

　It's actually sleeping clothes, right?

　Qi Xing thought of the congressman he had thrown to the tentacle monster yesterday and frowned: "This black guy really made a lot of preparations in advance."

　The Black Spartacus organization, aside from its leader, seemed to be composed of uneducated and unskilled individuals. The leader alone, however, was not only clearly more knowledgeable, but also orchestrated a series of schemes that were intricately arranged.

　Putting aside the silver coin—which might have fallen into his hands by chance, just as it had with Professor Vanstra—silver coins were ultimately just power. A loser like the professor would still be a loser even if he had silver coins.

　"This 'Black Spartacus'... what's his name? Romani? Where on earth did this devil come from?"

　So Qi Xing asked,

　"I need a way to break his divine power. And I suspect the prototype of his silver coin myth is not the African mythological creator god at all."

　He decided to use the invincible power of the Church to crack open his opponent and find a way to win! How despicable!

　Elaine, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke up and asked, "Father, have you known for a long time that the voodoo cult "Black Spartacus" is secretly operating in Rome?"

　Father Amos nodded with an unconcealable shame. "About three years."

　Three years.

　Why three years?

　Because Haiti is a very unlucky country.

　Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas and one of the least developed countries in the world, yet its population is incredibly large (by small country standards).

　In 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, killing more than 300,000 people.

　In July 2021, the Haitian president was assassinated.

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　It will be dissolved, there will be no effective government agency to maintain order, and the country will be in chaos.

　On August 14 of the same year, Haiti was struck by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, the first of its kind in 11 years. Many developed countries around the world responded with aid, and some European and American countries opened refugee routes.

　The Republic of Haiti is the first country in the world founded by a black revolution. But it is also one of the poorest and most miserable countries.

　Most people living in normal modern society cannot even imagine its poverty and suffering, because its conditions are no longer "poor" in the ordinary sense, but rather trapped in violence, disease and inescapable despair.

　It was a country where even a common cold or diarrhea could lead to death from dehydration; everyone had to drink sewage; 90% of the people had no electricity; people could be kidnapped, raped, and killed on their way to buy groceries; the power of gangs had surpassed the government, and the capital was currently completely controlled by gangs - the people had no food, no water, and even the bodies could not be disposed of, so they were piled up to rot.

　Many developed countries in Europe and the United States, including Italy, have opened channels to allow some Haitian refugees to flee to their territories.

　The "Black Spartacus" is apparently a voodoo cult formed by Haitian refugees who fled to Italy three years ago.

　I'm afraid that in their eyes, the aid channels from developed countries are nothing more than hypocritical false mercy.

　"Romani Domingo, the leader of Black Spartacus, the Association has been keeping an eye on him for two years."

　Father Amos said dryly,

　“He was something of a social activist in Haiti… No, I told you the story in the wrong order. I should have started from another perspective.”

　He shook his head and then got straight to the point: "Romani Domingo is not actually... a black person in the purest sense."

　"He's a mixed-race child born to a white Italian woman and a black Haitian father."

　The power belongs to the power, and the strong belongs to the strong.

　The power of a large organization to open a box is terrifying in another way!

　042: The heart of faith is your magic

　Romani Domingo, 30 years old, is of mixed-race black descent.

　Italian mother, Haitian father.

　"He was born in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. His mother was a white Italian woman who traveled there and then... well, probably for some biological reasons, she met Domingo's father."

　Father Amos said somewhat helplessly that it was indeed embarrassing for him to talk about this.

　Qi Xing didn't know much about Haiti's history, but he did have some common sense, so he was puzzled when he heard this: "From what you've said, hasn't Haiti always been in turmoil? Why would anyone be so foolish as to travel to a place like that?"

　Beside him, Elaine shifted awkwardly.

　"The years after 1994 were actually a little better, because that was when the United Nations intervened," Amos explained, frowning. "But it's definitely a bad habit. Just like during the Colombian civil war, there were still Americans traveling there."

　Why do wealthy people in Europe and the United States like to travel to extremely underdeveloped countries that are in turmoil?

　The answer is... because it feels great!

　The wealthy directly hire local gangs and even government forces—yes, even government forces! Isn't it much easier to rent a beach in Haiti than in a decent country? All they have to do is use an AK to drive the other residents away.

　She was the only one in the entire neighborhood, how exciting was that? And there were gang members and even local soldiers fawning over her, like an emperor.

　Why do some people like to travel to Rwanda, or even to countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is embroiled in a long civil war? The sense of superiority they experience is simply unattainable in serious tourist destinations.

　Medellin is the headquarters of Colombia's most notorious drug cartel. However, it has now become a must-see destination for wealthy American tourists.

　People who are truly rich and powerful never worry about public security issues.

　With Qi Xing's current power and authority, he could, with a single word, enjoy even more transcendental, terrifying luxury at any moment. This was the power naturally vested in the supreme masters and "Silver Coin Messenger."

　But he has never thought about it that way, and has never even thought about it. It can only be said that one's values ​​and the environment in which one grows up will indeed limit one's imagination.

　For a moment, he was speechless just listening to Father Amos's explanation.

　In short, Father Amos continued, "Romani Domingo's father was actually a small-time leader of a local gang, a powerful thug and bodyguard, and he was attracted to his body by a wealthy white woman who was traveling there."

　"It's easy to imagine that this kind of relationship didn't last long. Not long after giving birth to him, his mother paid his father a hush money and returned home, leaving Romani and his father in Haiti."

　"Although Romani's father wasn't a legitimate businessman, he did care about his son. He used the hush money to ensure Romani attended private schools for both elementary and middle school."

　In Haiti, over 80% of schools are expensive private institutions, making education virtually unavailable to the poor. The only public elementary and middle schools that offer free education are of poor quality and few in number.

　If you want to get a good education, only a few rich people can go to private schools. But——

　"But most of Haiti's private schools cater to the local black elite,

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　Mani's mixed-race identity made him less... well, less popular at school. Plus, Port-au-Prince itself is a fairly international port, so it's inevitable that he'd be associated with some seedy things... like drugs, hippies, death metal, and the like."

　When Father Amos said this, his tone was full of obvious contempt.

　Qi Xing didn't know, but Elaine, his apprentice, knew that Father Amos didn't like modern culture very much.

　Seriously, he once urged the Pope to use the church's influence to include "Harry Potter" in the EU's banned books list - this matter caused a lot of controversy a few years ago, and those who are interested can just search it with keywords - fortunately, other reformists within the Vatican quickly jumped out to suppress him, and they helped each other to prevent Amos from making things worse.

　So, this centenarian old man, on the one hand, is indeed a true combat hero, fighting both Nazis and demons, and is committed to internal reforms; but on the other hand, he is indeed an old man, and he does not like many things that modern young people do.

　So, not only conservatives within the church, but even reformists disliked him. The last time he was tortured during the questioning session, it was simply because of his character.

　"During high school, Romani participated in social movements against corruption and sympathizing with sexual minorities, but... as you probably know, that's Haiti, not a place where social movements can easily succeed. Furthermore, his mixed-race identity as a white man was a problem for the left, so he was soon forced to withdraw."

　"Romani's subsequent experience was similar to the story of the decline of most black people. He hung out with drugs and hippies. On the one hand, his drug use was discovered by the school, and on the other hand, his grades dropped, which made the school unhappy. More importantly, because of his exposure to such decadent culture, the hush money his mother left for his father quickly ran out... So he dropped out of high school."

　"He then became a member of the Port-au-Prince voodoo gang, just like his father. Until he was spotted by his voodoo mentor, Douglas Murray."

　At this point, I probably have to explain something - in fact, voodoo is very common in Haiti and is even one of the official legal religions.

　After Haiti's independence, voodoo and the Vatican maintained close ties. While many consider voodoo practices to be treacherous and erratic, most voodoo practices are not actually cults... they are simply less righteous.

　"If nothing unexpected happens, Romani will probably become an ordinary voodoo practitioner, serving either a voodoo gang or a political party in Haiti... But, wake up, do you still remember the magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti four years ago?"

　Amos said.

　Qi Xing also nodded.

　On August 14, 2021, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck Haiti. The epicenter was located west of the capital, Port-au-Prince, triggering a massive tsunami.

　"After the Association's subsequent investigation, we believe that it was most likely not a simple natural disaster, but... a ritual related to the 'Judas Coin'. Since then, Romani Domingo may have become a 'Coin Messenger'."

　"He then disappeared for a year, and no one knew what happened to him during that year. When he reappeared in public, he announced that he had left Haitian voodoo, came to Italy, and founded the "Black Spartacus."

　Became a "Silver Coin Messenger" four years ago.

　Qi Xing had only joined the International Exorcist Association two years prior, and had only achieved earthly immortality and earned the title of "Lei Pu Zhenren" three years prior. So it was normal for him not to know about this... That wasn't right!

　"That's not right? I don't know, so forget it. After all, before I joined the Association, I had no organization, I was a lone ranger, and I had no source of information."

　Two or three years ago, Qi Xing was still just a "young hero." He entered the realm of the peerless only after becoming a terrestrial immortal, earning the title of "Global Supernatural Council," and joining the "International Exorcist Association" as an ace.

　Before he became a terrestrial immortal, Qi Xing was basically just a well-known regional figure in those years, and he was also a lone ranger who had to rely on himself to find out information, which was definitely unreliable.

　but,

　"It's been three or four years, how come even the Vatican doesn't know about this?"

　He finally asked about this matter.

　Father Amos was speechless for a moment, but ultimately he had to admit, "I concealed some of the investigation information and results related to the Silver Messenger from the Vatican."

　The Pope and the higher-ups knew about this anyway. Father Amos had to speak out honestly, no matter how embarrassed he was. Otherwise, he'd just get scolded and still not make any progress.

　He thought Qi Xing would be furious or indignant upon hearing this; he thought Elaine would be horrified. But they didn't.

　Elaine had already guessed a lot before, and now that she received Father Amos's official answer, she just looked worried.

　As for Qi Xing, he just frowned and said, "I do have a guess."

　"I can never repay you for what I owe you. I don't even know how to apologize properly," Father Amos said sadly. "I will resign and hand over the position of president of the Association to Sister Elaine. According to tradition, the vice-president..."

　"Don't talk nonsense for now." Qi Xing interrupted him directly, his face as cold as steel. "What I need is for the Association to help me solve my current problem and help me find a way to deal with Romani Domingo."

　Why did he ask Father Amos to open Romani's box?

　Is it to understand Romani's mental journey?

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　Of course not!

　He just wanted to catch that disgusting, pretentious black man who made it rain tonight, crack his technique, break his skill mechanism, and completely destroy him!

　"So he's a mixed-race black man. No wonder I didn't think his skin was particularly dark. But according to you, he's still a formally trained voodoo sorcerer. So what exactly is the prototype of his silver coin myth? When I fought him, my hands felt very wrong, as if I was hitting water or air."

　This is what Qi Xing cares about most.

　However, this is exactly what the "Association" has not figured out in recent years.

　"'Black Spartacus' is now raining bloody liquid all over Rome, turning everyone black, and even intends to spread the spell to flood all of Italy. Clearly, this is due to the power of the silver coin. This is not something a mortal can do."

　Father Amos said worriedly,

　"The African sorcerers in the Association all agree that this must be the creation myth of Mayberg, the chief deity of the Fang people. But on the other hand, as you said, Qi Xing, the divine power he displays seems to be derived from more than just one mythological prototype; he can easily draw on any voodoo-related divine power. This makes things seem very strange..."