A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Whether it was the Grand Duke, the judges, the nobles of the city, or the citizens, they all seemed to have forgotten that there was once a new nobleman named Gwalan.

Only in this tavern, only in this unnoticed town tavern, were there rumors and gossips that mentioned this matter and this person.

Listening carefully, the general meaning is that the slave trader offended a big shot and was killed.

As for slave traders... one more or one less doesn't make any difference.

No one cares.

Everyone was just talking about it, and there was no indignation. Instead, they were more gloating.

Moreover, it seems that the Grand Duke took back the well-built dock, made it public property, and sent officials and tax collectors there.

Of course, the Volkhov River has not completely thawed yet, so the terminal is not actually in operation.

Thomas listened for a while, but couldn't hear anything new.

Just when he was losing interest, a familiar figure appeared at the door of the tavern.

It was Saruman, still dressed in a black robe, looking mysterious and afraid to see the light.

Thomas waved his hand, and Saruman walked slowly to Thomas's table and sat down.

"Would you like some kvass? Or some wine?"

"Kvass will do," Saruman said. He looked around. People from the lower classes were wearing all kinds of clothes, including a few in clerical robes. His attire was not very noticeable in this place.

Thomas poured the other man a full glass.

"My Lord, what is the matter with you looking for me this time?"

"Oh, I was hoping to learn a few spells from you, but now it seems I don't have the time."

"What happened?"

"No, I just had something urgent to do. Surprisingly, nothing like this had happened when I contacted you. Oh, by the way, I happened to hear someone say that you are a... a magician specializing in the necromancy faction?"

"My lord, calling me 'Dead' is an absolute prejudice. In reality, life and death are two sides of the same coin. Life is death, and death is life," Saruman replied sternly. "If you wish, calling me 'the Faction of Life' would be more appropriate."

"Oh, that's true. But it's hard for us to fight against worldly prejudices... I have a few questions."

"Please just ask."

"Did the magic mark on me...fade away automatically?"

"I'm not entirely sure... Judging by the circumstances, it should have vanished by now. But if I must be certain, I'm afraid I can only do so through magic," Saruman said. "I'll cast a spell to confirm this for you. Two thousand florins!"

Two thousand florins for an unhelpful answer… Thomas’s mouth twitched, thinking the other party might have said that on purpose.

"You seem to be more willing to cast spells now...than before?"

"Thank you for the magic book you gave me."

"Is the content inside true?"

"I think so. But, you're also a spellcaster, so you haven't tried it? You should have read that book."

Saruman took out his necklace from his chest and gestured to Thomas.

The pendant of the necklace is a divine emblem, a crossed hammer and sickle.

Now Saruman has become a devout believer of the nameless god. Regardless of whether he really believes in the nameless god in his heart, at least there is nothing wrong with his words and his actions.

"Although I've been exposed to the Weave, I've never had the chance to try it," Thomas replied. "For me, magic is important, but it's far from everything."

"Oh, you're right."

"Can it really restore...spellcasting? If so, why is it so expensive?"

"I can't believe it either, but it's true," Saruman said seriously. "In fact, if it weren't for your request, I would have asked for at least five thousand florins. The price of a third-rate wizard casting a spell is different from that of a first-rate wizard like me, even for the same spell. Also, if you need my powder, I can give you a portion. You can use it as a magic item... One thousand florins per portion is equivalent to one of my services."

"Okay, give me one." Thomas sighed and took out the wooden box he was carrying. "Take a look at this."

"This is..." Saruman opened the wooden box and took a look. It was Thomas's sacrificial knife.

Of course, at this moment the sacrificial knife has returned to its original appearance, made of a mixture of bronze and steel, and the blade is black and inconspicuous.

"What do you mean?" Saruman put the box back on.

"Why did it change back to this?" Thomas asked. "When it kills its prey, it seems to have a blood-sucking effect. After absorbing blood, it turns golden, and the blade becomes... sharper, stronger, and even indestructible. But, once I take it home, it will change back to its original shape in no time."

"Oh, that's not the problem with it. It's just an ordinary knife," said Saruman. "The problem is you."

"Me? But I..."

"How did you come into possession of it? I suppose it must have been given to you by someone who happened to be seriously ill or injured or something, and who could no longer use it himself. Is that right?"

"That's right," Thomas said perfunctorily.

"What he gave you was, on the surface, an ordinary sword, but in reality, he gave you a special power... well, we can call it a secondary authority for now."

"Secondary authority?"

Section 259 Secondary Authority 2

"If you insist on understanding, you can think of it as a recognition of identity," Saruman said. "Someone recognizes you as the heir to his estate, and then you have the right to inherit the estate. You don't actually need to participate in the entire drafting process, and you don't even need to know about it from beginning to end. Then a large amount of wealth will legally fall into your hands. Of course, if you wish, you don't have to claim the inheritance. Everything is up to you."

"Then this recognition... who recognized me?"

"A certain god or his agent has recognized you, so now, you are the agent of this god."

"But I don't know!"

"I just said it, you don't need to know... You don't need to do anything. This power is yours anyway. This could be a misunderstanding, a conspiracy that has nothing to do with you, or even a case of someone being targeted by someone else. But it doesn't matter. The power is in your hands anyway. It doesn't matter whether you want to use it or not."

"Can I transfer it? Give it to someone else?"

"That's not necessary. Just like the analogy I gave earlier, it's someone else's business to make a will, and it's your business to claim the inheritance. If you don't claim it, no one will force you to. So if you find it troublesome, you can simply ignore it. Secondary authority has no side effects."

"I'm worried that the god will give me trouble for this."

"No. Think about it, if He could get you into trouble, then the power wouldn't be transferred to you. Wouldn't it be better and easier to prevent it from the beginning? That's why He can't stop it, or He doesn't want to stop it."

"But this thing is rather... clumsy and hard to use," Thomas said. "Can I replace it with another weapon? For example, my sword? A standard longsword."

"I'm afraid not," Saruman said regretfully. "That requires the will of the deity itself. Secondary authority comes from the deity. If He decrees that only sacrificial knives can be used, then only sacrificial knives can be used. Unless He changes His mind."

"What if I die?"

"The authority dissipates and returns to the hands of the gods. Perhaps one day it will be bestowed upon the next believer."

Thomas suddenly understood something.

"Secondary authority is a power of the gods...?"

"Yes, one of the many powers of a god," Saruman said. "Usually only granted to the god's high priest. Weaker gods often only have one power, bestowed upon one worshipper, while stronger gods can bestow it upon many."

"Suppose, I'm just making a hypothesis, that another god kidnapped me. Could they take this authority from me?"

"If you're not afraid of being reduced to ashes... yes, theoretically, it's fine. Authority is, after all, a power, and it can be taken away. If another god takes it away... well, if they couldn't grant this ability to their believers originally, they can now. But in most cases, gods have this ability. In short, you don't need to delve into it; just ignore it. Of course, you can use it if you want."

There was nothing more to ask at this point. Thomas put the box away again and placed it at his feet.

"Thank you for explaining that," Thomas said. "That's a relief."

"I am happy to serve you, my lord."

"I have another question... Some time ago, I read a book called 'Supernatural Magic'. Do you know this book?"

"Oh," Saruman replied. "I know, I have read it too. Although I am not sure we read the same version."

"It mentions a concept. The reason why gods need human faith is because within human nature lies a supreme divinity that comes with the Creator."

"Yes, I have an impression."

"That statement... has always puzzled me," Thomas said. "If all gods desire the same things, then naturally their practices should be similar. But why do different gods demand different things? Some gods crave blood sacrifices, others want their worshippers to sing and dance around bonfires, and still others want their worshippers to sit quietly and pray."

"Because," said Saruman, "I suppose it is because of the difference in the godhood."

"Godhead? You mean godhead?"

"what happened?"

"No, nothing." Thomas managed to control his emotions. "Someone once told me that godhood is just a fiction, a figment of the imagination of the ignorant."

"Different people have different opinions, because this aspect is difficult to verify. I can't guarantee that what I know is correct. In this regard, we are more or less skeptical. In short, my theory is that there are differences in the godhead," said Saruman.

"Where is the origin of this theory?"

"Oh, that's a concept from the ancient Greek era. Different gods possess different godhoods and therefore different powers, but above them all is the Supreme Creator, or the Creator God, or the God Above Gods, or something else entirely. You see, although humans are insignificant, the tiny trace of divinity within them comes from the Creator. This divinity is small and constantly deteriorating, but it is complete. The divinity of the gods, while powerful, is incomplete."

"Ah... I kind of understand what you mean."

"The gods cannot absorb all the divinity contained in humans, otherwise they would become creators," said Saruman. "They can only absorb part of it..."

"The part that matches your godhood?" Thomas nodded.

This theory completely explains the preferences of the gods.

"Yes. When humans are in different states, such as in battle, in love, or asleep... different divinities are released. Or rather, different parts of the divinity are activated. This power is then collected by the gods and becomes their strength."

“Through the Godhead…” Thomas understood.

This theory also fully explains Thomas's doubts.

It turned out to be the limitations of the damaged godhead.

The damaged godhead is only suitable for religious ceremonies that require quiet sitting and silent prayer, rather than those with singing and dancing, bloody sacrifices, or passion.

This is why Thomas gained the most in church.

When participating in rituals of other gods, the effect is much worse.

Of course, there are still some unclear issues, but with this inspiration, we can conduct research in this direction.

Saruman only has theories and cannot verify them, but Thomas can.

At least in the future.

"Also, I have another one..."

As he spoke, Thomas noticed someone enter the tavern.

He looks like an ordinary person, but Thomas's spiritual field tells him that he is an elite warrior!

Not only that, this is an acquaintance!

He was a Knight Commander of the Order! They had met more than once when Thomas was still a Knight Commander.

The author says:

Author's words: Thanks to readers Wudi Zhanlong and SEERS for their rewards.

Invincible War Dragon gave me two rewards, which made me ashamed.

More updates today.

Chapter 260: Order

Then, the second, third, and fourth knights came in.

"That's all for today. You leave first," Thomas said to Saruman. "I'm afraid the Knights are coming."

"Yes, my lord," Saruman replied.

He stood up and left, and as he was going out, he happened to pass by the Grand Commander.

Holy shit, what's going on? The captain is here?

Indeed, the Grand Commander said he would come, but he didn't say he would arrive immediately after receiving the letter...

Oh, by the way, the mail truck carrying the letter arrived yesterday. Does that mean the group leader is only one day away from the mail truck?

Seeing Saruman walking away, Thomas immediately stood up and greeted him.

The Grand Master and others were shaking the snow off their coats - apparently it started snowing again not long after Thomas came in.

"Thomas?" Everyone then realized that Thomas was also in the tavern.

There were too many people, so only the group leader came here with two other people, and the others chose another table.

"Grandmaster, why are you here...now?"

"The situation is more urgent than expected," the Grand Master said. "When I wrote this letter, the situation was not this serious."