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nChapter 817: Mordor Strait

nEditor: Dragon Boat Translation

nAmidst the chaos of the world, the turbulent times provided an ideal opportunity for the Oceanic Faith to rapidly expand.

nThe highly organized, premeditated, and unified actions of the Oceanic Faith quickly caught the attention of various kingdoms.

nWithin the Lienhardt Palace.

n“Sebastian, have you found out about the Oceanic Faith?”

n“Father, not yet, but I’ve sent people to investigate in several coastal cities. We should have results soon,” Sebastian replied, bowing his head.

nJulius frowned. “The Oceanic Faith appears to have sprung up out of nowhere. Its missionaries are popping up in nearly every coastal city, and its influence has grown rapidly. I’m worried if it turned out to be something like the Deep Sea Church.”

nThe Deep Sea Church had caused them quite a bit of trouble. They had expended considerable effort to root out their strongholds, temporarily driving them back into the sea.

nSebastian pondered. “From what we know so far, the Oceanic Faith hasn’t shown any malicious tendencies. Its teachings mainly revolve around offering faith for protection and safe voyages at sea.

nIf it were just that, it wouldn’t be much different from other preachy religions. However, what’s most surprising and worrisome…”

nAs Sebastian spoke, Julius furrowed his brow, bluntly interjecting, “Don’t leave me hanging halfway. Do you want me to start throwing punches?”

nSebastian coughed nervously and, with some embarrassment, hurriedly continued because he knew his father meant what he said.

n“…What concerns me the most is, according to the initial reliable reports we’ve received, those who have joined the Oceanic Faith have indeed received some level of protection.”

n“Explain in detail.”

n“To be more precise, those fishermen are catching more fish, and sailors encounter fewer adverse weather conditions…”

nJulius interrupted again, “That’s probably just coincidence. The sea is everchanging. How could it suddenly make the fishermen more successful or the weather more favorable?”

nSebastian said gravely, “I initially shared your thoughts. However, if one, ten, or even a hundred instances could be dismissed as mere coincidences, what about when a thousand or ten thousand people from various locations encounter the same phenomenon? Can we still call it a coincidence?”

nMonica, who had been silent all along, spoke up, “Perhaps deities can accomplish such feats. They are supreme and possess immeasurable power.”

nUpon hearing this term, Julius felt a weight in his heart. “Monica, are you saying that this so-called Oceanic Faith is truly worshipping a deity?”

nIn fact, not every church worshiped deities. Most of the so-called churches worshiped by the faithful were fabricated by false priests to deceive followers for money. They couldn’t possibly attract the attention of real deities or produce such strange “coincidences.”

nA genuine divine church wasn’t something just anyone could establish; it required the approval of the “deity” themselves.

nThe deity was on the verge of becoming a deity, marking the beginning of absorbing followers.

nThis meant that a new deity was being born.

nJust as the three were contemplating, a soldier pushed the door open and entered, holding a rolled-up parchment.

n“Reporting to His Highness, the paintings used by the Oceanic Faith missionaries have been brought back.”

nSebastian’s expression was firm as he immediately took the parchment and unfolded it on the table after the soldier left.

nJulius and Monica approached, seeing the slowly unfolding painting depicting a tumultuous sea.

n“Is this the ocean?”

nAt first glance, the painting seemed ordinary, like a landscape painting by any artist. But upon closer inspection, they noticed the waves in the painting were actually moving.

nBefore their eyes, it seemed as if an ever-rolling and surging ocean appeared, with billions of tons of water rising and then crashing down with the force to shatter mountains before merging back into the sea.

nThe interconnectedness of all beings

nThey felt like they had become small waves, merging into the surging waves, joyfully leaping and rolling together, forgetting the troubles and worries of the world.

nThey also felt enveloped by endless seawater. Yet, they didn’t feel cold; it was like becoming a babbling toddler embraced by the gentle arms of the ocean, hearing soft murmurs, warm and safe.

n“Embrace the arms of the deity-”

nIn the boundless ocean, a blurry and majestic figure stood, as if becoming the entire world.

nAfter what felt like an eternity, as if awakening from a beautiful dream, the three slowly came to their senses.

nLooking at the painting on the table again, it had returned to normal.

nFeeling somewhat frightened, they realized they had involuntarily immersed themselves in this painting?

n“…Is that the deity?” Monica asked in disbelief.

nSebastian was at a loss for words, the blurry figure lingering in his mind, difficult to dispel.

nIn fact, a surge of belief in this existence even rose within him.

nNow, the answer seemed to be forthcoming. The Oceanic Faith did indeed worship a deity; otherwise, a painting wouldn’t have had such an effect on them.

n“…Royal Father, should we take any action against the Oceanic Faith?”

nJulius furrowed his brow. A church with a genuine belief in a deity couldn’t be handled lightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Don’t hinder the Oceanic Faith. No matter what, they’re only spreading their faith near the ocean, and their doctrine poses no threat to us. Let’s leave it for now and see how the situation develops.”

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