Chapter 264
Chapter 264
Chapter 264
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 264 – Lan Qi Begins to Prove Himself
Caius’s words were like stones dropped into a still lake, sending ripples outward.
Every examinee in the hall displayed different expressions—some surprised, some silent, some excited.
Lan Qi, after hearing the words, was momentarily stunned.
At first, when he heard “Wilfordism,” he couldn’t help but think of his own faltering guild.
But as he listened further—
It seemed like the method once used in the Shadow World at the Saint Hall Villain’s Banquet to destroy the Saintess.
Even without guessing, Lan Qi instantly realized whose name had been used to label this ideology!
He hadn’t expected that one day this ideology would be transmitted to the Resurrection Church, used against people like him, and even applied to him personally.
“…”
Caius stood silently, eyes sharp, observing each examinee, trying to detect the slightest tremor or abnormality.
Such an extremely evil ideology, even if not enacted, could make hidden enemies waver simply by being mentioned, exposing their flaws.
Many examinees had never heard of “Wilfordism,” but they quickly grasped the meaning of this retest.
In contemporary understanding, most theories held that gods now existed in the conceptual plane.
They could not directly intervene in the world, or could only do so under extremely strict conditions, which depended on both the god itself and the beings it needed to influence.
The specifics of these conditions were unknowable.
But whatever the conditions, one prerequisite always existed: direct causal connection with the god.
Thus, establishing a causal link with a deity was either a solemn or dangerous act.
One must never swear lightly to any god. Whether a vow of blessing, prayer, repentance, or even direct cursing, the effects might not manifest—but the Resurrection Church was the most wary of the Goddess of Fate’s divine influence. Indeed, the two organizations that most acknowledged the Goddess’s power were the Church of the Goddess of Fate and the Resurrection Church.
The method of “Wilfordism” used by the Church of the Goddess of Fate forced suspects of being Resurrection followers to make the most sincere oaths to the goddess. Hesitation or signs of resistance would immediately increase suspicion and prompt investigation.
Now, in the Annihilation Branch’s retest, the process was reversed: examinees were encouraged to destroy the Goddess of Fate statue. Through subtle attitudes and the final work, the priests could detect who might be an agent of the Goddess of Fate Church.
After all, genuine curses or disrespect toward a god would reach them.
Only members of the Resurrection Church could openly antagonize the Goddess of Fate.
In other words, this was a kind of loyalty declaration.
Those who tore ties with the Goddess of Fate could only seek the protection of the Resurrection Church.
A few well-known examinees showed their villainous qualities, taking the task in stride, already ready to begin.
Caius’s focus, however, was on a female examinee named Sid, who had left many blanks in the written exam and was highly suspected of being a spy for the Goddess of Fate Church.
She remained indifferent, seemingly unmoved.
Lan Qi’s slight surprise was normal and drew no particular attention.
“Sorry, I’m not doing it. Offending the Goddess of Fate isn’t worth it.”
An unknown examinee hesitated and finally stood.
But when he turned, he saw heavily armored priests blocking the massive metal doors.
“Seems you have suspicions linked to the Goddess of Fate Church,” Caius said coldly.
“N-no, I just don’t want to do it so completely!”
His eyes twitched as he shouted.
Caius ignored his protests.
Immediately, armored priests restrained him, ignoring his struggles and shouts, dragging him into a side chamber. His voice faded into silence.
A brief deathly silence fell over the hall, and many felt their heartbeat and breathing slow.
They realized: this was a test with no turning back. No mid-course exit existed.
In Wilfordism, only absolute innocence or absolute suspicion existed—no middle ground. Every person here, whether continuing or not, had to prove loyalty to the Resurrection Church.
In a corner, Lan Qi’s expression was complex.
His shadow, however, was even less composed.
Cat Boss couldn’t help but curse the cruel, sinister high priest.
And this terrifying “Wilfordism”—whose damn idea was it?
“…Ah, right—Lan Qi’s surname is Wilford, isn’t it?”
Soon, the sound of chains being unfastened broke the silence.
From a side passage, several priests in dark gray armor pushed carts into the hall.
On the carts were exquisite statues and workshop tools.
These were sculptures of the Goddess of Fate, about twenty centimeters tall, with lifelike details.
“This is your target. Any tools you might need will be provided.”
Caius cast a glance at the materials and said in a cold, firm voice:“The retest lasts half an hour. Submit your work when done. Afterward, I will announce the rules of the final assessment.”
After armored priests delivered statues and tools to the examinees, Caius signaled the exam to begin.
Lan Qi looked down at the Goddess of Fate statue in his hands, calm and contemplative as ever.
Gradually, the hall echoed with the heavy sounds of metal and stone colliding.
Some used hammers, knives, or brushes and their own magic; others even added materials to modify or create.
All examinees expressed their hatred and malice toward the Goddess of Fate in their own ways.
This was a test that was both simple and difficult.
If one’s stance was firm and personal integrity intact, it was merely a formality.
For those with doubts or hidden intentions, it was nearly impossible.
In the slightly iron-scented hall, Lan Qi seemed out of place.
He didn’t rush, nor did he treat the statue with wild imagination like others.
He simply picked up a carving knife, his strokes steady, each filled with emotion and meaning.