Chapter Fourteen: Brand

Compared to Toronto, the real trouble lay in the force behind it. Link would never believe Toronto’s sudden attack wasn’t pushed by the Mad God Temple; most likely, Toronto was sent to probe him, mere cannon fodder. Though they retreated for now because of that so-called Tianyi Church, from their tone it seemed Tianyi Church wasn’t much of a powerful backing—while there were some concerns, they weren’t truly afraid. Perhaps before long, they’d be back to make trouble for him.

The atmosphere in the world of Sola Sky was ruthless, especially in religious competition. Countless people died every day because of it. Once Toronto and the Mad God Temple were ready, Link would surely face a storm of attacks. Thinking of this, the slight easing of crisis he’d felt just now vanished entirely—he had to work even harder to expand the Father God Church, and this time he needed not just believers, but also to strengthen its protectors.

At this moment, Elia and the other two, having heard the commotion, arrived at the scene. Seeing the chaos in the chapel, all three were startled and hurriedly asked Link what had happened. Link replied lightly that it was merely someone causing trouble, but he had dealt with it and there was no need for concern. Seeing that Link was unhurt, they believed his words.

Once Elia and Yuna had left, Link called Saga to his room and got straight to the point: “Saga, do you know any strong fighters? I don’t need someone particularly powerful, just someone with some fighting ability or potential.”

Saga was momentarily stunned, then shook his head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Father. I don’t know anyone like that. Uh, pardon me for asking, but is the Father God Church in urgent need of manpower?”

Link hadn’t expected much, so he wasn’t disappointed by the answer. He nodded, “Yes, we need people. If you don’t know anyone, that’s fine. Go continue your training.”

Saga nodded in understanding and was about to leave when a thought struck him. He quickly added, “Father, I just remembered—I actually do know someone like that. He’s a poor man like me, living in a mountain village forty miles away. I met him while gathering herbs; we actually fought due to a misunderstanding, but afterward became friends. He hasn’t chosen a faith yet—if I go find him, maybe I can bring him into the Father God Church.”

Link’s eyes lit up at this, and he quickly asked, “What’s his name? How strong is he?”

“He’s called Aeolus, same age as me, an early first-tier fighter. He also has a younger brother, three years his junior, with good potential, named Aioria. Uh, Father, is there something wrong? Their names, is there a problem?” Saga asked, growing suspicious as Link’s expression grew increasingly strange.

Link tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Nothing, it’s just that this world truly is full of surprises. Never mind that—Saga, go find them. They don’t need to agree to join the Father God Church; once they’re here, I’ll persuade them myself.”

Saga beamed with joy and nodded. “Understood, I’ll head out right away. Don’t worry, Father, they’re both upright and good men. After joining, they’ll surely make great contributions to the Father God Church!” With that, Saga turned and left.

When Saga was gone, Link couldn’t help but smile wryly. “This world really is amusing. Not only do I have a Saga sharing a name with the Gold Saint of Gemini, now there are two brothers with names matching Sagittarius and Leo. Am I really supposed to knock off all twelve Gold Saints?”

Afterward, Link summoned Jack, instructing him to notify his people to officially join the Father God Church. Those men had already been converted, one by one, through the Confession Technique after Jack was subdued. To avoid drawing attention, Link still had Jack lead them. Now that the Mad God Temple was moving, it was better to have them join openly, becoming a visible force and providing some deterrence to buy Link time—don’t forget, Jack was still the son of the town mayor.

“There’s so little time. I hope today’s lottery gives me something good,” Link muttered, eyes fixed on the clock on the wall.

When the clock struck midnight, the awaited sound arrived.

“Yes!” Link started the lottery impatiently. The roulette appeared, and the pointer began to spin.

“It’s a building?” Link frowned at the suddenly materializing white crystal, then his face brightened as he remembered something. “Long-term, it’s not as good as divine skills, but still pretty decent. Used well, it could buy me more time. Speaking of which, this system really is a knockoff king—it even produced the Holy Light Cathedral from Warcraft. Wonder if there’ll be floating buildings from cultivation stories next.”

He reached for the crystal, and immediately its usage and information about the Holy Light Cathedral flooded into his mind.

Upon learning about the cathedral, Link was overjoyed. “Wow, it even has this kind of function—system products truly are the best. Used properly, not only will it buy me time, I could even dominate the faith of the entire Kinco Town and nearby towns!”

A plan for the rapid rise of the Father God Church began to take shape in Link’s mind.

The next day, Link returned to the slums to continue healing and preaching. By now, almost all the residents had become his followers, most at intermediate or higher levels, their faith strong and unwavering respect for Link. If anyone came here to challenge him, the people would rise as one, and even Toronto would fare poorly against so many—making this place very safe for Link.

As Link’s reputation grew, more people sought his healing, but limited magical power meant he could only treat a certain number each day, forcing some to wait for another day.

Thus, a scene reminiscent of crowded clinics appeared: many people queued up at sunrise, some even camped outside waiting for Link’s arrival. This eager spirit made even Link, a native of the Celestial Empire, break out in a sweat, but it also deepened his sense of responsibility, so he always arrived at dawn.

After healing a patient, Link looked at the long queue and couldn’t help but smile wryly. “If this keeps up for another month or two, even with internal energy, I won’t last. But this situation of needing to start early and finish late will soon end—once the Holy Light Cathedral is built…”

Thinking of the cathedral’s functions, Link felt invigorated and worked even harder.

He persisted until nearly noon, when he decided to take a break. At this time, patients usually stopped coming forward, giving Link some respite.

This time was different, though. As Link showed signs of fatigue and most patients refrained from approaching, one person stepped up to him.

Link looked up and saw a young man, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with black hair. Though dressed plainly, he carried himself with uncommon dignity; handsome, confident, clearly no ordinary person—and most importantly, he didn’t look ill at all, clearly not here for treatment.

Link smiled and asked, “In the name of the Father God, friend, you don’t seem to be ill. What brings you to me?”

The man stared at Link for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice, “Father, my name is Brand. I want to invite you to Bath City to treat someone.”

Upon hearing this, those nearby began whispering, many watching Brand with anticipation. Many had invited Link to treat someone elsewhere, but he always refused. For the lower classes, seeing the upper crust being rebuffed was entertaining—even if it was just their subordinates or servants.

As expected, Link promptly declined Brand’s invitation. Brand did not get angry, merely stared at Link for a while before saying, “Father, what if I insist on taking you by force?”

The crowd’s mood instantly changed, glaring at Brand with hostility. Link, however, remained calm, locking eyes with Brand for a long moment before finally speaking with the air of a true mystic, “In the eyes of the Father God, all lives are equal before illness and death. He told me that even an emperor’s soul is not much nobler than a beggar’s. The Father taught me that every action has its consequence—if you do wrong, you must pay the price. I don’t know who you serve, but if you force me to leave and these people lose their chance for treatment, I will not heal your employer.”

After Link finished speaking, the crowd was filled with respect; those who already admired him grew even more reverent, those indifferent now gained respect, but most were shocked and excited.

In the world of Sola Sky, hierarchy was strict and the idea of equality was unheard of; no one thought this way. Yet Link had just proclaimed that souls were equal before sickness and death—a revolutionary notion in this place. Even if Link only said they were equal in the face of illness and death, it was unprecedented.

Most striking of all, Link stated that if any patient suffered because of Brand’s actions, he’d make Brand’s superior pay the price. Was he mad or noble? Though Brand hadn’t revealed his status, everyone could see he was no ordinary man, and his superior must be someone of importance.

For a moment, all eyes were on Brand, waiting to see his reaction. The Father God Church followers quietly prepared themselves; if Brand dared to act, they would rise up together.