Chapter Twenty-Three: The Curse

The father and son exchanged a glance at these words. Accustomed to high positions, their first reaction was suspicion that they were being set up, and they could not help but show a guarded expression. Yet Link did not mind. After gesturing for Jack to leave, he turned to them with a gentle smile and said, “Under the gaze of the Father God, the two of you must have already visited the Grand Cathedral of Holy Light and heard the stories of the Father God, haven’t you?”

The two fell silent for a moment. Then Count Lothar spoke in a low voice, “We’ve heard some. The myths are quite unusual—far richer and more detailed than those of other religions. They sound more like stories than legends.”

Link smiled faintly. “Under the Father God, myth is but a story. All these events truly happened. We merely use our pens and voices to let the world know of the Father’s nobility and greatness.”

“Did these things really happen?” Count Lothar echoed, unconvinced, skepticism clear in his eyes.

Link offered no further explanation. Winning over a lord who controlled his own lands would require more than a few persuasive words; he knew that. So he shifted the topic. “You have come here, I imagine, hoping I might cure the Count’s illness. May I ask, what exactly ails you, Count?”

At this, Brand immediately replied, “Archbishop Neil, my father fell ill with a strange sickness half a year ago. He coughs incessantly every night, sometimes even coughing up blood. We have consulted many doctors and magicians, but none could diagnose him. Do you have any way to help?”

“Under the Father God, the power I possess to heal disease is a gift from Him. In the grace of the Father, all illness shall be cured,” Link answered, smiling. This was no mere boast. After playing the role of a healer for so many days, he found that no illness could truly stump him; as long as it was a sickness, his Purification Rite would banish it without fail.

The two did not know this, of course. They regarded Link’s words with skepticism, but having come this far, there was no harm in letting him try. Recalling the mysterious master lurking in the shadows, Lothar nodded. “In that case, I’ll trouble you, Archbishop Neil. If you can cure me, the Bass family will be greatly indebted to your church.”

“Under the Father God, you are too polite, my lord. This is my duty. The Father teaches us to help those in need, unconditionally. Please, extend your right hand so I might examine you.”

After this bit of ceremony, Link placed his right hand on Count Lothar’s wrist.

The Bass father and son found this pulse-diagnosis method rather novel, but they asked no questions, waiting silently for Link’s diagnosis.

Link quietly cast the Purification Rite, attempting to expel whatever afflicted Lothar. But soon he was taken aback, casting Lothar a meaningful glance. “Count, are you truly ill?”

Both father and son were surprised by this, and Lothar frowned. “Archbishop Neil, what do you mean by that? Are you suggesting we’re trying to deceive you?”

Locking eyes with Lothar for a moment, Link saw no sign of deception. He shook his head with a smile. “No, that’s not my meaning. It’s just that I suspect even you yourself do not know the true nature of your affliction.” He paused, then added, “I am certain, Count, that you are not ill. Your discomfort is caused by another issue.”

“Not sick?” The father and son were again taken aback. Brand frowned. “That’s impossible. We’ve had so many people examine my father, and all agreed he was ill, not suffering from something else. Archbishop Neil, could you have made a mistake?”

Lothar nodded in agreement. Clearly, both felt that with so many opinions, it was more likely Link was the one in error.

But Link shook his head firmly. “No, it is only possible that they were mistaken—not I. I am certain your lordship is not afflicted by illness, but by something else. Perhaps a curse, perhaps poison, or perhaps an injury that merely imitates the symptoms of disease, thus misleading others.”

Seeing Link’s confidence and conviction, the two began to waver, wondering if perhaps those others had overlooked something. Recalling the mysterious master in hiding, Lothar’s heart stirred, and he nodded. “Perhaps Archbishop Neil is right. It may well be another problem, merely resembling illness so closely that everyone has misunderstood.”

At this, Brand looked at Lothar in amazement. Knowing his father well, he thought him the last person to believe Link’s claim—yet here he was, accepting it so easily. It seemed uncharacteristic, almost unnatural.

Lothar offered no explanation, but addressed Link again in a more respectful tone than before. “Archbishop Neil, if it is not illness, can you still cure me?”

Link shook his head, and disappointment showed on the faces of the Bass father and son. Yet his next words left them bewildered. “Under the Father God, though I myself have no way, before the Exalted Father God there is no negative force that cannot be driven away.”

Brand asked suspiciously, “Archbishop Neil, what do you mean by that? Can you summon the Father God to heal my father?”

Link smiled and shook his head. “Of course not. The Father God will never descend to the mortal realm in person. He bestows only His grace upon the world.” He paused, then continued, “You have both visited the Grand Cathedral of Holy Light. Do you not know that the Father God resides there?”

“This…” Of course, neither could admit they had dismissed the cathedral as a scam. Lothar coughed and said, “We’ve heard a little, but are not well-versed.”

Link saw through their thoughts and, with a sanctimonious air, replied, “Under the Father God, the Great Father is fair and merciful. As long as you pray to Him with sincerity, He will respond. My lord, your problem can be resolved simply by offering earnest prayers to the Father in the Grand Cathedral.”

Lothar looked skeptical. “Is it really as simple as praying?”

Link smiled. “Naturally, your doubts are understandable, my lord. But whether it is so, you will know once you have tried. I assure you, the Exalted Father God never abandons a sincere believer.”

After exchanging a glance, and a long moment of contemplation, Lothar finally nodded. “Very well, I will try it. Brand, let us return to the Cathedral. Archbishop Neil, please excuse us.”

“Under the Father God, you are too polite, my lord. As honored guests, allow me to pray for you in person.”

“Haha, then I must trouble you, Archbishop.”

Thus, the three of them made their way to the Grand Cathedral. Upon seeing Link, the congregation was visibly excited; these days, Link seldom appeared in public, except for the great prayers on weekend mornings. For many believers, to receive Link’s personal prayer was to draw closer to the Father God.

Witnessing the excitement and devotion shown by the faithful at Link’s arrival, the Bass father and son realized the true extent of Link’s status in Chinko Town. It was clearly not something achieved by mere persuasion; these people must have gained real, tangible benefits.

Recalling the attitudes of others when mentioning the Church of the Father, and the many rumors about it, Lothar had to admit that this church was indeed different from others. Setting aside his prejudices, he began to see the many virtues of the faith.

Undeniably, in its treatment of believers and common folk, the Church of the Father surpassed most other religions. Regardless of wealth or poverty, all received help; there was no difference in treatment between the poor and the rich.

“This is a church that truly does good for the people. Even if they are just clever charlatans, they are far better than the other religions. If only the rest were half as good, governing the Red Moon Province would be much easier.” Thinking of the various sects in his domain, Lothar could not help but sigh.

Meanwhile, after a brief interaction with the congregation, Link began to pray. Instantly, the hall fell silent, all present showing sincere devotion as they listened to the gospel.

Though Link was praying specifically for the Bass father and son, the others were not excluded, nor did the Basses object, taking their seats in the front row to join in prayer.

Link had reminded them that only through sincere prayer could negative states be banished. Though still doubtful, they began to pray with tentative sincerity.

However, because their faith was not yet strong enough, the prayer’s effect was weak; it did not activate the Cathedral’s power. The faithful, meanwhile, listened raptly, their belief growing ever more fervent. This unity of thought and spirit gradually influenced the Bass father and son.

Observing the devout believers around them, the two could not help but think that if Link pointed to a pot of boiling oil and told the congregation to jump in, these fanatics would likely leap without hesitation.

As these thoughts circled, Brand, less stubborn than his father, was the first to be moved by the surrounding atmosphere, thinking, “Perhaps faith in the Father God is not such a bad thing,” and, following this thought, prayed sincerely for the first time.

Soon after, Link saw the words “Novice Believer” appear above Brand’s head, and could not help but smile.

At that moment, the Cathedral’s effect manifested in Brand, swiftly healing his old and new wounds and banishing all negative states.

Link was surprised to find not only old injuries in Brand, but also a powerful curse. When the Cathedral expelled negative forces, the corresponding substances would appear—visible only to Link, who could also discern their effects.

Discovering the nature of Brand’s curse, Link’s eyes flashed with surprise. Glancing at the still unconverted Lothar, a faint, knowing smile appeared on his lips.

He now knew exactly how to win Lothar as a believer.