Chapter 122
People Live to Chase Stars!
Henry never expected that while fishing, he’d be invited to become a member of the Church.
It sounded like a job within the system, and if he really took it, the benefits probably wouldn’t be bad.
It was just a pity he was still a student and had no such intention.
“Don’t rush things. I’m still in school right now, no opportunity to take a post at the Church,” Henry promptly cut off the other’s fantasy.
But Jikes frowned, not understanding.
“What school are you attending? Being able to work at the Church should be better than going to school, right?”
He couldn’t quite grasp it. Many school graduates competed to work at the Church, even feeling proud to become a lowly clergy member. Why was it different with Henry?
“Saint Nad Magic Academy.”
“Alright then.” Jikes had nothing more to say.
One had to admit, not just in this region, but even elsewhere, the reputation of Saint Nad Magic Academy was not something ordinary places could match. Every year, the Church had to fight other places for students from Saint Nad Academy… But since he now knew Henry, wouldn’t he be able to pull Henry directly into the Church after he graduated?
Thinking of this, Jikes’s mood became cheerful again.
“How about this: I’ll let you be nominally listed as my assistant now. That way, it won’t hinder your studies at Saint Nad Magic Academy, right?”
That worked too?
Henry had clearly underestimated the other’s thirst for talent.
However, having an extra identity wasn’t a bad thing for him. Who knows, he might be able to use this identity to do something later.
“Fine, I agree.”
As he finished speaking, Jikes took a cross pendant from his pocket and placed it in Henry’s hand.
“This is your proof of identity. Now you are a member of our Church! So, as a parishioner, shouldn’t you contribute some of your ideas?”
“Isn’t it simple? Do you know what kind of people are the most fanatical?”
“This… is it the cultists?” Although reluctant to admit it, the followers of the cultists seemed to truly have a certain ferocity. Even if told to die, they would do so without hesitation. For the ordinary parishioners of the Church, most obviously couldn’t achieve this. But one couldn’t demand this of ordinary people either.
“Of course not! It’s stars! Celebrities!”
Henry pulled out a piece of cardboard from who-knows-where and started writing a process on it.
“Guess why so many people like Lilith? It’s because, in essence, they all see Lilith as an unattainable yet visible star. This distance that feels just right, makes many people obsessed with this feeling.”
“Why can so many parishioners attend mass in this region? Isn’t it precisely because of Lilith’s presence?”
“Lilith is a star in their eyes, and because of the parishioners’ liking, trust, and even imitation of Lilith, it transfers into liking, trust, and imitation of the Church.”
“Don’t doubt their fanatical love for Lilith. If you told them to jump into the lake, they would do it without hesitation.”
Before Henry could finish speaking, a shirtless man with a fanatical smile on his face jumped directly from the bank into the pond, sending a huge splash into the air.
Most crucially, while he was muttering something about Lilith telling him to go jump in the lake and stop being an eyesore here, the fanaticism in his eyes was no less than that of those cultists.
Jikes’s mouth fell open and refused to close.
A living example had appeared before his eyes, momentarily making him forget to rescue the person.
Henry, however, calmly manipulated his Flying Sword to fish the man out of the pond.
The man lay on the Flying Sword, missing one of his shoes.
If he drowned in his pond, wouldn’t all the fish be scared away?
“So, the most important thing for the Church right now is to quickly find a few good-looking staff members, then help her build an image of nobility, sanctity, and also approachability. Won’t the believers come flooding in then?”
“This… Are you sure you’re not an internal member of our Church?” Jikes stared, dumbfounded, at the young man before him.
Actually, he hadn’t fully revealed the purpose of this trip.
The Church headquarters, while having them assess the work in various regions, also instructed them to seek out some beautiful, gentle-natured girls, saying they might be needed for certain roles in the future.
Although it wasn’t stated explicitly, Jikes understood that the Church probably needed a new Holy Maiden (or Saint). After all, the last Holy Maiden/Saint was called Cliff Randall.
He was also the founder of Saint Nad Magic Academy.
No one knew his gender; even the Church’s books had no record.
But his identity was one revered by all.
And now Henry’s words had completely enlightened him.
Back then, Cliff left the Church on his own, and due to fear of his strength, no one could stop him.
Now, the Church still needed a Holy Maiden/Saint.
But it didn’t need a powerful Holy Maiden/Saint.
Perhaps they were afraid of Cliff’s situation repeating itself.
“What nonsense are you talking? I don’t even know anyone from your Church,” Henry waved his hand dismissively. Simultaneously, the fishing rod in his hand began to twitch violently, as if something had bitten the hook.
Jikes wanted to ask more, but Henry raised his hand to stop him.
“Don’t make noise, it’s about to bite!”
He flicked his wrist lightly, the rod tip bending upwards like a spiritual snake’s tail, the taut fishing line instantly forming a silvery arc.
However, the thing on the hook seemed intent on escaping Henry’s clutches, struggling incessantly.
Jikes held his breath, his eyes fixed on the scene.
He was very curious to see what Henry would catch.
“This isn’t right…”
According to Henry’s years of experience as a fishing enthusiast who often returned empty-handed, this feeling was very unusual.
He gritted his teeth and pulled upwards with force!
Immediately, something sprang out of the water!
Jikes stared intently as the thing flew towards him, but its shape was completely unlike a fish.
He subconsciously wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.
The thing slammed directly into his face. The impact made him fall to the ground, his head spinning.
“What… what is this thing?”
Henry walked up to him and tossed the thing he had caught aside.
“It’s that parishioner’s shoe from earlier…” Henry pointed towards the still-unconscious fanatical parishioner not far away.
Jikes closed his eyes, momentarily speechless.
But his head ached badly; he seemed to need a good rest.
“Henry, I am from the Church, sent to investigate the local church. Later, go help me investigate whether Sister Lilith complies with regulations, do an evaluation for me.”
Such an arduous task instantly fell upon Henry’s shoulders.
Poor Lilith probably never expected her workday would end so soon today.
Poor Jikes had been played by Henry from the very start.
As for that shoe?
Consider it Henry’s gift to him.