Warhammer Divine Throne

Chapter 1176: Chapter 509: Faith Is the Primary Productive Force

The thirty-square-meter room was filled with Surya’s clothes, showcasing the wealth and luxury of the Countess. When Surya married Laine, it took several carriages to transport her clothes, and in the year following the grand wedding, she added many more clothes along with various jewelry and shoes.

Surya’s dowry included the ten thousand Gold Crowns given by Angerong and the eight thousand Gold Crowns from Francois, in addition to subsidies from the Lake Fairy and gifts from the Emperor himself. Her wealth and status made the noblewomen of the Knight Kingdom green with envy.

The female knight quickly picked a sky-blue embroidered silk princess dress and matched it with a pair of off-white suede high heels, changing clothes with the help of Sylvia.

”Sylvia, do you not like Laine?” Surya suddenly asked, while looking at Sylvia through the mirror.

”I don’t dislike him.” Sylvia shook her head. ”I just feel he is unfair to you, Miss.”

”Unfair?” Surya smoothed out the wrinkles in her flesh-colored stockings with her fingers.

”He clearly already has you, yet he still has quite a few women.” Sylvia said indignantly. ”Being favored by you is already a great honor for him, but he has two female courtiers and that Dark Elf Maid...”

”Those women were already connected with him before marriage, and Laine promised me that after the wedding, he wouldn’t add anyone else.” Surya laughed, wanting to chat with Sylvia about this issue, as the Countess truly didn’t want her maid, whom she felt was like a sister, to be in conflict with Laine. ”He’s willing to make such vows for me, why are you still conflicted about it?”

Sylvia lowered her head silently, her golden bangs covering her face.

Surya, knowing her maid was only paying lip service, directly stated: ”Moreover, what can I do? Should I, because of my status as his wife, force Laine´s two female courtiers to pack up and leave? Does that align with the Knightly Path? If I could do that, what if Laine then asks you to leave? You’re putting Laine in a very difficult position.”

Sylvia began to realize the myriad of issues within this matter, standing silently behind Surya.

”Sylvie, let me ask you, do you genuinely not plan to leave me to marry someday?” Surya asked since Sylvia remained silent, knowing she had understood the problem, the female knight decided to be blunt.

”I want to be with you forever, Miss.” Sylvia’s attitude was adamantly firm on this matter.

”Then, as my maid, you will eventually become Laine’s female courtier.” Surya said directly.

”Miss!!!” Sylvia’s face flushed red. ”I am merely your maid!”

”You are not only my maid, but also my companion.”

......Dividing line about companionship......

Thirty minutes later, with both dressed, Surya and Sylvia boarded the carriage.

Inside, Laine was discussing recent events with Surya. He noticed that more churches were being established within his territory. ”Surya, have you noticed that various churches in our territory have been increasing in number?”

”This is quite normal. As a region thrives and prospers, major church sects will certainly come to vie for faith. Don’t forget, Laine, the Lady’s Church is your most robust supporter.” Surya, who typically handles internal affairs, was well aware of the churches within the territory, and they had all come to gain Surya’s permission for their missions.

There are many sects in the Old World, with the Justice Church being the most famous and powerful one, already having established a temple in Laine’s territory. Led by Alfred, due to his missionary contributions, he was honored as a respected Temple Knight. Because of Alfred’s successful actions, many major sects in the Old World started heading to Laine’s territory to preach.

The most renowned among them are the War Goddess Milmedia Sect, Death God Moore Sect, God of Nature Tal and Mother Goddess Rhea Sect, God of Justice Valenna Sect and Sea God Manannan Sect.

These sects have successively established temples in Laine’s territory and began preaching.

And rather than stopping them, Laine encouraged his peasants within his territory to choose their own Deities, assuring freedom of faith. The Count proclaimed loudly more than once, ”Faith is the primary productive force, we hope everyone can find a belonging faith.”

The authority of Laine within the territory is unquestionable. He is worshipped by liegemen as if divine, and hearing Laine speak thus, almost all peasants began facing a happy dilemma, initiating a fierce competition among sects.

The Death God Moore Church successfully penetrated professions and soldiers in high-risk jobs, as nobody wanted their soul and body manipulated by Chaos Evil God or Undead Magic after death.

The War Goddess Milmedia Church preached among apprentice knights and military officers, with priests offering military education and literacy education to them, notably in the citizen class that had just risen from peasants, where there were many eager to learn.

The God of Nature Tal and Mother Goddess Rhea Sect spread their faith mainly among peasants, hunters, and woodcutters, relying on land, forests, and nature to lead their lives. With the teachings from the Natural Sect, they believed that only by relying on their hands could they gain wealth and maintain an awe-inspiring respect for nature.

The God of Justice Valenna Sect was most favored by scholars, officials, artists, and cultured merchants, as she represented justice and truth, also implying protection and law.

The Sea God Manannan was, of course, the favorite among sailors and fishermen, many peasants living along the Xinong River making a living by fishing converted to the Sea God Sect under the priest’s introduction.

As for the Merciful Goddess Shalya Sect and the Lake Fairy Sect, they have been discussed earlier and won’t be repeated here.

Within Laine’s territory, the Lake Fairy Sect remained the most influential, with the Holy Grail Church often overcrowded every Sunday, as peasants came to pray first, thankful for the Lake Fairy’s protection and favor, some even showing signs of fanatic devotion.

Past bans on peasants believing in Lake Fairy are gradually collapsing, and even the most conservative knights don’t easily criticize such fanatic fervor. After all, every devout believer hopes their Deities gain wider recognition, especially after Laine’s endorsement, the most resolute opponents among knights would only mutter privately, ”Standards must be high,” words that bear little impact.

Many merchants frequently trading within Laine’s territory generously donated wealth to the Lake Fairy Church seeking protection and status, while the Lake God Witch Mogiana encouraged and affirmed those with outstanding character and punished dishonest merchants who lack contractual spirit.

”Having faith is better than not having any.” Laine continued, wearing a smile. ”Faith is a weapon against Chaos Corruption. Now, peasants are starting to enjoy a life of abundance, with extra resources at home, they could easily start having wayward thoughts. The major sects provide spiritual support ensuring social stability.”

”Speaking of which, Lord Laine, who are we meeting today?” The young Juan, fully armed in his dazzling Flame Sun Knight armor, excited to be acting with Laine, asked somewhat impolitely while lifting the curtain.

”Mr. Juan, didn’t your family teach you what manners are? LIfting the curtain like that is truly rude, isn’t it?” The young knight instantly faced Sylvia’s sharp gaze, leaving Juan chuckling awkwardly to cover his embarrassment, ”My apologies.”

”We’re meeting Sir Bertrand and Captain Remon.” Laine, holding Surya’s hand, explained to Juan without minding.

”Oh! It’s the Green Arrow Sir Bertrand! Is it the same Sir Bertrand who shot and killed the Undead Grand Mage Heinrich Kemler during the Battle of La-Mesnil Abbey?” Juan became effectively a brain-dead fan, his eyes lit up, ”Wow, that’s so cool! I must write to my father... Lord Laine, why are you meeting with Sir Bertrand?”

”Bertrand and Remon have been investigating around Musillon under my command.” Laine’s face bore a degree of seriousness. ”I also want to see Remon’s family; he came here seeking refuge from Leonais, and this time returning home to investigate would surely yield some insights into the situation there.”

”Understood.”