The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 53 About the Cultists

There was obviously something behind this attack, judging by Fernandez's expression.

That was something he shouldn't have asked.

So Roland changed the subject: "I heard him mention a word, Fernandez. He said 'mother'. Do you know what it means?"

Fernandez's expression was obviously much more relaxed:
"That's the Ninth Crown God, Roland. I originally wanted to tell you all at once after you entered the ring. But now it seems that I have to tell you earlier. With your 'lucky' status, you might encounter something extraordinary someday."

Fernandez raised two fingers:

"There are only two kinds of people we call cultists."

"There are only two ways you can take action directly - the premise is that you have to make sure he is the one, and you can't harm anyone 'valuable'."

"The first type: those who believe in the Ninth Crown "Mother", the God of Beautiful Desires, the Creator of Flesh and Blood, the Mother of Abnormal Sanctification, the Bottomless Lake of Red Tide, and those who set foot on her path or join her organization's rituals... that is what I just told you about: the Cradle of Flesh and Blood."

"The second type: those who believe in the Tenth Crown "Plague", the Death Curse, the Veil of Ulceration, and the Son of Pus, and those who embark on their path or join their organization's rituals. They call themselves "Black Man."

Fernandez said: "Except for the xenomorphs and some extremely high-risk special cases, the cultists targeted by the Inquisition are actually only the ritualists of these two organizations, and..."

"Mortals and apprentices who believe in Them."

"We have only one goal: to kill them."

To be honest, if Roland hadn't been too familiar with the color exposed by the ritualist, he would have actually considered testing it with his fist first.

"Unfortunately, we don't have a better and more accurate way to identify them before they show their strength. This is also the biggest problem that bothers us."

"Executive officers act mostly based on their own 'experience' - but as you know, some experiences are hard to replicate. After all, everyone's experiences are different, and you can't even explain what 'based on feelings' means."

Speaking of these mentally ill cultists and the gods they serve, Fernandez was also full of helplessness:
"I have no intention of blaming the gods of eternal sleep, and I am willing to honor them with crowns. But mortal matters should be decided by mortals: these two paths are too cruel and terrible. They can enjoy eternal sleep, but the Inquisition does not allow any mortal to set foot on those roads."

"You have also seen their rituals, Roland."

"That was not a normal ceremony."

Roland agreed, of course.

After all, his experience with Miss Nina meant that he was naturally on the opposite side of these people.

However, there was one thing he was curious about.

"His powers are weird, Fernandez."

Roland described in detail the battle between himself and the cultist: "Can a one-ring ritualist possess such a special power?"

As long as the attack is detected, it can never be killed?

This is just one part.

"No, of course not." Fernandez seemed to have the answer already. "There should be a high-level ritualist from the Cradle of Flesh and Blood who transformed the body for that bastard..."

"You should count your luck."

Roland was surprised: "This is good luck."

"Yes, it was quite a bit of luck." Fernandez frowned. "If we had encountered another second ring that day... do you know what the consequences would be? You wouldn't have been able to wait for our support."

"Neither of the two great paths of the Ring of Eternal Silence were good at fighting in the low-ring period. What's more, you are facing a lunatic with a modified body and an insane mind."

"You should count your luck."

Fernandez told Roland that the so-called "below ten rings, all are mortals" refers to the battle between two ritualists - at the very least, both of them have to be ritualists.

There are absolutely no aggressive apprentices here.

Roland said that he would be a good boy in the future.

Fernandez said he didn't believe a word of it.

but.

The Ring of Eternal Silence...

What kind of organization is this?
"The silent mouth, the silent pendulum, have you heard of it?"

The Silent Mouth…

Roland frowned in thought.

and many more…

"You saw it when you were riding in the carriage."

"Cemetery?"

"Yes, the cemeteries on this land and all industries related to the 'dead', including those bone collectors everywhere - all belong to the Ring of Eternal Silence."

Roland: ...
-
Sounds so rich.

"No match for the Holy Cross."
-
That's true.

"Who doesn't have deaths? The more disasters, the more money they make." Fernandez shrugged: "They have two paths, 'Dry Bones' and 'Elegy'... Well, the finger bone that Lady Enid gave you before belongs to 'Elegy', but you seem..."

He suddenly realized that he had said something wrong and stopped talking.

"…Except for the peripheral members and apprentices in the Ring of Eternal Silence, most of the formal ritualists serve in the Supervisory Bureau. Of course, this is definitely not all."

"Holy Cross, Ring of Eternal Silence."

"One controls life, the other monopolizes death."

"You're so lucky... Do you know what a huge organization you've joined?"
-
I know.

"There is also a big bat..."
-
When will you show a little respect to Ms. Enid.

"Who told her to look at you like that all the time? I just can't help it."
-
What kind of look?

"Um…"

"For example, if she's a dog, then you're shit—"
-
You are the shit.

Roland shielded him.

"During this time, you should take good care of your injuries and think about your future."

Fernandez was referring to the Great Road that Roland had sensed. The Great Road…

Roland felt a dull pain in his temple when he mentioned it.

"Also, Roland, you have to be careful." Fernandez patted his butt and stood up, instructing the boy on the bed: "Some things have nothing to do with us and are not within the scope of the Inquisition."

"As long as there are no aliens, cultists, or apostates involved..."

"We have less power than the police at Scotland Yard."

"Do you get me?"

There is no reason for the Inquisition to intervene in worldly disputes, even if it wants to.

on the contrary.

The Inquisition has much to say.

"…is that so?"

"Yes."

Fernandez was glad that Roland understood the implication of his words.

People need to be clear about the boundaries of different authorities.

The boundaries of the Inquisition are alien species, cults, heretics, high-risk cases that require the entire Holy Cross to take action, and... the rare apostates.

The rest of the dispute...

It has nothing to do with them.

They have no right to manage it.

"If this wasn't an attack by cultists, your previous actions would have landed you in trouble. The Supervisory Bureau, the Public Security Bureau, and even the wealthy and nobles would have sued you because the way you handled the situation caused more people to be hurt."

"We are not detectives from the Supervisory Bureau. Compared to them, we are more like the guards protecting the throne of the Father of All Things."

Fernandez is a reminder and a warning.

He wasn't fooled.

In the past, he could be deceived by this pretty face and gentle tone.

Now it seems that this is just a violent person who fights over a disagreement, just like Lady Enid...

He felt it was necessary to explain to him the pros and cons now and immediately.

"Believe me, you definitely don't want to be entangled by those vultures in the Supervisory Bureau."

"Once you are accused of a supernatural crime, even I won't be able to protect you. The Supervisory Bureau has been deadlocked with the Inquisition for so long, you should be able to guess that they have power and strength comparable to ours."

Roland always felt that there were some contradictions in what Fernandez said.

But he also knew very well how to untie these knots.

That is the survival rule for the children in the orphanage.

"strength."
-
That’s right, a wrench.
-
Miss Nina has a story that also illustrates this principle.
-
She is so smart.

"I want you to praise me as much as you praise her."
-
I hope you don't have that hope.

"Anyway, you did a good job this time, but don't be so reckless again. Your future shouldn't be wasted on those bastards."

Fernandez felt tired when he saw the boy posing in an obedient manner.

This child is not as well-behaved as he looks.

Like Lady Enid, she is somewhat rebellious and crazy at heart.

"It's my fault, Fernandez. I promise I won't do it again... But I just don't understand, what's so attractive about those disgusting rituals? Bloody pieces of meat and intestines, wriggling nematodes and brains..."

"Don't they feel disgusted?"

No.

Fernandez shook his head secretly in his heart.

Because the ritualists will move closer to the path, closer to the principles.

Even higher ones will move closer to the gods.

Not only will their souls begin to shed powder, but their minds will also become gradually distorted as they ascend.

For example, the ritualists of the Holy Flame Road: in addition to the increasingly diminishing "mercy" with each ring, they will become more devoted to the holy flame at the end of the road that symbolizes judgment...

Trial.

No mercy.

Cruel and ruthless.

Twisted and extreme, in emotion, mind or soul.

Roland has not yet embarked on the road to greatness.

It's not time to face this problem.

This was probably why Enid was reluctant to tell Roland in detail about the spirit servants.

Those who go too far, too close to the end...

It can easily become part of the criteria itself.

They practice the code and draw powerful strength from it; at the same time, they must always be vigilant against being assimilated, and use their own means to maintain their "self" as weak as a candlelight in the night...

Contradictory and painful.

This is not an easy thing to do.

Roland.

I hope that this unknown path you have found will not cause you too much pain in the future.

(End of this chapter)