New Gods of North America

"You should know that several of the main 'founding fathers' of the American Confederation and all the presidents since the founding of the country are from the South, right?

"In order to expel the forces of the Old World - in fact, mainly the forces of the Kingdom of Windsor - the 'founding fathers' had made a lot of compromises. In addition to winning over the Frankish Kingdom, which had just ended the war with the Kingdom of Windsor, they also reached agreements with the capitalists in the north and the big families in the south in exchange for the American native forces to completely break with the Kingdom of Windsor during the war.

“Although many privileges were taken back gradually after the establishment of the Federation, and even the alliance between the American Federation and the Franks was eventually torn apart, due to the strong economy and support from the political circles, the church still acquiesces to some large families in the south to secretly take in and employ some extraordinary people. It’s just that the specific rules are different in different parishes.

"Virginia has always been quite strict in this regard. Although many families are dissatisfied with this, they have actually been cooperating. However, according to Bishop Corleone, there seems to be a force that is secretly supporting some hidden organizations in the Old World to develop secretly in America. It has reached the limit of the tolerance of the Holy Spirit Church. If the situation continues to deteriorate, he will consider taking the lead in 'cleaning up' in Virginia."

After Ian Fisk finished speaking,

He looked at Wayne and said, "After I put it this way, you should be able to guess what they are, right?"

Wayne naturally couldn't think of anything.

However, he still pretended to be thinking, and then shook his head honestly:

"Like you said before, we have just arrived in Virginia and there are many things we need to learn more about."

There are actually many ways to make these guys who have twists and turns in their brains think that you are not lying.

But the simplest and most effective method is often that you really are not lying.

Ian Fisk stared at Wayne for a moment, then asked:

"You seem to be working as a bodyguard for Ben Harmon now? Do you suspect he has something to do with this?"

Wayne continued to speak the truth, "Not really. After all, we are a regular detective agency and we always have to take on normal commissions. This is part of our daily operations."

Ian Fisk thought about it for a moment, and soon turned back into his cynical young man self.

He put his arm around Wayne's shoulders:

"Then would you consider hiring a member of our Fisk family as a bodyguard? The price we can offer is definitely higher than what Ben Harmon can offer."

Wayne was actually a little moved.

However, once some money is taken at the beginning, no matter how high the price is, it can only be considered a "cheap sale".

So Wayne neither agreed nor refused:

"We are a detective agency and we only accept commissions with 'targets'. For example, if someone wants to assassinate you one day, we can also provide short-term security services. But we do not undertake irregular bodyguard missions."

Ian Fisk continued to be nonchalant, "What if I write a threatening letter to myself?"

Wayne shrugged, "Better not."

"Hahahaha, it's just a joke. Come on, I'll introduce you to some local gentlemen."

“I’ve already given out all my business cards.”

Wayne thought about it and changed the subject slightly. "Did Bishop Corleone mention the names of any hidden organizations when he 'kindly reminded' you?"

"'The Church of Light' and 'School of Life'. What? What did you think of?"

I have never heard of the Church of Light.

But people from the School of Life...I seem to know one.

…

The dance continued till late at night.

After the ball, some guests left in carriages, while others stayed overnight at the Russell family's manor.

This is something that Wayne was not taught when he was a child.

According to Ian Fisk, this Southern custom dates back to colonial times.

The transportation back then was not what it is today, and the large banquets or dances of the nobles often lasted until late at night, so the hosts would prepare accommodation for the guests from afar in advance - some manors had dozens or even hundreds of rooms, and although they were mainly for show, they were not completely useless.

Mr. Ben Harmon was not among those staying overnight.

Wayne and his party drove back to Richmond by carriage and stayed in a hotel with which Mr. Ben Harmon had long cooperated.

After letting Doug and Ryan remain alert,

Wayne sneaked to another suite in the corridor where a secret mark was left.

This suite was opened by another team of detectives responsible for covert protection. After knocking on the door, a trainee detective was standing by the door with a loaded gun.

Inissa was in the inner living room, maintaining her bolt-action rifle decorated with ornate patterns.

Her group has been secretly following Mr. Ben Harmon's movements today.

However, so far, no suspicious persons or signs have been found.

Wayne told Inessa roughly what he had experienced today.

The focus is mainly on the information revealed by Ian Fisk.

"'The Church of Light' and 'School of Life'?"

Inissa's reaction was a little subtle. "The School of Life is fine, but does the Church of Light still have believers?"

Wayne was curious, "Why do you say that? Do they have any stories?"

Inissa sorted out her thoughts a little:

"In the history of the Old World, there have been several Orthodox Churches that were mainly composed of Extraordinary People in the 'Sacred' Realm. At first, there were some sun-worshipping sects, and then they were replaced by the Church of Light.

"The god worshipped by the Church of Light is 'The Light of Dawn', which means 'light', 'holiness' and 'hope'."

Wayne scratched his hair, "The Orthodox Church? Why don't I seem to have heard of it?"

"Because the Church of Light has theoretically been completely destroyed by the Holy See that was born in the Old World at the same time. The names of their gods have also been tampered with in the propaganda of the Holy See and turned into the names of the Lord of Hell before his fall." Inessa said.

Hmm...

This operation sounds a bit familiar...

Wayne understood, "So they are now the unofficial Orthodox Church."

"No," Inissa shook her head, "Strictly speaking, the Church of Light should indeed be considered an organization that worships evil gods."

Um?

Seeing Wayne's puzzled expression, Inessa thought for a moment:

"Do you know why the Holy See, as well as the Windsor State Church and the Holy Spirit Church, which were created based on the Holy See or split from it, are the most powerful church organizations today?"

Wayne thought for a moment, "Because they have a long enough history and have accumulated enough wealth and worldly influence?"

"From a secular perspective, there are indeed these reasons. It is also related to the fact that they have enough clergy and have long monopolized the right to speak through universal education."

Inessa did not refute this, but she continued:

"When Lina prayed before, you have witnessed the power of the 'Wise Sage', right?

"Although the probability of the Holy Spirit responding to prayers is smaller and more unpredictable, just like the wise sage, the Holy Spirit will also 'descend' - this is the fundamental reason why the church organization that believes in the Holy Spirit is able to suppress the Beyonders in other fields and grow so large."

Um?!

Wayne was really shocked this time.

But Inesa had not yet finished her words:

“Similarly, although people don’t know the specific reasons, when the ‘Light of the Dawn’ worshipped by the Church of Light had its true name and image tampered with, in the limited surviving records afterwards, his followers all confirmed that his image had been distorted before they collapsed and fell into madness.

"Although it seems inconsistent with the image of the devil promoted by the Holy See, it is obvious that it should no longer look like a 'true god'."