[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group":3,"chapter-infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-chapter-226":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Infinite Faith System: Join the Divine Chat Group",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1373406,1815,"Chapter 226 — A Frank Threat, a Helpless Princess: Éowyn","infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-chapter-226",226,"\u003Cp>Every enemy inside carried an aura that could annihilate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such terrifying existences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were reaped like stalks of grain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killed again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman felt his mind could not keep up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, at last, he understood his own insignificance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder those people looked down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their level of strength had already surpassed all limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gods he had imagined—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought they were merely the native deities of Middle-earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet what those people possessed were gods who belonged to the Eternal God Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They weren’t on the same plane at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take, for example, the Tanjiro he’d seen inside—wielding a slender white Nichirin blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t look particularly imposing, yet every stroke contained the power of law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mastery over law,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>as casual as moving one’s own hands and feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And their strength was no weaker than the gods of the Immortal Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the clown was me all along...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman gave a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clung to his so-called pride, but in others’ eyes he was only a fool—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ignorant of what a god truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought Morgoth was formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he really?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sauron, the former Undying King, could be sealed but not slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that goddess named Lin Qing’er had fashioned countless immortal clay figures that not only devoured flesh and grew stronger by absorbing enemies, but also gained wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immortality in the true sense—undying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reduced to dust, they would still reconstitute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far superior to Sauron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after being sealed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>those undying clay figures could shed a portion of their bodies and be reborn through divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrifying learning ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An immortal body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set beside them, Sauron was scum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman rubbed his temples and began watching other videos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are like this: once you take the first step,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the rest becomes simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And watching videos was all too addictive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time he finished one, Saruman would stop and take notes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>recording everything he saw and the customs of other worlds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he learned,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the more deeply he felt his own smallness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured against those gods,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he was far too weak, and his world far too narrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere Morgoth had ravaged the world for so long,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>yet those gods beyond the seas\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>didn’t even dare to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They claimed that every world had its own order. Ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fortunately, the God of Eternity guided me, otherwise Saruman would truly have died at Gríma’s hands...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a darker thought stirred in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could act on it,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he had to strengthen himself—otherwise nothing would proceed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman resolved to become a servant of God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>letting his soul sink into the meditation space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When at last he beheld the spiritual body of the deity,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he knelt in reverence. The power of the true god inspired longing and submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman was proud,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but he was no fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he would never have risen to stand among the five great Maiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant he beheld the divine form, his heart stilled—like a devout old monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind emptied of stray thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not notice that, as he received the transformation of divine power, a pink shard of law slipped into his soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Liu Che, this gloomy fellow\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was not entirely trustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left unchecked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman could throw the world of The Lord of the Rings into utter chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, inscribing a rule into his heart was the best choice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>let him remain as dark as he ought to be,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while also expanding the justice buried in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way of love is fearsome—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it alters one’s thoughts without a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hours flashed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Saruman opened his eyes, his entire bearing had changed; the withered body now thrummed with explosive strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana within him\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>coalesced into a furnace,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>burning without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile rose unbidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Savoring the changes in himself, Saruman murmured, \"So this is divine magic. Morgoth’s brand has been expunged. At this moment, I finally grasp the confidence those group members spoke of...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been too self-impressed before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the power of a god,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgoth was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the time came to choose a divine art,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman selected dark magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wielded immense destructive force and could bewitch the minds of others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My servants—accept the transformation of power...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orcs had no true minds; they could never become devout believers. They could only be Saruman’s soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he bestowed on them greater strength—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the power of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through magic circles, it poured ceaselessly into the bodies of the altered orcs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oohh—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Raaah—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange cries echoed without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Orcs who had stood under two meters grew, one after another,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their strength surging further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the tower lay a warren of caverns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of sturdy orcs had been sealed within; now they were remade into terrifying beast-warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go, my servants—shatter the Kingdom of Rohan and seize the princess within!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman’s command\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was inscribed into the orcs’ minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That very day, an army of thirty thousand orcs struck Rohan by surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were unstoppable—unfearing of arrows. To ordinary humans,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they were a calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than two hours, a city fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army’s vanguard pushed straight on,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>driving toward Rohan’s capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Éomer was taken and delivered in chains to Saruman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the black-robed wizard, the prince understood:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it was Saruman who had orchestrated the orc horde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve betrayed the Council! The gods will punish you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Your Highness, the ’gods’ you speak of may not be my match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman’s short staff flicked, striking Éomer in the abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince doubled over, vomiting blood in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A casual tap,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>without even a trace of spellwork,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>had nearly killed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman seized Éomer by the collar and hauled him upright, sneering. \"I betrayed those gods long ago—and later betrayed Sauron as well. Now I serve the God of Eternity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... you turncoat... How pitiful for that god—to fancy a dog for a servant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. Curse me all you like. Soon enough, you’ll be my faithful puppet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold amusement glinted in Saruman’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark divine power seeped from his palm and flooded the prince’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a blink, the light faded from the handsome Éomer’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honored Master, Éomer reports to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Then go—lead my servants against Rohan’s capital. It will be the birthplace of the new faith.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman’s tone was almost courtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cared nothing for how many died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So long as he gained believers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the darkest of all the faithful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he felt no guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, belief ran too deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by force could people be made to awaken fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the departing prince, Saruman murmured, \"Once we seize the Kingdom of Rohan, the other realms will not be able to sit idle. Galadriel... I must have you... No—better to dedicate you to God.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he had wanted to keep her for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the image of the deity flashed in his heart. If the god discovered that his devotion was impure,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his life would be forfeit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must not waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman warned himself in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Éomer was only Théoden’s nephew,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the king treated him as a son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said Théoden’s daughter was quite lovely as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heh...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offer them both to God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saruman’s smile turned hideous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rohan, that same hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The traitor Gríma, absent for days, suddenly reappeared in the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to see my father! Why are you stopping me...\" Princess Éowyn, facing the soldiers barring her way, shouted in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her anger availed nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers stood unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One even said, \"Forgive us, Princess. These are Lord Gríma’s orders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn Gríma! This is Rohan, not his personal fief. How dare he—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a small, slick figure stepped from the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Princess, are you trying to accuse me of a crime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chill in his gaze cut to the marrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Éowyn flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a terrible look. Since when had this treacherous minister’s eyes become so terrifying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blonde princess gathered herself. \"I want to see my father. Why are you keeping me out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. His Majesty is weary and does not wish to receive anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But do you know? We’ve already lost two cities. Cousin Éomer—without warning—led orcs to attack.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A stray wolf grown unruly, nothing more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then get out of my way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Éowyn’s voice shook with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realm was beset by enemies within and without, and he still stood here bandying words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let her in, daughter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the princess’ anger reached its height, the king’s tired voice sounded from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph. I’ll settle accounts with you when I return!\" Éowyn shot Gríma a blazing glare and pushed past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, King Théoden sat upon his bed, his face drawn with exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Child, what has provoked you so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Éomer has betrayed the realm, leading orcs to attack. I believe there’s a conspiracy—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That?\" Théoden waved weakly. \"Gríma has already reported it. He says he will invite Saruman, the white-robed wizard, to preside over justice. You are making too much of this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Éowyn went cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her teeth chattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gríma. Again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—this was a plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She opened her mouth to protest, then saw the impatience clouding her father’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly wanted no more talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was too tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Éowyn exhaled and left in despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the door, Gríma still waited, watching her with icy eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want to save this kingdom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly what the words mean. Use your lungs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you threatening me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t submit, my master will have the orcs tear Rohan to pieces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Éowyn understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>. . .\u003C\u002Fp>",1610,"2026-06-05T21:52:16.834Z",1,"novelbin.me","84f1f4ebe32ca039ad77e02c7c40518dc673d79cbbd52c605862eefe29fcda61","infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-chapter-227","infinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-chapter-225",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finfinite-faith-system-join-the-divine-chat-group-cover.jpg"]