[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing":3,"chapter-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Holy Church Begins with Bestowal of Blessings",{"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},1688772,2156,"Chapter 49 : Rat Path","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>Chapter 49: Rat Path\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhaling a breath, Corleon calmed his heartbeat accelerated by fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Divine Word Art to purify evil for the first time also left his spirit slightly drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that the current spread of Faith was still insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were enough believers, the Holy Light at the beginning might have instantly erased the Gluttony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had long known this world contained extraordinary non-human beings, this was still the first time he had seen such a non-human existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emitting a nauseating stench and bearing an appearance that polluted the eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the believers who remained asleep and undisturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking to the back of the church, Cicero’s and the two children’s little house showed no signs of disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After checking the surroundings once more and finding no issues, Corleon returned to the church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling before the Lord’s Throne, he closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, calmed his heart, and spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“O Lord, your servant humbly pleads for your revelation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, a point of light appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It zoomed in, revealing a scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a twisted, dark-red world, a massive white-skinned body was bound by chains, and the large mouth on its belly remained shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the numerous spirit-polluting mouths previously seen on Gluttony, this one only had two lips as eyes in addition to the mouth on its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were numerous lash-like marks on its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this…” Before Corleon could contemplate further, the lips on its eyes abruptly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beast-like red vertical pupils seemed to meet Corleon’s gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of dizziness hit, his will detached, and the image vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the church, tears of blood streamed down Corleon’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was that thing, that place—was it Hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon etched that image into his memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knight? No, no, no, you're not a knight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fur gripped Noah’s head with one hand and held him aloft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knights aren’t as weak as you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said as he pulled Noah closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Noah opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His throat had suffered a heavy blow and was still scorched by a bluish flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not a knight, how about pledging loyalty to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fur extended an invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll grant you knighthood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Noah gave a slight smile, then with a twitch of his arm, delivered a knife-hand strike to Fur’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…” Fur didn’t move an inch, though his gaze turned terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bluish flame spread, extending toward Noah’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This flame didn’t cause pain, even felt warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknowingly, Noah’s arm dropped again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In that case, I respect your choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fur said, then forcefully crushed Noah’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a swing of his arm, he tossed Noah’s corpse aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this small battlefield, only seven corpses remained, faint blue flames still burning upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone had escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Noah had desperately blocked him, Fur hadn’t stopped the first large man who fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t be bothered to chase the others who ran after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scavenging some food from the camp, Fur regretted that the horses had been taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, Lord Helvin of York managed horses and weapons far too strictly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having ruled this territory for nearly two centuries, even the lowest classes still primarily used oak-based weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron weapons had yet to be fully adopted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of this, Fur had once been ambitious about seizing this land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cowardly lord—if only Fur could harness the mystery within his body…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, that thought had vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only had someone beaten him to it, but also due to his current appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble couldn’t be in such an ugly state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now only wished to return to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered how to persuade that scholar to help him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it came to it, even if unwilling, Fur might have to threaten that girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While thinking, a sudden chill struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leapt aside from his original spot and turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fat monster, covered in mouths, crouched over a corpse and gnawing at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t even care about the bluish flames and bit right in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fur didn’t dare turn and flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the creature, sensing its focus was locked on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being approached so silently from behind—Fur dared not bet he could escape it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, that posture had been described to him in childhood by his scholar mentor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Covered in mouths, greedily devouring all matter in the world—from flesh, to soil, even the final breath.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are the embodiment of the desire for Gluttony, creatures that can never be satisfied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After consuming everything, they will eat themselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he was considered food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Food that must be eaten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fur laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then let’s see who eats whom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could tell the Gluttony was feeding on corpses and flames to restore itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was in a starved state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bluish flames ignited from Fur’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a beast, he crouched, then burst forth in a blaze of blue light toward Gluttony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rawww…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a low, guttural noise, Gluttony abandoned its meal and charged at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two clashed like wild beasts, entangling, tearing, and devouring each other’s flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Corleon’s first time entering York Town since the lord changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rat Path referred to the hidden underworld routes in York Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place specialized in handling matters unfit for the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, one could obtain anything here—for a price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the lord knew of the Rat Path’s existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every place needed such people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the name ‘Rat Path’ implied, even a warehouse with no storage would still have rats, so the lord left them alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the Rat Path stood the town’s powerful figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And behind them was the lord himself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the lord had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over time, Rat Path had developed its own rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless all nobles died out, it would continue to operate in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I need some information.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon leaned against a wall, beside a small hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did anything strange happen in York Town last night?” he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One silver coin.” came a hoarse voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon inserted a silver coin into the hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, the reply came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon clearly remembered the final Holy Light illuminating the entire church district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such strong light in the night couldn’t have gone unnoticed in the town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did the party the lord sent to clear bandits encounter anything unusual?” Corleon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, a noble who’s caught some wind.” said the voice behind the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three gold coins, sir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is freshly received news—I guarantee it’s worth it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon inserted three gold coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Generous sir, your loyal friend shall explain in detail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice behind the wall panted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Hughes family boy was attacked—by a monster burning with blue fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the survivor who reported to Knight Wolf, it was a necromancer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although Lord Helvin claimed he killed four necromancers during the purge…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows if it’s true—necromancers, after all, play with death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knight Wolf is already gathering the surrounding Prospective Knights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another war against necromancers might be coming.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, poor York this year. Half the year hasn’t passed, and so many disasters have already occurred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice within the wall exaggeratedly lamented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder if you think this news is worth the coins.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did the attack happen?” Corleon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, another question. If it were someone else, I’d charge more. But for you, dear guest…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was southeast of York, about seven li from the border. Of course, perhaps that’s unclear to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In fact, it was near Daniels Village. Surely that makes it clearer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Daniels Village was recently established. Surely you’ve heard of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh yes, land of the Daniels Family—its head is the young Miss Yara.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“News about Miss Yara has made me quite a profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you interested, dear guest? That beautiful lady is of marriageable age, and now she owns a village. I can give you a 30% discount.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, even 40% isn’t off the table for negotiation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corleon ignored the sales pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having learned what he wanted, he left.\u003C\u002Fp>",1348,"2026-06-06T13:52:13.653Z",1,"novelbin.me","7e14ed0be91c29b398f5eea011e6d2c5a0dfb52b1cdea1ded9f704614064718d","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-50","the-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-chapter-48",373,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-holy-church-begins-with-bestowal-of-blessing-cover.jpg"]