Pillar of Yita

”The Arcanists faction, being obsessed with Androma’s ability to foresee death, pursued the domains of prophecy and revelation. The former believed the latter had taken a divergent path, while the latter considered the former as rigid and outdated, incapable of expanding the territory for the Deities they revered. More than three hundred years ago, owing to the ’Diaxiuma Conflict,’ the two factions parted ways, with the main faction prohibiting the latter from using Divine Arts, leading the Arcanists to exclusively practice Secret Techniques.”

”However, over the past three centuries, they have gradually achieved some success in their domain, perhaps having long forgotten past affairs. Yet, until now, most Arcanists still believe in Androma, precisely speaking, they still believe Androma possesses skills related to prophecy and revelation.”

Fang Hong listened while privately inquiring Miss Tata about the ’Diaxiuma Conflict,’ only to learn that it was a dispute over the selection rights of the Saint Heir. And the so-called divine authority inevitably evolved into a power struggle among mortals on Earth; nothing is fresh under the sun.

It seems that the Arcanists were originally just the losers of a political struggle. The so-called pursuit of divine authority, in the mortal world, essentially remains a political struggle.

However, he was very curious about the struggle itself—specifically, he was curious about the relationship between the Oulin Gods and their Believers. Do the gods not care when their followers break into factions below? Isn’t this matter closely related to them?

Or is it because the Arcanists’ strength is too insignificant that Androma also doesn’t even care?

Moreover, Eteliria’s gods’ powers and domains, duties, and doctrines do not seem as clear and understandable as imagined. If different people can interpret the doctrine differently, then what exactly are the Oulin Gods? How would they view mortals potentially misinterpreting their doctrine?

He couldn’t help but ask this question.

Istania is the main faith area for Roman and Androma, and divine disputes and Lady Marlan have nothing to do with it, so Mayer Hill didn’t have any intention to avoid talking about other matters. ”The belief in the great way is singular, and Lord Goddess will only choose those she favors, namely the steadfast Believers.”

”But what kind of belief is the truth? What exactly are the justice and courage understood by the Lady? The Gods will never tell the world directly. Because justice and courage inevitably change with human hearts, in different eras, we assign different meanings to it, including Lord Goddess.”

”This is why the doctrine of the Gods also changes.”

”Those who stick to old ways and cannot keep up with the times will be eliminated. Those who veer off path will fall because of being overly radical—”

”But the true justice and courage doctrine will be passed down generation after generation, which is why Lord Goddess always remains there, viewing the cyclical changes in the mortal world.”

Fang Hong listened intently but was dumbfounded. Yet he understood a truth: on Earth, religions always strictly guard their doctrines because once disagreement arises in interpretation, the religion will immediately split. However, in Eteliria, a world with a True God, doctrine itself doesn’t seem that important.

Because the Deities are there, waiting for you to discover their faith, thereby empowering you with strength and a direction to pursue.

”Thus...,” understanding this, Fang Hong softly asked, ”For three hundred years, the Arcanists possibly haven’t easily admitted defeat. They are still finding ways to prove that their understanding of faith in Androma is the correct one... until they eventually receive genuine acknowledgment?”

”Perhaps.”

Mayer Hill’s answer wasn’t definite, evidently showing indifference towards matters of other Holy Sanctuaries.

”However...” Fang Hong was still somewhat bewildered; how could Androma possess prophecy and revelation as Divine Offices and Domains? Aren’t those the Divine Offices of Destiny Goddess Ilien. Or are these Arcanists so deluded, attempting to usurp Goddess Ilien’s Divine Office based on their wishful thinking?”

He felt that if Androma hadn’t lost her mind, she wouldn’t condone her followers doing such things. Hence, it’s understandable why these Arcanists failed in political struggles—because fundamentally, they’re a bunch of lunatics.

At that moment, Affia’s image involuntarily appeared in his mind, causing Fang Hong to shake his head, hoping this reasonable young girl wouldn’t be influenced by these people.

However, such a group of arrogant and bold individuals, following Barbaltan in employing Blind Followers is understandable. They are sufficiently heretical and aspire to gain secular authority to execute their daring plan.

Fang Hong shook his head again.

The religious disputes, in fact, had nothing to do with him; he just wanted to understand who the Arcanists were. And from Mayer Hill’s words, he evidently had obtained the answer he sought.

After arranging for departure from Bain, their conversation concluded as usual.

...

Three days later, the team Mayer Hill prepared for him was also ready to set off.

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t a specially arranged team for him, because Bain’s Holy Sanctuary always had the need to transport everyday and ritual supplies. Now that the half-month long storm has passed, regular communication naturally needs to be restored quickly.