AWDC Chapter 96

## Episode 96: Lavalle Church

The story goes back a bit, but after realizing that Hower’s influence within the church had its limits, I tried to investigate the inside of the church. For that purpose, I visited a pastor of the church in Starfen.

The Doll religion almost monopolizes the religion of this country, and the surge of Bawa Roma believers was only a temporary event. The Doll religion had different factions for each major church in the capital. The Lavalle Church faction, to which the Starfen church belongs, is said to be the most authoritative church in the country, and the enthronement ceremony of the King was usually held here. However, in recent years, the power of the Foscone Church to which Hower belongs has increased, and the Foscone Church was used for the most recent enthronement of the King. All the pastors in Toriholi were those under the influence of Hower, who belonged to the Foscone Church. Those in the Starfen territory belonged to the Lavalle Church system, and it was thought that there was no influence from Hower.

“What is the story?” the pastor asked suspiciously.

“The Foscone’s power seems to be strong in the churches of the capital, but I wonder if it is appropriate to change the traditional format. I wanted to know what the circumstances were.”

He questioned the fact that the Foscone Church, to which Hower belongs, was used for the important ceremony of the King’s enthronement despite its low rank.

“I think you are talking about the King’s restoration enthronement ceremony, but I don’t know such important matters.”

I think it’s natural that the pastor can’t answer. I didn’t expect it either. However, although I spoke about the matter in a very ambiguous way, this pastor seemed to understand what it meant.

“It would be best for me to go to the capital and hear the circumstances, but I am in a position where I am being chased out of the capital. I would appreciate it if you could talk about the circumstances in the capital here or in Milona.”

“I understand. I will convey Mr. Misaki’s wishes to those above.”

At least, I didn’t think this pastor was under Hower’s influence. I don’t know how much my wish will be granted, but hope remained.

A month later, I received a message from the pastor that preparations for the meeting were complete. The meeting place was the church in Milona.

I decided to take my secretary, Nike, with me. Nike is a young man from the village who is 20 years old and worked as an administrative officer for the Datar development under Jim Keene. He came to help me with the coal mine development, and I liked him because he was very attentive, so I forced Jim Keene to take him away.

When we arrived, the pastor of Starfen was waiting.

“We have been waiting for you. The instructor is here.”

The instructor is a unique system in the Doll religion. If the pastor teaches and guides the believers, he has a guiding role for that pastor and also explores theology. It was not a key position in the church, but it was thought to have high academic knowledge. The fact that the instructor came all the way made me feel that the Lavalle Church was giving it importance.

The room I was led to had an office-like feel that was used as a conference room. I didn’t know what kind of danger there was, but before entering the room, I left all the weapons as a courtesy to the clergy and became unarmed.

“Don’t leave my side. If I feel like I’m falling asleep, stab my thigh with this to wake me up.” So I handed her a paper knife. The young Nike seemed to be prepared for the fact that this meeting might lead to a serious result just by that. Her face was a little pale.

“Don’t be too nervous,” I said to Nike while we waited. I knew that I was putting strength into my shoulders when I said that.

The church could be said to be Hower’s stronghold, and I didn’t know what kind of traps awaited me. There was a high possibility that the person I was going to meet was an enemy.

The instructor who appeared was unusual for church officials, with a white beard and a beautifully bald head, and looked as if he had left the secular world. He looked like the type who was absorbed in research rather than guiding the pastor.

“What is it that you want to know about the affairs of the capital?”

“I would like you to tell me about Bishop Hower. I want to know what his abilities and knowledge are.” I cut to the chase.

I felt the instructor’s eyes sparkle, and then he turned to the pastor of Starfen who came with him and told him to step down.

“But I can’t leave you alone, instructor.”

“It’s okay. The Earl seems to have a top-secret story.”

When the pastor left, the instructor opened his mouth.

“How much do you know about Mr. Hower?”

“I don’t know the details. I think that Mr. Hower is using hypnotism to deceive people.”

“It’s not as soft as deceiving. You can say that he is brainwashing them.”

I thought that this dispelled the suspicion that he was Hower’s henchman. I switched to a more in-depth story.

“Isn’t there a negative impact on the church?”

“Of course, there is. The Foscone Church has been almost completely controlled.”

“What about the other churches?” I asked, peering into the instructor’s face.

“We’re holding it back for now.”

“How did you stop his brainwashing ability?”

“Hypnotism only works if you become intimate with the hypnotist. This church has made sure that they don’t get alone with Hower.” That measure was as I knew it.

“If you end up alone with him, do you have any measures?”

“The key is not to focus your attention on the other person. For example, clench your teeth tightly and focus your attention on your mouth.”

I knew that too. That’s why I brought Nike with me, so that if I was about to be hypnotized today, Nike would cut me with a knife to bring me back to my senses.

“How did Hower acquire such abilities?” That was my biggest question.

“If you want to make time, you can make as much as you want in a church. If you want to indulge in contemplation, you can do it to the end. Hypnotism has also been considered in that.”

“Has it been studied in the church for a long time?”

“That’s right. Hower seems to have been working hard to acquire hypnotism in order to gain a high position among them.”

Hower seems to have thought about using hypnotism in order to gain a high position in the church, and he studied it on his own and had a high brainwashing ability. Of course, just because he studied it, he shouldn’t be able to brainwash others, and Hower must have had a natural talent. I was able to gain knowledge about Hower’s origins and background.

In this way, I continued the meeting with the instructor. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any particularly useful information about effective measures to prevent hypnotism, but it was good that I was able to connect with the church that was in conflict with Hower.

The fact that the entire church was not under Hower’s influence and that a faction secretly in conflict with Hower was formed was encouraging.

Until I entered this church in Milona, I was worried that this church might have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Perhaps because of the feeling of tension that I might be attacked at any time, the truth was that I felt drained when I finished the discussion and left the church.