Chapter 6: Discontent

Gulomes enthusiastically introduced this spectacular scene to Arch-Envoy Xuro. Hundreds of workers were still busy slowly lifting large stone pillars upward. Half-orcs had at least 30% more strength than ordinary humans, yet their wages were 30% lower. Aside from some delicate tasks that still required humans or dwarves, Gulomes preferred using half-orcs for this project, as it significantly reduced construction costs.
“Arch-Envoy, look—over there is our Dark Altar. It will be meticulously crafted by the most renowned dwarf craftsmen in this region, with many legends of our Dark Faith carved onto it. I’ve seen the sketches; they’re truly magnificent. I believe this altar will be no less impressive than the one in the Jigantia Temple.”
“Over there is the Temple of Hades. The statue of the God of the Underworld will also be created by dwarf craftsmen, but the sculpting of Hades’ face will involve elven artisans. I’ve ordered them to make the statue’s features lifelike—only then can we truly showcase the grandeur of our Dark faith.” Gulomes didn’t notice that the Arch-Envoy seemed distracted. “The Temple of Hades will cover an area of 1,000 square meters and can accommodate 500 worshippers to sing hymns at once. I’m sure it will be the most magnificent temple in the entire Caucasus, even in Nicomedia.”
Faced with Gulomes’ relentless narration, Xuro remained silent. To be honest, Gulomes was indeed an outstanding preacher—able to raise so much funding in such a short time and get construction of the Dark Church started in the sensitive region of Bruce. His ability to mobilize support was remarkable.
Looking around, the entire church complex was already taking shape. Such a grand structure would cost tens of thousands of gold shields. Gulomes’ eloquent tongue truly managed to persuade many people to contribute. The main temple of Hades had entered its most critical construction phase, with giant trees and circular arches piled around, clearly intended for the decoration of the upper dome. White lime powder covered the construction site like snow.
Finally, Gulomes noticed the Arch-Envoy’s distraction. After speaking so much, the Arch-Envoy still hadn’t expressed a clear opinion, which made Gulomes uneasy.
“Arch-Envoy, do you think there’s anything else that isn’t satisfactory?”

Xuro seemed to notice his own distraction as well. He shook his head slightly, as if trying to shake off something. “Gulomes, you’ve done excellently. There’s no other complex of buildings this magnificent in the entire Caucasus. Those churches of the Light Church are like shabby wooden huts compared to our Bruce Dark Churches. I’m proud of you.”

“Then it seems you have some concerns, Great Dark Lord? Is it related to the Bruce Churches?” Gulomes was perceptive and immediately realized the issue.

“Hmm, Gulomes, with such massive construction activities going on here, have the troops stationed at the Bruce Fortress or their local administrators raised any demands or interfered with you?”

“Well, I don’t think so.” Gulomes thought for a moment. “It seems there was only once when that governor passed by the Bruce Fortress to take a look, but he left without saying anything. Great Dark Lord, is there a problem?”

A problem? The problem had existed for a long time; it just depended now on how the Dark Lord would handle it.

Xuro was somewhat troubled. As the external campaigns progressed, Komer’s attitude toward the Dark faction had become increasingly ambiguous, forcing him to think more deeply. Xuro noticed that the Dark faction seemed to be gradually distancing itself from this Dark Lord, and it seemed the latter was intentionally or unintentionally fostering this situation, which left Xuro uneasy.

The application to build a Dark Church in Odessa was rejected by the local Odessa council. But Xuro knew that those merchant representatives in the Odessa council didn’t have strong preferences. To be precise, in their eyes, the Light Church and the Dark Church were no different. This could be seen from the fact that the Light Church hadn’t been very popular here in the past. These merchants valued their own wallets above everything; they would believe in whoever could bring them greater profits. And it seemed now that only Komer could do that.

The only reason those merchants in the Odessa council could pass a rejection resolution was due to Komer’s orders. A mere hint from the local administrators could make those representatives bow and obey. As Odessa began to replace Cyprus as the most important trading port in the southern part of the Abyssal Sea, the attitude of the Odessa merchants toward their new lord evolved from hostility to silent acceptance and then to open welcome. Such a transformation could only be accomplished so perfectly by merchants.

The Odessa residents gave a simple explanation for refusing to agree to build a Dark Church: the locals were not yet mentally prepared to acknowledge the Dark faction. It sounded absurd—after all, even the lord was a staunch believer in the Dark faith. How could they not be prepared? But upon closer thought, Komer seemed to have never spoken openly about his beliefs in formal settings; whenever such topics arose, he would change the subject.

This seemed like an ominous sign. Could worldly power truly have corrupted the Dark Lord’s mind, blinding him with greed and even leading him to desecrate his own faith?

Xu Luo shook his head. It wasn’t that simple. The Dark Lord had managed to rise from a corner of the Caucasus to where he was now thanks to his extraordinary cunning and wisdom. Power alone couldn’t sway his mind, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t waver between two sides. Playing the balance game was a trick used by secular politicians—not suitable for true believers.

Xu Luo smirked coldly. If the Dark Lord acted in such a way, he was playing with fire. The Dark faction never belonged to any one person, not even if Dark Emperor Kenifer III were resurrected. Only by truly merging with the Dark faction and striving for its faith and development could one truly represent it and possess its power. Those who merely sought to exploit its forces would only end up harming themselves.

It seemed the Dark Lord’s thoughts had undergone some transformation. Xu Luo didn’t want to see that happen. Perhaps he should remind him.