Chapter 99: Baptism

In the Church of Holy Blood, in the purification pool behind a small lecture hall.

Silas, stark naked, squatted in the milky white pool, his arms wrapped around his body, his entire body submerged, with only his head exposed.

Around Silas were three priests, two of whom Silas was very familiar with.

One was Father Anthony, another was Father Hank, and the last was a senior priest dressed in a pristine white robe with gold thread, seemingly of higher status than a priest.

The three stood around the edge of the pool, holding fragrant flower petals and continuously sprinkling them on Silas's head.

Behind the three were three distinct statues of goddesses, representing the Three Moon Goddesses.

Under each statue stood a nun, holding a ceramic jar filled with clear water, currently praying with her head bowed.

Looking around, Silas still felt somewhat apprehensive.

Two hours ago, he had gladly accepted Father Anthony's invitation and happily came here prepared for a promotion and a raise.

After a series of prayers, swearing oaths, signing new contracts, and registering, Silas, stark naked, squatted here, preparing for baptism.

This baptism, touted as a way to sublimate the body and spirit, was actually a method to detect if there were any problems with the person's body and spirit.

Gradually, the pool water rose. The milky white liquid was still cool, yet it emitted a large amount of mist.

The mist, combined with the fragrance of flowers, created a strange atmosphere. Silas immediately felt his spirit become somewhat dazed.

"Something similar to hypnosis? I can't let my spirit completely fall into instinct."

Thinking this, Silas used his knowledge of sound to simulate the bell toll on the warship to remind himself.

"What is your name?" Father Anthony asked.

Silas, feigning a vague tone, said, "Silas Sotos."

"Have you ever joined any other religion?" the senior priest asked.

"No."

After answering, Silas thought to himself, "Trying to trick me? Too naive. I haven't joined any religion. Well… the religion I established myself doesn't count as joining."

"Have you had any contact with members of other cults?"

"No."

"Of course not. The Green Flame Brotherhood doesn't count as a cult."

"Have you ever worshipped any other deities?"

"No."

"Well, this is true."

All of Silas's near-instinctive answers were truthful, but beneath this truth lay many vague ambiguities.

Next, the three priests asked a large number of detailed questions. And Silas answered with answers that were seven parts truth and three parts falsehood, from various tricky angles.

After all the inquiries were finished, the three looked at each other, confirmed there were no problems, and nodded to each other.

At this time, the three nuns stood up, holding the jars, walked over, and poured the water from the jars into the pool.

Instantly, the entire pool began to boil violently. Silas felt a large amount of strange things drilling into his body through his pores.

This feeling was very terrifying and disgusting, as if countless insects were drilling into his pores and crawling inside his body.

Fortunately, Silas had already experienced great storms and was mentally prepared for this situation.

The senior priest outside sighed. "Truly worthy of someone who has drunk Master Jeros's potion. His will is indeed firm. I remember when I received baptism, I was so scared I almost cried."

Hank smiled. "I have high hopes for him."

These mystical substances, after wandering around inside Silas's body, filled his entire oral cavity with a sour, foul, and bitter taste that surged up his throat.

Retch, retch, retch…

Instantly, Silas began to dry heave violently.

The vomited substance was mostly black and green, strange, viscous liquid, with a pungent, fishy smell.

These things quickly merged into the pool and completely disappeared, even the smell dissipated.

"Hmm, there are no curses in his body, and apart from the Priest potion, there are no other mystical substances or organs." Seeing this, the three nodded simultaneously.

After everything was confirmed, the three stepped forward with serious expressions, raised their hands, and said loudly, "Silas Sotos. You have now received the essence of the Goddess and, in piety and purity, have thrown yourself into the Goddess's embrace to be reborn."

With that, the three simultaneously waved their arms, and after a bright light, it symbolized the end of the baptism.

Silas breathed a sigh of relief, stood up from the pool, and walked towards the edge.

A clothes rack held a beautifully crafted, soft, and smooth ice-blue priest's cassock.

This cassock was very similar to Father Anthony's, but with some slight differences.

The well-fitting windbreaker-style lower hem was longer, extending to the calves. The shoulders had a silver-grey shawl instead of black, and the lower body consisted of well-fitting black trousers, giving a sense of solemnity and mystery.

"Put it on. From now on, you will be an official clergyman serving the Three Moon Goddesses," Anthony said, and the group of six walked out directly.

After all, watching others get dressed was not polite.

Silas wiped his body clean with a towel. After stepping out of the pool, he found his body felt lighter and indescribably refreshed.

"Could this be the marrow cleansing and muscle refining from novels? What I vomited out were the impurities in my body!?" Silas moved his light body, his expression full of joy.

He put on a white shirt and underwear, then the cool cassock.

Tightening his belt, tying his shoelaces, and fixing the shawl on his shoulders, Silas turned to look at the slender priest in the mirror and nodded with satisfaction.

"Say, this outfit looks a bit like Goenitz from King of Fighters '96," Silas muttered, then picked up his staff and walked out.

In the forecourt of the church, the three priests and three nuns stood happily under the statues, waiting for Silas.

"Hmm, you look much more handsome," Anthony said with a smile when Silas walked out.

Hank, beside him, introduced, "Silas, let me introduce you. This is our Vice-Bishop, Laurien Keenan."

"Hello! Vice-Bishop. Thank you for being able to attend my baptism," Silas bowed his head, his expression respectful.

Laurien smiled kindly. "It's my pleasure. I have already heard about your deeds. At this critical juncture, your courage to stand up, even drinking a potion to save the souls of believers, is something I have admired for a long time. And this time, the eradication of the cult was also thanks to your intelligence. If you hadn't told Master Jeros about the Green Flame Brotherhood, we wouldn't have made such thorough preparations in advance."

Silas said seriously, "It is my duty. We are all servants of the Goddess. Protecting the Goddess's people is a matter of course."

Hearing this, the three looked approving. Laurien said, "I am not too clear about your mystical aspects, but Master Jeros and Bishop Ron have already discussed it. Originally, they planned for you to join the Divine Punishers, but now the Divine Punishers' roster is full, so you will be assigned to a temporarily defunct department."

"What department?"

"Purple Moon Agent."