Kaius's words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, rippling out in ever-widening circles.

Different expressions appeared on the faces of each candidate in the hall. Some were surprised, some silent, and some excited.

Lanci was stunned after hearing it.

When he first heard the words "Wilfordism," he couldn't help but think of his own crumbling chamber of commerce.

But as he listened further, he realized—

This seemed to be the method used to destroy the Saintess of Destruction in the Shadow World during the Temple Heretic banquet.

Even without guessing, Lanci instantly understood who had named this ideology after his surname!

What he didn't expect was that one day this "ism" would be transmitted to the Rebirth Church and then used against him, even used on him personally.

"..."

High Priest Kaius stood there quietly, his sharp eyes watching everyone, trying to capture a trace of wavering or abnormality in their eyes.

This kind of extremely evil ideology, even without being executed, could potentially cause lurking enemies to waver and expose flaws once it was spoken.

Many candidates in the hall hadn't heard of this so-called "Wilfordism," but they quickly understood the significance of this second test.

Most contemporary theories about gods believe that gods now exist on the conceptual side.

They cannot directly interfere in the world, or they require extremely strict conditions to do so, and these conditions are related to the gods themselves and the creatures they need to interfere with.

No one can judge the specific conditions.

But no matter what conditions need to be met, there is one prerequisite that must exist, and that is to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship with that god.

So, creating cause and effect with a god in this world is a very solemn or dangerous thing.

One must never make random oaths to any god. Whether it is a blessing, prayer, or confession-type oath, or a direct curse of the gods, it will not necessarily trigger consequences. However, the Rebirth Church is the most taboo organization regarding the divinity and invisible interference of the Goddess of Fate. It can even be said that the two organizations in this world that most believe in the divine power of the Goddess of Fate are the Church of the Goddess of Fate and the Rebirth Church.

The clergy of the Church of the Goddess of Fate use "Wilfordism" to identify Rebirth Church members by forcing those suspected of being Rebirth Church members to make the most devout oaths to the Goddess of Fate, using this to try to ruin the path of Rebirth Church members. Once they find someone showing hesitation, resistance, or other unusual expressions, they will immediately be heavily suspected and then investigated intensively.

Now, the Silence Branch's second test uses Wilfordism in reverse, allowing candidates to actively destroy the statue of the Goddess of Fate, and also observe from subtle attitudes and final works who is suspected of being a clergy member of the Church of the Goddess of Fate!

After all, sincere curses and disrespect towards the gods will also be transmitted to them.

Only members of the Rebirth Church would so blatantly oppose the Goddess of Fate.

Or rather, this is a pledge of allegiance.

Having done something that completely breaks face with the Goddess of Fate, one can only seek the protection of the Rebirth Church.

Several well-known candidates in the hall showed a high degree of villainous qualities and didn't care about this kind of thing, and were even ready to start working.

What Kaius was most concerned about was the woman named "Sid," who left a lot of blanks in the written test and was most suspected of being a spy from the Church of the Goddess of Fate.

He saw that her expression was indifferent, as if she hadn't been moved by it at all.

Lanci's slightly surprised expression was normal and didn't attract much attention from Kaius.

"Sorry, I'm not doing it. Offending the Goddess of Fate isn't worth it."

A nameless candidate in the hall hesitated and finally stood up.

But when he turned around, he found a heavily armored priest standing motionless in front of the huge metal door.

"It seems you are suspected of being a member of the Church of the Goddess of Fate," Kaius said indifferently.

"No, that's not it, I just don't want to be so extreme!" he shouted, his eyes twitching.

Kaius seemed not to hear his explanation.

Immediately, heavily armored priests stepped forward from the left and right to detain him. Ignoring his resistance and loud shouts, they took him into a door on the inner side of the hall, and even the sound became more and more distant until it disappeared.

Suddenly, under the brief silence, the heartbeats and breathing of many people sank a little.

They understood that this was a test of no return, and there was no option to quit halfway.

In so-called Wilfordism, there are only two results: absolute innocence and absolute suspicion, with no middle ground. And everyone present, whether they want to continue taking the test or not, must prove their loyalty to the Rebirth Church at this stage.

In a corner of the hall, Lanci himself had a complex expression.

And his shadow was about to be more uneasy than him.

Boss Cat couldn't help but curse this insidious and vicious high priest.

And this terrible "Wilfordism," which animal came up with it!

"..."

But it remembered that Lanci's surname seemed to be Wilford as well?

Not long after, the sound of iron chains being unlocked broke the silence in the hall.

From the inner passage of the hall, several priests in dark gray armor pushed a tool cart out of the door.

On the cart were many exquisite stone statues and workshop tools.

They were statues of the Goddess of Fate, about twenty centimeters high, with details that were vividly depicted.

"This is the target you are to destroy. We will provide any tools you may need."

Kaius glanced sideways at the examination materials in place and said in a cold voice, "The second test is only half an hour. You can submit it to me when you are done. After the second test, I will announce the rules of the final assessment."

After the words fell, after the heavily armored priests sent the statues of the Goddess of Fate and tools to each candidate, Kaius also signaled that the exam could begin.

Lanci lowered his head and silently stared at the statue of the Goddess of Fate in his hand, still so calm and thoughtful.

Gradually, heavier and heavier sounds of metal and stone colliding and cutting echoed in the empty hall.

Some chose hammers, sharp knives, or paintbrushes and the spells they mastered. Some even used extra materials for modification and creation compared to destruction.

The candidates present were portraying their hatred and malice towards the Goddess of Fate in their own ways.

This was a test that was difficult if it was said to be difficult, and simple if it was said to be simple.

As long as the position is firm enough and there are no problems with oneself, then this is a formal process.

But for those with a guilty conscience, it is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

In this hall, which already had a bit of the smell of gunpowder from a foundry, Lanci seemed out of place.

He was not in a hurry to start work, nor did he treat the statue with imagination and crude savagery like the others.

He just quietly picked up the carving knife, his strokes were very steady, and each stroke was full of emotion and meaning.

(End of this chapter)