Free Web NovelChapter 821: Chapter 821. Apostles and Mercenary Groups.
[Congratulations! You’ve gained <Sylvan Quest: Become a perfect Star System Power>]
[Description: You’ve managed to conquer your local Solar System. However, is that enough? Is that your limit? Your foundation to expand to the rest of the galaxy is completed, but your power lacks recognition and terrain. Use everything you’ve gained, make allies, and spread your roots to nearby stars so that your presence becomes known!]
[Objective 1: Conquer 100 Solar Systems. 1/100.]
[Objective 2: Build your <Seventh Temple>.]
[Optional Objective 3: Spread your local religion to 100 Solar Systems 1/100.]
Liu Shu glanced at those words that popped up suddenly and blinked, curious. "The first two objectives are something I expected. However... what about the third?"
She felt that the quests were linear and didn’t really adapt to her own situation. However, that optional objective was something that Liu Shu couldn’t explain without taking her current <Faith> powers into account.
"If I had no <Faith> powers, would that optional quest appear?" frёewebnoѵēl.com
Liu Shu didn’t think so. Just in case, she asked Wisdom.
[Wisdom: Creating a local religion is not hard for a True World Tree. However, spreading it to other Solar Systems, where other influences constantly vie for supremacy, is another matter altogether. Remember that <Optional Objectives> are always much harder than <Main Objectives>.]
"Hm... you are right. They are harder, but proportionally, they give many more rewards."
After hearing her explanation, Liu Shu understood somewhat why the Sylvan Quest had that Optional Objective. "Well, since that’s the case, I need to speak with Elyne and the rest to increase the number of Saintesses and Avatars I can send to other Solar Systems. Also... I think it is time to select a few <Apostles>."
What is an <Avatar> in her religion? It is a symbol of her own self. They are beings who carry part of her power and represent her.
Then, what is an <Apostle>? They are beings who do not represent, but share the god’s powers. It is a level of connection a notch higher than that of an Avatar. They are their own individuals, but at the same time, intrinsically interconnected with their deity.
Until now, Liu Shu had been balancing the religious aspect of her Arborarchy. She didn’t know if it was the correct path or if it would become a burden. Therefore, she didn’t really fully commit to it.
Things were different now.
For starters, she had gained <Faith>-related skills, so her path toward divinity could be considered to have begun. Since that was the case, her lovers and closest people needed to follow along. If <Saintesses> were those who walked among the people, <Avatars> were those who coordinated the <Saintesses> and oversaw large areas.
Finally, the <Apostles> were symbols.
They didn’t spread the gospel; instead, they participated in it. They were adored by the masses, and their existence was their strong suit. So, Liu Shu concentrated and thought about how to make people her <Apostles>.
"I have to share the flow of <Faith>. A <Saintess> can draw from <Faith>, but they can’t gather. An <Avatar>, over those characteristics, can actively use that <Faith>. Meanwhile, an <Apostle> should be able to not only draw and use the <Faith>, but also gather their own."
Was that dangerous? From a future perspective, it was definitely dangerous. If an <Apostle> could become even more influential than the deity they followed, there was a chance for their influence to surpass even that of the deity, usurping their position.
Did Liu Shu fear that outcome? Not in the slightest. The reason was simple as well. Liu Shu wanted to make only her family and people who were incredibly close to her such beings.
So, if Liu Shu’s family betrayed her in that sense, being an <Apostle> or not wouldn’t have mattered.
"I understand... I will need to speak with Elyne. We had already prepared for this situation when creating the <Eternal Book>." Liu Shu had not looked at religion, thinking it would fail. Since it was something she was trying, she would naturally try her best and plan for the future.
Therefore, the foundation was already solid. The names of those who could become <Apostles> appeared in the <Eternal Book>, so the only step was elevating them to that position.
How can a deity elevate someone to such a position? There were many ways. One was allowing for her power to be shown through those beings. Another was to make the current church leaders declare it. Then, there was the most surefire and straightforward way.
Liu Shu’s voice echoed across the world.
"Today, I declare the birth of my new <Apostles>."
A revelation, or a direct message from the deity herself.
"Those <Apostles> will be named, and their glorious path shall be forever interlocked with mine. First <Apostle>, Flor. Second <Apostle>, Ignatia. Third <Apostle>, Tree. Fourth <Apostle>, Cinderielle, Fifth <Apostle>, Verdantia. Sixth <Apostle>, Tempestria. Seventh <Apostle>, Harmonixia. Eight <Apostle>, Seraphina. Ninth <Apostle>, Obsidianis. Finally, my Tenth <Apostle>, Elyne."
The only unknown ones to the public in that declaration were Seraphina and Obsidianis, who would only appear in the new sections of the <Eternal Book>. The section describing the war against Rhazor.
Beyond them, Elyne, who had been not only the co-creator but also the spiritual leader during the initial phases, fit the position perfectly well.
Her words were also not empty promises. When Liu Shu said those words, the flow of <Faith> changed and poured onto those people she named. Unlike Elyne, who had changed as an <Avatar> and acted as a representative, <Apostles> were their own individuals. So, none of them had physical changes.
Elyne even felt that, if she wanted, she could change back to look as she did before. Of course, she didn’t. For Elyne, her new jade-green hair and amethyst-colored eyes were a mark her dearest Liu Shu left. Something she would never want to get rid of.
As Elyne was praying and heard the voice, she felt a complex change within her. She noticed a new flow of <Faith> energy, one that settled inside herself. Usually, all the faith directed at her would move along her body and then pour into Liu Shu.
This time, though, she could feel that new pocket of energy inside herself.
The rest of the people Liu Shu named were the same. Seraphina and Obsidianis, who had been resting together, glanced at each other with baffled yet joyous eyes.
While they had advanced their relationship, they didn’t expect Liu Shu to pile them with the rest. This was nothing but Liu Shu’s acknowledgment of their relationship at an empire-wide level.
A rush of happiness surged inside them, making their lips arch in a foolish smile.
Liu Shu looked at Elyne and spoke softly. "Thank you for your work, Elyne."
Elyne opened her eyes, looking at the statue in front of her with soft and adoring eyes. "No, thank you for fully accepting my suggestions, Liu Shu. I imposed on you because I could feel your specialness, and despite you not liking it too much, you gave me a chance. Today’s results are not just mine, but a result of our efforts."
Liu Shu used a root to gently pat Elyne’s head. "Yes. Even then, thank you."
Elyne laughed gently. Then, she spoke playfully. "With this, there are more <Apostles> than <Avatars>."
In recent years, Elyne had found another person to rank up to a new <Avatar>, bringing the total to ten <Apostles> and three <Avatars>.
Liu Shu smiled. "As we conquer new Solar Systems and expand our population, the numbers will naturally reverse. Becoming a new <Apostle> is not something easy by any means. So, do not worry much."
Elyne laughed. "I guess you are right." She then blinked. "By the way, have you decided when to open the new worlds?"
Liu Shu hummed. "The terraforming has accelerated tremendously. However, I still want to give them a bit more time. In their environment, only those at Level 75 and above can settle and live somewhat comfortably."
Elyne nodded and, once more, asked. "What are you going to do about the <Lignified> species for Tiravel? The Gas Giant’s environment requires constant change, so stationary trees won’t be able to grow comfortably, right?"
Liu Shu agreed. "You are right. However, there is no reason to say that trees can’t be mobile, right? An <Ascension> is a path that evolves the being according to their surroundings. If a tree can reach Level 100 over there before they inevitably die, then I am sure that flora will be able to flourish even in Tiravel."
Elyne smiled. "If that’s what you believe. Then it must be right."
***
After everything was settled, Liu Shu looked at the mercenaries who had been moving around under her watch. She had kept an eye on them, and while they sometimes left her domain, Liu Shu was not worried. The main reason was that her expansion speed was quite fast. Therefore, even if they wanted to create hideouts where she wouldn’t find them, she would silently catch up.
Once she did, hearing their hidden discussion was not a problem. This was something that had already happened.
When she listened back then, they spoke about how indignant they felt, but at the same time, they had no other choice but to agree to her terms. The reason? Liu Shu’s buffs were just too attractive.
Even when they despised becoming someone’s subordinate, when that new leader gave you several times your strength, luck, comprehension, and even boosted your intelligence to a degree, what else could you do but lower your head? Even the worst criminals could understand the benefits of such a deal and become obedient.
For instance, the reason Liu Shu’s people still had the occasional crime was that newly born people were not aware of how dependent they were on Liu Shu’s buffs. It was like someone living in a rich society not understanding that their capital was not normal in the slightest, and therefore becoming accustomed to it. freēwēbnovel.com
’Since I began taking away my buffs at the end of the year, crime actually plummeted further than it already had.’
Crime was already rare in Liu Shu’s society. While there were the occasional crazy people, crime was so rare that it could be counted as nonexistent.
"Hm... now that I control eight nearby mercenary groups, I guess I can start my invasion to nearby Solar Systems."
Her gaze moved at the edge of her domain, past the many structures between the stars, and she looked at the shining star in the distance. ’A few months, and my roots will reach you. Let’s see what we encounter, shall we?’
