They all call me an Outer God.

Witches will attract everyone to love them.

Because they are the epitome of beauty, who, apart from witch hunters, wouldn't like a beautiful witch?
Many people blushed the moment they saw Leilana, their minds filled with thoughts like, "Oh my god, she's so beautiful."

However, many of them still showed considerable fear because they subconsciously categorized people into different classes, and they belonged to the lowest class.

“It’s alright.” Leilana gestured for everyone to stand in front of the Trade Statue.

"Pray to Him, the Lord of Trade will protect you all; before God, all things are equal."

Is it truly equal?

Sullivan looked up and saw a statue made entirely of gold. The god's face was covered by a cloak. He held scales in one hand and a sword in the other. He held the scales high, while the sword was propped up on the ground like a cane.

On His shoulder, a strange-looking creature spread its wings, seemingly ready to take flight at any moment.

"What kind of creature is that?"

Sullivan asked.

“Those are the offspring of the Lord, His favorite retinue—mythical creatures of unknown origin, the most common version being the dragon.”

Leilana answered in this way.

"So, this god's offspring is a dragon? Then is the Lord of Trade also a dragon?"

“That’s an interesting idea. Why do you think of that?” Leilana looked at him with curiosity.

"Because you see, the Lord of Trade controls trade and is the embodiment of money, and legend has it that dragons also love treasure, so shouldn't the Lord of Trade's true form be a dragon?"

“No, He is not.” Leilana thought Sullivan’s idea was very bold, but then she suddenly thought, with so many species to choose from, why did Swarth choose to descend as a dragon?

Ria chose the power of trade as the embodiment of wealth, while Swarth chose to appear beside him as a dragon that favors treasure.

"He wanted to protect Him; that's probably what family love is."

Thinking of this, Leilana couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, and Sullivan also began to feel that this high and mighty god was not entirely without humanity.

He stood before the statue of the God of Trade, holding the paper with the prayer written on it, and asked Leilana, "May I pray to Him?"

"Of course, but the Lord may not respond to you."

“It’s okay. I just want to pray to Him. This is my first time at church. If possible, I’d like to be alone for a while.”

Sullivan took a deep breath, and Laylana smiled at him, turning to signal everyone not to disturb the child for the time being. During his prayer, he probably had a lot to say to the gods.

Finally, everyone left.

Sullivan opened the paper in his hand, looked up at the statue of God, and recited the prayers aloud.

Unlike others, he knows words, which is probably his only advantage.

"The golden ruler who governs the balance and trade of all things, the god of trade."

"The eternal black beacon on the path of nothingness and annihilation."

"A spectator who is detached from the past, present, and future."

"You create justice, you execute judgments, you play with guilt."

"Praise trade."

After these words were recited, the statue did not react, but Sullivan did not expect any reaction from Him; he simply needed someone to confide in.

So the child silently bowed his head before the statue.

"God, I once had a happy family, with loving parents and a sister."

"Although we are not rich, although we can't eat meat all year round, and although we live far away from the city, I still feel very happy."

"You may not understand these things, but I love them very much. My family is always trying to raise money so that I can go to school in the city. And I did as they wished, always getting the best grades in the whole school. My family is very proud of me."

But one day, when I returned home with my report card, I found my parents arguing with a group of well-dressed people. Those people treated my family like trash, looking at them as if they were dogs.

"They pointed guns at my parents in front of me and shot them dead. I didn't understand why they did it. Later, I heard..."

Sullivan suddenly covered his face and burst into laughter: "I heard, I heard... Ha, ha!"

“I heard them say they were going to build a new golf course, and my house happens to be blocking the land where they're building the course!”
For this absurd reason, those damned rich people killed my parents and razed my house. If I hadn't escaped with my sister, neither of us would have survived.

“I used to think I was very happy, but suddenly one day, I had nothing left. But I think at least I still have my sister. No matter how hard life is, I will support her even if I have to pick up trash.”

"...But doesn't God love the world? Why do those people still turn their poisonous hands on us? No one cares about our lives or deaths. They pretend to give us food, but actually poison it."

They want us all dead, completely wiped out, so that their so-called city will be utterly noble, magnificent, and untouched by the dust of the world.

Sullivan's voice trembled: "No one can save us. Everyone is trying to please the rich. We are just toys in the shadow of the rich."

"God, if you truly exist and have truly heard what I'm saying, then please save us... We don't want to die, we just want to live."

He lowered his head, almost sobbing uncontrollably, creating a stark contrast with the cold, indifferent statue.

Sullivan stayed by the statue and cried for a long time. When he had finished crying and was about to leave, he suddenly heard a soft "click" in front of him.

A conspicuous gold coin fell in front of him, and at that moment, a bunch of strange and unusual information was forcibly implanted into his brain.

This is a special gold coin.

Only special people can obtain it...

"gold?"

"A gold coin that can... split?"

Sullivan was initially taken aback. After realizing what was in front of him, he hurriedly picked it up with trembling hands, almost unable to believe his eyes.

"Is this your blessing? Did you hear what I said?!"

In an instant, Sullivan stood up excitedly and stared at the statue. The statue remained silent, but Sullivan was so excited that he trembled.

He made a wish upon the gold coin and watched it split into two.

If he can continue to split, he will soon become the richest man in all of Endlers, even surpassing the rich man who had previously humiliated him.

At that time, he would no longer have to be mindful of the nobles' opinions; he could crush them to the ground and trample them to his heart's content.

This feeling is truly—"Praise be to trade!"

Sullivan bowed fervently to the Lord of Trade, now completely devoted to Him and a faithful follower.

However, he could have taken both coins, including the original one, but Sullivan seemed to be hesitant and only took the split coin.

He thought that one gold coin would be enough. One gold coin could do many things; it could buy enough bread to last for years, or enough warm clothes for everyone.

Then, as if he had received a gift he desired, he bowed deeply to the statue and turned to run away.

At this moment, the gold coins left behind remained still and motionless, but the eyes of the mythical creature on the statue's shoulder gradually emitted a strange golden light.

Sullivan finished his prayer, but when he saw Laylana and the others again, he fell silent.

He hesitated, wondering whether to tell others about the gold coins he had received. Logically, he should tell Leilana, because the girl seemed like a genuinely good person, but Sullivan didn't believe that good people existed.

He only trusts himself.

To be honest, the moment he received the gold coins, he didn't think about finally being able to live a life free from worries about food and clothing, but rather that he had finally saved enough money to buy a gun.

Guns are fast, ruthless, and deadly weapons that kill without leaving a trace.

He was incredibly excited at the thought of being able to buy guns on the black market.

The nobleman who murdered his parents would go to the golf course on the third day of each month, inviting a large group of nobles.

Perhaps the person who poisoned his sister was also among them.

He could disguise himself as a caddy retrieving a ball, or as a nobleman's child, and shoot them when they weren't looking.

Nothing could evoke the feeling of taking revenge firsthand, and the mere thought of it made Sullivan tremble with anticipation.

The days of waiting are always long and boring.

In the days that followed, Sullivan and his companions settled down around the Golden Church. The church people were very kind; they provided them with food and lodging and gave them jobs. Their daily work consisted of repairing the church and helping with its publicity.

Very simple.

Sullivan also enjoyed this peaceful life, but he still didn't forget that the third day of the lunar month was an important day.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was paying attention, he went out with the gold coins and successfully obtained a gun and a considerable amount of bullets on the black market.

What can a gold coin be used for? It can be exchanged for one hundred silver coins, ten thousand paper lexicons, and one million swarths.

It allows Sullivan to obtain guns and bullets from the black market, hire bodyguards and snipers willing to accompany him to the golf course, buy a high-quality replica of his beautiful clothes, and acquire many expensive ingredients that are rarely seen in ordinary times.

Salmon, sturgeon roe, lobster...

Standing at the restaurant entrance watching the wealthy people feast, Sullivan didn't know how he felt. He should envy them, but the murderous intent in his heart made it impossible for him to give these rich people a friendly look.

If he wants to infiltrate the golf course, he can't make himself look poor or arouse suspicion.

He bought twenty bullets, which, if he was lucky, could kill ten or more people, provided that he practiced how to use the gun, and finding someone to teach him that also cost money.

It was only when he realized that the Lord of Trade wielded a terrifying power that he found himself in almost every corner of the world where money was needed.

The rich and nobles control 98% of the national economy, while God controls everyone.

The third day of the month arrived quickly, and Sullivan, looking around at the group of well-trained assassins he had hired, reiterated to them, "We must kill them with one blow."

Those men looked at him, seemingly with a hint of a smile: "Of course we know, young master, you pay us a reward, and we help you kill people."

"You know who we're supposed to kill, right?"

Just in case, Sullivan asked again.

"Of course, we want to kill Earl Dangerton. If you'd like, we wouldn't mind killing his mistress and his cronies."

"Actually, there's a question I've wanted to ask you for a long time."

Sullivan looked at them: "Aren't you really afraid of making enemies of nobles after killing them?"

“Of course we’re scared. Killing a nobleman will bring us unprecedented retribution. You’ll hire us, and those rich people will hire detectives too. They’ll find out about us very soon.”

"But why did you accept my case in the first place?"

Sullivan was increasingly puzzled. At that moment, the men he had hired looked at him and said something he would never forget.

“You have paid us to kill, and we must carry out your orders because the money in your hands represents the supreme authority of a god.”

"Trade authority—I will enforce any trade I propose, regardless of cause or effect, right or wrong."

"This is His power, praise to trade!"

"Praise be to trade!"

Suddenly, those people changed their expressions and stood in front of Sullivan, making strange gestures with their hands, their pupils also tinged with an eerie golden light.

The fervor in their eyes as they praised the gods seemed genuine, and their piety was beyond question.

Sullivan was stunned for a moment, because he hadn't realized that these people still believed in the Lord of Trade, but everything seemed to have changed after he made a deal with them using gold coins.

The crowd reached out to him, inviting him to join them in celebrating the glory of trade, but Sullivan felt that something was amiss.

Is the Lord of Trade... a righteous god? Why does he feel that this one seems more like an evil god than a righteous one?

But the thought only crossed Sullivan's mind for a moment before he dismissed it.

No matter who the other party is, as long as they can help him achieve his goal, they are the target he should follow.

"So what if he's an evil god... or rather, he's even better. My soul was corrupted the moment I witnessed my parents' deaths, and He is the only being willing to accept me."

Sullivan suddenly laughed, and he joined the others in praising the gods before heading to the golf course.

He did not report his actions to his companions or anyone in the church today, because Sullivan did not want to implicate them; he wanted to carry out his revenge alone.

For this mission, he even acquired a new identity for himself—the eldest son of the Viscount Leist.

The hired men also killed the original Viscount Leist's child and handed the invitation to him; now, he was the real young Leist.

(End of this chapter)