You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

Even her big appetite can be considered an endearing trait.

Of course, none of that matters. What matters is that Iori valued her pure and noble soul, which has nothing to do with her looks. Hmm!

"Preferential treatment? To use what I just said, it should be 'favoritism'."

Iori spread his hands: "You know I'm a man who never hides himself."

"..."

Akame touched her cheek in annoyance. To be honest, she also had a good impression of Iori, not only because she had been helped, but also because Iori himself exuded a mysterious charm that made Akame want to get closer. The gentleness that occasionally showed in his arrogant words and deeds also deeply moved people.

But this guy's words and actions always give people the feeling that he's not very serious... Akame can't tell if he's telling the truth or joking.

The girl with long, straight black hair felt a vague unease about this, so much so that she didn't want to delve deeper into the issue:

What if Iori is serious? How should she respond?

Akame's education from childhood only covered the techniques of killing and disposing of bodies; she had no experience or reference points when it came to romance.

For an assassin, venturing into an unknown battlefield without prior intelligence is an extremely dangerous act!

So Akame shamefully backed down... but I have to admit it was very useful!

As expected, Iori didn't continue talking about that matter, but instead brought up another topic.

"By the way, I have some questions to ask... Um, does your Revolutionary Army have any secret connections with 'Anning Road'?"

Chapter 59: The Cult Leader and His Lamb

Anningdao was a typical "people's sect" that spread rapidly during times of chaos.

The term "common people" here refers to the fact that their main missionary targets are the lower and middle classes, especially those struggling below the poverty line. They aim to expand their influence and power by recruiting these people, but at the same time, they also provide material support and spiritual comfort to those who are struggling, thus having a certain mutual aid nature.

The earliest form of Christianity on Earth was similar to this.

Of course, the money comes from the people. To continuously provide relief to the masses and spread the faith, a stable source of income is necessary. Generally, donations are solicited from wealthy believers in the middle and upper classes... but this is usually insufficient to cover the costs. Therefore, the "relief" provided by the populist sects is often a few things that are beneficial but costless.

Even so, it could still make the people feel grateful, after all, even small favors were much better than the imperial officials who exploited them to the bone.

By analogy, one can understand why the Great Teacher of Virtue was able to stir up such a huge wave back then—regardless of whether talisman water is metaphysics or not, he really dared to go deep into the epidemic area to treat patients!

Isn't this better than the imperial court that allowed the plague to run rampant and left the people to fend for themselves?!

The darker and crueler the times, the more important this visible hope is. Even a tiny, flickering flame is enough to convince the people.

Anningdao was like that. It started as a small sect, but quickly developed into a large organization with considerable influence around the capital and even in the border provinces.

A large part of the reason is that the "leader" of Anning Road is very special. It is said that this leader has extraordinary personal charisma, is born with the ability to heal wounds and foresee the future, can see through people's hearts, and can even remember the name and number of every believer.

—This is practically the perfect template for a religious leader!

Because of his healing abilities, the powerful and wealthy in the capital city were generally willing to befriend him and would often give Anningdao a wide berth.

With the situation deteriorating, his influence among the people has made him a target for various parties to court. The revolutionary army, nobles, and local power factions have all sent people to communicate with him privately. However, the leader himself has not yet made a clear statement, perhaps to maintain the independence of the Path of Peace... or perhaps he is waiting for the right offer.

Although his status has become increasingly prominent, he has never forgotten his original aspirations and still frequently goes to the slums to provide relief. He also helps the upper class with confession or medical treatment in order to build connections and funds for his activities.

Today, the leader received two letters of introduction. One was from the imperial government, and it seemed that a general was very curious about the doctrines of the Way of Tranquility and wanted to give it a try.

Another letter had no sender, but the code indicated that it came from the revolutionary army.

Neither of the two letters of introduction addressed the visitors who left their names, only their own seals. Interestingly, these two individuals, who should have been on opposing sides, had identical seals!

It was a blue character for "soul." Although the cult leader couldn't understand the true meaning of the character, he was very familiar with it because this seal pattern had recently become widely circulated among the people.

It is said to be the mark of a general who hated evil, and the appearance of this seal in a place meant that the governor or lord there was about to be purged.

Some people, unable to bear the oppression, would secretly carve this pattern on doors or walls, praying that the general would arrive soon, in order to vent their discontent.

It seems that some officials are indeed terrified because many of these patterns have appeared in their jurisdictions, and they have become much more restrained in their actions.

As a result, the anecdotes about the "masked general" spread even more widely, and many people even in the vicinity of the capital were very interested in them.

Faced with this fellow who seemed to be a colleague, the leader of the Anning Dao Sect naturally had to pay more attention. However, he did not expect that before he could send someone to investigate, the other party would come to visit him directly, and even brought letters of introduction from both the Revolutionary Army and the Empire!

Is this a demonstration, or is it an implication of something?

His thoughts are hard to fathom, his true nature is unknown... quite interesting!

The cult leader was not intimidated by the two letters and greeted the mysterious guest, who was completely hidden under a cloak and mask, with a warm smile on his face.

Iori actually asked about the doctrines of the Path of Tranquility, and the leader readily complied, explaining them to Iori in a detailed manner with a magnetic voice. He had no intention of proselytizing; he simply explained things thoroughly, even to the point of being somewhat... overly straightforward.

For example, he frankly admitted that faith in the Way of Peace cannot truly free one from suffering, but can only bring spiritual "peace." He also admitted that he could only cure ordinary patients and did not have the ability to "save the world" as the doctrine claimed.

He didn't even try to hide it from anyone when he said that!

The four attendants who had been serving him behind the scenes ignored his words, seemingly used to it.

Is it really okay for you to be so honest with me, an outsider?

Iori asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid that if I tell others, it will damage your reputation?"

“Those who truly believe in the Way of Peace will automatically ignore the truth even if you tell them the truth, while those who doubt the Way of Peace will pretend not to hear it. This is not because they are stupid, but rather because they are wise enough to know how to survive.”

The leader frankly admitted: "The path of peace can only provide very little relief to believers, after all, there are too many people, and it is impossible to provide for everyone."

However, the act of 'joining the Way of Peace' itself is very meaningful to believers. They can unite together through their identity as believers and support each other through difficult times.

Individual humans are fragile, but when they gather in large numbers, they generate considerable power… Even the poorest civilians know the importance of banding together for mutual support.

"I see. The fundamental reason why Anningdao was able to grow so rapidly is that it gave ordinary people a legitimate reason to band together." Iori understood.

"There are also those who truly believe."

The cult leader calmly said, "After all, when everyone around you believes in the same doctrines, it's only natural that your mind will be affected."

"Interesting... Sorry, I thought you were a charlatan or a pretty face, I really underestimated you."

Now it seems that you are actually a very rational and intelligent person who sees things very clearly.

Legend has it that you possess the abilities of prophecy and mind reading… perhaps it's true.”

Iori smiled slightly through the mask, but her voice was unusually cold: "But this confirms another of my guesses:

Your deputy, Berlik, has been using your name to amass wealth and seduce female believers. Outsiders all believe he's been doing these things behind your back, taking advantage of your trust in him...

But the truth is quite the opposite; he's just a 'lamb' you're raising, ready to be thrown out as a sacrifice at any time, isn't he?

The four attendants gripped the sharp blades hidden in their wide sleeves, as for the cult leader—

Laugh without saying a word.

Chapter 60: Defeat the whole world!

The cult leader raised his hand, signaling his attendants to drop their weapons, and calmly said to Iori, "I have always trusted Berlik. I know nothing about what you're saying... Let's just leave it at that."

"Ha~"

"Although both the Revolutionary Army and the Empire believe that I have a huge influence among the common people and hope that I will express my support for one side, I am well aware that my followers are just a group of farmers, small merchants and craftsmen who have to do their best just to survive in this world."

The cult leader gave Iori a deep look. Although he couldn't see Iori's expression through the mask, he felt that this person wasn't just saying that to test him.

"Today's sermon is over. Sir, please leave. I have no interest in which side you belong to—"

Dong~dong~dong~

A series of muffled groans and thuds rang out as something heavy fell to the ground.

The cult leader turned around in astonishment, only to find that Iori had somehow appeared three or four meters behind him, while all his followers had collapsed unconscious on the ground with their eyes rolled back.

Furthermore, what alarmed him even more was that two masked men in white had also fallen... These were his bodyguards, who were incredibly skilled, but now...

"I just fainted. Don't misunderstand. I just think that talking alone is more conducive to opening up."

Iori made no attempt to hide her assertiveness: "Furthermore, I must make you understand the relationship between primary and secondary matters."

“Killing me will do no good for either the Revolutionary Army or the Empire,” the leader said calmly.

“But I don’t belong to either of these two sides.” Iori chuckled.

The cult leader was now in a panic...

"Can't you distinguish lies and see through thoughts? Then you should know that what I say is my true feeling," Iori said leisurely. "Let's have a heart-to-heart talk, Master."

"Which faction do you belong to? Are you perhaps a royalist...?"

“They don’t deserve it. Nobody can control me, so this is just a private conversation between you and me. Don’t worry about it.”

The boy asked gently, "I'm curious, what is your stance in this chaotic era?"

"...I cannot control which side believers choose, nor can I influence them with my own will."

All I can do is try my best to maintain peace and tranquility and provide relief to as many people as possible.

"That being said, you're quite indulgent with Berlik."

Iori strolled leisurely through the hall, admiring the exquisite paintings on the walls, and said unhurriedly, "A religious figure who can develop a sect to this scale could not possibly be a fool, especially since it is rumored that you also have the ability to 'see through people's hearts'."

How could such a wise leader not know what his left and right hands are doing all the time?

If you were just a figurehead, that would be one thing, but the power of religion lies in the public's approval. You have unparalleled prestige among believers, and Berlik has no way of undermining you or controlling everything.

Therefore, there is only one answer: this is the result of your deliberate indulgence.

The cult leader's gaze shifted for a moment, but he quickly looked back at Iori and met her eyes: "Berlik is not a good person. He is greedy, incompetent, and easily seen through. He is a very good puppet... Although he considers himself a collaborator of the ministers, he is not actually one."

However, precisely because of his incompetence and stupidity, even when he committed evil deeds, it was merely for personal enjoyment and would not threaten the overall situation.

Hearing this, Iori felt even more pleased. He had originally just wanted to see what the situation was like inside Anningdao and whether it was of any use, but now he was more interested in the leader himself.

This guy seems to have some skills!

"Let me guess..."

You personally maintain a neutral stance, but privately lean towards the Revolutionary Army. Berwick, as your deputy, is secretly a man of Minister Ernest, and his words have a huge influence on you, who are 'weak and incompetent'.

—As long as this balance of power is maintained, both the Revolutionary Army and the Ministers will believe that the situation is under their control and will not take action against Anning Road, because that would mean pushing the organization into the opposing camp.

And once the situation becomes clearer, if the Empire prevails, you can continue being a 'muddled' cult leader; if the revolutionaries win, you can eliminate Berlik as the culprit—that way you can hold your own for a higher price, right?

Master! Even Iori couldn't help but applaud him!

This skill is so advanced that it's unlike any character in "Akatsuki"!

Are you sure you didn't wander into the wrong place from the Legend of the Galactic Heroes set next door?

"...waiting for a better price?"

The cult leader was silent for a moment, and for the first time, the smile disappeared from his face. He asked Iori, "If not, what else can I do?"

If I were to call upon believers to join this brutal beast fight, they would be the first to be sacrificed, and even if they were to win, they would pay a heavy price.

Although the empire is corrupt, its border troops and central guards remain powerful. If the Path of Peace fails... do you know how the empire treats 'cults' and 'traitors'?

The revolutionary army is much more lenient towards the people, but they have not yet demonstrated their ability to govern. Even if they gain control of the country, they will be unable to restore the destroyed farmland and cities in a short period of time. After all, no one can conjure food out of thin air, and the lives of the lower classes will not change immediately. If the war drags on and the young and strong suffer heavy casualties, it will cause the surrounding ethnic groups to harbor rebellious intentions.

What should I do in this situation?

All I can do is shelter more believers and preserve as much of my strength as possible.

"But you turn a blind eye to what Berlick has done?"

"To be manipulated by Berlik's rhetoric is foolish enough, but for the sake of overall stability, this is a necessary sacrifice!"

"I see. I understand what kind of person you are now. Although you're a bit awkward... you're a good person to take advantage of."

Iori nodded, then suddenly said, "Wait here for a moment, don't wander off. I'm going to buy you a gift."

"……What did you say?"

Before he could finish speaking, the cult leader blinked and Iori had vanished, leaving him standing there dumbfounded for a moment.

"How is this going?"

He initially wanted to leave, but after seeing his bodyguards and entourage lying unconscious on the ground, he thought it over carefully and obediently stayed where he was.

As expected, Iori kept her word and quickly returned to the hall, tossing the cult leader a round gift.

The sphere rolled to the cult leader's feet, leaving a trail of blood. Even the cult leader, with his vast experience, was horrified when he saw the face: "Berlik!"