"You're not qualified!"
With Lynn's sneer, Big Beard stood stunned.
After a short while, he cautiously began, "Wh, why?"
Lynn sized him up, "I ask you, what is the core doctrine stated in Chapter One, Section Six of the Creation Scripture?"
Although unsure of the relevance of the question, Big Beard pondered for a moment.
Then, earnestly, he replied, "To love all creatures in the world as thou lovest me."
Clearly, this guy's faith seemed to be of the more devout kind.
After all, he was someone who had suffered real-life trauma, easily taking up a cult as a spiritual crutch.
Meanwhile, Glaya, who overheard their conversation from a distance, was shocked.
He looked down and exchanged glances with Aphia, feeling a storm rising in his heart.
Glaya was well aware that, given Lynn's character, everything said just now was probably a lie.
How could someone who hailed from the Imperial Capital and was a bona fide noble possibly believe in the twisted teachings of the Creationist School?
Yet the way he spoke so fluently, even quoting content from the scripture, didn't seem feigned at all.
The only possibility was a moment ago.
While in the carriage, Glaya had given Lynn a copy of the Creation Scripture.
As the saying goes, know your enemy and know yourself—it would be useful to understand a bit about the sect for targeted measures.
At the time, Lynn appeared uninterested, flipping briefly through the book before tossing it aside.
Glaya felt a bit helpless about Lynn's laziness then.
But now it didn't seem to be the case.
Could it be that by just flipping through it briefly, he remembered most of the key information?
Such memory was unheard of to Glaya.
Suppressing the shock in his heart, he continued to watch.
After hearing Big Beard's words, Lynn repeated thoughtfully, "To love all creatures in the world as thou lovest me... It seems you remember it very clearly."
"Of course, my devotion to the Goddess is absolutely sincere," Big Beard said confidently.
"Bullshit!" Lynn suddenly cursed, "You're still lying!"
A noble's exclusive aura of authority erupted, causing Big Beard's face to turn pale.
He took a half step back, seemingly frightened, and retorted a bit indignantly.
Lynn eyed him scornfully, "If that's the case, then let me ask you, do you resent your wife?"
"Of course, I wish I could kill that bitch right now!"
Thinking of his tragic past, Big Beard's head heated up and he blurted out without thinking.
After speaking, he felt somewhat relieved, as if he'd released the resentment in his heart.
But seconds later, he began to regret it.
With so many people here, including two Sheriffs armed with explosive bullets on the scene, was it appropriate to say such things?
For a moment, Big Beard felt very pessimistic, losing hope of being able to enter the city and return home.
Little did he know that Lynn didn't care about his desire to kill, instead asking indifferently, "Why do you want to kill her?"
"I told you already, because she's carrying the bastard of someone unknown."
Big Beard said sorrowfully.
"That's exactly the problem," Lynn glanced at him, "Even if that child isn't yours, it is still an innocent life. If you can't even love the child in her womb, how could you possibly achieve what the scripture says, to cherish all people?"
"You have violated the teachings of the school, and this is a desecration of the faith in the Goddess."
He spoke indifferently.
Upon hearing this, Big Beard's body staggered slightly, as if pondering Lynn's words.
After a moment, he asked with an ashen face, "I, I can do as the Creation Scripture says, except... except for the child in her belly and her herself."
Lynn merely shook his head, "Faith that is not absolute, is absolutely not faith."
"Glaya, bring the contract here."
Hearing this, Glaya, who had been observing Lynn's magnificent manipulation, finally came back to her senses, realizing that there might be a glimmer of a turnaround in the situation.
She hurriedly pulled a sheet from the stack of Extraordinary Contracts and, scurrying over with a steel pen, approached him.
After glancing at the clause that read "Promise not to propagate the ideals of the Creationist School to others," he sneered disdainfully.
"Change this clause for me," Lynn pointed at the text, "change it to from now on, no longer believing in the Goddess."
Glaya appeared somewhat puzzled.
She whispered in Lynn's ear, "Isn't this pressing them too hard?"
After all, the first draft of the contract did not stop them from believing in the Goddess; it only prohibited the propagation of beliefs.
However, the second draft that Lynn requested directly kicked him out of the ranks of the faithful.
"Just change it as I said."
Lynn offered no explanation.
Soon, the new draft of the contract was revised.
Lynn nodded in satisfaction and then handed it to Big Beard beside him, "Sign it."
Big Beard looked at the clause and became furiously angry, "You, you previously said you wouldn't force us to change our beliefs, didn't you?!"
"But I also said, there was a prerequisite," Lynn glanced at him indifferently, "Only those who, like me, show absolute devotion to the Goddess can retain their faith; for the others who want to muddy the waters, I will single each one out."
"I won't sign!" Big Beard waved his hands in agitation, "I really am a follower of the Goddess, believe me!"
"In that case, are you willing to treat that child as your own after you return home, to care for him as your biological child, ensuring he eats well and stays warm, living a life of luxury even if it means you eat less?" Lynn stared at him, asking.
Big Beard's expression became extremely rigid.
Clearly, he was caught in a struggle of agony.
It was time for the final blow.
Lynn thought silently.
"If you can do as I say, then I might agree to let you keep your faith," Lynn watched him coldly, "Of course, don't think I am easily deceived. Once you return, I will send someone to check on you every day."
"If I detect even the slightest mistreatment of your wife and child, I will let you taste the punishment that a heretic deserves."
As he spoke, he took out a revolver from his pocket and weighed it in his hand.
This was a gun he had casually picked up when he left the cellar, loaded with special explosive bullets, with an extremely impressive killing power.
After all, Lynn was no longer a Transcendent now and wasn't qualified to use things like Ancient Curses.
However, for dealing with ordinary people, it was more than enough.
Looking at Big Beard, who was sweating from his forehead, Lynn said nothing, continuing to apply pressure.
Under the influence of the Lie Swallowing, his threats became absolutely true words in the ears of Big Beard.
After what seemed like an eternity, his already somewhat hunched back bent over completely.
Big Beard answered weakly.
Clearly, compared to the ordeal of raising some unknown man's child, in the end, Big Beard chose to give up his faith.