As News spread of the Cardinal's order of the Purge, the citizens began to fear what fate their own cities might bare.
At present, Slane Theocracy had the largest population amoung the human nations, boasting about Eleven Million. A few deaths of some thousands could be said to be nothing, if it meant that the larger mass could be saved.
But this didn't mean the Plague was over, well, it was far from it. By the time the purge was declared and carried over, the virus had 'spread' to other cities. Previously the cardinals managed to confine it to the cities near Rivers but now it encompassed a larger area.
Almost half the nation....
"This is bad...what should we do my Lord? If the Cardinals hears of this, then will they try to Purge us too?" One advisor asked.
Inside one of the Cities, which was one of the major trade cites, the plague had begun to show its influence here too. The Marquis who ruled this City and it's surrounding villages was now caught in a dilemma.
For now, it was a few deaths, and having already heard of the plague's rapidly spreading nature, he ensured that the bodies were disposed of quickly as well as the belongings, and the family or any who came in contact with them, kept separately.
Although few criticized his actions, it was a necessary cause to save his life.
"No, the Cardinals are already aware. I don't believe them to not know of it. What we can do is wait and see what their response will be." The Marquis sighed out.
He had already prepared a carriage to flee the moment he gets the gist of a purge coming here.
Suddenly as he and his advisors were deciding what to do of the Victims, a soldier knocked hurriedly on the door to the Hall.
"My Lord, the Healer is here." His muffled voice heard through the large wooden door didn't downplay the importance of the words.
"Quick! Escort him in!" The Noble anxiously ordered, as if fearing a minute of delay might make the Healer turn back.
Soon, the door opened. Walking in was the same familiar figure described in the reports.
A well built body, purple and gold accented robes following down, it felt similar to the ones The Cardinals wore, but with some changes.
The most eye catching details of this person were the White hair that had purple dyed at the end, his gleaming pearlescent eyes as well as the cross earings.
The Healer gave a slight bow to the Marquis with his kind, holy smile.
"Greetings, Marquis Postio."
"Greetings to you too, Healer. May I ask why you have graced my City with your presence?" The Noble cautiously probed. He didn't want the be another example of that idiotic Baron.
"I simply found the closest City I could reach. Rest assured I have no ulterior motives. But rather, I wished to use your power to send a message to the Citizens of Slane Theocracy." The Healer cleared his doubts.
But another question rose in the Noble's heart.
"Use my Power?"
"Yes. Recently, I contacted my God, he answered my prayer and gave me a Oracle. He said that I am to save this Nation and bring Salvation." The Healer spoke.
"Save! Do you.." Postio gulped in anticipation, a glimmer of hope."..do you have the Cure?"
"Yes. But it will come at a price which you may not frett over. I only ask of you to gather the victims and the dead, organise a gathering at the Square." The Healer requested.
"But my Lord the contamination?" One of the advisor voiced his worry, a logical one.
If there was such a gathering with the Victims as the centre the spread could be instantaneous.
"Please. Trust me. If you find that I have tried to mislead you, you may do whatever you find fit with me." The Healer spoke, his tone that of unwavering confidence over himself and his God.
"...very well. You have once saved my Mother from illness and with that favour I will organise a Gathering. Please ...save us." Postio pleaded one last time.
Even if he had planned to flee the moment disaster approaches, he still held some affection for this city and it's people, and was willing to hold onto this sole rope of salvation if it meant the wellbeing of the City.
----
Immediately after the meeting, the order was announced as the Public hoping to see the Healer Gathered around the Square. They seemed to forget the precautions listed by the Cardinals' messenger about not meeting in large groups or mingling in crowds.
With the discontent and animosity brewing amongst the populace against the Cardinals and the higher authority, any opportunity to disobey their law made the public have a sense of satisfaction.
"Hey! There he is! The Healer!" One of the present audience quickly pointed towards the stage set up for the gathering, as all eyes fell on the podium.
There the Healer was, stood with a staff on his hands. His eyes holding pity and grief, as if reflecting the hardships of the public in these recent weeks. Their ruler, marquis Postio stood behind the Healer with his entourage of advisors.
Among them was the regional Bishop of the Church of the Six. This City in particular was under the faith of the God of Light.
"My fellow humans..I have long since been among you, helping the needy and healing those who needed it. You have already given me the moniker of the healer, the Saint and what not. You, who have witnessed my power, said that I was a God...but, I wish for you to know that, I am but a mere Servant for the one I serve." The Healer gave a heartfelt speech.
The many gathered kept their silence, intent on hearing what the Healer spoke.
"My God..is a Magnanimous being, someone who rules the concept of Life and Death. Without his command, no life form dares to make a decision, death doesn't harvest it's victims without his approval.
But he is a kind and impartial God, someone who doesn't sees the flaws of the Humans, but their worth. He knows that evil and goodness are the faces of the same coin, so he embodies it both so that no one may give an excuse of him being biased.
All are accepted by him, because through him only may they achieve Salvation. With his guidance may they achieve True Happiness."
The Healer continued.
The more he gave his speech, the more a certain someone found it uncomfortable to witness it happen.
The Bishop found this maddeningly heretical, Blasphemous even. But the glare of the Marquis held him back.
"The name of my Master, is Ainz Ooal Gown. The God of Death."
Gasps echoed the square as eyes opened wide at the declaration. They were familiar with such a figure, Surshana, one of the Six Great Gods was also called the God of Death, but the name was different.
"Blasphemy!!" At this very point, the Bishop found this situation all too absurd that he completely ignored the subtle hints of the Marquis to hold him back.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Preaching about a non-existent God in the very Holy ground of the Six? You will be hanged for this!" The Bishop continued, his finger pointing accusedly on The Healer as with each word his face contorted even more.
"I am sorry Bishop of the Church of Light. But I must do this, there is no way other than this." The Healer didn't take any offense of this as he simply gave a bow.
"Acg- what do you mean?!" Choking on his saliva, the Bishop was taken aback by the calm demeanor of the Healer.
"For me to be able to effectively cure the Curse, I will need the Recipient of the spell to have faith in my Master." The Healer explained.
"Faith?" The Bishop having regained his bearing asked, his frown still present.
"Yes. This plague, is in actuality a curse of a Dying Dragon Lord more than some millennia ago. It's resentment and anguish coalesced into this deadly Curse, it's only goal is to completey eradicate any life on this Nation." The Healer explained.
The news of his retelling of this legend at the village was already known by many. But hearing himself confirm the authenticity even made the more reserved and skeptic ones to believe him.
"So it is really a curse." " See I told you! You didn't believe me." "By the heavens, we were doomed to die after all?"
Discussions, questions, and answers arose, raising the noise of the crowd gathered.
"Silence!!"
But with one command of the Marquis it all started to quiet down again.
"But what does a curse have to do with faith?" The Bishop once again asked, his suspicion against the healer not yet gone.
"The curse was casted long ago, and by now the very soil is tainted by it. I alone cannot cleanse this large volume. But it could be achieved by the congregation of Faith upon my God, who have the power to do it. He will then guide the faith to fully cleanse this land, through me." The Healer spoke.
"Could such a thing be possible?" The Marquis asked, his eyes betraying the Hope he held.
"Yes."
"How could this be? You're lying! Not even my god is capable of this." The Bishop argued.
"Because they are not true gods." The Healer calmly asked, his words striking the hearts of everyone like thunder.
"You-!" The Bishop struggled to hold his tongue once more, as if any more interaction with this Blasphemous one might make the Bishop resort to Languages only fitting for the slums.
"I apologise to say this, but the ones you worship are not really Gods, they are merely powerful demigods, who has articats lended to them." The Healer sighed.
"You're lying!" The Bishop felt like his blood pressure might exceed its limits any time now.
"Sadly its the truth, you have been worshiping the wrong beings all these six centuries." The way the Healer gave his answer left no doubts for the people.
"Yo-" the bishop, about to retort once more collapsed on the ground, his eyes white.
"Lord Bishop!" His attendants hurriedly checked his vitals, making sure he was alright, then apologising to the Marquis and Healer carried the old and fat Bishop to the nursing chambers.
What about the revelation the people gained today? Well the storm was just the beginning over this nation, hurricanes, tsunami and earthquakes were still left.
★★★★★★★