The Water Magician

Meanwhile.

"Your Excellency, welcome."

"Bishop Mikita, it has been a while."

Graham was greeted by Bishop Mikita, the one responsible for the Von Church.

The Von Church is quite a large church in the western region of the Western Nations Federation.

However, it was precisely because of this that reports had come in about the clergy falling into difficult situations.

"I've heard that radicals are attacking the clergy."

"Yes, Your Excellency. It seems there is a newly emerging religion…"

Bishop Mikita reported with a sigh.

"It's not that their active proselytizing has collided with the beliefs of the local people… Rather, those who identify themselves as followers of the Vira Church are launching attacks."

"The Vira Church?"

Graham tilted his head at the unfamiliar term.

He had received reports that the clergy of the Western Church, and at times even the church itself, were being attacked in the western part of the dark continent.

That said, such events had occurred in any era and in any region.

That's what proselytizing is about.

For those who believe in something different or who have lived there from the beginning, newcomers are seen as foreign entities.

Graham understood this.

He knew that founder Nyu advocated for freedom of religion.

One should not forcibly impose their faith on those who do not believe in the teachings of the Western Church.

When those who have yet to become believers come of their own accord, it is then that they should be welcomed and helped to find peace of heart.

That has always been the stance of the Western Church as stated by Nyu.

Of course, over time, the Western Church has changed.

This transformation within the church is self-evident, but it also extended to its proselytizing efforts.

As the faith of the Western Church spread, friction with those who do not believe in its doctrines increased.

Friction arises, physical conflicts occur, and catastrophe follows.

Throughout its thousands of years of history, such unfortunate events certainly exist.

There were times when the Western Church became the aggressor and times when it was the one being attacked.

However, recently, the church itself had been steering towards reducing the pressure of proselytization, resulting in a decrease in external friction.

In proportion, one could say that internal friction within the church had increased…

"It seems that the Vira Church followers believe in something not human, something supernatural."

"Hmm."

"It appears that those dispatched to Cardinal Adolfito are investigating."

"I see."

Graham nodded.

Adolfito is the person among the high-ranking clergy of the Western Church who is best at using cunning methods.

The fact that he has taken an interest means it might not be an ordinary new religion.

Graham bestowed blessings upon the clergy and followers of the Von Church and moved to the lodging secured by the French Fleet.

Upon entering the lodging, Stefania, who had been gathering information earlier, arrived.

"Your Excellency, I have information from Cardinal Adolfito's people regarding the Vira Church."

"Oh, let me see."

Graham received about twenty reports.

He finished reading them in about two minutes.

"A faith in vampires, is it?"

Graham nodded slightly.

"Yes."

Stefania, who had read it beforehand, also nodded.

Indeed, the Vira Church is a religion that worships vampires.

Of course, those who believe in it are human.

In fact, there have always been those who worship vampires.

Once upon a time, there were many of them in the Western Nations as well.

Fear and reverence… these two emotions are very closely related.

If one arises, the other is likely to follow.

This can sometimes elevate into faith.

The origins of those who worship vampires are rooted in such feelings.

However, faith transforms.

Before long, some sects shifted to a desire to become vampires themselves.

The Vira Church, as reported now, clearly worships vampires.

That said, if they are merely worshippers of vampires, it isn't particularly concerning.

The issue is…

"The fact that they are attacking the clergy, followers, and even the church of the Western Church."