Expansion

< Inside the courtyard >

After 5 hours, a group of 32 people gathered in the courtyard. Among them are already 24 people who look completely healthy. These individuals are the ones that have already been healed by the condensers because they would have died otherwise. By already becoming devotees of Kami, they are currently acting as bodyguards to protect the children of Kamis group and especially Esther from possible rampages that could happen if Esther demonstrates "her" holy powers.

Kami's plan is to heal all 8 people simultaneously to convert them into his devotees, using the same procedure he used with Esther and the other kids. The only difference is that Esther will act as if she possesses these powers, making Kami appear untouchable and, in the eyes of the newcomers, almighty like a true God.

Esther, dressed in her newly acquired golden white robe, steps on some boxes, acting like a makeshift stage and begins her speech:

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here today. We stand at a critical juncture in our lives, as I have come here to shed light on the dark secrets that have plagued us for far too long. Secrets of betrayal, deception, and the heinous acts committed by the Ambrosius Church.

The leader of the group of thugs, known as Old Man P., is actually a priest of the Ambrosius Church! You wonder why the Ambrosius Church never did anything against our oppressors? Because they are our oppressors! They exploit us like farm animals and covet our property in the name of Salvation, Freedom and Justice!

For years, we have blindly placed our trust in the hands of those who claimed to be righteous, who promised to guide us on a path of enlightenment and salvation. But today, I am here to reveal the truth that has been hidden from us.

The Ambrosius Church, an institution revered by many, has been tainted by a web of corruption. Behind its pious facade lies a horrifying reality—a reality filled with abuse, exploitation, and unspeakable acts committed against the most vulnerable members of our society.

It is time for us to face this truth head-on, to no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering endured by the innocent!

Children, who sought solace within those hallowed walls, were subjected to unspeakable horrors—victims of the very people entrusted to protect them.

Their stories, buried in the depths of darkness, cry out for justice. We can not allow the sins of the Ambrosius Church to go unanswered. We owe it to those who have suffered to bring their perpetrators to light, to hold them accountable for their despicable actions.

But let us not forget the strength within our community. We stand not alone! Since I received the power of our true God almighty! We have the support of the one and only true God!

Let us destroy the Ambrosius Church and spread the faith of our real God!!"

Kami had deliberately chosen to associate such actions with the Ambrosius Church, even if he didn't confirm it himself. In earlier times of his old world, there had been widespread rumors of corruption and abuse within religious institutions, and Kami suspected that similar issues might plague the Ambrosius Church in this world. By exposing and denouncing these heinous acts, he aimed to turn the people's disillusionment with the church into fervent belief in him.

Right after Esther finished her speech, she opened her arms and Kami activated his skill

Suddenly, the sky darkens, and an eerie stillness descends upon the scene.

The darkness deepens, and a hushed anticipation ripples through the crowd. As if on cue, a radiant, golden light pierces through the darkness, illuminating the entire backyard. Gasps of awe and wonder escape from the lips of the onlookers.

One by one, majestic beings, ethereal and luminous, materialize before each individual. These beings, angels of pure light, extend their hands and touch the shoulders of the people with gentle grace.

The touch of the angels emits a soft glow, spreading warmth and healing throughout the bodies of those they encounter. A sensation of peace washes over each person, replacing any pain or suffering they might have carried. The angels move from person to person, their touch releasing burdens, healing wounds, and restoring hope.

Smiles blossom on the faces of the individuals as they experience a profound sense of serenity and renewal. As the angels complete their celestial task, they slowly fade back into the golden light from whence they came. The darkness dissipates, and once again, the backyard is bathed in the soft glow of the sunlight.

The 8 people, their faces filled with awe and gratitude, stand in silent reverence, basking in the afterglow of the divine encounter. Hearts uplifted, they share a deep sense of connection and a renewed faith in the power of healing and the presence of the divine.

Without words, they embrace one another, their souls forever transformed by the golden, holy light and the touch of the celestial beings. They stand as a testament to the miraculous and the enduring belief that hope and healing can emerge even in the darkest of times.

As the scene fades, the 8 people remain in the backyard, forever changed and united by the extraordinary experience they have shared.

Against the expectations of Kami, the group didn't go crazy, but just fell to their knees and began a silent prayer.

*ding*

[Congratulations! You gained 8 new followers!]

[Congratulations! Lesser Healing Lvl 1 -> Lesser Healing Lvl 2]

...

< 1 month later >

In the otherwise quiet and deserted corner of the Slum, it is now as lively as a shopping street. The houses no longer have holes and most of them even have windows. The old hut of Esther and her gang now has a stone fundament and a small church in the courtyard.

In the old living room, Aeden is talking with the 3 man he healed previously.

"So Heinrich, what's the current status?"Aeden asked the man, who previously criticized the Ambrosius Church.

"Last week, we gained 26 devotees. Because more and more people spread the same rumours, we have gained an additional 30 devotees this week. In total, we have exactly 105 devotees consisting of 25 elderly, 32 young and middle-aged men, 29 young and middle-aged women and 19 children." Heinrich spoke.

"Awesome, continue to spread more rumours!" Aeden commanded

"Yes, sir!" All three men saluted and left the room.

< Other side of the Slum >

In a dimly lit room, filled with the stench of decay and the oppressive weight of authority, an overweight man with the face of a pig roared in anger. His eyes bulged with rage as he received the report from his trembling subordinate.

"What??!!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating through the room. "You say that our church is experiencing a decline in donations? How is that possible? We cannot allow this to happen!"

The subordinate, his gaze fixed on the ground, stammered in response. "I-I'm sorry, sir. It seems that more and more people are withholding their contributions. They have lost faith in the church and its promises."

A sinister grin crept across the pig-faced man's lips as he contemplated the situation. His mind churned with twisted ideas, fueled by a lust for power and control. He relished the thought of exerting his influence over the desperate souls who sought solace within the walls of his church.

"Very well," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "Investigate this matter immediately. Find out why these fools have dared to question our authority. We must restore their faith and ensure that the donations flow into our coffers once again."

The subordinate nodded nervously, fully aware of the consequences of failure. He scurried out of the room, leaving the pig-faced man alone with his thoughts.

As he paced the room, his heavy footsteps echoing in the silence, the pig-faced man's mind twisted with malevolence. He saw an opportunity amidst the decline in donations—a chance to tighten his grip on the lives of his followers, to ensure their dependence on the church.

A sinister chuckle escaped his lips as he formulated his plan. "Oh, they will donate diligently again," he muttered to himself. "We just have to make their lives even more miserable. We will exploit their fears, their vulnerabilities, and their desperation. Hahahaha!"

He envisioned a future where the people, driven to the brink of despair, would turn to the church as their only source of salvation. They would cling to the false promises, the empty words of hope, willingly surrendering their hard-earned wealth to the pig-faced man's insatiable appetite for power and luxury.

The pig-faced man reveled in his twisted vision, relishing the thought of the suffering he would inflict upon his followers. He believed that their misery would be the key to their devotion, that their desperation would fuel their obedience.

As the hours passed, the pig-faced man retreated to his opulent quarters, adorned with lavish decorations and adorned with extravagant luxuries. From his position of privilege, he reveled in the control he exerted over the lives of those who sought solace within the church's walls.