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Chapter 563: The Constantly Spreading Shadow
"Katerick, have people started investigating us?"
Shirek, who had returned to North Blue, sat in his Office and spoke with Katerick, who was in charge of the church's expansion.
Now the entire base was filled with his people, so he wasn't worried about anything happening at all.
Originally, the Headquarters wanted him to stay at the Headquarters or develop in other bases on the Grand Line.
Keeping his ability in North Blue was too much of a waste; he could have better development on the Grand Line.
Moreover, Shirek's strength was considerable.
However, Shirek claimed he needed to take care of his hometown to stay in North Blue for another two years.
At the same time, he assisted Sakazuki in sweeping pirates from the entire North Blue.
He couldn't stay in North Blue for a long time; two years was enough for him.
"My God!"
"Recently, there have indeed been many non-believers investigating the Dark Sun Cult's background, but it's all futile effort.
I believe it won't be long before they sincerely believe in the Dark Sun, believe in my God!"
"However, expansion has indeed encountered some obstacles.
Kingdoms are fine, but some influential islands are resistant to us establishing churches on their islands."
"But I haven't forced it.
Instead, I've looked for other islands, allowing more subjects to bathe in the light of the Dark Sun."
Katerick respectfully praised, then lowered his head and said nervously.
He strictly adhered to Shirek's concept of low-key development, but he was afraid Shirek wouldn't be satisfied with his performance.
Seeing Katerick's appearance, Shirek guessed what he was thinking.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Katerick."
"However, they have blocked the path of the cult's development, so they all deserve to die."
"I will have Dag cooperate with you.
Use your strength to destroy those who obstruct us.
It is time to unleash Shadow Kill's edge."
The development of the Dark Sun Cult requires no obstruction.
A cold light flashed in Shirek's eyes.
"Yes, Lord Shirek!"
On the other side, Dag, who commanded the Dark Sun Cult's military force, the Assassin Organization Shadow Kill Hall, was excited and eager to act.
Over the years, the Shadow Kill Hall has become an Assassin Organization feared throughout North Blue, and its business is expanding towards the other three sea areas.
Besides killers cultivated from a young age, a large number of brainwashed youths and even skilled individuals have joined.
Resolving some factions that hinder the cult's development is also one of the Shadow Kill Hall's missions.
Of course, these actions are not carried out in the name of the Dark Sun Cult.
Nor in the name of the Shadow Kill Hall.
Over these years, the factions controlled by the Dark Sun Cult and who believe in the Dark Sun Cult are quite numerous.
Gangs, pirates, they are all pawns of the Dark Sun Cult.
As for the Marines, Shirek personally infiltrated them.
Most killers who joined the Shadow Kill Hall later can only be considered external force.
They have their own operational trajectories in their daily lives and seemingly have no connection to the Shadow Kill Hall.
Once they receive orders, they are killers belonging to the Shadow Kill Hall and will not implicate the Shadow Kill Hall.
Using the names of pirate invasion and gang war to remove these factions obstructing the Dark Sun Cult, the killers of the Shadow Kill Hall pose as guilds, mercenaries, and bounty hunters.
The Four Seas are currently sufficiently chaotic.
A sudden outbreak of chaotic fighting is perfectly normal and won't make people suspect the Dark Sun Cult.
Even the Marines and the World Government, or other Member Nations, will not easily offend this faction that possesses great prestige among civilians before investigating the Dark Sun Cult's background.
In some small countries, the Dark Sun Cult's influence is increasing.
Even the Royal Families are unknowingly becoming believers of the Dark Sun Cult.
Even if they haven't become believers, it's only a matter of time, because they need to rely on the Dark Sun Cult's power to maintain the kingdom's rule.
In the chaotic Great Sea, the domestic situation of most kingdoms is inherently unstable, and the number of rebellious factions is increasing.
Once public outrage is stirred up, it might trigger riots.
Although they can seek help from the Marines and the World Government.
But the Dark Sun Cult is closer and possesses the ability to appease civilians.
To maintain connections with the Dark Sun Cult, they naturally align themselves with the Dark Sun Cult.
The more often they go, the more naturally they become part of the Cult.
However, Shirek knows that the Dark Sun Cult's development speed is abnormally fast.
Its terrifying brainwashing ability has already aroused the wariness of many factions.
Churches are like the tentacles of the Dark Sun Cult.
Establishing a church, in just one year, can completely turn the island and territory where the Cult is located into territory controlled by the Cult.
Although the Dark Sun Cult's brainwashing is a long-term process, the more one listens, the closer they become to the Dark Sun Cult, eventually losing control of themselves entirely.
Moreover, the Dark Sun Cult itself is very mysterious.
No one would believe this is a completely charitable organization.
Given time, the Dark Sun Cult can control more than half of North Blue.
On this point, only the Bright Papal Court in South Blue has such an ability.
However, the Bright Papal Court, representing the Divine Light Empire, has accumulated power over more than a thousand years, while the Dark Sun Cult only needs a few decades.
The factions that reject the Dark Sun Cult are ultimately only a minority.
Perhaps they are wary of the Dark Sun Cult's hidden purpose, or perhaps they are wary of the Dark Sun Cult's terrifying ability to develop.
But in the eyes of all factions, the Dark Sun Cult has no military force.
Over the years, the churches that have been invaded by pirates and destroyed are quite a few.
For the vast majority of kingdoms, the Dark Sun Cult's value is actually greater than its harm.
People are confident in themselves.
Kingdoms that control their military do not believe they can be brainwashed by the Dark Sun Cult.
This is human nature; minor obstacles are nothing at all.
The Dark Sun Cult is growing rapidly like a snowball.
Shirek has a premonition that one day it will develop to a degree that he can hardly control, losing control.
Because he also doesn't know what those fanatical believers will do.
(end of chapter)
"Katerick, have people started investigating us?"
Shirek, who had returned to North Blue, sat in his Office and spoke with Katerick, who was in charge of the church's expansion.
Now the entire base was filled with his people, so he wasn't worried about anything happening at all.
Originally, the Headquarters wanted him to stay at the Headquarters or develop in other bases on the Grand Line.
Keeping his ability in North Blue was too much of a waste; he could have better development on the Grand Line.
Moreover, Shirek's strength was considerable.
However, Shirek claimed he needed to take care of his hometown to stay in North Blue for another two years.
At the same time, he assisted Sakazuki in sweeping pirates from the entire North Blue.
He couldn't stay in North Blue for a long time; two years was enough for him.
"My God!"
"Recently, there have indeed been many non-believers investigating the Dark Sun Cult's background, but it's all futile effort.
I believe it won't be long before they sincerely believe in the Dark Sun, believe in my God!"
"However, expansion has indeed encountered some obstacles.
Kingdoms are fine, but some influential islands are resistant to us establishing churches on their islands."
"But I haven't forced it.
Instead, I've looked for other islands, allowing more subjects to bathe in the light of the Dark Sun."
Katerick respectfully praised, then lowered his head and said nervously.
He strictly adhered to Shirek's concept of low-key development, but he was afraid Shirek wouldn't be satisfied with his performance.
Seeing Katerick's appearance, Shirek guessed what he was thinking.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Katerick."
"However, they have blocked the path of the cult's development, so they all deserve to die."
"I will have Dag cooperate with you.
Use your strength to destroy those who obstruct us.
It is time to unleash Shadow Kill's edge."
The development of the Dark Sun Cult requires no obstruction.
A cold light flashed in Shirek's eyes.
"Yes, Lord Shirek!"
On the other side, Dag, who commanded the Dark Sun Cult's military force, the Assassin Organization Shadow Kill Hall, was excited and eager to act.
Over the years, the Shadow Kill Hall has become an Assassin Organization feared throughout North Blue, and its business is expanding towards the other three sea areas.
Besides killers cultivated from a young age, a large number of brainwashed youths and even skilled individuals have joined.
Resolving some factions that hinder the cult's development is also one of the Shadow Kill Hall's missions.
Of course, these actions are not carried out in the name of the Dark Sun Cult.
Nor in the name of the Shadow Kill Hall.
Over these years, the factions controlled by the Dark Sun Cult and who believe in the Dark Sun Cult are quite numerous.
Gangs, pirates, they are all pawns of the Dark Sun Cult.
As for the Marines, Shirek personally infiltrated them.
Most killers who joined the Shadow Kill Hall later can only be considered external force.
They have their own operational trajectories in their daily lives and seemingly have no connection to the Shadow Kill Hall.
Once they receive orders, they are killers belonging to the Shadow Kill Hall and will not implicate the Shadow Kill Hall.
Using the names of pirate invasion and gang war to remove these factions obstructing the Dark Sun Cult, the killers of the Shadow Kill Hall pose as guilds, mercenaries, and bounty hunters.
The Four Seas are currently sufficiently chaotic.
A sudden outbreak of chaotic fighting is perfectly normal and won't make people suspect the Dark Sun Cult.
Even the Marines and the World Government, or other Member Nations, will not easily offend this faction that possesses great prestige among civilians before investigating the Dark Sun Cult's background.
In some small countries, the Dark Sun Cult's influence is increasing.
Even the Royal Families are unknowingly becoming believers of the Dark Sun Cult.
Even if they haven't become believers, it's only a matter of time, because they need to rely on the Dark Sun Cult's power to maintain the kingdom's rule.
In the chaotic Great Sea, the domestic situation of most kingdoms is inherently unstable, and the number of rebellious factions is increasing.
Once public outrage is stirred up, it might trigger riots.
Although they can seek help from the Marines and the World Government.
But the Dark Sun Cult is closer and possesses the ability to appease civilians.
To maintain connections with the Dark Sun Cult, they naturally align themselves with the Dark Sun Cult.
The more often they go, the more naturally they become part of the Cult.
However, Shirek knows that the Dark Sun Cult's development speed is abnormally fast.
Its terrifying brainwashing ability has already aroused the wariness of many factions.
Churches are like the tentacles of the Dark Sun Cult.
Establishing a church, in just one year, can completely turn the island and territory where the Cult is located into territory controlled by the Cult.
Although the Dark Sun Cult's brainwashing is a long-term process, the more one listens, the closer they become to the Dark Sun Cult, eventually losing control of themselves entirely.
Moreover, the Dark Sun Cult itself is very mysterious.
No one would believe this is a completely charitable organization.
Given time, the Dark Sun Cult can control more than half of North Blue.
On this point, only the Bright Papal Court in South Blue has such an ability.
However, the Bright Papal Court, representing the Divine Light Empire, has accumulated power over more than a thousand years, while the Dark Sun Cult only needs a few decades.
The factions that reject the Dark Sun Cult are ultimately only a minority.
Perhaps they are wary of the Dark Sun Cult's hidden purpose, or perhaps they are wary of the Dark Sun Cult's terrifying ability to develop.
But in the eyes of all factions, the Dark Sun Cult has no military force.
Over the years, the churches that have been invaded by pirates and destroyed are quite a few.
For the vast majority of kingdoms, the Dark Sun Cult's value is actually greater than its harm.
People are confident in themselves.
Kingdoms that control their military do not believe they can be brainwashed by the Dark Sun Cult.
This is human nature; minor obstacles are nothing at all.
The Dark Sun Cult is growing rapidly like a snowball.
Shirek has a premonition that one day it will develop to a degree that he can hardly control, losing control.
Because he also doesn't know what those fanatical believers will do.
(end of chapter)
