NOVEL WEB Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Encounter With The Curch
Snow continued to fall in steady flurries over the rooftops of Harthvale, softening the jagged lines of construction and the ever-growing structure of the Dominion Relay Node.
The node, now fully operational, pulsed every few seconds with a low-frequency hum that passed beneath the skin, a vibration not audible to the ear but unmistakable to the senses.
Its dark metallic frame stood like a tower of unspoken rebellion at the hill's edge, a declaration of Leonhart's intent: the gods would not be welcomed here.
Inside the command barn, Leonhart reviewed the latest data on the terminal. The projected yield of the Servitude Matrix had climbed another 3.1% since the Relay Node went active.
Emotional readings indicated growing loyalty and subdued uncertainty from the villagers. The Sovereign Protocol was learning faster and faster now.
"We are stabilising," he said aloud, eyes on the blue-lit interface.
Rett Corven stood nearby, his armoured frame still and reflective, watching the output projected on the terminal with a half-smile. "They speak of your name with respect now, lord. Even the elders longest in touch with the false gods have begun questioning their old master's ways. They have begun to seek reason and facts while thinking with logic, no longer bound by their fears."
Leonhart nodded, but didn't look up. "Fear is a useful beginning. It is a simple tool that makes people easy to handle without much hassle. But only loyalty that comes from within sustains."
Interrupting their conversation, a soft chime rang through the chamber.
[Incoming Alert: Clerical Entities Approaching Harthvale.]
[Estimated Arrival: 17 minutes.]
[Composition: 4 individuals.]
[Identified: Faith-Bearing.]
[Risk Assessment: Moderate.]
Leonhart's gaze sharpened. "So soon. The Church is watching closely."
The group arrived shortly past midday, their white-and-gold robes cutting through the fog like blades of light. The sigil of Solvane, the Dawnfather, shimmered on their chests. At their head marched a tall, silver-haired cleric with deeply lined features and a staff topped with a polished solar disc. He walked with deliberate calm, eyes scanning the mechanical units stationed at the village edge with undisguised unease.
His name was Brother Ferren of the Dawnfather's Order.
Behind him were three attendants—one no older than twenty, clutching a blessed tome with trembling hands. Another hummed quiet chants under her breath, her voice trembling. The last kept glancing toward the Dominion Relay Node, as though expecting it to fall from the sky in judgment.
Leonhart met them at the central square, just steps away from the Loyalty Altar. He wore his usual white coat and mechanical gloves, silver lines of circuitry faintly pulsing beneath the fabric.
Brother Ferren inclined his head in a courteous nod, though his tone was cold.
"Sovereign Leonhart. We've heard rumors-concerning alterations of the faith."
Leonhart returned the nod. "It is the truth, not rumours. You're witnessing it right now."
Ferren's gaze drifted toward the altar, its machinery humming softly, rhythmically.
"This... thing... radiates with borrowed presence. I can see faith echoing within it-but the gods do not speak here."
Leonhart clasped his hands behind his back. "No. Because the gods didn't bother to answer when this village cried out."
The younger priest stepped forward. "And so you try to claim divinity?"
"No," Leonhart said. "I claim only authority. Built not on myth and false belief, but merit and understanding."
Nara stepped from the crowd then, her eyes faintly glowing, the staff in her hands no longer a mere conduit of magic but a fully integrated Mana Relay Conduit. The Servo-Arcanist's presence caused a ripple among the priests. The youngest recoiled.
"What have you done to her?" the woman hissed.
Nara blinked. "I have been reborn by my lord's grace. I can cast faster now. Heal without pain. I still remember my prayers-but I don't need them to make light anymore."
Ferren stepped closer to Leonhart. "You are altering the soul, Sovereign. Machine amalgamations that echo miracles. Towers that pulse with artificial piety. The gods will not approve of this."
Leonhart's voice remained level. "Let them come down from their thrones, then. Let them speak to me eye to eye."
For a long moment, nothing moved as if time itself had been frozen. The snow continued to fall.
[Alert: Passive Faithfield Interference Detected.]
[Regional Servitude Drift Rate: -2.8% (Temporary)]
[Recommend Action: Stabilisation Measures or Diplomatic Evasion.]
Leonhart turned away from the priests. "You are welcome to stay for the evening if you so desire. Witness the peace we've created. Then tomorrow, decide if you wish to remain or return and report. I have nothing to hide here."
Ferren studied him. "We will only observe. Nothing more."
Night fell in silence.
Inside the village inn, Brother Ferren sat by the fire, writing on a piece of paper illuminated by lantern light. His attendants rested nearby, uneasy, constantly whispering prayers beneath their breath.
Across the square, in the command barn, Leonhart stood before the newly constructed Emotional Harmoniser—a small, crystalline device suspended within a protective cage of brass filaments. It resonated faintly with the emotional output of the villagers, smoothing turbulence and strengthening loyalty links.
[Emotional Harmoniser: Operational.]
[Passive Loyalty Boost: +4.2% within 2 km radius.]
[Divine Detection Level: Low.]
[Increases Servitude Matrix cohesion by 20% within a 200m radius.]
[Reduces emotional disruption from conflicting religious dogma or divine presences.]
[Passively enhances the conversion rate of neutral citizens into Servitude-aligned followers.]
[Can be used to emit Reassurance Pulses during crisis events to prevent loyalty fractures.]
[Regulates and amplifies communal emotional frequencies, especially those tied to loyalty, gratitude, and safety. It works by drawing on subtle emotional currents in nearby humans and feeding positive emotional patterns back into the Servitude Matrix, smoothing out ideological dissonance and doubt. Transforms collective anxiety or unrest into calm stability.]
Rett approached quietly. "The priests will never accept something like this, lord"
"They don't have to," Leonhart replied. "Only the people do."
Outside, Nara sat with several children near the Relay Node, teaching them the basics of sigil-weaving. Her tone was warm, her eyes alive still bearing the sweet innocence she had previously.
To the left of the central courtyard, new recruits were testing the first models of Kinetic-Reinforced Infantry.
[Unit Class: Kinetic-Reinforced Infantry (KRI)]
[Role: Frontline Shock Trooper]
[Augmentations: Enhanced leg pistons and hydraulic limbs allow for rapid short-range dashes and explosive jumps. Reinforced rib plating protects internal core.]
[Primary Ability: "Momentum Strike" - Charges forward in a burst, delivering a concussive punch that destabilises enemy formations.]
[Secondary Feature: Stabiliser Spikes - Deployable into the ground to resist knockbacks, magical blasts, or shockwaves.]
[Power Draw: High, cooldown-based.]
[Drawbacks: Poor agility after initial burst; vulnerable to prolonged magic bombardment.]
Each test unit completed a rapid sprint, anchoring itself mid-charge as steam hissed from its vents. Villagers watched in awe at the creations of their lord.
In the distance, snow now buried the paths to Windmere Hills.
The shrine waited there.
And it would be next.
By morning, Brother Ferren stood again before the Loyalty Altar.
Leonhart joined him, silent.
Ferren's fingers brushed the edge of the altar. "You've created something powerful. But dangerous. Faith without humility becomes tyranny."
Leonhart said nothing for a long time. Then:
"I am not humble. I am precise."
Ferren sighed, a hollow breath leaving his body. "Then I shall pray for you."
He turned, and left the village with his group of four, the three assistants finally taking breaths of relief.
The snow fell harder that day.
And beneath it, the hum of machines continued to rise