Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 248 - 126: Unifying Faith

Confidence.

Considerable confidence.

Patrick was unsure if he was confident in the Church’s missionary capability or its powerful doctrines; he believed that as long as Duncan did not suppress them, the Church would eventually replace the primitive Polytheism.

In this aspect, his judgment was correct; the primitive Polytheism lacked competitiveness, but Duncan’s reformed version was different.

Duncan’s interest grew as he looked at this person and said slowly, "As far as I know, your missionary work in Ireland hasn’t gone smoothly. How then can you persuade them to surrender?"

Patrick built many churches and schools, gaining support among the lower classes.

Faced with Duncan’s skepticism, Patrick calmly said, "At least I can win over most people; not everyone wants to face brutal warfare, especially those living at the bottom of society."

"Moreover, the Governor’s reputation precedes him. With your support, many cities in Ireland would surrender without a fight."

If he succeeded, the Church’s reputation would soar.

Duncan seemed to fall into contemplation, while the Crow Queen Triss had a complex expression. From a Polytheistic standpoint, she should rebuff the opponent, but the Crow Queen considered more from Duncan’s perspective. If Ireland could be subdued without war, the benefits would be worth the concession.

Deploying troops over long distances and fighting across the sea made for challenging logistics.

Conquering Ireland was harder than attacking Scotland; peaceful governance would be the best result.

Duncan slowly raised his head and said, "Are you suggesting that Ireland become a vassal of Britain?"

Vassal state.

Nominally retaining certain sovereignty, but in reality, being under the control of the suzerain country in military, internal affairs, diplomacy, and economy.

Patrick slightly shook his head and said, "I’m afraid the Governor won’t be satisfied with a mere vassal."

"But upon submission."

"Ireland could anytime become a province of the empire."

Currently, Ireland was still under a tribal kingdom system, consisting of hundreds of small tribes, each kingdom ruled by a Chieftain and local King. Due to the dispersed power, territorial disputes were frequent.

This was truly like villages fighting one another.

Though Ireland’s territory wasn’t large, during Queen Meave’s era, there were slightly larger kingdoms. Now, they were all small tribal states; it wasn’t impossible to crush them. But the Gaels were hard to conquer, and there would be bloodshed, although the price was within bearable limits.

A mere vassal wouldn’t suffice; Duncan sought total unification.

Saint Patrick went to Ireland around the year 432 to do missionary work, nearly twenty years ago now. The monasteries he established were spread throughout southeastern Ireland, gradually replacing Druid beliefs. The current situation was coexistence, but the Church’s missionary efforts were stronger, already suppressing the local religion.

Interestingly, despite the religious opposition, Church monks were actively preserving records of Celtic myths, with Patrick himself leading the efforts.

It was also for this point that Duncan could sit down and talk with him, and the Crow Queen Triss would yield so much.

Duncan pondered for a long time and slowly said, "I refuse!"

Nothing can stop the great trend of unifying Britannia!

He gazed at the Church’s Saint before him and slowly said, "For those willing to surrender, I will ensure their safety."

"But Ireland must completely submit."

"Not just the Celtic Druid order, but also the Hermitage you lead."

I want it all!

Duncan disliked making choices; he was willing to pay the price, endure casualties, but the unification of Britannia could not exist in the form of a United Kingdom.

Patrick’s expression was somewhat surprised; he hesitated and said, "Even if we are willing to surrender."

"What about those Druid orders?"

"Also, in Northern Ireland, some residues from the Mythical Era still hold strong influence."

"If the Governor is willing to support us!"

"The Hermitage will fight for you!"

After all, in this world with supernatural forces, Patrick also had the strength of the Hermitage at his disposal.

However, the Church’s military strength was led by a few elite, which made it difficult to contend with a powerful army.

Duncan rose and said blandly, "No need."

"You all just need to submit to the Empire; as for the original Druid order, I will personally handle it."

The Church belongs to the Church, the Empire to the Empire.

In fact, the Church is already growing too powerful to be controlled; outside the Empire’s territory, its influence is expanding.

What Duncan wanted was to tame the Church and bring it under the Empire’s control.

Patrick remained silent for a long time, evidently failing to achieve his desired goal. The Governor of Britain before him was stronger than he imagined, yet the other party possessed such strength and was merely paying a small price.

Paying the price now was better than failing to thoroughly govern later.

Patrick left disappointed.

He didn’t return to Ireland; instead, he lobbied the bishops of Britannia, hoping to unite and persuade the Governor of Britain before him. Compared to missionary work, this Saint wished to avoid a brutal war.

The British Church had its traditions, ignoring the Roman papacy, so Patrick was likely to be disappointed.

Meanwhile.

Duncan also looked at the Crow Queen Triss beside him and said sternly, "Send envoys to inform the Druid orders of Ireland about today’s matters."

"I want to know their attitude."

Although rejecting Patrick, a peaceful conquest wasn’t impossible.

The Church had already bowed.

Whether the Druid orders chose to resist to the end would depend on their wisdom.

The Crow Queen Triss seemed to think of something and softly said, "You intend to merge Ireland’s Druid orders with Avalon faith?"

Duncan slowly shook his head and said, "No."

"I want them to thoroughly integrate into the Avalon faith."

Swallow them!

Turn them into a part of Avalon faith, including the legendary Shadow Realm. As long as they surrendered, they would directly merge into Avalon faith.

The entire doctrinal guideline must also change; the Druids must adhere to ’agriculture’ as the core divine position.

Otherwise, how can they compete with the Church in missionary capability?

In Europe, under the Norse Pantheon, the Germanic peoples, the Western Goths rose, the Arian Sect replaced the old faith, took the fruits of victory; later, the Franks rose, directly converted to the Church, and the fruits were taken again, hundreds of years later, the Vikings ravaged Europe, established the Kingdom of Normandy, completely abandoned Norse faith, all converted to the Church.

Those fruits have been picked clean!

The top Germanic hands sent by Odin one after another became the Church’s solid foundation.

You fight your fights, I fight mine.

The Germanic peoples destroyed the Empire, the Church replaced Norse faith, regardless of how many capable Germanic tribes Odin indirectly sent, ultimately, they all converted to the Church’s faith.

It’s not because missionary efforts were defeated so miserably that the Norse Pantheon had no choice but to bet on Duncan.

Avalon’s faith transformation.

To prevent the Church from picking fruits, using agriculture as the root, forcing faith sects to self-compete, indirectly suppressing the Church’s spreading influence.

"The Celtic faith of Ireland has already been raided!"

"At this point, if they still don’t surrender."

"Unify the faith, change the doctrine, compete with the Church for influence head-on, then it can only be suppressed by thunderous means!"

Duncan’s gaze was cold, faintly revealing murderous intent.

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