Travel through time, and then establish an anomaly management bureau!

Page 50

Carl's tense nerves relaxed instantly, and he nodded hurriedly, "You're welcome, sir! I'm glad I could help you!"

He thought to himself, as long as I don't get beaten up, anything is fine.

Zhang Su reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the small purse containing coins again.

他熟练地捻出两枚硬币——一枚是亮闪闪的1索拉银币，另一枚是5芬尼的铜币（相当于1索拉又5芬尼，约17芬尼）。他随手将这相当于卡尔在鞋店辛苦一天半还多的报酬递了过去。

"Here, this is your reward for answering the question."

Karl's eyes widened instantly. He looked at the heavy Sora silver coin and the small Finni copper coin next to it. At that moment, a huge surprise, like a warm current, instantly washed away the last bit of fear he had of Zhang Su, leaving only pure, almost overflowing gratitude and ecstasy!

"Thank you... thank you so much, sir! May the God of Light protect you forever! May His light shine on your path forever!" Karl was so excited that he was incoherent. He almost snatched the two coins with both hands and held them tightly in his palms. The cold metallic touch warmed his heart at that moment.

He unconsciously uttered the most common and sincere blessing in the slums, addressed to the most widely worshipped god of light in the empire.

Zhang Su simply smiled slightly upon hearing these auspicious words imbued with religious connotations.

He had no real sense of the true God of this world, but he could feel the sincere gratitude in the boy's words.

He stood up and replied, "I wish you all the best in your lives. Goodbye, Carl."

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps light and casual.

"Goodbye! Sir! Goodbye!" Karl shouted loudly at Zhang Su's back, his voice filled with relief and excitement as if he had survived a disaster.

Only when Zhang Su's figure completely disappeared into the noisy crowd at the alley entrance did Karl finally breathe a long, genuine sigh of relief.

He carefully opened his palm, looking at the Sora, which still shimmered silver in the dim light, and the small Finni coin next to it. He couldn't help but grin, not caring at all about the injury on his face.

He quickly stuffed the money into the patched little pocket inside his tattered cotton-padded coat, pressing it firmly to make sure it wouldn't fall out.

He smugly thought to himself, "I've really struck gold today! Although I got a severe beating and my face still hurts, this rare gentleman is incredibly generous! First, there were the medical expenses, then the interrogation fees. If I can get this much money, getting beaten up every day doesn't seem so bad, does it?"

Although this idea is absurd, it truly reflects the distorted values ​​of a teenager who has long struggled to make ends meet, under the influence of enormous material incentives.

He patted his bulging pockets, feeling more energetic as he walked. He turned and ducked back into the shoe store, bracing himself for the owner's questions and a possible new round of scolding, but his mood was completely different.

Zhang Su no longer wandered aimlessly like he had when he first arrived.

With a clear goal in mind, he quickly made his way through several relatively clean streets back to the "Cast Iron Hotel" where he was staying.

The old man at the front desk merely raised his eyelids, nodded at him, and then immersed himself back in the old newspaper that he could never finish reading.

Zhang Su went straight upstairs and entered his small but relatively quiet single room.

He locked the door behind him, placed his suitcase in the corner, and sat down at the simple desk.

The room was dimly lit, with the evening light, a unique hue of the city tinged with the grayish-purple of coal smoke, filtering in through the window.

He did not light a lamp, but rather had a slight thought.

Without a sound, a thick, gold-embossed, and beautifully bound hardcover book appeared out of thin air on the table. The cover was inscribed with the words "A Brief History and Doctrine Overview of the Seven Major Theocratic Churches" in elegant cursive script.

This was the book he had casually bought in a bookstore in that port city to learn about the religious background of the world.

He thought it was necessary when he bought it, but after he bought it, he threw it into the void and left it unused.

"Tsk..." Zhang Su looked at the almost brand-new book and tapped the cover with his finger in annoyance. "I should have read it sooner. It's true... procrastination kills."

While listening to Karl recount the strange tales of the "Clean Water River" and wondering if other forces had investigated it, he suddenly realized that his understanding of the true "colossus" of this world—the Church of the True God—was almost nonexistent.

They possess vast organizations, long histories, immeasurable resources, and extraordinary power to ascend to godhood.

If the influence of that strange mine and the clean water river is truly as extensive as the legends suggest, it's impossible that it wouldn't attract the attention of those who are truly in control.

Their attitude and possible actions are crucial to Zhang Su's subsequent investigation.

"It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost." Zhang Su took a deep breath, sat up straight, lit the oil lamp, and the dim light barely illuminated the pages of the book. He cleared his mind of distractions and, with an almost obsessive seriousness, opened the heavy book.

Time slipped away quietly as the pages turned and coal ash fell silently.

The sky outside the window changed from grayish-purple to a deep, inky black, with only the huge searchlights of the factory area in the distance and the scattered gas lamps of the city struggling in the darkness.

Inside the hotel room, the oil lamp burned steadily, emitting a soft hissing sound.

Zhang Su closed the last page of the book, let out a long sigh, and rubbed his throbbing temples.

Several hours of immersive reading gave him a framework-like understanding of the belief system of the Calidor Empire and even the entire known civilized world.

!(（二）揪齐⑹诌三芭liu大正神教教：

I. God of Light, Church of Holy Light.

Status of Faith: The undisputed first and foremost deity, with the widest spread of faith and a number of followers far exceeding the combined total of the other six gods. Its ecclesiastical organization is vast and tightly knit, its influence permeating all aspects of the empire's politics, culture, and social life. Imperial official documents and noble oaths symbolize order, justice, hope, and the power to dispel darkness.

The core doctrine emphasizes that light dispels darkness, order triumphs over chaos, and goodness purifies evil. Believers are required to uphold morality, be honest and trustworthy, help the weak, and fight against injustice. After death, the soul will ascend to the eternally radiant "House of Radiance," which is Heaven in a broad sense, and be bathed in divine grace. Those who turn away will fall into Hell.

Symbols: the sun, a torch, golden scales, and pure white wings.

The church organization is highly structured and hierarchical. The highest leader is the "Holy See" or "Pope," and the center of power is the church headquarters in the "Holy City," which encompasses the entire city.

It was administered by a hierarchical system of cardinals, archdioceses, bishoprics, and dioceses. It possessed a powerful inquisition (the Inquisition) and numerous churches, monasteries, and charitable organizations throughout the country. Its influence was comparable to that of a state within a state.

II. The God of Forging and Machinery, and the Cult of the Machine God.

Status of Religion: A deity whose status rose dramatically with the Industrial Revolution. Deeply worshipped by craftsmen, engineers, inventors, factory owners, and all those who rely on mechanical power for their livelihood. Its influence was immense in major industrial cities like Mygé.

The core doctrine emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom, skillful craftsmanship, strength, and efficiency. It views sophisticated machinery as a divine gift to humanity, enabling us to understand and transform the world. Believers should strive for technical perfection, creating value with their hands and wisdom, and maintaining order and prosperity in industry. Desecration of craftsmanship, waste of resources, and the manufacture of substandard or dangerous machinery are considered grave sins.

Symbols: a burning furnace, an anvil, a precision gear set, and a forging hammer.

Church Organization: The church headquarters is located in the imperial capital and is called the 'Temple of All Machines'. The internal hierarchy is the same as above. The difference is that the priests are not only clergy but also master craftsmen and engineers. They wield significant influence in industrial cities, even affecting municipal decisions. They possess their own technical academies and research institutions.

III. The God of the Ocean and Storms, and the Church of the Sea God.

Religious Status: Guardian deity of coastal cities, ports, fishermen, sailors, and merchant fleets. Possesses deep-rooted influence within the empire's vast maritime trade and naval power.

The core doctrine emphasizes reverence for the vastness of the ocean and the power of storms, highlighting courage, exploration, and a spirit of covenant, as well as maritime trade and solidarity. Believers pray for safe voyages and bountiful catches, and strongly condemn piracy. Storms are seen as trials from God or punishment for the irreverent.

Symbols: trident, anchor, roaring waves.

Church Organization: Internal ranks are the same as above. The church headquarters is located in Azure Harbor, the most important and largest trading port in the empire, and is named 'Raging Waves Sanctuary'. It possesses a large naval force—the Apostolic Fleet—and its influence extends deep into shipping guilds and the navy.

IV. The Source of Life and Abundance, the Church of Life.

Status of Faith: The primary faith of agricultural regions, pastoral areas, apothecaries, doctors, and all those concerned with the propagation and health of life. Deeply rooted in the vast inland countryside of the empire.

Core doctrine: Respect for the sanctity of life, the cycles of nature, and the power of healing and growth. Believers are required to cherish the land, value food, heal the sick and wounded, and uphold the dignity of life. Disease and famine are considered blasphemy against the gifts of Goddess or divine punishment.

Symbols: ears of wheat, grapevines, pestle and mortar.

The church organization has a relatively loose structure, with its headquarters located in Life Sacred Forest, a major agricultural province in another country. The hierarchy within the church is relaxed, with no mandatory hierarchical standards, and is highly localized. High-ranking members are mostly highly respected healers or agricultural experts. It possesses churches, clinics, and agricultural experimental stations scattered throughout the countryside.

V. The God of War and Covenant, the Church of the God of War.

Status of worship: Guardian deity of armies, mercenaries, knights, duelists, lawyers, and merchants. Symbolizes strength, courage, victory, the spirit of law, and the sacred covenant.

Core doctrine: Power must serve justice and order. It emphasizes loyalty, honor, and adherence to oaths and contracts, whether on the battlefield or in business. It opposes cowardice, betrayal, and fraud. War is seen as a necessary means to maintain order or uphold justice, but it must be conducted in accordance with sacred laws of war.

Symbols: a blood-stained sword, a sturdy shield, a scroll and scales symbolizing a contract, and a roaring war wolf.

The church organization: Its internal hierarchy is equivalent to that of the Holy Light Church, and it maintains extremely close ties with the Imperial military. It possesses a powerful armed order, the Knights Templar. It wields significant influence within military academies, knightly orders, and major merchant guilds. The church courts have some jurisdiction in cases involving major contractual disputes and war crimes.

VI. The God of Knowledge, Wisdom and Communication, the Church of Knowledge.

Status of Faith: The patron saint of scholars, teachers, students, scribes, mages (if they exist), travelers, merchants, diplomats, messengers, philosophers, and all those dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, the dissemination of wisdom, and the promotion of communication. A symbol of the light of reason, academic exploration, and the exchange of civilizations. Its church is a vital pillar of the empire's knowledge transmission, academic research, education, and public information dissemination, and is deeply revered by the intellectual class and those who value education.

Core doctrine:

Knowledge is light, wisdom is power: This view holds that knowledge is the light that dispels the darkness of ignorance, while wisdom is the power to understand the world, perfect oneself, and advance civilization. The pursuit of knowledge is a path to enlightenment. Truth is supreme, reason is the measure: This emphasizes the relentless pursuit of truth and the rational reflection and verification of phenomena.

Encourage questioning, debate, and logical reasoning; oppose blind faith and ignorance. Dissemination and sharing: Believers believe the value of knowledge lies in its dissemination and application. They have a responsibility to record, preserve, and share knowledge, teach others, and promote the exchange and collision of ideas.

Respect for all fields of knowledge: whether astronomy, geography, history, literature, philosophy, mathematics, natural studies (the nascent stages of science), practical skills, or even the study of magic (if it exists), as long as it is a serious pursuit of knowledge, it is protected and encouraged. However, it is emphasized that the application of knowledge must have moral boundaries and cannot be used for large-scale destruction or malicious manipulation of people's minds.

Church organization: The ranks are largely the same as above, differing only in some titles, such as the supreme leader being called "Sage" or "Chief of Wisdom." The headquarters is located in the capital of another country, named—'Secretariat of the Lord'.

VII. Goddess of Death and Sleep, Church of Requiem.

Status of the faith: The faith of funeral professionals, gravediggers, end-of-life caregivers, and all those who contemplate the end of life. Its doctrines are relatively mild and widely accepted among the public, especially in matters concerning death.

The core doctrine states that death is the inevitable end of life and the beginning of rest, a natural process of returning to the origin of the world. It opposes the desecration of corpses, the torment of the souls of the dead, and the creation of unnecessary suffering to prolong death. Believers guide the deceased to rest, comfort the grieving living, and maintain the tranquility of the cemetery. The pursuit of eternal life is considered a usurpation of the authority of the goddess.

Symbols: veil, flower, hourglass, closed eyes, tranquil moon.

Church organization: Same hierarchical structure as above, no headquarters, decentralized, and more mysterious than the other six denominations. It plays a crucial role in maintaining order and stability in society in the face of death.

……

Zhang Su closed the book, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the flickering flame of the oil lamp.

The image of the seven churches gradually became clearer in his mind; they were like a huge, invisible net that covered most of the empire and the world.

Each of them possesses immense secular power, and the core of their doctrines is closely linked to a certain "rule" or "domain".

"The Church of Light is the most powerful, but its reach is mainly in the realm of order and morality... The God of Forging's influence is pervasive in the industrial zone... The God of the Sea controls the ports... The Source of Abundance is rooted in the countryside... The God of War is bound to the army..."

Zhang Su was thinking, his eyes closed unconsciously, his arms crossed over his shoulders.

"As for the Goddess of Death... her domain seems to be the 'cleanest' and also the most passive..."

"So, in this obviously abnormal area at the source of the river, involving 'transformation,' 'soul binding,' 'coldness,' and 'darkness'... which one is most likely to intervene in the investigation? The Church of Knowledge, out of its pursuit of knowledge? The Church of Light, to 'purify' heretics? Or... her?"

As he thought about it, Zhang Su realized that he had overused his brain and consumed too much energy, and he was getting a little hungry.

I need to eat something right away.

At this moment, he asked Yuan Shu curiously, "Recently, I've been eating more and more, and I can't gain weight no matter how much I eat. What's going on? Is it because of those extraordinary beings contained in the void space? While their power is increasing me, I also need to expend physical strength to maintain the seal on them, which is why I often feel hungry."

Yuan Shu replied, "Yes, Director, after all, there's no such thing as a free lunch. It's unreasonable to gain immense power without paying any price. Just like the 'perpetual motion machine' in your previous world, it's impossible."

Volume 2: Chapter 5: A Dialogue with the Piano

After another sumptuous dinner, Zhang Su sat on a chair in the room to rest for a while, thinking that it was time to talk to that piano.

With a thought, Zhang Su entered the foundation space, the director's office.

A familiar, soul-snatching sensation washed over me, and the scene of the cheap hotel before me dissolved and peeled away like a faded oil painting.

The next second, Zhang Su was already sitting upright in the grand, cold, rough concrete director's office in the foundation space.

Outside the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows lies an unchanging gray concrete sky and a desolate earth, silently proclaiming absolute order.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the concrete desk, producing a dull "thump-thump" sound.

"It's just a mere anomalous piano, not worthy of my personal attention as the director." Zhang Su curled his lip. As the self-proclaimed director of the "Curtain Cornerstone Administration Bureau," he couldn't afford to be low-class.

Moreover, who knows if that talkative, automatically playing piano might be hiding some kind of mind-manipulation trick? It's best to avoid risks if possible.

“Foundation,” Zhang Su’s thoughts were like a command, directed directly at the core of this massive creation, “I need a new functional area, named: ‘Anomaly Identification Room’.”

The Foundation Space responded to his will almost unconditionally.

Without a sound, the once seamless concrete wall on one side of the director's office was wiped away as if by an invisible giant hand, revealing a completely new space of the same size.

The space quickly took shape, retaining the signature concrete core style—rigid lines, exposed rough concrete surfaces, and cold, oppressive gray tones.

But the interior furnishings began to materialize according to Zhang Su's vision.

He manipulates thoughts like the most skilled interior designer:

Central area: A circular platform slightly above the ground, made of smooth concrete, about three meters in diameter, with a ring of cold silver metal around its edge.

Opposite the platform: a large, heavy concrete desk with cold, hard lines, behind which is a chair of the same style, but with a high back, giving it a more authoritative feel.

The surrounding walls reveal embedded niches from which various seemingly sophisticated instruments "grow"—complex instrument panels flashing cold light, pointers on the dials trembling randomly, control panels covered with unidentified buttons and knobs, knobs that cannot actually turn, probe brackets connected to thick cables with smooth metal balls at the ends of the cables, and even several huge "monitoring screens" displaying meaningless snow noise or slowly changing geometric patterns.

Everything is a creation of the foundation, a pure, realistic decoration, solely designed to create a professional, high-tech, and mysterious atmosphere.

Several shadowless lamps, encased in geometric metal frames and emitting a constant, pale white light, hung from the ceiling, illuminating the central platform in minute detail.

A metal filing cabinet even "grew" out of the corner, its doors tightly closed, with the Bureau's logo etched on it (silver-gray ring + dark blue ring + dark gray triangle).

"Hmm, not bad, it's getting the hang of it." Zhang Su looked at the "abnormal object identification room" with satisfaction, which was all show and no substance but full of intimidation.

Although those instruments are just for show, they should be very effective at intimidating newly released anomalies.

"Keystone, teleport my 'suit double' to the appraisal room, to the chair behind the desk." The command was given.

Inside the appraisal room, the space distorted almost imperceptibly, and a figure in a perfectly tailored pure black suit and a bowler hat pulled low instantly appeared on the high-backed chair.

He casually placed his hands on the cold concrete table, the shadow under his hat perfectly obscuring the upper half of his face, revealing only his hard jawline and tightly pursed thin lips, exuding an inhuman tranquility and majesty.

"Now, release the contained item: 'Activated Grand Piano' into the central platform of the identification room."

Without a sound, the space rippled again.