Naimes had Pur test his current physical condition before drawing conclusions.

"The numerical value has increased from three to approximately seven."

"If we allow the deep well water and Whale Transformation Disease to become more familiar, raising the value to eight or nine shouldn't be a problem."

Observing Pur covered in black spots, Naimes declared the preliminary experiment a success—though only preliminary.

The current improvement remained too minor. What Naimes desired were powerful entities like the Whale Transformation Demon, not village guards he could effortlessly handle.

"Next comes the matter of faith transformation."

"Indeed, relatively pure faith power differs from that formed through worship of natural or abstract entities."

"Thus, the method for refining faith power has mostly taken shape."

Pure faith, distracted faith, natural faith—though all constitute belief, they manifest distinct properties.

"So how does divinity discern distracted faith?" Naimes examined himself, finding the distracting thoughts upon the Divine Nails still glaringly obvious.

"Alternatively, how does divinity determine which portions constitute pure faith?"

After posing this fundamental question, Naimes' thoughts naturally turned toward something even more essential—commandments.

The divinity he possessed was Commandment Divinity, not divinity of any other nature.

Thus, divinity's judgment of distracting thoughts naturally depended on their compliance with commandments.

Naimes redirected his focus to the Divine Nail, then activated the distracting thought upon it—"I want to marry an obedient woman."

Delving deeper into the faith through this distraction, he propelled the existence of commandments.

No longer blindly subtracting, he instead began adding. This update is available on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Naimes implanted a new notion—"I shall remain faithful myself, making this a commandment!"

Personal fidelity became the commandment, while obtaining an obedient woman became the reward for commandment cultivation.

With commandments as the core, that strand of distracting thought became governed by divine law.

The original distraction rapidly dissolved, merging into the faith power.

Though employing addition by inserting thoughts, the effect achieved was subtraction.

"Good results. Continue diligently."

Just as Naimes prepared to proceed, knocking came from outside.

Opening the door revealed Tangs bearing bad news—the church representatives had arrived early.

Naimes raised an eyebrow, feeling little surprise.

This world wasn't fixed like strategy games where enemies moved strictly by turns and timetables.

The old priest had said they'd arrive in three days—this early appearance clearly aimed to catch them unprepared.

"Seems we're dealing with either overachievers or troublemakers in a hurry!"

"Just as well." Having roughly assessed his opponents, Naimes departed immediately.

This group had come via the village's rear path from Wavetail Town.

They now waited at the church.

Upon Naimes' arrival, many had already gathered—including the village guard.

He was inspecting the newcomers for Nest Beast infections.

The village had previously suffered incidents where returning travelers, unknowingly pierced by Nest Beast quills, collapsed at home.

Later, those individuals spawned entire Nest Beast litters.

Resulting rampages by dozens of Nest Beasts caused considerable damage.

Thus, whenever possible, returning villagers underwent inspections by the guard.

Meanwhile, the old priest conversed with two "youngsters."

One young man detected Naimes instantly, his sharp gaze immediately stabbing forward.

His lips moved—Naimes, trained in lip-reading, instantly recognized the words: "Traitor."

"Dartmanley?" Naimes searched his memories, retrieving information about Naimes' "cousin."

During Naimes' "defection" from the family, this cousin had still been in basic Holy Knight training with minimal contact.

The cousin's movement seemed to alert the other youngster.

A beautiful woman in pure white priestly robes turned curiously toward Naimes.

Her smooth golden hair accentuated her fair complexion, while ice-blue pupils resembled frozen lakes—exquisite yet distant.

A teardrop mole beneath one eye served as perfect ornamentation, blending chill with allure.

This woman was practically a natural-born siren for stirring male conquest desires.

As evidenced now, the Dartmanley cousin subtly adjusted his stance, partially blocking Naimes' view as if prolonged gazing would desecrate the priestess.

Unnoticed by him, his naked possessiveness made the priestess frown slightly behind his back.

"Naimes, perfect timing for introductions," said the oblivious old priest amid the tension.

"This is Lady Isabella, our new intern priestess."

"And this is Jacques—"

"Jacques Dartmanley!" The cousin proudly interrupted, especially emphasizing the family name.

"Naimes—what a coincidence—also surnamed Dartmanley." Unperturbed by the provocation, Naimes smilingly introduced himself.

This visibly enraged Jacques.

"How dare you still—" Jacques began angrily before Isabella sensibly tugged his sleeve, making him suppress his fury into sarcasm:

"Same surname, but some become homeless strays."

"Children will be children—do bear with him." Naimes completely bypassed Jacques, addressing Isabella and the old priest as if assuming parental authority over Jacques.

That tone made Jacques seethe, verging on explosion.

Yet retaining some reason, he maintained decorum from Isabella's earlier reminder.

"Naimes was expunged from family records and no longer relates to Dartmanleys. Please don't mislead others with such statements." Jacques managed calmly after a deep breath.

"You resemble my younger self. May you keep this sense of honor." Naimes remained unfazed—the Dartmanley identity meant nothing beyond being Naimes' former status.

"Eat more meat while you still can."