Chapter 2745 - 1857: Heretic Trial

Chapter 2745: Chapter 1857: Heretic Trial

The street is burning.

Duanmu Huai walked on the fiercely burning street, watching ahead with a blank expression.

Heretic.

Among the three major enemies faced by the Tribunal, the heretic is the most difficult to eliminate and also the hardest to annihilate.

Many people can’t distinguish between heretic and heresy, nor do they understand why heretics are seen as something to be eliminated as quickly as possible. Most believe that heresy might be a rebellion against mainstream ideas, but in fact, it is closer to the "heresy" part of "heretical doctrine" rather than a heretic.

A true heretic is actually a misinterpretation or distortion of the original concept, so a heretic is not viewed as an enemy but rather a traitor — that is why there is the famous saying "a heretic is more hateful than a heresy." Because a heretic is not an enemy but a traitor,

Duanmu Huai remembers that players once discussed the actions of the Heretic Tribunal on the forums and were surprised to find that most people thought heretics were a product of medieval religious inquests. Deep down, it was seen as a ploy and a tool of divine power at the time to exclude dissent. However, some history buffs stood up to tell them that the idea of heretics has existed for a long time, even within our own country.

For example, in Confucius’s "Analects, For Politics," there is "Attacking heresy, it is harmful indeed."

Incidentally, most people think this sentence means "Studying various heretical doctrines will only harm oneself." But there is another school of thought that believes this sentence means "If you attack different voices too much, it will harm yourself."

Thus, according to the definition of a heretic, in these two interpretations, one must be a distorted heretical doctrine of its original intent.

So it can be seen that the same sentence can be completely explained into two different, even completely opposite meanings, and both sides think they are correct. Now everyone can understand why heretic trials lead to rivers of blood, fighting to the death. It’s not a joke that heretics appear in the heretic courtyard; it’s a fact — because everyone believes their understanding of the doctrine is correct, and others are wrong. In such cases, mutual understanding is unnecessary and persuading the other side is impossible, so the only remaining method is the last.

That is, to eliminate the opposition from a physical standpoint.

For example, once upon a time there was a judge in the Heretic Tribunal who considered using alien technology to transfer the consciousness or soul of the Emperor into another person, so that as the Emperor’s agent, they could once again walk the earth and unify the entire Empire.

In their view, there was nothing wrong with their idea, and it was all for the Empire, for the Emperor.

But those who opposed them also believed there was nothing wrong with their own ideas. Alien technology is not human technology, and stepping back a mile, how can you guarantee that the one whose consciousness is transferred is the Emperor and not some alien disguised as the Emperor, or the Evil Intelligence or demons? Such outrageously heretical thoughts are truly the pinnacle of degeneration!

Both sides thought there was nothing wrong with their ideas; they believed they were for the Emperor, for the Empire, and for humans. With a clear conscience and noble convictions, the barriers in front of them were only obstacles and trials on the path to pursuing truth. Therefore, the heretic war is irreconcilable; humanity can even ally with aliens in the face of life and death, but with heretics? There must first be a fight to the death before considering the problem of the apocalypse.

This is also why the Tribunal and the Mechanical Religion have a very poor relationship. According to the Tribunal’s philosophy, all alien and heretical technologies must be completely destroyed, leaving absolutely nothing behind. However, the Mechanical Religion believes that knowledge itself is blameless, and it is the people who use them who are wrong. As long as they can use such knowledge well, it can serve humanity.

So judges often clash with the Mechanical Religion, and Duanmu Huai also once repeatedly stormed into the oil men’s base to destroy some alien creation, leaving a trail of blood.

This is also why he never looks kindly upon the oil men.

Incidentally, online flame wars can also be seen as a form of heretic inquisition. Both sides believe their view on a certain matter is correct, and others are wrong, so the other side is a heretic that must be defeated — hmm, consider how intense you get during an online debate with others; can you guarantee that if you had a torch in hand, you wouldn’t want to burn the other side alive?

However, this city is different.

The problem with this city does not lie in ideological confrontation, but in real behavior — these zombies are products created by the Corrupted Foil, so anyone who can control them is certainly a lackey of the Corrupted Foil, i.e., a subordinate of the Demon, a heretic who worships an Evil God!

They must be executed by hanging!

"Boom!!"

A tanker truck exploded, and the shining fire illuminated the dark night sky. In the distance, there were sounds of roars and gunshots. In the communication network, the cries of survivors could also be heard.

"Third squad needs support!"

"Enemy firepower is fierce, requesting cover!"

"There are surrendering guys here, what should we do?"

"Shoot them directly! Those bastards sneak attacked us from behind when we were not paying attention. Once is enough for such things! The Great Judge said, all heretics colluding with zombies and Evil Gods in this city should be killed without exception!"

"Blood Sacrifice War God, Skull Throne!"

Crying, screaming, roaring, explosions.

Duanmu Huai walked forward in large steps, looking up; the brightly lit High Tower was right in front of him. At the same time, a huge fireball streaked across the sky from behind, heading towards the High Tower.

However, at that moment, a blue light flickered instantly. The next instant, a translucent Subspace barrier appeared around the High Tower. The scorching fireball hit the barrier, which shone with colorful brilliance, and then exploded with an earth-shaking roar.

"We’ve been stopped, what the hell is this thing?"

"It seems to be some sort of barrier, now what?"

Hearing the report from the communication network, Duanmu Huai just opened his mouth and said one sentence.

"Stand by at your current location, I’ll be there soon."

"Yes!"

Crossing the street and stepping over corpses, Duanmu Huai arrived at the end of the street. There, a flashing barrier blocked the way like a wall. The Tribunal soldiers clutched their weapons, forming a battle formation and aimed forward, while on the other side of the barrier, a teenager stood on a high-rise balcony. He looked about high school age, and at this moment, his face was gloomy and coldly staring at the enemy before him.

Downstairs, hundreds of survivors could be seen, along with more zombies ready and waiting. They were armed and apparently prepared for battle.

"Who are you?"

As Duanmu Huai approached, others immediately stepped aside, and the teenager quickly noticed his presence. He clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure, and shouted.

"Why attack our city?"

"Because this is a heretic lair."

Duanmu Huai glanced around.

"Is there anyone among you who can control zombies?"

"That’s right."

The teenager nodded.

"You have no idea what this means. Zombies aren’t truly dead; they just resurrect in a different form. Given enough time, they will revert from a bloodthirsty state back to intelligent life!"

"Oh, I don’t care about that."

Duanmu Huai waved his hand.

"These zombies are the minions of the Evil God and must be completely exterminated, regardless of their intelligence."

"Evil God?"

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s reply, the teenager was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, such ignorance! I bet you’re one of those money-grubbing religious forces. I didn’t expect your kind to thrive in this Apocalypse World...I’m not afraid to tell you, this isn’t the work of some Evil God, but a test for humans!"

"A test?"

"That’s right!"

The teenager spread his arms, full of spirit.

"This is a test for humans. Only those who endure this trial will have the right to survive in the New World! They will possess life, strength, and wisdom far beyond previous humans! This is the new humanity—the brand new future of humans! Indeed, this plague may kill many, but those who can endure it will become the new future form of humanity!"

As he spoke, the teenager pointed to the barrier in front of him.

"You simply cannot understand how powerful this Strength is! This is the Strength humans possess, and the plague only activates it! With this Strength, humans can have a bright future!"

"It seems you’re quite proud of becoming a Psychic."

Duanmu Huai glanced at the teenager in front of him, who still stared provocatively at him.

"So what? You can’t enter here at all. I advise you to leave early, or else something bad might happen! I only give you one chance!"

The teenager put his hands in his pockets, smugly looking at Duanmu Huai. Indeed, he admitted his carelessness this time, but he still had a trump card. When he conquered this city, many leaders were unwilling to submit to him, even opposing him openly. But so what? They simply couldn’t resist his power, a power that proves the existence of new humanity. No matter where these religious lunatics came from, he didn’t believe they could break through his Defense.

After all, these guys had no idea that in this Universe, there are beings stronger and more mysterious than their so-called Deities. Moreover, he was guided by that existence. Although the teenager knew that perhaps that existence didn’t help him out of kindness...in the end, who was using whom was still uncertain!

"And I don’t intend to give you even one chance."

Duanmu Huai gripped the War Hammer tightly and raised it high.

"Judgment complete, heretic confirmed, execute without mercy!"

Then he struck the barrier before him with a heavy blow.