Chapter 38: Purity
Yara's face was filled with undisguised joy.
Of course she was happy.
She thought of the expression on that b*tch Terry's face when she told her about the baptism happening tomorrow.
That confusion, that suspicion, that anger, yet still having to force a smile.
She felt she could remember that expression for at least half a year.
What made her happiest was that she had only tentatively mentioned cooperation, and the other party agreed.
Although it wasn't as solid as her ideal pact witnessed by Corleon.
But she didn't have to risk offending Corleon by bringing it up.
Yara felt that the current state maintained a certain balance.
Their matters wouldn't involve the children of the church, and the church's presence would make both parties weigh and be cautious.
"Priest Corleon, we came over as soon as we received your message." Yara patted Ando's head, and Corleon could hear a slight thudding sound.
She glanced at Ando, who looked obedient.
"Madam Terry should have told you, he will spend the night in the church and be baptized tomorrow," Corleon said.
"Yes, I know, and Ando knows too," Yara replied.
"Alright then, Ando, right? Please go to the back of the church now and find Monk George. You know him. There are two others who will be baptized tomorrow. Monk George will tell you what to do," Corleon said.
Ando looked at Yara, who gently patted his back, signaling him to go.
Only after Ando's figure disappeared did Yara ask,
"Two people receiving baptism? Besides Agamemnon, is there someone else becoming a monk of the church?"
Corleon didn't answer but said, "You should be able to see these stone bricks, right?"
"Yes, I heard from Terry that this is the Lord's miracle," Yara responded, wisely giving up on inquiring about the extra person.
"This is the miracle bestowed for us to build the Lord's new sanctuary," Corleon said.
"The Lord loves the world and wants the devout poor, the sick, and the disabled to build the sanctuary. They should listen to the Lord's gospel, be fed, healed, and survive. This is also the blessing the Lord has bestowed upon them."
"And Daniels Village is a devout village. Perhaps many of these builders come from Daniels Village, so I need you to allow them to build the sanctuary for the Lord."
"No problem," Yara agreed readily. "After meeting the lord tomorrow, I will return to Daniels Village and issue a notice to the village, instructing them to build the sanctuary for the Lord with the utmost devotion."
Daniels Village indeed lacked people now, but it was just over a dozen people left behind by York Town.
Even if they were dragged away by wild wolves on the road that day, no one would care.
Moreover, she had already decided to gradually reclaim some nails.
By then, after replenishing the village's labor force, she would care even less about these people.
Without saying much, Yara just exchanged a few pleasantries with Corleon before taking her leave.
She had to meet the lord tomorrow and still had things to do in town.
...
Walking to the back of the church, Corleon heard Cicero speaking.
"Look, this way it becomes clay, and then we use this clay to fill and bond the rubble to build the house. This makes the house more stable and less likely to leak. Of course, it's not as sturdy as the church, but it's enough for us to live in and shelter from the wind and rain."
He had tied his clothes around his waist, taken off his shoes, and was walking in the clay, mixing it.
His clothes were already stained with clay, and even his silver hair and face weren't spared.
"Priest," George and the two children, who were squatting and watching Cicero mix the clay, stood up quickly when they saw Corleon.
"Priest, Monk George told us we need to build our own shelter from the wind and rain, so I am teaching them how to build a house," Cicero said, his clay-stained face beaming with a smile.
The new church's construction time was still uncertain, so these monks naturally had to build their own dwellings.
The church could be used for rest, but after all, it was a place for prayer and worship, so it couldn't be treated as one's own dwelling.
The Lord wouldn't mind such things and was willing to provide shelter for His servants, but as the Lord's servants, this was disrespectful behavior.
This was something George had insisted on, and Corleon had tacitly agreed.
This was also why they were to spend a night here before being baptized.
If they couldn't endure this kind of life tonight, naturally, they wouldn't be baptized tomorrow.
However, looking at the two children with clay on their hands...
Ando's eyes were filled with excitement, and his shoes and robe had been rolled up.
Menon was molding a small clay animal in his hands.
It seemed unlikely they would back out now.
"Monk George's dwelling is still very simple, mainly because there hasn't been much wind and rain recently. Otherwise, this dwelling would have been blown down," Cicero said.
George's dwelling was just a simple structure made of stacked stones and supported by wood.
"So, you want to help them build their dwellings?" Corleon said gently.
He truly was a talent.
No wonder he was that person's child.
"If possible," Cicero didn't refuse and was quite enthusiastic.
"Then after the baptism tomorrow, you can help them build their own dwellings," Corleon said. "It's already getting late today, and we need to prepare dinner."
After speaking, he looked at George and said, "This is Cicero, who has received the Lord's revelation. He will oversee the construction of the new sanctuary."
Upon hearing this, George immediately became solemn. "So you have received the Lord's revelation. You are someone favored by the Lord."
"Of course, I believe I was born to receive the Lord's revelation," Cicero said.
Corleon could see that the other party's face was very natural and sincere.
Corleon began to suspect that he might truly be a believer.
Too natural, and based on the earlier interaction, Corleon didn't think Cicero was like Terry.
Even Terry couldn't be this natural.
However, thinking of his father, Corleon hesitated again.
Perhaps during tomorrow's baptism, when they take their vows, it would become clear whether he was truly a believer.
"However, Cicero, I have something to entrust to you," Corleon said.
"Please, go ahead," Cicero slightly bowed his head.
"After Monk George helps you build your dwellings, he will go to Daniels Village to establish a small church there, so that the villagers can pray and worship the Lord," Corleon said.
"You are the builder inspired by the Lord, so I hope you can design the small church," he added.
"It would be my honor. May I ask, Priest, how big should the small church be, and what specifications are needed?" Cicero asked with some excitement.
"Let's discuss it after the baptism. Perhaps during this time, you might receive another revelation from the Lord," Corleon said.
"You are right," Cicero replied.