Chapter 272 - 234: Abolishing the Church’s God
Daniel sat on the camel, gazing at the Great Temple in front of him.
This Great Temple, dedicated to Kagawus and to God and the Gods, was the foundation of the entire Kingdom. There was once a prophecy: as long as the Great Temple stands, the Kingdom stands; if the Great Temple falls, the Kingdom falls.
The steps of the Great Temple were built of fine earth and stone, surrounded by torch stands constructed of marble. The camel moved slowly across all the steps, carrying Daniel into the midst of the Great Temple.
An elderly priest came to meet him, his hair white and face wrinkled. The moment he saw Daniel, a hint of hostility flashed in his eyes.
He was Hetep, the new High Priest of this Great Temple.
Over the past few years, the Great Temple had undergone drastic changes. Since the death of Queen Isis, the former High Priest Ora had retired and voluntarily left the Great Temple to serve in temples of other city-states. Due to Hetep’s origins from the same city-state as Anuket and his favor with the new King Anuket, Hetep had been appointed and favored as the High Priest by the new king.
In this process, there must have been many covert struggles. However, ultimately, Hetep had become the High Priest of the Great Temple and, backed by the support of the new king, held a status and control over the Great Temple far surpassing that of the former High Priest Ora.
Upon seeing the High Priest, Daniel lowered his head and performed a bow, showing the respect due.
Hetep said nothing. He quickened his pace, distancing himself from this free Stone Slave.
Daniel flashed a look of displeasure, then shook his head and sighed.
From Hetep’s behavior, it was evident that with the Church’s growth, the hostility of the priests towards the True Believers had deepened, and they might soon align with the King’s position.