∗ ∗ ∗
“The Sect of Forneus, huh? So that kind of group is getting a foothold here,” I said with comprehension. I’d definitely heard its name before. But I was surprised by just how much influence and momentum it had. Well, it’d only gotten big in the last ten years, so it probably just hadn’t made a name for itself in the Oraculum Kingdom yet.
Besides, almost no religious group was acknowledged in Oraculum other than the Church of Astral. It wasn’t like there were none, but most operated underground after having been oppressed. The other contributing factor was that it was difficult for detailed information about foreign religions to enter the country. I only knew a certain degree about them in spite of this because I had been a noble of considerable standing. There were probably a lot of commoners who didn’t know about them at all.
“Because people want something to depend on. I think the fact that the Urizen Federation doesn’t have a prevalent nationwide religion has contributed to that. The Sect of Forneus has done well for itself in that regard.”
Urizen was a federation of multiple states. In brief, each state had its own local religion. Whether they be normal folk or demihumans, people can’t live without some kind of faith. That was why there was an assortment of religions across the country to this day. But most were only relevant to certain regions or species. Because of that, none had individually spread through all of Urizen.
But the teachings of the Sect of Forneus were exceedingly simple. “The world may meet its end one day, so let us avoid this by going to the promised land.” That was all. There were no restrictions on who could join.
The sect’s method of proselytizing was of a distinct nature from other religious groups as well. I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, but Katarina told me, “The majority of the Sect of Forneus’s believers are regular people. Many of them start participating in their congregations before even realizing it.”
“That doesn’t sound like a big deal to me.” If they don’t like it, they can just leave. Simple. That was what I had thought, but Katarina shook her head.
“Perhaps, if all they did was just group discussions and parties. But little by little, more of the sect’s creed is revealed to them.”
“If they don’t want to convert, then they can just stop going, right? And if they’re interested, then they can go ahead and stick around.” That’s definitely what I would do.
But Katarina continued. “In theory, yes. But most people don’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“That’s simple. Because it all seems innocuous.”
Now that we’d gotten this far, I was starting to understand the underlying principles of the Sect of Forneus’s methods a little. It all seemed relatively harmless. But the organization must have been designed so that they’d gradually get more immersed.
Which meant that...
“I get it. So they’re in too deep before they even know it.”
Katarina concurred with my remark. “Exactly. The teachings gradually dive deeper, calling for more assertive action. Their positions change as well. Those who start out as just guests become believers without any special declaration. Then, although they’re not hosting the gatherings themselves, they’re given minor positions of responsibility under the pretense of helping out...”
“And in the end, they’re completely immersed. It’s a brilliant method...of easily brainwashing people.”
This is a clever approach. And it’s pretty devious too. The people who fall for it won’t even think they’ve been brainwashed. They’ll think they chose to do everything of their own free will, which will reinforce their conviction in their own religious faith. Even when other people point it out to them, they’ll trust their own feelings more. Of course they would. Because nobody wants to be brainwashed. That’s scary.
Katarina voiced her anxious agreement. “Indeed...”
But Katarina was a politician. If they knew all this, then surely they’d be able to come up with some policy against the sect. So I asked her, “Isn’t the government doing anything about this? It sounds like if they just leave it be, it’s going to swallow them whole one day.”
The Sect of Forneus was quietly but steadily expanding. Eventually they’d have a significant number of citizens believing in them, and then they’d hold the majority. It’d be all over then. The country would change its name to the Religious Empire of Forneus, and the takeover of the Urizen Federation would be complete.
Katarina was aware of this as well, but feebly shook her head. “They are, but it’s not enough to convince people. It’s difficult to convey the dangers that the Sect of Forneus poses. As I said before, the gatherings really are innocuous.”
“They don’t ask for donations or anything like that?” Religious groups couldn’t maintain themselves on nothing. They needed to cover their operating expenses, at the very least.
“Naturally, the sect needs funds, so they do ask for some, but not enough that it would put a strain on people’s lifestyles. Well, I suppose it’s about the cost of a few meals per month at most.”
So they pull the same tricks here. They don’t deal any major blows, thus preventing people from realizing the damage that’s being done. That’s their modus operandi.
“If you don’t mind me saying, it’s interesting how they run things the polar opposite of how the Church of Astral does. They’re the sort to casually, trivially snatch things away from a wide range of people.”
“Ultimately taking their entire country. We must ensure that doesn’t happen. With this incident, we may be able to strike a blow to their operations.”
“Because you can publicly announce that Glydel, a member of the sect, was behind this whole situation?”
“Precisely.”
“That makes sense...but I’m not sure it’ll go that smoothly.”
“Why do you say that?”
“This sect has been devious about this sort of thing in the past. They might just forsake Glydel. In fact, they might even claim that Glydel has no connection to them.”
“But we have his confession.”
“You know a confession is flimsy on its own.”
“Well, the interrogator is currently questioning him. We’ll just have to wait and see what we can glean,” said Katarina, but she probably already knew that nothing would come of it.