Hearing Father Kaman's words, Winters also beca alert.
Earlier at the banquet, that old Hurd man saluted those around him, and many mbers of the Wenduo Tribe stood up to return the gesture. At that mont, Winters had already keenly sensed that sothing was amiss.
"Damn it!" Winters cursed internally. "That old man said they make a living by providing 'necessities' to other tribes. Could the 'necessities' he's talking about be religious services?"
But faced with Father Kaman, he put on an indifferent attitude.
"Whether it was a thousand years ago or ten thousand years ago, so what?" Winters asked nonchalantly. "What does it have to do with the present Herders? What impact can it have now?"
As expected, Kaman took the bait. Seeing Winters' indifferent look, Kaman was infuriated.
"You... you... you are too arrogant! Unbeliever!" Father Kaman, who had just been pretending to be profound, had his emotional defense broken again:
"Can't you use your insensitive mind to think? 'An heretical sect considered extinct being discovered alive and well in a land belonging to barbarian tribes and heretics,' what does this an for the Great Church?"
After finishing his long speech, Kaman was red-faced from holding his breath.
Winters once again demonstrated the qualities of an outstanding tactical commander, accurately seizing the mont Kaman paused for breath to interject:
He ticulously corrected Kaman: "Father, if I were you, I wouldn't use 'alive and well' to describe that old man's condition, Ayinle."
"That's not the point at all!" Kaman tried his best not to shout, as the tent was not soundproof, and his voice beca sowhat hoarse:
"The point is, we all thought Arianism had been extinct, that their heretical doctrine, despised by the Lord, finally dissipated.
"But the existence of that old man not only proves Arianism is still alive, it also shows they've been rooted in this land longer than you, longer than , longer than the Public Church, longer than the New Reclamation People, and maybe even longer than the Paratu People have lived settled lives!"
The more Kaman spoke, the more agitated he beca: "I can't figure out how much of our doctrine has been mixed into the Herders' faith or how much of our stuff is left in that old man's faith. You bring a hodgepodge to , yet know nothing yourself..."
"What's wrong with a hodgepodge?" Winters erupted: "A hodgepodge is the best al!"
"Stop giving nonsense!" Kaman was about to grind his molars down.
"First, take back your insult to hodgepodges!"
Kaman tore off his left sleeve and silently wrapped it around his fist.
"Alright, alright, alright..." Winters understood that Father Kaman wrapped his fist to avoid accidentally killing him and felt so moved that he shed tears—of course, with the swollen eye—he quickly surrendered: "Look, you're getting upset again!"
Kaman said nothing, nor did he unwrap the sleeve from his fist.
"However, don't overreact either." Winters cautiously tested: "They're all about satisfying certain human needs, isn't mutual influence quite normal? When you pour wine into water, the wine and water naturally mix and can't be separated."
Winters paused for a mont and jested: "That actually aligns with Arian doctrine."
Kaman looked at Winter's intact eye.
"But." Winters quickly returned to the topic: "According to what you said, Arianism has been spreading among the Herders for an unknown number of years, which ans it's not a big deal. You don't need to worry too much."
"No. It's not a big deal because no one knows." Kaman's tone was serious: "Now that I know, it's different."
"What do you an?" Winters feigned surprise: "Are you implying I should silence you?"
"Yes." Kaman moved his shoulder: "Go ahead."
"What are you thinking? How could I lay a hand on you?" Winters sternly warned Kaman: "Rember, never make such a joke again."
Kaman let out a cold laugh.
"But that being said, I still don't understand, even if you know, what's different?" Winters, although having the more swollen face in this conversation, was also the one controlling the pace. He brought the topic back on track and asked as if it didn't matter: "Arianism spread here thousands of years ago, so what?"
Winters teased: "Are you suggesting that just because you know this, the Herders of the Great Wilderness will all now change and beco followers of your Lord? And also beco heretics of the Public Church?"
Unexpectedly, Kaman replied seriously: "I didn't say they all were."
Winters closely examined Kaman's expression to confirm he wasn't joking.
"Are you really considering... bringing the Herders into your flock?" Winters found this idea utterly absurd.
"Of course not." Kaman shook his head.
Winters breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Kaman speak again.
"This matter can only be judged by the Pope." Kaman said solemnly: "Which Herders are faithful? Which are heretics? Among the faithful, who are heretical? Who are pure lambs? These questions are of grave importance and not sothing I can weigh in on. I must report to the Archbishop, and let the Curia and the Pope decide."
Winters understood, upon seeing Kaman's gaze, that he was serious and resolute.
"Friend," Winters sighed, rubbing his swollen eye wearily: "You are going to cause a lot of trouble."
"I'm sorry," Kaman lowered his head, his shoulders dropping as he apologized: "This is my obligation and duty."
"Alright." Winters knew Kaman's mind was made up, so he didn't dwell on it and smiled, spreading his hands: "Then it can't be helped."
"You..." Kaman looked up, asking in disbelief: "You're not going to try to persuade ?"
"Would you be persuaded by ?"
"...No."
"Then there you have it." Winters sighed deeply again: "I can neither convince you nor bring myself to silence you."
Kaman nearly choked on his own saliva.
"However," Winters said seriously: "I have one suggestion, and I hope you'll listen."
"I knew it..." This ti it was Kaman's turn to sigh.
"A suggestion, just a suggestion."
"Go on."
Winters pondered for a mont, then formulated his words cautiously: "Before you report to your bishop, I hope you can notify the Reformist Sect that you intend to report this matter to the Curia."
Kaman's voice was weak: "I've said nurous tis, the Reformist Sect no longer exists..."
"Reformist Sect, Conservative Sect... whatever na or guise, don't play word gas, you know what I'm talking about," Winters cut Kaman off with a wave of his hand. "I'm rely suggesting that before you submit a formal report, consult your 'friends' for their opinions."
Kaman fell silent. After a while, he furrowed his brows and asked: "Why? I've already told you, the mission of the Reformist Sect doesn't include proselytizing. That old man's church has nothing to do with the Reformist Sect."
"How can you be sure there's absolutely no connection?" Winters' gaze was sharp as he enunciated each word: "You just said 'I don't know.' If you and I can discover traces of Arianism, can't the monks of the Reformist Sect discover them too? How can you be certain that the monks of the Reformist Sect haven't ford connections with these followers of Arianism?"
Kaman fell silent again, and after a mont, he lifted his head: "I can't promise you anything."
"That's alright." Winters smiled and spread his hands: "Do what you believe is right, that's enough."
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