And as it happened, Guzokh himself was to be one of the bargaining chips in such a war. On the one hand, it didn't really hurt his feelings — after all, one should always be prepared for something hard when dealing with religion. But on the other hand — it wasn't for Neuroch to decide who to trade. In reality, he's not even worthy of being a priest, let alone a patriarch. He's too overbearing and has absolutely no faith in what he professes publicly. And now Guzoh was already afraid that in time the Church would simply become a new SCK just under a different banner.

The door to the room opened without knocking and Samokh entered. I didn't expect to see him here and now, but on the other hand, when in the whole group "Donetsk-Makeyevka" there were only SCKs left from the chums, it would be logical to assume the appearance of the metropolitan, who is responsible for them.

Samoh closed the door behind him and stared glumly at the décor: the furniture, the blacksmoked candlesticks and panels.

— There's no place to sit down. — Samoh grinned. — I see you're used to it, Brother Priest Guzokh… They couldn't spare me.

— You think too much about material things. — Guzokh saw these open taunts, and they did not offend him at all. — Have you come for a week of penance?

Samokh laughed. And in his laughter and especially in his eyes, it was obvious that he had known for a long time that the deadline for the new week of penance was not yet at hand, and that Guzokh obviously could not have known about it when he had come here. It's all planned out. He's definitely playing along with his patron. And it would be strange if Nevroh put someone in his former position who is not loyal to him. And now his own hands will clean up what he didn't clean up himself, now completely unafraid of the consequences. In case of what happens, he will simply appoint a new metropolitan and will exterminate heresy and everything dissenting in the SCK with renewed vigor.

— Who needs it, this week? No…" Samoh replied. — I'm not here for that. You can keep this private method to yourself… I'm just passing through. I came to see an old friend.

Guzokh was almost twenty-five years older than Samokh, and certainly never considered him a friend. He hadn't seen him in action yet, but the rumors were unequivocal. Samokh hit his opponents rarely, but he hit them hard. Only when he was sure of his complete superiority. A very suitable method against special services.

— So why do you need a more luxurious place to stay than mine if you won't even stay here?

— Because those low-born, empty creatures from the SCK shouldn't even think to behave with me as they please. — Samoh snapped at him. His voice was full of hatred for everything

that not only met, but could even meet on his path. — And you, Honorable Brother Priest Guzokh, should think about that….

After such a heated tirade, his breath cooled a little, he looked again at the panel with the image of the Black Stone and, without turning to his interlocutor, continued:

— How many heretics have you found here?

— Heretics? There's no working class here anymore. Only men work in the mine. The plagues of the imperial army are firm in their faith. And the CCC is already in your charge.

— No one, then… Okay, okay… Let's see how Neuroch likes it.

— Of course we will see… But still I will remind you, my dear brother. That we serve our faith, Zhah. — Guzokh smoothly pointed his hand at the panel. — And our most holy patriarch is but an elder brother.

Samoh stood and tried to sizzle him with a glare. But Guzokh went on:

— It is our sacred duty to strengthen the chums in the faith, not to punish them in vain. It is more profitable to bring back to the Church than to exterminate them. And all those who might stray in the sector of Crito I have firmly established in their faith. Except for the brothers of the CCC, who are beyond my control.

The last word was literally a counter-attack. He, who had just boasted of his courage, could now boldly take on a task with a result worthy of him, and, so to speak, set an example of "proper" work, if there was reason to do so. This made Samoh even more angry:

— You have thought it out well… Good… But you will see how to deal with them

"correctly"… And think very carefully, very carefully. How will you repeat these words when I find the heresy you've overlooked!

— If you find the heresy that I have overlooked, I will be eternally grateful to you, my dear friend… Of course, if it really is heresy and not someone's speculation.

Samoh left the cell, slamming the door. Then came his loud footsteps and a distant scolding at one of the guards.

This is how Guzoch once envisioned Nevroh. The one who would passionately fight the most hidden dangerous heresy in the BCC. Fiercely, openly and implacably. It would seem that this should now be a closed gestalt, but it was nothing of the sort. Neuroch has simply found a hothead and an executioner who will tear and thrash until he is sewn up like a rabid dog, legal or not. The CCC has many methods. And they are clearly more cunning at this point.

Since they have thought of an extraordinary step to hand over the entire Donetsk-Makeyevka group to the people in order to remove all opportunities for inquisition, they will not go backwards now for sure.

Still, it's very interesting to see who they've entrusted it all to. They call him Horus, and he is now the prefect of the seven sectors. I wouldn't think