Silas's registration of the lambs continued steadily.
One ordinary person after another honestly confessed all their information under the gaze of his golden eyes.
And at the end of each registration, he had to ask them one important question:
"Are you willing to become my lamb?"
Whenever they answered "willing," he could feel that a connection seemed to form between them on a spiritual level.
This connection wasn't close, even quite shallow, one could say.
But even so, it indicated that in a mystical sense, both parties had constructed the relationship of lamb and shepherd.
Silas's "Shepherd" potion was being digested as a result.
After forming the flock in the East Borough, he continuously explored and gradually gained some understanding of the Shepherd's acting principles:
First, a shepherd needs to establish a flock.
Second, they must provide for the flock, let the lambs survive, and have sufficient control over the flock.
But obviously, just these things were definitely not enough to completely digest the Shepherd potion.
There were other acting principles he needed to discover.
He planned to continue trying to act, at least to deepen the connection between himself and the lambs, making it tighter.
For other Shepherds, it would probably be very simple...
Silas thought to himself.
They just needed to gather a group of people and spread the True Creator's poisonous faith to them.
This group would naturally become fanatics, and the Shepherd, positioned between the deity and believers, would naturally become the role that enacted the deity's will and communicated with the lambs.
The acting would be easily completed.
Silas didn't want to be a missionary for an evil god or anything else. He could only explore a new path using his own methods.
After busying himself all morning, combined with his previous efforts, the number of registered lambs had already exceeded half.
He could clearly feel the digestion of the potion within his body. During the questioning process, occasionally some people would sincerely answer, "unwilling to become a lamb."
They all planned to temporarily stay here and would leave once they had a livelihood.
Silas didn't drive these people away either, because such actions would cause distrust among the other lambs.
In any case, such people were only a minority and wouldn't affect the overall situation.
"Alright, Oliver, you go eat too."
He said to the child assisting him.
This child was one he'd bought back from the cleaning company.
At the time, he'd injured his arm from falling while cleaning chimneys.
Taking pity on him, Silas kept him after healing him. Unexpectedly, his learning ability was quite good.
After accepting spelling education for a period of time, he'd more or less mastered reading and writing.
"Yes, Reverend."
Oliver put down his pen, spoke to him very respectfully, turned, and left the room.
"Phew."
M's phantom figure appeared before him, smiling as she said, "This little guy doesn't completely trust you.
You've noticed it too, haven't you? No connection has formed between you and him... not even the shallowest kind."
"Because he's smart."
Silas replied, "Lambs don't need wisdom. They only need to completely follow the shepherd's will, and that's good."
Yes, lambs were naturally ignorant and simple, easily deceived and devoured.
That's why they needed a shepherd to guide and protect them.
On a religious level, believers were therefore linked to lambs, becoming existences that needed deities to save them.
"Aren't you unhappy? The person you saved doesn't completely trust you."
M asked with a light laugh.
"I don't care."
Silas answered, "When I saved him, it was just to give myself peace of mind. I never expected his gratitude or loyalty."
Saying this, he rose from his seat and put away all the files registered today, placing them in a kraft paper bag.
The potion's digestion was progressing steadily, and the "Black Knight" potion formula had also been put on the agenda.
As long as he continued for a while longer, maintaining the flock and exploring the acting principles, he would eventually completely digest the potion and gain the opportunity to continue advancing...
"Mr. Anderson!"
Someone excitedly rushed in.
"Oh, it's you. What's wrong?"
Looking up, Silas discovered the person was the current leader of the Remann Gang, Charles.
"We can't go on like this."
The latter said, "If this continues, our Remann Gang really won't be able to last much longer..."
As it turned out, he'd come to Silas specifically to complain.
After Silas brought the flock to this block, this place had gradually been reformed by him.
The streets became clean, places like casinos and brothels were also driven out, streetwalkers and thieves were also not allowed.
This was natural. He had to ensure his flock was in a stable and safe environment.
However, what Silas abolished was precisely the gang's most important economic source.
But the fatal matter wasn't over yet. Silas not only cut off sources, he also diverted funds.
The funds he used to provide relief to the lambs all came from the Remann Gang's treasury.
Moreover, the gang members had to maintain order for him, also busy from morning to night.
Of course, the Remann Gang's cooperation was inseparable from Silas using the Spectator pathway's abilities to provide suggestions.
But even so, Silas's behavior was so excessive that it encountered resistance arising from the other party's subconscious.
"The treasury doesn't have much money left?"
Silas asked.
It wasn't that he felt guilty toward Charles. After all, it was just a gang.
Their usual activities weren't clean either. Disbanding would be what they deserved. But if this affected the lambs' survival, that wouldn't be good.
"If we continue like this, we can probably only last a few more weeks."
Charles answered, "And you treat them too well! They eat and rest all day, completely don't have to do anything!"
"Mm."
Silas thought for a moment.
Indeed, just providing relief wouldn't work. It was just spending money endlessly.
A true shepherd wouldn't become impoverished from herding. The lambs themselves were the greatest resource.
"I understand. Let me think about it."
He said to Charles.
After being raised for this period, these people had already struggled back from the edge of starvation and death. He could try to find them something to do.
What would be good?
Hmm, the files show that many people have worked as textile workers. Perhaps I could open a factory? As for money...
Silas thought briefly.
Having himself pay for everything was definitely unrealistic, because he still needed money to buy potions and formulas.
But the Remann Gang's remaining money wasn't enough for the factory's startup capital...
Attract investment?
That probably won't be easy.
When investors hear that the employees are all a bunch of eliminated workers, they definitely won't invest capital... Besides, even if they invest, they'll definitely have requirements for returns.
If I open a factory that way, the exploitation of workers will only be more severe. The lambs will be dissatisfied, affecting the acting.
Unless there's an investor who completely doesn't care about returns and only wants to do good deeds...
Huh?
He suddenly thought of something.
Miss Audrey seems quite suitable...
First, her family has money.
Second, she's relatively kind.
Third, this kind of factory could increase her charitable reputation...
The more Silas thought about it, the more reliable it seemed.
Should I try communicating with her?