For the church members, Dean McKenzie, who had killed a god, even just a projection of a god, had committed an inexcusable and outrageous offense.
Oh, we're all worshipping gods, and then you swagger in and kill one of them, where on earth should we save our face with your hefty performance?
Of course, they certainly wouldn't dare to confront Dean McKenzie directly.
But they do have the courage to kick a man while he's down, and a lot of it.
They had made up their minds before they came, if the man in the black robe couldn't guide Dean to the rank-changing ceremony, they would just turn tail and run without worrying about anything.
If they succeeded, they would smash the tool to keep Dean from advancing.
And they would do their utmost to send Dean McKenzie down to hell.
To put Dean down, they had especially prayed to their gods and held sacrifices, preparing items to enhance the difficulty in changing ranks.