Ch. 14
Chapter 14: Do You Believe in God? (2)
Amidst the silence,
- Not to believe in God. What does that mean?
A certain student opened his mouth. At that, a murmur rippled through like a wave in a puddle. Faith is an important virtue of religion. Especially towards the Platinum Round Table Orthodoxy, which had held the real power of the continent for a long time, a firm faith was established.
Because unlike other religions, the object of their faith was perceived.
In other words, because the existence of the main gods had been identified.
- He's really living up to being Professor Tremblay's successor.
- Shh. Let's put away our scriptures first.
While pros and cons spread among the students,
“Professor Argento.”
A clear voice that pierced through the clutter.
Fleur was holding up one hand high.
“I am Fleur de Saint-Pierre, a 4th-year student in the Department of Theology.”
The students' gazes were fixed on Fleur.
There was no one in the lecture hall who did not know her. Because she was the only 4th-year student taking a 5th-year lecture. Furthermore, because she was a student with talent that ranked within the top ten even within Cia-Harphe Academy, the educational treasure trove of the Holy Numeros Empire.
Evangelist.
Those like Fleur were collectively called so.
Evangelists were those who had directly faced a main god and made a contract. And so, they could use powers prepared solely for them. Their numbers were extremely small, and among them, Fleur was a girl who had made a contract with the God of the Underworld, ‘Aries’, at the age of 13.
“I have a question. May I ask?”
“You have my permission.”
Abel nodded his head at Fleur's question.
“I received my power after having an audience with the God of the Underworld. That is why I do not understand your words about not believing in God. Could you please tell me your intention?”
“Of course.”
Before that, answer my question, and.
Abel said, heading towards Fleur.
“What was the God of the Underworld you saw like.”
“What was he like……, is that your question?”
Fleur tilted her head.
“That is correct.”
Abel's hand rose to Fleur's desk.
“You received your power after facing the God of the Underworld with your eyes. Therefore, I am asking. What was the God of the Underworld's appearance like? Did the conversation go smoothly? Did the God of the Underworld truly bestow upon you the power you needed?”
“That is……”
Fleur's gaze shifted downwards.
Her words trailed off. As someone who had faced the five main gods countless times, Abel knew that Fleur's contract process would not have been smooth.
“Answer calmly.”
Abel tilted his head towards Fleur.
“What kind of appearance did the God of the Underworld, ‘Aries’, have?”
“A being with countless eyes……”
Fleur answered shortly.
She couldn't have helped it. The appearance of a main god was difficult to convey in the language of a creation. It was unavoidable as they were beings outside the scope of perception. Moreover, to Fleur, who had made a contract at a young age, it would only be remembered as a strange sight.
“Why did the God of the Underworld appear to you?”
“He said he came because he heard my voice.”
“And what else did he say.”
“He said that the domain of the Pantheon is in a very distant place. That is why he and I seemed to be facing each other, but were actually looking at different places, and though we seemed to be exchanging stories, we were in silence.”
But the God of the Underworld said.
To tell him a story.
That he wanted my story.
At Fleur's muttering, Abel nodded his head.
It was a fact he knew well. The domain of the Pantheon was in a dizzyingly distant place, and a single world was so very trivial.
Communication over a long distance was a tricky business. Moreover, the main gods were vast, and the creations were small. Not only their physical size, but the density of their minds also differed. Unless one transcended the limits as a creation, communing with a main god was close to impossible.
That was why. The reason why even Evangelists who had witnessed only a part of a main god were rare.
“Good, Fleur de Saint-Pierre.”
Abel also knew what Fleur would answer to the following question.
Nevertheless, he deliberately opened his mouth.
“What story did you tell the God of the Underworld?”
“It's a secret.”
Fleur smiled brightly.
“What's certain is……, I told my story with all my might. The God of the Underworld tried to listen with all his might.”
“It doesn't seem like the communication went smoothly.”
“That's right. However……”
“Through the inaccurately conveyed story, the God of the Underworld must have judged. Which power was suitable for you. And I know what power you received.”
Resuscitation Ceremony.
Corpses are buried in the earth or sent floating in the water. And so, new life overflows from the earth and water in which the dead have melted.
The Resuscitation Ceremony was a power that tampered with such a law of the world. Something like a miracle that could not be classified in the system of divine magic. Fleur could, albeit imperfectly, bring the dead back to life.
“I also know that you receive requests for help from external organizations because of that. But I am curious. Was the Resuscitation Ceremony truly the power you wanted.”
At Abel's question, Fleur's eyes trembled slightly.
“……I think so.”
“It seems you can't be sure. You couldn't help it.”
Abel turned his back on Fleur.
He continued speaking as he walked towards the lectern.
“Did she want the power to bring life back, or did she not. The Fleur de Saint-Pierre at the time of the contract was too young to discuss this. But that fact is not important. Even a decrepit sage would be seen as a child by a main god.”
Do you understand, my students.
A complete communication with God is impossible.
It is close to talking with your ears blocked underwater.
The gods are absurdly powerful, and are sometimes considered omnipotent. Should we rely on God unconditionally just for that reason?
Should we unconditionally believe God's judgment?
“I do not think so.”
Abel said, facing the lectern.
“Just as you do not know the intentions of the five main gods, it is highly likely that the main gods also do not understand you. Wouldn't it be more rational to think so. Even if a human is more powerful than an insect, it doesn't mean they are knowledgeable about the physiology of an insect, does it.”
Abel's assertion was based on experience.
Saving countless worlds, and coming into contact with the Pantheon countless times, Abel had perceived the distance between the main gods and the creations.
‘A society built on faith in the main gods becomes rigid.’
This was also a fact he had learned through experience. The advent of the Demon King would shake the religious doctrine, and the more a world's faith in the main gods was clear, the greater the aftermath would be. That was why it was important to form a network of relationships based on practicality.
“You must not blindly believe in God. There is no law that the method they devised is the best for us. We must critically think about whether they are truly right or wrong, rational or irrational.”
“──But Professor Argento.”
Fleur stood up from her seat.
The students of the Department of Theology, and furthermore, those with divine power, open the scriptures with faith as a medium. They wish to read the scriptures even a little more by repeating their prayers. That was why Abel's words had sufficient grounds to be considered blasphemy.
While the students' expressions were tinged with displeasure,
“I understand your words well, Professor.”
Fleur was rather in agreement.
“But my doubts have not been resolved. So I will ask. If we repeat our critical thinking as you said, Professor……”
What is the advantage we will gain?
At such a question from Fleur, Abel wore a faint smile.
Practicality. That was the very value he intended to guide them through in the 「Application of Divine Magic」 class.
“Fleur de Saint-Pierre, have you mastered the ‘Lantern of the Battlefield’ spell.”
“Of course.”
“Try casting it once.”
Fleur nodded her head, then immediately cast.
A voice like a fast whisper.
A blue flame was held in Fleur's hand.
‘Lantern of the Battlefield’ was a spell described at the beginning of the War Theory. A spell that summoned a blue flame by borrowing the power of the God of War, ‘Clausewitz’. As it was a spell described at the beginning of the scripture, its effect was not high. It was only used to check the enemy by throwing the flame, or as a signal flare.
“You may disperse it.”
At Abel's words, Fleur clenched her fist containing the blue flame. The burning flame disappeared without a trace.
“I will now examine the cast you just pronounced.”
Abel said, picking up a piece of chalk.
O /God of War/, /illuminate/ /me/.
The cast necessary to activate the Lantern of the Battlefield was written on the blackboard. Abel emphasized three parts of it and explained.
“First, ‘God of War’.”
The part that specifies the main god from whom to borrow the power.
“Second, ‘me’.”
The part that indicates the caster.
“Third, ‘illuminate’.”
Finally, the part that confirms the type of spell.
“The cast required to cast ‘Lantern of the Battlefield’ is simple. The time consumed in pronouncing it is also short. But during battle, even a sliver of a gap is a waste. And so I have doubted. Whether the cast written in the scripture is the best.”
Abel began to edit the cast written on the blackboard.
He erased the honorifics towards the main god, and abbreviated the insubstantial phrases. And so, the completed cast was……,
A form as if commanding a main god.
Abel pronounced it with his right hand outstretched.
While sneers spread from various parts of the lecture hall, Fleur looked at Abel with a serious expression.
──Hwareuk,
Finally, a blue flame held in Abel's hand.
Needless to say, it was the result of ‘Lantern of the Battlefield’ being manifested.
The sneers stopped, and soon, a tumultuous uproar that seemed about to explode surrounded the lecture hall.
“The scripture of the Platinum Round Table Orthodoxy is the result of writing down the teachings of the first Pope. As with the scriptures of all religions, it means that our scripture is also nothing more than old knowledge.”
Abel said, clenching the flame in his hand.
The scorched remnants scattered around.
“I have omitted the etiquette and respect that the first Pope would have had for the main gods. The part indicating the caster also seemed unnecessary. Trivial worship is merely a culture of the creations, and the main gods are in too distant a place to praise those with firm faith.”
Do you understand, our purpose is to explore.
The most efficient cast.
A practical way to contact the Pantheon.
That is the correct application of divine magic.
Listening to Abel's words, Fleur opened her right hand.
Hwareuk, and.
A blue flame created in response to Fleur's cast.
‘How strange.’
To think this would work.
Fleur stroked the petals on her flower crown.
A failed divine magic manifests as an explosion accompanied by a stench. Even if one concentrated their divine power in their body and pronounced the cast as it came, only the smell of dust would scatter along with the sound of a firecracker exploding.
‘Precisely because of that…….’
It's different from simply editing the sentence. Abel had analyzed which point the divine power contained in the cast was headed towards, and based on this, he had reassembled the spell that could contact the Pantheon most efficiently.
Pitch, rhythm, rhyme.
It was as if he had torn apart and remade everything that constitutes a cast.
‘In other words, Professor Argento's method is…….’
Close to creating a new spell,
with a similar effect.
Fleur pressed her forehead. She knew that the system of divine magic was conservative, but even so, what was the knowledge she had learned until now.
It couldn't be meaningless. ‘Lantern of the Battlefield’ was easy to abbreviate because it was made of a simple cast. Spells that are accompanied by more complex casts, and at the same time, holy relics and separate rituals, would require a troublesome process of exploration to shorten, but……,
‘It's worth researching.’
Fleur wore a hollow smile.
- God of War, Lantern.
- God of War, Lantern.
- God of War, Lantern.
While blue flames flickered here and there,
‘Abel Argento…….’
Fleur clenched the Lantern of the Battlefield she had created.
The faint smell of scorching that hung in the air as the spell dispersed.
After lightly waving her palm to drive it away,
‘Is he really just a former commander?’
Fleur left a small question in her mind.
* * *
Cia-Harphe Academy's 3rd Training Ground.
While sand grains that had absorbed the sunlight fluttered,
“Welcome, fledglings!”
Felix shouted, filled with excitement.
Students dressed in training clothes were lined up in ranks and files. They were students who had gathered to take 「Basics of Imperial Swordsmanship」, which Felix was guiding. The students were overwhelmed by Felix's build, and then had doubts about the smallness of Dante, who was observing under the pretext of being his personal disciple.
“I am Felix Christian. A professor in the Department of Swordsmanship.”
“I, I am Dante Marchisio.”
Although Felix was a professor in the Department of Swordsmanship, 「Basics of Imperial Swordsmanship」 was not a lecture prepared for the students of the Department of Swordsmanship. Because the students of the Department of Swordsmanship would have entered after completing their basic education.
“I don't expect anything from your swordsmanship skills. At best, it would be at the level of a newborn baby. But it's okay. Because old men have to take care of babies.”
By the way…….
Felix's words trailed off as he looked over the students' faces.
「Basics of Imperial Swordsmanship」 was a lecture taken by students from other departments who wanted to learn self-defense. Usually, it was taken by students from the Department of Elemental Studies who were preparing for expeditions to remote regions to find spirits, but……,
“Monika Lohengrin!”
“Ye, yes!”
Monika's shoulders shot up at Felix's call.
Abel had intended for Monika to take 「Basics of Imperial Swordsmanship」. Although she could handle Aura, it was because she lacked the basics of swordsmanship.
“Why are you here?”
“That is, swordsmanship……”
Monika opened her mouth, stammering.
“To learn……, swordsmanship.”
“Of course, of course.”
Felix snorted.
“What I mean is, why are you, who can even use Aura, taking this old man's pension lecture.”
“……Because I haven't mastered the basics of swordsmanship.”
Monika's gaze shifted downwards.
A few of the students began to scan Monika. After scrutinizing Monika's newly tailored training clothes, they would finally whisper while glancing at the glove covering her prosthetic arm.
- That child,
I heard she didn't have a right arm……
“Quiet!”
Felix growled at the group that was exchanging whispers.
“Monika Lohengrin, come forward with your sword!”
“……What?”
“Are your ears worse than this old man's! Get your ass out here with your sword right now!”
“──Understood!”
Monika shouted with strength in her neck, and picked up the training longsword that had been neatly arranged at her feet. Felix gestured for Monika to stand facing him.
“You're a special scholarship student of commoner origin. Right?”
“That's right.”
Monika answered Felix's question.
A muffled laughter poured towards Monika's back.
“And you were a janitor at CIAR, right? Is that correct?”
“That's correct.”
“And that glove……”
Felix's eyes turned to Monika's right hand.
“Take off the glove, Monika Lohengrin.”
“……Understood.”
Monika took off the glove that had been covering her prosthetic arm.
The prosthetic arm, revealed under the sunlight. It had a dull, lusterless color. Unlike Monika, who was clenching her teeth and maintaining her composure, the prosthetic arm trembled in response to the vague tension flowing in Monika's body. Felix's eyes narrowed as he looked at such a prosthetic arm.
“That's a rather expensive-looking prosthetic arm. It seems even the fathers of the simpletons gathered here wouldn't be able to buy it easily? How did you get such a prosthetic arm?”
“That is……”
Monika's words trailed off. In her lowered gaze, she saw a shadow pressed against the sand. Her own long shadow, as if being dragged on the ground.
Don't be crushed by the atmosphere. Thinking so, Monika lifted her head. Then she said firmly.
“Duke Orléans herself sponsored it.”
“Oh-ho?”
One of Felix's eyebrows shot up.
Unlike the interested Felix, the students standing behind Monika were agitated. The House of Orléans was one of the four pillars that made up CIAR, but it was rare for the leader of the four families to personally sponsor a student. Especially Duke Orléans was notorious for being ruthless in judging students.
“I heard that ten thousand gold coins were spent.”
Monika looked back at the whispering students, and,
“To purchase the Porginay to be used as a material.”
She awkwardly feigned a sneer.
Gradually, the students' voices grew smaller, then someone opened their mouth.
- I heard from my father.
A few days ago……, maybe it was last week.
A living Porginay was sold at the capital's auction house……
“Right on!”
Felix's roar that silenced the voices.
“Take your stance, Monika. And shoot an Aura Blade at me.”
“……What?”
Monika's eyes widened.
The students also held their breath at the unexpected remark.
Felix unbuttoned his formal suit without minding. A body so firm it was hard to believe it was an old man's. Felix's upper body, made of richly swollen muscles, gleamed.
“The brats gathered here are looking down on you. Because you're a commoner, because you're a former janitor, because you have one arm.”
Felix threw off his blazer and dress shirt.
Dante flailed to catch them.
“That is also a disregard for me. The act of disregarding you is a disregard for me, that I would tolerate it, a disregard of a disregard of……, anyway, it's something like that!”
Koong, and.
Felix laughed, pounding his chest.
“So let's show them.”
You emit an Aura Blade. It must be amazing.
I block an Aura Blade with my bare body. It must be very amazing.
Muttering so, Felix took a defensive stance.
“Do you understand what I'm saying. That we can both look amazing. So much so that they can't look down on us again.”
While his richly trained arms gathered and covered his upper body,
Felix's eyes, revealed beyond them, sharpened.
“Let's begin, Monika Lohengrin!”
A wink that followed.
Felix gestured to Monika.
To swing her sword now.
To try and hit him with an Aura Blade.