Chapter: 578
Most mounts generally overwhelm human feet with ease, but that’s just the norm.
There are exceptions aplenty on this continent, and most of those exceptions are high-borns who utilize their rides. Yet, the very fact that mounts exist intact in this world also signifies authority, often masking their shabby appearances.
For instance, it’s hard to imagine the Pope of the Church of the Gods and one of the continent’s top powerhouses riding in a carriage made of rotting wood, drawn by some low-quality pony that looks indistinguishable from a donkey.
Normally, Lasha wouldn’t even consider stepping onto such a slow contraption. But this time, it’s different.
No matter who her counterpart is, even the disrespectful Lasha feels a little uneasy being next to a monster smiling blissfully as she gazes at the greenery outside.
“Hey, old man, haven’t you been buzzing around too much lately?”
Lasha growls, annoyed at how this old man is being put to good use, but the Pope merely shrugs with a lazy smile.
“That just means there’s a lot happening in this land. It’s a joyous occasion. If this old frame were to remain quiet until I die, I would have to settle into that silence.”
What nonsense! If nothing’s happening, he’s the type to stir trouble in the worst possible way. Lasha clicked her tongue, inadvertently acknowledging that she’s dealt with this Pope, who’s always been embroiled in chaos, since long before he became the Pope.
“Haha. Don’t be like that. Thanks to my workings, you’ve had the chance to face numerous strong foes with ease.”
“Don’t spew nonsense. I’m hoping for a struggle to make me feel alive, not to be praised for toying with a bunch of weaklings who don’t want to accept they’ve been abandoned.”
If anyone asked Lasha whether the foes she’d dealt with under the Pope were strong, she would willingly declare that they were indeed powerful.
Each one was someone who could make a name for themselves across the continent, provided they were at full strength.
“So, we finally encounter strong opponents, and you tell me they’re worn out after battle! What’s that about? You’ve only enjoyed the show, old man!”
“Well, I did enjoy quite a bit. Witnessing gods blossom upon the earth… I’ve lived long, seen a lot, but not much can top that. Especially if the newly emerged god is a vessel crafted by the genius Erginus.”
“…I’ve been thinking since before entering that damn forest. What on earth does ‘vessel’ even mean?”
While Lasha is nearly a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to moving her body, she knows nothing about magic. If it just sounds like another one of those arcane mumbo jumbo the various factions prattle on about, she wouldn’t want to bother understanding it.
So under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t even ask such a question. But the wondrous sights she saw in the forest were too captivating. It felt like she was turning back into a girl at her age.
“You’ve heard of the great mage Erginus being hailed as a genius who left his mark in history, right?”
“Of course! The tales of the heroes that saved the mythical age are sung by bards to the point of annoyance. You can’t help but know it if you wander around.”
“To be precise, calling him a genius does little justice to his greatness. Even centuries later, no one has surpassed his wisdom, and how can one simply call a being that overwhelmed a god of magic with a human form a genius?”
Hearing the Pope’s words, Lasha’s jaw dropped. A human overpowering a god in their own domain?
Could that really happen?
While they don’t have the greatest relationship, she knows well he’s the Apostle of the Evil God.
Gods are basically concepts embodied in this world. If what the Pope says is true, Erginus knew more about magic than magic itself.
“When a new god of magic rises on the earth, delving into one field until their life comes to an end, is there really something they cannot achieve?”
“Stop with the complicated questions and just get to the point.”
“The answer is ‘none.’ The great mage Erginus, after a long journey of research, found a way to save his love and also discovered a method to sever the fate that the next generation would inherit.”
The only way to erase a god from this world. A shift of rank. To have another take the place where the original divine was residing.
“While theoretically, that’s endlessly plausible, actualizing it is difficult. After all, the reason evil gods twisted themselves is that their powers wished for it.”
Darkness desires the world to grow darker. Emptiness seeks endless silence. The world wishes to set a flame that will never extinguish upon the land. Destruction yearns not just to annihilate the land but itself too.
“A person with an ordinary mindset attaining divinity would merely result in the birth of another evil god.”
The hierarchy that has endured since ancient times easily crumbles opponents and enforces its will. To resist it, one requires someone with an extraordinary mindset.
Someone who can stand tall even before divinity, surpassing life on earth.
For instance, heroes like Erginus himself.
By this point, even someone like Lasha, who detests thinking, couldn’t help but put the pieces together.
“So that Erginus inside that cocoon…”
“A vessel that can contain divinity. He possesses the spirit, wisdom, and stubbornness of a hero and, unbeknownst to himself, was already preparing to become a deity.”
Did the hero of the past achieve their task by traversing hundreds of years? Wow. It makes my blood surge. If such a monster exists, I’d want to have a go at it.
“Of course, it’s not solely due to his efforts. Had the great God not blessed his earnestness, Erginus wouldn’t have reached that miracle.”
“Are you talking about your assistance?”
To Lasha, the Apostle of the Evil God, the cocoon looked dangerously precarious. It seemed to be turning into something resembling the evil god she was devoutly praying to.
No doubt, without the Pope’s help, what emerged from that chrysalis wouldn’t be a revived fairy but rather a new evil.
“Huh? No way. That cannot be. I merely wrapped things up.”
While that was meant to sound commendatory, the response bewildered her. The Pope was genuinely downplaying his actions.
“Then what is this divine blessing of yours?”
“It’s about a more fundamental matter—the reason why divinity must fall beneath humans.”
As the Pope mentioned the light of purification, he shivered. There’s nothing more unbearable to Lasha than the delight visible on the aged face of this old man, making her roll her eyes.
…Not that I can completely dismiss it. The light that occupied the heart of the forest was incredible. If that wasn’t divine light, then what could possibly be a miracle?
“Just so you don’t misinterpret, that miracle wasn’t performed by the Saintess.”
“Oh, what?”
“The Saintess receives the God’s love through her purity, but wandering footfalls can’t create miracles.”
“Wait a minute. You’re saying she’s not the Saintess?”
“Don’t you know? After all, you’ve sparred with her, so there’s no way you wouldn’t recognize.”
“…You knew all along?”
“Of course. How could I not notice the Apostle of the Gods?”
The Pope’s tone, which brimmed with childlike excitement, was a stark contrast to his usual solemnity.
*
Having heard the rough situation from Erginus, who became the God of Darkness, I understood why everyone here seemed so deflated.
Even if they had gone through a tough fight, the characters gathered here were noteworthy individuals. If they were unable to stop themselves from watching the Pope working without accomplishing anything, feelings of self-loathing would surely rise.
Personally, I think it’s best to just let it slide as something unavoidable. It’s one thing for Lasha to be involved, but the Pope himself is an incredibly formidable figure.
As long as a priest capable of reviving anything (so long as he doesn’t die) stands alongside someone who can go toe-to-toe with Benedict, it would be hopeless.
And anyway, the result turned out great, right? So let’s just leave whatever happened in the past in the past.
[You don’t seem shocked that the Pope helped these people.]
‘Well, it’s the Pope, isn’t it? There’s no way he’d welcome the disappearance of the Evil God with open arms.’
[I thought perhaps your extreme hatred for the Pope might lead you to associate him with the evil gods.]
‘Nope. Regardless of personal bias, the Pope’s faith is genuine.’
Even I, who’ve been hypervigilant towards the Pope, wouldn’t expect anyone to believe this, but it is what it is.
His faith is real.
Even if this world has changed a lot since it became reality, that fact won’t change.
‘Even if faith is genuine, that doesn’t mean it’s associated with a decent human, does it?’
[Aah, that’s true. I’ve seen that a long time ago when I was still alive.]
Right. Back then, it was during the Age of Mythology. Since gods were in close proximity to humans, there must have been many madmen.
While I understood my grandpa’s voice infused with anger, I also thought about the Pope, who came here.
It’s not strange for that guy to drag his heavy body all the way here.
After all, we’d been cooperating with the church. If information crossed over to them, it would be natural for the Pope to take an interest in this place.
Of course…
The freak didn’t get to see Paybi’s miracle. You have to assume he knows about me by now.
Jeez.
“Regardless of the situation, it’s true that his assistance has stabilized my divinity. Although I’m still inexperienced in wielding my powers, I’ll soon adapt. It’s easier than dealing with magic research.”
If I were to tell this to that perv crow, he’d surely squint in disbelief, but that’s actually true. Just look at the messages he just sent me.
Even during his human times, he was a genius who got closer to godhood through magic. If he’s now able to handle divine powers, that speaks for itself.
“But what about the chicken-lady?”
“The Queen has gone to meet the head of the kingdom. After all, those involved have a vested interest in this matter. It’s probably better if she goes herself to discuss the forest issues.”
Wait!? That airhead is going to meet the first queen?!
Are you insane!? What if the fairy queen gets swindled by the first queen?
“I understand what you’re worried about, but it’s alright. Like the great one said to me directly, the Queen is no longer pure.”
Erginus assures me that he sent her off with full consideration. Still, I can’t shake off my anxiety.
I hope… she’ll be okay?
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