At that moment, Luke was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to hear the words of Deus, and after fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter approached Luke and said, “If you are the Son of Deus, command these stones to become bread.” Luke replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Deus.’”
Gospel of Aurelia 14:1-5
“Just come this way.”
A man named Kelbec, called by Zolga.
Following the man’s guidance, we moved deep underground.
Moving, huh?
The first test from [Deus Ex Machina] was to take place at that very spot earlier.
This isn’t a test happening through moving around.
What on earth…
Could it be that this has transformed due to the butterfly effect of my actions?
Countless things have changed because of what I’ve done.
Even the actions of the chaos gods have transformed.
However, the isolation of the tomb tribe shouldn’t be affected.
What’s going on?
This is making me nervous all of a sudden.
I prepared for the test thinking about what I did in [Deus Ex Machina]… If the test content has changed, that’s troublesome.
If I can’t solve it easily, what will Aurelia think of me?
So, just passing the test isn’t enough.
I need to pass it easily, very easily.
Without feeling any difficulties at all.
Even if it means using my ‘gift’ that consumes my divinity.
Kuung.
As Kelbec touched the wall as if manipulating something, the wall began to move upwards.
No,
the platform we’re standing on started to move down.
Is this an elevator?
Since its first operation, it doesn’t shake or make noise; it’s a comfortable elevator.
Installing such an elevator in a cave like this…
And it’s built by the remnants of a fallen empire to preserve their technology, not by the genuine technology introduced by the Empire.
Is this the lost technology of the ancient empire Celestia?
In the mythic age, a kind of Babel tower destroyed by deities.
There were countless breadcrumbs even in [Deus Ex Machina].
For an empire with such superior technology to fall, what on earth happened back then?
Of course, it declared an update halt without properly picking up the breadcrumbs.
Kuung, thud.
The elevator platform came to a stop.
Did we arrive?
It feels like we’ve gone down quite a bit.
It’s so different from what it was in [Deus Ex Machina].
What kind of test awaits?
“Please come this way.”
Kelbec is guiding us again.
Following him for a moment.
“Please enter here.”
He pointed to a small door.
“If you wait inside for a moment, the test will begin.”
Inside?
“I understand.”
As I was about to enter, he added, “Ah, the heir’s attendant will have to wait here.”
“What?”
“The test must be conducted solely by the heir. I would appreciate it if you could wait here.”
Aurelia, looking troubled about what to do, glanced at me.
“Just wait here.”
“Understood.”
I hadn’t properly explained the situation to Aurelia.
But then again, it’s a bit awkward to explain it correctly.
Coming to steal the legacy of a fallen empire…
It’s probably better she doesn’t know what’s going on.
And I’m not worried about Aurelia being alone.
Even if the whole Celestia turned against her, she has the ability to calmly escape by herself.
“Then I will begin the test.”
Krrr, thud.
The door closed immediately as I stepped inside.
Well, at least Aurelia won’t see me taking the test.
If that’s the case, it’s okay to experience a little trial and error.
Alright, what kind of test is it?
Ziiing.
At that moment, a hologram of someone appeared beside me.
– Heir, can you hear me?
The chief of the Celestial Tomb Guardian Clan, Zolga.
Was she floating a hologram from above?
“I can hear you, Zolga. What’s the content of the first test?”
– I will explain the content of the first test. The first test is to assess one of the important virtues that the heir of the glorious empire must possess.
This is just like in [Deus Ex Machina].
The first test there was to find something hidden in the hall as a demonstration of wisdom, a trait expected of an heir.
But this test is happening down in a place like this.
What exactly is it testing?
– An heir of the empire must be responsible for all people. They must ensure that none go hungry. They must also be safe from any assassination attempts.
That makes sense but… what does feeding have to do with assassination?
– Therefore, the heir of the empire must endure without eating anything. Or they must create food themselves.
…What?
That’s absurd.
– The first test is to endure in a room where nothing is provided.
“Endure in a room where nothing is provided…?”
– There is no food in this room. And none will be provided.
Enduring without food? That’s ridiculous. What kind of nonsense test is this? Who could possibly pass such a test?
– You must spend a year in this room.
…A year?
Are you kidding me? A year for a test? There’s no time for that.
I need to get to Orias as fast as possible.
– According to Celestial’s principles, all tests must be completed within one day. Therefore, we will utilize the time acceleration device installed underground.
Time acceleration device…!
The lost technology of Celestia that appeared briefly during the summer event in [Deus Ex Machina].
If they use that, it might be okay.
– Then I will start the test now.
“Wait a moment!”
Kuung.
With a loud sound of something descending, Zolga’s hologram disappeared.
It felt like she started the test quickly without giving me a chance to speak.
…Zolga.
She’s not the same Zolga I knew.
Something has changed.
What has changed her…?
But it doesn’t matter what she is feeling.
Zolga is a member of the Celestial Tomb Guardian Clan.
Bound by the oath of the Celestial Empire, she cannot exceed her duties as a tester.
As long as I complete this test safely, she has no way to harm me.
The moment she breaks the oath, she loses her life.
So, if I can endure for a year within this space, Zolga has no choice but to allow me to pass the test.
And enduring for a year without eating…
For any normal human, surviving without anything to eat is impossible.
And even if I could endure, I might go insane having nothing to do for an entire year.
But that doesn’t apply to my clone.
Just keep monitoring for a year.
I’ll be living as the main body during the accelerated year.
Zolga.
*
The Son of Deus.
No matter how much he’s the Son of God, he’s still a being active in a human body.
I don’t know if he’s truly a deity or a mortal, but even if he is a divine being, once he descends to the ground, he is constrained and will feel hunger like a mortal.
So I ordered my agent, Zolga, to administer the ‘Hunger Test’ on him.
When the guy reaches the extreme state of hunger…
At that moment, I will tempt him.
To seduce him when he’s delirious with hunger to take this Atzoatl as a substitute for Saula.
So I’ve been waiting with the time acceleration, making him feel hunger…
Why…
Why is that guy still intact regardless of the passage of time?
You’re a human, right?
Haven’t eaten anything, right?
Then how is he still holding that position?
Three hundred long days have passed, yet the Son of Deus remains in the same position.
How is he able to withstand three hundred days in a human body?
Is he not feeling hunger at all?
Or if he isn’t feeling hunger, why isn’t he dying?
A human can’t survive without eating anything!
He must have hit his limit by now.
Now!
Now is the time to tempt him!
Woooon.
I approached him.
– Son of Deus.
At that, his eyes opened.
– If you desire, I will give you my bread.
If you become my agent…
Then he said,
“I don’t need it.”
– What?
“I do not live by bread alone, but by the words of Deus. I do not need it.”
Why…
Why?!
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