Chapter 39
* * *
Since that day.
“I, Eirene von Einsberg, shall accept the Guoden Church from this day forth to lead the long and rich history of the Einsberg family beyond what has yet been reached. Our Empire’s new state religion is now the Guoden Church!”
The emperor’s decree to make the Guoden Church the state religion was officially proclaimed.
It was a significantly historic moment with the revival of the state religion that had been abolished following the sale of the Miyeon Brigade.
At the same time, Saint Erin was visiting high-ranking officials and prestigious noble figures within the country.
Their commonality was that they were all strong skeptics of religion.
The meetings were not lengthy. At most it was about 30 minutes, and the shortest was just 10 minutes.
However, for the little time that passed—so much had changed.
The first sign of change was how those who had met with the saint were transforming quite differently than before.
“Are you saying you wish to assist in the peoples’ aid, my lord baron?”
“Yes. After all, everything that exists belongs to God Igguoqueden. What meaning is there for a mere human like me to hold onto so much wealth? Additionally, many must have suffered from the recent epidemic that began in the Grashia region. I believe this is the perfect time to share God Igguoqueden’s simple fact.”
“But—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I am embarrassed even now. The fact that I was obsessed with hoarding unnecessary wealth without understanding the profound meaning of God Igguoqueden’s words ‘It’s all mine.’ Regardless, I have no intention of changing my mind, so let it be as it is.”
Though the baron, who belonged to the Roengreen family and amassed considerable wealth through operating a large trading company, suddenly opened the vault.
“Are you truly willing to share the research of the Magic Tower…?”
This was a shocking announcement from the head of the Fire Magic Tower, who had recently met with the First Princess Yuria.
The wizards serving her, incredulous, asked several times for confirmation, but the head of the Fire Magic Tower was exceptionally adamant.
“The reason we can use magic is that a few individuals happen to feel God’s simple facts more vividly. In other words, it simply means they were fortunate enough to be chosen by God, and whether or not they were born into nobility does not determine that. Somewhere in this world, there must be seedlings with talent yet lacking knowledge due to their lowly status, unable to use magic. Simply being able to use magic does not entitle them to arrogance or recognition—”
Isn’t it our duty, those who lead the Magic Tower, to discover such people?
“I believe the head of the Magic Tower’s intentions are not bad. However, head, until now, all magic towers have developed through competitive independent research. Our Fire Magic Tower has also received funding through competition, haven’t we? In such a situation, if we were to disclose our know-how to everyone…”
“I thought the same thing when I was trapped in the foolish notion that magic is something remarkable.”
The head of the Magic Tower spoke while trembling with closed eyes.
“Even if it is magic, in the end, it is all constructed from God’s simple facts. It merely mimics and attempts to slightly recreate the power of God… I realized it far too late.”
“Y-yes?”
“You don’t have to worry about funding anymore. Here, read this. It’s part of the decree that His Majesty delivered not long ago.”
The wizard who received the paper presented by the head of the Magic Tower wore an expression of disbelief as he read it thoroughly.
“Funding for the Magic Tower… will be provided based on how well you understand God’s simple facts…??”
“That’s only natural. After all, magic is merely a feeble imitation of God’s power. Without knowing this, you cannot hope to be a proper magician. The more you understand about God Igguoqueden, the stronger magic you can wield. This is the new definition of magic in this era.”
—The Fire Magic Tower, known for being the most exclusive and aggressive, had suddenly opened its doors to everyone.
And that wasn’t all.
Saint Erin’s steps, in line with God’s words, were changing even the minutiae.
“It feels like His Majesty the Emperor has become someone different.”
“Indeed. In the past, even meeting him was frightening… but now he seems much kinder.”
“Princess Yuria has changed too. She was a person who wouldn’t tolerate even minor slip-ups… yet now it seems she exchanges light-hearted jokes.”
The evaluations of the royal family among their retainers were soaring rapidly.
In fact, Eirene was destined to be ousted if she spent her time like this. Destined to be deposed and sacrificed as the offering to usher in a new era.
However, the deity did not acknowledge that. Eirene intended to genuinely reform, even now.
Therefore, the fate twisted.
Empress Eirene was fated to become a beloved sage by both her retainers and the people beyond.
In reality, Eirene minimized excessive luxuries for maintaining the dignity of the royal family after meeting Erin.
‘Well-matured women do not cling to unnecessary things like luxury; dignity is determined by how ripe one’s character is rather than expensive clothing.’ That was the reason.
The finances left were not wasted. Most notably, despite the political issues caused by the epidemic, the excessive tax rates imposed were revised.
“Things have been tough due to the continuous poor harvests and the epidemic… I truly appreciate it.”
“While it’s good to feel moved by the Emperor’s will, I hope you don’t forget that everything is thanks to God’s simple facts.”
Those who might have opposed this decision had already tasted the flavor of Erin’s Bible.
God Igguoqueden’s words were changing the world. And in a wonderfully ideal direction.
Conflicts were gradually disappearing, and people were drawn closer by the keyword ‘God Igguoqueden.’
Everyone exchanged trust, love, and hopes for the future, wrapped in the name of simple facts.
In such a situation, Linea… could only observe the circumstances without uttering a word.
Seeing those who met the saint suddenly become different was undoubtedly a terrifying sight.
All the aspects of humanity transformed as if turned upside down by a being that humans could never comprehend.
Surely it was a fearful matter, but… for some reason, as a result, more smiles bloomed on people’s faces.
‘…’
Linea recalled her conversation with Yuria, who was crying out the name of God Igguoqueden on her knees.
“Uh, sister? What the saint used was… white magic?”
“Don’t say such nonsensical things, Linea. I was… I was foolish. The very talent to use magic would have been impossible without God Igguoqueden’s love… I had no idea that magicians are merely beings imitating God Igguoqueden’s miracles…. God Igguoqueden took a lot of time until I could truly realize this…”
Yuria said that God Igguoqueden had held on to her until she finally reformed, despite her stubborn refusal to believe in His existence.
From Linea’s perspective, only about 10 minutes had passed, but it seemed she had experienced a far longer time.
Such magic had not been reported in the academic circles. Even if there were magic that projected the fantasy world, there was no magic that could profoundly twist the concept of time and space, at least not yet.
Then, could this be a miracle of God rather than magic?
Whatever it was, witnessing a person who had just moments ago denied any existence of God change so drastically was enough to spur Linea into deep contemplation.
As she was troubled, time passed—
Finally, the day had come to officially appoint the Holy Knight Plate.
* * *
In the Great Hall of the Igguoqueden Cathedral, which had been greatly expanded by disposing of all old things.
With high priests, cardinals, and the pope gathered, the saint approached the three female knights, who were kneeling with the Bible tightly embraced.
The red-haired female knight, possessing a purity that matched her exceptional abilities.
The female knight, tied with a white ribbon in her black hair, embodying her family—determined to not give up even if she were to break.
The female knight of royal lineage, willingly diving into the religious realm to become a bridge.
“Ophilia Translerente.”
“Yes!”
“Luka Hebnisian.”
“Yes.”
“Linea von Einsberg.”
“…Yes.”
Erin slowly closed her eyes.
If possessing everything is God’s will, then fulfilling that is the reason for her existence.
“I solemnly declare that the three of you are appointed as the ‘Holy Knight Plate’ of our Guoden Church in the name of God Igguoqueden.”
“God Igguoqueden!”
“Guo—Amen…”
The moment that marked the first selection of three holy knights in history.
The magic felt across the continent was growing stronger, and with the frequency of monster appearances increasing, selecting holy knights had become an affair of much greater significance than it initially seemed, drawing attention from many.
When the announcement was made that for the first time, three would be selected, many were more flustered—but numerous priests who witnessed the simple facts of God changing the world for the better no longer doubted the words of Saint Erin or the will of God Igguoqueden.
What was seen instead of doubt were tears of joy. The tears of the priests filled with sincerity stemming from witnessing the moment of God Igguoqueden’s choice while still alive!
“Hail God Igguoqueden!”
“Hail Saint Erin!”
Erin recalled the incredibly despairing past that was almost unimaginable in the present, amidst the cheers directed towards her.
The moment she escaped from the dire situation where all the villagers had perished.
She hadn’t realized it then, but now she knew. The water and food provided at that time were all blessings from God Igguoqueden.
Without God Igguoqueden, she would not have become a saint. No, it wasn’t just about being a saint. She would likely have died. Right there, tragically, just like her family had suffered.
‘God Igguoqueden…!’
Just from the simple facts shared so far, she had already received such an overwhelming grace that could not possibly be repaid.
That was why she no longer intended to depend solely on God Igguoqueden.
Saint Erin was positioned closer to God Igguoqueden than anyone else on earth.
Naturally, she understood that the more she draws upon the divine powers, the more God Igguoqueden’s strength must diminish.
The more God Igguoqueden wished to change the world into a better place for her—the more she instinctively realized that God could not use that power for Himself.
God Igguoqueden loved Erin.
And, Erin loved God Igguoqueden.
As a believer, as a saint, and as a woman.
Yes, there was no longer anything to hide. As a woman, Erin deeply revered and adored God Igguoqueden. She wished to embrace Him fully.
That is why she could conceivably think this arrogantly. Hoping for her existence to somehow serve as a foundation for God’s will.
‘From now on, I will no longer blindly depend on God Igguoqueden. Unless it’s a truly necessary moment, instead of praying blindly, I will spread God’s will using the abundant simple facts already shared with me. I will bestow the love given to me upon everyone, creating a beautiful world where all share in the simple facts.’
Erin’s heart was indeed commendable even from the perspective of the divine.
How pitiable is the heart that worries for God while everyone praises only the miracles of the deity!
Such a heart was undeniably lovely, but…
Only by vaguely perceiving God’s heart could Erin, the creature, not dare to imagine something.
That was――
* * *
[ #UmSeob: Wow, the Guild Master is here! ]
[ #UmSeob: Hello!! It’s been a while! ]
[ #IgguoQuq: Hi hi. ]
[ #ShoShott: Guild Master, while you were gone a good name came up for auction. ]
[ #ShoShott: [Love] <<< Looking at this, I think it will go for seven hundred thousand won. ] [ #ShoShott: Guild Master, are you not charging your bullets to get a pretty rare nickname? ] [ #UmSeob: I heard last time you were willing to spend up to 1000 shots, that’s quite impressive! ] [ #Dabdu: Welcome back, Guild Master~~~! ] [ #IgguoQuq: Ah, hehehe, the nickname is nice, but… ] [ #IgguoQuq: Now it doesn't really matter. ] [ #ShoShott: ? ] [ #JuduJudu: Wow, it’s the Guild Master! Hi hi. ] [ #IgguoQuq: By the way, didn’t you say you wanted to buy my helmet, dear Guild Master? ] [ #IgguoQuq: I’ll sell it to you for cheap. Let’s go. ] [ #ShoShott: Huh???? Are you selling a +23 helmet?? Isn’t that a definitive item for a thief? ] [ #ShoShott: Are you changing your job?? ] [ #IgguoQuq: No, it's not a job change. ] [ #IgguoQuq: I’m quitting this trash game that just eats up my money. ] [ #IgguoQuq: I found something more fun. ] —The divine power that God Igguoqueden had delivered thus far was, in the eyes of God, nothing at all.