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Leriana safely regained her senses, and through a lengthy conversation, she began to resolve the emotional rift stemming from past events. All incidents were seemingly concluded without issue.
Upon hearing about the Salvation Church executive through Rohan, her face became flushed with anger. She seemed heated by the fact that she had been thoroughly played by one person. And when the conversation turned to the “presence of an unfamiliar god” felt each time an executive died…
“…Is that possible?”
Leriana’s face was contorted with unease.
Though it was just a brief statement, no other words could better express the confusion she was feeling. The facts she had believed without doubt until now were being completely shaken.
There were only two gods in this world. How could a fallen god, forgotten by the world, wield such power now? Moreover, a power that even felt divine, coming from an evil being sealed deep underground.
“It might be possible.”
The one who answered that question was not Rohan, but Casia. Rohan, who had been at a loss for words due to having similar doubts, turned to look at her with wide eyes.
Though it didn’t seem to be said with complete certainty, Casia’s eyes, hazy as if recalling a distant past, hinted at a not insignificant possibility. That alone was reason enough to focus on her words.
“I once heard a story from the High Priestess.”
The current High Priestess of the Celestial God’s temple was among the oldest of the clergy. Thanks to this, she knew quite a lot about old times, and Casia, who had lived in the temple since childhood, grew up hearing various stories from her.
One of those was about the ‘death of a god.’
“When the world completely forgets that being, only then does a god face death… That’s what she said, for sure.”
Not only the numerous wishes directed towards the god, but even the power bestowed upon the human world would completely vanish.
At that time, Casia couldn’t understand the High Priestess who told her such stories. Having had a strong faith in the gods since childhood, Casia was gripped by worry that the Celestial God might die. Of course, it didn’t take long for her to realize that it was a completely useless concern.
Anyway, that wasn’t the point. Casia, who was recalling the conversation from that time in more detail, opened her mouth again after much deliberation.
“That’s when I heard about it. About ‘what doesn’t disappear even when a god dies.’”
“Th-there’s such a thing? What is it?”
“Have you heard of… ‘god’s provision’?”
Arpel’s gaze, which had been quietly listening to Casia’s words, left her for the first time. Where it slowly moved and finally stopped was… on the faintly glowing purple jewel. More precisely, on Rohan’s ear where it was hanging.
“I don’t know the exact details, but I heard that ‘god’s provision’ doesn’t just contain the god’s power, but also the power of the world. So… even if the god dies, the provision doesn’t completely disappear.”
Leriana’s eyes widened. Rohan, who not only knew about this ‘god’s provision’ well but also possessed one himself, did the same. The presence of the object on his earlobe felt particularly distinct today.
So, what Casia wanted to say was this:
That the “presence of an unfamiliar god” felt by Rohan and Arpel might have originated from a ‘god’s provision’ created by the evil god in the distant past, before its death.
That someone might have obtained that ‘god’s provision’ and was using it…
***
Their conversation came to an ambiguous end.
For now, it was just a hypothesis with no particular way to confirm its truth. Although Casia said she would speak to the High Priestess separately about it, well… Unless one could directly ask a god, there was nothing a mere human could answer.
Of course, they had to move locations soon anyway, so the conversation would have ended awkwardly even if it wasn’t for this issue. While watching Nephia, who was busy stringing together words about how relieved she was that they were safe, Arpel thought.
Although there were dark circles under her eyes, she seemed to be in quite a good mood. It was understandable that her mind and body would be at peace now that an event tantamount to a disaster had been safely resolved. Though she did look overwhelmed by the numerous tasks that followed.
“Really… thank you so much. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”
“You don’t need to thank us anymore. Really.”
Rather, could you tell us why you called for us?
Rohan, with a smiling face, intercepted what was about to become another round of endless thanks. His skill in changing the topic was natural and clean. Nephia, who seemed to recall her purpose only after hearing his words, began with an embarrassed expression after letting out a small sigh.
“Currently, we’ve dispatched clergy to begin investigations centered around the underground prison you three discovered. The progress is quite fast. The central temple has also sent additional manpower… and we’ve started cooperating with the mercenary guild as well.”
“I’m glad to hear your relationship has improved.”
“Haha, yes. It’s embarrassing… We were played by the Salvation Church without even properly confirming the facts.”
The emotional rift built up over a long time won’t be completely resolved overnight. But if more time passes, and there are more occasions to join forces like this… Perhaps the day will come when that rift completely disappears.
Leriana, recalling the ambiguous atmosphere of the village, nodded. She had already been informed that it was a ploy by the Salvation Church executive to instigate internal conflicts.
Starting with that story, Nephia began to share some of the notable findings from their investigation. Among them was news of discovering a passage that seemed to connect to another place behind the prison.
She added that it appeared to be an abandoned research lab, and judging by the traces left behind, someone seemed to have stayed there for a long time. She said she would inform them again if they discovered anything more, her voice as respectful as if reporting to a superior.
No, perhaps it was an inevitable combination.
Arpel, after looking at the faces of Rohan and Leriana in turn, understood. To someone who remained in a frontier village, even if they were the head priest, those blessed by the god must be beings residing in an incomparably high place.
Eventually, Nephia cautiously brought up another topic.
“And… about the corpse and arm found underground.”
She continued, saying that the arm appeared to be male, the corpse female, and that it would be impossible to accurately identify them due to severe burning. Yet, she kept glancing at Leriana, as if something was bothering her.
Does she want to ask about their appearance? As soon as he guessed this, Nephia, with seemingly overwhelmed eyes, asked Leriana. Her tightly clasped hands somehow looked desperate.
“Strangely, we could feel strong holy power from the burned corpse. Perhaps…”
“Ah. That was the Celestial God.”
“Aah…!”
In an instant, Nephia fell to her knees upon hearing the definitive answer. Not only Leriana, who forgot she was in the middle of answering, but also Rohan and Casia looked down at her with gazes unable to hide their bewilderment.
Arpel, blinking silently, was in the process of recalling other clergy he had met so far one by one in his mind. Surely not all clergy are like this?
Her appearance, kneeling with her hands clasped near her mouth and eyes closed, looked exactly like she was praying.
“Lady Nephia?”
“…”
“Priestess?”
“…”
“Hello?”
Nephia displayed an unwavering stiffness, ignoring Leriana’s calls several times. Finally giving up on trying to raise her, Leriana turned her head towards the other three. She intended to share the story she hadn’t been able to tell yet.
“About the owner of that arm.”
It’s that person who attacked us before.
Since Casia, who had fought alongside her, already knew this fact, it was more accurately directed at Rohan and Arpel. Sure enough, Rohan, who immediately stiffened his expression, harshly commented as soon as the remaining story ended.
“…He managed to escape quite skillfully.”
Rohan was also there just before the massive lightning struck. How overwhelming were the voice that seemed to pierce through one’s mind and the vast holy power that threatened to engulf the entire forest.
Despite being swept up in a power of a different league, he managed to escape with just one arm cut off. If escaping like a loach was a talent, it certainly was one.
“Ahem, ahem.”
It was then that Nephia, who had been unresponsive no matter how many times she was called, cleared her throat and stood up. There was a faint blush on her cheeks, as if she was aware that her actions had been quite out of place. It seemed that embarrassment had belatedly washed over her.
“You shouldn’t worry too much.”
The series of actions of sitting back down and joining the conversation was incredibly natural. Deliberately ignoring the gazes of the others that refused to leave her, she continued as if to prove a point.
“It was a punishment directly imposed by the Celestial God. Even if he was lucky enough to escape with just a severed arm, he’ll have to live the rest of his life writhing in agony.”
…She had a point. Would a power of such a different caliber really end with just cleanly burning off an arm? Rohan nodded in agreement, unable to erase the bitterness from his face. The scene from that time, which was no different from divine punishment, was still clearly etched in his memory.
However, Arpel didn’t seem inclined to let it go so easily.
“Were you listening the whole time?”
“Ahem!”
A violent cough erupted when he asked, recalling how she had been steadfastly praying no matter how many times she was called. It was a struggle to somehow ignore and move past it, but Arpel had no way of knowing that. Watching her face gradually redden and finally bow her head deeply, he could only belatedly think:
Humans are indeed so difficult to understand.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
