Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Episode 40.
Yuriel's face remained calm as she read through the scriptures.
Though the values she had believed in had crumbled to dust, she accepted reality with unexpected composure.
Perhaps it was a defense mechanism.
Separating her emotions to rationally face the facts, protecting her heart from collapsing under the shock.
Or perhaps she had already prepared herself to confront the truth.
Even she didn't fully understand her own feelings.
That composed Yuriel froze for a moment.
"Your Holiness, may I come in?"
It was because of Aiden's voice coming from outside the door.
Yuriel wasn't sure she could face Aiden as usual.
But she couldn't let herself be swayed forever.
The Aiden she knew was either a born sociopath or someone who suppressed his emotions to an extreme degree for his goals.
Such a man would have felt nothing from what happened earlier.
He might have already erased it from his memory.
Though his coldness stung, she didn't want to show it.
She couldn't act like a wounded girl—that was her last shred of pride. Moreover, she knew full well such behavior wasn't attractive.
Yuriel cleared her throat softly and composed her voice.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing Aiden.
As Yuriel expected, his expression was unchanged—heavy and cold, utterly devoid of emotion.
"Have you read it?"
His first words were dry and abrupt. He could have at least formally asked how her injuries were or if she was feeling better.
Yuriel responded with equal composure.
"I was in the middle of reading."
Aiden nodded and approached her. Then he knelt on one knee and gently grasped her snow-white leg.
Yuriel flinched and tried to pull her foot away, but she couldn't escape his grip.
"Let me take a look."
Aiden lightly touched her swollen ankle.
Yuriel let out a low groan.
"Ah, it hurts..."
"It's fractured."
Without hesitation, Aiden tore the blanket lying on the bed.
He began wrapping the injured area tightly with the fabric.
Yuriel watched silently, exhaling deeply in her mind.
Aiden pulled out a bandage from his pocket and secured it meticulously.
"I'll bring a splint later."
Yuriel nodded wordlessly.
"How far have you read?"
Aiden pulled up a chair and sat facing her.
"...Up to the fall of the Holy Land, Babylon."
"You must have realized by now."
The land beyond the continent—now a demonic realm—was once the headquarters of the Varanthes Church, home to numerous holy sites, including the Babylon Yuriel mentioned. At least until 200 years ago.
Yuriel answered in a calm voice.
"It was the battlefield where Lord Vacheksar descended."
"In other words, proof that he is not omnipotent."
The scripture recorded in detail the defeat of the holy army he led.
"You must have checked the emotions by now. There's no room for fabrication."
The scriptures spread by the Demon Cult to slander the Varanthes Church contain altered content.
However, anyone with even basic divine power can discern the authenticity of a scripture.
For someone of Yuriel's divine caliber, it was child's play.
The artifact retrieved from the Elpis ruins was undoubtedly one of the autonomous recording artifacts created by the Great Sage Paiden.
Yuriel nodded.
"It's the lost scripture. There's no doubt it's Paiden's Book, chronicling the three years from the 128th year of Vacheksar's reign. If made public, it would undoubtedly be classified as forbidden scripture."
A document detailing even the moment the supreme Vacheksar knelt before the Demon God. Beyond that, every moment of disgrace was meticulously recorded.
Aiden looked at Yuriel with a slightly puzzled expression.
"You don't seem too shocked."
"It's just... it doesn't feel real. I don't know. Right now, I'm just numb."
Aiden couldn't fully understand what she was feeling. He could only guess.
Yuriel smiled emptily and continued.
"However, as you said, the Penitence Rite seems rather inefficient."
Aiden nodded.
"Correct. Rather than shutting yourself in a chamber to waste time, touring the provinces or traveling abroad would be far more effective."
Missionary work—the most suitable practice for achieving divine power.
Of course, some have unique criteria for attainment based on their divine abilities. Like Aiden's Noble Hypocrisy.
But evangelism is a common method for all Varanthes followers to enhance their divine power.
The gods respond more to those who contribute to expanding the faith and increasing followers. Because it directly correlates with their divine authority.
Of course, weak growth can still be achieved through prayer, but it's ultimately a matter of efficiency.
Yuriel, still harboring doubts, fell into thought before speaking.
"But I don't think the Penitence Rite is entirely useless. The reason missionary work fell out of practice is because there are no more heathens left within the Empire, right? After all, it's a growth metric that only works if there are people to convert."
Aiden nodded.
"As you said, there are almost no targets for conversion left in the Empire. However, this continent isn't solely inhabited by the Empire."
Beyond the western deserts, a few minor nations persist. To the east lies the Demon Sovereign State—or, in other words, the Demon-Possessed Duchy.
They outwardly serve the Varanthes Church but secretly worship indigenous faiths.
An open secret.
Yuriel looked puzzled.
"So you're saying it's better to conquer and convert them? Rather than praying."
"Pray if you must, but do it normally. Self-flagellating prayers are meaningless. And yes, the latter is accurate. I believe the continent's religions must be unified."
Yuriel looked utterly confused.
"I don't understand. You deny Vacheksar more than anyone, yet you insist on spreading his faith? It makes no sense to me."
"Because it's necessary."
Yuriel sighed softly.
"I suppose you can't tell me this time either."
"My apologies."
After a brief pause, Aiden continued.
"Actually, there's something you can do, Your Holiness. Aren't there plenty of conversion targets here? Even though it's the Empire."
The entire Seirun tribe was aboard this ship. Objectively speaking, it was an opportunity to elevate her divine power.
Of course, he didn't view them merely as stepping stones for growth. But the chance couldn't be wasted.
Understanding his meaning, Yuriel stared intently at Aiden.
"Wouldn't it be more fitting for you to do it?"
"I gain nothing from it."
Evangelism held no meaning for him. His "Noble Hypocrisy" only achieved divine power when others revered and admired him.
A trait unique to Aiden among all Varanthes followers.
Yuriel almost asked how he attained divine power but stopped herself.
The answer was obvious—he wouldn't tell her.
Aiden stood up.
"Will you do it?"
The deeper Yuriel's divine power grew, the more advantageous it would be for their plans.
But she was somewhat skeptical.
Could she remain seated as the Saintess and continue converting others?
She now knew the truth of Vacheksar. Yet to proselytize, she would have to pretend he was omnipotent.
How could anyone believe her when she herself didn't? Yuriel lacked both the confidence to lie and the justification to persuade others.
Aiden saw right through her dilemma.
After a long silence, Aiden spoke first.
"If you can't believe in God, then believe in me instead."
Aiden knew the unfolding events but couldn't reveal them.
Thus, he sometimes needed blind trust from others. There would be more such instances in the future.
He had no doubt he'd proven his worth enough. The achievements of his relentless two-year journey surpassed any hero's legacy.
Having kept every promise he'd made, he could make this request without hesitation.
Yuriel looked up at him, slightly taken aback.
Telling her to believe in him over God? The implications were few, though hard to define.
Aiden bowed his head slightly.
"Just keep doing as you have been. I will never give you reason to regret it."
Yuriel needed to remain as the Church's figurehead.
With that, Aiden stood up.
"Rest for now. I'll keep watch outside."
Before Yuriel could respond, Aiden left the cabin.
As the Sea God's power vanished, the mermaids on land reverted to their original forms.
Opening the steamer revealed humans inside. Peeling away the scales, they suddenly realized it was skin. Splitting the belly exposed lungs. The heads on silver trays were no longer fish.
Screams echoed endlessly throughout the coastal city of Ilyas.
Vomit from the citizens covered the streets. Some foamed at the mouth and collapsed atop it.
Such news, of course, had no choice but to reach the Church directly.
Inquisitor-General Zeras stood before the gallows where apostates hung, his white robes stained red with blood.
The purge of Tegan.
Among the dozens of heretics were former high-ranking priests and even members of the sacred races.
The radical faction advocating the reclamation of holy lands. Zeras now understood why they had so fervently pushed for the expedition.
As he smirked, a man in a black uniform descended into the interrogation chamber.
"Inquisitor, I bring news."
"What is it?"
Gavelyn of the Holy Guard handed Zeras a parchment.
"A dispatch from Ilyas."
Zeras quickly scanned the text with his narrow eyes.
Gavelyn spoke cautiously.
"It may be hard to believe, but the scripture has begun recording again."
Zeras looked at Gavelyn, visibly startled.
"What? Explain in detail."
"It concerns the paladin Aiden and is directly related to the events in Ilyas. The Saintess of Mercy has also been mentioned—though the Papacy believes she was undergoing the Penitence Rite."
Zeras burst into laughter.
"Hah! Words become seeds, don't they? How many times did I predict that boy would leave his mark in the scriptures? If you don't believe me, ask my disciple yourself."
Gavelyn seemed puzzled by Zeras's reaction.
"They say he used divine authority on his own. And without the Pope's approval—no one is permitted to wield divine authority without sanction."
Zeras narrowed his eyes.
"So, what are you implying?"
"C-coldly speaking, procedures and formalities exist for the sake of results. Don't forget that."
"But an organization cannot survive by disregarding its rules."
"You're fixated on the Church itself. This place is merely a means to serve God efficiently. He accomplished everything without the organization's support. Aiden has the ability to serve God with his bare hands. Shackling such a man with procedures and punishing him means losing sight of faith's essence."
His demonic eyes flickered like when he gazed upon heretics.
"Or is it jealousy I see in your eyes? Come closer, let me have a better look."
Gavelyn shuddered and immediately prostrated himself.
Zeras clicked his tongue at the sight and changed into fresh robes.
"Seems the maggots are starting to gather. Before they gnaw through, I should see my disciple myself. Prepare for departure."