Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: 5. Religion
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After that day, the girl began following me around.
The girl's name was Ella, and her younger brother's name was Rion.
For the first few days, Ella showed outright distrust.
Even as she stood by my side helping with the treatments, her eyes were always filled with suspicion.
When I said something to her, she always gave short replies, and she even recoiled from my touch.
"Why are you following me? There's no need for you to stick by my side just because of faith..."
"...I said I'd save your brother."
"You did. But that's only if you devote everything to God. Following me around is pointless..."
Ella replied curtly.
"That's why I'm trying to believe. I may not know much because I'm unlearned. But if I follow you, maybe I'll understand what it means to devote everything to God?"
"Is that so? Do as you please..."
I had no particular reason to treat her specially. I just carried on with my work.
Mostly healing rituals, counseling the poor, and sometimes visiting their homes.
Ella silently followed me through all of it and helped out.
Handing out medicine, disinfecting wounds, even doing laundry for sick elderly folks at times.
Ella had become my assistant in all these tasks.
"How on earth can I ever repay this kindness... Truly, truly thank you, Leader..."
An old man handed me a small token of gratitude after the healing—a necklace that was no longer usable.
"God's grace cannot be measured by value. I only ask that you live with faith..."
At that moment, Ella's gaze lingered on me a bit longer. Her eyes were a little less sharp than usual.
Next, we visited a family home on the outskirts of the slums.
Five family members were living in a single room.
The father, the head of the household, had injured his leg in a mining accident and couldn't work. They were months behind on rent.
A woman greeted me. I could see children between her legs.
"Ah, no. Why would the Leader come to such a shabby place..."
"It's not shabby. I can see your past labors and sufferings here. God only rewards your will..."
I treated the father's leg and introduced him to the village's charity workshop.
Then, secretly, I went to the landlord and paid their overdue rent for them.
Ella watched all of it.
She never once saw me demand any reward.
'Even if I did demand something, they couldn't provide it anyway.'
If I asked for dopamine in exchange for healing, those people couldn't give me dopamine.
As I went around helping people, evening fell.
I returned to the mansion with Ella. Lately, I'd been living with her.
Her previous home was in no condition to live in.
"Ella. Was there any scene today that particularly stuck with you...?"
"...Why did you pay their rent for them? You don't even live there. You have nothing to do with that man."
"That's a funny thing to say. And it's wrong. Distinguishing possessions before God is foolish."
Ella had no reply.
Even as she thought my words were nonsense, seeing my demeanor planted a seed of "maybe?" in her mind.
"...?"
A woman was standing in front of my mansion.
Her clothes were made of expensive silk, but the cloak draped over them was no different from those in the slums.
Her face was thickly covered in makeup, but the fatigue and tension around her eyes were hard to hide.
Spotting us, the woman hurried over.
"What brings you here?"
The woman dropped to her knees.
"My child... My child is dying. The doctors said to give up, but I heard the rumors..."
Tears began to smear her makeup.
"Come in. God gives equal love to all..."
Ella opened the door for her.
As the woman entered, she took off her cloak. A flashy yet blatantly seductive dress was revealed.
'High-class prostitute, huh. Doesn't seem like the type who spreads her legs for just anyone.'
She had delicate features. The decadent makeup accentuated her allure.
"How much donation do I need to give? All I have is this body. If you need even that..."
I shook my head.
"God's grace cannot be bought with money. And your body belongs to God. Don't treat it carelessly..."
The woman's eyes widened. Ignoring it, I continued.
"Then may I see the child...?"
The woman rushed outside and returned carrying a young child from the carriage.
He looked about six years old. His face was pale, and his breathing was ragged and trembling.
I laid the child on the bed and examined him. Severe pneumonia.
I began the healing ritual. This time, I deliberately lowered the output.
I planned to emphasize my effort and sacrifice a bit more.
I wrapped him in mana, raising his body temperature and making myself sweat coldly.
The treatment continued for over an hour, and the child's breathing gradually stabilized.
The woman clutched the child's hand, bursting into tears.
"He's still weak. Brew this medicine and give it to him, and make sure he rests for a few days. It'll help his recovery..."
I wrote out a prescription. Originally, there were no prescriptions, but otherwise they'd come to me every day.
I needed to meet as many people as possible to expand my influence, and repeat visitors were annoying.
"H-How can I ever repay this grace? Truly, the only thing I can offer is..."
"Raise the child healthy. That's the best repayment..."
The woman nodded through her tears.
As the door closed, the room fell silent. Ella quietly asked.
"...Why did you refuse?"
"Refuse what?"
"That woman. She's a high-class whore. The kind that entertains the upper echelons. Rich guys go crazy for them. You could've taken her and no one would bat an eye."
I looked at Ella. Her words now held genuine curiosity rather than distrust.
"Ella. I told you to devote everything because your request defies death."
"... "
"Defying the natural order requires an equal price."
Ella had no reply. I gazed out the window and continued.
"Money, body, treasures... Before God, they are all equally worthless. God desires only one thing. True faith and a kind heart..."
A god that demands true faith and a kind heart? No such thing exists.
If it did, I'd have been punished long ago.
'Even if God exists, it's probably an evil one.'
Proof of that is me. I'm brazenly going about after starting all this.
"...Is that the same for my brother? If there's true faith... can he live?"
Ella's eyes were changing.
The walls of suspicion built up over time were slowly crumbling, and something new was taking root.
"God's miracles depend on the strength of faith. When your heart is truly ready, the miracle will happen..."
"...I'll believe."
From that day on, she began helping with treatments more proactively.
She listened more intently to my words and even offered words of comfort to the sick on her own at times.
She was gradually immersing herself deeper into the religion.
She prayed morning and evening. She began memorizing the doctrines I preached.
Pain is trials, death is a beginning, salvation comes only through faith.
She even shared those words with the slum children sometimes.
For the record, the doctrines were just loosely pieced-together fabrications.
She's really starting to believe your words.
"People believe what they want to believe."
When times are tough, it's human nature to choose the easy path.
That's why those who willingly face hardship and adversity seem noble.
At that moment, Ella entered the room. Her eyes looked clearer than usual.
"Leader, you said we're visiting the elderly in the northern sector tomorrow, right? I'll prepare the medicine in advance."
"I'm always grateful. Ella."
The time had come.
Eisenheim's central square was packed with more people than ever before.
Hundreds—no, thousands had gathered. Slum dwellers, middle-class merchants, even a few curious wealthy folk.
A tall platform stood in the center of the square. On it lay Rion's body, covered with a white cloth.
Ella was trembling beside the platform. The Leader ascended the podium.
He was deeply hooded in pure white robes.
"Death is not the end! Pain is a trial! Today, we will witness that truth with our own eyes!"
The Leader's voice boomed across the square. Broker had amplified it with mana.
The Leader extended a hand toward Ella.
"Ella. Come here."
Ella knelt right in front of the platform.
"Are you prepared to devote everything today?"
"Yes. I'm ready to devote everything."
The Leader knelt beside Rion's body and removed the white cloth.
I, watching the entire scene from afar, finished preparations to transfer the ritual.