Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Love Thy Neighbor
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From the previous incident, I figured that joining hands with this nation called the Kanan Kingdom wouldn't be such a bad idea.
A country that housed a Holy Knight with a decent human heart,
versus a church that was mobilizing priests with serial-killer levels of karma just to kill her.
As an angel, there was no need to even think about which side to back.
From a practical standpoint, I judged it highly likely that this church had gotten involved in something shady regarding the fall of Heaven.
Besides, it would be ridiculous for me—the one who'd already smashed their lackeys—to reach out to them.
However, separate from that plan...
At this moment, watching the scene unfolding through Holy Knight Eva, I was momentarily struck dumb.
First off, Eva and the people of the Kanan Kingdom were trying to enshrine me as a 'god'.
I'd clearly said with my own mouth that I was an angel serving the great existence... that is, a god.
Yet these guys, with their short memories, were calling me a god and even offering prayers.
Well, fine, up to that point, it could happen.
The word 'god' can just mean a transcendent being, not necessarily the Absolute God, in many cases.
Depending on the culture, even spirits or ancestors get called gods, so I could let that slide.
Even in Christianity, there are tales of some angels being lesser gods who submitted to the Absolute God.
Besides, whatever the title, using a religious position to move these people would be more convenient that way. If I ever really met the Absolute God later, I could just apologize profusely and somehow muddle through.
The problem was...
These lunatics were trying to offer human sacrifices to this so-called god—me—as tribute.
What the fuck is this bullshit?
Is this some Aztec village or an Old Testament town worshiping Baal?
No, even if it were, why the hell would I want such creepy offerings?
Livestock or gold and jewels were utterly useless to me to begin with.
What the hell am I supposed to do with a human corpse?
From a modern person's sensibilities, this was utterly unacceptable.
On top of that, the one volunteering as the sacrifice—the one who'd dragged this whole mess into being—was none other than this kingdom's princess.
Was this fanatic patriotism or just some fourth-dimensional mindset? Hard to say.
But objectively speaking, she had a pretty face to match her decent public image. As she walked to the altar, the people were literally in tears.
And from that, I quickly calculated:
If I let this go down for real, it'd sour the mood terribly and tank my image completely.
I was already getting called a demon or whatever thanks to my insanely intimidating looks. This kind of development was the last thing I needed.
Then...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Wise humans. Unlike those Sodam fools last time, they seem to understand Your Greatness well, Seraphim. Humans... Well, they have to offer that much to show sincerity to you. 'What the hell is this idiot babbling? An angel supporting this?'
Feeling a rotten taste in my nonexistent stomach, I watched Arcroyal calmly chiming in beside me.
The guy who was usually empty-headed and spineless was annoyingly composed at a time like this, making my head throb even more.
[I have a lot to say, but... first, one thing.]
[Yes! What is it, Seraphim?]
Arcroyal gazed at me with utterly pure eyes at my words.
Ah, so this is that 'clear-eyed fanatic' thing. With that thought, I nailed it down clearly.
[Human sacrifice has no place in our dictionary from now on. No matter what. Got it?]
[Ah... Y-yes! That was wrong too... I thought humans did it so often... Understood. I'll keep it in mind.]
I'd even considered decking her if she resisted,
but surprisingly, she accepted it without fuss, just like always.
At least that was a relief.
Considering the situation the top priority, I moved to intervene right away.
[I'm going down.]
[Yep!]
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The moment they were about to offer Princess Solomon as tribute, He revealed His holy form.
Seraphim.
She'd believed He would descend during the ritual, but given the circumstances, Eva first gauged His mood.
Should she proceed with sacrificing Princess Solomon or not?
Then.
Princess Solomon spoke first.
"Great Existence, are You the Seraphim that Eva spoke of?"
[Indeed. I am Seraphim. Princess Solomon of the Kanan Kingdom.]
Seraphim pierced her name in an instant.
Thinking that truly befitted a god, Solomon smiled faintly and replied.
"I am deeply grateful that You recognize this humble girl. Great Existence, since You must already see all, I won't speak at length."
With that, she lay back down on the altar, offering her body once more.
Without a hint of hesitation, she even smiled expectantly and said,
"From now on, do with this tribute's body and soul as You desire. If needed, command Eva here to prepare her properly..."
[Stop.]
Seraphim cut Solomon's words short.
Then, with His countless eyes fixed on her, He continued.
[I do not devour humans. Nor will I now or ever. Never again attempt such absurdity.]
"Ah... I see. Understood. Then not this girl's flesh, but her virginity..."
[...]
"My apologies."
His many eyes furrowed in an instant.
Reading the mood swiftly, Solomon immediately offered her apology.
At the same time, she realized:
This Seraphim was fundamentally different from the gods she knew.
Among the gods, there were those who craved human blood and flesh, and others who saw humans as outlets for lust.
The Baal God, for instance, usually accepted sturdy bulls, but His favorite delicacy was the flesh and blood of conquered prisoners.
And the Empire's goddess Isis was said to relish men's semen, holding rituals for it.
Yet,
at this moment, Seraphim gave a completely different impression from such gods.
As Solomon pondered that fact,
"Seraphim, Your mercy is truly vast!"
Eva raised her voice and bowed deeply.
It was merely refusing the sacrifice named Solomon, but Eva felt genuine gratitude in this moment.
Despite low expectations, He had answered her prayer once more.
Declaring the end of the cruel custom of human sacrifice.
Her heart swelling, Eva repeatedly bowed to the god before her.
"Thank you, Noble Existence."
Following Eva's lead, Princess Solomon stepped down from the altar and bowed.
The countless people gathered here began paying homage to Seraphim as well.
They prostrated themselves, pressing their foreheads to the ground.
Nobles and peasants alike, everyone here felt awe and fear—especially fear—before the transcendent being they faced for the first time, bowing as deeply as possible.
And.
Watching these people,
Seraphim spoke in a quiet voice that pierced the soul.
[I am pleased that you choose to follow Me. But in future, if such matters arise, seek My answer first. I wish no needless misunderstandings or confusion.]
"Y-yes, Seraphim."
His tone was even, yet everyone present could feel it.
The divine voice still echoing in their minds.
The subtle regret it carried.
Then,
the mastermind of this plan and the sacrifice herself,
Solomon lifted her head again and asked solemnly,
"Then, O God, what tribute do You desire? Livestock? Jewels? Please tell us, that we may prepare as You wish henceforth."
Wise as she was, she knew:
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Not even from gods—none bestowed blessings on humans one-sidedly.
So what did this god want?
If not people, then livestock, treasures, grain.
Or perhaps territory or victories in war?
The answer could drastically change the future, so Solomon listened intently.
And,
to her question,
the god replied.
[The tribute I desire is neither the world's wealth nor glory. Such things can never be true offerings; doctrines and faiths valuing them are mere fabrications born of demons and human tongues.]
"...Pardon?"
His unexpected words.
As Solomon's expression stiffened slightly, the god continued.
[Even if you offered all the world's treasures, could you halt the sun for a day? Even if you surrendered every beast on earth, could you grasp a single star from the night sky? No. The world's wealth holds value only for mortals; to Me, it is inherently worthless.]
"Hmm..."
Unable to refute His irrefutable words, Solomon fell silent.
Then.
"Then, Seraphim, what must we do? What must we offer to prove our faith... to bring joy to Your heart?"
With Solomon at a loss, Eva carefully posed the question,
and in response,
the god spoke even more clearly.
[Obedience is better than sacrifice. If you truly serve Me, show it not with worldly goods, but with your actions. Following My law—that is the true tribute you must offer Me.]
"Your law...?"
Eva's cautious question.
To that, Seraphim answered in a voice elevated with fervor.
[The law has many facets, but the greatest is this:
This is My foremost command, the foundation of all laws.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
To serve the least among you is to serve Me.]
"!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ah..."
His words rang like a bell of warning.
It struck Eva and everyone present like a massive shock.
The gods they knew were not like this.
Those transcendent beings all commanded one thing:
Offer them something, and they would lend power.
Refuse, and punishment would follow.
Livestock, treasures, victories in war, even parents' or children's lives.
The gods demanded and took their precious things as payment for Their power,
and if refused or neglected, unleashed disasters and suffering as punishment.
These tributes naturally came from the people,
so to avoid divine wrath, they squeezed blood from stones even in unwilling times to provide them.
Gods who acted like capricious, tyrannical lords.
Yet the new god before them now,
Seraphim, was different.
Unlike His terrifying appearance that inspired fear just by sight,
He demanded nothing of them.
Instead, He said:
Don't think of giving Me things—help your needy neighbors instead.
No need to offer Me help; just live virtuously, and that's enough.
Words like a parent hoping their child lives well.
And through this,
Eva and everyone present realized:
The god before them was not the savage tyrant they knew, but a being with a compassionate, parental heart.
One who truly cared for them.
Like wretches under a tyrant's rule meeting a saintly father-king.
Freed from the crushing burden of material offerings that had weighed on their lives,
replaced by a call for pure goodness.
Tears of obedience and gratitude welled in their eyes.
"To think of lowly ones like us this way..."
"Ooo... Seraphim!"
"This is what a true god means—Seraphim!"
Eva and the people poured out fervent praises.
However.
Unlike their innocent selves,
a different chill—a thick emotion akin to fear—surged in Solomon's heart.
'Scary... This god is truly... terrifying...'