Chapter 31
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Translator: volt
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Commandments
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...
Did I pull it off?
Did it work?
I slowly looked around.
Thousands were worshiping toward me. Christians or those who revered spirits and ancestors—it made no difference.
That was close.
Disaster nearly struck.
The perk Huang Suksoft gave me just had to be the "Immortal" one, so I always live with this knot in my stomach.
The reason's right there in the Bible.
-"It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed." (Rev 13:12)
-"It performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven... deceiving the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived." (Rev 13:13-14)
That's right.
Out of all the wicked beasts in Revelation, the second one just happens to have a "fatal wound healed" and be "wounded by the sword and yet lived."
He's the evil being who, when the end times draw near, mimics the Lord's power of resurrection to deceive people and lead them astray from the Lord.
That whole famous 666 apocalypse stuff comes from passages about this "beast."
So, one slip-up, and forget angel—bam, I'm the devil or Antichrist, locked away eternally.
If it weren't for that, I'd have self-harmed during danger to prove it. It hurts, but it's solid ID.
Anyway, I had to stop Rolly from dying, and using the perk was unavoidable. So I went all-in on the angel cosplay.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Seems like...
it worked.
Ha, an assassination attempt out of nowhere? Thought I was done for.
For now, what needs doing...
"...Eleanor?"
"Y-yes! Lord Nemo!"
"Instruct the settlers to clear away those bodies. Even if they broke the commandments and doomed themselves to hell by suicide, we must honor their remains."
"Understood."
They tried to kill me, but as an angel, I have to look after them.
"Huet? Manteo? White, Gonzalez?"
"Yes, angel?"
"Angel, do you have a task for us?"
"Calm the frightened people and send them back to their homes."
And with thousands in the crowd, who knows what chaos might erupt? Situation control first.
"Sir Rolly?"
"O divine one seated beside the Lord's throne, I await your command."
"Explain the situation to the new settlers and show them their quarters."
Plus, gotta care for the fresh arrivals.
Other tasks...
Ah, right.
I turned to those who'd gathered by my side—the very ones I'd just given orders to.
"Once those tasks are done, assemble at the coast near the 'farm.'"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"I have much to say to you all there."
These folks need tending too.
They'll be my hands and feet from here on.
Plans changed big-time, so time for a council.
...Huge change.
My original plan was simple. For survival, erect two kinds of barriers around me.
One: survivors from Roanoke Island and Manteo's Croatoans, who see me as an angel.
They keep my identity secret, protect me, act on my behalf.
The other: Virginia Colony itself.
Sweep up the colony and local natives, build a foundation guaranteeing my safety no matter what Europe throws.
To that end, hide my identity from Europe short-term, expand power here.
On the surface, pose as a capable, "civilized," cultured native lord to earn England's trust.
Meanwhile, secretly extend influence across America.
Then cut ties with Europe, build independent power. I'd rule from shadows or slip away.
For that, believers in me as angel: keep it small. Few is good—must be few.
No more than 500 "faithful" to hide me, secure safety. That's the strategy core.
No YouTube, SNS, mass media now. Hiding identity? Not that hard.
But now? No.
Thousands just became my faithful.
"...Gotta think this over."
I propped my chin, sipping Shine Muscat-flavored Wells.
100 believers? Fine. 300? Manageable, secret-keeping okay.
Thousands? Tens of thousands?
How do I control them all? Not locking 'em on some deserted islet.
Secrecy plan? Half-dead.
With thousands of faithful, effort shifts gears. Small group vs. masses? Totally different dynamics.
...Above all.
I'm now "angel" to these thousands here.
Religious fervor rules the era. England, Spain, France, Germany torching "heretics," ripping them apart.
These folks crossed to New World amid Catholic-Protestant strife shaking Europe. Met a new religious leader: "angel."
In this era, thousands follow "me."
'Not just my problem anymore.'
Screw up here, thousands die. Deaths on my watch.
Deaths I won't stand for.
'Must save them.'
Can't hide beyond a point? Then organize solid.
To save them, I must lead.
They're a new sect. I'm the head.
Obviously, new sect needs organization.
New sect needs discipline.
And new sect needs...
doctrine.
I flipped through the Bible again, peeked at parents' Christian books, lost in thought.
Till they sort the chaos and calm folks? Few days.
I'll settle it in those days.
Lay the new sect's foundation.
'But... what to call the new sect?'
Nemoism?
...Lame as hell.
"Has anyone seen Lord Nemo since that day?"
All shook their heads at Eleanor's words.
This "all" meant those assigned duties that day—the day He showed the miracle of immortality a second time.
Eleanor Dare, Thomas Huet, Manteo, John White, Vicente Gonzalez.
Walter Ralegh, saddled with most work, hadn't finished yet.
Some handled funerals for the wretched assassins.
Some calmed the prayerful terrified.
Some housed the newly departed.
Three days passed.
No word from "Nemo" till they finished. Probably waiting.
Preparing words for them.
"What do you think He'll share with us?"
"Something vital, no doubt. Things'll change big from here."
Vicente nodded at Eleanor's words.
All sensed it—not as sharply as Nemo, but inevitable. New World life, especially faith life, shifting for real.
Thousands of faithful now.
Those who saw Nemo assign tasks saw them as "apostles" or "saints," bombarding questions.
-"Is that one really an angel?"
-"Not a devil, right?"
-"Uh, why'd He come to us?"
...
...
...
Only then did they realize.
They knew next to nothing about Nemo either.
Sure, Eleanor prided herself on knowing His nightly "spiritual battles." But that was angel-and-her secret.
Why save us?
Why appear in flesh?
What's His farm?
Why East Asian guise?
Nothing they could answer properly.
"No clue what He'll say next, but..."
Thud.
Thomas Huet slid forward his "Angelic Sayings Anthology—1591 Revised Edition."
"It'll tie to these, so maybe review..."
"Everyone! Ah, now do you see? Why I screened immigrants so strictly!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Sudden noise outside shut their mouths.
"Everyone! See now? This colony of Walter Ralegh! And you all, chosen by the Lord! To lift us higher, He prepared us as His tools!"
"Ah! Hallelujah!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Leaving you so fervent pains me.
But wait. Even if I tarry like Moses with commandments, shun golden calf worship. Keep faith!"
"Woooaaah!"
"Ralegh! Ralegh! Ralegh!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Creak.
"Ah! All gathered! Ready to head out?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"He says He'll use me greatly, and they're thrilled! Colony venture: huge success! White?"
"...Time's come, so we go."
Eldest John White nodded; all rose, left church. Crowd still lingered, praying—not cheering Ralegh now, but reverent.
As Lord's Prayer chants filled air, they walked, shoulders heavy as if chained. None dared speak.
Some crossed themselves at them; some knelt, hands clasped.
Thus to the coast.
Suddenly, people thinned.
There stood one man.
Barefoot, light white robes billowing. Sun shattered at his jet-black brow tips; waves lapped his pale feet.
Gazing at sky's sun, then clouds half-veiling it. Homesick for heaven?
Eleanor stepped forward, fearing he'd fly off. He turned at her presence.
"You're here. All of you."
Thud.
No order, but Eleanor knelt in sand naturally. Others followed, kneeling, hands clasped in worship.
"...Don't worship me."
He raised a hand.
"Worship the Lord of all. Those marveling at creation have sharp eyes but dim souls. Those praising His will beyond creation have truly bright souls."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"I'm just one who doesn't die.
And the distance between you and me isn't far."
"How can You say that? You behold the Lord's light directly, stand by His throne!"
Huet spoke last. Angel turned, smiled faintly, opened mouth.
"Mankind will be like angels. The world was made for mankind, for mankind's ascension."
"..."
"..."
"..."
He raised a finger.
"And."
Clouds parted; sun flashed behind him.
"I too have come to make mankind like angels."
All speechless in halo-like light.
"Light shall press back darkness, knowledge conquer ignorance, righteousness topple evil.
Many prophets foretold Him.
Now light comes to you. No."
Nemo's skyward finger swept over them all.
Catholics, Calvinists, converted spirit-worshipers, men, women, Spaniards, English, Algonquins, commoners, nobles, explorers, lawyers...
One common thread.
"You shall be the world's light."
They followed Nemo here.
Chasing something greater, nobler than themselves.
Vicente trembled.
"W-we become light? What do You mean? And making mankind like angels..."
"You can save more people."
"...Pardon?"
"You can feed the hungry, teach the ignorant, settle the homeless.
Make more happy, save more.
Why not?"
This moment.
They felt something monumental unfolding.
"Noblest desire one heart holds: for all people.
Always serve mankind. Lord said love people; now I say serve people.
Not repealing old commandments—this completes them."
Sealed eyes and ears opened. Still hearts quaked.
"Lord bore your sins, opened salvation—why wallow in sorrow's mire?
Don't divide, fight. Petty kingdom squabbles grieve the Lord.
Now fill empty skies, rule parched earth."
Now His overwhelming voice poured into ears. Heavenly voice, will seeped into hearts.
"Light banishes darkness.
Knowledge drives ignorance.
Life reaps death.
This roots new word.
And fruits all old words.
Multiply, prosper, fill earth.
And be great. For mankind, ever greater."
New commandments unfold.