Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: A New Religious Group?
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A tiny, subtle spark began to sprout from the streets where the gypsies lived.
Gypsies were inherently free spirits who didn't gather and live in just one place.
However, there was one place where they inevitably appeared together: the filthy, impoverished villages where the poor, powerless people huddled.
Right there, the gypsies begged for scraps or built small shacks, scraping by in poverty. Sometimes they sang songs to forget their woes.
But then, into that dull routine burst a boy who suddenly proclaimed himself "the leader."
He thrust familiar gypsy instruments like ukuleles or small drums at them and started belting out songs.
If he had just sung some casual tune and moved on, they might have shrugged it off, but the lyrics were downright bizarre.
"Those who believe shall have money, have money!"
"……?"
Everyone stared at the leader like he was a madman. Ignoring their curious gazes, he launched into song.
"Our friend bestows money upon believers!"
"……What the hell is this?"
"Our friend grants a beautiful future to the good. Treasures of gold and silver shall rain from the heavens."
"Ugh, shut up! What kind of nonsense is this?!"
Dodging complaints about noise pollution, the boy kept screeching his song. Surprisingly, his voice had a magnetic charm that drew even the utterly indifferent crowd into the lyrics.
And then...
"What does it mean that believers have money?"
The song that seemed like it would never end came to an abrupt halt.
Grinning, the leader shoved a gold coin in his hand toward them.
"It means exactly that. Believers have money!"
"I-Isn't that a gold coin?"
"R-Real gold? Who the hell are you?!"
The people hesitated in shock, then backed away.
And rightly so—no one in this gypsy street had ever held a gold coin.
Those who had gold were usually nobles.
At that, the leader dropped his voice dramatically.
"I didn't have gold coins at first either. But you know what? After doing good deeds based on 'humanity,' money just popped up out of nowhere."
"Humanity?"
"Yes, humanity! Helping people, literally!"
The crowd shook their heads as if to say it was all hot air.
"Ah, what kind of bullshit is that!"
"Trust in people. Do good deeds. Do good, and money comes."
At first, people dismissed his words as a dog's bark.
But then...
"W-What?!"
One day, rumors swept the gypsy street that a beggar who gave a single coin to another had been struck by a windfall of cash.
***
The next day, early morning.
Leonhardt, his face masked, and the healer Ashid hurried along.
They had come to check the statues installed in St. Marco Square under the name of the Sien Merchant Company.
"The statues are properly set up."
"Yeah."
St. Delia Square, St. Deira Square, St. Margarita Square, St. Marco Square!
In the heart of every imperial square, where all could see, it was an unspoken rule to place a statue of the main god.
It was a way to embed the reverent image of the god into people's subconscious. Passing through the capital's squares reinforced faith in the empire's god.
But now, things would be different.
Because the Sien Merchant Company's statues starkly contrasted with the old ones.
"Shall we see people's reactions?"
"Let's."
Leonhardt and Ashid stood a short distance apart, observing the merchants trudging to work through the dawn twilight.
They crossed the square without a thought, only to be blocked by the unexpected "statue" and freeze in confusion.
"What's this? Never seen it before."
"……A person?"
St. Marco Square originally held a statue of the main god.
Since no mere human dared sculpt the god's face, it was faceless, showing only a "hand."
Carved in limestone clouds, atop the massive hand of the god, a few humans frolicked...
"Aren't those kids on a picnic?"
Instead of the god's sacred form, a statue depicting a beautiful moment of humanity had been unveiled.
Leonhardt and Ashid began eavesdropping intently.
"Why'd this statue pop up out of nowhere?"
Not just that—all the commuters stopped in their tracks, puzzled.
Most were curious about the sudden statue but rushed on to work. A few paused to examine it closely.
Poly, a capital merchant known as the gossip megaphone, was a prime example.
"What's going on? A random statue?"
"Look below—it says 'idol'?"
Poly and the zombie-faced commuters behind her exchanged baffled glances, chiming in.
"Idol? Idol worship's bad, right?"
"Oh, the statue's just named 'Idol.' Whoa, look—gems embedded..."
Eyes widened. Then, a pale glow emanated from the gems.
"What's this light...?"
Someone frowned faintly at the signboard.
"Refined magic stones? 'We will light your dark path.' Looks expensive... Why'd it just appear?"
Poly scanned around, shaking her head.
"You all don't know yet? Check the name below the statue."
"Uh... 'Donated by Sien Merchant Company'?"
"Yes. If Sien Mirmod donated it, for the Mirmod family, that's pocket change."
But that wasn't all they saw.
Near the Marco Square fountain: a statue of "a human doing good deeds." By the flowerbeds: "a mother with a kind smile," "a father walking with his daughter," and more.
These statues of peaceful human moments were exquisitely beautiful, stirring nostalgia.
Unlike the ancient, reverent main god statues ingrained in the subconscious, these human figures glowing softly in the sunlight offered a fresh thrill.
Of course, some questioned the sudden appearances.
"Why put a statue here?"
"No idea!"
"Isn't Sien Merchant Company a trading firm? Selling statues? What's 'donated' mean?"
Leonhardt and Ashid exchanged glances amid the puzzled voices.
The statues had successfully confused and intrigued everyone, just as intended.
Mission accomplished.
***
People began paying attention to the Sien Merchant Company's eccentric rise.
Surprisingly, their antics didn't stop there.
The Sien Merchant Company designated a "Holy Capital Day," giving sweet chocolates to those who did good deeds.
"Holy Capital Day" spread the catchphrase: trust each other, love your neighbor—and sparked small acts of kindness.
At first, no one paid much mind to "Holy Capital Day."
But miracles began the night before.
To be precise, from when the Sien Mirmod Merchant Company started dropping tower-shaped chocolates from the sky.
From those bonked on the head by tiny chocolates to commoners spotting them on the ground, all wondered.
The wrappers read: "Celebrating Holy Capital Day."
"Who the hell is 'Holy Capital' to do this?"
Curiosity focused on the Sien Merchant Company. It was a bold move, unlike the temple's quiet charity for public favor.
"What's this?"
"Tower-shaped chocolates?"
A nearby merchant piped up slyly.
"The wrapper says, 'Do good deeds and be happy'?"
"Happy? I'd rather get a pile of money."
Beside the grumbling merchant, another whispered.
"That... Last time, Beira helped an old man with his cart? Next morning, a bag appeared at her door—said 'gift' inside! Sien Merchant Company randomly picks good-doers for presents."
Eyes bulged around them.
"Really?"
"Yeah. They're planning events to positively influence the empire."
It started as beggars trying it for fun, one by one. They had the state religion anyway—it was just amusement.
But...
"Good morning."
"Have a happy day too."
Gradually, people changed.
Those who once scowled to work now vied to spread good vibes, believing "good deeds" brought "gifts."
But...
"Why do I feel so good lately?"
"Yeah. We just... smiled, that's all."
Some started waving at each other during morning runs.
"Do good deeds. Spread kindness and find joy!"
They began doing good voluntarily, one by one.
Because the sense of accomplishment from good deeds was highly addictive.
Of course, not everything went unchecked. Temple folk, quietly doing charity without pope or saint, protested.
"Are you following a religion other than the state faith?"
"God? We're not a religion! We just believe in human goodness."
In short, "Capitalism" was rooted in humanity. It preached faith like a religion but wasn't one.
Exploiting the state religion's gaps, "Capitalism" exploded with testimonials like "Doing good made me happy," amassing massive momentum.
Laughing, chatting crowds filled the plazas daily.
Happiness, faith in people—it was spreading contagiously.
***
From the top of Babel Tower, the highest point in the capital's central square, I—the mastermind—let out a big yawn.
"Good deeds are addictive."
I knew it would turn out like this. Knew people would rush around doing good with bloodshot eyes!
Frankly, I was skeptical about Capitalism's long-term viability.
No matter how I thought about it, "Doing good makes you happy" sounded like beautiful deception.
The world might not reward virtue after all.
So I didn't believe Capitalism's catchphrase: "Love people, and it helps you too."
Then why plan it?