Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Holy Nation of Oztullan
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A massive rock-like battleship, piloted by a rock-like species.
Contrary to that first impression, the Thalatullan Holy Nation was a multi-species state.
"Oztullan does not judge individuals by their outward appearance. As long as one has the will to reach Oztullan through the tempering of the mind, anyone can become a citizen of Thalatullan."
The Thalatullan Holy Nation was a religious state that worshiped Oztullan.
As long as one fulfilled that single devotion to Oztullan, anyone could reside in the nation as a citizen.
Oztullan referred to the star of this star system—in Earth's terms, the sun.
Translated into Earth language, it was a nation that believed in the Church of the Sun.
True to that faith-centered nature, no ships ventured anywhere near the star.
Of course, outsiders were forbidden from approaching as well.
In fact, solar power generation was banned entirely within this star system.
"How could a mere insect dare to use the grace of the divine for selfish purposes? Unthinkable."
Since they couldn't avoid using the most powerful energy source in the universe—the power of stars—they only prohibited the use of Oztullan's energy, while research on other stars from different systems was allowed.
It was truly fascinating.
I could understand the Bahilila Holy Knight Order's faith, since their World Tree was a unique existence in the galaxy.
But stars? Any civilization advanced enough to venture into space would know they were scattered abundantly throughout the galaxy.
Science naturally eroded faith as it advanced, so how did this nation maintain its devotion to a star?
I lacked the courage to ask a stranger from a religion like that.
Besides, only Treegalaon had come this far, so I couldn't ask anyway.
"Ah, the Prophet's flagship. Time flies. Excuse me for a moment, please."
The battle priest turned toward the outside of the ship and soon bowed his head reverently.
A magnificent battleship pierced through the planet's atmosphere and ascended into view beyond the hull.
All passing ships halted their movements and turned their bows toward the intensely glowing star.
A moment of silence.
As the star system fell into a hush like it had fallen asleep, a psionic wave spread across the entire system.
Guuuuung—.
An intense psionic wave emanated from the ornate ship, washing over the star system, and in response, countless ships projected their thoughts.
The Federation diplomats, unable to sense the psionic waves, simply watched quietly, gauging the mood, but I could see it clearly.
The Prophet's psionic wave guided the myriad thoughts.
Like a massive wave crashing in, the surge of thoughts rushed toward Oztullan.
The colliding thoughts created a tremendous resonance.
And with the Prophet offering that multitude of thoughts to Oztullan, time began to flow again.
The ships resumed their journeys as if nothing had happened.
"My apologies. In Thalatullan, we hold regular group worship sessions. Today happened to be one."
"That was impressive. Truly a reverent sight."
The Federation delegates, who had only seen quiet bowed heads, showered praise effusively.
It might have been fortunate they couldn't sense it.
To ordinary humans, the idea that a single person could influence an entire star system with superhuman powers was still too hard to accept.
I had no idea why this Prophet gathered thoughts periodically and offered them to the star.
Perhaps it was just a ceremonial display to maintain his position.
In any case, I'd lucked into confirming something important.
This nation's Prophet possessed psionic abilities incomparable to even the Bahilila Holy Knight Order—that much was certain.
The Federation delegation landed in the capital city and followed the battle priest to a tall building.
They were holding talks inside, so I wouldn't overhear the conversation.
Then again, holding talks on a ship would have been awkward anyway.
Their ships were massive rocks, and ours was a monstrous giant shark.
How did this vast galaxy end up gathering all these irregulars?
This delegation consisted of normal people, so I waited without much worry.
"Ho, what a coincidence. Young mind, have you finally awakened to faith?"
If the delegation returned successfully and maintained positive relations with the Federation, the Kingdom would send its own delegation too.
"To reach a mind even a hundred thousand miles away in foreign lands—truly astonishing progress."
It would be wise to quickly establish friendly ties with such a massive nation. As a multi-species state, they seemed peaceful enough, so no issues there.
"Mind, can you not hear my thoughts?"
Was he addressing me now?
Scanning around, I spotted a familiar-looking dwarf far below, gazing up at Treegalaon.
"Oh, so you've finally noticed this place. It's been far too long."
This was definitely the alien who had visited the Kingdom when I first ingested Ozz.
"Truly astounding. To send an avatar all the way to such distant space? Or is it a truly free mind unbound by the body? What an extraordinary mind."
It wasn't a particularly welcome reunion.
For one, I knew next to nothing about this dwarf, which made it deeply uncomfortable.
I had no gauge of his technological prowess or influence—what kind of threat he could pose to me.
At least he hadn't realized I was a hive mind, judging from his words.
He seemed to think I was an individual with an exceptional mind that could transfer between bodies.
To gather more information, I responded with my thoughts.
"Long time no see. Are you from this nation?"
"Hardly. Just a wanderer who stopped by briefly upon spotting a familiar face during my travels."
The dwarf shook his head firmly.
"So, have you awakened to true faith?"
Faith. He'd mentioned it last time too.
'I've seen it with my own eyes, so I desire nothing more. Continue down that path, young mind. I await the day you awaken to true faith.'
That's what he'd said.
What did this dwarf mean by "faith"? Was it Oztullan worship?
Better to deny it honestly rather than mix in lies when I didn't know.
But before I could respond, the dwarf preempted me.
"Hmm... I see, not yet. Truly regrettable. But you will awaken to it someday."
With that, the dwarf finished his piece and left without hesitation.
Right on cue, the Federation delegates returned to the ship amid farewells from the rock-folk.
Since the dwarf had just said his bit and left, I gained no new information.
No point dwelling on it without conclusions, so I resumed my role as the ship.
Carrying the beaming delegation, we traversed distant galaxies back to Deneb.
What was with this universe— so many species prizing faith over science.
Thanks to the smooth resolution between the Federation and the Holy Nation, diplomacy with the Holy Nation activated quickly.
Given the vast distance between nations, though, exchanges remained limited.
Even corporate states like Varisa or the Amphibian Cooperative wouldn't dare cross the entire Federation border and venture even farther to Oztullan just to sell goods.
So it stayed at a nominal level of face-saving relations. That's all it was.
The Lushaka Kingdom took it one step further.
The battle priest had said anyone who believed could reside in Thalatullan, so we inquired if that was genuine or empty words.
Faking faith was easy enough.
Surprisingly, the Holy Nation responded affirmatively.
Upon hearing that, we immediately assembled a migration group led by Hirak and sent them to Oztullan.
We couldn't pass up a chance to plant spies.
True to their multi-planetary species nature, jobs were plentiful, making settlement straightforward.
During regular worship sessions, they just pretended to pray.
What risk was there in the Prophet gathering thoughts and offering them to the star?
They even had the experience of comforting other believers who didn't emit thoughts, assuming they hadn't awakened psionics yet.
But conversely, we didn't accept Thalatullan citizens into Lushaka.
No benefit in inviting atheists into a Kingdom where 99% were non-believers.
We were successfully receiving migrants from PATO member states—no need to take unnecessary risks.
No real exchanges, but one-way immigration.
That was currently Thalatullan's position from Lushaka's perspective.
Shortly after the delegation returned, a thought struck me, and I visited Earth.
"Entity Albarak visiting Administrator Si1-L0-K."
"I have questions."
"Visitor request confirmed. Attempting access to Security Level 3 database. Response prepared."
"Do you know what faith is?"
"Faith. A form of governance that establishes doctrines and precepts through worship of a specific target to control organic beings."
You Nietzsche bot.
Actually, it was such a pure tin-can response that I liked it.
"There's this entity who keeps urging me to awaken to true faith and that we'll meet again when I do."
"True faith. Does not exist. A term defining ad-hoc excuses fabricated to explain physical/chemical phenomena beyond current technological comprehension."
Si1-L0-K responded without even opening a book, unlike usual—as if it wasn't worth dignifying.
"Exception possibility. Question from Administrator Si1-L0-K to entity Albarak: Has the entity's species awakened to intentional interaction and manipulation of non-standard quantum collapse or higher-dimensional waves generated via specific neural activity in organics—i.e., psionics?"
"Yes. There are awakened entities."
Having some and all meant the same, basically.
At my affirmative, the administrator leaned in close.
"Advice from Administrator Si1-L0-K to entity Albarak: Recommended to avoid association with entities or factions linking psionics and faith."
"May I know the reason?"
"Warning. Unauthorized access. Insufficient security clearance."
If you weren't going to tell me, don't bother advising.
After that deeply unsettling response from Si1-L0-K, I resolved to embed a large-scale spy network in Thalatullan.