Chapter 655: There Is a Traitor Among Us
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 655: There Is a Traitor Among Us
A Divine is a Unique Magic that first touched upon a principle of the world.
The great principles, which once held only mystery without interpretation, lay in wait like monsters in a closet. The moment they are observed through a Unique Magic, they take form and reveal themselves to the world. Each time this happens, the world matures a little more.
Earth Art, Druidism, Alchemy. And though of a different kind, even Bloodcraft. Regardless of the life or will of the Divine, other humans can also use these powers. After long training and study, if one can understand and accept even a speck of the Divine, they earn the right to wield a part of that great Unique Magic.
It is the act of sharing power with those who believe.
That is why it was given the name 'God'.
“A god is something that a multitude of humans believe in, share, and create! Because it grants tangible power, it inevitably reaches the realm of faith. Conditions? There are none. As long as you believe and follow, the Divine hands out power like a nouveau riche!”
Humans have always sought objects of faith for peace of mind and well-being, even without any reward. So what if something actually handed you power? Faith aside, even a simple cost-benefit analysis would show that believing is profitable.
Of course, a Divine is still a god; it wouldn't grant power to a snob who approaches it without effort or faith.
“Druidism combined with pre-existing Totemism and Animism to be reborn as a new faith, and Earth Art originated from the idols of Mother Earth, making her followers even stronger. Alchemy spread as an entire field of study. The principles discovered by the Divine grant power to countless humans. Simply by the coincidence of being born the same species as the Divine, humans—these lowly creatures—have obtained the power to shape the world!”
The Red Tower Master shouted passionately.
“However, even a human cannot hold more than one faith. The origin of a Divine is a Unique Magic, and the will to become like that Divine is also akin to a Unique Magic. Just as one cannot have two Unique Magics, faith cannot be split in two. That is, for an ordinary human!”
After his bold declaration, the Red Tower Master slapped me on the back. It didn't hurt much, but, well, for someone like me who's passive and dislikes being the center of attention, it was a slightly uncomfortable gesture.
“The King of Humans can wield any power that humans possess! The Divine are no exception! In other words, the King of Humans can command the powers of different Divine at the same time!”
In response to the Red Tower Master's introduction, I offered a relaxed smile, though I felt anything but relaxed on the inside.
The fact that I could use multiple Divine was known only to Shei, and even she didn't think much of it. Shei would only vaguely remember that such a thing existed, but she wouldn't dwell on it.
There's no point in denying it, is there? I'd already used the Divine frequently, and I would only be using them more in the future. I guess I'll have to change my strategy a bit.
The goal of the Shrine of the Divine was to create a world law, a great rule to cover the world by weaving the Divine together. Lord Johannes understood my value.
“What's the point of just explaining with words? I'll show you directly.”
When your hand is revealed, it's foolish to keep clutching your cards. The smart play is to hide the few they haven't seen up your sleeve and show the rest.
I took out a card. The Ten of Spades. I placed the idol engraved with the Divine of Mother Earth on the stone table. As I pressed it lightly with my finger, the card crushed the granite table.
Someone gasped in admiration.
“Earth Art!”
From the Nine of Spades I laid next to it, roots sprouted and dug into the rock. Next to the stem bearing all sorts of fruit, I placed the Eight of Spades and rubbed it lightly. The single steel card multiplied into dozens.
“Druidism and Alchemy, too? Then the rest...”
“This is all I have. All that I can use right now.”
And then I removed my hands. I had shown enough of my tricks. I had more, but those couldn't be revealed so easily.
“As the Red Tower Master said, the King of Humans can use the powers of humans. The Divine are no exception. Earth Art, Druidism, and Alchemy are all widely known human powers, and I can use them as well. However...”
I spoke, adding a slight lie to the truth.
“To be honest, even if I handle them skillfully, these powers aren't exactly rare, are they?”
And it was true.
While Druidism was considered precious, it was like an ancient manuscript. It had historical and academic value, but Druidism itself wasn't incredibly useful or amazing.
The same went for Earth Art. It was highly regarded because it was the holy power of an ancient religion, the Order of Gaia, but what could you really do these days by playing with dirt? Look at the Earth Sage, who held a status equivalent to a saintess in the Order of Gaia. Unlike a saintess, she participated in all sorts of civil engineering projects.
Alchemy? Not only were there many alchemists captivated by its utility and precision, but the all-purpose material, Alchemic Gold, was also widespread. Alchemic Gold was a currency that contained the very essence of alchemy. Even an ordinary person could perform alchemy-like material transformations using it.
For the powers of a Divine, they weren't that rare.
“I am the King of Humans. I can only use powers that are widespread among the people.”
My sister, maybe.
I am the King of Humans, but I am also an individual. I can use the Divine I've obtained personally, but that's a personal matter.
Business is business, and personal is personal. It was my creed not to reveal my privately stashed assets. That way, I could use them as I pleased.
“I can't use a Divine that hasn't been revealed to the world, or one hidden by the Mage King. Because those aren't known to everyone.”
“...It is certainly surprising. But doesn't that make you rather useless?”
“I'm far better than you, who can do nothing but look at others and complain, 'Hmm, I don't know about that.'”
Oops, I was sarcastic without realizing it. He was just so irritating.
Lord Johannes furrowed his brow.
“What did you say?”
“I think the same thing! Johan, you may have gotten stiff in your speech as you've aged, but your brain shouldn't be stiff too!”
The Red Tower Master, who had just spewed insults so casually, picked up one of my Spade cards from the table. Fwoosh. The card was engulfed in flames and began to burn on its own.
“This card is Alchemic Steel. Hughes transmuted granite into Alchemic Steel without any incantation or magic circle. The purity is low, so he can't perform high-cost alchemy, but he still showed that he could do it. Do you know what this means?”
“...Is there another meaning? Doesn't it just mean he's a versatile being who can only do what everyone else can do?”
Lord Johannes displayed the insight expected of a mage from the 10th floor of the Crystal Tower. Stung by his accurate guess, I feigned anger and narrowed my eyes.
At that, Lankart, who had been anxiously watching my expression, stepped forward and got angry on my behalf. “How dare a right-hander like you fail to see Huey's true worth! Apologize at once!”
Thanks. You're the only one. So you do have your uses.
“Johan isn't entirely wrong. In the current situation. However, we must focus on the potential.”
“Potential, you say.”
'He means his ability will be needed for what's to come. Interpreting a Divine that hasn't been revealed yet, but soon will be... or one that the Shrine of the Divine will forcibly uncover!'
Huh? For someone who just dumbly repeats things, that's a pretty sharp observation. The insight of a 10th-floor Lord, indeed.
Then why has he been challenging me at every turn until now...? Hmm.
The suspicion that billowed up was mine alone. These arrogant mages seemed to have forgotten what it meant to be suspicious, perhaps because too many things in the world went their way.
Even though the Shrine of the Divine was a secret society, it ultimately targeted the mages of the Floating Castle. Anyone could join if they showed the will and ability, and the Red Tower Master was careless enough to accept outsiders like Lankart and Shei as members.
But for such a lax organization, its influence was immense. The members of the Shrine of the Divine were powerful and unconventional, possessing magic and knowledge that could entice any other mage.
“We still don't know what form the Divine takes. We only know that it's related to space; its true identity is monopolized by the Mage King! But if the Divine that the Mage King has hidden away inside the Tower of Babel is revealed, Hughes will be the one to awaken it!”
'Now Hwaran and the Shrine of the Divine will target Babel! Even if it means using force! I have to report this quickly!'
Anyone would think to plant a spy in the Shrine of the Divine, of course.
Lord Johannes's heart began to beat faster, and his palms grew slick with sweat. Despite this, he maintained an expressionless face, quite unlike a mage.
“So there is that perspective. I understand, Red Tower Master. If it is a Divine that affects all of humanity, then the King of Humans must also be greatly affected by it. In that case, we could receive the King of Humans' help to grasp the Divine more accurately.”
“Maybe it's because you're getting old, Johan, but you're slow to learn but good at summarizing. That's right.”
Even so, the Red Tower Master's frankness bordered on rudeness. Lord Johannes might have flared up, but he had no time for that now and hurriedly rose from his seat.
“...It seems so. I suppose my head hasn't escaped the passage of time either. I was called here in a hurry and I'm tired, so I'll be taking my leave. I must finish my preparations.”
“Hmm.”
Lord Johannes hurried toward one of the fireplaces. It looked like it hadn't been used in a long time, with not a single ember or speck of ash in sight. Standing before it, Lord Johannes chanted a spell of flame.
Flames of a strange color flickered to life, revealing another space beyond the hearth. It was blurry and hard to make out, but I could see a transparent, blue light. Beyond it was probably the Crystal Tower—Lord Johannes's personal laboratory on the 10th floor.
Rene's Attic.
Rene's extradimensional space with multiple entrances. From the secret meeting place of the Shrine of the Divine, which could be entered simply by crossing through a fireplace, Lord Johannes made his exit.