Friends Amidst Monsters, Faith to the Continent's Edge
Lydia was expanding the evangelism. "Luke! Th-that thing, you know? I mean, I didn't mean it like calling you a country bumpkin or anything…."
"I get it. You can stop now, Andre."
My first friends I'd made, Andre and Sunny.
I was heading to the dormitory with them to unpack my things.
Even though quite some time had passed since our first meeting, Andre was still fidgeting restlessly, making excuses to me.
Well, that's just how Andre was.
"No, I mean, my vocabulary's always been a bit lacking. I absolutely didn't mean it in a condescending way…."
"Andre. Stop. You're groveling. Luke. Nice guy."
"Sunny! Perseino? That Perseino! Haven't you heard the story from years ago when the academy professors got smashed by the eldest Perseino? They say if you even slightly piss them off, they turn nobles and professors alike into rags, no mercy—real monsters!"
Andre, who had been yelling excitedly at Sunny, suddenly realized his mistake and turned to me.
"Ah… hehe, that wasn't about you, Luke! I meant Siren… yeah, Senior Siren. Your sister? She's a legend at the academy. The strongest student in history…."
Siren Perseino.
The eldest sister of the Luke I'd possessed.
The woman who had inherited the Perseino blood most thickly and wielded otherworldly strength thanks to her blessed Gift.
Even in Deus ex Machina, she only became a playable character after power creep had progressed quite a bit—she was that powerful for her age.
And despite possessing such immense power, her temper was like wildfire. Normally a graceful beauty, but if you touched a nerve, she turned into a raging demon.
There's the famous story from when she was a student here: a clueless new professor made a pass at her pretty face and got utterly wrecked. It spread across the entire empire.
In trying to stop her fury and save the new professor from becoming mincemeat, a bunch of other professors rushed in—only to get brutally demolished themselves. Without their sacrifice, that new prof might've actually been killed.
With that level of strength and fiery personality, it was no surprise her younger sister Meiru, who shared the same foul temper and brute force, had stirred up plenty of incidents at the academy too.
So naturally, the Perseino family was viewed as monsters.
I could understand it, really.
In Deus ex Machina, even back when they were younger and colder—after losing their little brother Luke at a young age—they'd caused similar scenes.
Given the reputation of the Perseinos, it was no wonder a weakling like Andre, who embodied "the strong prey on the weak," was reacting this way.
"Andre, enough. I know you didn't say it to look down on me. And everyone at the academy—students, at least—holds equal status, right? So drop that weird formal speech."
Of course, the real reason Andre was so flustered wasn't just the family name, but the raw power and personalities of the Perseino humans.
"I-Is that really okay?"
"Of course. And we're friends now, aren't we?"
"R-Right? Friends… yeah, friends! Looking forward to it, Luke!"
"Yeah, let's get along great, Andre. Hahaha!"
Ah. I couldn't stop laughing.
Becoming friends like this with characters I'd adored.
Yes.
This was it.
The reason I'd flailed around for over ten years, trying every damn thing.
It was all for moments like this!
"Ha, haha… hahahahaha!"
Seeing me laugh, Andre started chuckling awkwardly along.
"……Idiots."
Sunny, of course, did not.
Deus Cult
Kallandra Empire, 1st Branch—deepest chamber.
A dozen or so of the empire's most influential nobles sat around a grand table, conducting a meeting.
And at the head of the table, in the chairman's seat, Lydia Hybris led the proceedings.
"As our brother said, in the Kallandra Empire, many have awakened and come to know Lord Deus."
"Then…!"
One man slammed the table at Lydia's words.
"But to rephrase, it means there are still pitiful souls in other nations who have not yet come to follow Lord Deus. Especially the Holy Kingdom. As the Lord commanded in the scriptures, we must spread the word of Deus to the ends of the earth."
"That is…."
"Yes, exactly. Not just the Kallandra Empire, but the Nova Empire, the Elven Kingdom, and indeed the entire continent. Now do you understand?"
"But the existing priests—and above all, the Holy Kingdom—won't stand idly by!"
"Are you afraid, brother?"
"…Pardon?"
"I asked if you are afraid."
"Ah, no, that's not…."
"The Lord Deus is with us. Righteousness girds our waist, integrity our breastplate; we don shoes of the gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, and Deus is our full armor. What is there to fear? Even after the Lord bestowed upon you the rank of duke, to show such doubt."
"……However, Apostle. The priests who serve other gods…."
"Enough, enough, enough! Deus alone is the 'god.' All other so-called gods are mere heretics daring to claim divinity. It seems, brother, you require re-education."
At Lydia's gesture, two shadowy figures standing behind her flickered and vanished, reappearing suddenly beside the man who'd been arguing with her.
"H-Hiiik! Enforcers! N-No, that's not it, Lady Lydia! I was just worried and offering advice…!"
"For a citizen of Deus to harbor such thoughts is wrong in itself! How can an elder have weaker faith than an ordinary follower? Brother, you must start from the beginning again. In the 'Chamber of Truth.'"
"Sp-Spare me! Please, just one more chance!"
The man, seized by the two figures, begged as he was dragged toward the door.
"No… L-Lady Leader! Please! Not the 'Chamber of Truth'! Anything but the 'Chamber of Truth'…!"
Screeeeech
"Nooooooo!!"
Thud
The room fell silent as the screaming man was hauled out and the door slammed shut.
"Now, then. Let's vote again. On the motion: 'Large-scale evangelism to the Holy Kingdom.' All in favor, please raise your hands."
Every person at the table raised their hand.
"…Good. As expected, unlike Duke Lulla, the elders are filled with faith. Unanimous. The motion passes."
Bang bang bang
"That concludes today's agenda. Thank you all for participating."
Clap clap clap clap
"Before we end, one announcement."
Lydia continued with a bright smile.
"Our Savior, the Lord, is coming to the academy."
Murmurs
The conference room erupted in instant chaos at Lydia's words.
"Apostle. Does that mean we finally get to see the Lord?"
A woman raised her hand to ask.
"Ah, no. The Lord's arrival at the academy is for His journey. He commanded us not to go to the academy or cause any trouble."
"Then why inform us?"
"Yes. The reason I'm telling you is so that you do nothing at the academy. The Lord wishes it to operate as usual. For that is necessary for His kingdom to come to this land."
Lydia's radiant smile vanished for a moment.
"But if someone stirs trouble at the academy or tries to see the Lord, it might hinder His work. I'm announcing this so no one scatters ashes on His path."
Gulp
Everyone in the room swallowed tensely at Lydia's words.
"I trust my faithful brothers and sisters won't do such a thing, right?"
Lydia flashed a grin.
"…Of course not!"
"All for our Lord Deus!"
The nobles, rigid in stiff silence, forced out the words.
"Oh, right! And for those dispatched to the Holy Kingdom, Marquis Karl will select the qualified ones."
"Understood, Lady Leader!"
"Good. This concludes today's elders' meeting. All for the kingdom of the Lord to come to this land."
"“““All for the kingdom of the Lord to come to this land!”””"
As everyone left and the room quieted, Lydia whispered softly.
"…Just a little longer, Luke. I will carry out your command and come to see you."