The Scripture's Hidden Authors and the Maid's Unveiling
Beloved saints, today let us discuss the matter of the scripture. Another name for it is the Bible for Continent Dwellers.
This is the 'Word' that Deus has brought down to this land.
The scripture consists of dozens of books, but it is broadly divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament covers the stories before Deus descended to this land as the God Incarnate.
The New Testament recounts the tales after Deus came down as the body of Lord Luke, the Holy Son.
The Old Testament has 39 books, the New Testament 27—totaling 66 books.
Here, the authorship of those 39 Old Testament books is unknown. Not a single one is identified.
We can only speculate that Deus borrowed human forms to manifest them.
But the authors of the New Testament are all clearly known.
The seven apostles who penned the first section, the Seven Gospels that open the New Testament.
And afterward, the letters from the apostles or the prophetic books speaking of the end times.
What is certain is that the New Testament was all written by 'humans.'
Even if penned by human hands, it is an indisputable fact that they were inscribed according to Deus's dictation.
Thus, we can rightly call this too the Word of Deus.
Yet long ago, there arose those who rejected this truth—heretics.
They accepted only the Old Testament as Deus's Word and dismissed the New Testament scriptures as human babble and nonsense.
They were the dwarves and dark elves.
They claimed that humans were arbitrarily interpreting and distorting the words of Deus, the one true God of this world, and thus refuted the contents of the New Testament.
And these heretics named themselves after the ancient Celestial word "slm" (س ل م), meaning 'believer.'
AD (Anno Domini) 829
Deus Cult Orias 2nd Branch
Wednesday Worship Service
"Master. It's Cheryl."
"Yes, Cheryl? What is it?"
"Allow me to assist you with your bath."
Ah, bath service.
I had adapted to most aspects of Luke's life.
But there were still a few things I hadn't fully adjusted to—like having women attend me during my bath.
Even after over ten years as a noble, showing my naked body to women still felt unfamiliar.
"It's fine, Cheryl. I'll bathe alone, so no need to help."
Click.
The doorknob turned just as I finished speaking.
The door opened, and Cheryl stepped into the bathroom.
"…Cheryl? Didn't I tell you not to come in?"
"Forgive my impertinence, Master."
Cheryl entered the bathroom and knelt before me.
"……My Lord, my Savior."
!!!!
……What?
Lord? Savior?
"……What do you mean by that, Cheryl?"
A chill ran down my spine in an instant.
Had she discovered that I was the author of the Bible for Continent Dwellers?
If so, what was the reason for her approaching me as a maid?
Assassination?
There had been recent clashes between the Deus Cult and other religions—could this be related?
Or simply a follower of the Deus Cult?
Had they sought me out, knowing me as their savior?
That would at least explain her calling me savior.
"Ah, forgive me, my Savior. I was too hasty and spoke without proper explanation. My apologies."
"……All right, Cheryl. Care to explain?"
Fortunately, Cheryl showed no hostility toward me.
Probably not an assassin. Maybe someone Lydia had sent, just in case.
Still, I couldn't completely rule out deception, so I stayed ready to unleash an attack at any moment while waiting for her words.
"Yes. I am Ionia, affiliated with the Christos Kallandra 1st Branch. I infiltrated the academy on the orders of High Priestess Scala to serve You."
High Priestess Scala.
The current leader at the heart of Christos—that is, the Deus Cult—Lydia Hybris.
Lydia was still using the alias Scala.
Only I and Io knew her true name, Lydia.
That said…
"Scala, huh. So Scala ordered you."
"Yes, that's correct."
Scala—Lydia—had sent someone to serve me?
No.
That didn't make sense.
I'd sent her a letter before coming to the academy.
I'd ordered her not to interfere with the academy until I commanded otherwise.
Lydia's illusion Gift synergized too powerfully with religion, twisting the world of Deus ex Machina beyond recognition.
With things changed so drastically, my foreknowledge as a possessor had become mostly useless.
To minimize variables, I'd kept Lydia away from the academy.
Of course, I'd added the condition 'until my command' since I'd need her help eventually.
Thus, it was odd for Lydia to send someone disguised as a maid to aid me.
No matter how excessive her loyalty to me, she wouldn't defy my orders like this.
So… who the hell are you?
"Cheryl."
"Yes, my Lord."
"I despise lies. Tell me your true identity."
Who would deceive me by claiming to be sent by Lydia to get close?
A real assassin from another cult?
"……You're no pushover, are you? Was there anything suspicious in what I said?"
Her smiling face hardened completely.
The shift was chilling.
"No. Nothing at all. Anyone else would never have suspected a thing."
Her appearance wasn't disguised by magic or artifacts. This was her true face.
But I had no memory of such a woman.
That meant she was either someone who never appeared in Deus ex Machina or an extra I couldn't recall…
Wait a second. Could it be?
"So, what made you suspicious?"
"From the moment you mentioned Lydia."
"Sister Lydia? Why would… Ah?"
Cheryl, who had reflexively responded without thinking, froze in panic.
"Yes. Just as I thought. Io."
Io Hybris.
Lydia's only family and younger sister.
A fallen noble from the Orias Empire, her identity completely concealed by Lydia.
She had died years before the main story of Deus ex Machina began, so she never appeared in the game.
At most, a silhouette in Lydia's flashback cutscene.
I had no idea what she looked like—but it was Io after all.
Only I and Io knew Lydia's real name.
And she'd unconsciously called her 'sister.'
"…How did you know? That I'm Io."
"Hmm… Lydia told me."
"No, that's impossible. I came here secretly, without even telling my sister."
Without telling your sister? Sneaking away from someone as doting as Lydia?
She'd throw a fit if she found out.
"Then Lydia will worry."
"It's fine. I left her a letter. …She probably won't mind anyway."
What was that pause before 'probably'?
You know it too. Even with a letter, Lydia won't stay quiet once she learns the truth.
I'd contact Lydia right after the bath.
"Fine. Then why did you come find me without even telling Lydia?"
"Answer my question first. Then I'll tell you."
"…All right. I suspected your identity the moment you introduced yourself as a maid sent by Lydia."
"……Why would that be a clue?"
"Because Lydia isn't the type. And anyone following her orders would know such an excuse wouldn't work on me. Above all, Lydia wouldn't reveal my identity to her subordinates. The exception… is you, Io."
All of Lydia's subordinates—and the cult's followers—had unknowingly become targets of her Gift.
That was why the Deus Cult had grown at such explosive speed, and why everyone was under her control.
On the other hand, there was one who shared information with Lydia but wasn't subjected to her Gift: her sister, Io.
"…I see. I thought it was the perfect cover, but it ended up exposing me instead."
"My turn now. Why did you infiltrate the academy and seek me out like this?"
Io, who had bowed her head slightly and hesitated, finally opened her mouth.