The Miracle's Echo and the Holy War's Dawn
Lydia had prepared for the holy war by raising every sick person in Caparnaum and breathing new life into them—a colossal miracle.
This staggering news spread even to the students at the academy.
"Did you hear about it? There's this city called Caparnaum in the Nova Empire..."
"They regenerated severed limbs? No way that's possible! My dad wears a wig because he couldn't regrow his hair!"
"I'm telling you, it's real! There are already tons of eyewitnesses testifying!"
"The son of Deus... Could it be true?"
"I doubt it's likely, but... the scriptures say our savior will come someday. I hope it's really him."
"The church hasn't said a word yet."
"True. They need to confirm it fast so this chaos dies down."
Even at the start of the semester, it overshadowed classes, friends, professors, and clubs as the dominant topic.
Who could've guessed the ripple effect would be this massive.
Did I screw up by acting so rashly out of anger at that bishop?
No.
Thinking it over, this Gift—I had to test it at least once.
A power that could outshine even Ignis as a weapon; if I let it gather dust unused, I might fumble when it mattered most.
It was flashier than needed, but pulling it off gave me a solid grasp.
On the true nature of this ability.
And if my hunch is right, this insane fallout might actually be a blessing.
Considering what Ignis said before about "holiness," reactions like these are ideal—no harm done.
Plus, the entire continent's gaze was fixed on my avatar in the Nova Empire.
This main body? Just perceived as ordinary noble student #1.
Sure, smashing Cronia's golem and subduing Dia in a blink made me a tad special over plain vanilla. Still... next to the avatar, I'm downright mundane.
Son of God.
How the hell did it come to this.
Unsure how the Deus church in the Kallandra Empire would react, I'd sent Lydia a letter for now.
Couldn't spill on the avatar, so I simply said the one in Nova was me too—hands off.
She already views me as divine, so she'd steer clear if I said so.
And with Lydia ignoring my avatar, the Kallandra Deus church becomes irrelevant.
I hope Lydia doesn't pull anything stupid.
...She won't, right? Nah, no way.
Even Lydia wouldn't.
Kallandra Empire's capital, Kallandra
Deus Church
Kallandra First Branch, deep underground.
In a vast chamber, over a dozen of the empire's power players sat around a massive table.
All were the Deus church's top brass, Elders at the pinnacle.
Bang!
The door flew open. In strode the woman bearing the church leader's name, Scala—Lydia herself. They rose as one, paying homage like subjects before the empire's sovereign.
"Please, be seated, all of you."
At her command, the empire's puppet masters sat meek as lambs.
"Thank you for heeding my abrupt summons despite the inconvenience, my brothers and sisters."
Lydia settled into the head seat reserved for her and began.
"No need, Leader Scala. It was our duty."
"Indeed, Leader. Your call demands our immediate presence, come what may."
"As expected from our devoted Elders. I've gathered you for a grave announcement."
Lydia interlaced her fingers, leaning forward slightly.
"You've all heard the tidings from Caparnaum."
"As we thought!"
"You've uncovered the truth!"
"Yes. I received a letter from Him on the matter."
"Th-then... the claim of being Deus's son..."
"He confirmed... it's true."
Her curt declaration stunned the room into silence.
"Does that mean... the time has arrived?"
"The day salvation dawns, the Lord's kingdom upon the earth...!"
"Not yet. But it's imminent. The day of judgment. The night of resurrection."
The elders gulped unwittingly at her words.
"The Lord has begun His ministry. That day draws near—the day the brokenhearted are healed, captives freed, the naked reclothed, the bound released; proclaiming Deus's year of favor, the day of redemption, comforting all who mourn, banishing sorrow, worry, and loss forever as the Lord's kingdom descends upon the earth!"
Lydia paused, then pressed on.
"He added: Do not meddle in Nova Empire affairs."
"...Pardon? No meddling...?"
"Likely to avoid sparking a diplomatic clash between Kallandra and Nova."
"So we can't aid Him?"
"Precisely."
"But Nova's under Dominic the tyrant! If harm befalls Him!"
"Yet He is our Lord."
"Th-that's..."
"You've heard—the Caparnaum 'miracle' defies history's records. A great miracle only the Lord can wrought. He who performs it is our Lord!"
Her fervent eyes gleamed as she spoke.
The one who performs such miracles is our Lord!
"Ahh... Lord."
"Amen."
In an instant, doubt and fret vanished; pure faith shone in the Elders.
"This is our Lord. We obey His word."
"Then what is our task?"
"The command He gave us. Time to fulfill it."
"'Go to the earth's ends, preach our Lord Deus's word'?"
"Yes. Before His kingdom arrives, we'll shepherd more souls into His embrace! Our first mark: the Holy Kingdom!"
"...The Holy Kingdom!"
"That den of evil, worshiping false gods, spreading foul faith. Past meetings limited us to expanding evangelism. But with the kingdom's advent nigh, we launch fully in six months."
"Fully meaning...?"
"...We declare holy war. The sacred, exalted battle to proclaim His word begins."
Amid the shock, Lydia forged ahead.
"All for His kingdom to grace this land."
Kallandra Academy
Sorority 'Galot' Lounge
"Juda sister, heard the talk? Nova Empire's..."
"The miracle in Nova's backwater Caparnaum, sister?"
"Yes! As expected, Juda sister knows it all!"
"I don't know everything, but... I can say I've got the gist of all the circulating rumors."
"No church statement yet, so everyone's buzzing. He called himself the 'son of Deus.' Your thoughts, Juda sister?"
My thoughts?
It's all I can think about.
More than 'Deus' itself.
Since childhood, I've yearned to remake this world's order, etch my name in history. Parents brushed it off as kid stuff, but it's my life's anchor—unshakable, unrelenting.
Growing up, I realized: my power alone won't cut it.
Then I discovered Deus, the scriptures, the Messiah.
I follow Deus partly from Father's sway, but chiefly for the Messiah—the revolution-bringer.
To stand at his side, reshape the world, immortalize my name: that's my ultimate ambition.
Scriptures promise the Messiah's descent; his might could realize my dream.
So I memorized every verse, founded 'Galot' to command future Christos Elders.
Yet so vague.
No timeline for the Messiah.
What if it's myth?
Or true, but post-my-lifetime?
As doubts festered...
Caparnaum's news hit.
A saint bestowing city-wide miracles eclipsing the Pope's blessings.
A man proclaiming himself Deus's son.
Messiah or not—irrelevant.
If he's that potent... who better for my goal?
Academy? Mere stepping stone.
A semester's leave? Fine.
I'll judge with my own eyes if he merits being my 'Messiah'.
And if yes... I'll serve, cost be damned.
Might be my final shot.
Sky-blue hair, though.
One 'Galot' sister pops to mind.
That house's signature hue... but coincidence.
Not every bluehead's a Perseino.