Heading to Kallandra
Today, as we head toward Kallandra, we'll discuss two of the seven gospels: the Gospel of Paola and the Gospel of Lydia. The Gospel of Paola, written by the apostle Paola, and the Gospel of Lydia, written by the apostle Lydia.
...Pardon? Yes. That's right. The Gospel of Lydia. It was recently revealed through the latest theological research. The fact that Scala's original name was Lydia.
Thanks to this, the Gospel of Scala has come to be called the Gospel of Lydia. Since the discovery of her true name must be the will of Lord Luke, it seems fitting to refer to it by that name.
In any case, that's the story we'll explore today.
While all seven gospels show slight differences in their accounts, the most strikingly heterogeneous ones are those of Paola and Lydia.
For example.
According to the Gospel of Lydia, Lydia recognized Lord Luke's divinity the moment she met him.
In contrast, the Gospel of Paola states that Lydia was foolish and doubted Lord Luke.
Completely opposing accounts, aren't they?
Why would the same scriptures tell such different stories?
The current consensus in theological circles is this.
Lydia was called as Lord Luke's first disciple. On the other hand, Paola joined the disciples very late.
Back when the apostle "Paola" was still known as "Saula," she had persecuted the followers of Deus.
Well, she repented afterward and followed the Lord, but from the perspective of Lydia, who was building her power as the first pope, Paola must have been a thorn in her side.
This led to extremely poor relations between the two women. Perhaps that's why they wrote the most negative accounts possible about each other. That's the conclusion drawn from research to date.
......Pardon? You think both women simply fought because they adored Lord Luke?
This is the scripture created by Lord Luke himself. It wouldn't contain such vulgar content.
But suppose—just suppose—that was the case.
If the scriptures included jealousy among women, wouldn't Lord Luke's intention have been something like this for our continent...?
The continent's top university, St. Leopard University—during a theology class.
Things had gotten incredibly tangled, but in the end, I'd succeeded in pulling Lydia to my side.
On top of that, I'd gotten her promise to publish my book and spread it across the continent.
Er... it seems Lydia's misunderstood something, but hey, good is good.
......I'm just worried about the day I have to clear up this misunderstanding.
Lies beget more lies.
But in that situation, I couldn't bring myself to correct her. I didn't want to see her disappointed or have her resent me.
Well, it'll work out somehow.
And so, ten years after entrusting the book to Lydia.
My book had become the sole scripture of a new religion that had swallowed the continent whole.
What the hell, Lydia.
I asked her to spread the book as widely as possible, and she goes and creates the continent's greatest religion?
In just over ten years?
This woman's incredible.
Is it because of her Gift? Of course, it wasn't just her doing—my influence over the past decade played a part too.
Gift.
The English word from my original world meaning "gift" or "talent."
In many media, inspired by "talent," it was used to name a kind of ability, and Deus ex Machina was no different.
Typically, characters in gacha games have special abilities to showcase their appeal.
To highlight that each character in Deus ex Machina had unique abilities, they were given the setting of "Gifts."
According to the game lore, random intelligent beings in this world awaken a "Gift" at some point and learn to wield it.
But only about 1% of all intelligent beings awaken a Gift.
Even so, the criteria for awakening a Gift remain unclear.
Gift abilities vary widely.
They might grant a normal human with average strength the power of a hundred grown men.
Or turn an ordinary person who's never touched magic into a grand magus overnight.
When an intelligent being awakens their Gift, the nature of the ability is imprinted in their mind.
In an abstract form, though.
For example, Lydia Hybris's Gift ability is as follows:
"A bewitching spider that deludes other intelligent beings."
This was the skill description for her Gift ability, "Bewitching Spider," as listed in her character skill window.
The developers at Deus ex Machina must have had a bad case of chuunibyou, because they never included straightforward explanations like "reduces enemy attack power by 50% and binds for 10 seconds."
Players had to figure out each character's Gift by using the skills themselves.
Deluding other intelligent beings? Even hearing the description, you wouldn't have a clue what it does.
In any case, Lydia used this ability to build a vast network in the underworld through delusion, creating an information guild that dominated the Kallandra Empire's shadows.
And without any sexual favors or shady dealings.
That was actually a point of contention among Deus ex Machina players. A woman with no backing builds a guild like that on her own? Must've traded her body for support, right? It sparked quite the uproar among players until the devs nailed down that Lydia was "a woman who knows no men." Anyway, the point is, Lydia was that capable.
As a hardcore Deus ex Machina player, I knew that well, but I never imagined she'd achieve something this monumental.
Thanks to her, my initial goal of making money was easily achieved...
But who knew the book would turn into such a headache.
"The day has finally come to send you off to the academy like this, my Luke... sob."
The beautiful noblewoman before me began to sob.
"Aw, Mother. Why cry on such a happy day? I'm just going to fulfill my duty as a noble of the Perseino family."
In the Kallandra Empire—no, across the continent—attending a higher academy is seen as the duty of the noble-born.
Nobles who don't graduate aren't treated as proper nobles.
So even for a frail body like mine, attending the academy is a given.
Even if my real reason is my desire to meet the characters from Deus ex Machina.
"Still... sob. I worry if a weak child like you can endure the rough academy life..."
"Mother... I'm not a child anymore. I'm a full adult. I can take care of myself."
"Luke... It'd be nice if Meiru, who'll attend with you, could look after you... but she's gone ahead already."
Meiru Perseino, huh...
She's not going to look after me. It'll be a miracle if she doesn't bully me at the academy.
She's already refused to ride in the same carriage as me and left first for the academy.
"Sigh. If only Siren were still at the academy."
"Don't worry. I'm a Perseino too."
"...You're right. Constantly worrying like this would just insult our son. Fine. I won't worry anymore, Luke. Go show them the power of Perseino."
"Yes, Mother!"
The moment I boarded the carriage, leaving the family seeing me off behind.
"Luke!"
Mother called out to me.
"Yes? Did you call, Mother?"
"I've heard there's been attacks by mysterious assailants in nearby territories lately. Please be careful."
"Yes, Mother. I will. But no need to worry. With the Perseino knights escorting me, what do I have to fear?"
I glanced at the escort knights.
The sturdy northern knights who'd doted on me since childhood.
They looked more reliable than any other knights.
"Then..."
-Deus? ...Deus! So that's it. You serve the god too!
What the hell is that?
Why is that monster here...?
The final boss of Deus ex Machina Part 1... the Godslayer Saula Dracania.