Chapter 282: The Tin Knight and the City of Hubris (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 282: The Tin Knight and the City of Hubris (2)
You carefully observed the reactions of those around you.
Those who had been looking at Sophia with displeasure just moments ago now held a completely different emotion in their eyes.
Astonishment.
And awe.
That was how intense and pure the holy power emanating from Sophia was.
It was a power so immense it couldn't be compared to that of those who had proven their worth through the emeralds, nor to the holy power the priests themselves used to heal wounds.
At this, the elderly priest spoke, his face filled with emotion.
“Oh, great Lord! I give thanks for allowing me this momentous meeting. Child, if it is not too rude, would you please tell me your name?”
“I am Sophia, daughter of Disthenes.”
“Yes, Sophia. I have heard your opinion on the selection. However, this is the law set down from the heavens, and as a mere servant, it is impossible for me to change or cancel it at will. To convey your will, won't you come with me to the side of God?”
“I wish to remain on the surface. There is still so much for me to learn and explore.”
Sighs of dismay escaped from all around.
This was because Sophia had, without a moment's hesitation, refused the chance to go to the Heavenly Realm—an opportunity coveted not only by the poor and starving, but even by those who lived the most affluent and prosperous lives in the city.
One might expect him to be angry, if only out of embarrassment, but surprisingly, the elderly priest showed no signs of being offended.
Unlike the priests you had seen so far (though you hadn't seen many, to be honest), this elderly priest seemed to be a moderate and virtuous person.
Then again, if you were to look at it cynically, perhaps he was just so high on the holy power before him that he would have accepted anything Sophia said.
“Yes, if that is your choice, I cannot force you. However, if it is not a bother, I would like to continue discussing faith and holy power with you in the future. Would you permit it?”
“If I can broaden my horizons by speaking with you, Priest, that would be a most precious time. I am delighted by your invitation.”
A buzz went through the crowd.
You listened in on the whispers of the people around you.
“So, are you saying the priest just offered to take the daughter of Disthenes as his disciple?”
“No, no. He didn't say 'I will teach you,' but 'I would like to discuss with you.' He has just designated that girl as an equal for discussion!”
“Hah, this is unbelievable. Even princes from other nations seek him as their master, and he's treating a mere little girl as his equal?”
“She's no mere child. Look at that holy power! She must be a girl chosen by the Lord!”
Most of the whispers were along these lines, but there were some different opinions among the minority.
“Hmph, I've had so many complaints and doubts about this selection method, but I never dared to speak up, fearing the reaction of others. But to think a young girl like her would point it out so frankly.”
“Isn't that only possible because she's a child who doesn't know the ways of the world?”
“Tsk, tsk, your eyes are clouded by prejudice. Look at her attitude and the content of her words. Is that something you can dismiss as the thoughts of a simple-minded child?”
“Not only that. She remains so composed in the face of an opportunity others covet. It's truly an exemplary attitude for a scholar.”
You tilted your head.
Honestly, you couldn't help but feel, ‘Is it really that big of a deal?’
But you could tell that the city's atmosphere itself was now focused on Sophia, astonished by her actions.
That ‘astonishment’ didn't only include positive emotions, as some now watched her with jealousy and wariness, but no one dismissed her as a mere girl anymore.
You were certain that this incident would completely change Sophia's standing.
However, it was then that it happened.
Ssssk—
The red mist, which had thinned enough for you to move without much trouble, began to thicken once more.
People, the ground, and buildings were shrouded in the mist, their outlines blurring.
Perhaps even space and time themselves.
And then, a bizarre phenomenon began to unfold.
As if all of creation was flowing in reverse, everything distorted, and the conversation that had just taken place began to repeat itself.
However, the elderly priest's reaction was completely different.
“Foolish, so foolish! How dare you try to fathom the will of God with your meager insight! Truly arrogant!”
“I'm sorry, Priest. Please, just this once, forgive her!”
The priest condemned Sophia, her father bowed his head repeatedly, and the people looked at Sophia with contempt and ridicule.
You furrowed a brow you did not have.
The development was far too contrived.
You felt the unpleasantness of watching a story where the original flow had been forcibly twisted and edited to someone's liking.
The red mist swirled, gathering and dispersing to create mirage-like scenes, as if showing Sophia's future.
Disowned by her father as a disgrace to the family and confined to her home, she was then openly mistreated by her older brother, who became the new head of the family after their father's death. Even the household servants ignored and mocked her.
She fell ill in a dark, secluded room and, unable to even get a proper meal, wasted away and died.
You tried to swing your sword to cut through the red mist, but it didn't even stir.
The ‘Tin Knight’ possessed techniques for fighting intangible beings, but you were not in a complete state right now.
It was then, as you felt a surge of impatience, that it happened.
[‘Dorothea’ calls for the ‘Tin Knight’!]
[‘Adelaide’ calls for the ‘Tin Knight’!]
On your chest, the brooch that usually conveyed your will to your companions was glowing faintly, pushing back the mist.
[‘Dorothea’ says she'll get you out now, so just wait a moment!]
It seemed your companions on the outside, or in reality, were trying something to help you.
It was truly reassuring, but you shook your head.
You had a gut feeling that you couldn't leave this place, that you couldn't abandon Sophia like this.
You didn't understand exactly what was happening, but you were certain that you couldn't let this thing be.
Therefore, you shouted.
[The ‘Tin Knight’ reports that something strange is attacking Sophia!]
[The ‘Tin Knight’ says that the intangible thing must be given substance!]
[The ‘Tin Knight’ requests an enemy to strike down!]
It was a vague and demanding explanation.
But you believed. In your contractor, your partner, your witch.
And the witch answered that trust.
《—Commencing the game.》
A somewhat mechanical voice, but one you had heard to the point of exhaustion while training with Adelaide—the narration of the 'game book'—rang out.
Simultaneously, the red mist began to change.
The red mist that had encroached upon the area suddenly began to coalesce in one spot.
The mist began to peel away from the ground, from the buildings, and from the people.
And before you, the world split in two, each side reflecting a different scene.
One side showed Sophia being acknowledged by everyone in the city—what was likely the original history.
The other showed Sophia meeting a miserable death—a history interfered with by some unknown entity.
《STAGE 1st. VS ≡二三二≡≡二三二≡》
《Upon victory, you may choose the desired history.》
《Upon defeat, ≡二三二≡≡二三二≡ Sophia Hubris's body ≡二三二≡≡二三二≡》
Perhaps because the red mist was resisting the game book's power, parts of the message were inaudible, but it didn't matter.
At least a clear 'enemy' had now appeared before you.
Something that could only be described as a humanoid figure shrouded in red mist, its facial features indistinct, lunged at you.
You gripped your sword and cut the opponent down in a single blow.
Without putting up any real resistance, it fell, and the mist that formed its body scattered back across the world.
However, a part of it seeped into your body, as if leaving a curse behind.
《You are victorious. You may now choose the desired history.》
《≡二三二≡≡二三二≡ denies your existence. Your existence is degraded. Please be careful in the next confrontation.》
You realized your body had become a little duller, a little weaker.
But the price was worth it.
Because when you chose the side of the original history, the distorted history vanished, and Sophia's life returned to its proper course.
The people offered Sophia their respect and praise, while the red mist lingered around her, as if looking for another opportunity.
You were certain. This fight was going to be a long one.