Chapter 288: The Tin Knight and the City of Hubris (8)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 288: The Tin Knight and the City of Hubris (8)
Those who noticed Sophia’s transformation condemned her actions, claiming she had fallen from grace. But Sophia stood tall and declared to them:
“‘Those who claim to follow the word of God have said that monsters are evil by their very existence, a corruption that must be eliminated.’”
“‘But now, having become a monster, I can still use holy power without change—the very proof of God, the power He bestows.’”
“‘Could it be that God never actually condemned monsters? If so, that would be proof that the Kingdom of Heaven is merely spouting whatever is convenient for them, calling it the word of God.’”
“‘Or perhaps God does condemn monsters, but never imagined an exception like me could exist? If so, that would prove God is not the absolute being the Kingdom of Heaven claims Him to be.’”
Indeed.
The Kingdom of Heaven had always treated the existence of monsters as a corruption, and by claiming holy power belonged to God, they had controlled its users.
But if that doctrine was not correct…
Then the justification for their actions—eliminating whomever they pleased and erasing history under the pretext of removing evil monsters and their wicked knowledge—would vanish.
Their virtual monopoly on users of holy power, and the powerful influence they wielded over the rulers of the land through it, would be reduced to a mere tool for acquiring power.
By becoming a vampire, Sophia was mounting a frontal assault on the doctrines preached by the Kingdom of Heaven.
Although the free-spirited atmosphere of the past had vanished with the rise of a dictatorial power, the culture and knowledge Doria had accumulated over the years did not disappear overnight.
The scholars immediately understood how dangerous Sophia’s claims were, and how troublesome they would be for the Kingdom of Heaven.
This was a fatal transgression.
A transgression that could lead to punishment not only for Sophia, but also for those who failed to stop her from causing such a phenomenon.
Above all, the authority of the dictator now ruling Doria relied heavily on the heavens.
If the authority of the heavens was shaken, the dictator’s authority would be shaken with it.
Therefore, the dictator chose the easy and simple option.
He sentenced the one who was once his own flesh and blood to death.
“Kill her. And tell the heavens she died of illness.”
A few who knew the story of Langwidere’s ascension to the heavens expressed their concerns, but the dictator was resolute.
“After that wench was taken, the heavens have not once checked on Sophia’s condition. They’ve clearly forgotten her.”
However, the dictator’s order could not be carried out.
Because no matter what they did—behead her, pierce her heart with a stake, drown her, or burn her under the sun—it was impossible to kill Sophia.
The dictator grew increasingly anxious.
The individuals involved in the execution, who were at first vicious, grew weary over time. Some even began to feel awe at Sophia’s immortality and started to worship her.
The words of a new traveling priest, who had mentioned in passing that a new ‘angel’ had been born, also fueled his anxiety.
The priest had spoken only in vague platitudes, saying the angel was magnificent and represented God’s will, but the dictator interpreted it to mean a new power had risen in the heavens.
What if Langwidere had truly become a high-ranking figure in the heavens?
And what if she came to visit Sophia and learned of what she had endured?
Would his throne remain secure? No, would he even survive?
Sophia had to die.
Even if she could not die, she had to die.
Therefore, the dictator secretly gathered people and had Sophia placed in a coffin and sent elsewhere.
Far from Doria, in the eastern part of the continent.
There was information about a mysterious underground facility in a desolate place, unsuitable for living or even passing through.
It was far less trouble to repurpose an existing seal than to create a new one from scratch.
He concealed its existence, created traps in case it was discovered, and prepared decoy rewards in case the traps were bypassed.
In case all these measures failed, he left behind a text warning of how dangerous the ‘monster’ sealed within was.
Only then could the dictator and his companions finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The heavens would not know about Sophia, and even if they found out later, by then they would have already departed from this world.
And just three years later.
Doria fell.
The citizens rose up, declaring they could no longer tolerate the dictatorship, and neighboring countries, which had long held a grudge against Doria, took advantage of the chaos to invade.
The indolent military government failed to properly respond to the turmoil unfolding both inside and outside the country, and much blood was shed.
The heavens, which had guaranteed Doria’s rights just a few years prior, now supported the hostile nations, justifying their cause by claiming Doria had been tainted by the evil knowledge of monsters.
The monarchies gladly and thoroughly annihilated all records of a ‘nation run on wicked ideas tainted by the knowledge of monsters.’
After all, a nation run not by an absolute monarch but by the votes and debates of its citizens was a dangerous element whose very existence in the records could destabilize their own royal authority.
In the process, the countless technologies Doria had built, the fields of study that might have led the entire continent to greater progress, were turned to ash and vanished.
All that remained were the choice pieces the heavens had extracted beforehand, and the documents left by a few scholars who had fled Doria, taking Sophia’s words from before her confinement as their guiding light.
*
You only witnessed a part of that process.
Because you had to remain by Sophia’s side, fighting against the mysterious beings who sought her.
《STAGE 2 VS The Angel of Divine Calculation》
《Victory will proceed to the original history: ‘Sophia Hubris’s heart did not break.’》
《Defeat will proceed to the altered history: ‘Sophia Hubris’s heart broke.’》
A beautiful angel, her gentle smile hiding a machine-like coldness, played a flute.
Countless illusions deceived your senses, and sound transformed into shockwaves threatened you.
Your body was heavy, your joints creaked as if rusted, and your sword was dull.
But you were the Tin Knight.
Though its force was greatly diminished, likely due to the enemy’s interference, the flow of mana from the witch had not yet been severed.
As long as you had fuel to move and proper limbs, you could fight on, knowing neither pain nor fatigue.
The angel’s wings were broken, and she plummeted to the ground.
《STAGE 2 VS The Vampire of Thousand Eyes》
《Victory will proceed to the original history: ‘Sophia Hubris’s heart did not break.’》
《Defeat will proceed to the altered history: ‘Sophia Hubris gave up on thinking.’》
A vampire, breathtakingly beautiful but with a languid air as if bored by all worldly affairs, swung her limbs.
Spears of blood flew to impale you, and your attacks were rendered useless against her overwhelming regenerative ability.
The metal composing your body was carved away, and you had barely enough mana for combat, let alone to heal your wounds.
Of course, you paid it no mind.
You were a player.
Finding a sliver of hope for victory even in the worst conditions and somehow seizing it was familiar work.
You, outside the monitor, knew no fatigue, so your condition and control were always at their peak.
The vampire’s regenerative ability reached its limit, and her entire body, starting with the heart pierced by your sword, crumbled away.
Neither the angel nor the vampire had been completely annihilated.
They were still aiming to kill Sophia’s mind, take its place, and be reborn in her body.
However, it was also true that their strength was gradually waning.
The proof was the red mist that had filled the world, shrinking in scale with each victory you claimed.
You slumped down, leaning against the pillar to which Sophia was bound.
You were blankly waiting for them to begin their attack again.
“Is… someone there?”
Suddenly, you heard a voice.
You slowly turned your body to look in Sophia’s direction.
She was not looking at you.
But she did not stop speaking.
“When I used the Chalice of Tuberose, I saw a vision.”
“It was a scene of someone with me, by my side, as I was bound in this underground place for a long, long time.”
“The figure was hazy, like a mist, so I couldn’t make out its shape.”
“Perhaps that someone was very taciturn, as I couldn’t hear their voice either.”
“I thought I might see more clearly after absorbing the chalice, but instead, I can no longer see anything at all.”
Calmly, Sophia continued to speak.
“Are you a real person? Or just a phantom created by my own mind? I still don’t know the answer. The last thing I saw was the scenery of this labyrinth.”
“Still, if I may, I will pray to God that you are truly real.”
You pondered for a moment what to say, but soon decided to answer with a gesture instead of words.
Even if you appeared to Sophia as a blurry mist, she might be able to perceive a large movement.
When you gave a big shrug of your shoulders, Sophia smiled.
As if, though she couldn't see you now, her past self had already seen this future.
“Are you asking if I still believe in God, even after all this?”
“Yes, I do. Because I have never met God.”
“I have seen those who commit evil in God’s name, but I have not seen God Himself commit evil.”
“One should not make assumptions about what one does not know. Just as I cannot make an assumption about you.”
Knowing she couldn't hear you, you reflexively retorted.
[The 'Tin Knight' asks, 'But isn't it a fact that God didn't help you?']
“What might you have said to me? Since I cannot hear you, please forgive me for speaking based on my own assumptions.”
“There is no reason to resent God for not helping me. I have never helped God, either.”
“Nor is there any reason to be disappointed by His powerlessness. The idea that God is omnipotent and benevolent is just something they made up.”
[The 'Tin Knight' replies, 'I don't really get all this theology talk.']
“Do you dislike such talk? Then, let’s talk about you.”
[The 'Tin Knight' asks with suspicion, 'Are you sure you can't hear me?']
A conversation that should not have been possible continued.
A future and a past that should never have crossed paths now intertwined.
“When I first saw you, I checked to see if you left any trace in reality. But there was nothing.”
“When I saw you again, you were fighting someone. But that, too, left no trace.”
“That’s why I thought the future I saw might not necessarily be something that happens in reality.”
“An elaborate illusion, someone’s memory, or perhaps my own dream. Hehe, if it’s the last one, then I’m talking to a you who doesn’t even exist here.”
“It’s undoubtedly an act of madness, but I don’t mind. I’ve grown used to being pointed at.”
[The 'Tin Knight' agrees, 'Since no one's watching anyway, it's fine to do as you please!']
“Was it around this point that you nodded your head up and down? Having a good memory is useful at times like these.”
“Why are you here with me? Who are you? Why are you fighting?”
“I cannot know your appearance or your voice. But it’s all right to hope, isn’t it?”
“That one day, I will be able to meet you.”