Chapter 377: Side Story 6: What the Scarecrow Changed (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 377: Side Story 6: What the Scarecrow Changed (2)
You didn't know much about the 'God' of this world.
You knew that a long time ago, that man and Oz had created it to stabilize a chaotic and unstable world.
That it had fallen into the hands of Oz, who betrayed that man, and was used as his tool for countless ages.
And that in the end, it had fallen back into that man's hands and was about to become a god not for humans, but for the People of the underground, only to be thwarted by the efforts of you and your companions. That was the extent of your knowledge.
Indeed.
To be honest, in your eyes, this being called 'God' was not as absolute or perfect as its title suggested.
Rather, it was more like a child with incredible power but no will of its own, easily swayed by anyone who prodded it.
An overwhelming power that, if one chose to wield it, could seize all the power in the world.
What's more, this God was even fond of its current guardian, Sophia.
-Flash.
-Flash, flash.
The orb on the plate flashed wildly, trying its best to express something.
You couldn't perfectly grasp its meaning, which was closer to pure will than language, but from the general feeling, it seemed to be eagerly appealing to Sophia, as if to say, 'Isn't there anything you want?' 'I'll do anything for you!'
Considering the prosperity the Kingdom of Heaven had enjoyed by using the God's power, this was a power that could make one the queen of the world.
Faced with this offer, Sophia replied.
“Shall we begin our studies, then?”
-Faaaaade...
The light from the orb, which had been flashing excitedly just a moment before, dimmed drastically.
It looked just like a child whose plan to distract their parents and avoid something unpleasant had been exposed, and you let out a dry laugh.
It should be added that the content of these 'studies' was also anything but ordinary.
“A man prayed to you. He said he had a sick, elderly mother and a wife at home, and that if you would grant him holy power, he would use it to heal them. Would you grant him this power?”
-Flash!
“I see. But once you granted him the power, the man neglected his mother and wife and went to a nobleman's mansion with that holy power. A certain noble had promised a great reward to anyone who could save his sick daughter. The man decided to use the power he received to save his family for his own gain, turning his back on them.”
-FLAAASH!
“Yes, you grew angry and tried to take back the power from the man. But then you realized that if you took it back now, the noble's daughter would die immediately. Will you still retrieve the power? Will you leave it be? Or will you find a new way?”
Judgment.
That's right. Sophia was teaching the God how to think for itself.
Not to simply go along with what it was told, but to make its own judgments and decisions.
These were not problems with right answers.
Sophia would simply offer her 'thoughts' on whatever choice the God made, saying that how the God took her words was up to it.
Sometimes, she would ask for your thoughts as well, and each time, you would share your honest feelings.
[The 'Tin Knight' suggests that beating them up first would probably provide an answer!]
[The 'Tin Knight' insists that to those who prattle on about necessary sacrifices, you should tell them their head is a soccer ball!]
[The 'Tin Knight' speaks the truth that bandits are humanoid monsters and therefore cannot be protected by human laws!]
-Flash...?
For some reason, the God's reaction was always dubious, but regardless, it continued to grow steadily.
The fact that holy power now grew stronger based on one's mindset or a track record of repeated good deeds, rather than innate talent, and that it could heal anyone, be they human or magic beast, were all results of the God's own judgment.
In a way, this could have been a dangerous course of action.
Granting the God autonomy might prevent it from being exploited for a user's will as before, but conversely, the God itself could become a threat to the world through flawed judgment.
No, even before that, there was nothing for Sophia to gain from doing this.
But Sophia continued her teachings as if such things didn't matter, and Dorothea and Adelaide, who knew of the God's existence, also stood by and allowed it.
It was a sign of their respect for Sophia's wishes.
One day, as time went on.
Sophia made a proposal to you.
“There is someone I wish to speak with for a moment. Would you be willing to accompany me?”
You nodded.
Perhaps thanks to your continuous training with Adelaide, your body was gradually regaining a strength similar to what you had in your doll days.
Sophia herself, though she no longer had an immortal body, could perform defense and healing with her immense holy power, so you figured she would be fine protecting herself against most opponents.
However, even you were slightly shaken when you heard the identity of the 'someone' Sophia wanted to meet.
The person was certainly worthy of such a reaction.
[─It has been a long time, you who killed my king.]
The black serpent.
The Chancellor, the right hand of that man's king, spoke to you and your companions.
*
Immediately after the war ended.
The various powers of the surface world were preoccupied with the aftermath created by the void in the heavens, while at the same time remaining on high alert.
Although the king of the underground had been defeated, the powerful Chancellor, his generals, and their armies still remained below.
If they were to invade the surface, which had exhausted its strength right after the subjugation of the heavens, the damage could have become uncontrollably immense.
But, belying such vigilance, the People of the underground never invaded.
Some speculated it was due to the chaos of losing their king, while others said they were simply gathering their strength.
It is difficult to maintain a constant state of tension against an enemy that cannot be seen and whose time of attack is unknown. The act itself consumes mental and physical energy.
This was even more true during such a hectic time of reconstruction and reorganization after the fall of the heavens.
People slowly began to lower their guard.
They didn't completely drop their guard against the underground, but the manpower and resources dedicated to it were greatly reduced.
So much so that if one of the continent's greatest witches decided to cast a barrier, it was possible to communicate with the underground without being detected by outsiders.
[─Hmm.]
A man whose features were hard to make out, one who truly fit the description of a 'shadow', looked around.
[This is a more peaceful reception than I expected. I had considered the possibility of being surrounded by a large army the moment I crossed over.]
There were only a few people present.
You and Sophia stood before the Chancellor. Far in the distance, Dorothea stood with her arms crossed, with Adelaide guarding her side. That was all.
Perhaps understanding their intention 'not to interfere in the conversation' from the way the two stood far away, the Chancellor turned his gaze back to you and Sophia.
Sophia spoke.
“This meeting was arranged for a conversation. We have no intention of committing such a discourtesy.”
[Well, the few of you here are more powerful than a sizable army, but... I'll let that slide. It's also true that I was able to cross over quite easily thanks to that young witch opening a 'path' for me.]
“So,” the Chancellor asked.
[The relationship between the underground and the surface is not so amicable that we can enjoy a leisurely chat. What is the reason you summoned me, going so far as to send a message using the power of the 'God'?]
To the Chancellor's question, Sophia answered.
“I wish to cooperate in improving the harsh environment of the underground.”
[What?]
It must have been a completely unexpected statement, for you felt as if the Chancellor's unseen face was momentarily colored with bewilderment.
Sophia calmly continued.
“The environment of the underground is so vicious because all the chaos and negativity that existed at the dawn of time was gathered there. It seems that powerful beings, including Polychrome, that fairy general, are trying to improve it little by little, but the efficiency is far too poor.”
“Therefore, we plan to use the power of the 'God' to give substance to that negativity, turning it into the form of 'creatures that can be defeated.' It won't be possible overnight and will take a considerable amount of time... but one day, the underground could become a place just as livable as the surface. Perhaps there might even be a way to use the defeated creatures as resources.”
“However, this is merely a proposal. Whether you accept it or not, I will leave to your will.”
The Chancellor did not answer easily.
But Sophia waited calmly for his words, without growing impatient or pressing for an answer.
And finally, the Chancellor spoke.
[Is this the mercy of the victor? A proposal offered out of pity for us? Or is it a tribute to appease the anger of us who have lost our king?]
“No, it is atonement.”
[Atonement? Why would you atone?]
“Not me. This was proposed by the God. It is sorry for pretending not to see you all this time.”
[...]
Light seeped from Sophia's body and gathered in one place, forming a shape like a firefly.
The firefly hesitated before approaching the Chancellor and bobbing up and down.
The faceless man, who seemed to be made of shadow, watched the scene blankly.
Even when bathed in the light of holy power, which would be like a deadly poison to the People of the underground, no wound appeared on the Chancellor's body.
Instead, it felt like a gentle, warm embrace.
“Will you accept?”
To Sophia's question, the Chancellor.
No, the new king of the underground.
Slowly, ever so slowly... nodded his head.
*
Because of the Scarecrow, holy power returned to the world.
This holy power, which grew stronger the more steadfast one's will to help others and the more one actually helped, would save people by encouraging them to help even more.
Because of the Scarecrow, the God gained autonomy.
The God would no longer be swayed by personal desires or indiscriminately grant the wishes of its followers; it would act cautiously, yet with a will to become even the slightest bit better.
Because of the Scarecrow, the underground received compensation for its long years of ostracism.
The underground would not instantly turn into a paradise, nor would its long-simmering resentment be resolved in a flash, but at the very least, the possibility of an all-out war with the surface was greatly reduced.
These were undeniable achievements, events worthy of being recorded in the history books had they become known.
But the Scarecrow handled all these matters quietly, without telling anyone.
This was because if the God's existence were revealed, chaos would erupt once more from factions seeking to exploit it, and the same went for the negotiations with the underground.
[The 'Tin Knight' asks if you aren't sad that no one will recognize your deeds!]
To your question, Sophia calmly replied.
“It will all come to light someday, anyway. I've left records for that very purpose.”
Just as Sophia said, she had neatly organized the data on these events and left them behind in the form of a book.
Not for her own honor, but so that one day, people—scholars seeking to uncover history—could reach the 'truth'.
As a scholar, Sophia seemed satisfied with that, but you felt a slight dissatisfaction.
You wondered what great meaning there could be in the truth being revealed later, when Sophia herself would already be long gone.
As if guessing your feelings just by looking at your face, Sophia caressed your cheek with a gentle smile.
“It's truly all right. Because you know, Sir Tin Knight, don't you?”
What she had done.
What she had accomplished.
How she had changed things.
Even if no one else knew, as long as 'you' knew, that was enough, Sophia said with a smile.
You found yourself convinced without realizing it.
She was wise, indeed.