Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The First Dish of Holy Knights
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* * *
That day onward.
"I, Eirene von Ainsberg, shall henceforth accept the Igugwoden Church to lead the venerable history of the Ainsberg family to realms yet untouched."
"Our empire's new state religion shall be the Igugwoden Church!"
The emperor's edict, including the clause to establish the Igugwoden Church as the state religion, was officially proclaimed.
It was a profoundly historic moment, as the state religion—abolished after the Face Cloth sales scandal—was revived.
At the same time, Saintess Erin was meeting with high-ranking officials in key national positions and influential nobles of renown.
What they all had in common was their strong atheism and distrust of faith.
The meetings were not long. As short as ten minutes, and at most around thirty.
However, compared to the brief time invested—
The changes were immense.
The transformation began with those who met the Saintess becoming utterly different people.
"Are you saying you will step forward for the relief of the common folk, Baron?"
"Indeed. All that exists belongs to Lord Igugwoden anyway. What meaning is there in a mere human like me hoarding such wealth? Moreover, the epidemic that started in the Gracia region recently must have caused much suffering. I believe it's the perfect time to share Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts."
"But—"
"I don't want to hear it. I'm ashamed even now. The fact that I obsessed over amassing more gold than necessary, failing to grasp the profound meaning of Lord Igugwoden's words: 'Everything is mine.' In any case, I have no intention of changing my mind, so proceed accordingly."
The baron from the Roengrin family—who operated a major trading company, amassed considerable wealth, and carried quite a few unsavory rumors in the process—suddenly flung open his vault doors.
"Will you truly share the Magic Tower's research...?"
The shocking declaration from the Fire Magic Tower Master, who had just met with First Princess Yuria.
Her mages questioned her repeatedly in disbelief...
But the Fire Magic Tower Master's resolve was utterly unyielding.
"The reason we can use magic is simply that some people happen to feel Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts more vividly. In other words, it's just luck that we've been chosen by the divine—not determined by innate bloodline. There must surely be sprouts of talent out there in the world, unable to wield magic due to lowly status and lack of knowledge. Being able to use magic doesn't make us superior or entitled to acclaim—"
—
"Shouldn't discovering such people be our duty as those leading the Magic Tower?"
"I don't think the Tower Master's intent is bad at all. However, Tower Master, Magic Towers have always advanced through independent research and competition. Hasn't our Fire Magic Tower received imperial funding through that very competition? If we reveal all our know-how to everyone—"
"I thought that way too. Back when I was trapped in the foolish notion that magic was something grand."
The Tower Master spoke with her eyes closed, her body trembling faintly.
"Magic, in the end, is composed of Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts. It's merely a crude imitation of the divine power... I realized that far too late."
"Pardon...?"
"In any case, you needn't worry about funding. Read this. It's a portion of the edict Her Majesty issued recently."
The mage who received the paper from the Tower Master read it for a long while, his face full of disbelief.
"Magic Tower funding... is to be granted based on how well one understands Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts...??"
"Of course. Magic is just a feeble attempt to mimic divine power. Researching without knowing this can never produce a true mage. The more you understand Lord Igugwoden, the stronger your magic becomes. That is the definition of magic in this new era."
—
The Fire Magic Tower, once infamous for its exclusivity and aggression, flung open its doors to all.
And that was not all.
With Saintess Erin's footsteps, accompanied by Igugwoden's words, even the smallest details were changing.
"His Majesty the Emperor seems like a different person."
"You're right. He used to be so intimidating to even face... but now he's grown much more benevolent."
"Princess Yuria has changed too. She never tolerated even minor slips before... but now it seems she even exchanges light jokes."
Among the retainers, evaluations of the imperial family were rapidly improving.
In truth, if time had continued as it was, Eirene was fated to be ousted. Deposed, and sacrificed as the offering to usher in a new era.
But the divine rejected that. It desired Eirene's genuine redemption even now.
Thus, fate twisted.
For Emperor Eirene to become a sage ruler beloved by her retainers—and beyond them, by the people.
In fact, after meeting Erin, Eirene minimized excessive luxuries maintained for the sake of imperial dignity.
'A well-ripened woman does not cling to frivolities like luxury; her dignity is determined not by fine garments, but by how mature her character has become.'
The spared finances were not squandered. First, she revised the tax rates, which had been excessively high due to political issues despite the epidemic.
"The consecutive poor harvests and the plague have been so hard... We are truly, truly grateful."
"It's good to be moved by Her Majesty's will, but do not forget that it is all thanks to Lord Igugwoden's Plain Facts."
Those who might have opposed the decision had already tasted Erin's scriptures.
Igugwoden's words were changing the world. In a most ideal direction.
Conflicts were fading, and people were drawing closer under the keyword of Igugwoden.
Everyone sharing trust, love, and hope for the future—packaged as Plain Facts.
In such a situation, Linea...
Could do nothing but observe, unable to utter a word.
The sight of those who met the Saintess suddenly becoming different people was, without doubt, terrifying.
Everything that constituted a person flipping upside down due to an existence beyond human comprehension.
It was certainly frightening...
Yet somehow, it brought smiles to more and more faces.
"......"
Linea recalled her confrontation with Yuria, who had knelt and wailed Igugwoden's name.
"Uh, Sister? What the Saintess used... was that white magic?"
"Don't say such nonsense, Linea. I... I was the fool. The talent to use magic itself would have been impossible without Lord Igugwoden's love... I never knew that mages are merely imitating Lord Igugwoden's miracles... Lord Igugwoden spent so much time with me until I could truly realize...
Ah...
...!"
Yuria had said that Lord Igugwoden had held onto her, refusing to let go despite her persistent denial of the divine, and redeemed her.
From Linea's perspective, only about ten minutes had passed, but it seemed Yuria had experienced far more time.
No such magic had been reported in academia. There were spells projecting illusory realms, but none that revolutionized concepts of time and space—at least not yet.
Then, was this truly a divine miracle, not magic?
Whatever it was, seeing someone who had just moments ago denied the gods transform like this...
Was more than enough to make Linea think deeply.
As she agonized, time flowed on—
And finally, the day arrived for the official induction of the Dish of Holy Knights.
* * *
In the grand hall of the Igugwoden Cathedral, vastly expanded after disposing of the old.
With high priestesses, cardinals, and popes all gathered, the Saintess at the altar—clutching the Holy Scripture tightly—approached the three female knights kneeling slowly.
The red-haired one, with faith as pure as her exceptional abilities.
The black-haired one, with a white ribbon binding her hair and her family in her heart, unyielding even if broken.
The imperial-born one, who had devoted herself to the religious order to become a cornerstone.
"Ophelia Translente."
"Yes!"
"Luca Hevnisian."
"Yes."
"Linea von Ainsberg."
"......Yes."
Erin slowly closed her eyes.
If it is the Sole God Lord Igugwoden's will that all belong to Him...
Then fulfilling that is her very reason for being.
"I solemnly declare, in Lord Igugwoden's name, the appointment of these three as the Igugwoden Church's 'Dish of Holy Knights.'"
"Igugwoden!"
"Gu—men......"
The historic moment when three Holy Knights were selected for the first time.
With demonic energy intensifying across the continent and monster appearances increasing, selecting Holy Knights had become far more significant than when first announced, drawing widespread attention.
When it was declared to select three—defying tradition—more were bewildered than supportive.
But the many priests who had witnessed the divine Plain Facts transforming the world for the better no longer doubted Saintess Erin's words, or Lord Igugwoden's will.
In place of doubt were hot tears. Tears of genuine joy from priests witnessing the Sole God Lord Igugwoden's choices in their lifetime!
"Long live Lord Igugwoden!"
"Long live Saintess Erin!"
Amid the cheers pouring toward her, Erin recalled a past of unimaginable despair.
The moment she fled her village after everyone died.
She hadn't known then, but now she did. The water to drink and food to eat given at that time were all Lord Igugwoden's graces.
Without Lord Igugwoden, she could never have become a Saintess. No, not even that—she would have died there, miserably, just like her family.
'Lord Igugwoden......!'
Even the Plain Facts shared thus far were an overwhelming grace she could never repay.
Thus, she resolved no longer to rely one-sidedly on Him.
Saintess Erin was the being closest to Lord Igugwoden on earth.
Naturally, she realized that the more she drew on divine power, the more His power would diminish.
The more Lord Igugwoden cherished her and changed the world for the better—
The less He could use that power for Himself. She had instinctively realized this.
Igugwoden loved Erin.
And Erin loved Igugwoden.
As a believer, as a Saintess, and as a woman.
Yes, no need to hide it now. As a woman, Erin deeply revered and adored Igugwoden. To the point of wanting to embrace all of Him with her body.
That was why she dared to think it. Just as He became her pillar, she wished to become His.
'I won't blindly rely on You anymore, Lord Igugwoden. Unless it's absolutely necessary, rather than reckless prayers, I'll spread Your will using only the overflowing Plain Facts You've shared. I'll bestow the love You've given me upon all, creating a beautiful world where everyone shares Plain Facts.'
From the divine perspective, Erin's heart was truly pitiable.
While all praised His miracles, to worry for the god Himself—how heartrending!
It was an utterly lovable sentiment, but...
There was something the mere creature Erin—able only to faintly perceive the divine mind, unable to glimpse the divine realm—could not fathom.
That was—
* * *
[ #Eom-sot : Gasp, Guild Master ]
[ #Eom-sot : Hellooo!! It's been ages ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : hi hi ]
[ #Showshot : Guild Master, while you were away, some good stuff came up in the nickname auction ]
[ #Showshot : [Love] <<< Looks like it'll go for 7 million ]
[ #Showshot : Guild Master, wanna load up some ammo to snag that pretty rare nick? ]
[ #Eom-sot : Heard you were willing to drop up to 1k last time ㄷㄷㄷㄷ big spender ]
[ #Dap-du : Kyaa welcome back Guild Master~~~! ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : lol yeah the nick's nice but ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : doesn't matter anymore anyway ]
[ #Showshot : ? ]
[ #Ju-dyu Ju-dyu : Whoa it's the Guild Master hi hi ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : Oh right, Vice Guild Master, you wanted my helmet right? ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : Selling it cheap, Earth Code gg ]
[ #Showshot : Huh???? +23 helmet for sale?? That's the thief endgame gear ]
[ #Showshot : Quitting for real?? ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : Nah not quitting for real ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : Just done with this trash game that only eats money ]
[ #Igugugugugerdeon : Found something more fun ]
—
All the divine power Igugwoden had wielded thus far was, from the god's perspective,
nothing at all.