Chapter 30. Visit (1)
Heretics.
Already the sun has set on those who worship evil gods—corrupt souls.
A considerable headache, even by the empire’s standards.
It was said that exiles, anti-magic zealots, or even criminals would be preferable to deal with.
“Miss Holy Maiden! The heretics have sacrificed an entire village as a human offering!”“Miss Holy Maiden! The sea has turned red with blood!”“The mountains are completely drenched in blood too!”“The Sun God is fake? The mountains are fake? What nonsense is this?”
Every day brought new absurd rumors.
Just more headaches creating extra work.
There had been thoughts of handling it personally someday and sweeping them all away.
‘A necessary step toward achieving my purpose.’
The return of the sun to this world.
This plan, unknown even to the Pope, was proceeding in secret.
To facilitate the plan, the temple had to be fully taken over.
All these false ones who don’t properly worship God must be swept away,True faith must be brought to this world,And the accursed blight haunting this heart must be erased through miracles.
It was a necessary process for him.
Thump.
Adrianna quietly clutched her cold chest.
Her frozen heart beat slowly.It was the curse that had long tormented the Holy Maiden.The curse laid upon Adrianna out of jealousy by the one lurking beyond the north.
Though the potion Evan gave her had briefly suppressed it, there was no telling when it might awaken again.
This was also why she couldn’t leave this Temple of the Sun at will.Without the Sun God’s blessings, the curse would only continue to fester.
If she had to go out, Full Moon Sect was the best option.Moonlight being akin to sunlight, it had similar effects in suppressing the curse.
‘Now that I think about it, it is time to receive a new potion.’
Arthur spoke frankly about the potions without reservation.Since meeting him directly, he’d become much more cautious.
“Don’t draw too much attention.”“Did he say that outright?”“He also asked for regular reports… so I guess that’s what he meant.”
Thus, the Holy Maiden was carefully watching Evan’s mood.One never knew when that young puppet master might reveal his displeasure and intentions.
‘…Knowing this, did he send Bishop Blake to deliver a message if needed?’
As a gift and communication.
It wouldn’t be polite to stay silent after receiving a gift.
If Cavaro Duke, born into nobility and inheriting such a disposition, understood this, it made sense.Cold sweat trickled down her brow.
Had they noticed she was deliberately avoiding conversation?
“Ho ho, interesting.”
Adrianna forced a laugh.
[Choke!]
Bishop Blake struggled against that strange laughter.Only then did Adrianna wipe the smile from her lips and approach the iron-bound heart.
“Nice to meet you, Bishop Blake. Or is this our second meeting?”
[Pant!]
Only after being freed from the chains did the [Silence] magic lift from Bishop Blake.The bishop, who’d had no room to breathe, growled after catching his breath.
[Dog of God… Adrianna…!]“Excuse me, but my preference leans more towards cats.”[What kind of monster have you raised?!]
The voice was firm.Even tinged with a subtle fear.
[Though I’ve lived quite long, even I… have never seen such a monster.]Blake, the bishop blessed by the Blood Saint, had long surpassed human lifespans.Still, he felt his years were meaningless compared to how utterly he’d been toyed with.
By one person alone.That young monster who had even turned a child of sin into his disciple.
[Have you raised this monster?]“Raised? What impertinence…”Adrianna laughed while covering her mouth with her sleeve.
“I am merely a ‘toy’ for His amusement as well.”
[M-Monster?]Blake’s voice carried a hint of panic.
[You, the Apostle of God, are treated as a plaything?]“You’ve seen it yourself, haven’t you?”[I… I cannot understand him. He was an incomprehensible unknown to me.]
Rather than chaos, that might have been easier to understand.An understanding of sorts – ‘this is incomprehensible.’But an unknown was different.
It simply couldn’t be understood.Not from ignorance – when one has witnessed it firsthand.
With two sins under his command,Using the Knights of the Full Moon as mere swords when convenient – the true puppet master behind it all.
Most importantly,‘Turning sin itself into a disciple who worships him.’
Humans cannot become gods.Perhaps a hero could be an exception.Even so, faith carries considerable power.
The power to believe and follow.Where lives are but means to an end.
Turning sin into such a disciple.
What was chilling wasn’t that Evan had done it himself.Rather, the sin had willingly believed, followed, and considered themselves saved, becoming disciples on their own.
If he could sway sin like this, what about others?Wouldn’t he be able to?
Of course.He either hadn’t done it yet or hadn’t found it necessary.
[Blessed Maiden… You too must find him incomprehensible. He is… truly a heretic in every sense.]
“…A heretic, you say. How intriguing.”
Adrianna smiled faintly. A soft halo of light appeared behind her head, gently illuminating the grand cathedral.
[…Wait a moment.]“There are many things I’m curious about. Though I’m not sure how much you know.”
Rustle…
Sunlight warmly wrapped around the bishop’s heart.Though its exterior was gentle, inside it burned hotter than anything else.
[Aaaaahhh!]“Bishop.”
Adrianna said softly with a gentle smile.
“Shall we have a ‘discussion’ about scripture together?”
And at the same time, properly understand Evan Alkart’s purpose.
That’s when it happened.
[Letter! Letterletterletter!]
A bird tapped at the window.When the knight was absent, birds delivered letters on their behalf.Adrianna opened the letter she received.
-Apparently, a large quantity of drugs has spread at this ball. I’d appreciate your help with it.
“…Indeed.”
A deep smile formed on her lips.She thought she understood what he desired.
Frey has been acting strangely lately.
‘Is something wrong with them?’
Frey, the Sin of Pride.They’ve been off since the heretic purge.
It’s not in a bad way.Just…
“Evan.”“Evan.”“Evan, aren’t you hungry?”“I tried cooking this time.”
Following Evan around, helping out wherever they can, making sure Evan eats properly.Dolph is getting jealous just watching from the side.
Why the sudden change?
‘They weren’t always like this, right?’
They used to be somewhat tsundere.Whenever spoken to, they’d get irritated first, but now they take initiative and act accordingly.Whatever is said, they obediently nod and carry out tasks perfectly.
Used to proudly flaunt their knowledge as a hobby, but now there’s none of that.
Why the sudden change?
‘Are they feeling unwell?’
So, when asking Lapis on the sly…
“Hmm… They’re not sick! It’s just that they’ve finally realized something.”“What do you mean?”“The truth?”
What does that mean?
It didn’t make sense, but Lapis refused to explain further.They even stuck out their tongue and ran off.Even tempting them with expensive vegetables later failed.
Was I spoiling them too much?
‘Hmm, whatever, it’ll probably turn out fine.’
Maybe they’re similar to the Holy Maiden?The Holy Maiden also gives strange answers and doesn’t resolve Evan’s questions.Could they be similar?
The Holy Maiden isn’t particularly powerful physically.Though divine power is strong, there’s no combat ability.
Instead, they’re renowned for their strategy.I heard they once defeated a great demon of the future using only strategy.
‘If left alone, it’ll probably be fine.’
Hmm, did the letter arrive safely?I hope the gift was to their liking.
If this resolves the drug situation, that’d be ideal.
‘Surely the Holy Maiden can handle drug addiction.’
Drugs damage the brain and nervous system.If that’s restored, it’s settled.
Though even the Grand Bishop couldn’t manage it, with the Holy Maiden favored by God, it’s possible.
Surely it won’t reach that level of addiction.A Bishop-level person should be able to handle it.
‘This much should be manageable support.’
I sent a letter yesterday, so it should be fine.Three more days passed.
Then Frey made a shocking announcement.
“Evan.”“Yes.”“I want to live independently.”
Frey’s shocking declaration!
Evan blinked, unable to respond immediately.What to do?
“Independence, you say?”“Yeah.”“Do you need personal time or a separate location?”
“Not really…”
Independence?Indepeenence?!
We just got along well!
Stunned Evan.Staring blankly, but Frey only avoids eye contact in response.
‘Parents don’t need to spoil their children, right?’
Were we not friends?
“Is there something you want to do?”“Yeah. That orphanage you mentioned building. I want to run it.”“Run it, you say?”“Yeah. If you assign just one adult, I can manage it myself.”
Should I let them go?Evan ponders.
They’ve been behaving lately.No troublemaking.Perhaps they’ve reformed?
Though normally multiple cross-verifications would be required.
‘…Let’s trust them once?’
“Understood.”“!”
Surprisingly quick approval made Frey’s eyes widen.
“Really?”“Yes. I’ll transfer the management rights of the orphanage to you.”
Having peers around would be good for the children.Being destined for the Sin of Pride, they’re likely intelligent.Actually, they’ve handled a few tasks well recently.
If left alone, they’ll probably manage it fine.Occasional checks are necessary, and the orphanage might fail, but…
‘It’s not my money anyway.’
Originally planned to use Evan’s funds, but the Duke offered support instead.Saying now isn’t the time for personal expenses.
Good enough.
“However, this isn’t full independence. Frey is still young.”
This is the minimum requirement.Isn’t it too early for full independence?
They’re not fully grown yet.Still, it felt wrong to hold them back entirely.
What if they got angry and killed me?Absolutely not out of fear, but slight concern.
Lapis stared intently.Evan avoided their gaze.
“This isn’t independence. We’re supporting individual activities. Frey’s home is still here.”“…Yeah. I won’t forget.”
If they fully independent, they might declare us strangers and try to kill Evan.Better to maintain some sense of belonging.Thinking this, Evan signed the documents smoothly.
Thinking it should be fine.
Frey packed their things.Didn’t have much to pack.
Paper and pens mostly.For the one destined to become future sin, food is irrelevant whether present or absent.
Misreading.
Lapis, munching on a carrot, stared at Frey.
“What’s gotten into you? Talking about independence?”“Are you satisfied staying within this house alone?”
Frey asked quietly.Lapis slowly stopped devouring their carrot.
“…Satisfied?”“I don’t know how far Evan’s plans go, but he surely won’t be content staying here. You know that, right?”
Evan is greedy. They just hide it better.
Destined to encompass all future sins.Such a fate is like a needle, impossible to conceal even when trying.
Perhaps countless threats will come his way.Great destinies attract everything like magnets.
“…But Evan hasn’t instructed or said anything separately.”“I read in a book that believers must intuitively understand their god’s will.”
Frey’s eyes shone strangely.The blinds covering their eyes slowly retracted, revealing their form.
Five-pointed star,Characteristic of those who worship gods.
Originally it should have been an inverted five-pointed star,But twisted into this form due to the contradiction of prideful sin worshiping someone.
“You protect Evan.”
Frey whispered to Lapis.
“I’ll be Evan’s hands and feet elsewhere.”“What will you do?”“Redemption of sins.”
Frey smiled faintly.
“What Evan desires is exactly that, don’t you see?”
Lapis scrunched up their face.
“I know too, right?”“Yeah. I thought you would.”
Wrath and Pride.One instinctive, one rational.Complete opposites as symbols of sin, yet in this moment, their intentions align perfectly.
“All of this,”
Their voices overlapped.
“is for Evan.”
*
After Frey left.Two days later, a visitor arrived.
The Mage Tower.More accurately, the tower where only alchemists could belong.The elder called himself approached Evan.
“So, are you the next Tower Master?”“…?”
Me?
