Chapter 71 – Déjà Vu

Déjà Vu

“Please follow us. Our Truth Church does not turn a blind eye to those who are hungry.”
I, disguised as a beggar, and Celestian priest followed behind the Truth Church members who approached us.

They didn’t just reach out to us.
They also extended their hands to others who seemed to be in poor circumstances.
As a result, several people besides us ended up joining.

‘Where are they leading us?’
Not long after I had such doubts, their footsteps stopped.
The place we arrived at was a large abandoned building that seemed somewhat out of place in the slums.

“If you go inside, the believers will guide you. Just follow them.”
Following their guidance, we stepped into the abandoned building.
The interior of the building was cleaner than I expected.

At the front, there was a platform where a person could stand, and wooden chairs were positioned where multiple people could sit.
People who had arrived before us were already seated on those chairs.
Soft magical lamps illuminated the interior, giving it a slightly sacred atmosphere.

“It seems they’re trying to create an atmosphere similar to a temple.”
As Celestian priest said, the overall atmosphere of this place, though a bit clumsy, resembles a temple.
I guess they’re trying to give it the appearance of a religion.

“Here, take this. And please sit in any empty seat.”
A Truth Church member handed us bread and a potion while we were looking around the interior of the building.
The color of the potion he handed over was a slightly lighter yellow than the vitality potions sold in the market.

From a rough glance, it seems like a diluted vitality potion, a low-quality potion that I don’t particularly want to put in my mouth.
Nevertheless, a potion is a potion.
It’s not hard to imagine that this potion would be quite valuable to people in the back alleys who don’t often have the opportunity to access such potions.

‘No wonder people are swarming here if they’re giving out things like this for free.’
Celestian priest and I took the bread and potion and found suitable empty seats.
‘But is it really okay to eat this?’

While I was staring at the bread, wondering if there might be poison in it, Celestian priest put the bread in their mouth without any hesitation.
‘No, even if you’re a priest who can use purification magic, isn’t that too bold?’
What if it had poison in it?

“Hmm. There’s no poison. It seems to be just ordinary bread.”
“R-Really?”
Fortunately, it seems no measures have been taken with the bread.
If I keep just staring at the bread, they might think it’s strange, so should I take just one bite…?

‘It’s more delicious than I expected.’
As I was munching on the bread they distributed, Celestian priest said to me,
“Let’s wait for now. Starting an interrogation at this point probably won’t have much effect.”

“I agree.”
The guys who just guided us are obviously low-ranking members.
It’s clear that capturing and interrogating such people won’t have much effect.
To find out the true purpose of this Truth Church and the identity of its leader, we’d need to interrogate someone from the upper echelons of the organization.

‘Seeing how they’ve gathered people like this, they’ll probably reveal themselves.’
They wouldn’t have gathered so many people here just to hand out bread.
At least someone higher than a regular member should appear.

And as I expected, after some time passed, a man slowly ascended the platform at the front.
Although he’s wearing a hood similar to the other members, he gives off a strangely refined impression.
‘He looks somewhat familiar…’

Strangely, I feel an odd sense of déjà vu. Have I met him somewhere before?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
At his appearance, everyone except Celestian priest and me started cheering.
It’s reminiscent of cult members witnessing their leader.

And the man, as if used to their reaction, casually began his speech.

——

The content of the speech was exactly as Riste had tipped me off about.
That fake magicians are flourishing in the world, and magic is being tainted because of them.
Also, the claim that one can only reach true magic by believing in the Truth Church.

It’s content that naturally makes one snort, but everyone present except Celestian priest and me listened to his words intently, even shedding tears.
“””Let’s overthrow the fake magicians!”””
Well, well. The people who heard his speech even started shouting strange slogans.

“I don’t understand. Why do people believe such sophistry…”
Celestian priest was perplexed looking at the people around us.
The answer to their question was simple.

“It’s because of suggestion magic. That man, he’s mixing suggestion magic in between his speech.”
“…Suggestion magic, you say?”
I too was skeptical when I first heard Riste’s words.
Because I wondered why people would be so engrossed in a religion called the Truth Church, even if they were given food and potions.

But if the reason they were captivated was due to suggestion magic, it makes sense.
People from the back alleys or slums would have been helplessly caught up in their suggestions.
Excluding the suggestions, the content of the man’s speech was just empty words without substance.

He talks about pursuing the truth of magic but doesn’t present a path to reach the truth, just continually spewing sophistry about the truth of magic.
Meanwhile, it’s full of content that encourages belief in the Truth Church and hostility towards existing magicians.
Despite this, the reason people are engrossed in the man’s words is because they’ve been brainwashed by suggestion magic.

What bothers me is that I remember hearing parts of that story somewhere before.
A strangely felt sense of déjà vu.
‘Where have I heard such nonsense before…?’

“—Everything is for the truth of magic. Test subject Ariel.”
For a moment, a vague memory flashed through my mind.
‘What was that?’

…It’s probably nothing. Maybe that’s why I can’t recall it.
Anyway, the situation has become quite serious.
“Celestian priest. You said the Truth Church guys are gaining influence all over the empire, right?”

“Yes. That’s certainly the case, but…”
These Truth Church guys are gaining influence not just in Lonzville but throughout the empire.
That fact meant that what’s happening here is happening in other regions as well.
It’s at a level that can’t be dismissed as just a pseudo-religion.

‘And that guy…’
Moreover, that man with the somehow familiar impression.
Just now, I realized the identity of that déjà vu.

“Guest. I deeply apologize. But this person is still necessary for our side, and has some value. With both arms cut off, I don’t think he can fulfill his role.”
“Couldn’t you stop at this point?”
‘…It’s that guy from the Black Market.’

Why did I only realize it now? The fact that the man ranting in front of my eyes is the one who blocked Marian and me that day.
“Celestian priest. I think we need to stop the infiltration here.”
“…I agree. It doesn’t seem necessary to listen any further.”

‘I won’t let him escape this time.’
To prepare for him escaping with teleportation magic like last time, I fixed his dimensional coordinates.
“Therefore, by believing in the Truth Church, we can get closer to the truth of magic… Oh my.”

Then, as if sensing something amiss, he cut off his words midway.
‘…Huh?’
Didn’t that guy just smile?

“It seems some rats have come. Everyone, it’s an order. Eliminate them.”
At the words of the man on the platform, people started to rise from their seats one by one.
“Be careful. Those people are being controlled.”

“…What a cowardly sorcery this fellow uses.”
People gradually surrounding us two.
Every one of them has a crazed look in their eyes, exuding a dangerous atmosphere.

“Well then, enjoy your time.”
…The man left those words to us before calmly disappearing to the back.
“Lady Ariel, please chase after that man. I’ll take care of this.”

“…Will you be alright?”
“Yes.”
He had somehow produced a large, sturdy cross and started swinging it at the people approaching us.

“No problem. With the grace of Goddess Cael.”
‘Oh, he brought that.’
I clearly told him to leave it behind. Did he hide it inside his robe?

“Kyaaaaaah!!!!”
Every time the priest swings the cross, people fly through the air, an unreal sight that makes one doubt their eyes.
“I-Impossible. How can our brothers so easily…”

The believers who were rushing at us following his orders hesitated to step forward after seeing their comrades being knocked away by the cross.
It seems they feel instinctive fear even while being controlled by suggestion.
…Honestly, I don’t think I could step forward either.

I feel like I understand why Riste sent the priest to accompany me.
I feel a bit embarrassed for asking him earlier if he’d be okay staying alone.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you. Be careful!”

“Yes. May the blessing of the Goddess be with you too, Lady Ariel. You shall not pass!!! Receive the grace of Goddess Cael!!!!!!!”
‘…He seems a bit excited.’
I left the handling of this place to Celestian priest and started chasing after the man who disappeared behind the platform, lightly subduing the people rushing at me.