Chapter 60

Religion.

It’s a complicated issue, whether in reality or in games.

But at least here, it is an unavoidable existence.

Because the importance it holds in the world of the game is explicitly large.

First of all, the academy, which is the main stage and starting point of the game, is named after the legendary holy woman, Saint Lepheria Academy.

The name of the city, Saint Lepheria, is also derived from her name.

Then there is the Order, one of the three major powers in the worldview, along with the Empire and the Kingdom.

The god that the Order believes in, Gradus.

Essentially the only god humans believe in, so the Order’s influence is unimaginably widespread and deep.

Any other human religions that are not of different races are considered heretical and have no place in the world.

The most important thing is that this world is one in which divine power exists.

It’s because of that tangible power that the Order has been able to establish such a formidable position over the years.

That’s a rough summary.

So, what would a hardcore gamer like me do?

“I’m an expert, a real expert.”

I could recite the important doctrines of the Order to the point of boredom.

And it wasn’t just rote memorization.

I also had a level of understanding that allowed me to explain it to others immediately.

It’s not a joke, I could immediately start preaching.

The time to demonstrate that ability had come.

Right now.

“Has God guided you on the right path?”

“Perhaps it’s a misconception. But I believe I have clearly heard His words.”

Revelation.

A miracle that signifies the will of God in this world.

It’s incredibly rare, but in this world, it certainly happens.

Marianna, right in front of my eyes, has an anecdote of returning to the Order after receiving God’s revelation.

However, in this place, most cases are either delusions or lies.

That’s why there is even a separate organization within the Order, like the Beatification Department, to verify such divine miracles.

But it doesn’t concern me.

Because it was just a plausible made up story.

“What did you say?”

I felt Marianna’s expression become serious.

An expected response from a guardian knight of the Order.

“The Day of Judgment is soon approaching, and you must repent for the sins you have committed and live a righteous life in preparation for that day,” were the words.

The Day of Judgment.

Clearly written in the last chapter of the Order’s holy scripture.

It’s also one of the core doctrines.

Why?

Because one must faithfully follow the teachings of God to be saved on the Day of Judgment that will inevitably come.

So, it could be said to be a cornerstone of the Order’s doctrine.

Of course, no one knows the date of the Day of Judgment.

Not the Pope, not the Cardinals, not the Bishops.

That’s why it’s a very convenient doctrine for anyone to use.

Like me, right now.

“God has spoken those words—”

I received the words, but she probably does not think they are credible.

As I said before, most revelations are either delusions or lies.

But what if I mix in information I know because I am here?

It will certainly shake her belief.

“Can you possibly remember when that was?”

Marianna asks as if to confirm.

It must be something to check on.

In case the Beatification Department needs to verify it later.

“I remember exactly. The date is…”

I spoke the date without hesitation.

The very date I was possessed.

As a person, I was completely changed from that day, so there could be no more fitting day for the revelation.

Marianna seemed a little flustered by my unwavering answer.

Now she probably thinks it’s not a lie but a delusion.

She must think it’s the boldness that comes from delusion.

Gulp.

I took a sip of tea to refresh the atmosphere for a moment.

And then I continued speaking.

“The reason I came to this cathedral’s prayer room was also because of His guidance.”

“..?”

“If you go to the second prayer room of the cathedral, you will be able to touch His sword. And He said it would once again have a proper influence on my life.”

“That, that’s so.”

She tried to hide it, but her eyes were visibly shaking.

I barely managed to hold back my laughter.

His sword.

This was clearly referring to the ten guardian knights known as ‘the Sword of the Order.’

The real power of the Order, and the reason that no one can take the Order lightly.

However, their identity is completely veiled.

Even high-ranking clergy do not know their true identity.

Only a very few, including the Pope, know.

Such thoroughly hidden power is even more fearful.

As such, a mere student at the academy like me could never know.

So.

‘She has no choice but to be flustered.’

Seeing Marianna breaking out in a cold sweat without even realizing it, I felt like bursting into laughter again.

“Yes.”

“Brother, I’ll just use the restroom for a moment.”

“Oh, sure. Take your time. I’ll wait patiently.”

Eventually, Marianna chooses to stand up from her seat.

She seems to have judged that she can’t manage her expression.

A wise decision.

But it doesn’t matter to me.

Whether she manages her expression or not, I already know her identity very clearly.

Gulp.

The tea tasted good.

——————————————————–

What is this?

In the empty hallway, Marianna clasped her forehead.

When the word ‘revelation’ was first mentioned, she thought it was a wild lie.

But the attitude was too confident, so she revised her thinking to blind faith born of delusion.

She judged this was correct.

But the second revelation he mentioned.

That you can touch His sword if you come to the cathedral’s prayer room?

Could that be a statement born of lies or delusion?

‘The chances are slim.’

The identity of the guardian knight is not information that a mere student at the academy could find out.

No intelligence group, not even the empire’s secret intelligence service, could dare to approach such top-secret information.

So it was impossible for an individual named Max Celtrine to know it.

‘Then.’

Could it be a real revelation?

Even though she had already experienced a revelation, a shiver born of awe spread through her entire body.

Just feeling the miracle of God nearby was enough to cause that.”Did God send that student as a revelation?”

It was a situation that left no room for other thoughts.

Once a judgment was made, the confusion in her head subsided a bit.

“Phew.”

She took a deep breath and calmed her trembling.

“Everything is according to God’s will.”

Marianna, who had closed her eyes and muttered to herself, headed back to the parlor.

Marianna, who had re-entered, seemed a bit more composed.

Probably because she had organized her thoughts.

But one thing was certain, no matter what.

To her, I was no longer just one of the many students or simple believers at the academy.

Initially, it might have been out of interest because I was a student recognized by her older brother, but now, I was a special believer who had received God’s revelation.

So, it was inevitable that she could not think of our connection as trivial.

I had become a being so special that it was sure to concern her openly.

That was enough.

I spoke calmly, but this was an achievement that no one could dare to imitate.

Using my past as a problem child, I boldly hooked them with two plausible revelations.

It was a method only someone as thoroughly knowledgeable about the game as me could do.

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“The revelation I received. What exactly does it mean to be ‘His sword’? And have I truly been touched by it?”

I asked as if I didn’t know.

It wasn’t just to see her reaction.

This was to further imprint the certainty in Marianna’s mind.

“Hmm…I can’t be sure.”

She’s hiding something.

Naturally, she had to.

“But surely there is a meaning in His revelation.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

We continued to converse for a while.

The topic was mostly about faith and doctrine.

If I had been an ordinary student, the conversation might not have flowed so well, but I was comfortably carrying on.

I gave textbook answers, occasionally mixing in more profound statements.

Just that was enough to give an impression of deep knowledge.

“Brother, your knowledge of theology surprises me. Perhaps your career path might be…….”

Marianna looked quite surprised.

She hadn’t expected me to be a believer with such proper knowledge.

I could feel my image in her mind constantly changing in real-time.

“That’s too gracious of you to say. I still have a lot to learn.”

I wore a humble smile on my face.

“And I do not dream of taking holy orders. I just hope to live a righteous life in the place I can.”

“I see. It’s personally disappointing that someone like you has no interest in the priesthood, but it’s a good attitude to have.”

“I merely try to live according to His revelation.”

A repentant and upright young man.

A devout believer.

It felt awkward to play a part so contrary to my nature, but the effect was clear.

I had made a definite impression on Marianna, I could feel it.

‘Maybe it’s time to get up.’

My relationship with Marianna was just beginning.

There was still much to gain from her.

There was also a special quest that I could only receive from her.

But for the first day, this was enough.

Trying too hard to close the gap could backfire.

Ding-dong-ding-dong-ding!

The bell rang, signaling five o’clock.

“Oh, look at the time. I have things to tend to, so I should be leaving first, Sister.”

—————————————–

The cathedral’s basement.

Few knew that there was a secret space there.

It was a space hidden so clandestinely.

And in that secret space was a nun.

It was Marianna.

“Please, look up Max Celtrine for me.”

She was talking to someone.

But there was no one in sight.

Instead, a communication crystal lay before her.

She seemed to be having a conversation through it.

Marianna waited for a moment.

Soon the crystal flickered.

-Found him. Max Celtrine, second year. His attendance at the services started this semester. There are no records before that.

“No records?”

-Yes, no attendance records at all. It seems he never attended any services before this.

“I see.”

Marianna was lost in thought.

The date of the first revelation that Max had mentioned.

That must have been before the start of this semester.

That meant…

His claim of starting a completely different life afterward wasn’t an empty boast.

A cold fish with no attendance records now attending services.

-Oh, and

“What is it?”

-He’s been an exemplary contributor in terms of offerings.

“Offerings?”

-Yes. Since he started attending services, there’s a record of him giving a substantial offering of 10 gold every week without fail.

“10… gold? Gold?”

-That’s right.

Marianna’s eyes widened at the enormous amount.

This would place him in the top 0.001% of high-value donors.

And to do so consistently every week…

No wealthy person could do that on a whim.

‘How great a change of heart must he have had.’

His certainty about the revelation he spoke of was becoming more firm.

-Marianna?

“Yes, I understand. Thank you for your hard work.”

-It’s no trouble. Let me know if you need anything else.

Click.

The communication crystal turned off.

Marianna stared into the empty air.

The second revelation.

The divine will that connected him and her was…

‘What does it mean?’

Marianna closed her eyes and was immersed in thought for a long time.