Ch.49The Seven Deadly Sins (2)

For a ‘God’, there is no more spiritually supportive being to believers. Even without showing themselves directly, believers firmly trust in their existence and spread their teachings to benefit the world.

However, this is merely a story of ‘Earth’, and in this world, gods truly exist so one cannot deny them. The moment one directly denies a god, divine punishment descends, and they reveal their existence through a special power called ‘divine force’.

In this world, denying gods is unthinkable, which led to the significant development of ‘theology’. Theology is an extremely important discipline for people of all races in this world, and is something that clergy must learn.

But despite the development of theology, there were still many shortcomings. It mainly deals with how to correctly interpret divine revelations and what teachings gods have given to believers throughout history.

It could be called disorganized, or lacking a ‘framework’. Historically, many scholars and sages have made countless efforts to create this ‘framework’, but almost all gave up.

The history of gods living alongside people was unimaginably long, and there were so many teachings received during that history that it was extremely difficult to systematize.

For this reason, theology can also be seen as a kind of history, but many clergy firmly believe that someday an opportunity will come to restructure the discipline. Not simply the history of gods living with people, but true ‘theology’.

And now that patience is about to bear fruit.

“Is merely having these sins truly sinful? I think not. In fact, even Luminus once envied Mora. But he never directly committed sin.”

“Are you saying that sin is only established when one acts upon sinful thoughts?”

“Yes. However, while temporary sinful thoughts are acceptable, continuously harboring them would indeed become sin.”

People dressed in predominantly white clothing were engaged in heated discussion around a circular table. Most were elderly with white hair and wrinkled faces, and their clothes were embroidered with golden symbols representing their church.

They were followers of the Church of Luminus, which possessed the greatest power in this world, but not ordinary followers. They were archbishops with strong influence within the church and also professors who taught theology.

It wasn’t unusual for them to gather and discuss, but unlike before, they were now exchanging opinions with passion. Originally, these archbishops would gather periodically to discuss, but it was merely a formality with little actual benefit.

But now it was completely different. Like a dam suddenly bursting, diverse opinions flowed freely with countless rebuttals following.

“The sin of pride especially deserves attention. As you all know, throughout history, the proud have always fallen. You need look no further than the elves. The author knew this too, which is why he made the demon in charge of pride an elf.”

“Pride… I may need to research the others, but pride as a sin cannot be denied. Luminus himself taught us to be humble and not arrogant.”

“Pride aside, how should we explain the other sins?”

The reason these archbishops gathered to discuss was none other than the content of the recently mentioned Biography of Xenon. In the recently published biography, demon executives appeared, and Issac had incorporated the concept of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’.

On Earth, this would have been such a common concept that it would have been overlooked without a second thought, but here things were quite different. The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins was shocking enough to the clergy.

It was surprising enough to neatly divide sins into seven categories, but the issue was that these sins weren’t limited to humans but applied to all races.

The concept of the Seven Deadly Sins essentially presented a framework, a paradigm, to the clergy living in this world. While many theologians throughout history had presented various theories, none were as universally acceptable as the Seven Deadly Sins.

Moreover, if the Biography of Xenon had been just an ordinary novel, it might have been ignored, but its tremendous impact on the world made it impossible to overlook.

“But I wonder if we should really adopt a concept from a novel… We don’t know how well-versed this author is in theology.”

Of course, there weren’t only positive opinions but negative ones as well. The legitimate question was whether it was right to directly apply a concept from a novel to academic study.

Their concerns were indeed valid, but…

“Then can Archbishop Hans present a concept as definitive as the Seven Deadly Sins?”

“…No, I cannot.”

“We understand what Archbishop Hans is concerned about. Indeed, this author may not be a clergyman. But he clearly conducted in-depth research. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have presented the Seven Deadly Sins.”

The objection was almost completely refuted.

Not only was the Biography of Xenon influential, but the concept itself was so fresh that they had deluded themselves. They believed the author of the Biography of Xenon, with his extensive experience, must also be well-versed in theology.

Additionally, people assumed the author to be an elderly sage, not a young man under 20 like Issac.

From Issac’s perspective, he had simply borrowed a setting commonly used in his previous life, but to them, it was nothing short of presenting a paradigm. It was bewildering that such an obvious concept had become a catalyst for shaking up theology.

“And this concept of the Seven Deadly Sins isn’t limited to our Church of Luminus. It should be applied to the concept of theology itself.”

“Are you saying we should conduct joint research with other churches?”

One of the archbishops frowned, expressing his displeasure. The Church of Luminus, being the most widespread, had diverse members, including many who disliked other churches.

Of course, on the surface, relations with other churches were generally good. The Church of Luminus might have the largest influence, but that didn’t mean other churches were weak.

The old man shook his head when the archbishop expressed his displeasure.

“No. For now, it’s better if our church researches this alone. We don’t know how the Church of Mora and the Church of Hirt will react.”

“Hmm… I understand. Then what about finding this author?”

The archbishop asked if they would look for the author of the Biography of Xenon, Issac. The archbishop lowered his gaze, pondering deeply.

Although it was merely a misunderstanding, Issac had presented a framework that had been so difficult to establish. He wanted to find him immediately and ask exactly what the concept of the Seven Deadly Sins entailed.

But at least for now, that wasn’t possible. It was because of his health condition reported in the newspapers.

“Not right away. I’ve heard his health isn’t good, and if we seek him out, we might burden him unnecessarily.”

“Ah, you mean the blood on the manuscript? They said it was just a nosebleed.”

While the Seven Deadly Sins had caused a tremendous response, people were more concerned about Issac’s health condition as reported by the publisher.

There was blood on the submitted manuscript, and although it was just a nosebleed, there was concern about the author’s health.

It might seem trivial, but since he was the author of the Biography of Xenon, people couldn’t help but worry.

“Artists typically don’t take care of their bodies and overwork themselves. There are countless artists who have collapsed from exhaustion after drawing or writing for three days and nights.”

“Is that so? I’m not an artist, so I wouldn’t know.”

Indeed, many artists harm their health by immersing themselves in their work. Not only do they reverse day and night, but they also neglect exercise, leading to decreased physical strength.

Issac was merely writing as a ‘hobby’, so he was in a somewhat freer position, but recently he had been pushing himself due to pressure. Fortunately, he’s now better after receiving comfort from his family.

“Anyway, it would be good to restructure our academic approach until more information about the Seven Deadly Sins emerges. Without meeting the author directly, we can’t hear a more accurate theory.”

“I understand. By the way, do you know how the elves reacted? Since the sin of pride was represented by an elf, they must have had some reaction.”

In response to the archbishop’s question, the old man who was guiding the discussion smirked and spoke.

“They’ll probably look for him right away. After all, during the racial war, they messed up badly because of their pride, and he pinpointed that.”

*****

After Volume 9 was released, people started excitedly discussing the Seven Deadly Sins. They said it presented a new paradigm that advanced theological research, that no one had ever categorized sins so meticulously before, and so on.

It was a completely unexpected reaction for me. I had simply borrowed the Seven Deadly Sins concept commonly used in my previous life, so I couldn’t help but be bewildered.

But what was even more absurd was that the publisher had released an article expressing concern about my health. They were worried about my health condition after seeing the nosebleed on the manuscript.

Moreover, since artists tend to harm their bodies to complete their works, people started speculating wildly. Various hypotheses circulated, but the most outrageous one was that I had a terminal illness.

As I mentioned before, readers assume I’m an elderly sage, and coupled with that, they think I don’t have much time left.

I was amazed at their misconception that turned a vibrant 17-year-old into someone with a terminal illness, but there was something more important right now.

“Issac, are you really okay?”

“Why do you ask? I’m telling you I’m perfectly fine.”

I swallowed the food in my mouth and looked at Cecilly sitting across from me. Her beautiful face, filled with worry and anxiety, caught my eye.

After that tabloid-like article came out, the frequency with which Cecilly worried about me increased significantly. When with others, she would look at me with anxious eyes, but now that we were alone, she asked outright.

Currently, we were eating at the school cafeteria. Rina had left early, saying she was busy, and Marie wasn’t taking the same class.

‘She really suspects it.’

It was just a guess before, but now I could be certain from Cecilly’s reaction. She suspects that I am the author of the Biography of Xenon.

I couldn’t help but be sure, especially since she asked such a question right after an article expressing concern about my health was published. Looking at her unable to hide her worry, I spoke in my characteristically blunt voice.

“Do I look sick to you? I’m perfectly fine.”

“I’m just checking. Have you had any nosebleeds recently?”

“No.”

Why don’t you just ask directly? I barely suppressed a laugh that almost escaped.

Still, it wasn’t unpleasant to have a beauty like Cecilly personally worry about me. Rather, knowing she cared about my health made me feel at ease.

However, I didn’t think it was good to continue this topic. So I put down my utensils for a moment and asked her.

“By the way, have you read Volume 9 that just came out? I heard they released it in large quantities this time, so it’s somewhat better.”

“Of course I read it. I bought the last copy left in the bookstore. What about you, Issac?”

“I read the one you bought for me.”

Originally, whenever a new volume of the Biography of Xenon was released, it would sell out within a day. Especially last time, it set a new record by selling out in less than half a day.

The publisher was well aware of this, so this time they released a large quantity from the start. I heard they introduced a new technology, but I’m not sure what it is.

Anyway, thanks to that, Volume 9 of the Biography of Xenon was easily available. Even if it had sold out that day, more books would be stacked again two days later, so anyone with enough patience could purchase it.

“Then you know about the Seven Deadly Sins too?”

Cecilly erased her dark expression and spoke brightly. Indeed, a bright expression suits her well.

“Of course I do.”

“You know about the executive in charge of lust too?”

Cecilly asked me with sparkling red eyes. I nodded in affirmation.

At that, she slightly raised the corners of her mouth and rested her chin on one hand. Just that action alone exuded a subtle sensuality, instantly making the atmosphere peculiar.

Then Cecilly stared at me intently with alluring eyes and quietly spoke. As if she had never worried about my health, it was her uniquely seductive voice.

“Her name was Lilith, right? A descendant of succubi and a demon who became a demon.”

“Yes.”

“Black hair that reaches her waist and red eyes. There was a description that her voice was full of sensuality. And a voluptuous figure. But…”

Cecilly paused briefly, then spoke in a subtle voice, as if dropping a casual remark.

“It might be my imagination, but whenever I read that description, for some reason, I kept thinking of myself?”