Chapter 10. Stubbornness and Arrogance (12)

Still, it was fortunate that I had three days.

The Dwarf Kingdom has a population of hundreds of thousands. If it were a situation of ‘a few hours later,’ it would have been a major problem, but with a few days, it was possible to evacuate them somehow.

The Dwarf Kingdom’s territory is limited. There are no vast plains like those common in other countries, nor are there forests where one could get lost and disappear.

Since it was a cave, there were small crevices that only one person could barely fit into, or places from which one could never return if they entered, but there was no one who would go and hide in such places in the first place.

Most importantly- the Dwarf Kingdom is a kingdom, and naturally, there are nobles.

And usually, in a kingdom, nobles operate their own territories, and the people within those territories are almost like the nobles’ possessions. Considering the dwarven nature, it might not be to the extent that a pickaxe could be stuck in one’s head if they made a mistake, but it seems to be like a company from which one cannot resign.

To expand their territories, manpower is always needed, and therefore, to grasp that manpower as much as possible, nobles seem to create lists of all their territorial residents, one by one. While it’s not entirely without loopholes, it’s certainly better than not having such a list at all.

“Although it’s called a territory, ultimately, they cannot be geographically far apart. Moreover, in terms of magic, no noble can match the royal family.”

Even so, I thought it was strange that the nobles were listening so well to the king in a kingdom with separate nobles. The princess told me so.

The possibility of rebellion being easily suppressed always exists. Even though the war hasn’t ended. Nobles, though not as much as royalty, who are steadily expanding their territories are also somewhat aware of the current situation.

Therefore, it seemed they also viewed my existence as quite important.

“I told you, didn’t I? If there’s someone who can properly end this matter, it’s you, Sister.”

“…”

“And you don’t ask for compensation due to your religious fervor. Nobles love freebies.”

Well, um.

Even so, saying it like that is a bit burdensome.

What would the people of this country think of me?

I even met the king directly. We didn’t have much conversation, and after hearing my story, he just nodded as if tired.

His fingertips were slightly blackened.

Since there were always many people around to ‘heal,’ I decided to retreat for now.

I also arranged our people. I gathered the knights to protect the people, and only the protagonist party, me, Ria, and the princess remained in this room.

As a result of working hard for three days like that, it wasn’t entirely in vain; we were able to form a formation that could protect the people to some extent.

After all, their target is only the princess.

“…”

Everyone in the princess’s room in the palace had a slightly tense expression.

If there was anyone not tense, it might be Gloria.

“Hey, Anna.”

“Yes.”

Gloria spoke to me softly, and I replied softly.

“Princess, wasn’t she rumored to be the one with the most amazing mana in this country? It seemed so when I saw her last time.”

“…”

“Now…”

“Because she had something to do.”

I replied, shrugging my shoulders.

Yes. Something to do.

At least that person was someone who could give up something for what she wanted to do.

No, perhaps her shoulders were just too burdened.

*

The attack came suddenly.

Even for me, who already knew what was going to happen, it was so sudden that I could understand why they couldn’t respond in the original novel.

Black liquid, that is, the viscous mana itself, was flowing down the wall. It slowly seeped through the gaps of the tiles used to finish the ceiling, as if water were seeping in.

Drip. Drip.

That amount of mana could be easily purified by my holy power. No, since I had already thoroughly cleaned this area with my holy power, the mana was already losing its strength just by entering here.

However, it’s not an opponent to give up just because of that. Realizing that they couldn’t come straight through the ceiling, the mana quickly stopped.

“…Si-yoon.”

When I spoke, Si-yoon nodded and drew his sword.

The sword he was holding was an ordinary sword used by hunters. But it had a distinct difference from other swords.

It was glowing.

Isn’t he the protagonist who awakened his power? Perhaps the being above is even watching Si-yoon.

Following Si-yoon, the others also drew their weapons and turned towards the door.

“…”

How to operate the mana orb?

Even so, it’s impossible to destroy this entire place. If they could do that, they would have done it much earlier.

Then, the second method is to create something with that mana orb and send it through the entrance.

For them, the most important enemy to deal with was me. They had to gather their strength and pour out much more mana at once than I could purify.

Since both the princess and I are here, it must be quite tempting. If they can defeat everyone in this room, that force will have won.

The path to this point is all open. So that they can naturally reach here.

…In other words, I created a bait room with only the most important people.

Was it a good idea?

I kept having that thought. Even if it was to save many people, was it right to put my friends in such a dangerous place, by my side?

“…”

Light.

The light that had been with me since I prayed while preparing for battle remained, gently settling on my face.

…I don’t want to admit it, but- this being above clearly cares about me. Seeing how much it encourages what I do.

It doesn’t say it’s right, but it allows me to believe in myself.

Does it think that the concept of right and wrong is not something one chooses?

I don’t know for sure-

Thump.

“It’s coming.”

Ria muttered.

Something was hitting the door of the princess’s room.

“Everyone, remember what I told you.”

“Yeah, even if our vision gets dark, we should stay by the side of the person with light.”

Ria said.

Whoosh.

The candle lit in the room went out. It wasn’t the only light source, but in a place where not a single ray of sunlight entered from the beginning, the meaning of one light source was significant.

There were also light sources burning with mana, and we here also had light sources each. And the light of holy power emanating from me, Ria, and Si-yoon.

Everyone seemed a little concerned about the slight dimming.

“Princess, come closer to me.”

“…Please take good care of me.”

At my words, the princess moved slightly closer to me.

I knelt on the floor.

And then,

Crash!

The door vibrated loudly once more, and then burst open inwards.

Si-yoon shot forward.

His appearance, wielding a sword of light in the gradually darkening space, was truly like a warrior. Han Yu-ri and Gloria burning away other mana with blue magic was also a scene fitting for fantasy.

And the knight blocking my path.

Ria didn’t look back at me. But both of us knew we could trust each other without seeing each other’s faces.

I clasped my hands.

And closed my eyes.

Alright. I have to do what I have to do.

*

In the original novel, I read that there were people targeting the Saint. And how the Saint found those people.

Holy power, at first glance, is like light.

But that’s just because we perceive it as light when seen by human eyes.

In reality, it’s not like that. We just think of it as light when we see the power pouring out without proper control.

So, what I have to do is.

Just concentrate and hope that the other party guides me.

-This way…

Should I call it a voice, or a thought heard in my head?

But one thing is certain: that voice was the same as the one that helped me last time. I knew it instinctively.

Slowly, I walk following that aura.

All I see ahead is darkness. So much that even my light cannot fully illuminate it.

Yes, I was walking without realizing it. My body was made of white light, and with every step I took on the stone floor, the darkness that enveloped the floor receded little by little.

No sound is heard.

“Yes. That’s impossible.”

My thought was answered by the other party.

“…”

I stopped walking.

Beyond that darkness, something is lurking. It was looking at me.

“Everyone will die.”

It said.

“Those things that are beyond the reach of your power will all die.”

“You speak as if you are death itself.”

I replied calmly.

To be honest, I was a little scared. Ria was always by my side. She probably is now too. Whether I lost consciousness or was in a trance in some other sense.

This body is not my real body. It’s just a clone made of holy power. It’s not that it has no substance, but since it’s holy power, I can return to my real body if I break my consciousness.

I want to return, but I shouldn’t.

If I don’t confront it, it will kill us all. Even if I survive, I will be the only one left alive.

“Ah, death.”

As if impressed by my words, it said.

“That would be good too. Yes, becoming a being that has escaped death. That is also our goal. Once we achieve our purpose, we might become death itself. Or perhaps we will become truly eternal beings, for whom even that is meaningless.”

“…”

Hmm, I don’t think I need to hear more.

“Your power.”

It said.

From beyond the darkness, yellow eyes looked at me. Beast-like eyes.

From a place much higher than me, it was looking down at me.

“Do you think that power is the power of God?”

“Well. That’s a bit of a complicated story.”

I smiled slightly. Hearing that story somehow relaxed me again. Because I’ve heard it many times before. And, because of that, I think I know what story will come next.

“Is light comfortable? So you follow that power? Power has no right or wrong-“

“Haha.”

I laughed.

“You’re really saying the obvious.”

“…”

“Power has no right or wrong, and actually, what I thought was wrong might be right. Perhaps you’re going to say that seeing me wipe out monsters with holy power is slaughter or something.”

The opponent was looking down at me. I couldn’t feel any particular emotion from those eyes.

“I am simply acting as I wish.”

Right.

I have no religion. I believe in no god.

Therefore, I am not bound by the words of any organization or any god.

No one will say anything if I deny my beliefs to save a dying person. After all, my beliefs are only believed by me. Whether I say there is no god or there is, or say there is and then say there isn’t, it’s all just my own mind.

But- even within that, I have my stubbornness.

My stubbornness is one.

In the distant future, even if all those unprincipled acts are pointed out, the only thing I can say.

Is, “I was helpful to someone.”

My mistake was simply not following the coercion of others.

My mistake was simply not believing in God- and apostatizing again and again.

My thoughts are entirely my own thoughts. Whether to change them or not, it’s just my freedom. What’s so bad about that?

I just lived for people.

When I stand before the judgment seat, that’s all I will say.

“Let me make one thing clear.”

I raised my hand towards those eyes.

“I do not believe in God.”

Yes, now I think I really understand.

The reason why someone like me was brought to this position.

“I just strive to save the people I like. And incidentally, the people around me, and if there’s time, everyone else.”

“…Then, your purpose today is wrong.”

As the darkness was erased by my light and it retreated, it said.

“Do you think this is reality? What we can do-“

“Would I not have known? I heard how high the ceiling of the Dwarf Kingdom is. I saw it myself.”

I said, smiling as I looked into those eyes.

“Were you too arrogant? You made your body too big. To a height that could never be reached in the Dwarf Kingdom. If it were just the eyes, it would have been borderline, but with the head, you would have surely hit the back of your head hard and your brain fluid would have flowed out?”

And, don’t underestimate me.

After all, I read the original novel, and I know how mana can work.

It’s possible to control people with mana. To the extent that you can control all the air they breathe.

To be more precise- you can make people fall into a dream world. Just as I communicated directly with the being above.

“…Then, isn’t your choice also wrong?”

“Are you surprised?”

I laughed.

“First, I’ll answer that question.”

I said.

“There’s no way it’s wrong. Because the voice that brought me here is the voice I usually follow. What do you think, how did I get here?”

Well, it might be physically taxing.

But I can hear sounds from around me.

Not everyone, it seems- but groans of pain from this power. I don’t know if there are any voices I recognize, or not.

Are there already people who have entered the same dream world?

If so, there’s only one thing I have to do here too.

I knelt on the floor.

And clasped my hands.

“What-“

“I’m a cleric, you know?”

I said.

“I don’t believe in God, but I know there’s a being above.”

A being that cherishes humans.

That’s probably why they put someone like me here, who can’t believe in themselves at all, who doubts and insults them every day.

Because they can calculate the future, they probably thought placing me here was the best strategy.

Now, I think I understand a little.

“So, at least that person will lend me strength.”

Light fell from the sky.

As I thought, there was no ceiling.

Black storm clouds scattered in all directions, and the starlight densely embedded in the sky became visible.

Starlight is not as bright as the sun. In a space created by someone else, perhaps there’s a limit to how much power can be sent.

But, even so.

There was light.

For me, that was enough.

“…What!?”

Heavenly Father.

I don’t know how to pray. And I have no intention of learning.

But, I do know how to ask for something from someone.

Please, help me.

There is a problem that only you can solve.

If you tell me to serve you, then from today on, I am your believer.

If that is enough as a means of payment.

-You don’t have to.

I smiled upon hearing the returned answer.