Chapter 33

A few days later…

Witga arrived at the underground temple.

Leaving Isla, whom he somewhat cherished, Witga went straight to meet Yasle.

Without a Blessed One present, it remains unseen.

Thus, unfortunately, we can’t know exactly what happened.

However, we do know there was an exchange of words.

Most people blessed by me have sharp hearing, after all.

Faint shouting. The sound of something tearing.

Even through walls, sounds like these carry clearly.

Most importantly, Isla witnessed it firsthand – Witga’s expression after finishing their conversation was terrible.

It’s enough to tell that relations between Ysle and Witga have broken down.

The cracks are slowly widening among the members of the Future Hope Church.

What will Witga choose now?

If he takes too long, he might not even have a choice.

Because Andrew is already making his move.

There’s one Blessed One present in the meeting Andrew’s having right now. That’s how I know what he’s planning.

Surprisingly, Andrew is trying to negotiate with the Ansellus Kingdom.

And the reason for this negotiation attempt is shocking – it’s because of Tisah.

Yes, Andrew knows Tisah’s true identity.

A Blessed One.

A superhuman.

The Ansellus Kingdom accepting someone blessed by an outsider deity is why Andrew plans to abandon the Future Hope Church.

Since when did “Cruxshibal” become the name of our god? He stirs up the crowd. Looking into the memories of those present, back when Andrew was in charge, they simply called him “God.”

He sanctified the name, forbidding its casual use, insisting on honorifics only.

Then he brought up a name never once mentioned before.

Miriha.

Proclaiming this as the original name, everyone around Andrew nods in agreement.

Even my Blessed One nods. While I can’t read minds to know exactly what they’re thinking, they’re likely creating false memories.

Sometimes people fabricate memories to fill in gaps.

I don’t concern myself with fake memories. Memory ends where light licks the horizon, and beyond that point, I merely observe.

Since when did my memory become so sharp?

A fleeting thought crossed my mind, but monitoring hundreds of people simultaneously renders such concerns meaningless.

Because I’m no longer human.

So Andrew had his subordinates prepare contact with the Ansellus Kingdom. Unfortunately, the person handling this wasn’t a Blessed One.

You’ll find out soon enough.

The Ansellus Kingdom is already marching skilled soldiers toward the Skad Stone Desert, including Tisah among them.

The boy who hated the Future Hope Church.

His desire for vengeance has transformed into a mission.

Being a naturally kind person, he prefers living for others rather than hating.

Perhaps a week was too short?

Or maybe he’s become more ruthless.

After all, one man’s hatred kills fewer people than one man’s mission, right?

Hehe.

This isn’t to say the Future Hope Church is evil and the Ansellus Kingdom is good. It’s not that simple.

In modern terms?

It’s a decent country for those within its embrace, but just another nation to outsiders.

Though centered around the Seongsin Church religion, it’s far from a theocracy. Think medieval European monarchy.

They capture Blessed Ones for experiments and dissection. Beyond the reach of these Blessed Ones’ vision, many suffer under the Ansellus Kingdom’s tyranny.

I’m merely riding the currents of grand historical tides,

seeking the most crucial element.

Warmth.

I thought I might last ten years in this world, but it seems to be ending sooner. I need to acquire knowledge to summon myself.

While I considered accepting the role of endlessly dispensing blessings if captured, given Ansellus’ tendencies, they’d likely label me a heretical monster and execute me.

Regeneration might happen, but death is still death.

This body belongs to Rebecca Rolfe.

When the vessel breaks, the contents will spill. What happens to this world afterward remains uncertain, but worst-case scenarios must be prepared for.

Then I noticed Joanna beside me.

She’s been taking care of me for half a year. Her skin has turned blue, her whites of eyes black – signs of a so-called demonized person.

Through blessing hundreds, I’ve learned:

The more severe the physical condition and the older the recipient, the greater the mutation.

An elderly man once received my blessing. Like Joanna, his skin turned blue, eyes yellow, whites black – yet he grew younger.

This led to higher-ranking individuals seeking blessings, not just commoners.

Rejuvenation is a powerful temptation.

To those who receive it, a source of pride.

The rejuvenated boasted not just of regained youth, but newfound strength.

Yasle encouraged this, claiming proper service to him could avoid all harm and aging.

Through this, I gained deeper insight into the Future Hope Church.

Speaking of which, Joanna was the first person I blessed.

She taught me there are other ways.

And she’s taken excellent care of me for over half a year.

But I have nothing to give her in return.

Not that I’d ask her to leave.

As a member of the Future Hope Church, that wouldn’t make sense.

Would Rebecca Rolfe even say such a thing?

Thinking about this, I paused my exercise, facing southeast where the sun rises.

Far away, at the edge of the Skad Stone Desert where rocks turn to grass.

There stands Tisah.

For the first time, the Future Hope Church confirmed the Ansellus Kingdom’s invasion targeting this underground temple in the desert’s center.

Their elite forces will arrive within a week.

Additionally, the Lasve and Cogni Kingdoms are also moving troops into the desert. The speed of developments exceeds mere rumor exchange.

A wizard within 100 meters could transmit thoughts – one who became my offering, losing their warmth.

Just because she knew this doesn’t mean no equivalent technology exists in this world.

So I suspect the Future Hope Church knows more than they let on.

However, the Lasve and Cogni Kingdoms aren’t cooperating. They maintain distance while eliminating any Future Hope Church followers interfering with their southward advance.

My Blessed Ones keep disappearing.

More villages betray the Future Hope Church.

Blessed Ones collecting offerings fall to hidden royal soldiers. Considering how few villages even receive visits from Blessed Ones, the situation speaks for itself.

This happens not just with the three major kingdoms, but smaller ones too.

In short, we’ve lost the people’s support.

The Future Hope Church is collapsing like dominoes.

But Hieronymus – no, Yasle – has achieved one success.

Wide’s army of superhumans.

Those with special abilities have honed them into expert combat skills. They plan to attack the Ansellus Kingdom’s capital.

As I mentioned before,

after winter began, all Blessed Ones gathered in the Ansellus Kingdom.

Over a hundred ability users form a force comparable to a national army. They possess combination techniques, mass-slaughter abilities, and specialized powers.

Taking the capital should be feasible.

If the Future Hope Church falls, so will the Ansellus Kingdom.

Because Wide’s ambition reaches to the heavens.

Most Blessed Ones faithfully follow the Future Hope Church,

but what happens when its core collapses?

Their commanders disappear.

At that moment, someone offering a new vision will appear.

Many will follow him. From this, Wide will establish a new organization.

Conveniently, there’s a conquered fortress nearby.

It’s perfect for capturing a rolling lid.

Of course, this assumes the capital’s capture, but considering the power displayed by Blessed Ones so far, taking it shouldn’t be difficult.

Thus, Yasle’s aspirations have a high chance of fulfillment.

When I came to this world, I made a contract with Hieronymus.

A contract full of lies.

But if it comes to fruition, can’t I claim to have faithfully upheld my end?

If it fails, well, it was all lies anyway – consider the contract void.

No matter how things unfold,

I’ll watch from here with peace of mind.

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