Chapter 71

Humans instinctively reject beings that are different from themselves.

The beastmen were also rejected like that… and even now, after quite some time has passed, they’ve been somewhat accepted because they’ve proven to be helpful.

Of course, the discrimination against beastmen still lingers subtly, but let’s move on since the topic at hand is not about beastmen but mages.

Anyway, humans rejected mages who instinctively wield powers different from their own.

That’s because humans had neither spirits nor sorcery back then—nothing at all.

Sure, merchants trading with elves and lizardmen might have known about such things, but those merchants were a tiny minority. Most humans were shocked when they witnessed magic.

The Temple of Life? That had already become an everyday part of society long ago. Besides, treating wounds isn’t exclusive to the Temple of Life; proper medicine and treatment methods can work just as well.

But humans viewed magic differently.

Perhaps because, despite being able to do similar feats using mana stones, mages could effortlessly perform these acts without them, thus sparking jealousy among humans. Truly foolish humans indeed.

As a result, mages either concealed their abilities and lived in hiding, wandered aimlessly away from their homes, or chose to live together in isolated communities.

Out of compassion for those mages seeking refuge elsewhere, offering advice to disguise themselves as pilgrims of the Church of Life was a minor assistance.

After all, even humans who dislike mages wouldn’t dare touch the pilgrims of the Church of Life.

Anyway, some mages hid, others wandered, while the rest searched for places free from persecution until they eventually settled down together.

A slightly barren land for regular humans. At the edge of the scorching desert in the south.

Except for a small oasis, there was no water source anywhere in this desolate land.

Yet, it became home to a village where mages gathered.

While it was harsh, it was still a place where mages, capable of wielding magic, could somehow survive.

Though life wasn’t easy, they persevered and found ways to endure.

With the help of magic, they hunted monsters for food, created water or ice to counter the lack of water and extreme heat, and transformed sand into rock to build homes in various shapes.

Despite the challenges, they managed to carve out a life for themselves.

Someone, feeling pity for them, established a modest branch of the Church of Life and stationed a few pilgrims there—but that’s a less significant part of the story.

Thus, these mages, who wield innate magic through their magical power, may not be the strongest… no, with dragons around, they aren’t the absolute strongest. But among mortal races, they certainly are.

Anyway, mages quickly mastered the use of mana stones, far surpassing others in efficiency.

They extracted mana from stones, combined it with their own, and cast stronger spells. They analyzed their own magic and recreated it through mana stones.

Not satisfied with that, they even developed scrolls by mixing powdered mana stones with ink and drawing symbols on papyrus to replicate magical effects.

One might ask, why not simply hold a mana stone and use magic? But the efficiency differs greatly.

For instance, if holding a mana stone only allows you to utilize one unit out of ten thousand, using the drawn method on papyrus lets you harness ten or even a hundred units.

Given ten to a hundred times the efficiency of merely holding a mana stone, the extra effort is negligible.

While using mana stones does improve efficiency by twenty to two hundred times for mages, let’s leave that aside for now.

Anyway, the scrolls made with mana-ink drawings on papyrus became highly valuable items.

Though papyrus itself was expensive, the mages’ settlement near the edge of the scorching desert allowed them access to lizardmen territory slightly westward, making procurement easier.

Through merchants, they bought mana stones, crafted scrolls, sold them, and gradually improved their village.

Despite the harsh environment consuming much of their resources just to maintain basic living conditions, this was better than wandering endlessly or concealing their abilities.

As the mage community stabilized, their situation remained precarious due to population issues. Mages were never numerous to begin with, and those settling here were even fewer.

Even after thirty years since the first mages appeared, the population here barely exceeded two hundred—a clear testament to this issue.

Therefore, I decided to add something to this town.

To prevent any human king dazzled by the value of scrolls from easily invading, let’s incorporate a bit of faith to protect this village.

Fortunately, an ifrit happens to be nearby.

Anyway, thus was born the village of Babel, where mages gathered to live.

But who named it Babel? That name sounds ominous, doesn’t it?

—

“Honestly, going around personally slaying monsters feels wasteful.”

“It’s been ages since you last said something like that, Mother. I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Indeed, I myself am unsure.”

I arrived at a volcano located in the heart of the scorching desert to meet the ifrit.

Though widely worshipped as the deity of sacred flames, meeting the ifrit directly seemed best under these circumstances.

“Anyway, is everything alright?”

“What could possibly happen to me? I’ve just been idly waiting here, day after day, bored to death.”

“For your boredom, I’ve prepared a particular spell.”

“Are you implying you won’t return my scales? Teaching me this spell seems like confirmation of that.”

“That’s correct. I have no intention of returning them, which is why I’m teaching you this spell.”

Upon hearing this, the ifrit, clearly dissatisfied, began experimenting with creating avatars.

“Hmm. It’s weak, isn’t it? With this, I can barely summon a tenth of the power I had as a dragon.”

“That’s because dragons are too powerful. Anyway, use this avatar to live freely.”

“I appreciate the lesson, but could you perhaps return my scales?”

“No.”

I promptly denied the ifrit’s request.

“And one more thing: would it be alright to borrow a portion of your flames?”

“My flames? For what purpose?”

“There’s a human village at the entrance of this desert that’s still unstable. If we share your flames and place them under your protection, it might deter outside invasions.”

The faith in sacred flames, which purifies the sins of the deceased, has quietly gained popularity across the continent. Knowing the wrath of the sacred flame awaits potential invaders would surely give them pause.

“It benefits both you, with increased devotion, and protects the village. Sounds good, doesn’t it?”

Upon reflection, the ifrit responded:

“If I share my flames, wouldn’t it be simpler for you to protect them directly?”

Direct protection from me… hmm…

Because that would be annoying.

Honestly speaking! I’ve done so much already! Spread life throughout this world! Helped it evolve extensively! Raised natural entities imbued with consciousness like children! Granted physical forms! Even dinosaurs were born! Assisted dogs too!

Sure, I once lost control and caused chaos, but afterward, I helped immensely! To the point where I even created the underworld!

Isn’t it about time I got to relax a little?! Huh?!

But I couldn’t bring myself to say that aloud. Sniffle.

Still, aiding this village isn’t a bad idea.

Just not as the Creator Dragon God or Goddess of Life. That would be too bothersome.

Most importantly, given the village’s location at the edge of the scorching desert, the ifrit, being the closest entity, is the most suitable choice.

“It’s better if you handle it. This is also an opportunity to solidify the devotion directed toward you.”

“Devotion… Honestly, I don’t feel much difference.”

The ifrit grumbled. Honestly, same here.

Though I receive devotion as the Creator Dragon God and Goddess of Life, compared to my original power, it’s all too insignificant to notice.

Still, having it should provide some help!

“Alright, I understand.”

The ifrit moved its main body to extract a small flame, which I placed inside a black stone brazier.

Great! Now it’s time for humans to encounter the sacred flame directly!

—

At that moment, a figure crossed the burning expanse of the scorching desert.

It was a girl, her long silver hair and horns atop her head distinguishing features.

This girl carried a large stone brazier filled with a continuously burning flame, despite lacking any fuel.

Despite the heavy load and sweltering heat of the desert, she showed no signs of fatigue. Placing the brazier in the center of the village square, she erected a fence and declared:

“This flame is a fragment of the sacred flame. If you sincerely worship and pray, it shall eternally protect you.”

The mages hesitantly began praying to the flame, and miraculously, the oppressive heat that once filled the village gradually cooled to a livable temperature.

Thus, the eternal flame became a sanctuary for those who believed in the sacred flame.

-Fire and Warmth’s Deity: Tracing Its Roots

¹ According to records, though her identity was unknown at the time, it is now revealed that she was the holy maiden of the Church of Life and also the Dragon Priestess.

Why the Dragon Priestess carried a fragment of the sacred flame across the desert remains a matter of speculation, with the Church of Life offering no official explanation.