Chapter 76: Each Other's Shadow

Chapter 76: Each Other's Shadow

Each Others Shadow

Hm.

I left the venue without any hesitation once the debate concluded.

The situation now was the exact opposite of when I entered.

No one jeered or threw trash at me.

They were just staring at me blankly, seemingly still in shock.

After I manifested the Holy Power, it was practically unnecessary to continue the debate because the other side was unable to express their opinions.

Having shown clear proof that the Gods they believed in had chosen me, they fell silent as if a cat had got their tongues.

Because they knew that if they kept opposing me, it ultimately meant that they would be opposing the Gods they believed in.

It could be said that it was wiser to remain silent.

Trying to rectify the situation now could lead to making irreversible statements later.

This was too easy.

In the end, it all concluded as something trivial. I had anticipated a somewhat innovative statement or opinion that could lead to a perfect opportunity for mockery, but none surfaced.

They might have not arrived at an immediate conclusion, but given the current atmosphere, it was obvious.

In the end, the Griffin Kingdom would have no choice but to accept me.

Gyaaaah, you nailed it!

Well done.

After I returned to the waiting room, Findenai and Deia were still smiling in the same manner. I passed by them as they offered a high-five and chose to sit down on the chair instead.

Phew.

As I took a breath to control my mana, Findenai and Deia awkwardly gave each other a high-five with their extended hands.

There was no time to pay attention to them right now. Due to the Holy Power swirling inside me, I needed to regulate my mana.

[Ugh.]

Unable to approach my immediate vicinity, the Dark Spiritualist stood at a distance, observing me with concern. Deia and Findenai also seemed to realize that something was wrong.

Whats wrong? Why are you like that?

Have you really received Gods Judgment, Master Bastard? Because you have dared to use their name in vain?

No need to exaggerate the situation.

While black magic was commonly perceived as the antithesis of Holy Power, it was not exactly the case.

Black magic was simply one of the many branches of magic studies. The rejection came from the religious side as it focused on subjects like souls or corpses.

So, it wasnt necessarily true that a dark mage couldnt coexist with Holy Power.

Therefore, the reason Holy Power was raging inside me right now wasnt because I was a dark mage.

It was because I directly consumed Holy Power.

While I did use it to defeat the Evil Ghost Griffin, the real reason I sent Aria and Findenai to retrieve the Holy Grail was actually to persuade the people of Griffin.

No matter how much I showcased my achievements or expressed the truth eloquently.

In the end, due to deep-rooted hatred in their long history, nobody would believe me.

In that case, I had to make them believe.

Simply holding the Holy Grail allowed Deia to use Holy Power.

Making holy water from wine using the Holy Grail would allow me to briefly manipulate Holy Power after I consumed it.

However, handling the Holy Power directly from within the body rather than using it indirectly, through the Holy Grail, resulted in severe side effects.

I guess I cant use it frequently.

I struggled to stabilize my breathing.

Upon seeing the sweat forming, Findenai decided to perform her role as my maid and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from my visibly struggling face.

That is enough.

Whats enough? Opportunities like this dont come often.

Despite my protests, Findenai continued to wipe my sweat and even handed me a water bottle.

While I drank water to cleanse my system, the sound of knocking was heard from outside.

Deia went to open the door, and as it creaked open, she gasped and sharply turned her gaze towards me.

I twisted my waist and turned towards that side. There, the silver-haired Saintess calmly entered the room.

Well.

Findenai immediately stood in front of me.

Despite Findenais threatening demeanor, which seemed to indicate that she was ready to grab her axe at any minor annoyance, the Saintess showed no signs of retreating.

I would like to have a brief conversation with the Soul Whisperer.

Upon hearing the Saintess surprisingly polite attitude and a direct acknowledgement of my position as the Soul Whisperer, Findenai subtly gauged my intention.

In response, I gestured with my eyes, and Deia and Findenai decided to usher themselves out.

Hey! Hey! Go away!

.

What I mean is that the radical hardliners might move No, they will definitely act.

Yeah, I guess so.

They would come at me aggressively, branding me as a heretic, accusing me of mocking God, or labeling me as a swindler, tailoring their accusations to suit their narrative.

The Griffin Kingdom would experience unprecedented chaos for a while.

The confrontation between believers and non-believers.

Even among believers, there would be various conflicts.

And at the center of everything Would be me.

It is the growing pains.

When I flatly dismissed such chaos with a single sentence, the Saintess seemed uncomfortable but didnt outright deny it.

Well, now that its out there. Wouldnt that have been too extreme a method?

.

Even if necessary, the citizens will still be greatly shocked and plunged into chaos. With no one having a proper answer, theyll fight each other while searching for one, right?

Lucia, already worried about this, massaged her forehead.

I barely have time to resolve the bizarre phenomena caused by the evil spirits. If I have to mediate the citizens confusion as well

Feeling dizzy, Lucia shook her head, but I responded calmly.

You seem to be misunderstanding something.

What?

That is precisely what you should be doing.

The position of a Saintess wasnt one that anyone could hold as they wished. Shouldnt she be at the forefront, handling the chaos of the continent for the sake of the citizens peace?

Do you think I dont know that?

Why was she grumbling like that? Did it sound like a scolding? Thus, I slightly changed my words.

Originally, dealing with the incidents caused by the evil spirits wasnt your responsibility. What you did was just to use Holy Power to annihilate them.

Uh y-yes.

The Holy Power would effortlessly annihilate the weak evil spirits upon contact, as it was their natural enemy.

But could we really say that was the correct method of dealing with them?

The evil spirits were once humans, too.

.

The Saintess shut her lips tightly when I brought forth the truth she had been purposely avoiding.

She would want to say she knew it, but words wouldnt come out of her mouth. However, even if she knew it, in the end, all she could do was only subject them to a forced annihilation.

Why is that? Why did Holy Power, which heals and comforts the living, become so antagonistic to the dead?

W-well that.

I heard Lucia quibbling as she couldnt answer that.

It is because its purpose has been misused.

This setting hadnt even appeared in the game. I was merely expressing what I had felt throughout my life in this world.

It is because Holy Power is meant for the living, not the dead.

.

Even if it was necessary, its safe to say youve been using it incorrectly all this time.

Then what about the evil spirits? How are we supposed to deal with the dead?

I am here, am I not?

I directly met Lucias blue sapphire eyes.

In fact, with her divine silver hair and clear sapphire eyes, she truly had the fitting appearance to be called a Saintess.

As a Soul Whisperer, it is my duty to console the dead.

.

I believe Im walking a similar path to yours, Saintess.

The Saintess consoled the living, giving them hope and motivating them with the courage to move forward.

Saintess Lucia, you gather your hands for the living and pray to your God.

While I listened to the stories of the dead, I gave them the push they needed to let go of everything and closed their eyes for the last time.

I will be the one who weeps for the dead.

I would listen to their stories, soothing their injustice and resentment. If there was an evil spirit haunting the living beyond the boundary of life and death, I would make sure they paid the appropriate price.

Lucia chuckled at my words.

Indeed. In the end, we are performing similar duties.

Only the targets were different.

/genesisforsaken