After that day.
“I, Eirene von Einsberg, will accept the teachings of the Igodenkyo from this day forward, in order to lead the long history of the Einsberg family beyond even what has yet to be touched. Our empire’s new state religion is Igodenkyo!”
An imperial decree, including the provision to make Igodenkyo the state religion, was officially proclaimed.
It was a highly historic moment, as the state religion, abolished after the Myeonyubu sale incident, was now revived.
At the same time, Saint Erin was meeting with high-ranking officials and influential nobles who had risen to power in the state.
One common trait among them was that they were all staunch atheists with a strong distrust of religion.
The interview times were not long.
The shortest lasted 10 minutes, and at most, they lasted about 30 minutes.
However, despite the brief time, the changes that occurred were numerous.
The beginning of these changes was seen in how those who had met with the Saint Erin began to change drastically, unlike before.
“Are you saying you will help the people, Baron?”
“Yes. After all, everything that exists belongs to the Igoden-sama. What meaning is there in a mere human like me holding such vast wealth? Moreover, with the plague that recently began in the Gracia region, many are suffering. I think now is the perfect time to share the plain facts of Igoden-sama.”
“However…”
“I don’t want to hear it. Even now, it’s embarrassing. I couldn’t understand the profound meaning behind Igoden-sama’s words, ‘All is mine,’ and was obsessed with hoarding more wealth than necessary. But anyway, I have no intention of changing my mind, so let’s proceed accordingly.”
The Baron, from the Ro Engrin family, which had accumulated great wealth through running a major trading company, had suddenly opened the vault doors.
“Are you really going to share the research of the Magic Tower…?”
The shocking declaration of the Magic Tower Master of the Fire Elemental Magic Tower, after having met with the First Princess Yuria not long ago, stunned the sorcerers who served her.
They repeatedly asked if this was really her intention, but the Fire Elemental Magic Tower Master was unwavering in her stance.
“The reason we can use magic is that some people happen to feel the plain facts of the gods more vividly. In other words, those who can use magic are merely those who were fortunate enough to be chosen by the gods. Whether or not one is born with the right bloodline does not determine that.”
“Somewhere in this world, there must be someone with the talent but of humble birth, unable to use magic because they lack the knowledge. It is our duty as leaders of the Magic Tower to find such people, is it not?”
“I believe the Magic Tower Master’s intent is not bad. However, Magic Tower Master, all the previous Magic Towers have competed and developed through independent research. Did we not receive funds from the imperial family through competition? If we reveal our knowledge to everyone—”
“I thought that way too, when I was trapped in the foolish belief that magic was something great.”
The Magic Tower Master closed her eyes, trembling slightly as she spoke.
“Even magic, in the end, is made up of the plain facts of Igoden-sama. It is merely an imitation, a tiny reproduction of the divine power… I realized this far too late.”
***
“Anyway, don’t worry about the funding. Here, take a look. This is part of the imperial decree His Majesty issued recently.”
The sorcerer, who received the paper from the Magic Tower Master, read it for a long time, still unable to believe what he was seeing.
“Magic Tower funding… is granted based on how well one understands the plain facts of Igoden-sama…??”
“Of course. Magic is, after all, nothing more than a feeble imitation of the divine power. If you don’t understand this, no matter how much you research, you won’t become a true sorcerer. The more you understand Igoden-sama, the stronger your magic will become. This is the new definition of magic in this new era.”
“The once exclusive and aggressive Fire Elemental Magic Tower has now opened its doors to everyone.”
But that wasn’t all.
The footsteps of Saint Erin, accompanied by Igoden-sama’s words, were changing everything, down to the smallest details.
“I feel like the Emperor has become someone else.”
“That’s true. He used to be scary to face… but now, he’s much kinder.”
“Princess Yuria has also changed. She used to never tolerate a small mistake… but now, she seems to accept it.”
Now, even lighthearted jokes were being exchanged, and among the courtiers, the imperial family’s evaluation was rapidly improving.
In fact, Eirene was destined to be ousted if she continued like this.
She was to be dethroned and sacrificed to open the new era.
However, the gods did not accept that.
They wanted Eirene to truly reform even now.
Thus, destiny twisted.
Emperor Eirene was destined to become a beloved monarch, not just by the courtiers, but also by the people.
In reality, after meeting with Erin, Eirene had minimized excessive luxury to maintain the imperial family’s dignity.
‘Well-developed women do not obsess over unnecessary things like luxury, and their dignity is determined not by their expensive clothes, but by how refined their character is,’ was the reason.
The remaining finances were not squandered.
First and foremost, they adjusted the tax rates that had been excessively high due to political issues, despite the recent plague.
“Because of the successive crop failures and the plague, things have been so hard… Thank you, truly.”
“While it’s good to be moved by the Emperor’s will, I hope you don’t forget that it’s all thanks to the plain facts of Igoden-sama.”
Those who might have opposed this decision had already tasted Erin’s teachings.
The words of Igoden-sama were transforming the world.
And it was happening in an extremely idealistic direction.
Conflicts were gradually disappearing, and people were drawing closer to one another, united by the keyword “Igoden-sama.”
Everyone shared trust, love, and hope for the future, all wrapped in the name of the plain facts.
***
In this situation, Linnea… had nothing to say.
She could only observe the situation.
The scene where those who met with Saint Erin suddenly became different people was certainly a terrifying sight.
The fact that everything constituting a person’s being was overturned, as if the heavens and earth had been turned upside down, by something humans could never comprehend… was undoubtedly frightening.
Yet, strangely, more and more people were smiling as a result.
Linnea knelt, recalling her conversation with Yuria, who had been calling out Igoden-sama’s name in desperation.
“Um, Sister? The magic that Saint Erin used… was it white magic?”
“Don’t speak such wicked words, Linnea. I… I was foolish. The very talent to use magic… would have been impossible if it weren’t for the love of Lord Igogodon… I didn’t realize that magic is merely a mimicry of his miracles… I didn’t know that…”
Yuria said that Lord Igogodon had held onto her until the end, helping her to be reborn, despite her continued disbelief in the existence of gods.
From Linnea’s perspective, only about ten minutes had passed, but it seemed like much more time had passed for her.
This kind of magic had never been reported in academic circles.
There were a few magic techniques that projected illusions of fantastical worlds, but none that twisted the very concept of time and space so drastically.
‘Then, could this truly be a miracle of the gods and not magic?’
No matter what it was, the fact that someone who had just been saying that gods didn’t exist had suddenly changed so drastically made Linnea reflect deeply.
As she struggled with these thoughts, time passed—
***
Finally, the day had come to officially appoint the three new holy knights.
The grand hall of Igogodon Cathedral, now much larger after disposing of the old structures, had become the center of attention.
High priests, cardinals, and even the pope had gathered there.
The saint, holding the Bible tightly in her hands, slowly approached the three female knights kneeling before the altar.
The first knight had red hair and unwavering faith as pure as her abilities.
The second knight wore a white ribbon in her black hair, a symbol of her family—unbending, even when broken.
The third knight was a noblewoman who had chosen to serve the religious world, willing to be a bridge for the cause.
“Ophel Aichel Transrente.”
“Yes!”
“Luca Heavenishian.”
“Yes.”
“Linnea von Einsberg.”
“…Yes.”
Erin slowly closed her eyes.
If this was the will of the one true god, Igogodon, then it was her purpose to carry out that will.
“I solemnly declare, in the name of Lord Igogodon, that these three will be appointed as the ‘Holy Knights of the Igogodon Order.’”
“Igogodon!”
“Igogodon!”
It was the first time in history that three holy knights were selected at once.
With the growing magical energy in the continent and the increasing frequency of monster appearances, selecting holy knights had become a much more important event than initially anticipated, drawing the attention of many.
At first, people were shocked when the announcement was made that three would be chosen instead of one, ignoring tradition.
But now, after witnessing the changes that the plain, unpretentious facts of Igogodon had brought to the world, no one doubted the words of Saint Erin or the will of Igogodon.
Instead of doubt, there were only tears—tears of joy, shed by the priests who felt blessed to witness the moment of divine choice in their lifetimes!
“Igogodon, may he reign forever!”
“Saint Erin, may she reign forever!”
Erin, amid the cheers directed at her, recalled her past—one that seemed unimaginable from her current position.
She remembered the moment when she had escaped the village, which had been wiped out in a moment of utter despair.
At the time, she hadn’t understood it, but now she did.
The food and water she had received then were all blessings from Igogodon.
Without him, she could never have become a saint.
No, it wasn’t just about being a saint—she probably would have died there, in that place, just as her family had.
‘Lord Igogodon. The humble truths you have shared with me are already an overwhelming grace I could never repay…’
And so, Erin decided that she would no longer rely solely on him.
Saint Erin, being the closest person to Igogodon on earth, understood that the more divine power she absorbed, the less strength Igogodon would have for himself.
She knew that if Igogodon truly loved her, as he transformed the world for the better, he would not use his divine powers for her alone.
Igogodon loved Erin.
And Erin, in turn, loved Igogodon.
As a believer, as a saint, and as a woman.
Yes, now there was nothing left to hide.
As a woman, Erin revered and worshipped Igogodon deeply.
She wanted to embrace all of him.
Because of this, she was daring enough to think that, just as the god had made her his will, she too could become the will of the god.
‘From now on, I won’t blindly rely on Lord Igogodon. Unless it is absolutely necessary, I will not pray recklessly. Instead, I will spread the truths you’ve already given me, and create a world where all share these simple facts, a beautiful world where everyone is united by your love.’
Erin’s heart, from the perspective of the god, was indeed noble.
While everyone praised the miracles of the god, how pitiful it was to worry about the god himself!
It was such a lovely and endearing thought, but… there was something Erin, as a creation of the god, could not comprehend.
And that was…
***
[#EomSeot: Ugh, Gilma-nim!]
[#EomSeot: Hello! It’s been a while!]
[#Donjomjuseyo : Heheh, Gilma-nim]
[#ShoShot: Gilma-nim, while you were gone, a great nickname came up for auction!]
[#ShoShot: [Love] <<< Looks like it will go for seven hundred thousand.]
[#ShoShot: Gilma-nim, aren’t you planning to get a rare, pretty nickname? You should load up some bullets!]
[#EomSeot: I heard you’re willing to go up to a thousand shots, big spender.]
[#DapDu: Ah, Gilma-nim, welcome back~~~!]
[#Donjomjuseyo : Ah, haha, the nickname is nice, but…]
[#Donjomjuseyo : It doesn’t matter to me anymore.]
[#ShoShot: ?]
[#JudyJudy: Wow, it’s Gilma-nim! Heheh.]
[#Donjomjuseyo : By the way, didn’t you say you wanted my helm? I’ll sell it to you cheap, it’s an Earth Code item.]
[#ShoShot: Huh??? Are you selling the +23 helm?? That’s the best item for a thief!]
[#ShoShot: Are you planning to change class?]
[#Donjomjuseyo: No, it’s not for class change.]
[#Donjomjuseyo : I’m done with this money-sucking garbage game.]
[#Donjomjuseyo: I’ve found something more fun.]
The divine power Igogodon had granted all this time… was, from the god’s perspective, nothing at all.