Volume 6 Chapter 23-2 Theological Q&A
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”By the way, do you know what kind of book this is? You’ve seen it before, right?”
The Head Priest suddenly placed a thin, booklet-like thing on the table. It was a holy book from this world. Just today, I saw lots of priests holding the same one.
Ms. Marsha, a beautiful priest, had it tucked under her arm. It looked good on her and made her seem smart and serious. It’s probably used to show authority, but for people who like priests, it might feel kind of… well, fetishy.
Mr. Raoh is known as a priest-lover among some people… but that’s another story.
If the Head Priest is asking if I’ve read it, then yes, I have. Miss Floria made me read it when she explained this world’s religion.
The book is filled with lines like “Respect the gods” and similar easy stuff. At the back, there’s a list of prayers for different times and the normal prices for offerings. It feels more like a simple guide than a real holy book.
Even though it’s thin, it has a fancy leather cover, and the golden mark of the main god—a snake biting its own tail—is pressed into it. It must’ve cost a lot. What really interests me is that the paper looks like paper from Earth. The print even looks like it came from a copier. I have a feeling one of the summoned heroes helped make it.
”Actually, I’m the one who wrote this book. I picked out helpful parts from the old writings to make it simple for the common people. I didn’t want to include stuff about idol-worship, but the church asked for it…”
This guy keeps saying “fool,” but he doesn’t seem ashamed. Is it a religious word? Or maybe just how he talks? Maybe “fool” here means something like “humble person.” Since his mind-speak power isn’t perfect either, it’s probably not worth thinking too hard about it.
”In short, the images of gods that the foolish people believe in—those are my creations. But do you see them as a god? I doubt it. Gods are just things that happen.”
I think I get it now. It sounds like someone important told him to make up a god story, and now he’s confused about what’s real.
Even so, the god story in the book isn’t total nonsense. A lot of old native religions have similar stories.
Even if myths are fake, I think that’s fine. But if people start a war over it, then it’s dangerous. If that happens, this guy might get blamed for everything. I wonder if he knows that?
”Sometimes I wish a human-like god like the one in this book really did exist. But… priests who say they’ve seen a god have no proof. Some summoned heroes say they met a god in a white room and got special powers. There’s no evidence they met a god, but they do have blessings. Have you seen that white room?”
So, even though he says gods are just part of the world, he wants them to exist? Man, he’s a real pain. Religion isn’t the place for facts and science.
I’ve heard about the white room a lot, but I don’t remember anything like that. Then again, god-related stuff feels fuzzy, like a dream. Maybe I just forgot?
Ah, a dream. I just got a good idea.
”I can’t explain it well, so please ask the god yourself. I think the line was open earlier. There’s a good chance you can get a message from God Keras right now.”
”A divine message? Are you seriously saying that? Who even are you?”
I’m just a summoned hero. But somehow, I feel like God Keras wants to say something to this guy. Maybe this temple is a special place, or maybe the offerings helped. But I can feel the buzz from God Keras really strongly.
When I said that, the Head Priest suddenly ran off after telling his people to treat me nicely. I thought he was a cold guy, but I guess he listens when it matters.
The priests he left behind seemed confused, but they brought me some fancy tea and snacks. When I tried to talk to them, they backed away. They looked at me like I was something scary, but whatever.
The sweets were made with flour and sugar and baked like hard cookies. They were tough enough to wear out your jaw.
They were shaped with molds, with pretty flower patterns, maybe lilies. They looked better than they tasted. Maybe the flower means something, too.
This kind of temple snack is okay as it is, but it could be way better with just a bit of effort. If it were me, I’d cut back on the sugar, toss in baking powder and walnuts. I wonder if they have baking powder in this world. Maybe a baker would know.
The tea was real green tea—super expensive. I heard one country keeps all the tea trees, so tea costs a ton. I wonder if a summoned hero could bring a tea seed here. That would be nice. But I bet that almost never happens.
While I sat there sipping tea and thinking, the Head Priest came running back.
”I heard the voice of the god! I got a divine message from God Keras! I was wrong!”
He was way too excited. I mean, didn’t he just leave, like, an hour ago? Did he take a nap?
His clothes smelled super strong—like medicine. Some of it was clearly a drug, like lotus weed. Now that I think about it, the temple has a room that burns incense for prayer. Maybe he breathed in something weird and saw stuff?
”I swear, I’ll help you with all I’ve got, Your Excellency! God Keras told me so! I really heard the god’s voice!”
He even knew about the new village I hadn’t mentioned yet. So it really was a message from God Keras.
Because the priest was so excited, the other priests got nervous and suddenly started treating me like some holy person.
Huh. I thought temple people would be hard to deal with. But maybe they’re easy to fool? I figured they were totally corrupt, but one little message from a god and now they’re all worshiping me.
Some even begged me for forgiveness like I was about to punish them. I bet if I sold indulgences or pardon papers, I’d make a fortune.
Nah. I could probably make it big, but I’m not doing that. Probably.
Character Notes:
• Raoh – Pakkyamara. An infamous, scheming, but somewhat incompetent senior adventurer known for meddling with hero summoning rituals; often gets beaten up as a result. The one who want japanese food.
• Miss Floria – Elegant, silver-haired noblewoman in her 40s, referred to as an ‘older sister’. Judge of the Supreme Court and Baroness. Former tutor of Princess Auroora. Initially stern but warms up, showing a playful side. Close with Ms. Nina (Princess Auroora’s doll copy), treating her like a sister. Trustworthy and explains legal matters clearly.
• Keras – God of Purification in this world. While not directly involved in the narrative, Keras is referenced through the High Slime, a noble being that serves as a servant of the god. The High Slime is summoned by the protagonist due to their connection with the earth spirits and their status as a spirit vessel. A figure who purified the cursed old Toyata Village, making it a viable relocation site.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply