Chapter 636: Idol

The end is approaching.

Roderick said it today as if expecting a letter.

His tone was startlingly calm.

But more disturbing was that he spoke as if Oliver knew the end was near too.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but it wasn’t.

“Why act like that? Surely you know something.”

Roderick spoke plainly, much like when he mentioned Kevin’s past.

Oliver instinctively sensed Roderick wasn’t just guessing but speaking with reason.

Although he didn’t know the details, Roderick’s solid information network made it plausible.

Oliver scratched his chin.

“…Would it be rude if I pretended not to know?”

“If you want to treat me like a fool.”

“Ah, then I won’t do that.”

Oliver quickly agreed with Roderick’s wise answer, steering the conversation toward more productive matters.

“Hmm… May I ask how you’re so sure I know about the end?”

“Because you’re a disciple of the Archive. The Archive has always been deeply involved with the end. So, naturally, the disciples would know it’s coming.”

“Is that so?”

“You didn’t know?”

Instead of answering directly, Oliver recalled when he first asked Merlin about the end.

Merlin didn’t pretend not to know about the end, but he sure didn’t seem to know much either.

Merlin certainly didn’t say they were deeply involved, like Roderick claimed.

Sensing this, Roderick asked another question.

“Huh… You really didn’t know?”

“I never had a chance to hear about it.”

“You don’t seem too surprised for someone who didn’t know.”

“Considering who you are, it wouldn’t be surprising for someone like you to be involved in the end.”

“You misunderstood. Not just a little involved, but deeply involved. For centuries, the Pater Church and the Archive have had exchanges about the end. That’s why we respect the Archive. Want to know something even more surprising?”

“What is it?”

“Some speculate that the Archive was created specifically to prevent the end. Otherwise, why would every Archive be so focused on it?”

The surprising news kept coming.

Yet Oliver listened calmly, neither shocked nor denying.

“Are you sure it’s alright to tell me such things so easily?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? You’re already backed by Armand, and you’re an Archive disciple. It’d be stranger if you didn’t know.”

Roderick was right.

It would indeed be stranger not to know.

Especially since Oliver had already talked with Merlin about the end.

Though they hadn’t discussed it deeply recently. Maybe because knowing it scared him.

“By the way, did you just call the Archive your elder?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Nothing serious, just thought it was strange… It’s rare to see a direct disciple call their master ‘elder’. Even though I’m a clergyman, I know that much. It feels a bit odd, honestly.”

Oliver recalled hearing something similar while clearing out the Contaminated Zone.

From a traditional Gaia Faction mage who had taken the Puppet’s hand.

Oliver gave the same answer as before.

“It just happened. I ended up using that title.”

“Hmm, alright then… Anyway, it’s not strange for me to tell you about the end. In fact, it’s natural. The world is chaotic enough that people are beginning to worship you as an idol.”

Roderick looked Oliver straight in the eyes.

His previously sly gaze now shone more sharply than any other Holy Knight’s Oliver had seen.

“Whether you want it or not, you’ve already been swept into the storm of the end. Well, I guess no one is truly untouched by the end. Do you understand?”

“Hmm… I understand. But truly, there are things I don’t know.”

“I’m saying you do. The point isn’t whether you’re aware or involved, but that there are people who worship you.”

Oliver said nothing.

As Roderick stated before, perception sometimes overpowers truth, and this was one of those times.

“I’ll say it again. I believe you. Why would someone backed by Armand do such things? Although, some might argue that a crafty Dark Mage fooled Armand to amass more power.”

“…”

“And what if that Dark Mage supposedly created human-like beings using trees? The misunderstanding will deepen. Those who worship you will exalt you as a true living god. Those on the opposing side will denounce you as a heretic stealing from the divine.”

“…”

“And then, what if it turns out that this Dark Mage once started a religion worshiping himself in a small town called Wineham? I wonder how many would believe that. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“…May I have some coffee?”

“Have as much as you like.”

Roderick spread his arms wide in approval.

The coffee poured out smoothly.

Oliver poured himself a cup and took a sip. The caffeine seemed to clear his head a bit.

“…After hearing what Your Eminence said, it does feel quite serious.”

“Are you not denying it?”

“Pardon?”

“The so-called chosen people. That ridiculous cult. You weren’t the one who created it, right? It was your underlings acting on their own.”

Oliver marveled again.

I didn’t expect him to know even that. He seemed to know more than he didn’t.

“Nothing to be surprised about. Information is the key to ruling.”

“Ruling, huh?”

“Why? Is there an issue?”

“Not really an issue, but isn’t the Pater Church a religious organization?”

“And who do you think draws the most power from religion? The kings.”

“…”

“The Father in Heaven granted kings the authority to rule over His children… Thanks to this theory, kings still sit in the highest places with their heads intact.”

“Did God really say that?”

Oliver asked, his curiosity genuine for the first time in a while.

He had never met God but felt that wouldn’t really be the kind of thing He’d say.

At least, not the God depicted in the scriptures.

“Who knows? But it doesn’t matter. The Pater Church, which receives God’s power, says it’s true. Perception is more important than the facts, after all.”

Roderick explained clearly and succinctly.

He made it plain that what mattered wasn’t whether God actually said it, but that the Pater Church decreed it.

It was now confirmed.

Roderick valued the Pater Church itself more than the Father in Heaven.

God and the Pater Church. They are often mistaken as the same, but they’re like night and day. Roderick had chosen the latter.

“Holy Power. The sacred power our Father in Heaven granted the Pater Church. Because of this power, nobody questions the Pater Church, and people blindly believe in it. Kings use that belief to maintain their thrones. Ruling is the real job of the Pater Church.”

“Hmm… I appreciate your honesty, but is it really alright to say such things to me?”

“It’s the same logic as the joke earlier. Who in their right mind would believe such things? Especially coming from a Dark Mage.”

Roderick spoke bluntly, spitting out the words.

So far, he had been sincere during the conversation, but now he was more sincere than ever.

“Do you take issue with my attitude?”

“No, why would I? You’ve shared your knowledge; how could I be upset? I’m thankful for your honesty.”

“You probably already guessed I’m not the most devout.”

“How did you know?”

“Ha! That was just a stab in the dark, but I guessed right. Even with the Holy Item, I have good eyes!”

Roderick pointed to his eyes as if to poke them.

He was no ordinary man.

“Since we’re on this topic, I’ll confess. I’m not very devout. But I joined the Pater Church because it stands atop the ruling power.”

“So you joined the Pater Church to rule?”

“You could say that. Do you think that’s a sin? Sacrilege? Pride?”

Roderick’s eyes sparked, but to his surprise, Oliver calmly shook his head.

“No. I don’t think I’m in a position to judge others.”

Oliver, who had dealt with the Puppet and made a deal with Unbent Knee for personal gain, answered.

Oliver had made a deal with him to ensure his own peace.

He chose not to care.

Even as they were facing a situation possibly related to the end. Just for his own peace.

A selfish act, to say the least.

So no, he didn’t feel he had the right to judge anyone.

“I’m glad to see you’re sincere.”

“I am sincere.”

“That makes me even happier. You’re a wise man to work with.”

“Pardon?”

“Most people live with the mindset of a common thief, but they expect others to live with the heart of a saint. Ignorance and shamelessness. I despise such people.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m just as ignorant and shameless… But what do you mean by someone to work with?”

“Didn’t I mention when I first came? I wanted to ask the hero of Randa for help. Join us in wiping out the Dark Mages in the central continent.”

“Isn’t that something the Holy Knights are already doing quite well?”

“Ho. Someone told you first, didn’t they?”

Roderick’s speculation was sharp, and it was true.

Oliver had heard roughly what was happening in the central continent through Walter Meyer.

The Holy Knights had entered en masse to hunt down Dark Mages. Almost to the point of a massacre.

There were many reasons, but the main one was said to be the Pied Piper.

The Pied Piper, whose activity was confined to the central continent, suddenly appeared in Randa, throwing the central continent into chaos, with all eyes on the Holy Knights and the Pater Church.

Walter claimed the Pater Church lacked the courage to confront the Pied Piper directly and instead was venting its frustration on poor Dark Mages like him.

It was hard to fully believe his one-sided claim, but it made sense to some extent.

Especially considering Walter’s genuine emotional state, and more importantly, that even the Holy Knights found the Pied Piper hard to handle. The timing was also suspicious.

In any case, you could say the Dark Mages of the central continent were like shrimp caught in a battle of whales.

“I don’t know what else you’ve heard, but what we’re doing is necessary. While some may worship you as an idol, there are also Dark Mages organizing. Gathering refugees and forming armies, and I’ve heard they’re even trying to borrow demonic power.”

“Are you sure about your investigation? From what I heard, they’re claiming they were wrongly accused.”

Roderick was likely referring to the demonic worship incident in the Kingdom of Aizen.

Oliver had heard about it through Minister Paul Carver and Walter.

They had discovered traces of a large-scale pact with demons in the Kingdom of Aizen.

Walter claimed it was all a conspiracy.

“Well… Whether it’s a wrongful accusation or not, what matters is reducing chaos in these dangerous times.”

“The outcome is important, but isn’t the process just as crucial?”

“It would be nice if everything were perfect, but that’s rarely the case. Besides, helping us would benefit you too. If you assist us, you’d prevent people from misunderstanding. There’s no god who punishes his own believers.”

“Is this a threat?”

“Neither a threat nor persuasion; I’m talking about reality. If you don’t help us, people will inevitably misunderstand.”

While Oliver didn’t like it, he could hardly deny it.

“Are you feeling this relaxed because you saved Randa and they call you a hero?”

“I didn’t think that far, but perhaps.”

“Then you’re a fool. Good deeds are beautiful but can be incredibly nasty. There’s no end to good deeds; they’re easily forgotten. The title of hero is the same. People rejoice at a hero’s birth but revel in their downfall.”

“Is that so?”

“Miserable humans get joy only from others’ downfall. Most humans are pitiful. The good deeds you’ve done and the titles they earned you won’t protect you. They’ll only bind you.”

“…That doesn’t sound like something a religious person would say.”

“I’m being truthful like a religious person. It’s just that the truth is dreadful.”

“If what you say is true, then wouldn’t it be harder for me to help you?”

“No, on the contrary, you should help me precisely because it’s the truth. I’m offering you a deal… Isn’t Armand’s backing alone not enough?”

Roderick quickly struck at the core.

Thanks to Armand, the Chancellor of Gallos and the Head Priest, Oliver was doing things most Dark Mages could only dream of.

Founding a Dark Magic faction within the Tower of Magic being one such example.

However, the situation was precarious in its own way.

Although Armand, a Head Priest, supported him, the entire Pater Church didn’t agree with it.

To be frank, Oliver’s current position wasn’t one of full acknowledgment but more like a temporary hold.

“It’s only because it’s Armand. On the flip side, that’s the limit. But if you help me, things will be different. I’ll support you too. Then it would be as good as having the entire Pater Church’s approval.”

“Is that so?”

“I hold considerable influence within the Church. And helping me would be beneficial for you too. Who would dare to blasphemously question someone who aids in purging the evil Dark Mages?”

Although Roderick’s argument made sense, Oliver didn’t react much.

It felt like I was being asked to fetch the prey to prove my loyalty, which didn’t sit well.

I wondered whether it was pride, but it didn’t seem like it.

After all, Oliver had never done anything for the sake of pride.

It was something deeper… Something else.

For example, whether it was acceptable to soil one’s hands with another’s blood to achieve one’s goals.

As a problem solver, Oliver questioned whether he had the right to say this, but it did trouble him.

Of course, he didn’t voice those thoughts.

“Is there a problem?”

“I thought this through, and it doesn’t seem like something I should decide alone. It is Armand who supports me… Did you discuss this with His Eminence Armand?”

“I’m busy and haven’t had the chance, but I’m certain he would approve. If you want, I can contact him right now.”

“Would it be alright if I contacted him?”

“You want to contact him?”

“Yes. It seems like the right thing to do.”

“I don’t mind, but you should hurry. If you delay too long, people might get the wrong idea.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be quick.”

Oliver promised, and Roderick realized he was being sincere.

The options were already limited.

With the conversation over, Roderick stood up to leave.

“Then I’ll be off for today. It’s best not to stay too long, as that could also lead to misunderstandings.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Oliver stood up and saw Roderick off courteously.

Despite his large build, Roderick responded gracefully and turned to leave, but before opening the door, he stopped and asked Oliver a question.

“Didn’t it bother you?”

“What are you referring to?”

“That I’m not very devout?”

“No, because I don’t think God would care about that.”

Oliver’s tone was closer to conviction than guesswork.

Roderick snorted with a hint of interest.

***

Thud. Thud. Thud.

As Roderick, dressed in simple priestly robes, emerged, countless eyes in the Tower of Magic turned toward him.

Though not in his Head Priest attire, the robes alone drew attention within the tower.

Roderick’s massive size and presence only added to it.

But whether that was a problem—the answer was no.

He hadn’t come to the Tower of Magic intending to hide his identity.

If he wanted to conceal himself, he wouldn’t have moved so directly.

Wearing simple priestly robes was merely a pretense of making an effort to hide.

Roderick’s true reason for visiting the Tower was to meet Xenon, or rather Oliver, in person.

To meet the one worshiped as a god in Wineham while the end was approaching.

“Did you meet him?”

A nun, standing at the far end of the corridor, greeted Roderick.

She wore a black habit covering her whole body, accompanied by Galahaut and four other Holy Knights.

The knights wore ordinary clothes, blending in more easily, but the nun stood out in her habit.

More so in the Tower of Magic.

Roderick responded to her question.

“I met him.”

“How was he?”

“Interesting, just as you said. Especially how he hasn’t fully established his beliefs yet… Maybe he really could be used as a vessel.”