“You… don’t you understand your position? The one asking questions now is… wait, how are you able to stand? You’re in the Seal of Magic and the Divine Barrier of Kamui…”
So this red-patterned carpet under my feet, as I thought, it’s that kind of thing.
It felt similar to the barrier magic that Grellod used.
When I quietly channeled my cursed energy into it, it started to dissolve. Good.
“Hey…! Why are you able to stand!? Obey the command! Kneel!”
Oh, is it bad if I just act normally?
Hmm, alright then…
“Ugh, kuh…”
“Oh, good, he’s kneeling…”
The old man looked relieved.
Nice, this is the result of my acting skills.
Now, from here…
“What… what is a god?”
“What did you just say?”
And here, I deploy the technique: Heian Edict Cursed Speech.
“‘I declare to all present, listen to my words, and reflect on the god within yourself.'”
Skill ‘Cursed Energy Erosion’ is now interfering with the Divine Barrier of the Seven Gods placed within the cathedral. All checks succeeded. Mental corruption from the gods and brainwashing from high priests have been nullified. The divine protection within the cathedral has been breached, and the effect of the ‘Heian Edict Cursed Speech’ is now active on all humans inside.
“Hey, why don’t we hear what this kid has to say?”
“I’ve never really thought about what a god is…”
“Priest! Grant the homeless child permission to speak!”
“Woohoo! That kid might pull this off!”
The audience is getting excited.
It seems that distributing the cursed energy towards the people around rather than the priest worked.
This is the result of my daily push-up training, where I trained by evenly distributing cursed energy into a basin of water!
“You… what are you doing…?”
“‘What is a god? Priest, please answer.'”
I have to talk as if I’m resisting this barrier!
Even though it’s called a divine barrier, it’s still made of magical energy. I can interfere with it using cursed energy.
“Guh… gods are the ones above! The Seven Gods! And our great Lord Maris! They are the ones who created this world! To question them within the barrier of the gods!? You’ll face divine retribution!”
Red light runs through the patterns.
At the same time, I widen my eyes…
“Guh… no, that’s wrong. They’re just creators. They have nothing to do with my life.”
“What are you saying…? You, a homeless child… how are you able to speak now? Guards! Seize this brat—”
“‘No, you will continue to listen to me. No one will move.'”
“Ahh!”
“What… what’s happening? Wait, you… are you doing something?”
My voice, through the technique, exerts force over the surroundings.
Heh, this is a villainous move different from Curse’s.
It’s got a creepy occult-like vibe to it.
Creepy.
“The god your church speaks of is merely a ruler. A powerful fish in the same tank as us.”
“W-what… are you mocking the gods…? You homeless child… how can you speak like this… someone, shut this kid up!”
“‘No, you will listen to me until the end.'”
“Ugh, again! My mental defenses are activating…! What are you doing?! This is impossible… all mages who can use sacred magic should be under the church’s control! How can a kid like you manipulate others’ minds?!”
The church elder’s eyes were now wide with shock, trembling.
Good, I like that reaction…
This villain act, different from Curse’s, is refreshingly enjoyable.
“Does your god really wish for this? I haven’t kidnapped any reincarnated heroes, nor have I stolen anyone’s fields! Believe me! Do you honestly think the gods want this?!”
“What do you think gods are…?”
“Gods are something each person holds in their own hearts. The god is here, within me, and within you. My god has told me: I have done nothing wrong. I claim my innocence with pride!”
I have no intention of stopping.
“As I thought! You’ve been seduced by the Goddess of Death! Execution! Immediate execution! Instant death!!”
“Divine punishment!!!!!!”
Oh, the effect of the technique has worn off.
Solemn music begins to echo through the cathedral.
That strange mirror begins to shine, and everyone around me starts to prostrate themselves.
… Something feels off.
I certainly killed Grellod, but… why am I being blamed for kidnapping the reincarnated hero?
When I act as Curse, I wear a mask, so it shouldn’t be linked to me, the homeless Kasuya Takihito, right?
… Was I betrayed? By White and the others?
… Should I kill them?
They’ve grown, haven’t they!
Heh, I’m proud that they’ll eventually kill me as their villain.
“The relic of the gods has declared the execution of this boy. Not only for the crimes committed against the empire and the church but for blaspheming the gods with his filthy words! Here and now, divine judgment shall be delivered!”
The old man kneeling before me shouts loudly.
The hymn is booming, and the pipe organ shakes the atmosphere.
“Hey, isn’t this…”
“Wait, is he really going to be killed…?”
“But we can’t do anything… he’s…”
“But didn’t Lady Snow say it was different?”
“Idiot, Lady Snow is brainwashed by him!”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Aki and Natsu?”
The reactions from my classmates vary. Not that I expected much from them.
‘O mortal, with your death—’
A hand emerges from the purple mirror.
A large, semi-transparent, armored hand appears.
“Oh, the Invisible Hand of the Gods…! The Seven Gods’ body has appeared…!”
‘Pitiful homeless child… In the end, the rat did not appear. Fine, your death shall have meaning. Do not fear, your soul will nourish us. Therefore, even your death will have purpose.’
The hand is speaking!
Gross!
“Oh, such mercy…”
“Even the life of a homeless child… such a grand sight…”
The hand wraps around me.
Ah, this might be bad.
That scraping feeling…
The sensation of having my soul gripped.
‘Do not fear, now surrender your soul and life.’
“Oh, god.”
“To die as a martyr, not a sinner…”
“What mercy…”
“Seven Gods… our gods…”
“Behold, the sinner grasped by the hand of god…”
“What a divine sight…”
I’m lifted up.
The large, semi-transparent purple hand. I suppose the rest of it is beyond the mirror.
Could a god truly exist?
— Kehih—
‘!? You… no way…’
“Wait! Please wait! This trial is wrong! Aki! Let him go!”
“Hey! Snow! No, stop! Really, let’s just go home! I’ll buy you candy later— ugh, I mean, milady!! This outrageous behavior is— whoa, you’re strong!”
“Haha, uh, Haru-chan, what should we do?”
“Hmm, well, supporting a friend in what they want to do is what friends are for, right?”
Crash!!
The grand doors of the cathedral burst open with force.
Some interesting people showed up.
A carefree, beautiful boy, and a sparkling, beautiful girl.
And, dragging along a tall, blonde, handsome guy as they march confidently into the cathedral—
“I, Snow von und zu Lichte, heir to the Margrave of Lichte in the Eastern Empire, hereby object to this divine trial!!”
Her bedhead and dark circles were obvious, but still, her firm voice echoed through the cathedral, as a proper blonde beauty.
