LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 715
A few days had passed since the war that determined the fate of the world ended, but the continent was still in a state of chaos.
However, it was a pleasant kind of chaos. They were victors of the war, after all, living in a miraculous era.
The Holy Land, at the center of the war and still undergoing restoration, was no different.
Despite losing most of their homes, the people of the Holy Land wore smiles every day.
They had no doubt that things would get better.
How could they doubt it? Gods who descended from the heavens were gathered and contemplating how to restore the Holy Land.
“Ganshu, what do you think of this design? I put a lot of thought into it.”
“You thought hard for a crow, huh? Did you incorporate the harmony of religions through various colors?”
“Yes! I think this would fit well in the new Holy Land!”
“That’s enough of your opinion. Teravis, what do you think from the perspective of the god of architecture?”
“I want to say ‘who cares about realism,’ but it’s too nice a design to give up. I’ll think about it.”
As the god of architecture crossed his arms and murmured, the goddess of beauty and art got up with a bright smile.
“Then can I leave now?”
“Can you? There are still many buildings to be constructed, and there are spaces only you can create. Where do you think you’re running off to?”
“It’ll only take a day! Please let me go! It’s something I have to do!”
“If it’s related to Lord Jushin’s paintings, can’t you just leave it to your apostle?”
“I want to see it myself! I want to!”
People from other religions who followed these gods came to the Holy Land of the Jushin Church, working with fervor as if this were their own territory.
They couldn’t honestly say they got along, and at one time, some of them had been bitter enemies. But now, both the Jushin Church people and those of other faiths respected each other.
They stood on the same battlefield, following the intentions of the Apostle of God, the great Daughter of Lord Jushin, the savior of the continent.
‘He said that the continent must harmonize now. To prevent future disasters that may come again, we must break the chain of hatred and become one.’
In the midst of war, they felt the bond of humanity despite believing differently, and those who found enlightenment through the Saintess’s preaching extended a handshake instead of accusations.
If Lucy had heard that sermon, she would’ve cursed about when she ever spouted such nonsense, but so what?
Lucy would surely scream that her reputation had risen again, but considering it was the price for the miracle of religious harmony, it was a fair exchange.
If only she didn’t think about how she might feel about it…
‘Her tone was somewhat aggressive, but Lucy’s true feelings were probably akin to this. So I’m not distorting the will of God.’
‘Then it’s okay to report it to the Apostle as-is, right?’
‘…I apologize. I was boasting.’
The cardinal Johan, recalling the saintess who had shrunk back after boldly committing the wrong, smiled lightly and headed towards a building at the edge of the Holy Land.
Inside the tower erected solidly on the ruins, a sinner deserving of the church’s shame was imprisoned.
“What brings you here?”
The man, once called Pope, had lost all his former confidence.
Where once there was flesh that invited warmth, now there was only bone and skin.
His once doubting eyes now trembled weakly, and his robes, always white, were soiled with dust and soot.
“I have something to tell you.”
“Is that to me? I don’t know what you plan to say, but go ahead and spill it and then leave.”
The man, rejected by the god he had faith in, simply wished for death. He would gladly fall into hell if only his very being would burn away and cease to exist.
However, the powers bestowed by Agra remained intact, even on the land where the Evil God had vanished.
He had to walk the earth without even being granted death.
A reality more cruel than the time he had to stay on the land alone after the Age of Myth ended.
“You are mistaken.”
“Yes. I am mistaken. That’s why I’m here.”
“I’m not just telling you that your plan was wrong. I’m saying the very church you led was wrong.”
The man wasn’t merely a part of the church for a few years. For hundreds of years after the Age of Myth ended, his shadow had always loomed over the church.
“From now on, everything you’ve created will be denied. From the grand structure to the tiniest details. You will have to witness all of it from here.”
“That may be so. I’m an idiot who didn’t understand even a part of the words of the gods.”
Seeing the man’s dull reaction, Johan stood up from his seat.
No matter what more he said here, it wouldn’t reach his ears.
This man was a being who had become mummified in a distant past.
What would he realize if he cursed the one who had lost the end and was destined to live forever as a child?
A child who could not grow could do nothing but remain trapped in their dreams forever.
“Then let me just express my gratitude before I leave.”
“Are you speaking to me?”
“Yes. Because you sent me to Allen’s territory, I was able to meet the Apostle.”
“…”
“I think you intended to keep me away from central politics, but I was saved because of it.”
Before Johan could deeply bow in gratitude, the man suddenly stood up and grabbed the bars of the cage.
If it had been a few days ago, the bars might have easily crumbled, but the man, who had lost everything due to the multiple gods, couldn’t even shake them properly.
“If you had been a little more of a proper human, you might have been able to be saved like me. The Apostle of God is indeed a very merciful person.”
If the man had truly yearned for salvation, the Apostle of God would have gladly lent a hand to him.
However, the man had rejected the hand of salvation, captivated by his own belief that he was right.
“But now there won’t even be a chance for that. You have forsaken your own salvation. Please just acknowledge that.”
The Pope, having finished his words, ignored the shouts coming from behind and stepped outside.
Beneath a cloudless sky, only the laughter of people could be heard.
Just as one person had hoped.
*
Awakened by the sound of birds chirping, I drowsily looked around and rang the bell.
As if waiting for this moment, the door opened, revealing Erin and several maids.
“Hello, Erin.”
“…Did you sleep well?”
“Yeah. I had a nice sleep for the first time in a while. Maybe because I had fun talking yesterday?”
As I laughed brightly, Erin slightly blushed and cleared her throat before continuing.
“Today, the Apostle of the Arts Church will be visiting. So, we plan to prepare even more thoroughly than usual.”
Yawn. “Do we have to? I’m pretty already without all that!”
“It’s the first portrait that you three will be painted together. You need to be so beautiful that people forget to breathe the moment you walk through the door.”
I hope my worth will be lower, but as I felt that familiar burden of attention creeping back again, I grumbled lightly.
Erin skillfully ignored my complaints and put great care into every detail.
After the maids who came with Erin gasped and held their breaths, I was finally freed and headed toward the dining room.
“Hey.”
“You.”
Then, I stopped at the sight of Mom and Dad exchanging unbearably embarrassing glances across the table.
“…Uh. L-lucy?!”
“Oh my! Lucy, are you awake?”
“You look so beautifully done up! It’s almost too good to share with anyone else!”
“Yeah. Anyone seeing Lucy now would definitely fall in love.”
Silently staring at them, they began to stammer and pour out words in a flurry of surprise.
Seeing this, I quietly turned my feet back.
I may be naive, but I won’t interfere to that extent. They just got closer, and I wouldn’t ruin that!
‘Hmm, Grandpa. Is it possible that a younger sibling may be on the way?’
[The children of Lord Jushin can’t coexist on the land...]
“What are you talking about! Lucy!”
The moment I jokingly tossed that question to Grandpa, Mom’s face turned as red as her ear, and she yelled.
Oh, no way.
“Mom, are you reading my mind?”
“…Ah. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that that mace contains my power.”
“Oh, I see.”
Well, since Mom is Lord Jushin, it wouldn’t be strange.
Wait a minute. If Mom can read my thoughts…
With a mischievous smile, I spoke in my mind to Mom.
“But Mom, why do you act innocent knowing everything?”
“Y-yes!? W-what do you mean?”
“Hehehe, you must have really enjoyed last night with Dad, enough that you can’t forget!”
“Lucy! Please stop!”
“Or maybe what happened yesterday?”
“Th-that’s enough!”
Mom, turning as red as a tomato, looked as if she would cry if I teased her even slightly.
What to do, what to do. I want to tease her just once.
Though I knew I shouldn’t, I couldn’t help but feel my mouth itch.
“Mira, why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“Ahaha! It’s umm… nothing! Yes! Right, Lucy?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing. Just thought Mom seems to really love Dad.”
“Umm… is that so?”
Dad looked a bit flustered, while Mom lowered her head in embarrassment. I couldn’t help but laugh at them from the outside.
This moment with the three of us felt so nostalgic and warm.
Sniff.
I couldn’t hold back the tears streaming down my face.
Hic.
“Lucy!?”
“Did I shout? I’m sorry! Lucy! Mom was wrong!”
Oh no, I intended to make Mom cry, but now I’m the one tearing up.
“What do we do!?”
“L-lets wipe the tears, and then…”
While the two of them panicked, I was wiping my tears and couldn’t help but notice how foolish they looked.
It felt too funny to laugh, and I couldn’t hold back the sudden urge to cry, so as they frantically sought help from others, I opened my arms wide and hugged them both.
I couldn’t fully embrace them since one of them was a bit too big for nothing, but I hardly cared.
All I needed were the warmth of those two.