Ch 194
『Title: What’s with the Ancient God again?』
Content: Are these guys like demons or something?
-: Are you saying Ancient is a demon? You little Yonsei University brat, you’re in trouble.
-『Author』: Ugh, why are you guys being difficult again?
-: You spoke the truth.
Why are you Ancient brats acting up again?
-: But if there are Ancient Gods, why aren’t there Yonsei University Gods?
-: Because it’s Yonsei University.
-: But seeing the Ancient Gods throwing poop around, it’s right that they’re quietly like Yonsei University Gods.
-: Do Yonsei University Gods even exist?
-: Seeing that there are only Ancient Gods, weren’t they all killed by the Seoul National University Gods?
-: Then how did the Ancient Gods survive the Seoul National University Gods?
-『Author』: Can’t we talk about our game?
-『Author』: Seriously, how are there so many Elite University Students in this trash can full of trash playing a trash game?
Why is there a Yonsei-Korea University Game all of a sudden?
-: I’m not an Ancient student?
-: I’m not a Yonsei University student either?
-『Author』: Are you not human?
-: Ancient God is not a demon?
-『Author』: Then what are they?
-: To put it simply,
Aren’t they just super old, super strong, and super crazy people?
-: You really put it simply, huh?
-: Are you an Ancient Professor by any chance?
-『Author』: No, you said it too simply, damn it.
-: But aren’t demons also roughly super old, super strong, and super crazy people?
What’s the difference?
-: If demons are very old,
Ancient Gods are super old, yeah.
They’re so incredibly old that their self is gone and only power and instinct remain.
-: It’s like seeing myself, with all the brilliance of the past gone and only desires remaining.
-: We are Ancient Gods.
✦✦✦
“So, Male’a. With that power, would what I just said be possible?”
I don’t have high expectations-
But should I ask anyway?
Charlotte’s expression seemed to convey that voice.
A skeptical expectation, you could say.
Male’a could clearly feel Charlotte’s attitude.
That the ‘Power of Advancement’ had become a more intense memory within her than the ‘revived bird’.
Surely, she thought the seed planted long ago would bear excellent fruit-
But instead, it was dying precariously.
‘Charlotte became interested in magic because of that…! Damn it! If this happens, it will be difficult for That person’s power to fully take hold-‘
Male’a had to struggle to keep the seething anger from showing on her typically relaxed expression.
To think that the vessel, which was perfect for containing the power of a great existence, would be defiled like this.
And that too, by being deceived by the lies of some ridiculous con artist!
‘Power of Advancement? There’s no way a mere mortal could do something like that!’
That’s how Male’a took Charlotte’s story.
That the Family was trying to get the Noble Lady interested in magic.
That they made up an absurd power like Power of Advancement to pique her interest.
From Male’a’s perspective, it was a nightmarish situation.
The only saving grace was-
‘It’s still salvageable!’
As Charlotte became an adult, the vessel was fully formed-
And the preparations to make her a vessel for the great existence were complete.
Even now, if she focused on Charlotte and recaptured her heart, she could recover the situation.
Having decided on that course of action, Male’a organized her thoughts and opened her mouth.
“Right? It’s impossible after all━”
“No, Charlotte.”
“Huh?”
She stops the Noble Lady from arbitrarily concluding and agreeing.
“You’re being deceived.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Think about it. That Power of Advancement. Could a human really wield such power? They’re making up things to get you interested in magic and swordsmanship.”
Male’a calmly reasoned with Charlotte.
There was no reason to get any more heated than that.
If you took a step back and looked at it from an objective viewpoint, it was obvious which side was right.
“That new Tutor is deceiving you with lies. You think so too, don’t you?”
Male’a knew how deep Charlotte’s distrust of ordinary power was.
And she knew how much she cared about herself, who had ‘revived’ the ‘baby bird,’ the symbol of that distrust.
More than anything.
She trusted her intellect.
She must already be questioning the existence of that Power of Advancement-
“I don’t think so?”
“…”
Male’a was taken aback by the firm answer, which contained not a trace of doubt.
‘How thoroughly has she been brainwashed?’
Indeed, could it be that the one who was spouting such nonsense about the Power of Advancement as if it were real had considerable Eloquence?
Charlotte seemed to have completely fallen for that Eloquence.
Male’a said, trying to hide her frustrated feelings.
“Charlotte. Don’t be like this. This isn’t like you.”
“Not like me?”
“To accept such an abnormal story without any evidence. You’re a much wiser person than that, aren’t you?”
“…”
Charlotte pondered Male’a’s words for a moment, then said.
“Is there evidence?”
“That’s what he said?”
“Rather than said… he showed me?”
“Showed you? He’s very thorough, isn’t he? He knew you wouldn’t believe him, so he meticulously prepared ‘evidence.’ What exactly did he show you as evidence?”
Male’a was treating Charlotte with an attitude of frustration without even realizing it.
But, Charlotte was the same.
“I’m not talking about evidence━ I’m saying he just showed me, literally?”
“…”
The content and context of the story were clear.
Nevertheless, it took Male’a quite a while to understand Charlotte’s words.
Because the content of those words was so far removed from the realm of Common Sense.
“He showed you that Power of Advancement right before your eyes?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“The ones who were my Magic Teacher and Swordsmanship Instructor were in the same place. And they showed a similar reaction to you.”
They showed the same reaction as you.
Male’a’s expression twitched slightly at those words.
She felt as if she was being played by that Teacher, whom she didn’t even know.
Male’a said, somewhat emotionally.
“He must have used some kind of trick. Charlotte. You know what I’m talking about, right? It’s just magic? It’s just swordsmanship? With power that couldn’t even save a small baby bird, how could that be possible?”
She touched on the most sensitive part of Charlotte.
She appealed to her memories and emotions in that way.
“…”
But-
Charlotte’s reaction, who had been thinking only about ‘Power of Advancement’ lately, was dry.
The Girl who was hurt and locked herself in a small world was gone.
Things that she hadn’t seen before began to appear in her eyes as she came back out into the World.
“But, Male’a. There’s something I’m curious about. Can I ask you something?”
“…!”
Male’a could easily guess the question that would follow.
Charlotte is thinking of questioning the identity of the ‘great power’.
‘Not now…!’
This was not the form of Interest that Male’a wanted.
She thought.
She needed something to cover Charlotte’s eyes and ears.
Like the death and revival of the baby bird.
‘Power of Advancement…’
Male’a recalled the principle of the power’s manifestation that Charlotte had told her.
Overload Mana through Resonance.
Minimize the aftermath of the overload by Enhancing the body with Blue Breath.
Maintain that state and induce a surge in power.
It was a story that youngsters who had just awakened to the theory of swordsmanship and magic would jokingly utter.
Male’a still couldn’t believe it.
A mere Mortal.
That he had achieved that with the body of a single Human?
No matter how she thought about it, it wasn’t something that could be done with the body of one person.
Unless he possessed the power of several existences within him.
Yes.
Like herself.
No.
Like That person.
Male’a recalled the Power of the great existence she bore.
The Vessel Bearer.
The power of that Ancient God.
“…Charlotte. Will you look at this?”
“…!”
Charlotte’s Eyes, looking at Male’a, were filled with Awe.
“I’m sure… only the great power we seek… can make this Power of Advancement a reality… I’m sure. That person is using tricks.”
The Follower of the Ancient God sought to cover the Noble Lady’s eyes and ears once more.
✦✦✦
The Vessel Bearer.
That name and existence were from a distant Ancient time that even history could not remember.
Male’a did not reveal that existence as it was.
Not as an Ancient, evil, and powerful existence-
But as a great existence that performs miracles.
Male’a deceived people by calling the source of her power that, and deluded them.
She deceived them into mistaking the Power of the Ancient God for a miracle.
The Power of the Vessel Bearer was well suited to that.
Vessel.
That was another word for the human soul.
The Power of the Vessel Bearer could manipulate souls at will, souls that were not her own.
She could put the souls of several people in one body-
Or plant fragments of souls in other people’s bodies and then retrieve them at will.
That was how the ‘Grey Hand’ led by Male’a performed miracles.
A few days ago.
Male’a, who had arrived in Bondales, scattered fragments of souls among the powerless commoners.
The soul of a cripple to someone.
The soul of a blind person to someone.
The soul of a harelip to someone.
In that way, many sick people were born in Bondales.
Sick people who could only be healed by the ‘Grey Hand’.
Male’a ordered her Followers to heal them.
In that way, to raise her Fame-
And to take possession of even more ‘Vessels’.
The index finger of the Grey Hand.
The Young Man, Doren, who held the next highest Status within the Group after Male’a, was carrying out Malei’s will without knowing such inner workings.
Believing that it was carrying out the will of the great existence.
Believing that he was performing miracles as That person’s agent.
“H-How…!”
That was the reason for Doren’s Confusion.
A Man who suddenly appeared had performed that miracle instead.
The cripple, whom he thought only the great existence could raise again.
He grabbed the Man’s hand and stood up from his seat.
It happened as the soul fragment of the cripple buried in the middle-aged man disappeared with some kind of power.
“W-What did you do…!”
Doren, who did not know the truth, widened his Eyes and began to Interrogation the Man.
The other brothers and sisters of the Grey Hand around Doren were buzzing.
It was the moment when the Faith that they had been instilled with by Malei, the Leader of the Grey Hand, was shaken.
The Man-
Lisir answered Doren’s question.
“I tried it, thinking that the power I have might be helpful━ I’m glad the result was good. It’s a relief.”
“I-It’s impossible!”
“Yes?”
“That person’s symptoms could only be healed by the great existence, the Grey Hand!”
“Grey Hand? Ah! I happen to be affiliated with the Grey Tower, hahaha!”
“…”
Everyone in the Grey Hand, including Doren, was speechless at that glib answer.
“Hmm?”
Just then.
Lisir carefully examined their faces.
First of all, Doren.
He was wearing an eyepatch on one eye.
In addition-
Someone else was dangling one arm down-
And someone else was leaning on a Staff to support their body.
‘Why are they all patients like this?’
As Lisir was feeling a sense of unease from them, Doren said.
“Originally, this eye! Was not in a state where both sides could not see! But! Male’a, the Apostle of the Grey Hand, healed me!”
“Only one side?”
“It is the result of my inadequacy!!! That person said! A true life has led us to the Grey Hand, and if we continue on that path━ That person will fully embrace us!”
Doren closed his eyes and moved his hands in Prayer.
The brothers behind him followed him.
“…”
Lisir looked at Doren and said.
“Excuse me, but may I be rude for a moment?”
“It’s no use!!! No one but That person can heal this eye!!! Only That person can bring back the light to my darkened World!!!”
“…I think it’s done, how is it?”
“Did you even listen to my story!? This eye can see-… Huh? I can see?”
Doren, who raised his eyepatch, muttered.
“There’s Sensation in my arm…!?”
“My legs!!! I can stand on two legs now!!!”
“Eum eum eum━ What’s going on…? What!? I’m talking!?”
“I-I can hear!!! I can hear sounds!!!”
Those who were touched by Lisir’s hand began to shout one after another.
“Oh my god…”
“What am I seeing right now…?”
“A, a God has performed a miracle…!”
The Crowd who were watching the scene right in front of them entrusted themselves to Awe.
Some even knelt down towards Lisir.
“No…”
Lisir, who had inadvertently performed a miracle, was bewildered.
‘Looking at it, it seems that person Malei played a trick, and all I did was Normalization it?’
It’s just interfering with the Plan of a Black Mage-
Or someone who deals with Unholy Power.
He said, wanting to correct people’s Misunderstanding.
“It’s not a miracle! This is just, the power I have━ well, it’s magic!”
The audience buzzed at Lisir’s words.
“Is that possible with magic?”
“If that were the case, there wouldn’t be a single disabled person in this World!?”
I’m going crazy.
Lisir muttered inwardly.
“Are you… perhaps, another Apostle of the Grey Hand…?”
Meanwhile, Doren carefully spoke to him.
Lisir thought that the origin of all these Events must be with that existence called the Grey Hand.
He looked at Doren and said firmly.
“I’m not that.”
“…!”
Doren widened his Eyes at Lisir’s appearance and said.
“I, I see…! I understand now!!!”
“Thank you for Understanding━”
“Grey Hand…! I see the great existence!!!”
“I’m going crazy.”
The brothers of the Grey Hand knelt down towards Lisir.
Those who were swept away by the Atmosphere knelt down towards Lisir.
In the midst of that.
Heynya said to Lisir with a dumbfounded face.
“Were you a God?”
“Get a grip, Heynya.”
Moment.
Doren knelt at Lisir’s feet and said.
“Grey Hand…!!! Please, will you come with us!? Male’a, your Apostle, is also eagerly awaiting your meeting!!!”
✦✦✦
“Lisir…?”
Charlotte was so flustered that she spoke her Teacher’s real name.
Suddenly, he led those who were dressed similarly to Male’a and came to the Mansion.
“Charlotte?”
Lisir was so flustered that he spoke the Noble Lady’s real name.
He followed the brothers of the Grey Hand to the place where his Apostle （?） was, and Charlotte was there.
No. No, that’s not right.
It would be right to say that his Apostle （?） Male’a is there.
Because this was Charlotte’s Mansion.
‘Was she trying to make a move on Miss Charlotte too?’
The Woman with grey Eyes standing next to Charlotte.
Lisir looked at her, and their Gazes met.
“Doren.”
Male’a said in that state.
“What’s going on?”
“That person is the one!”
“Yes?”
“That person is the Grey Hand we’ve been eagerly searching for!”
What kind of crazy Situation is this again?
“…Wait.”
At that time, Male’a’s Expression twisted.
She noticed that the state of the Grey Hand brothers was somehow strange.
‘The soul fragments… have disappeared?’
Thump!
Male’a felt the cry of Instinct.
That she had to take action right now.
“No!”
Male’a shouted.
“That person is not the existence we serve!!! Rather, they are the existence we must oppose! Get away from that person immediately!!!”
“M-Male’a-nim…!?”
Doren and the other brothers were flustered, but they followed Malei’s instructions for the time being.
No matter what the Grey Hand （?） had shown, they could not be free from her Presence as they had been with Melia for a long time.
Male’a’s Emotions swayed them.
They distanced themselves from Lisir with Caution, and before they knew it, they were hostile to Lisir.
“Miss!?”
Butler Catherine, who had arrived at the place before she knew it.
And the people of the Mansion surrounded them from afar.
“W-Wait a minute! What is this━ Charlotte! What’s going on!?”
Heynya hurriedly clung to Lisir and said.
Male’a stood in front of Charlotte and said.
“Lisir… I see. So you’re the one. The one who was trying to deceive our Charlotte?”
“Deceive…?”
Power of Advancement.
Male’a suddenly mentioned that word.
“Why don’t you show me that Power of Advancement in front of me?”
“…”
Suddenly?
What’s her intention?
Lisir stared at Male’a, trying to figure out her intention.
“…!”
At that moment.
Lisir’s Eyes widened.
“Hoo… Hoo…”
A change occurred in Male’a’s body.
Overloading Magical Power.
Breath suppressing it.
She was now Imitating the Power of Advancement.
Ancient God.
It was the result of the Power of the Vessel Bearer being manifested.
Male’a was now one body, but not one person.
Three souls of outstanding Swordsman.
Two souls of excellent Wizards.
And Male’a.
They were combining their powers to perform and control the Power of Advancement.
“Ugh…!”
Male’a gritted her teeth.
She felt that one of the Swordsman’s Vessels had broken down because it could not withstand the burden.
Then another one━ the soul of a Wizard too.
Male’a knew that each of them had ‘Vessels’ that were good enough to meet That person’s Standards.
So she couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.
That he had unleashed this power with his own power?
She was sure.
That he was using tricks without Charlotte’s knowledge.
She was going to reveal that in this place.
By doing so, she was going to erase his Existence engraved in Charlotte.
To take that empty space.
To take possession of her Vessel.
“Now, hurry up. And tell me what’s next. What can you do with this inefficient and ostentatious power?”
“…”
Lisir answered with action instead of words.
He drew his sword, wanting to carry out the next stage of the Power of Advancement.
Male’a followed him with a sneer.
At the same time, she added a new Swordsman’s Vessel.
It was the first time.
That she had abused her Power to this extent.
Cough.
Blood flowed from Male’a’s nose.
She didn’t care much.
The other person was worse.
Extreme concentration.
The signs of Fatigue became more and more pronounced on Lisir’s face.
Male’a compared his condition to her own and smiled leisurely.
Unlike herself, who still had room to spare, he seemed to have already reached his Limit.
Charlotte’s Heart must have already tilted with this-
But Male’a didn’t stop there.
She urges him on, thinking of revealing the hidden trick by driving him further.
“And?”
Mana condenses around Lisir.
Male’a added a Wizard’s Vessel.
It was easy to guess what would happen after this.
You could say the Choices have narrowed.
Male’a said, preparing to unleash simple swordsmanship and magic at the same time.
Simple, but at a higher level than the other person.
“And?”
Sword Qi rose from the tip of Lisir’s sword.
Then, a Sandstorm containing profound and unique Energy raged.
There was no trick.
Lisir’s Eyes, looking at Male’a, were somehow sparkling.
✦✦✦
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