Chapter 220.1

I descended to the holy city of Gaelahesta, and stood in front of the main gate of Everastanzetta.

When I casually walked to the gate, it opened itself.

I entered the building and pa.s.sed through a long pa.s.sageway to find myself in a pure white circular room.

It was the Holy Throne Room, with its eight chairs.

In the center of the room stood one man, Ahid Alovo Agartz the oracle.

I was expecting your arrival, Anos Voldigoad the Misfit. (Ahid)

Ahid greeted me with a calm expression on his face, as if he had antic.i.p.ated everything.

Answer me carefully. (Anos)

I looked straight at him and spoke up.

Was it your decision to invade Azesion? Or was it the decision of your whole country, Jiordal? (Anos)

I took three steps in his direction.

Depending on your answer, I might destroy your country. (Anos)

No, it was neither my decision nor the countrys. (Ahid)

Ahid shook his head with an innocent look on his face.

The only reason we sent dragons on the surface was to answer the pleas of King Lycius of Gairadite. King Lycius invited his people to ascend to the G.o.ds and be reborn as the divine people of the draconids through consecration.

With his perfectly clear eyes, Ahid smiled thinly.

The sanctimonious King Lycius extended his mercy to his people and implored G.o.d for their salvation. (Ahid)

Youve got a lot of nerve to say that after tricking him with lofty dreams like royal authority and eternal life. (Anos)

Ahid looked down at me with pity.

I would not expect an heretic like you to understand. (Ahid)

That fool of a king is free to believe whatever he wants. But what right does he have to impose his beliefs on his people? Forcing salvation upon those who dont share your faith is nothing but evil. (Anos)

With a look of enlightenment on his face, Ahide replied.

I told you once before, and I will explain it to you as many times as it takes. The people of Azesion have faith in our Lord. The holy sword blessed by the G.o.ds is the one that chose the Hero Kanon. They wors.h.i.+p and believe in him. And Evansmana was blessed by the hands of the Almighty Radiance Equis. Therefore, by having faith in the Hero, they have faith in the Almighty Radiance. (Ahid)

I am shocked and appalled. Not even a child would be fooled by such fallacy this late in the game. (Anos)

As if to admonish me, Ahid said in a gentle tone.

It appears you are still incapable of coming to faith, heretic. Those people did not believe in the Hero, but in the Almighty Radiance Equis. They were dedicating their faith to G.o.d all along. They just never realized it. (Ahid)

He said these words with a calm face, as if it were a matter of course.

King Lycius, who was initiated into the faith of Jiordal, had an epiphany, and realized that humans were qualified to be reborn as divine people. The G.o.ds will grant salvation whether you wish for it or not. The people of Azesion will receive it without realizing it. It is by no means a misfortune. (Ahid)

Hmm. In short, what youre saying is that whether they want it or not, youll let the dragon devour and destroy humanity. Is that it? (Anos)

Without a word, Ahide closed his eyes.

It is not destruction, but salvation. (Ahid)

Arcana was right, youre an irredeemable man through and through. No wonder even your own Selection G.o.d is so sick of you. (Anos)

He responded with a smile, but once I looked into the abyss of his eyes, I could see the sharpness in them.

If Misha had been here, she wouldve clearly described it as irritation.

Im sure you can at least tell the outcome of the battle that took place on the surface, right? The dragons you unleashed are sealed in a barrier, unable to move. The humans of Azesion risked their lives to fight against that salvation of yours. They dont want any of it. (Anos)

No. It was neither by the humans will nor power that the dragons were neutralized. It was by the G.o.ds guidance. Everything is paving the way to salvation. (Ahid)

Ahid quietly closed his eyes and acted as if he was listening to something.

Of course, there was no sound in the air.

A divine message has arrived. It concerns your companions in the royal castle of Gairadite. Misas heart is being delivered to the G.o.ds by the hands of the Keeper of Emotion. The moment the Hero Kanon draws the Sword of Three Races, it will be returned to the G.o.ds. Judgment will fall upon Kanon, who took the power of the G.o.ds for granted, and he will depart for the heavens. (Ahid)

Grasping the Selection Pledge Jewel with his left hand, Ahid prayed.

And so, a lone dragon will appear and lead the people of Azesion to the G.o.ds. (Ahid)

What a load of nonsense. (Anos)

Ahid stopped praying and looked at me.

And what, pray tell, is nonsense to you? (Ahid)

You know nothing about the Hero Kanon from two thousand years ago. (Anos)

I do from the divine messages. (Ahid)

I laughed at his words and confronted him with mine.

Basically, you only know of him from hearsay. (Anos)