Chapter 59

"Well, do you dislike God?"

"No, that's not it, I don't mean to say that..."

Damn. It seems my reluctance and desire to leave were still visible on my face. I don't know how Evroy interpreted it, but it certainly wasn't positive. With a slight smile, he asked about my religious beliefs.

I don't follow any specific religion. To put it simply, I'm non-religious.

That said, I don't intend to mock those who are devout. Religion is a respectable part of culture and provides a spiritual anchor for many people.

For me, it's just that a sword is more worthy of my faith than the uncertain element of a deity.

"Does Beryl know about the Sphen religion?"

"Sure, at least the name."

Lucy asks for confirmation.

I know the name of most religions that aren't extremely obscure, as part of general knowledge. This is especially true for the Sphen religion, which has a significant following.

The Sphen religion.

I don't know the details, but I remember it as a religion that worships the one god, Sphen.

Its origin is not in the Reberis Kingdom but in the neighboring country of Sphenyardvania.

The Reberis Kingdom, which has vast territory in the northern part of the Garea continent, shares borders with two countries.

One is the small country of Sphenyardvania, located to the southeast of the kingdom.

This country, though small in territory and not as powerful as the kingdom, is a religious state that upholds the Sphen religion as its national religion. Most of its citizens are Sphen believers. I have one acquaintance who is a Sphen believer. I wonder what they're doing now.

The other is the Salyua Zark Empire, which spreads to the southwest.

This empire has more territory than the kingdom, but about half of it is desert, in stark contrast to the kingdom.

The Salyua Zark Empire is an empire, and there is a history of conflict with the kingdom. However, I hear that they now have a relatively peaceful relationship. Of course, I don't know the details.

So, these two countries border the Reberis Kingdom.

There are certainly more lands and countries to the south of these two, but I don't know much about them. I probably won't leave the Reberis Kingdom in my lifetime, and I can live without knowing.

Adventurers like Srena might know more about the continent. If I ever have the time, I might ask them.

"Come now, don't be so wary. I didn't come here to recruit you today."

"...If that's the case, I'm relieved."

While I was thinking, Evroy told me not to be wary. Well, I don't want to be recruited, so I'll take his words at face value.

I can't tell if the person sitting in front of me is good or bad, but at least I can tell that he and Lucy have a close relationship. So, he's probably not a bad person.

However, whether that means he's trustworthy is a different matter. The fact that he set up this meeting suggests it's not just casual conversation.

I can't just listen idly, not knowing what will come up. But I'm not going to do anything either. I can't cause a scene here, and I don't think Evroy came here to harm me.

"Remember when we caught the Nightshade? It took some effort to get him to talk, but some interesting information came out."

Here, Lucy speaks.

Nightshade, the man who deceived Mui and was punished by Lucy, was captured and interrogated in the basement of the knight's hall. I don't know what they did to get him to talk, and I don't want to know. I don't think I need to know. I want to live my life far from such a world.

"Interesting information, huh. Does that mean it involves you, Evroy?"

"Pretty much."

Logically, it would make sense.

But I can't see why a petty criminal would be connected to the Sphen religion. Even if Nightshade was a devout Sphen believer, I doubt it would be a matter for a priest to handle.

I don't know the specifics, but I can sense trouble. I don't like it.

"Let's talk a bit about us."

Taking the previous exchange as a cue, Evroy began to speak.

I don't really want to hear about the origins of religion, but there's no point in objecting now. I'll just listen quietly.

"I don't know how much you know, Beryl, but we Sphen believers worship the one god, Sphen. The 'miracle' performed by Sphen is considered the origin of our faith."

"...A miracle?"

"A magical art that heals injuries and restores physical damage."

"Evroy, is it okay to call it magic?"

"Hehe, it's easier to understand that way. I don't intend to wave a holy book at someone who isn't a believer."

Hmm. It seems the god Sphen was originally a practitioner of healing magic. Whether he was just a human or a real god, I don't know.

But a miracle. If you get to the essence, it's just magic, but the world has many ways of calling it.

In a similar way, swords are all swordsmanship, but the world is full of different schools.

"In the Sphen religion, magic and miracles are distinguished, then?"

"Exactly. I think they are essentially the same, but I can't say that in front of believers."

Hehe, Evroy laughs.

No, that's not something to laugh about. The holy book is the most important thing to those who serve the god. What a tricky priest.

"Among the miracles attributed to Sphen, there is the highest miracle—resurrection of the dead."

Evroy changes his tone slightly as he speaks.

Oh, it's getting suspicious.

I remember Mui and Nightshade also mentioned resurrection magic. That might be the connection.

It's not strange that the legend of resurrecting the dead is passed down. Legends are often like that. There are many tales in swordsmanship as well.

However, trying to perform such an unrealistic act in the modern era would bring up many issues. Legends are legends because they can't be reproduced.

"Just to be clear, the reproduction of this miracle..."

"Is impossible. It's just a part of the legend... that's my understanding."

"Right."

Well, if it were possible, it wouldn't be so difficult.

However, since Evroy is talking about it, it must be recorded in the Sphen religion's holy book. So, there must be people who believe it.

"Hmph, it's just embellishment."

"Lucy, I'm not asking you to have faith, but please choose your words carefully."

Evroy reprimands Lucy, who snorts.

Their interaction feels familiar. They must have known each other for a while. But that doesn't necessarily advance the conversation.

The crux of the matter is still to come.

"I understand that the Sphen religion's holy book contains such a description. However, I still don't see why I was called here."

That's the case.

Evroy didn't come here just to talk about the holy book. As a priest of the Sphen religion, he doesn't seem to have much free time.

There must be a reason for setting up this meeting and calling me. And it's not directly related to the basics of the Sphen religion.

"...The name of the person who was supplying the magical equipment to Nightshade and others has been revealed."

Lucy, who heard my question, spoke. Her tone was heavier than before.

"Levios Salrone. A bishop of the Sphen religion."

Another religious figure. And a bishop at that.

Well, let's assume that's true.

So, how does that relate to me being called here?

"Let me be blunt. I want to ask Beryl to capture him."

Why is it coming to this?

It's starting to smell fishy.