Chapter 15 of the Weapon Replicator of the Academy

Section 3: Fate Manipulation (6)

"Is this it...?"

Aster and his party stopped, facing forward. In front of them stood a massive statue.

The statue appeared both feminine and masculine. It seemed to be smiling, yet also looked sad.

The statue's eyes glowed, and a voice, as if emanating from within, echoed.

[Well done, adventurer.]

The voice was dry and monotonous.

[Tell me the name of the deity you believe in. I am the administrator of truth and the mediator of the world. I will grant you the honor of meeting your deity.]

"This is the sanctuary," Quinie said.

The dungeon's interior was now bathed in the light of the sanctuary.

"You should go, Aster. You're the only one here with divine power."

Aster nodded and stepped forward.

[Tell me the name of the deity you believe in.]

Beneath the statue, which looked down majestically, Aster whispered softly.

"Baldr."

As Aster spoke, the statue's light grew even brighter. When it became too bright for Aster to see, the light dimmed, and a human-like figure appeared.

The figure was enormous, with a body so transparent it was almost ghostly, allowing one to see through to the other side. Yet, it exuded a holiness far beyond that of any ghost.

Baldr, the god of light, justice, and purity.

With white hair and a face carved from beauty, he slowly opened his eyes.

Baldr, as if residing within the statue, descended and looked at Aster.

[Aster Evans.]

Aster was surprised.

He hadn't expected Baldr to know his name.

"It is an honor to meet you, Baldr."

[Indeed. It is also an honor for me to meet the hope of humanity.]

"The hope of humanity?"

[Yes. Haven't you already begun to realize it? Your talents and power. The weight you must carry.]

Aster involuntarily swallowed.

The divine power he received from Baldr, his own talents, and his influence.

Aster had felt, while spending time in Constel, the role he was meant to play.

But hearing it directly, especially from a deity, was a different matter.

[The power of this sanctuary allows for only a brief conversation. Aster Evans, what do you desire?]

Aster thought for a moment. But he had only one goal from the start.

"I desire power. The power to protect everyone, the power to drive away the monsters."

Aster's words earned a nod from Baldr.

[That is like you, Aster.]

Then, a cluster of light extended from Baldr, gradually gathering around Aster, who felt his divine power enhance beyond anything he had experienced before.

[Aster Evans.]

While Aster was feeling the power within him, Baldr spoke.

[Aster, be wary of Phrondeir de Roach.]

"What, what does that mean-"

Before Aster could finish, Baldr's form began to dissipate, turning into the light of the statue.

Aster turned to look at Quinie and Jane. They also seemed confused.

"..."

Jane looked around, sensing something was off.

There was a problem.

Nothing had changed.

"The dungeon hasn't been cleared...?"

They had reached the sanctuary, the destination of this dungeon, and met a deity, yet the dungeon remained unresolved.

For the dungeon to revert to its original cave, Phrondeir and Cybel needed to be safe.

"Uh, what should we do? Teacher?"

"Let's head to the exit first. Reaching the sanctuary means the exit is close. We'll leave the dungeon and contact Constel and the surrounding authorities."

"Yes!"

The three quickly moved forward.

* * *

I collapsed, drained of energy. This mana exhaustion is something I can never get used to.

Kneeling with both hands on the ground, I still tremble. My body convulses.

"...It's not over yet."

I clenched my teeth and stood up.

In the distance, I saw Cybel lying on the ground.

It would be nice if the poison affecting Cybel disappeared when Slev died, but that's not how it works.

The poison is still slowly seeping into her body.

By the way, I stored Slev's dagger in the 'Workshop.'

This monster, which increased its danger level with just one weapon, should be useful.

I walked towards Cybel. Now I have to carry her out.

By now, Aster's party should have reached the sanctuary and are probably confused because the dungeon hasn't been cleared.

This dungeon is one of the unsolved dungeons of Etius.

Even if Aster meets a deity in the sanctuary, the dungeon remains unresolved.

Gamers have tried various methods, but the dungeon has never been cleared.

So I can't expect this dungeon to turn into an ordinary cave.

I'll just have to get out.

"Huff."

I took a deep breath and picked up Cybel.

...She's incredibly heavy.

If it were Phrondeir's usual body, it wouldn't be a problem, but Cybel's paralyzed body is completely limp, and I'm in a state of mana exhaustion.

It must feel like this when you're exhausted and dehydrated and try to carry something.

Let's go.

I tried to mutter, but couldn't even make a sound.

* * *

Cybel slowly opened her eyes.

She felt as if she were floating in gentle waves. But soon, she realized she was being carried on someone's back.

"...Phrondeir."

Cybel tried to call out, but no sound came. Her body was powerless, unable to move a single finger.

Still paralyzed.

"...Is opening my eyes a stroke of luck?"

Her body felt no discomfort.

Cybel, unaware of the severity of the poison, managed to remain calm.

The scene before her eyes suggested they were still in the dungeon.

"...Huff... Huff..."

Phrondeir's voice sounded tired.

"He looks exhausted."

Phrondeir's back was broader than she expected.

Solid muscles and a strong frame.

He always seemed weak and lazy. He is a man, after all.

"...Heavy."

Bad guy.

"Ouch, a rock in my shoe."

Phrondeir's body swayed but he regained his balance.

Seeing how difficult it was, Cybel decided to think positively.

After a while, Phrondeir stopped.

Thinking he might be tired, she noticed the dungeon was getting brighter.

This wasn't the light from outside. It was a sacred aura, materialized.

"...This is the sanctuary."

Cybel realized.

She had heard that some dungeons have a sanctuary as their final destination.

A precious place where one can meet their deity and amplify their power.

"This is the destination."

The statue spoke.

[Well done, adventurer. Tell me the name of the deity you believe in. I am the administrator of truth and the mediator of the world. I will grant you the honor of meeting your deity.]

"Phrondeir doesn't have divine power, though."

But if this is a sanctuary, saying the name of any deity could grant a meeting. And if he's lucky, he might even receive divine power.

"Which deity will Phrondeir choose?"

Curious, Cybel perked up her ears.

"I..."

Phrondeir spoke.

"I don't believe in any deity."

"Huh?"

Cybel doubted her ears.

The statue simply asked.

[Why is that?]

The statue is called the administrator of truth because it can discern the deity a person believes in.

Thus, naming a different deity before the statue is meaningless.

The statue knew from the moment it saw Phrondeir that he didn't believe in any deity.

"He doesn't believe in any deity?"

A shocking statement to Cybel.

Most people in this world don't receive divine power, but not believing in any deity is a different matter. How can one not believe in deities that clearly exist?

"Then, what he said during the Mistletoe incident?"

- I've never been afraid of such things.

Was that just bravado, or did he really not believe in deities?

"I believe in humanity."

"!"

Those words settled in Cybel's heart.

Each word Phrondeir spoke layered upon the last.

"I believe in the will of humanity. I believe in the days they build with all their strength. There is no place for deities in that."

Those words were so dangerous that if someone from the church heard them, they would label him a heretic.

But to Cybel, those words were like a strong wind. A wind that peeled away the fates that enveloped her.

"Today becomes tomorrow. I believe in this simple truth."

Phrondeir's words cut into Cybel's heart like a blade.

...Was it like that?

Was it like that for me too?

She felt ashamed of herself for no reason.

"I don't believe in any deity."

Cybel, the one destined to be loved by fate.

That love was like a cradle, so comfortable and peaceful.

It seemed to lead her swiftly to her grave.

"I don't believe in fate."

That final statement resonated in her heart, leaving a lasting echo.

* * *

I didn't feel good while answering.

Partly because of the mana exhaustion, partly because I was carrying Cybel, but mostly because the whole exchange felt meaningless.

The sanctuary, which grants the opportunity to meet a deity to those with divine power, had no meaning for me. It would be useful for Aster.

[You don't believe in any deity. Is that true?]

Why keep asking pointless questions? You already know I don't have divine power.

Is not believing in deities different from not having divine power? Does it seem strange in a world where de