Chapter 577

It is a well-known fact that the Demon King had infiltrated the temple. Even living among important people such as the Emperor, Princess, and warriors, the Demon King's wicked and evil nature was evident. The Demon King observed and learned about the Empire from the closest proximity to the most important people, even trying to subtly draw the Princess and Prince to their side. However, the Demon King's true intentions are unknown, but they caused the Gate incident to exterminate humanity. Some of the Royal Class 2nd-year students, including Ellen, were important people such as the Emperor, Vertus de Gradiaus, the warrior, Ellen Artorius, and others. Rudbich had seen the Demon King's violent and rough personality, but he couldn't say that they were evil. However, after the Gate incident, the Demon King could not be considered anything but evil. Rudbich and Rowen entered the area where the epidemic was rampant, wearing masks. The area was under control, and the guards let them pass after seeing Rowen's identification. The atmosphere was just as gloomy and depressing as in other places, but the smell of death that came with the cold air was so strong that it could actually be smelled. Guards pulling a cart were carrying emaciated corpses somewhere, and smoke was rising from the direction the cart was heading. Rudbich imagined a terrible and eerie epidemic that spread like wildfire and devoured people in an instant at the mention of the epidemic. However, there was no sign of any symptoms that looked like a sign of the epidemic on the corpses. They had simply died from a weak disease. Rudbich looked at the people who had died from a trivial disease and were being carried away on the cart with a dismal expression. Even if the people inside were not infected with the disease, they would soon die from the epidemic. This kind of scene was happening all over the Huangdu refugee village. Even if this area was purified, it was not the end. New epidemics would constantly occur, and people would continue to die from insignificant diseases until the fundamental problem was solved. "What should we do now...?" "We'll walk around the streets and pray for purification. Just follow me." "Are you sure? What if someone sees us praying...?" Rowen shook her head at the mention of the possibility of danger. "Rudbich." "Yes, priestess." "Is there anyone here who has the strength to grab my neck? Then it would be fortunate." "Ah..." "Extreme situations are rare. You probably won't have to do anything, Rudbich." Although he had experienced problems before, it was not something that happened commonly, so Rowen smiled reassuringly. Most people didn't have the strength to express hatred and disgust with violence. If there were such people, they could just grab Rowen and run away. "And I'm not singing hymns loudly either. Most people think I'm just a crazy woman muttering to herself while walking around." Rowen said this mischievously to reassure Rudbich, and he couldn't help but laugh even in this situation. But it wasn't a joke, it was the truth. Rudbich couldn't see any other side of Rowen besides the crazy woman muttering to herself while walking around. * * * There was no dazzling white light or gentle golden glow. Rowen walked around the unpurified corpses and between the shabby houses filled with coughing sounds, muttering an unknown prayer. The muttering seemed ominous if you just let it flow, but it clearly contained the contents of a purification prayer offered to the god of purity. The only thing that could be certain was that the stench that flowed out into the streets even on this cold day was disappearing. From beside him, Rowen walked carefully, reciting her prayer.

Although there may be epidemics in other areas in the future, this deadly disease in this street will surely disappear, and the sick will be healed.

-Oh, will of purity that rejects corruption, decay, and nightmares...

Rudbich suddenly felt everything was strange.

Even if it wasn't a fatal disease, so many people were dying from this epidemic.

Just one prayer.

Just one priest can make the epidemic disappear.

Why is this possible?

Is this the power and miracle of the gods?

Even if people feel betrayed and deny them, the power of the gods benefits humans to the point of absurdity.

Rudbich suddenly felt that regardless of the outcome of this situation, if humanity can survive, people will regain their faith to receive the power and grace of the gods of Tuwan and Alse.

Divine power is different from any action that uses mana as a resource.

Although the abilities that priests can exhibit may vary, divine power does not require a price.

Excluding other mysteries and psychic powers, divine power is a miracle that manifests without any cost simply by believing in something.

Why did the gods choose such a being when they can perform such great miracles in the world?

Prayer was long.

Although the area where the epidemic spread was wide, Rowen walked and prayed very slowly.

By evening, the purification of the entire area was complete. Fortunately, the work was completed without any problems.

"Now it seems to be somewhat finished... Hmm. Ah. Hmm!"

Rowen had been praying for over eight hours, so her throat was almost gone. Her voice was mixed with a metallic sound.

She had no choice but to pray for eight hours without drinking a sip of water.

She could heal her own throat, but Rowen just cleared her throat and coughed a few times without doing anything noticeable.

Rudbich looked at Rowen blankly, wondering if she always had to do this.

She stretched and yawned.

"Ugh! Ah...! Oh my, what a strange sound... Anyway, it's a relief that nothing happened today."

"Yes... Thank you for your hard work, Priestess."

"By the way..."

With slightly tired eyes, Rowen looked at Rudbich.

"What were you thinking about?"

Whether she was watching Rudbich's complicated expression while praying, Rowen asked curiously.

There was nothing special, and there was no threat.

That's why Rudbich was anxious while being with Rowen for a long time.

He saw the greatness of the gods.

And he saw the incomprehensibility of the gods.

It evokes such fear, despair, and hope at the same time.

That's what gods are supposed to be.

"The gods are so gracious... Why did they choose the Demon King?"

It is the gods of the Oda who give such great miracles without any cost. However, why did the gods choose the Demon King, who brought such great calamity and despair to the world, not just once, but twice with Als and Tuhan? No matter how much Rudbich thought about it, he couldn't understand. The gods seemed like benevolent beings, but from a larger perspective, they seemed to desire calamity even more. Like many others, Rudbich felt both grace and despair from the gods' power without cost. Rowen looked at Rudbich quietly and said, "Rudbich, the gods are not beings that we can fathom. They see what we cannot see and know what we do not know." Many arguments were made in the faith of the Great Five Gods to affirm the choice of Als and Tuhan in selecting the Demon King. The gods were not wrong. Therefore, the ongoing events would ultimately result in a good outcome according to the gods' plan. Even the Demon King's evil actions would ultimately bring good. The fact that the Demon King possessed a holy relic did not make him a righteous being. The logic was that the Demon King's arrogance in possessing the holy relic was also part of the gods' plan, and ultimately, the Demon King would be destroyed. The Great Five Gods made many arguments to say that the gods were right, but the truth was that everything was calculated, and the Demon King was only being used by the gods. The Demon King would ultimately pay the price for his arrogance and cruelty and suffer eternal torment before the gods' judgment seat. The story was that there would be a good outcome for humanity in the end, but no one knew what it was. The gods were great, so they must have a plan, perhaps an irresponsible story. "Does all of this mean that it is the gods' plan? That everything will ultimately be good for humanity... through these terrible despair and deaths?" Rudbich could not understand what kind of good outcome could be achieved or awaited through such terrible despair and death. Rowen shook her head at Rudbich's despairing words. "I don't know," she said. "What do you mean?" "I don't really know." Rowen's words were similar to Rudbich's. "Rudbich, do you believe that the gods always pursue good, or is it an action that dares to cut off the gods' will?" "Yes?" "Is there a reason why the gods should not wish for the extinction of humanity?" "W-what are you saying...?" "The world and humanity are the gods' products. Lending them strength without cost or disposing of them is also a matter of the gods' will." "Yes...? What are you talking about...?" "The gods may wish for the destruction of humanity." "!" "Believing that the gods always pursue good. No, isn't it disrespectful to believe that the gods always make choices for humanity?" "Rudbich realizes the obvious fact. In this situation. In this environment. In this reality. 'Have the gods ever said that the good they pursue is the same as the good for humans?' The priests who still belong to the Tu'an and Alse sects are clearly out of their minds."