Chapter 31

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"---W-wait, my son! We are family, aren't we?! Let's talk about this!"

"Shut up and dieeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

"Kyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!"

A deathly scream echoed through the luxurious lord's mansion. Once again, several heads were severed, and a new lord was born for each one.

A few days after the party in the Baybaron territory, the Kingdom of Gnothia was in turmoil. The boys who had been brainwashed and modified by Rize returned to their respective territories and brutally killed the current lords, their fathers or older brothers, and forcibly seized the family leadership.

Of course, the lords tried to counterattack, but the boys who had incorporated the 'Dragon Factor' were invincible. Their strength and magic power were multiplied, and the hatred that Rize had unleashed burned within them. Resistance and pleas for mercy were utterly meaningless. This was the inevitable end for those who had neglected their younger sons.

Thus, as the noble society began to show signs of collapse due to Rize Baybaron's tyranny, changes also occurred among the common people.

"---People, worship the Creator God Demiurgos!"

"The existence of the goddess Sophia is a mere illusion created by the royal family! The true god does not create people above others!"

"Magic is a gift given to guide people with love! Come, everyone, have faith in the God Demiurgos!"

The black-clad figures shouting loudly on the streets. The 'Demiurgos Religion,' which declared that "using magic for the people is the true nobility," spread rapidly, in stark contrast to the Sophia Religion, which preached that "magic is a divine power given only to the nobility and should not be used to appease the commoners."

Naturally, the common people welcomed this. If magic could improve their lives, they had no objections. The doctrines of the Demiurgos Religion were incredibly appealing to the common people, who had never been particularly interested in the Sophia Religion. Furthermore, as the new lords began to support and practice the doctrines of the Demiurgos Religion, people converted to the new religion one after another.

Thus, the times began to change. The relationship between the nobles and the common people, which had been like that of masters and livestock, began to transform into a new form where they shared the same faith and united their hearts. The people genuinely revered the new lords who used magic to help them, and the young lords, who had been neglected by their families, found joy in the people's gratitude, spreading smiles across the land. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. Centered around the Demiurgos Religion, the country began to change from the regions.

Naturally, the high priests of the Sophia Religion, who had received large donations from the former lords, protested. However, they soon mysteriously disappeared, and the Demiurgos Religion spread its influence without any obstacles.

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"---H-hold it! Do you think you can do this to us, the apostles of Sophia?!"

"The wrath of the gods will fall upon you!"

...Deep in the underground of the Baybaron territory, in a chapel built in the depths where no light reached, the priests of the Sophia Religion were imprisoned. They struggled to escape, but the rough ropes binding them to the wooden chairs did not budge. Instead, every movement scraped their skin, and blood seeped through their pure white robes.

At their furious state, a delicate silver-haired sister smiled softly.

"Hehehe, it's been quite some time since we kidnapped you, and yet, no divine punishment has fallen. When will the God Sophia come to your rescue? Tell me, Alicia?"

"Y-you... you little brat...!"

The priests, facing the blue-eyed girl, Alicia, the leader of the Demiurgos Religion, whose eyes were filled with mockery, twisted their faces even more.

"Enough of your arrogance, heretic! We know about the Demiurgos Religion. You were a small, persecuted religion in various regions!"

"For half a year, we heard nothing about you, and we thought you had finally perished! But you're still causing trouble!"

"Do you think you can defy us, who belong to the state religion, the Sophia Religion?! King Yaldabaoth will not tolerate such acts!"

The priests, spewing angry words, were supported by their position of being "protected by the royal family." Especially King Yaldabaoth, a fervent supporter of the Sophia Religion, had granted the priests power equal to that of the nobles during his reign of about a hundred years. Their inflated self-esteem allowed them to speak boldly even in this situation.

"King Yaldabaoth is a great ruler who prioritizes the peace of the country. He will soon realize this abnormal situation and send a large number of knights to rescue us!"

"Then your Demiurgos Religion will be finished! Girl, release us now!"

To such priests who still believed they were in a superior position, Alicia sighed deeply.

"...All you've been saying is 'the gods, the king.' Are you babies who can't do anything on your own?"

"W-what did you say, you...!?"

Alicia's words enraged the priests, but their angry shouts did not last long. In an instant, a silver knife flashed in Alicia's hand and pierced the throats of the priests.

"Gah, gahhhhhhhh!?"

"Kiiiiiiii! Gah...!?"

The priests, spitting blood bubbles from the wounds, writhed in agony. Muffled screams echoed through the underground chapel.

"Hehe... If you move too much, the wounds will widen, and your breathing will stop completely, you know?"

As the priests, deprived of their ability to speak, grew quiet, Alicia smiled gleefully. She played with the knife she had somehow obtained and spoke calmly with dead eyes.

"...You're right, the Demiurgos Religion was a small, persecuted religion. Unlike the Sophia Religion, which was protected by the king, we were chased like vermin by the country. I had to learn a few killing techniques to survive.

"Ah... I couldn't tell my followers, but I regretted being born as the daughter of a Demiurgos Religion leader. I resented my parents, who were killed shortly after giving birth to me, and I hated the God Demiurgos, whose existence was uncertain."

Doubting the existence of a god was a grave sin for someone who led a religion. The pressure of leading believers at a young age in a persecuted heretical religion had driven her to the brink.

But now, Alicia could confidently declare that there is a god in this world!

"But one day, I met someone! Rize Baybaron, a kind, wise, and wonderful person!

"He accepted our existence as the Demiurgos Religion, even though he was a noble. He gave us a church, the freedom to preach, and the most exciting and enjoyable days! That's why I'm extremely grateful to the Creator God Demiurgos! Because he created the wonderful Rize in this world! My faith is overflowing! I will dye all of humanity in the Demiurgos Religion as a sign of gratitude!"

"Wh-what...!?"

The priests, who had been trembling, were horrified by Alicia's sudden shift from dead eyes to a maniacal smile. This woman was clearly insane. While there were occasionally such individuals among believers, it was far too dangerous for a religious leader to be driven by madness.

The priests, breaking out in cold sweat, shuddered at the mention of 'Rize Baybaron.' "What is he thinking, supporting a deranged religious leader?!"

Madness is contagious, especially when combined with faith. The priests vividly imagined the Demiurgos Religion's followers joyfully committing acts of terror for the sake of preaching.

"---Ah, no doubt. Rize is using this insane woman to dominate the country!"

That was the only conclusion they could draw. Supporting a mad religious leader could only be the work of a great evil or an ignorant child. They were certain it was the former.

Smiling, Alicia pulled out several syringes from her ample chest.

"Hehehe, it's time for surgery! I've mixed several drugs that I think will affect the mind, so let's turn you into good little boys, shall we? To be loved by Rize, whom I love more than any god, Alicia will do her best!"

"St-stop... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop it... stop