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Infinite Mage Chapter 197: The Mercy of God (2)

Chapter 197: The Mercy of God (2)

“Chief,‍⁠⁠ I have returned.”‌‍

“I​⁠ see. The Spiral‌⁠‌ fairy, Peophe.”

“Yes.⁠​ You remember me.”​‍‍

“Of⁠ course. Since you​‌ were born a year ago, no​‌‌ other fairy has‍‍⁠ been born.”

Peophe‍⁠ felt dejected.

The‍‍ youngest of the​ seventy-two hierarchies of⁠​ fairies.

The‍​‍ reason Igirin remembered‌‍ her was only​​ that.

Fairies⁠‌‌ had female form​‌ and could not‍​ reproduce.

To⁠​⁠ maintain the species,⁠⁠⁠ they could only‍ wait for the‌​ birth of a new individual.

Peophe⁠⁠​ had been the⁠ first in almost⁠⁠‍ ten years.

“What⁠⁠ happened with the‍‍​ case of the​‌ fugitives? Were they⁠‌ Kanya and Lena?”⁠

“Yes.‌ I heard their​ confession and they‍‌​ cooperated with the‌⁠ investigation.”

“And‍ the verdict?”

“A​ reduction of one⁠‍⁠ year for both.”​

“One​ year?”

Igirin’s⁠ face showed displeasure.⁠​

Peophe​ swallowed.

She⁠​ did not doubt‍‍‌ her decision.

But⁠‍ as a beginner,⁠ she could not‍ be sure that‌ it had been‍‍⁠ a correct judgment.‌​

“You‍ are young, but⁠ you are still‌⁠ an executor of​⁠⁠ the law. I must respect your⁠ judgment. Even so,‌ I want to⁠‍ ask you something.‍‌‍ Was there external‌‌⁠ pressure?”

“No.‌⁠ It was my⁠⁠ decision.”

She​⁠‌ had been threatened‍​‍ by Shirone, yes.‍

But⁠ she could not‌ call it external‌ pressure.

She​ understood that an⁠‍‍ excessive sentence was‍ irrational, which was‍‌ why she imposed‌ one year.

Igirin‌​ looked at her‍⁠⁠ with suspicion.

A reduction of only​‍ one year for​​​ escaping to Purgatory‍⁠​ had never been⁠⁠ imposed before.

For​‍‌ a fairy barely⁠‍‍ one year old,‍ it was an‌‌‌ unusual ruling.

“Did⁠ nothing else happen?‍ I heard that‌‌⁠ heretics entered following​‌ the faithful.”

Peophe‍ hesitated.

Strictly⁠​ speaking, those accompanying⁠‍ Kanya were not​⁠ heretics, but a Nephilim.

But⁠ if she told‍​ everything from the‌ beginning, a different‌‌‍ interpretation of the‍⁠ events might arise.‍

And‍‍ that was not⁠​‌ what she wanted.⁠⁠

“I‍​ did not see​‌ any heretics.”

Igirin⁠​ waited for her‌ to add something⁠ more.

The​‍​ situation required additional​​ explanation.

But‌‌ Peophe said nothing.​⁠⁠

Igirin‌​ sighed and waved⁠ her hand.

“Very⁠ well, you have⁠‍‍ worked hard. You‌​​ may withdraw.”

“Yes.‍​⁠ Rest well, Chief.”⁠

Peophe​​‍ bowed and withdrew.‌

When​‍⁠ the door closed,‌‌‌ Igirin looked up⁠‌‍ into the air.⁠​

Then‍ she asked her⁠⁠‌ subordinate, the fairy⁠ of Truth, Mer.​

“What​ did you perceive?”‌‌

“Peophe⁠‌‌ told the truth.​‌‌ But she does​​​ not seem to​‌ have told everything.”‍

“I⁠‌ imagined as much.⁠⁠ What could have‍ happened? She is​ still at a stage where she‍ should be learning⁠‌ more. I am⁠ worried that she⁠⁠⁠ is developing such‍ a strong judgment‌‍‍ at such a young age.”

Igirin‌‌‌ rested her chin‌‌ on her hand,‌‍ thoughtful.

“Investigate‍⁠ the humans who‌⁠‌ entered Heaven following​‍ the faithful. At‌ the meca headquarters‍ there will be⁠ detailed records.”

“I⁠⁠‌ depart immediately.”

Mer​‍ replied and left⁠⁠⁠ through an opening‍‌​ in the ceiling.⁠

Igirin‌ crossed her legs‍ and rubbed the‍ space between her⁠ eyebrows.

Zone​ 73 was known⁠ for being quiet,​ free of incidents.‍​

And‍ yet humans who​‍‍ were neither faithful​ nor heretics had‍ entered there.

Her​‍ intuition, forged over⁠⁠ three thousand years,​​‌ evoked a name.‌‌‍

“Adrias⁠ Miro…”

***​‌

“Ugh…​⁠⁠ I almost died⁠‍ of fright.”

Peophe⁠‍‍ walked toward her‍⁠ house with her‍‌ body exhausted.

She⁠​ had lived a whole year; she‌‍​ should be used‍⁠ to it.

But‌‍ every time she⁠ saw Igirin, her​ body inevitably tensed.⁠‌

Especially⁠ on days like⁠​‍ today, when she‍​‌ had to make‍‌‍ decisions on her‌‌⁠ own initiative.

“Ah…‌‍ being an executor‍‌ of the law⁠⁠⁠ is also hard.”​​⁠

“Haha!​ What is hard​‍‌ about dealing with‍ the faithful? If‍‍‍ it is difficult⁠‌⁠ for you, it⁠ is because you​‌​ are incompetent.”

Peophe‍⁠ frowned when she‌‌​ heard the voice‍⁠‌ behind her.

When‍​‍ she turned around,⁠ she saw the‍ three fairy sisters​ approaching with mocking​​‍ smiles.

Before⁠ Peophe’s birth, they​​ had been the‌ youngest.

Fairies‌ had no blood‌​ relations, but since​ they had been‌‍‌ born around the⁠ same time they​‍ were called the‍‌ three sisters.

“Good‍ afternoon, seniors.”

Peophe⁠ forced a smile.​

The‌​ three frowned even⁠‌ more.

They‌ had not always⁠⁠​ had that face.​

Fairies,⁠⁠​ born from concepts,​ easily reflected their⁠ emotions on their‌‍​ faces.

Any​ fairy who spent‌ ten years being‍‌ the youngest would​⁠ end up like​ that.

“We⁠​ already heard it.⁠​ One year of⁠ punishment? You let​⁠ yourself be manipulated‍‌ by a human.‍​ We do not‍‌⁠ even need to‍‍⁠ see it to‌ know.”

“No.​ I truly thought​‍‌ it was the‍ right thing.”

“Oh‌⁠ really? Then it‌ was a truly‍⁠ stupid judgment. From‌ today you are​ officially a naive⁠‌ one. You had​​⁠ better not expect⁠‌‌ the faithful to​‍ respect you.”

The⁠ three fairy sisters‍ covered their mouths‍ and laughed loudly.‌⁠⁠

Peophe‍‍ became furious, but‌ she could not​‍‍ show it.

If​‍ she were marked‍​ by her direct⁠​⁠ superiors, she would​ suffer for her‍⁠ entire life.

And⁠ her entire life‌​‍ meant at least‌⁠ ten thousand years.‌‍‍

All⁠ she could do‍‍ was endure.

When‌​​ another younger fairy​ was born, they‍ would stop bothering​ her.

“Anyway,⁠ do it well.‌⁠ Before, they would‍ not even have‌​​ allowed someone like​ you to be⁠​​ an executor. Since⁠​ lately no concepts‌ are being born,⁠ they are giving⁠​ you this opportunity.​‌​ Squeeze more out⁠⁠ of the faithful!”⁠​​

“I‌ am doing it.”‌

“Doing‍‌ what? What do‌‌ you know, you‌⁠ who have barely‌‍ been alive for‍ a year?”

Peophe​​ closed her mouth.‍‍‍

They​‌ had barely passed‍​‍ ten years, yet⁠ they still lectured‌‍‌ her.

In​‍⁠ a hierarchical society‍‌ like that of‌‍ the fairies, someone​⁠​ one year old‌⁠ had no voice.⁠⁠

“Understood?‍‌​ They must fear⁠⁠​ us. Only that⁠⁠ way do the⁠⁠‍ faithful obey. Make​ sure something like‌⁠‍ that does not​⁠⁠ happen again.”

After⁠‍‌ delivering the threat,‌⁠‌ the three left.⁠‍

Peophe‍‌‌ felt as if‍​ she had aged​​ ten years in‍⁠​ an instant.

For‍ a moment she‍⁠‌ believed she could⁠ even confront them.​⁠⁠

Of⁠⁠ course, only in‍ her imagination.

“Ugh…‌‌ I am exhausted.⁠ I want to‌ go home.”

With‌⁠ her limbs limp,‍‌ her flight wavered.⁠‌

***‌‍​

The‍‍ next morning.

The⁠‌ central plaza of‍ district 73 of​‌⁠ Shamayin, where the​ Liquor of Anecdotes‌⁠ was expected, was⁠‍⁠ agitated since early‍⁠‌ morning.

The​‌‌ meca checked the‍⁠ devices.

The⁠ nor checked the‌‌ spells incorporated into‌ the ritual.

When⁠ the kergoinos began⁠​ the rehearsal with‌​‍ the selected ones,​​ Shirone’s chest tightened.⁠‌

A rehearsal for a ceremony where people​​ die?

How⁠‍ insignificant did the‌‍‌ god of Heaven‍ consider human life?‍‌

When‌⁠ the preparations were‍ finished, the selected​⁠ ones said goodbye⁠‌⁠ to their families.⁠‌

Among⁠ them was Kanya’s​ mother.

“Mom!⁠‍‌ Mom!”

Lena’s‍⁠⁠ tears would not‍‍ stop.

Even‍​ the brave Kanya⁠‍⁠ was now only‍ a daughter who​ had to say‍⁠ goodbye to her‌‌‌ mother.

When‍ the moment of​‍ the ritual approached,⁠‌‌ Kanya took Epines​⁠ and Corpin from‌ her chest.

“Drink​​ it. It will​ help you.”

Shirone‌‍​ knew what it​⁠ was.

After⁠‌​ understanding what the‍ Liquor of Anecdotes​‍‌ really was, his⁠​ heart became even⁠‌​ heavier.

What‌‍‍ could stimulants or​‍ sedatives do in‍‌ a situation like⁠‍ this?

In‍ truth, he did​⁠ not know.

If‌ even the brain​ dissolved to become‌⁠​ a giant, it‌ was impossible to‌​⁠ know how their⁠‍‍ consciousnesses were transformed.​⁠‌

Perhaps⁠‍‌ it was better​​‍ than nothing.

For​ a father or‍ a mother, there‌​⁠ is no greater⁠​ comfort than the‍​ remedy that their⁠ child brings them.‌​‍

When⁠⁠ everything was ready,​⁠ the faithful formed​ a circle around‍⁠ the statue.

It‍ was the same‍ as what Shirone​‍⁠ had seen in​ the memory.

The‌‌ difference was that​‍‌ now there were⁠⁠ ten selected ones.​​​

According‍⁠ to Kanya, the‌ one who executed‌‍⁠ the Liquor was‌ the oldest person​⁠ in the district.⁠‌‍

Being⁠​ the oldest meant⁠‍⁠ having continuously received‍ life extension.

He‌⁠ was the most⁠⁠​ faithful of the⁠ faithful.

This​ time as well⁠ the executor was‍ a kergoino.

A robust young man,‌⁠ although he was​‍ one hundred eighty-seven​‌​ years old.

He‍⁠ belonged to the⁠ kergoin nobility and⁠ would soon achieve⁠​ immortality to ascend​⁠‍ to the Third⁠⁠‍ Heaven, Shehakim.

“From​​⁠ now on the​ Liquor of Anecdotes​ will be executed!‍‌‍ Let the selected​ ones step forward!”⁠⁠

The‌​ ten stepped toward‍ the glass spheres.‍⁠‌

If‍ they said they⁠​ were not afraid,​ it would be‌ a lie.

To‌ dissolve in a strange substance in⁠​⁠ order to merge​ with others was,‌​ for a human,​‌⁠ a deeply disturbing‍ death.

“Mom!‍‌‍ Mom!”

Kanya⁠‌ tried to run,​ but her father​‍ held her.

Although​‌ the mother heard​ her daughter’s voice,⁠‌ she did not⁠ turn around.

Everyone​‍​ did the same.‌​

The‍​ selected ones smiled​​ for their families.‌​‍

The​⁠‌ families hid their​ pain for the​ selected ones.

Shirone​‍ did not consider⁠ it beautiful.

He‌ did not know⁠‌ what value the​ Liquor had for​ the faithful, but​ accepting such magic‌⁠‌ was already a mistake.

The‍​ selected ones undressed‍‍ and entered the‍‌​ spheres.

They​​ sat on the⁠‍ cold glass and‌‍ closed their eyes‍⁠ to pray.

Shirone’s‌​‍ indignation exploded.

What‌⁠ were they praying‌‍‌ for?

What‍⁠ god could they‌‌ praise, if he‍‌ led them to⁠⁠ death?

“This‌‌ is murder. I cannot allow it.”‍⁠‌

He‍‍ finally said it‍​ out loud.

It​ was the conclusion‌‌ he had reached​​‌ after thinking all⁠ night.

He‍ had to stop‌⁠‍ the Liquor of​ Anecdotes.

If‍ you understood that‍ it was murder,​⁠‍ anyone would do‌⁠⁠ the same.

Shirone​​‍ walked toward the‍⁠​ statue.

He‌ had to stop‌‍ the ritual before​⁠ they died.

Tess⁠‌ grabbed his arm.‌‍

“Shirone,‍ wait. I am‍‍‍ furious too. But​​‍ this is not⁠​​ our world. In‌‍ every country its⁠⁠ own law is⁠⁠ followed.”

“I⁠​‌ do not know​​⁠ who said that,​ but it is‍​ only a human​ idea. Kanya’s mother⁠ did not commit⁠‌⁠ any crime. She‌​ cannot die like‌ this, under any⁠⁠​ circumstances.”

“And‌‍ what can we‍ do? Even if‍‌ we stop the​​‍ Liquor, her life‌‍ expectancy ends today.⁠ Risking ourselves will‍​⁠ only put us‌‌‍ in danger.”

“No.‌‌ She may not‍‌​ die today.”

“What?”⁠‌

The‌‌ Liquor was carried‍‌‍ out even in​‌ the face of​‍ doubts because Ra⁠ dominated life expectancy.​

If‌‌ they were going‍⁠​ to die today⁠‍ anyway, they obeyed.‍‌

But⁠‌​ Shirone had said‍‌‌ that the law‌‍‍ was wrong.

If​‍ the Liquor contained⁠⁠⁠ a flaw, the‌ faithful were being‌ deceived.

It​‌ was a fraud.‍⁠

And‌ if that was‍​ so, the situation​​‍ could still change.⁠⁠‌

“Inject​ the vital fuel!⁠‌ The Liquor of‍ Anecdotes begins!”

The‍ executor gave the​‍⁠ order.

The‌ kergoinos hurried.

Once‍‍⁠ the liquid began​‌⁠ to rise, there​​ would be no‍ second chance.

They​‍‌ did not know⁠‌ when the disintegration​‍ would begin, but‌ before that would‍⁠ come suffocation.

When‌‍⁠ a kergoino approached‍ the device, Shirone‌ shouted.

“Wait!​⁠ I cannot allow‍‍ the Liquor of‌‌‍ Anecdotes!”

All‌⁠‍ eyes turned toward‍​‌ him.

It‍‌ was easy to​‌ see him, alone⁠ in the middle​​⁠ of the plaza.‌

But​ they did not⁠⁠‍ understand his words.‍‍⁠

Shirone‌‌ looked at Arin.​‍‍

She​​ sighed and stepped‌ forward.

She​​ knew Shirone’s cautious‍‍ personality better than‍ anyone.

If‍‍⁠ he had made‌⁠​ a decision, he‌ would not step​ back.

Arin⁠ expanded her Spirit⁠‌‍ Zone.

Mental⁠‌ magicians were experts‌ in tentacular techniques,‌ but for a crowd it was‌ enough to expand‍​‍ the domain.

Shirone‍ repeated his words.⁠‍

The‌‍‍ meaning penetrated the⁠‍‌ minds of the​​ faithful.

It​‌​ was an ability‍‍ similar to that⁠⁠ of the fairies.‌​

But‍ the content could‍ not be ignored.​

Hostility​‌⁠ appeared in their⁠‍⁠ eyes.

Considering⁠​ Ra’s ritual evil‍ was clearly heretical⁠ speech.

The‌​ executor exploded.

“With​‌⁠ what authority do​⁠ you say it‍ cannot be allowed?​ Are you not⁠​⁠ a faithful? Do⁠‍ you wish to‌‌ die without the⁠​​ chance to be​​ reborn?”

“I​ am a Nephilim.”‌

Silence‍‍ immediately fell.

Even‌‍⁠ in the original​​‍ world, the immortal‍ function was not‍‍ something attainable for⁠​ just anyone.

In⁠‌ district 73, it‍‌‍ was the first⁠‍​ time they had‌‌ seen a Nephilim.‌​​

The​⁠ executor was also​‍‍ bewildered.

He‌ had faithfully fulfilled​‍‍ Ra’s will for‌ one hundred eighty-seven⁠⁠ years.

That​‌‍ age was his​​‌ medal.

But​​ before a Nephilim,⁠⁠ it was worth⁠⁠​ nothing.

The​⁠ Nephilim was a descendant of an‍‌ angel.

Although‍‍‌ he could not⁠‍​ intervene directly in⁠‌‌ the law, his‌ existence was different⁠ from that of⁠⁠ the faithful.

“A⁠ Nephilim… why do‍‍​ you feel rejection‌​‍ toward the Liquor‌‍ of Anecdotes? This‍​ is a law⁠‍⁠ established by God.”‍⁠‌

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