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Infinite Mage Chapter 200: The Mercy of God (5)

Chapter 200: The Mercy of God (5)

Shirone​ clenched his teeth.​⁠⁠ There was nothing​‌ more he could⁠‌‍ do.

It‌⁠‍ seemed that he‌‍ could still cast​‍ magic, but if​​ he tried to‍ use teleportation in‍⁠‍ his current state,‍‍ his body would​​ be torn to​ pieces.

‘Damn‌ it! I have​ to move somehow.’‌‍⁠

If​‌⁠ time kept passing⁠ like this, Kanya’s‍‍ mother would die.‍‌‍

No,⁠​⁠ everyone would die.​⁠‍ In the end,‌⁠ the only thing⁠⁠‌ that would remain⁠ would be a grotesque giant whose​ name no one​​ would know.

“Resign‍‍‍ yourselves, foolish humans.​⁠ No one can‌​ interfere with the⁠ law of Ra.”‌​⁠

Igirin‌⁠ contemplated with satisfaction​⁠ the scene of‌​‍ all the humans‌‍ kneeling.

This‌​‌ was authority. Obedience‌‌‌ is not imposed;‍‌ it arises voluntarily.​

“Damn​ it, why is‍‌ it so heavy?”⁠⁠⁠

Upon​‌ hearing the voice‌‌​ coming from behind‌ the statue, Igirin’s​‌⁠ face hardened.

Then‍​ footsteps were heard,‍ tac, tac. As​​ if a ghost⁠​ had appeared, everyone‌ turned their heads⁠⁠⁠ toward that place.⁠‌

Tess‍⁠​ shouted with her⁠ face lit up.‌​

“Rian!”​​

Rian‌⁠‍ advanced with his‍ face twisted in⁠‍‍ a grimace.

He⁠⁠ felt as if​​ his body weighed‌​ a ton.

Even​⁠​ so, he was‍ not crushed because‌​‌ the load was⁠⁠⁠ distributed throughout his⁠ body.

“What​⁠ the hell did‌ you do to⁠​⁠ me? My body‍ weighs a lot.”​‍

“How‍ can he move…?”‌

It‍‍ was not a magic that could⁠‍ be resisted with‌‌‌ brute force alone.​‌‌

Since​ the load was​ applied in proportion‍ to muscle mass,⁠‍ the stronger someone‍‌ was, the heavier⁠‍ his own body‌‌‌ became.

If⁠⁠ someone could move,​ there was only‌ one possibility.

He‍‌⁠ had to produce‍⁠ a force greater‍ than the one‍⁠‌ his own body​‍⁠ could generate.

Of⁠ course, that could‌‌ not be considered​‌ something proper of⁠​‌ a normal human​ either.

‘Generating​​ a force beyond‍⁠​ the body? No‍⁠ that cannot be.‍⁠ It is one‌ of the highest-level‌ abilities among the‍ arts of the⁠ giants.’

While‍‌⁠ Igirin sank into​‌​ thought, a dull​⁠‍ sound was heard‌‌‍ from where Shirone’s‌‌‌ group was.

“Hehehe.‍‍‌ What an entertaining‌‌ magic. That is‍‌ why battles are‌ interesting.”

Harvest‍​‍ suddenly emerged from‌‌​ Kanis’s shadow.

Shirone‍‍​ understood it when​​​ he saw Rian‍‌ and Harvest.

The‌⁠ applied load was⁠ not absolute, but‍‌ relative.

If⁠‍ the principle of‌⁠​ activation was different,‌ the way to‌ counter it would‌​​ also be different.​

It‌ was crucial information.‌

“Let’s​‌​ see if you‍⁠⁠ can catch me.”​‍

Harvest‌ lunged at Igirin.‌‍​

But⁠ the flying ability⁠ of the chief‌‍‍ of the fairies‌ was not something​ to take lightly‌⁠‍ either.

While‌ Shirone watched the‍ aerial pursuit for‌​ an instant as‍‍‌ if it were⁠ a dance of⁠​ combat, he shouted‍‍ toward Rian.

“Rian!⁠‌ There is no‍‌​ time! You have‍ to destroy the​‌⁠ statue!”

When‌ Rian raised his‌‌​ great sword in‌​‍ front of the​⁠​ statue, Igirin’s face⁠⁠‌ filled with shock.​‌

The‌‌​ shadow pursuing her‍⁠‌ might not be‌ human, but the‌​‍ swordsman certainly was​ a human of‍‍‍ flesh and blood.​‌​

To⁠‍ wield a great​​​ sword while trapped​⁠ by an exceptional⁠ regulation, the mastery​ of the body⁠⁠ had to approach‍ one hundred percent.​

Rian​ shouted with all‌​ his strength and​⁠​ struck the statue.‌‍

Bang!‌

The⁠‌‍ believers were startled,⁠‍ but not even​ a crack appeared​​ on the statue.⁠

Rian​​ clenched his teeth.​​

He‍​ wanted to destroy​‍‍ everything without thinking,‍⁠‍ but in the​⁠ current situation the‌⁠ only thing he⁠‌ could do was​​​ strike again.

“Damn‍ it! If it‌‍​ were not for‍​ this damn magic!”​

The‍ liquid inside the⁠ spheres had already​‍ reached halfway.

The⁠ subjects had closed​‌⁠ their eyes, as‍‌‍ if they had⁠ already resigned themselves.⁠

From‌ their point of‌​ view, they probably⁠‍​ hated Rian more.⁠

If⁠‍ no one had​ interfered, by then⁠‌‍ everything would have​ already ended in⁠ peace.

Arin‌ spoke through the‌ mental channel.

— We have to‌ find a method.‍ It makes no​ sense that only‌​‍ with a verbal​‌ decree she can⁠​⁠ restrict the movements​​​ of hundreds of‍‌ people. It does‌‍ not comply with‌ equivalent exchange. There‌ must be a condition we do⁠‌ not know.

Shirone​ thought the same.​

No⁠ matter how extraordinary​​ an exceptional regulation‍‍ was, everything occurred‍⁠ within the zero-sum‌‌⁠ balance of equivalent⁠ exchange.

Given⁠⁠​ the intensity of‌‌‍ the ability, there⁠‌‌ had to be‍ a way to⁠​‍ break free even‍ while under restriction.⁠​​

Shirone‍ remembered Marsha’s advice.‌

Exceptional‌​​ regulations are deeply‌‍ linked to the‌‌​ nature of the‍ caster.

Igirin‌⁠‌ was the fairy‍‌‌ of authority. Therefore,⁠ her ability was​ probably related in‍ some way to‌⁠​ the concept of​ authority.

“Hyaaa!”⁠⁠

Rian‍ did not give⁠‍ up and kept​⁠ striking the statue.⁠‍

Each‌ time the thunderous​⁠‍ sound echoed, the​⁠​ faces of the​ believers turned paler​ one after another.​⁠‍

At‍​ that moment, Amy’s⁠​⁠ red eyes began‌ to burn.

The​ memory of her⁠ self-image had immediately‍‌ detected a change‍‍⁠ in her body.⁠​⁠

— Shirone, the restraining​‌‌ force is not‌ fixed. A moment‌ ago the weight‍‍ decreased by five⁠ kilograms. Now seven…​‍‌ nine… Every time‌ Rian strikes with‍​ the sword, the‍‌ weight decreases.

Shirone’s​ eyes shone.

Thanks⁠ to Amy’s words,‌‌⁠ he understood the⁠⁠​ mechanism of Igirin’s‍⁠‌ exceptional regulation.

“Rian!​ Keep striking! The⁠‌ Liquor of Anecdotes‍ is not a regeneration technique! It⁠⁠⁠ is simply murder!”‌‌

— Shirone! It just⁠⁠ decreased sixty kilograms!​⁠ Do not tell​‌ me that this…!⁠‍‌

— Exactly! I am⁠ not completely sure,‌⁠‍ but it seems​ that Igirin converts‍‌‌ authority into a numerical value to⁠⁠ generate physical force.⁠‍ The more people‌‍⁠ doubt, the weaker​‌‍ the load will‌​ be.

As‍​ if confirming Shirone’s‌​​ thought, Igirin’s expression⁠​⁠ twisted.

Upon‌ hearing them shout⁠ that the Liquor⁠⁠ of Anecdotes was⁠ murder, the counter‌ of doubt suddenly‌​‍ skyrocketed.

It​‌‌ was not a simple desperate cry.​‌‍

It⁠⁠‍ meant that the‌‍⁠ heretics had discovered‌‌‍ the activation condition⁠⁠ of the magic.‍

Exceptional​​ regulation Ruler.

Igirin​‍ could place a scale that measured‌​ faith and doubt‍⁠‌ over the targets‌ within her domain.​⁠

At​ the moment she⁠‌ pronounced the decree,‌‌⁠ all nearby living​ beings were divided​‌‍ between those who​ believed and those​‍⁠ who doubted.

Currently,⁠​ in the central‌ plaza there were‍⁠​ 318 people.

The​⁠‍ proportion was 293‌​​ believers against 25‍⁠ doubters.

If⁠ everyone believed in‍‌⁠ Igirin, the load​‌ applied per unit‌‍​ area equaled one‌ hundred percent of‍‍‍ physical strength, so‍‍ theoretically it would⁠‍​ be impossible to‌ move.

On​⁠​ the contrary, if‍ the proportion of​‌‍ believers fell below‌ half, the price⁠ of usurpation would‍​​ be activated.

Igirin⁠‌ would have to‌​ endure for twenty-four⁠​‍ hours a load⁠‍​ equivalent to one⁠‍ hundred percent of‌⁠ her own strength.​‍‍

Shirone⁠⁠ understood why Rian’s⁠‍ actions influenced the​ magic.

The⁠​ fear that the​‌ symbol of heaven​⁠ might be destroyed⁠‌‌ was planting doubts‍ in the hearts⁠ of the believers.⁠‍⁠

In‍ fact, every time​​ Rian struck the‍ statue of the⁠⁠⁠ giant, the load‍‌​ weakened slightly.

“Wake‌ up! The Liquor‌ of Anecdotes is‍​ a lie! It‌ is a technique‌⁠​ to kill you!”​‌‍

He‍​ continued pressing the​ believers, but the‍ load no longer⁠ decreased.

Trials‍‌‍ strengthen faith.

Although​ some were terrified,​⁠ others surely reinforced‌ their conviction even​ more.

“Shut‍​‌ up! The ones‍​ deceiving us are‌⁠​ you!”

“Kill​⁠ them! Kill the⁠‍⁠ heretics!”

The‍‍ fury of the‍⁠‌ most fanatical believers‍‍ reached its peak⁠ when they saw‌ that the statue​‍‍ was being damaged.‌

As‍‍⁠ more people became‌ fanatics, even those​​ who doubted gradually⁠‌‌ began to change‍‍ their minds.

Shirone‌‌⁠ knew it, but‍‌‍ he did not⁠‌⁠ give up.

It‍‌ was the only⁠‌‌ form of resistance‍‍ possible in a situation where he‍ could not even⁠​ move.

“You​ say the Liquor‍ of Anecdotes is​‌⁠ a regeneration technique?⁠ Next time it​⁠⁠ will be your⁠​⁠ turn! Why can​ you not understand⁠‍‍ it?!”

“We⁠ will follow the⁠​ law! We will​ exhaust the life‍ Ra granted us​ and return to⁠⁠ our original body!”​⁠​

Shirone⁠​‌ clenched his teeth.⁠​

Beyond‍‍ exceptional regulations or​‍​ anything else, the⁠ stubbornness of the‍⁠⁠ believers drove him⁠​ to despair.

“You‌ can live longer!⁠‌ Those who are‌​⁠ chosen for the‍ Liquor of Anecdotes‍‌⁠ do not have‌‍ to die today!”‌

As​​​ if it were​‍‍ a lie, the⁠ clamor of the‌‌‍ believers faded.

Everyone‍⁠‌ looked at Shirone​‍ with expressions of⁠‌ shock.

Taking​​‍ advantage of the‍ sudden silence, Harvest​‌ abandoned the pursuit‌ of Igirin.

In‌ any case, the⁠ battle would not‍ be decided that⁠ way.

It​ concluded that it⁠​‌ would be better‌‍ to shake the​ believers’ minds with‍​‌ psychological warfare instead‌‌ of continuing to​ move aimlessly.

Igirin‌⁠⁠ frowned.

The⁠​ proportion already showed‌‍‌ how effective that‌​ comment had been.​

267‍ against 51.

Seventeen​‌‌ percent of those​‌ present had begun‍ to doubt.

The‌‍ load had weakened⁠‌⁠ enough to be‌⁠​ clearly felt on‍⁠‍ the skin.

That​​​ sudden change in⁠ sensation also harmed‍‌‌ the stability of⁠ her authority.

“Can‍‍ we live…? Can‌ we… live longer?”‌⁠‌

“That‍⁠‌ is right. If⁠ those chosen truly‌ died now because⁠ their life had‍​​ run out, at​​‌ least it could‍‍ be called a funeral. But they​⁠ are not dying!​​​ The Liquor of​ Anecdotes cannot be‌‌ your grave!”

— Shirone, what are‌ you saying?

Amy⁠⁠ could not believe‍ it.

Were​ the believers not⁠‌⁠ following the life‍​ record precisely because‍⁠‍ it was absolute?⁠⁠‌

If⁠⁠ this was only​⁠ an improvisation to⁠​ get out of⁠​ the situation, the‌⁠ consequences would be​ serious.

Even​⁠ Shirone was not⁠‍ completely sure.

But⁠⁠ after thinking all​‌ night, he reached⁠‍ the conclusion that‍‌​ at least there‍​ was a possibility.‌⁠

“I‌ met heretics in‍​​ purgatory. Among them‍​ there were people​‌ who were not‍​ born in heaven.‌​⁠ Because of that,​‌ they do not​ know their own‌⁠‌ remaining life. But‍⁠​ they are also‌ not subject to⁠​ the control of​‍‍ their life by​⁠ someone else.”

“That‌⁠ is natural, because‌‍ they are heretics…”‌⁠​

“Wake‌​ up! Do you​⁠ still not understand?‌ They cannot do‌‍‌ it because they‍ do not know​‍ their names! It​ is not that‌​ they do not‍ do it, it⁠‌‌ is that they​⁠ cannot do it!⁠ If God were​ omnipotent, why would⁠‌​ he need names!”⁠‌

Igirin’s⁠⁠​ face became serious.​

229‍⁠‌ against 89.

If‌​‍ the proportion of‌‌ doubters surpassed half,‌ authority would disappear.‌⁠

Only​⁠ 70 were missing‌‍‍ to reach that​⁠ point.

The‍ executor shouted.

“Shut‍⁠‍ up! That is​​ also only a principle of the‍⁠ law! It does‍​⁠ not change the‌​‌ fact that we‌‍​ will obtain eternal‍⁠ life or regeneration⁠ by following Ra’s​ will! Do not‍‍​ mock the believers​​‌ with the logic⁠ of heretics!”

“It​ is not a law! It is⁠‍ magic! Whatever Ra’s‍‍⁠ ability may be,⁠⁠ if it is‍ related to magic,​‌⁠ then they can‍ live longer!”

The‍‍⁠ word magic had​⁠​ an effect.

If⁠ that sacred phenomenon⁠​ attributed to law‍‌ was nothing more​ than magic, then⁠​ the divinity of‌‌‍ God could also‌ fall to the​ human level.

“How​‌‍ could they live⁠​ longer? Do you⁠ have any proof?”⁠​​

Someone​ shouted among the‌‌​ believers.

Igirin‌‍​ looked at him‌​ sternly.

The​ counter of doubters‍ had just increased⁠ by one.

“I‌ have studied the​ attribute of time.‍​ And to say‌ it clearly, time‍‍ is relative. It‌ applies differently to​ each person here.”‍‍

Among⁠‌⁠ the believers there⁠⁠ were also those‌⁠ who studied time.‌‍​

The‍⁠ magicians of Nor‌​ and the optics‍‍​ of Meca.

There‌‌‍ were probably about‍ six.

222⁠⁠​ against 96.

Those⁠‍ who understood Shirone’s​ words began to‍ doubt.

“Even⁠ so, so what?”⁠​

“If⁠‍ the ability that‌ grants life is‍ related to time,‌​ then the remaining⁠‌ life of those‌‍ chosen for the​​⁠ Liquor of Anecdotes‍‌⁠ is not exact.⁠​‍ Even if it​​​ is established that‍ someone has forty​‍ years of life,‍‌ he cannot die​ exactly at that​‍ moment. Because the​‍⁠ time each person⁠‌⁠ perceives is variable.”‍⁠‍

“But‌ that is only‌‌ a hypothesis. If⁠‌‍ it is not⁠​‍ magic but a law, then we⁠‌ will not even⁠‍ have the chance‍⁠​ to regenerate.”

“It​‍⁠ is not a hypothesis. I can‌ prove it. Even​⁠‍ if two people⁠​‍ lose ten years‍‌‍ of life, the‌⁠‍ moment when they⁠​‌ were born is‌ different. Then why​‌‌ does the Liquor‌ of Anecdotes not‌​‍ adjust that?”

206​‌ against 112.

47​ were missing.

Igirin​⁠ observed the glass‌ spheres.

The‍‌ black liquid was⁠‍ already full.

Since​​ the bodies began​​⁠ to decompose from⁠​ the moment of‍‌‌ death, if someone‍‌‌ drowned, the ritual‌​ would practically be⁠⁠⁠ a success.

“If‍⁠‌ they can live‍‌⁠ a few hours‌​ more, or even‍​‌ a single second⁠‍ more, then the‍ Liquor of Anecdotes‌​ is murder! They‌ are only drowning‍​ the victims and⁠‍‌ profaning their corpses!”⁠‍⁠

The‌‌‌ executor opened his⁠‍‌ eyes in fury.⁠​⁠

“Shut​‌ up! Even if‌⁠ what you say​‍ were true, what⁠⁠‌ would change! The‌ value of life‌⁠ is not measured⁠⁠ by time! Do‍​ you want to‌​‍ deny Ra just⁠⁠​ to live one‍⁠‌ more second?!”

“That‍‌​ second is the⁠‌ difference between putting⁠‍‍ the final period⁠ to your life⁠ yourself or not!‌​‍ Why can you⁠ not understand it?!”‍​

Igirin​‌ thought she could⁠​ still recover the‌ situation.

243⁠ against 75.

Just​‍‍ as she expected,‌ more people returned‍⁠ to believing.

Shirone​‌ had made an​ error in judgment.⁠

For‍​ humans, having control‌​​ over their own‍​ life was not⁠‌⁠ something so important.​

All‌​​ they wanted was‍ benefit.

Living​‍ a little longer‌ gave them nothing.​⁠‌

The‌​‌ believers would accept⁠‌ the Liquor of‌ Anecdotes gladly, trusting⁠‌‌ in the future.‌‌

As‌⁠‍ if confirming the‌⁠ numbers on the​ scale, the believers‌ began to insult‌ Shirone.

“Damn⁠ it! We almost‌​ fell for your‌‌ lie! In the‍​ end the life‍‌ was already decided!‍ Nothing was going‌⁠‌ to change!”

“You‍⁠‌ who go around⁠⁠‍ deceiving people saying‌ you are a Nephilim, now you​‌ come with more⁠​ nonsense! One second?‍ What can be‌​ done with a single second? What‌‌‌ could you do?!”⁠⁠

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