Chapter 211: ReunionThe Great Debate.


    Even hearing the name brought back memories of the citizens’ voices who jeered at me as well as the piercing gazes of the bishops that could have bored a hole into my skull back then.


    The memories of the scene when I—a Necromancer—used Holy Power with the assistance of the Holy Grail left everyone speechless; the astonished bishops and the Saintess remained vivid in my mind. It was the moment I was recognized as the Soul Whisperer.


    And now, the Great Debate was about to be held once again.


    And once again, it was related to me, the current Soul Whisperer, and Mul, the imposter and fraud who had proclaimed himself to be the true Soul Whisperer.


    Ironically, the religious circles, which held animosity toward me but had to bow their heads due to the soaring royal authority, now saw this as an opportunity and supported Mul.


    And I was now preparing to leave for Graypond, where the Great Debate would take place.


    “Soul Whisperer, it seems like your return hasn’t been officially announced yet.”


    Owen was sitting on a large bag in front of the carriage, reading a newspaper. We were all set to depart but were taking a moment to rest.


    “Yes, although Mul must already know I have returned. I am looking forward to seeing the bishops, who were unaware of the news, go mad.”


    The Royal Family deliberately kept things quiet and accepted the Great Debate requested by the bishops.


    They already knew of my return but chose not to reveal it.


    “It is easier to cut the head when the neck is stretched out.”No?v(el)B\\jnn


    The religious circles continued making increasingly escalating statements throughout this period, and the Royal Family was silent, purposely letting them cross the line. Even Saintess Lucia, who was on my side, did not take any action.


    Eventually, just like kids freely roaming an empty playground, the bishops were delivering daily long speeches in Graypond.


    “If you diligently believe in God and keep donating... you can come back to life even if you die. There is someone named Charlie who can testify to this.”


    “...”


    I was also pretty surprised when I heard the news.


    Out of three corpses, two souls were accepted by God and the remaining one was resurrected because of her strong faith.


    It was a completely absurd notion.


    However, countless witnesses were pouring in, and the girl named Charlie was also giving her testimony, so even the skeptics couldn’t help but be intrigued by the whole situation.


    “Maybe... my grandfather too could be...”


    It felt nice to imagine the possibilities.


    I knew that Owen couldn’t help but feel regretful, wondering ‘what if’ his grandfather was still alive.


    “Owen.”


    However...


    “Even if it is sad and regretful, the dead cannot come back to life.”


    This was an unchanging truth, an eternal law. No matter how much the fallen god could twist a major premise, the dead couldn’t keep wandering about the continent like this.


    At my words, Owen came to his senses and nodded.


    “Right. You’re right. I had a foolish thought for a moment. I’m sorry.”


    Owen bowed his head and apologized. I gently patted the boy’s head and shook my head.


    “Your reaction is normal. Parting is a sad moment; hoping for a reunion is a natural human act.”


    Fearing death and wanting to live was also a very natural human instinct.


    “But I do not intend to call those who follow Mul foolish.”


    To be free from death.


    What could be more alluring to humans than that?


    For instance, there was the Griffin Evil Ghost, who devoured successive generations of the royal family, persistently surviving and ultimately seeking to become a demon.


    Also, Qin Shi Huang’s1 efforts to obtain the Elixir of Life were quite well-known on Earth.


    As mentioned in various media, the concept of death was indeed absolute for humans.


    That was likely why religion could so profoundly stir human emotions.


    To reassure those of their uncertain present, and the beautiful future.


    The happiness that awaited.


    The small satisfactions.


    Life after death.


    Eternal immortality.


    And so on.


    There were many things that resonated with the human heart, and I did not outright deny the importance of religion.


    BAM!


    “You should!”


    BAM!


    “Say!”


    BAM!


    “Something!”


    BAM!


    “Before you go somewhere, shouldn’t youuuuuu?!”


    Crash!


    The fierce axe blows finally shattered the protective magic I cast.


    As the protection magic broke into pieces like glass shards, Findenai stood in front of me.


    “Got any last words before I kill you?”


    Just like when Owen said that I knew Aria well, I could sense what Findenai was feeling now after looking into her blood-red eyes.


    Anger.


    Worry.


    And relief.


    Her complex emotions were clear in her actions and gestures.


    Despite her rough words and violent outburst, she was also relieved that I had returned. In response, I placed a hand on her head.


    “I arrived later than expected. I am sorry if I made you worry.”


    “...Huh?”


    Surprised by my unexpected reaction, Findenai widened her eyes, staring at the hand on her head.


    Realizing that I had never done this to her before, I slowly started to lower my hand.


    Bang!


    At that moment, Deia stepped out of Verdi Household’s carriage, which had now come to a stop. The revolver-like magic gun she used to carry was gone, and was replaced by a deep blue shotgun faintly glimmering with mana; she fired it into the air and approached me.


    “Don’t go anywhere. Just stay there. I’ll shoot you gently, okay? Just take one shot.”


    Following just behind her was a large man.


    “Deussssssss! I’m so glad you’re safe!”


    The entourage was finally complete when Darius showed up running with his arms outstretched.


    The three people we had been waiting for had finally arrived.


    Now, we were ready to head to Graypond.


    ***[...]


    Having arrived at Graypond ahead of the others, former Saintess Stella stood blankly in front of the city gates.


    As if savoring something, she quietly waited for someone with her eyes closed. Then, another woman approached her side.


    “Lady Stella.”


    Lucia, who had succeeded Stella’s position as the Saintess, cautiously broke the silence.


    After Deus Verdi suddenly disappeared, Stella flew to Graypond to seek Lucia’s help.


    After a month of searching with no results, they were relieved upon receiving the report that Deus had returned.


    Although they resented him for causing them needless worry, deep down, both were genuinely glad that he had at least returned safely.


    [Lucia, he is coming.]


    The sound of heavy footsteps and, along with it, fervent praises faintly reached Graypond, carried by the wind.


    At Stella’s words, Lucia also lifted her head to look beyond the horizon.


    There, a large crowd following a man wearing an iron mask was approaching Graypond.


    He was Mul, the one who had self-proclaimed himself to be the Soul Whisperer.


    As they watched him about to enter Graypond, the two Saintesses wore expressions of deep concern.


    1. Emperor Qin Shi Huang was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of China. He was one of the most powerful rulers in ancient China.


    He is known for unifying China and his massive building projects, including the Great Wall of China. But one obsession dominated his reign: his quest for immortality.