“Not yet. I still have one card to play.” (Ahid)
“Borrowing the power of a god without establishing harmony will destroy you as well. Is your faith telling you to perish here?” (Arcana)
Ahid went silent for a moment, then spoke up.
“Your wish is my command, O mighty Arcana, my Selection God.” (Ahid)
After saying that, Ahid cast the <Transition Gatom> spell.
I could’ve easily stopped him, but the moment I did, Arcana, who was staring at me, would’ve probably attempted something.
Well, that guy was a small fry anyway.
Once I had dealt with the goddess, he would be powerless.
“So, you think you can take me on now that you’re alone?” (Anos)
“I do not know. But you are strong. In all the history of the Selection Trial, there has never been a stronger candidate than you.” (Arcana)
“You’ve been talking about it nonstop from the beginning, but what is this Selection Trial?” (Anos)
As I asked this question, Arcana turned her Magic Eyes on me, as if to peer into my mind.
“This is something you should know, as the misfit.” (Arcana)
“That’s just something a certain Heavenly Father chose to call me.” (Anos)
Arcana appeared to be thinking for a moment.
Apparently, my perception of a misfit and her perception of a misfit held different meanings.
Did this mean that she didn’t even know this was something the Heavenly Father did to me?
As always, gods were indifferent to anything other than their own order.
“Have you ever been to Everastanzetta?” Arcana opened her mouth again and asked.
“I’ve never even heard of it. What is it?” (Anos)
“The Institute of the Gods, a sacred place in the Underground World where the 3 major countries compete with one another, located in the divine capital of Gaelahesta, where a pact of neutrality was made.” (Arcana)
Everything she said sounded foreign to me.
“Anos Voldigoad the Misfit. If you truly know nothing, then I, as the Goddess of Selection, have the obligation to explain everything to you.” (Arcana)
Hmm. She could be plotting something, but…
“If you find it hard to believe me, then ask me your questions while we fight. Whether you pay attention to my words or not, I will explain everything.” (Arcana)
Alright, then.
There was nothing worse than fighting for your life without knowing what’s going on, after all.
I dispelled the <Source Kill Vebzud> on my hands and turned my back to her to show that I had no hostility.
Then I walked straight ahead and kept my distance from Arcana.
“Well then, let me ask you. What’s the Selection Trial?” (Anos)
“It is the path that leads people to the gods.” Arcana said quietly.
“A Proxy is selected among all living beings to represent the gods. The Selection Gods are the deities who select that Proxy. At the Selection Trial, each of those who were chosen as candidates, the Selected Eight, will be subject to adjudication, and the one most suitable to be the Proxy will be chosen.” (Arcana)
The selection of a proxy to act on the behalf of gods, huh.
If they were called the Selected Eight, that meant there should be eight candidates in total.
“And the Proxy will obtain power befitting a god.” (Arcana)
“Though you call it a trial, it doesn’t seem like a peaceful process.” (Anos)
Arcana nodded.
“Only the one whom all the Selection Gods have deemed suitable will be chosen as the Proxy. However, in most cases, the Selection Gods make a pact with their own candidate. There is practically no Selection God who would deem a candidate other than the one they have made a pact with suitable to become their Proxy.” (Arcana)
“In other words, if you eliminate the other candidates, or if you destroy the other Selection Gods, you’ll become the only candidate left, and will inevitably be selected as the Proxy, is that right?” (Anos)
“It is one form of settlement. The Trial comes in all forms. It is not limited to holy war.” (Arcana)
Be that as it may, they were competing for the one seat that leads to the gods.
So this was probably not the kind of matter that could be settled through discussion.
“And why was I chosen as a candidate?” (Anos)
“The Selection Gods are the ones who choose their candidate. Eight Selection Gods take part in the Selection Judgment. One of them chose you. The Selection Gods are supposed to inform their candidate about the Selection Judgment.” (Arcana)
A god chose me, huh.
And since they didn’t show themself to me, it could mean that they didn’t pick me with the best of intentions.
“I see. And so each candidate makes a pact with their own Selection God so they can summon them, right?” (Anos)
“Some of them do, and some of them do not.” (Arcana)
I found it hard to believe that there were some who didn’t conclude any pact, but the least I was sure of was that Ahid did make a pact with Arcana so he could summon her.
“What reason do gods have to conduct this Selection Trial? What would they have a mortal do on earth for them?” (Anos)
“A detailed explanation will be given at Everastanzetta. As I mentioned earlier, the institute is currently located in the divine capital of Gaelahesta, in the Underground World.” (Arcana)
Since she said ‘currently’, was she implying that Everastanzetta was a place that moved from one location to another from time to time?
“Hmm. In that case, can you guide me there?” (Anos)
“I cannot do that. You will have to come to Everastanzetta on your own.” (Arcana)
Frankly speaking, I had no obligation to go there, but there was something that bothered me.
And that was the identity of Arcana, standing before my eyes.
Why was she able to perform the miracle of the Moon of Creation Artiertonoa?
Only the Goddess of Creation Militia should’ve been capable of it.
So maybe something happened to her.
But I had a feeling that she wouldn’t answer me even if I asked about it.
“My explanations are over. Should we resume our fight?” (Arcana)
“No need to. And you’ve also told me about the Selection Trial. So I’ll let you off the hook for tonight.” (Anos)
“I see.” (Arcana)
When Arcana looked up at the sky, the crescent moon Artiertonoa vanished, along with the falling lunar snowdrops.
“I’d like to ask you about one thing.” (Anos)
Arcana stared at me.
“What was the point of your question from this afternoon? Was that also on Ahid’s orders?” (Anos)
Seh cast the <Transition Gatom> spell without saying a word.
And as she was about to disappear…
“Just looking for the answer.” she replied, her voice echoing quietly.
