Chapter 205 : Everastanzetta, the Institute of the Gods
Arcana led me to the center of Everastanzetta, the Institute of the Gods.
To a pure white room.
In a circular space, eight seats were set up evenly. The light pouring down from the ceiling was like a veil, shining dazzlingly white.
There was also one seat that wasn’t illuminated.
Behind the eight seats was a staircase of chairs, like tiered galleries.
“This is the Holy Seat Hall.” (Ahid)
Ahid walked up from behind me.
“The Holy Seats are the eight seats meant for those who are qualified to become the gods’ proxies, or in other words, the Selected Eight. Hence their name, the Holy Seats.” (Ahid)
There were three seats with shadows under the veil of light illuminating the Holy Seats. As for the remaining four, I didn’t see anyone in them, so maybe they were unoccupied.
Perhaps it was the power of those veils of light, but even when I squinted my Magic Eyes, I couldn’t see the faces or the magic power of the people sitting there. This power was on par with a god’s order.
“When a chosen one makes a pact with a god, they become eligible to sit on a Holy Seat. That vacant one is yours, Anos Voldigoad the Misfit.” (Ahid)
Ahid pointed at the Holy Seat that had no light over it.
“Although you have yet to form a pact, you have been chosen by a god. Sit there and pledge your participation to the Selection Trial to the Almighty Radiance Equis. Then the great light will shine on your seat.” (Ahid)
I casually walked to the Holy Seat.
I took one look at it and turned to Ahid without sitting in it.
“Unfortunately, I don’t believe in this Equis of yours. I have no interest in this Selection Trial or becoming a proxy of god. Once I’ve asked all my questions, I’m out of here.” (Anos)
Ahid glared at me with his eyes full of murderous intent.
“You lowly heretic who knows no fear.” (???)
However, it was another person who spoke up.
“How dare you disrespect the Divine Selection Trial?” (???)
The man expressing his indignation was seated in one of the Holy Seats.
I couldn’t see his face due to the veil of light hiding it, but he appeared to have a strong physique.
“I have no such intention. You’re free to believe in the existence of the Almighty Radiance all you want. All I’m saying is that I believe in something else.” (Anos)
Right after I said that, the man shouted in rage.
“And that’s what it means to disrespect our god, you heretic!” (???)
I coldly looked back at the man’s figure.
“What a pointless argument. If you have something to say, you should at least show yourself. The rantings of some faceless mob aren’t worth more than a bird’s chirping.” (Anos)
The man loudly rose to his feet.
He swung his right arm as if to cut something, then the veil of light was lifted.
What emerged from it was a muscular man with a bald head.
He was dressed in a robe similar to Ahid’s, but with a suit of armor on top of it. And he had a ring identical to his on his index finger.
“I am Gazel Apt Ageila, a holy knight of Jiordal, the Kingdom of the Divine Dragon, and the Selected Eight bestowed with the title of Saint! Anos Voldigoad the Misfit, I offer you the salvation of god.” (Gazel)
Gazel took a heavy step forward while glaring at me.
“Hmm. I have no need for salvation, though.” (Anos)
“I won’t listen to the words of an heretic!” (Gazel)
Gazel held up his ring. But the next moment, a single lunar snowflake descended.
Then he looked at Arcana as if he had come to his senses.
“Even here in Everastanzetta, the nonaggression pact applies between the eight Holy Seats.” (Arcana)
“This isn’t a fight, but a salvation.” (Gazel)
“Child of dragons. Rephrasing it will not change anything. God is always watching you.” (Arcana)
“…As the Almighty Radiance wills.” Gazel said, grinding his teeth.
He sat back in his Holy Seat and shot me a condescending look.
“Ahid, explain to him.” (Arcana)
The man nodded to her.
“Anos Voldigoad the Misfit. I shall answer your questions about the Selection Trial. If you do not wish to sit in your Holy Seat, you may listen while standing.” (Ahid)
“Don’t mind if I do.” (Anos)
Ahid called out to the other two figures sitting in their Holy Seats.
“Is that alright with you?” (Ahid)
The figures nodded in approval.
Apparently, there were only four of them here today.
Ahid turned my way and spoke in a solemn tone.
“Gods are the order of this world, and the hands of salvation that the Almighty Radiance Equis has extended to our world. However, there always comes a time when a god and their order is lost. But that is nothing less than an opportunity for a new birth. It is then that the Proxy, god’s representative chosen from all life forms on earth, shall emerge to replace the late god.” (Ahid)
Hmm. So the Proxy was a replacement for a god that was destroyed, huh.
“The Almighty Radiance has given every living creature the chance to reach godhood. That chance is nothing less than our light and salvation, and the mercy of Equis.” (Ahid)
Was that a fact?
I was doubtful that the gods had ever granted salvation to people.
When I turned the Goddess of Destruction Abernyu into the castle of Delsgade, the order of destruction was lost.
The other gods tried to compensate for that loss, but the order couldn’t be completely restored.
Being impossible to restore was part of order’s nature, and as gods were order themselves, they couldn’t do anything about it with their power alone.
Perhaps this was their reason for using life forms other than gods to restore order.
“The candidates for the title of Proxy are called the Selected Eight. There are the most suitable contenders chosen by the Selection Gods. Those eight form a pact with a god…” (Ahid)
Arcana held out her hand, then a lunar snowflake fell in front of me.
It flowed faintly before turning into a certain jewel.
It was a transparent black gemstone. At the center of it was a red stone, but it didn’t light up.
“This is a Selection Pledge Jewel. Pledge Jewels are magic items that were used since ancient times to form a pact between man and gods. Among them, Selection Pledge Jewels are a special variety. Only the Selection Gods are allowed to create them, and only the Selected Eight may receive them. When a pact is made with a god, the Selection Pledge Jewel will light up and shine.” (Ahid)
I grabbed the Pledge Jewel.
So the Jewel attached to Ahid’s ring was glowing because of the fire in the center of the red stone lighting it.
“How does one form a pact with a god?” (Anos)
“The content of the pledge varies from one god to another, but there is one part they all have in common. You must pledge your faith in your god. Then the god will guide you the rest of the way.” (Ahid)
My faith in a god?
Now those were some words I couldn’t quite put together.
“The candidate will gain the power of their god through their pact. Then along with their god, they wait for the sacred trial. Such is the Selection Trial, where eight Selection Gods each choose a suitable representative to become the order of the world.” (Ahid)
“Hmm. I just want to confirm one thing: does this mean that among the right Selection Gods, one of them chose me to be that representative?” (Anos)
Ahid nodded in response.
“But I’ve never met any god who claimed to be a Selection God.” (Anos)
“All gods are entitled to become a Selection God by choosing a candidate.” (Ahid)
I see, so that’s how it works.
“In other words, the god who chose me wasn’t yet a Selection God at that point?” (Anos)
“Indeed. They became a Selection God for the first time after choosing you. I am unaware of their reason for not showing themself to you, but gods always have noble intentions. It is possible that they gave you the title of Misfit to test you, a heretic, and make you aware of the prominence of the gods.” (Ahid)
So, for instance, if Militia had chosen me, then in addition to being the Goddess of Creation, she would’ve become a Selection God as well, huh.
The question is, why didn’t the god who chose me show up?
Or perhaps they weren’t on my side.
