Episode 1313
The next morning.
Simon went to see Arius and told him about the giant statue he had seen the night before. Arius asked him several times if it was really what he had seen, then ran his hands through his hair in surprise.
“Perhaps the name of that divine beast is ‘Aurebon.’ It is one of the six divine beasts of paradise.”
“ah.”
Among the renowned groups of divine beasts of the Holy Federation, there are six divine beasts known to be particularly old and blessed with great power.
And three of the six divine beasts of paradise exist in this Arok. In fact, the three are known to have existed since ancient times.
One of them was witnessed by Simon.
“They do not have masters. Rather, they see humans as objects to protect, and they help them, but they do not go below them. It is impossible for anyone to become a deity.”
Arius smiled as he said that.
“Of course, Saint Asperia is an exception. They treat saints specially.”
Simon crossed his arms and sat lost in thought.
“Why would such a great god come all the way to the forest outside of Arok?”
“Well, an ordinary person like me wouldn’t be able to guess. Anyway, if you see Aurebon, it means that you will have good luck today. Maybe something good will happen soon… … .”
“Brother Arius! Brother Zion!”
At that moment, a practitioner wearing a dobok came running out of breath.
“The Saint’s executors have returned! They are calling for the carriers of the Holy Relics, including Brother Zion!”
Simon heard those words and smiled brightly as he stood up from his seat.
“I’m really lucky.”* * *
[Are you ready?]
The executioners of the saint, dressed in the garments of light, looked at the three after reading Asperia’s orders written on the scroll.
Simon, Moses, and Hamiel nodded with stern faces.
“Wow, I’m so jealous! You really got to go to Arok!”
“Even if I can’t live in Arok, my wish is to go there at least once!”
The practitioners who had come out to greet him were chatting noisily. Arius spoke to Simon with a mixed expression on his face.
“Please take care of yourself, Brother Zion.”
“Yes, Brother Arius.”
“and.”
Arius glanced back at the saint’s executioners, then lowered his voice and said.
“… … Please do not do anything dangerous in Arok.”
“Okay. See you later.”
That’s how the movement began.
Originally, they were the executors of the saint who moved while floating in the air, but this time, they had to lead Simon and his group, so they walked on foot themselves.
As they passed the lake, there was no conversation at all, only the sound of water splashing. After passing the lake, Simon arrived at the thornbush he had seen with Talrock at night.
[I will open the entrance.]
One of the saint’s executors said this, then stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and assumed a praying posture.
[Sacra. Fidom. Erbes. Aldaritum.]
Kugugugugugugugu!
And as he recited the spell as if praying, the thornbush scattered on both sides and a path opened for people to walk through.
Soon everyone came inside through the thornbush. Hamiel’s face was dark, perhaps because he was too nervous, and Moze was still rubbing his eyes with a tired expression.
Kiing!
Kiiing!
Then, as the saint’s executor touched the air with his palm, a refreshing sound was heard along with the sound of the sacred wall opening.
It wasn’t just the thornbush. There was a barrier hidden behind it. If you looked at the thornbush and tried to enter without thinking, you would have been in trouble right away.
Finally, three people entered the barrier.
‘This is it… …!’
The most paradisiacal ecosystem on this continent.
Finally, Simon arrived at Arok.
[Watch your step, you never know what might crawl under your feet.]
The saint’s executor warned.
[Behave devoutly, empty your mind, and focus on walking, no matter what lies ahead.]
The saint’s executors moved first, followed by Simon and his companions.
It was a similar scene to what Simon had seen at night. There was still no sign of life, and it was just plains and hills with trees and grass growing sparsely. It was still hard to believe that it was the land of abundance that he had heard about.
After walking for about an hour, a high hill appeared, with a shallow river flowing beneath it.
[This is the Veritas River.]
Splash splash.
The two saints’ executors spoke as they crossed the river. It was not very deep.
[Those who are full of afflictions or who cannot let go of worldly attachments will not be able to step over this river.]
“?”
It was a statement that I didn’t understand.
There seemed to be no reason why I should not be able to cross this shallow river, even if I had the courage to do so.
“I’ll go first, because I don’t know what your intentions are.”
The mother spoke indifferently and stepped into the river with bare feet. He gestured around in the middle of the river as if to check if there was some kind of device or magic, then moved again and crossed the river.
“It’s too easy.”
Mother shrugged.
“It’s safe. You two can come over too.”
“?”
Simon and Hamiel looked puzzled.
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“Why did you come back in the middle?”
“yes?”
Moze suddenly came to her senses and looked back. She was sure she had crossed the river, but she had already returned to where Simon and Hamiel were.
Hamiel shouted with a bewildered expression.
“Come on, stop fooling around! Brother Moa!”
“… … I wasn’t joking, I really crossed the river.”
[As expected of a worldly person, your mind is full of evil thoughts.]
The saint’s executor spoke in a contemptuous voice.
[If your carriers cannot cross the River Veritas, the saint said, send them back.]
[It must be difficult for you worldly people’s mental state.]
Snap!
Blood vessels appeared on the mother’s forehead.
“In front of who right now… … !”
“calm down.”
Simon said as he stepped forward. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
‘I’ve practiced enough in clearing my mind of distracting thoughts.’
Simon spread his legs and performed white magic.
Secret techniques taught by practitioners over the years.
<Extreme>
Hwaaaaah!
A pure white circle spread out in front of Simon. In that state, Simon calmly crossed the river, step by step. The sound of water splashing echoed in his ears, and soon even that sound disappeared.
A peaceful silence continued while I closed my eyes.
Soon Simon slowly opens his eyes and looks back.
“ah!”
“Wow… … .”
Moze and Hamiel were looking at him from across the river with expressions of admiration. Right next to them were the saint’s executors.
[… … It’s quite something.]
Even the saint’s executors had no choice but to acknowledge his abilities.
“Then me too!”
As Simon succeeded, Hamiel also seemed to get the hang of it and moved quickly.
The elementalist is skilled at clearing his mind and concentrating his spirit to create pure mana. Hamiel successfully crossed the river by summoning his elementals and working together to cast his magic.
“Okay!”
When I looked back, I saw my mother with a sullen expression. She stuck her tongue out and took a sip.
“Brother, you will never be able to come back!”
After sighing with an annoyed expression, Moje absentmindedly tapped her head with her right hand. Then, as if nothing had happened, she crossed the river safely.
“Okay?”
Moje again lifted the blessing by tapping my head with the hand of God. Hamiel’s face, which had been delighted, immediately turned pale.
[All three crossed the Veritas River.]
[Fortunately, you will be crossing Arok as outsiders, although you do not have all the qualifications. Be thankful for the saint’s generosity.]
Hamiel nodded with his eyes shining with confidence. Simon also wanted to leave quickly.
[Before that, there is something I have to do.]
The saint’s executor said.
[Take it off.]
For a moment, a heavy silence flowed.
The three people who heard that story stared at each other blankly.
“Ah! I guess it’s like a physical examination, right? You can’t bring weapons or anything to Arok.”
Hamiel forced a lively smile and took off his shoulder bag, handing it to one of the female executors of the saint.
“Then, should the department in charge of the inspection be this person? In a somewhat hidden place… … .”
[no.]
A woman among the saint’s executors spoke.
[It means to take off all your clothes and become naked.]
“why!!”
Hamiel, his face flushed, covered his body with both arms.
[All humans living in Arok do the same. Clothing is nothing but the dregs of the world and the remains of original sin. We will pass through Arok in the form we were born in the beginning and meet the saint.]
“No, no, no! You absolutely cannot do this! Even if you beat me to death, you can’t do it! Aren’t you an animal and not ashamed?”
[In Arok, it is more shameful to cover one’s body with clothing. The more dignified one is, the more one reveals oneself.]
Hamiel, who thought that they were not communicating, looked back at his colleagues.
“Brothers, please say something… …!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Simon and Moses were taking off their uniforms with expressionless faces. Hamiel quickly covered his eyes with his hands while shouting, ‘Eww!’, ‘Ahhhh!’
“What are you doing as if it were a given when I told you to do that! You perverts!”
“I kind of expected this to happen.”
Arok is paradise itself. It is said that all the people of paradise described in the scriptures live in their original form.
Also, looking at the practitioners outside of Arok, they had destroyed their homes and were only eating vegetables in order to follow Arok. Sometimes, he had seen them practicing naked, so Simon had expected that the people inside Arok would not wear clothes either.
And the saint’s lions only appear to be covered with white magic, but in fact they are naked.
“Look over there, Hamiel.”
Simon pointed to the side, and Hamiel’s gaze moved.
“person……!”
I could see the people living in Arok walking up the hill. They were laughing and walking barefoot across the grass, and of course, they were all naked.
‘Is this a nude beach?’
Hamiel’s eyes rolled back wide.
I thought a nude beach would be better. It’s good that you can hide in the water if there’s a beach, but it’s strange that everyone is nude in such an open space.
“Why are you making such a fuss now?”
Moje continued speaking, taking off his dobok top.
“You’re a priest too, so you must have passed the 19 trials. Don’t you remember when you passed through the thorn forest naked?”
“Well, back then I was a child and didn’t know anything, and it was possible because no one was watching!”
“If you can’t do it, wait on the other side of the river. Sion and I will go together.”
At the moment when Moje was about to take off his dobok pants, Hamiel looked at Moje blankly, securing his vision through the fingers covering his face.
“… … Tadpole belly. Yes, you are my lord.”
“!”
Moze’s face turned slightly red. It was almost the first time that Moze had spoken to Hamiel.
“You, physical training is something that is beyond the realm of ordinary people! With just one of my blessings… …!”
Whoosh!
And on the other side, Simon was splendidly taking off his robe. Moses flinched, Hamiel jumped, and even the saint’s executors flinched.
When he was wearing his usual clothes, he looked ordinary, just a little better than others, but when he took them off, his well-trained upper body muscles were revealed. The muscles were very impressive, not excessive but ideally positioned.
“As Moa said, it would be better for Hamel to wait across the river.”
Simon said this and put his training jacket on the ground.
“We’ll go and come back by ourselves.”
“… … .”
Hearing those words, Hamiel shut her eyes tightly with a flushed face. Her lips trembled.
“… … Hey, don’t look down on me.”
“?”
“If you do something, you will do it!”
She screamed and grabbed my clothes.* * *
Finally came to Arok.
Simon spoke quietly, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
“I told you you can wait outside.”
“… … Oh, it’s noisy! Argh!”
The answer came from behind.
I made Hamiel follow behind me because he seemed too embarrassed. Moze also patted my shoulder, saying that I was really tired.
‘More than that.’
Simon looked straight ahead.
‘This is Arok.’
An overwhelming natural landscape unfolded before us, and in the middle of it all, people were running around naked on the grass.
There were those who rode on the backs of gods and ran through the fields, while others lay on the ground sleeping or laughed while eating large sacred fruits.
No worries, no pretense, no sadness.
Happiness was everywhere, and just walking around made people laugh out loud.
“hello!”
“nice to meet you!”
People greeted him warmly from all over the place. Simon also moved his hand to greet him.
This is paradise, a world without any worries.
At first, it was a bit embarrassing, but since everyone was naked like this, the feeling of shame quickly disappeared. Just like how it would look strange to be clothed in a bathhouse, covering up your body seemed unnatural.
But Simon was concerned about something else.
‘really.’
No one here frowns.
Everyone looked so happy, the scenery was full of laughter and joy. I could see why the practitioners outside wanted to come here.
‘… … .’
But as this scene continued, Simon felt a strange sense of discomfort.
Simon turned his head away, trying his best not to pay attention.
[They’re all here now.]
That big castle over there.
The palace where the Eternal Saint, Asperia, resides was visible.* * *
Same time.
A cathedral on Sky Island.
“Oh, my lord! We’re in trouble!”
A man was running behind the head priest who was sitting in his seat praying in the sunlight.
The head priest, having finished praying, slowly opened his eyes and looked back as if to ask what was happening.
“West, a letter has arrived! It is from Moses del Beatus, who has gone to Arok!”
“Oh, I see.”
He checked the letter. It said that there were extreme incidents such as a series of deaths of messengers in Arok or an executor killing a practitioner, so he was to dispatch an investigator as soon as possible.
The head priest let out a ‘hmm’ sound as he pondered the matter, and the man bit his lip nervously as he spoke.
“Do you report to the Vatican or the Cathedral of Santa Maria?”
“… … Don’t do that. I will contact Saint Israfil. You quickly form a team.”
“yes!”
“And this news, just in case… … .”
Srrrr-
Suddenly a gust of wind blew and the stars twinkled.
The head priest paused for a moment and looked at his hands.
“huh?”
The letter I was holding in my hand had just disappeared without a trace.
“That’s interesting.”
The two men’s eyes widened sharply. They were clearly the ones who should be fighting the Savior on the battlefield.
A white-haired woman dressed neatly in an Epnell school uniform was reading the letter.
Her eyes, which seemed to hold starlight above the letter, became sharp.
“Here, who wants to go?”
