“Everyone get ready! The final highlight scene is coming up!”

The religious play Exodus was rapidly approaching its climax.

In the backstage area, a magician overseeing the production gave orders to the crew.

This play was renowned for its extravagant and realistic special effects, something the troupes of this world prided themselves on. Every theater company hired at least one illusionist to handle such work.

“When the signal comes, activate the devices immediately! This is the most important part of today's performance!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Understood!”

The team responded energetically and scattered to their positions. The magician allowed himself a soft chuckle as he thought about the miracle they were about to showcase.

“That man, Phantom… I still can’t believe how detailed his vision is.”

There had always been attempts to fill in the gaps of religious texts with research and imagination. Even though the existence of gods had been proven, the deeds of prophets and saints from ancient times remained shrouded in mystery.

Maybe it was that influence? It had become a long-standing tradition in this world to write creative works that filled in these gaps with believable narratives, based on the smallest scraps of information.

For example, if there was a record of someone walking on water with divine power, an entire mystical story could be crafted around that one event.

These stories usually had educational purposes. Even if the execution was a bit crude, the focus was on delivering the divine message, not crafting a flawless narrative.

Whether slightly exaggerated or reinterpreted, they still drew from existing sources, never creating something entirely new.

“……”

But Phantom’s script was different from those past works.

His narrative was tightly woven, like a finely crafted tapestry. Each line exuded a holiness that felt as though it had been whispered by the divine itself.

The most impressive part was undoubtedly the climax.

‘He must have written this based on the ancient tale of a prophet parting the sea…’

The magician had heard the legend before. But never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the brief legend could be reborn in such a magnificent way.

Phantom’s retelling of Moses’ story transcended mere scriptwriting.

It was so well-crafted that one could almost believe the events had happened just as they were being portrayed on stage.

Suddenly, a frantic extra’s voice broke through from outside the stage.

[Moses! Moses! It’s terrible! Pharaoh has broken his promise! He’s leading his soldiers to slaughter all the Hebrews!]

“All right, this is it! Is everyone in position? Don’t mess this up!”

The magician issued the signal to begin the final scene of Exodus.

He quickly prompted the team into action, casting his illusion magic in preparation for the grand finale.

✧❅✦❅✧

“What?! He broke his promise and is chasing them down to kill them?!”

“Ugh, Pharaoh! That cowardly, vile pagan!”

The paladins’ eyes flared with anger. Devout in their faith, they couldn’t tolerate broken promises.

In their eyes, breaking an oath was a grave sin, a betrayal of the highest honor.

Even though Pharaoh had turned his back on his word, Moses remained unshaken.

Boom, crash—!!

Suddenly, the sky darkened with storm clouds, thunder roaring as the heavens seemed to tremble.

In the next moment, a pillar of fire shot down from the sky like a spear, slamming into the ground.

It blocked the path of Pharaoh’s army, a burning barrier between them and the Hebrews.

[A… a pillar of fire!]

[Oh Lord! Our God!]

[But there’s still no escape! Pharaoh’s army is behind us, and the sea stretches endlessly before us!]

Though the fire had stalled Pharaoh’s forces, the Hebrews were still trapped, unsure of where to go. Panic began to spread, but Moses walked calmly to the shore of the Red Sea, waves lapping at his feet.

[Moses, my son.]

God’s holy voice echoed once more from the sky.

[Do not fear. With this staff, you will perform my miracles.]

[…]

The actor playing Moses, Renoir, grasped the staff with both hands and closed his eyes.

Then, slowly, he raised the staff toward the sea.

Whooosh—!!

Before everyone’s eyes, the vast sea began to part to either side.

Illusion magic and advanced stagecraft worked in tandem to create the grandiose image of the sea splitting in two.

What had once been a calm expanse of water now soared upward, leaving behind a massive pathway large enough for a multitude to cross.

“T-the sea… the sea…!!”

“Oh, my God…!”

The paladins were awestruck, some reduced to tears, instinctively tracing the sign of the cross over their chests.

They had all heard of the Shepherd Who Crossed the Sea—a tale suggesting the Hebrews had escaped across the waters.

But how exactly that miracle was performed had always been a matter of theological debate.

‘The only thing left of the tale is the phrase “the sea dried up,”’ the magician thought.

That expression could easily be interpreted as “the sea parted.”

“This… this is…!”

“The miracle… that God granted to the Shepherd Who Crossed the Sea?!”

“Ooooh… Oooohhh…!”

Shaking with awe, the paladins trembled at Exodus’s fresh reimagining of this sacred tale.

They knew it was only a play, and that the parting sea was just an illusion crafted by magic and stage effects.

But to soldiers whose bodies and spirits had been worn down by war, that didn’t matter.

What mattered was that in this story, a play based on their faith, the Hebrews—the people they saw themselves in—were being saved.

And they were saved in a majestic, awe-inspiring way, exactly as their scriptures suggested.

[The slaves are using magic to escape!]

Moses began leading the Hebrews through the parted sea, but Pharaoh refused to give up the chase.

He raised his khopesh sword high and bellowed an order to his soldiers.

[Follow them and kill them all! Spare no one—cut them down where they stand!]

Blinded by rage, Pharaoh wasn’t the only one filled with hatred. His soldiers had also lost their firstborn sons to the plagues Moses had unleashed.

Driven by vengeance, they charged into the parted sea, without a second thought.

But it was a fatal mistake.

[Pharaoh! You foolish, pitiful ruler of Egypt!]

The moment all the Hebrews had safely crossed the sea,

[Behold, unbeliever! Witness the true power of God!]

Moses raised his staff once more and slammed it down.

Whooosh—!!

The waters crashed back together with a deafening roar, swallowing Pharaoh’s army whole.

Those soldiers who had pursued the Hebrews were wiped out, vanishing beneath the waves without even time for a final scream.

As the waves settled and the illusion of the Red Sea’s parting faded, the theater fell into a stunned silence.

“……”

“……”

No one in the audience spoke. No one moved. The silence was absolute.

[Thus, under Moses’ guidance, the Hebrews journeyed to the land of milk and honey.]

Breaking the heavy silence, the narrator actor’s voice softly continued the story.

[Though their path was fraught with challenges, the Hebrews ultimately reached the promised land. There, they founded the nation of Israel, blessed by God, and lived in peace and prosperity.]

It was a rather condensed version of the story, if I’m being honest.

It’s like summarizing World War II by saying “Hitler failed to get into art school, so he killed himself.”

But for Exodus, this kind of editing was appropriate.

After all, this play was written to reignite the faith of the paladins.

‘Now that the play’s over, let’s see their reactions…’

I crossed my arms, surveying the audience. One paladin, who had been trembling, let out a low groan.

“…U…”

U?

“Uoooohhhhhh!!!”

In the next instant, the entire audience erupted from their seats, roaring in unison like fanatics.