A few days later.

Witga arrived at the underground temple.

He immediately left Isla, whom he held in high regard, behind and went to meet Yasle.

Without a blessed individual present, I can’t see what happened. Unfortunately, I don’t know the details of their interaction.

However, I do know there was an argument. Most of the people I’ve blessed have exceptional hearing.

Faint shouting. The sound of something breaking.

These sounds, no matter how many walls separated them, could still be heard.

Most importantly, I could see through Isla’s eyes—Witga’s expression as he left the conversation was terrible.

It’s clear that the relationship between Yasle and Witga has fractured.

The cracks within the Future Hope Sect are widening.

What decision will Witga make now?

If he hesitates too long, he won’t have the chance to decide. Andrew is already taking advantage of the opportunity to act.

Among those present at Andrew’s meetings, there is just one blessed individual. Through this person, I know exactly what Andrew is planning.

Surprisingly, Andrew is using this opportunity to negotiate with the Ansellus Kingdom.

The reason he’s chosen to negotiate is, astonishingly, Tis-ha.

Yes, Andrew knows who Tis-ha is.

A blessed one.

A superhuman.

The fact that the Ansellus Kingdom accepted someone blessed by the Outsider is why Andrew is ready to abandon the Future Hope Sect.

He stirs up his followers, questioning when “Krssaksshibal” became the name of the god they worship. In fact, Andrew’s own memories, and those of his subordinates, show that during his time as a leader, they simply referred to the deity as “god.”

He insisted that the name was sacred and should only be addressed with honorifics, never explicitly spoken.

Yet now, he’s brought up a name he’s never mentioned before.

Miriga.

Andrew claims it was always the original name. The followers nod in agreement as he fervently declares it, and even the blessed individual in his ranks nods along.

I can’t read their minds, so I don’t know for sure, but there’s a high likelihood they’re fabricating memories.

Sometimes people create false memories to fill gaps in their understanding.

I wouldn’t know about such falsehoods. My perception ends at the moment I lick their light. Beyond that, I only observe.

When did my memory become this extraordinary?

I briefly wonder about this, but given that I’m observing hundreds of people simultaneously, the question is ultimately meaningless.

I’m no longer human, after all.

Thus, Andrew has begun preparing to send an emissary to contact the Ansellus Kingdom. Unfortunately, the one tasked with this mission is not a blessed individual.

We’ll find out soon enough.

The Ansellus Kingdom is already marching toward the Scard Rocky Desert with its elite soldiers. Among them is Tis-ha.

The boy who once hated the Future Hope Sect.

His desire for revenge has transformed into a mission. Being inherently good, he prefers living for others over harboring hatred.

Perhaps a week was too short a time.

Or maybe he’s become crueler.

After all, a mission often takes more lives than a grudge ever could.

Hehe.

Explained this way, one might think the Future Hope Sect represents evil while the Ansellus Kingdom embodies good. But that’s not the reality.

A middle ground?

For those within its borders, the Ansellus Kingdom is a decent country. For those outside, it’s just another nation.

Though centered on the Sacred Light Religion, it’s not quite a theocracy like the Yongrang Theocracy was. To put it simply, it’s reminiscent of medieval European monarchies.

So, of course, they’d capture, experiment on, and dissect blessed individuals. Through the eyes of the blessed, I’ve also seen many ruined lives caused by the Ansellus Kingdom’s tyranny.

I’m merely a small piece of a much larger historical flow.

And within that, I aim to obtain the most important thing.

Warmth.

I thought I might remain in this world for ten years, but it seems everything will end soon. Somehow, I must secure the knowledge of how to summon myself.

Sure, I considered the possibility of being captured and forced to distribute blessings. But given the Ansellus Kingdom’s tendencies, they’re more likely to see me as a monstrous heretic and kill me.

Even if I regenerate, there’s still a limit. I might die eventually.

This body belongs to Rebecca Rolf.

If the vessel breaks, its contents will spill out. What happens to this world after that is unknown, but I must be prepared for the worst.

Glancing at Joanna beside me, I paused.

For the past half-year, she’s stayed by my side, caring for me. Her skin has turned blue, and her eyes—once human—have become those of a demon, with black sclera and glowing irises.

Through blessing hundreds of people, I’ve noticed a pattern.

The more severe the body’s condition and the older the person, the greater the mutations.

One day, an elderly man received my blessing. Like Joanna, his skin turned blue, his eyes yellow with black sclera. But he grew younger.

Since then, individuals in relatively high positions—those not at the bottom or ignorant believers—began seeking blessings.

Rejuvenation is a powerful temptation.

To those who receive it, the blessing becomes something to boast about.

The rejuvenated not only regained youth but became stronger than they ever were. They proudly displayed their newfound vitality.

Yasle encouraged this. He claimed that serving him could heal any wound, even fend off aging.

Thanks to this, I’ve learned much about the Future Hope Sect.

But back to Joanna. She was the first to receive my blessing.

She showed me an alternative method.

And for over half a year, she’s cared for me.

Her care hasn’t been bad.

But I have nothing to give her in return.

Of course, I wouldn’t tell her to leave.

No. As long as she remains a member of the Future Hope Sect, I won’t.

Would Rebecca Rolf say something like that?

With this thought, I paused my run and turned to look to the right, where the sun was rising.

Far off at the edge of the Scard Rocky Desert.

Where the rocks and gravel fade, and grass begins to grow.

There, Tis-ha has set foot.

And for the first time, the Future Hope Sect confirmed that the Ansellus Kingdom is marching toward this underground temple in the heart of the Scard Rocky Desert.

Within a week, the Ansellus Kingdom’s elite forces will attack.

Meanwhile, the Lasve and Cogni Kingdoms have also begun moving troops toward the desert. The speed of their response is too quick to be attributed to mere word of mouth.

Among them must be mages capable of communicating thoughts over a range of 100 meters.

One of them was a sacrifice from whom I stole warmth.

Though she knew little else, it’s unreasonable to assume this world lacks technology akin to telephones.

So, it seems the Future Hope Sect’s plans are known.

However, the Lasve and Cogni Kingdoms haven’t allied. They’re maintaining their distance while killing any Future Hope Sect members in their path as they gradually move south.

Even now, the number of blessed individuals disappearing is steadily increasing.

More villages are betraying the Future Hope Sect.

Blessed individuals sent to collect tributes are killed by warriors lying in wait. The fact that there are far more villages they avoid visiting speaks volumes about the state of things.

The Lasve Kingdom, the Cogni Kingdom, the Ansellus Kingdom—and even smaller nations—are all turning against us.

In short, we’ve lost public support.

The Future Hope Sect is collapsing like dominoes.

But there’s one success Yasle—no, Hieronymus—can claim.

Ah.

It’s better to call him Yasle now, isn’t it?

The superhuman army led by Wide.

Those who gained special powers have honed their abilities and become battle-hardened experts. They’re planning to use their diverse talents to attack the Ansellus Kingdom’s capital.

I mentioned this before.

Since winter began, all blessed individuals have been sent to the Ansellus Kingdom.

Over a hundred enhanced beings are equivalent to an entire army. They possess combination techniques, mass destruction abilities, and powers effective against specific individuals.

They’ll likely be able to destroy the capital.

If the Future Hope Sect falls, the Ansellus Kingdom will too.

Why? Because Wide’s ambition knows no bounds.

Of course, most blessed individuals remain loyal to the Future Hope Sect.

But what happens if the sect’s core collapses?

Those issuing commands will disappear.

And when leadership falters, a new figure will emerge with a fresh blueprint.

Many will follow him. Wide will likely establish a new order.

Conveniently, the royal capital they invade will be right there.

A perfect stage to seize control.

Assuming the capital falls, of course. But judging from how the blessed have fought so far, it doesn’t seem difficult.

Thus, Yasle’s wish stands a good chance of coming true.

When I came to this world, I made a pact with Hieronymus.

A pact full of lies.

But if it’s fulfilled, I can say I kept the agreement in good faith.

If the sect doesn’t fall, the lies render the contract void anyway.

Either outcome works for me.

So, I’ll sit back and observe this place with ease.