CH 400

Chapter 400 This is a bonus chapter from the donations

"Heroism as a religion... What is this...?"

"Indeed..."

Both of us, having returned to the VIP room, were at a loss for words.

The Five Great Religions essentially involve faith in existing gods. There are even sacred relics symbolizing the gods' powers. Of course, most people are unaware of facts like the gods possessing dual natures.

Anyway, there are clergy who believe in these gods that lend their powers, and they wield that power in the world.

But this unexpected Heroism religion couldn't possibly be like that.

Rather, it was as if a religion similar to the one from the world I originally came from had suddenly emerged.

Faith in something that doesn't exist.

Just as the Demonism religion originated from the fear of demons, Heroism must have also stemmed from fear. Olivia seemed baffled.

"Ragan Artorius didn't die, but instead ascended and became a god? Does that make any sense?"

"If they want to believe that, then that's what they'll believe. It seems like they're just labeling non-Demonists as Demonists."

Naturally, there was no such thing in the original work.

But since last year, when signs of the Demon King's return began to appear, people fell into fear, wondering who would kill the Demon King if there was no hero.

That fear transformed into a bizarre belief that Artorius would resurrect and vanquish the Demon King.

"Do you think there's something like a religious organization? Like someone spreading it systematically?"

"I don't know... Could that really be? Instead, there are cases of local folk religions. Though most of them have been eradicated long ago... Perhaps it's something like that kind of folk religion?"

When times are suspicious, cults tend to prosper.

However, instead of the revival of Demonism, strangely enough, Heroism, a belief in heroes, emerged. If it's in the form of a folk religion, there would be no core, and as fear of the Demon King spreads, this belief would spread like wildfire.

"Really... I don't know what's going on anymore."

Olivia doesn't deny the existence of the Five Great Holy Religions, she just can't believe in them. People are gripped by fear, some trying to kill their neighbors, and some spreading false hope by worshiping a dead being as a god.

That's the problem.

"But this Heroism thing... In the end, isn't it heresy?"

A folk religion that believes in Artorius, who has become a god.

Instead of the Five Great Divine Gods, they believe in Ragan Artorius, who directly defeated the Demon King.

However, not only does this faith have no effects, but such a belief is fundamentally heretical. It's even more bizarre since the Demon King is supposed to exist, but not be worshiped.

At my words, Olivia bites her lip.

"That's right... It's definitely heresy..."

Olivia looks out the window.

Although the actual view only showed the rooftops of buildings due to the chaos and fear of the crowd, the ominous atmosphere could still be felt.

"But... Denying Artorius's divinity now... Wouldn't that be dangerous for the Holy Religions...?"

In the original work, it was mentioned that the name of Artorious was spoken of at the same level as that of a god. However, it was a story about the absolute trust and reverence humanity had for Artorious, not that he was actually worshipped as a god.

In the special circumstances of the Demon King's return, people began to worship the hero. In their madness from the terror of the Demon King, they created a bizarre faith that the hero Ragan would resurrect and defeat the Demon King.

Who would press a knife to their throat, accusing them of worshipping heresy?

Don't you believe in Artorious?

Don't you believe in the hero who killed the Demon King?

Isn't it a good thing if Artorious is resurrected?

Why do you think it's impossible?

And you, why are you so adamant that Artorious cannot be resurrected?

This guy, huh?

He vehemently denies the resurrection of humanity's savior?

He must dislike the idea of Artorious coming back to life, right?

Why would he dislike that?

Ah...

That's right.

He's right.

This guy is a traitor to humanity.

Such a crazy reverse heresy interrogation becomes a possibility.

Some search for a scapegoat to alleviate their fear, while others begin to believe in a new supreme being for the same purpose.

Ragan Artorious is not a god.

Would anyone who said that be able to keep their head?

—---

A new faith in the hero is spreading. It is unclear whether this faith is a core belief or simply spreading in whispers like folk beliefs, but for now, it seems to be the latter.

"Even if believing in Artorious's return is a fantasy, it's still much better than witch hunts."

"I agree."

I too agreed with Olivia's words. It's the difference between overcoming fear with anger or hope.

Rather than driving innocent people to death as heretics, it's better to spread hope by believing in the hero's resurrection. Of course, the spread of the hero's faith may lead to greater sacrifices due to conflicts with the Five Great Religions, but that is not happening at the moment.

The essence of Ragan Artorious's faith, regardless of what it is, is that it aims to implant the idea of not fearing the Demon King in people's minds.

The troubled hearts of the people calm down by believing in the hero's return.

The important thing.

Ultimately, the core is not the faith in Artorious, but the belief itself that the Demon King will be defeated.

The reason Saviolin Turner sent me here.

It was meant to stabilize the chaotic political situation in Levaina.

And the method was, upon reflection, almost absurdly simple.

"If I show people that I possess the Alsebringer, the chaos will subside immediately, won't it?"

"Yes...I suppose so?"

People longed for someone to fight the Demon King, so they hoped for the resurrection of the deceased Ragan Artorious.

The key is not Artorious, but someone who will defeat the Demon King.

The fear of the Demon King is dispelled by planting the hope that he will be defeated.

The Relic of the War God held by Ragan Artorius who defeated the hero.

People would be reassured just by recognizing the existence of a country chosen by the Alsebringer and its relic. They claimed that a hero had appeared to defeat the Devil King.

Levaina, confused by the fake Devil King's attack, was the perfect place for the second hero to emerge.

—---

I decided to announce to the world that I was the owner of the Alsebringer. The royal family didn't want me to be in danger, but they wanted me to gain fame.

The disheveled capital of Levaina, Rajeurn, was an excellent place to inform people that a new owner of the Alsebringer had appeared. The terrified citizens began a heretic hunt, and the emergence of the Hero Cult, which believed in the resurrection of Artorius, was becoming apparent.

So, I would show people the Alsebringer and tell them in a speech that I would defeat the Devil King, so they should go home, clean their feet, and sleep. The chaos would end, and I would gain fame along the way.

There was no danger, and it would all end with just a few swings of the sword. So, Rajeurn was a perfect place for my debut.

"Are you sure it's okay? It could be... very dangerous."

Olivia seemed worried about me.

The Alsebringer would be an object of opposition to the current Devil King, and if the Devil King targeted me, it would definitely become dangerous.

"It'll be okay."

I couldn't explain why, but Olivia read something from my resolute expression and nodded firmly.

"Alright, since it's your decision, I can't say anything more."

With that, Olivia placed her hand on my shoulder.

"I will protect you, no matter what."

Although she couldn't reach the truth behind the Devil King's attack, Olivia's goal seemed to have changed since I arrived. I wasn't sure if the Saviolin Turner royal family had anticipated this, but Olivia seemed to prioritize protecting me after it was publicly known that I was the owner of the Alsebringer.

After all, she was doing this because I was precious to her.

I felt grateful for that.

"…Thank you."

And, I couldn't help but feel sorry.

"Then, a kiss!"

-Smack!

"Ah, I told you not to do that!"

I wasn't yet, but since I belonged to someone, I really wished she wouldn't do that!

—---

Olivia and I went out to the streets of Rajeurn. It had become night before we knew it.

The streets were chaotic.

Some people were gossiping about the resurrection of the hero, while others, like self-appointed vigilantes, were wandering the streets with torches in hand.

Even if it wasn't for the purpose of flushing out followers of the Devil King, the atmosphere was uneasy just by being still.

Unless a sedative named "Hero" was injected, people would be restless at night, and they wouldn't hesitate to suspect their neighbors.

It was uncertain whether the new owner of the Alsebringer could restore a peaceful night for them, but it would create a better situation than it was now.

In front of a crowd wishing for someone to die in their stead, the Devil King shouted that he would protect them all while wielding the Alsebringer.

Even just imagining it, it was clear that it would be a ridiculous sight.

What's the difference between a hero and a clown? It might seem a bit noble that they bring hope instead of laughter, but I'm not a real hero, so it's just a clown act after all.

"Let's head to the square."

"Alright."

"Please do some flashy effects."

"Sparkles?"

"Yes..."

I mumbled, too embarrassed to elaborate, but Olivia seemed to understand as she grinned and replied.

If I'm going to act like a clown, I might as well do it properly. While I don't possess such abilities, Olivia can provide me with visual effects like emanating radiant light.

A hero (actually the Demon King) wrapped in light, appearing to save the desperate crowd.

Just thinking about it is dizzying and delightful.

Since it would be best to make our appearance where the most people are, Olivia and I headed towards the central square of Rajeurn, where the Warp Gate was located.

How long had we walked? As the square drew closer, both Olivia and I couldn't help but look increasingly grim.

"It's increased since then..."

As Olivia said, more poles had been installed in the square, and more people were hanging dead from them.

I didn't know where the frenzied mob found their sacrificial victims, but it seemed there were still more people to kill.

Among the buzzing crowd, guards and priests were fervently chattering, as if preparing to hang someone else.

They knew the dying were not heretics, yet they were killing innocent people to sedate the crowd.

"People... are so frightening..."

Olivia's complexion was turning pale. Was she questioning whether it was truly right to risk danger to save such ignorant people?

Although it was to prevent meaningless deaths, ultimately, it was for Charlotte.

As the square got closer, the enraged mob became more visible.

People screaming at the sight of the hanging dead bodies, people praying, and countless shouts to believe in Artorius blended together into an indistinguishable noise.

"Reinhardt..."

It seemed like Olivia was having a final thought, as she gripped my arm.

The moment my identity as the owner of Alsebringer is revealed, something irreversible will begin.

The title of the Demon King disguised as a hero might bring me something and may even make me responsible for something.

As if it were the last chance, Olivia and I exchanged a pitiful gaze.

Just as I was about to consider my last thoughts,

From behind Olivia, the corpse hanging from a long pole suddenly

-Whoosh!

Moved its arm.

-Thud!

The corpse, which should have been dead, moved its drooping right arm to grip the rope around its neck and then

-Snap!

-Bang!

It broke the rope, falling to the ground, and I could see it all.

-Ahhhhhhhh!

-The corpse is moving!

"What?"

-Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Olivia turned her head following my gaze, and there it was, a corpse sprawled on the ground, rising up at a grotesque angle.

But that was not all.

-Thud! Splat! Swoosh!

The hanging corpses, one by one, began to move as if still dead, a sight that could not be unseen by the enraged crowd, Olivia, or myself.

"W-what... what is... this...?"

Olivia's face drained of color as she watched the strangely elongated-necked corpse struggle to its feet.

With its tongue sticking out, the dead body shuddered as it stood up.

-Kyaaaaaah!

A cursed scream, echoing as if from the depths of the abyss, filled the air.

—---

In an instant, the plaza turned into a chaotic battleground.

"The curse of the demon god has befallen us!"

The crowd screamed in panic, while some, upon hearing the resurrected corpses' screams up close, lost their minds and collapsed on the spot.

-Grunt! Groan!

The resurrected corpses tore into the people with their screams, displaying enhanced physical abilities as they bit and killed their victims.

Were the frenzied crowds paying the price for their madness?

Or were the dead truly followers of the demon god?

The cause and reason were unknown.

-Kyaaaaaah!

Not only were the resurrected corpses massacring people, but they were also effortlessly killing the guards. It was apparent that ordinary people could not stand against them. The priests conducting the unjust heresy trials were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

-Aaaargh!

Even a priest who had just hanged a corpse found himself bitten and killed by the very same body.

There was no time to waste.

I summoned Alsebringer and leapt into the scene of the sudden tragedy, with Olivia following suit.

"Be careful, Reinhardt!"

"Yes."

Considering the number of reanimated corpses, fighting together would only result in greater casualties.

Magic Body Strengthening.

And Self-Suggestion.

I strengthened my body to its maximum potential and ran towards a corpse that had just bitten someone's neck and was searching for its next victim. I swung Alsebringer at it.

-Swish!

I successfully severed the corpse's neck.

-Groan!

However, the headless body still flailed and tried to grab my arm.

Even without a head, it moved.

A special case of corpse reanimation.

The influence of a malevolent power was likely.

In that case, I needed to use Tiamata instead of Alsebringer.

-Slurp!

I put Alsebringer away and grabbed Tiamata, stabbing it into the flailing corpse's chest.

-Thump!

-Gurgle! Gargle!

Blood and foam bubbled disgustingly from the headless, resurrected corpse's neck stump, but only for a moment.

-Whoosh!

White flames shot up from Tiamata, engulfing the corpse as if burning something away.

The corpse itself was not burning, but Tiamata was consuming something within it.

As if attempting to burn away the corrupt energy with divine flames.

It was the first time actually using it in a battle against the undead, but the effect was absolute.

Thud.

The immobilized corpse fell lifelessly to the ground.

Boom! Gasp!

Olivia, enveloped in a white radiance, was dealing with the corpses biting at people one by one with her fists and kicks.

There was no need to worry about that side.

Oh, oh my...

The holy light...

Despite the sudden chaos and massacre, people were blankly murmuring as they saw our presence.

"Damn it! We don't have time for this! Get moving!"

After yelling at the dumbfounded crowd, I moved towards the next target.

Screeeech!

As if reacting to Tiamata, the corpses indiscriminately attacking people turned their gaze precisely towards me, screeching hideously.

Whether it was some magic or the real machinists causing the chaos, I couldn't tell.

These corpses possessed a combat power incomparable to ordinary humans. And I knew from facing the zombies last time.

The real problem with them wasn't their combat power, but the primal fear they instilled. Seeing a corpse charge with its unnaturally elongated neck and its protruding tongue flapping wildly, it's impossible not to have one's reason paralyzed and legs go weak.

That's why even the armed guards were panicking and fleeing.

The true power of the undead lies not in their strength, but in the fear and revulsion they evoke from their grotesque appearance.

"Go back to being a corpse."

But I, I had already faced them before.