LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 655
Chapter 655: If You Don’t Want to Die, Die Right Now. (1)
“Similar to Piote.”
Divine power is mostly innate. It’s nearly impossible to increase it after reaching adulthood.
However, Piote’s divine power rapidly increased after coming to the Territory of Penris.
It wasn’t just about the quantity; even the purity was incomparable to that of other priests.
There was only one reason.
“The most likely cause is good deeds. I can’t be sure, but there’s no other reason.”
Piote continued to increase his divine power through self-sacrificial good deeds. Before that, he was merely a low-ranking priest in a temple.
But now, Deneb was showing a similar change.
Of course, it was uncertain whether this change was due to his current good deeds or some other reason.
“I’ll have to observe a bit longer to know.”
Deneb couldn’t be taught the Mana Circulation Method. That’s because divine power and mana cannot coexist.
Since he was destined to be a saint, it wasn’t something I regretted too much.
But if the situation was similar to Piote’s, then Deneb’s divine power could also increase rapidly.
“Ah… that might be a bit annoying.”
Of course, that method didn’t really align with Ghislaine’s approach.
As Deneb comforted the people and healed them, Yulien stepped forward again.
“Don’t fight over the resources. Share according to the number of people in each village.”
Each village would have its own feeling of injustice and situation. However, going through all of that one by one would be endless.
So, Yulien decided to distribute according to the size of the villages.
This time, the villagers bowed their heads obediently. The desire to resist had vanished.
Instead, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude with deep bows.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“I will never forget this kindness.”
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
Yulien and Deneb gladly accepted their thanks. Their expressions were filled with the pride of having helped those in need.
Kyle remained stubbornly leaning with his sword on his shoulder, sulking.
On his shoulder, Dark also sat with squinted eyes, equally grumpy.
Ghislaine stroked her chin, gazing intently at the two.
“I suppose I need to experiment as the opportunity arises.”
If my hypothesis was correct, I wouldn’t need to worry about Deneb; he would naturally perform good deeds without me mentioning anything.
Ghislaine and the heroes set off again. They didn’t have a specific destination. Their goal was simply to experience the world and grow stronger.
Ghislaine asked Yulien.
“You said you’d save the world once you got stronger. Don’t you have some specific plan?”
“Hmm, Astion said he’d come up with a plan.”
“Isn’t that a bit too aimless?”
“Either way, there’s no point if we don’t get stronger. If we’re weak, we can’t fight against the Demon Realm, nor can we provide much help to people…”
“With your current skills, you could at least be a knight in a small territory.”
“I’ve thought about that… but then we’d be confined to one territory. That wouldn’t help anyone…”
Yulien glanced at Deneb subtly.
Regardless of the situation, she was a trainee priestess. Unless the church issued a decree, she couldn’t officially settle down in one territory.
It was fine for her to travel around as a trainee priestess. The church didn’t set a timeframe. They simply said to do good deeds and gather donations.
Since she was already in a precarious position, no one would care whether Deneb settled down or not, but the heroes didn’t seem to realize that.
Ghislaine smirked.
“So, you want to keep following him…”
If they were tied to one territory, they wouldn’t be able to follow Deneb if things went awry. Thus, Yulien seemed to have given up on becoming a knight.
“Does she have a crush?”
She didn’t openly show it, but it seemed like it. Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to follow Deneb around, pledging to protect him.
Thinking that way made sense of why Yulien had no immediate goals. She merely had a vague dream of getting stronger alongside Deneb to save the world.
“That won’t do.”
It’s important to grow stronger, but establishing a foundation is equally essential. Astion would likely have a plan. They just needed to assist a little.
Ghislaine intended to help Yulien set up a small foundation soon.
Knowing the importance of information, Ghislaine frequently asked the three about the current state of affairs whenever she had the chance.
This era was more chaotic than she could imagine.
“There’s no territory without banditry.”
“Territory wars start all the time.”
“Everyone is simply surviving.”
Greedy nobles busily squeezed the territory residents. All around, bands of robbers ran rampant, looting as they pleased.
Monsters also roamed in groups, ambushing and devouring humans everywhere.
It was truly a time of chaos. And all of this calamity stemmed from the Demon Realm.
The monsters from rifts that appear at given times. Once they swept through, the world would inevitably be ravaged.
The world had gone through destruction and recovery multiple times, spanning thousands, or perhaps tens of thousands of years.
So, it was no surprise that people were exhausted. A culture of desolation that prioritizes instant pleasure and gain had become widespread.
Killing someone and stealing their belongings had become a natural occurrence. Everyone mocked and trampled upon those weaker than themselves.
If you were weak, you were bound to suffer. All accepted that grim truth cynically.
Very few listened to the voices of the weak.
The world was becoming a hell.
In such a world…
Yulien’s eyes sparkled as he said.
“I want to change the world.”
His voice carried sincere intention.
It wasn’t just a simple desire. It was filled with a profound longing for change.
Yulien wanted to stand alongside the weak, breaking the chains of greed and violence that pervaded this world.
He sought to protect the weak, establish justice, and create a new order.
A new world where the Demon Realm, rifts, noble greed, bandit plunder, and monster ambushes were all eliminated.
A world where every person could maintain their dignity, respect one another, and live in harmony.
He genuinely wished to create such a world.
Deneb held the same wish as Yulien.
“It’s just a dream, but it’s what I want.”
The two smiled at each other. They both knew their dreams were far-fetched.
But they still desperately wished for it. That’s why they lived helping others despite the hardships.
“…”
Ghislaine didn’t know what to say.
The darker it gets, the brighter the stars shine. Conversely, for stars to shine brightly, the surroundings must be filled with darkness.
In this dark world, these two, like stars, would ultimately fulfill their dreams.
And… Ghislaine knew how it would end. That was why she couldn’t say anything.
Thud.
“Ouch!”
Ghislaine’s staff hit Yulien on the head. He squinted his eyes at her as if he found it ridiculous.
“What kind of world are you going to save being that weak? Do you really think that’s possible?”
“Ugh…”
Yulien scratched his head. He knew that achieving his dream was nearly impossible.
Seeing Ghislaine made him feel even more acutely. With his current skills, it was nothing short of a dream.
Astion had filled him with confidence that he could do it, but…
Had he grown fond of these days spent together? Dark, who was resting on Ghislaine’s shoulder, chimed in.
“Yeah, if you keep dreaming with such weak skills, you’ll die early. Don’t cause a ruckus.”
Dark also gazed into the future with Ghislaine. So, they both knew that eventually, the two would realize their dreams.
But such sacrifices would have to follow. So, despite itching to speak, he held back.
In his mind, Dark whispered to Ghislaine.
— Master, you’re not going to talk about it, right?
‘Yeah.’
— Then who will save the world? Just leave it be? Are we supposed to save it ourselves?
‘I don’t know.’
The longer Ghislaine spent here, the more her head ached.
If they saved the world, the two would die. No, perhaps the saint would simply become an existence whose fate was uncertain.
Yet saving the world was the only way the future she knew could materialize. Probably.
If the world collapses, then the Ruthania Kingdom and House of Perdium would perish as well.
Ghislaine turned to Kyle and asked.
“You said it wouldn’t happen for you, right?”
“Uh, I just have to get stronger. Those two are just too naive.”
“Naive?”
“Astion said he was a bit crazy. It’s because he spouted nonsense when he was young. Talking about saving the world and such. I never believed it. But those two did! Their eyes are all sparkly now.”
Right, a realistic person would think like that. But what could be done? The slightly crazy words of Astion were indeed the truth.
Ghislaine frowned slightly with a twinge of sympathy. She didn’t want those kind-hearted three… or rather, those two to make sacrifices while saving the world.
Yet she couldn’t simply tell them not to save the world.
So, there was only one way.
Thud!
“Ow! Why do you keep hitting me?!”
Yulien clutched his head and stepped back. Ghislaine spoke with a bored expression.
“Just get strong enough not to die. Stronger than what I’ve seen before.”
“What? What does that even mean?”
“There’s such a thing. First, I’ll teach you the new swordsmanship and Mana Circulation Method.”
Ghislaine first taught them the swordsmanship and Mana Circulation Method they had originally used. For Deneb, he taught some suitable blunt techniques.
For several days, he meticulously taught them. The three were bursting with admiration day by day.
“Whoa, whoa! There’s swordsmanship like this?”
“If I master this, I think I can get strong quickly!”
“The Mana Circulation Method is amazing too. The mana gathers super fast.”
The three were truly happy. For a moment, they thought it was a relief that Ghislaine had entered Astion’s body.
Once everyone had sufficiently understood the new techniques, Ghislaine said,
“Now, let’s start training that’s almost like real combat.”
“Can’t we just practice whenever we have time?”
“Nope, not exactly.”
Whack!
Ghislaine’s staff flew toward the three. That day, the three got thoroughly beaten up in the rain.
The training was harsh. The three were hit continuously by Ghislaine’s sudden attacks at random times.
They were hit while eating, and even while sleeping. They were beaten so much that they could hardly relax even in their dreams.
Of course, the three didn’t just take it lying down. They rushed at Ghislaine whenever they got the chance.
Whack! Whack! Whack!
Each time they rushed at her, they ended up getting knocked back down, of course.
“I’m done! What kind of training is this?!”
Whack!
Kyle screamed in protest, but Ghislaine’s staff struck him, and he fainted on the spot.
“Sorry. If you don’t want to die, die right now.”
Ghislaine wore a bittersweet smile.
After all, she was trying to help them get stronger. She merely changed the intensity a little.
‘To be strong enough to save the world and not die in the process. To do that, they’ll have to get incredibly strong.’
With that thought, Ghislaine really drilled her three pupils hard.
The more they endured, the faster their skills grew. If they didn’t want to die, they had no choice but to improve.
To the extent of how severely Ghislaine pushed them, even the patient Deneb couldn’t hold it in and shouted.
“I’m just going to part ways with you guys and train separately! I had fun during this time! Goodbye! Take care!”
“No way. Get back.”
Whack!
Yulien, who almost split from Deneb, scowled and drew his sword.
“Stop this training! And get out of Astion’s body right now!”
“Nope, I’m not leaving.”
Whack!
There was no distinction between the hero and the saint. Ghislaine relentlessly trained them.
Finally, the three understood what it meant to be beings that entered a friend’s body.
“They’re demons! A demon has entered Astion’s body!”
“Oh goddess! Please save us.”
“We’ve been deceived! We’ve fallen into the clutches of a nasty demon!”
Regardless of how the three cursed or complained, Ghislaine only pondered how to make them stronger.
‘It’s still too early for duels.’
While I could adjust the training according to their skills, it was still premature. Right now, it was important to engrain the new swordsmanship and Mana Circulation Method into their bodies.
To do so, the best way was to keep hitting them randomly until their bodies instinctively reacted.
Thus, the three continued their torturous training under the guise of practice. Using up all their stamina for training, it was inevitable that their movement speed slowed down.
“Hmm, shall we take a break today?”
After several days of nonstop movement, they had approached a Small City. Ghislaine decided to rent an inn for a good rest.
As they got close to the city, Kyle dashed ahead and shouted.
“Guard! Guard! Please save me! A demon has taken over my friend’s body…!”
Whack!
Ghislaine carried the collapsed Kyle, saying.
“Sigh, why don’t you understand my intentions? I’m doing this to save you after all.”
Gathering the last of his strength before losing consciousness, Kyle muttered.
“Just… kill me…”
Ignoring him, Ghislaine strode forward. Yulien and Deneb followed closely, glancing at her uneasily.
Entering the city, Ghislaine cheerfully announced.
“Having trained hard, let’s take a few days off. Rest is a part of training after all.”
“R…right.”
The two nodded wearily.
In reality, rest was essential. Ghislaine planned to pause her training for a moment and conduct some suspicious experiments.