In the beginning, the god Rowric took the form of a child. He favored novelty and experiences he had never encountered before. This god, who had never manifested himself on earth, did not love humans. He only blessed those who triumphed in wars.

The stronger ones were more likely to be chosen by the god. And this choice fell upon the current Eljerat Empire.

Since ancient times, the Eljerat Empire enjoyed fighting and always emerged victorious in wars against neighboring countries. Rowric, the primordial god and also known as the god of war, blessed the Eljerat Empire, and this continued for a long time.

The Eljerat Empire was strong, and this strength became a problem. Whether the god got bored of the continuous victories or not, he no longer bestowed his blessings.

His gaze had ended.

People thought so. Believing their nation was strong even without the god, they increasingly neglected the god and the temple.

Thus, the temple walked the path of decline.

‘But I can’t let it go like this. The time will come soon. Just have to hold on until then.’

A smile spread across Cesenia’s face.

“You know it, don’t you? That the god has long since departed. Don’t you feel your power waning?”

“Heh heh.”

“Isn’t your pure reliance on the god, without resorting to other means, what’s causing you trouble? You’ve become fools, just waiting for the god’s power.”

“Even though you bear the title of saint, your words seem increasingly excessive.”

Then, unlike the silent Grand Priest, the High Priest Ray looked at Cesenia with a very uncomfortable expression. Yet, Cesenia faced them without any impact or disturbance.

“Wouldn’t it be okay to be a little less pure?”

“What do you mean?”

Finally, the Grand Priest seemed somewhat intrigued by her words.

“Grand Priest, let your ‘horse’ walk a dirty path, and let it be covered in filth at the end of that path. You just remain the Grand Priest who trusted that horse. I’ll take on that filth and save the temple. To become the horse means I’ll do it.”

“Filth?”

“A sacred object found by a saint, abundant in holy power. But it wasn’t a real divine artifact. What does it matter if this is revealed later? We need to get through the present.”

“What are you planning to do, Saint Cesenia?”

“I will create an artifact to get us through this situation. Use it to attract everyone’s attention.”

“Create a fake to get through this?”

“Yes.”

“Eventually, the people will turn away from the empire anyway.”

“Is this the time to be choosy? You need to sustain life a bit longer. Otherwise, the temple will collapse.”

She was not wrong. In fact, her words were too accurate. If things continued as they were, the temple would soon collapse. Even now, apart from the conservative priests, most of the priests were skeptical about this matter. Many had already left the temple.

The priests were the first to notice the disappearance of divine power.

The Grand Priest thought he might be the last one. In such a situation, artificially sustaining life?

“Is that necessary? If it’s revealed later, it will cause greater harm.”

“…”

“Don’t worry about us, Saint Cesenia. Let’s pretend we didn’t have this conversation today.”

However, as the Grand Priest spoke as if giving up, Cesenia smiled even more.

“The sacred object I’m talking about won’t be easily exposed. It contains the power of a god. And I know a way to bring the god back.”

It was then that the Grand Priest, who was about to leave, stopped.

“You’re taking this too far.”
“No, it’s true. Eventually, the statement that the god has not departed will become the truth.”

Perhaps no other words would have shaken the Grand Priest’s heart. But for the Grand Priest, who had grown up in the temple from birth and had only believed in the god, the words that the god had not departed were more comforting than anything else.

“Heh heh…”

“Don’t joke around. You’ve been going on like this since earlier…”

It seemed as if all of her words were taken as a joke by the High Priest Ray, whose expression had hardened.

“If it were a joke, why would I volunteer to become the horse? Eventually, to find that method, my power will be needed. So, use me.”

“Exactly what method are you referring to, Saint Cesenia? And why would you willingly take on such filth and tarnish your reputation?”

“I have a wish. And I would like you to promise to fulfill it without asking any reason. Grand Priest.”

“There’s no need to hear this. Grand Priest. It’s obvious, isn’t it? Proposing strange methods to gain the Grand Priest’s assistance, it’s too transparent…”

High Priest Ray, who had been regarding Cesenia unfavorably, eagerly spoke up. But even then, Cesenia did not flinch. She remained unbothered as if it didn’t matter what was said about her.

“Quite a serious conversation, it seems.”

“Yes. That’s why I didn’t come here lightly. Just speaking of it could get me dragged away for blasphemy. To create and announce a fake, and then turn all the responsibility onto me means that… I am also seeing the end in doing this.”