Genius Warlock

"Like the fact that you're the god of a cult religion formed in Wineham, for instance … That's the reason I called you." Edith stated, his gaze fixed on Oliver.

Taken aback by the unexpected revelation, Oliver's mind raced with several thoughts before he realized he had only one option.

"…How did you find out?"

"Oh? You're not denying the fact that you're considered a god?"

His head spun at his remark. Oliver composed himself and spoke earnestly.

"Um…, Mr. Edith. First of all, I am not a god. Obviously. However, I am aware that there is a group that worships me as one. Is that group called ‘The Chosen Ones' by any chance?"

Edith displayed genuine interest, devoid of any hint of greed.

"Yes, ‘The Chosen Ones' is correct. …Do you know why they are called that?"

"Why are you asking?"

"I asked first, and I'm in control of this conversation. If I were you, I'd simply answer… Damn! I feel great. I'm controlling the conversation!"

Edith appeared genuinely pleased.

Though Oliver found the topic uncomfortable, he acquiesced to Edith's request. After all, he was right.

"I believe they are called ‘The Chosen Ones' because they are chosen, as the name suggests."

"Chosen by whom? God?"

"No… They say they were chosen by me."

"You say it as if it's someone else's business."

Oliver nodded, reminiscing about the time he reunited with Marie following the auction incident. It was a truly perplexing moment.

Evidently, Oliver had left them to rediscover their true self, yet the family had transformed into a religious organization that relied heavily on him. Marie had achieved remarkable results by forming a religious group and designating him as their savior.

His feelings were indeed complex and strange.

What could he say… It felt personally awkward, but Marie's sincerity, dedication, and accomplishments were admirable.

Perhaps that's why he had allowed Marie to refer to him as her master after the battle and to believe in him as a savior within certain limits.

He felt he had no right to deny the effort Marie had put in.

"Why do you think you have no right? You're their god, right? A god can ask for anything."

"Mr. Edith, once again, I am not a god. It's absurd. Therefore, such demands shouldn't be made… Even if I were a god, it wouldn't be right."

As Oliver drew the line with a subtle change in expression, Edith backed off, raising both his palms.

It was a slight shift, but considering his usual demeanor, it seemed all the more significant.

"Alright, enough with the jokes… But answer my question. Why did you allow it in the end? That means you're responsible too, right?"

Oliver couldn't argue with him. He had, in essence, allowed Marie to venerate him.

"The belief itself was flawed from the beginning to the end, but Marie put in all her heart, achieved results, and actually helped many people."

Oliver recalled the moment when he inhaled the emotional particles belonging to Marie, filling his lungs as the fragments of memories spread throughout his body.

In that moment, Oliver could feel it.

The amalgamation of emotions and fragments of lives from numerous individuals.

Although it was too fragmented and overflowing with information for him to comprehend everything, Oliver could somewhat grasp the value of this faith and belief, indirectly experiencing their lives.

All of this was the result of Marie's efforts. Oliver wasn't sure if he had the right to reject it.

"So you allowed it?"

"Yes… Isn't it incredible? While I've only looked after myself, Marie has done so much more."

"Quite fascinating."

Edith, who had been staring intently at Oliver, suddenly spoke. Oliver inquired,

"What did you say?"

"If it were anyone else saying that, I'd tell them to stop talking nonsense. But you, you seem genuine."

"Genuine? I don't understand what you mean."

"People are disgustingly vile creatures who pretend to be good and selfless. That goes for this country's queen, prime minister, parliament members, businessmen, and even your own parents. ‘I have no greed; I'm doing this all for you.' They say one thing and think another. So, I never trust anyone… but you, you're a little different. There are two possibilities."

"What are they?"

"Either you're an incredible con man, or you're a lunatic."

"Uh… thank you?"

"It's not a compliment."

"Oh, I see… May I ask you a question as well?"

Edith, seemingly satisfied, granted permission. Oliver wasted no time inquiring,

"How did you find out about ‘The Chosen Ones'?"

"Is it that mysterious? It's actually an obvious question if you think about it."

"…?"

"A warlock who comes alone to Landa, kills living legends of solvers in just a few years, not to mention forming an unofficial alliance with the city, and doing the crazy act of sneaking into the Magic Tower. Of course, I had to do some background check. Besides, I even know your real name."

While not entirely clear, it was somewhat comprehensible.

"Finding out wasn't difficult. The only noteworthy thing in Wineham where you came from was that cult. So, it was just a matter of looking into that. As I said before, ‘Knock, and it shall be opened unto you!'"

Edith seemed to be in high spirits as he gestured with his hands, as though conducting an orchestra.

Just as Oliver was about to inquire about the significance of this, Edith spoke first.

"By the way, ‘The Chosen Ones.' Quite an interesting group for a cult."

"Is that so?"

Oliver appeared intrigued. It was still uncomfortable, but a part of him was genuinely interested.

"Yes. I'm somewhat familiar with cults—odd exotic gods, doomsday prophecies, devil-worshipping groups, and so on. It was a field of interest at one point."

"Why were you interested?"

"Religion makes money. So, you have all sorts of people. Even though they all do the same thing."

"What do they do?"

"They exploit the vulnerable, who have nothing but faith—taking their money, their bodies, and even their families."

Edith greedily rubbed his plump fingers together.

"But ‘The Chosen Ones' are different. The core of most cults is exploitation, but not them… They seem relatively normal."

"Normal? What exactly do you mean?"

"Aiding the poor. Quite unusual for a cult."

"Aiding the poor?"

"Yes, disabled veterans, orphans abandoned by their parents, useless old people, widows with nothing but their bodies and children, overflowing urban workers, and real beggars… They provide them with money, food, clothing, and even build factories to offer jobs. They're rapidly expanding, focusing on underdeveloped small cities."

It aligned perfectly with what Marie had conveyed in the past.

‘Marie still seemed to maintain her initial intentions.'

Edith continued to provide details.

"Though not confirmed, my research suggests that they now have tens of thousands of followers. Maybe 30,000 to 40,000? Well, they offer money, food, and jobs, so why not believe?"

Hearing the current state of ‘The Chosen Ones,' Oliver fell into contemplation.

When Marie attempted to recruit Oliver, she mentioned the organization's growth, and it seemed she had increased their size tenfold in just a few years. It was genuinely impressive.

"Really… There's no exploitation or anything like that?"

"Well, that's a matter of perspective, isn't it? Difficult to give a simple answer… They do extract a certain amount of emotions from their followers and turn them into black magic products like Pilgarets and sell them."

"Emotions?"

"Right. Moderately, not excessively. I honestly understand. You need money to help someone, and money doesn't just appear out of nowhere, right? But there are people who make an issue out of this."

"Who are they?"

"Who else? The Parter Church, who hate warlocks and hate cult religions even more. They are currently hunting down ‘The Chosen Ones'."

***

Edith spoke up.

He mentioned that The Chosen Ones, spread out in small towns centered around Wineham, were facing eradication by the Parter Church.

"We can say it's bad luck. The extremist faction within the church is sensitive because of some prophecy, and in the midst of that, they got noticed… On top of that, one of the huge factions of the Black Hand officially attacked the Tower, so the overall atmosphere is chaotic. In short, it's like bad luck has stuck… Was it a certain faction of the Black Hand that attacked the tower in Lake Village?"

"It's the Human-meat Chef faction."

Oliver responded.

Edith muttered as if he had some knowledge about them.

"Human-meat Chef… that would be Gallos."

"Do you know anything?"

"I've heard rumors. I have wider connections than you'd think. A huge criminal organization that has an enormous connection using youth and vigor as bait. There are rumors that they produce ‘Bloody Wine,' a representative item among Gallos' underground goods."

‘Bloody Wine? I think I've heard that somewhere…'

Oliver briefly got lost in thought but swiftly returned to the original topic.

"Um… Do you know the current situation of ‘The Chosen Ones'?"

"A little. The lower branches mostly composed of civilians are relatively okay, but the main church in Wineham is said to be in crisis due to heavy attacks. Collaborators have been arrested, and the female leader is on the run. Well, it makes sense. Warlocks can't stand against Paladins."

"You seem to know in detail."

"There are people in the Parter Church who love money and have shady backgrounds. Actually, there are a lot."

"Do you also know how much damage they have incurred?"

"Well… All I know is that if things go on like this, they'll be eradicated in a few days. It's over once the leader is caught."

Oliver thought about Marie, the leader of ‘The Chosen Ones'.

Marie, who initially aided him in the Joseph family.

Marie, who later taught him how to read and write.

Marie, from whom he learned black magic.

Marie, whose original identity began to fade as she became conscious of him.

Marie, who exhibited incomprehensible faith and beliefs.

Marie, who achieved undeniable success through tremendous efforts.

"…Mr. Edith, if you don't mind me asking, why are you telling me all this?"

"Well, for starters, because it feels like I should? Not everything in the world needs a plausible reason, does it?"

Edith shrugged his shoulders, leaving Oliver momentarily speechless.

After all, not everything demands a rational explanation.

In any case, Oliver's mind became increasingly tangled. Marie and ‘The Chosen Ones', created by Marie, were in crisis… Suddenly, thoughts of the apocalypse prophecy he had discussed with Merlin came to mind.

The prince of hell, the son of an angel, and so on. But the most astonishing revelation was that Oliver himself had initiated the first chapter of the apocalypse.

It was Oliver himself. It was truly perplexing. He couldn't fathom that he had played such a role.

"You seem to be troubled."

"……Do I?"

"Just a little. Your expression is a poker face, so it's hard to tell…… What's on your mind?"

"Well…… A few days ago, something was bothering me and it came back to my mind."

"I'm curious as to what that is."

"Um…… May I ask how you felt?"

"Out of the blue, what are you talking about?"

"When you found out that I'm being treated as a god in a pseudo-religion, what did you think? Were you surprised, or frightened?"

Upon hearing the question, Edith seemed to get hungry once more and took a bite of his pie.

"Do I have to be afraid of you?"

"No, that's not what I mean."

"Then it's good. I'm not afraid of you at all. Because to me, you're nothing more than a solver who's good at his job, but can't make a good joke or read the room."

"……Is that so?"

"Of course. You're good at your job, but you can't make jokes and you can't read the room."

"Ah, I see…… that's how it is…… Mr. Edith, you mentioned that ‘The Chosen Ones' would be purged in a few more days?"

"Yes."

"Could you tell me, in as much detail as possible, about the data you have investigated on ‘The Chosen Ones' and why the Parter Church is purging them?"