Chapter 869

【 THE GODDESSES’ DIVINE FAVORED 】

A person who disregards personal gain or loss and willingly becomes a moth flying into a flame for the sake of a noble cause is always worthy of respect.

Even someone as carefree and irreverent as Demacia, who had yet to shake off his habit of treating everything with a flippant attitude despite all his time in Elven Kingdom, found himself deeply moved by Old John’s words. For once, the usual jokes and casual remarks that came so naturally to him seemed entirely out of place. Instead, he felt a profound sense of admiration for the man standing before him.

Elven Kingdom was a game, but it was also so much more than just a game.

It was a colorful and vibrant world, one filled with countless stories waiting to unfold. Every NPC had their own history, thoughts, and aspirations, and every one of them possessed the potential to interact with the players in ways that could change the course of their lives.

These interactions between players and NPCs constantly influenced both parties, gradually shaping the world around them. They affected the grand and sweeping storyline of Seiguës, influenced the countless events unfolding across the continent, and propelled the ever-advancing wheels of its epic history forward…

To the NPCs who lived here and the players who roamed this world, it was far more than a mere virtual environment. It was a living, breathing world of its own, one where every decision could have consequences and every encounter could leave a lasting mark.

A world filled with the myriad facets of life, fantastical adventures, and all kinds of legendary tales. A world where ordinary individuals could rise above their circumstances, where heroes could emerge from the most unexpected places, and where even the smallest actions could eventually become part of an extraordinary story…

As one of the earliest players to meet Old John, Demacia still clearly remembered how destitute the man had been when they first crossed paths.

Back then, Old John had been little more than a down-on-his-luck miner, struggling to scrape together enough money to feed himself.

Yet, in less than a year, the man had undergone a remarkable transformation. He had gone from a miner who could barely afford his next meal to a fighter willing to take up arms and even sacrifice his very life for his faith.

Indeed—a fighter.

Demacia genuinely wanted to use that word to describe the Old John standing before him now. It was no longer merely a matter of faith or religious devotion. The man had developed a conviction so powerful that he was willing to face any hardship, endure any suffering, and confront even death itself without backing down.

Although the prison was damp, gloomy, and shrouded in profound silence, Old John seemed to radiate a brilliant light at that very moment.

His eyes shone with an almost astonishing clarity, like a beacon piercing through the darkness and illuminating a path for those who had lost their way.

There was something extraordinary about his expression. It was neither the arrogance of someone convinced of his own righteousness nor the fanaticism of someone who had abandoned reason. Instead, it conveyed a quiet, unwavering determination, the kind that came from having found something worth devoting one’s entire life to.

As Demacia gazed at Old John’s gentle smile, a sentence he had heard during his school days suddenly came to mind for no apparent reason.

“It is only because countless heroes of the past sacrificed their lives and shed their blood, advancing fearlessly one after another, that we can enjoy the peaceful and happy lives we have today…”

He realized that these words were equally applicable to the world of Seiguës.

Would the Church of Life and the Goddess bring about change in the human world of Seiguës?

Of course they would.

As one of the people responsible for revising the Holy Codex of Life and a principal driving force behind the game’s overarching storyline, Demacia understood perfectly well that the deeper motives behind this transformation were to strengthen the Goddess’s power and destroy her enemies.

After all, he had never been under any illusions about the underlying objectives of this entire endeavor. The spread of the Goddess’s faith was, at its core, part of a larger plan to expand her influence and eliminate those who stood in her way.

However, acknowledging these motives did not mean he had to deny the positive changes that could emerge from them.

The Holy Codex of Life, which incorporated certain ideals from Earth, was undeniably more sophisticated than the antiquated doctrines of the Eternal Church. Its teachings were also better suited to a world like Seiguës, where the development of supernatural powers had reached a bottleneck and the established systems of belief had long struggled to provide a path forward, particularly now that the world’s mana capacity was beginning to recover.

In such a world, the principles contained within the Holy Codex of Life offered something that the existing order could not easily provide: a new way of thinking, a new set of ideals, and the possibility of a different future.

As the Goddess’s chosen ones, the players had indeed brought hope to ordinary people living in this dark age, even as they played the game.

What had begun as an effort to complete quests, earn rewards, and advance the Goddess’s interests had gradually grown into something far more consequential. Their actions were influencing the lives of countless NPCs, changing established beliefs, and setting in motion transformations that extended well beyond the boundaries of any individual quest.

Demacia had absolutely no doubt that the beautiful aspirations and promising future he had described to believers while persuading them to join the faith would eventually become reality under the radiance of the Goddess.

He believed that the world they were working toward was not merely an elaborate promise designed to win people’s loyalty. It was a future that could genuinely be brought into existence through their collective efforts.

This was his faith in the Goddess, his faith in the players, and his faith in himself.

That was precisely why he felt so deeply shaken when he truly sensed Old John’s fervent devotion and his willingness to sacrifice everything for his faith.

Until now, Demacia had understood the spread of the Goddess’s faith primarily from the perspective of a player. He had devised strategies, organized resources, and helped guide the direction of events, all while knowing that these developments served a larger purpose within the game.

But Old John was different.

The man was not simply following a questline or carrying out a predetermined task. His conviction was genuine, his determination was unwavering, and his willingness to face death was rooted in a belief that had fundamentally transformed his life.

It was a feeling that words could hardly describe.

It was like casually playing a building-block game, only to suddenly realize at the very end that what he had built was not merely a collection of blocks, but an entire world, one inhabited by countless lives and shaped by the choices of those who lived within it.

Perhaps that was the greatest charm of Elven Kingdom.

It was a game that allowed players to become more than mere observers. Through their actions, they could influence the development of an entire civilization, participate in events that would shape its future, and even become part of the history that generations to come would remember.

At that moment, Demacia suddenly felt that he might be witnessing the history of the world of Seiguës unfold before his very eyes.

And he himself was an active participant in it, a driving force behind its development, and a chronicler of this grand and turbulent history…

Perhaps one day in the future, the history books and ancient records of Seiguës would also devote considerable space to the name Demacia.

Perhaps future generations would read about the role he had played in these events, learning how he had helped spread the Goddess’s faith and contributed to a transformation that had changed the course of history.

What a pity.

If only he had known earlier, he would have followed Brother Mu’s example and used his real name as his in-game username.

“What do I need to do?”

Demacia asked.

His tone had lost its usual flippancy and irreverence. Instead, it had become serious and solemn, carrying a degree of determination that was rarely heard in his voice.

For the first time, he was taking this matter seriously.

“Naturally, you must make full use of the advantages possessed by the Goddess’s chosen ones, as well as your own personal strengths,” Old John replied gently.

As he spoke, Old John gave Demacia a long, meaningful look, as though he had already anticipated the answer he would receive.

“Lord Demacia, I know that your Amway Trading Group has an intelligence network that spans the entire continent. I also know that you have made significant contributions behind the scenes to spreading the Goddess’s faith during this period…”

The man’s words were calm, but there was an unmistakable seriousness behind them.

“Now, I would like to ask for your help once more. I want you to spread the news of what is about to happen here in the capital city of Maniya…”

After hearing Old John’s words, Demacia immediately understood.

He knew exactly what the man wanted him to do.

By now, the spread of the Church of Life’s faith throughout Seiguës had reached what seemed to be a climactic stage. The power that had been quietly gathering over the past several months was gradually swelling to an almost unimaginable degree.

Countless ordinary people had begun to embrace the Goddess’s teachings. The influence of the Church of Life was expanding, and the seeds of change had already taken root in many places.

However, these developments had yet to reach their full potential.

The growing faith needed a catalyst, something that could transform the quiet accumulation of belief into a force capable of shaking the established order.

What they needed now was a spark.

A spark that would completely ignite the believers’ fighting spirit and awaken the common people who remained mired in ignorance and despair. Something powerful enough to make people question the world they had always known and inspire them to stand up for the future they believed in.

That spark was Old John.

His impending trial would provide precisely the kind of event that could capture people’s attention and force them to confront the conflict between the two churches.

However, a spark alone was not enough.

The Eternal Church remained powerful, with an extensive network of influence and the resources to suppress opposition. Even a flame born from genuine conviction could be extinguished before it had the chance to spread.

If Old John’s story were confined to the walls of the prison, his sacrifice might never reach the people who needed to hear it most.

So what they needed was a gust of wind, one capable of fanning the flames, making them grow stronger, and spreading them far and wide…

And there was no one better suited to provide that wind than the players.

After all, they possessed the means to gather information, document events, and distribute news across vast distances. They could turn a local incident into a continent-wide topic of discussion, ensuring that the story reached countless people who might otherwise never have heard of it.

That was the kind of battle the players excelled at most: the battle for public opinion.

“I understand. I won’t be doing anything else for the foreseeable future. I’ll stay by your side until the very end.”

“I’ll also record everything that happens from this point onward and use every resource I can mobilize to spread the news…”

Demacia spoke with determination.

For some reason, once he had decided to take things seriously and fully immerse himself in his character, he found himself developing an inexplicable sense of nobility and purpose.

At that moment, he suddenly felt that he could understand, to some extent, how Cypher had felt when completing the grand solo Azurefrost Elves quest back then.

Ah, if only there were some background music playing right now…

Looking at Old John before him, who had received his satisfactory response and was now continuing to preach to the prisoners with the same gentle demeanor, his entire figure seemingly bathed in holy light, Demacia could not help thinking this.

The scene was already moving enough. With the right music, it would practically be a legendary cutscene.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, solemn background music began to play softly beside his ears, making Demacia freeze in surprise.

He had not expected the game system to respond so promptly to his thoughts.

It was music he had never heard before. It still had the characteristic elven style, but unlike the ethereal and soothing melodies from before, this piece was weathered and weighty, carrying the solemnity of a distant past and the grandeur of an epic.

Demacia’s expression gradually turned solemn.

He let out a soft sigh, dug his fingers into his throat, and coughed up a spatial storage ring. He then took out a magic recording crystal from within it.

Pointing the crystal at Old John, he began recording.

He wanted to preserve every detail of this moment, from Old John’s words and expressions to the reactions of the prisoners gathered around him. He wanted to document the man’s convictions, his teachings, and the extraordinary circumstances that had brought him to this point.

At the same time, he also opened a blank text document through the game system and named it Demacia’s Diary.

However, after a moment of thought, he reconsidered.

The original title seemed too ordinary, too much like the personal notes of a player documenting his daily activities.

What he was about to record was not merely a diary. It was the beginning of a story that might eventually spread far beyond the prison walls, reaching people across the continent and inspiring others to take up the same cause.

After a brief pause, he deleted the original title and replaced it with a new one.

A Single Spark…

༺⟐༻

The other prisoners and guards knew little about the conversation and cooperation between Old John and Demacia.

After compensating those newbie players for their losses, Demacia had also disbanded his business group.

He had no plans to travel elsewhere for the time being. Instead, he had decided to remain here at Dororia Castle Prison, putting aside his usual activities and business dealings to focus entirely on what was happening there.

More precisely, he had decided to stay by Old John’s side.

Using a magic recording crystal, the game’s built-in screen recording function, and written notes, he meticulously documented Old John’s remarkable preaching experiences in the dungeon. He recorded the various doctrines and insights the man shared during his sermons, along with the reactions of the prisoners who listened to him.

Taking the role of an observer, Demacia began chronicling the story of John, the Goddess’s Human Saint.

As the days passed, he found himself increasingly impressed by the man.

Old John’s understanding of the doctrines of Life far exceeded Demacia’s expectations.

In fact, one could even say that Old John had thought more deeply about these doctrines than Demacia himself, one of the people responsible for revising the Holy Codex of Life.

Although Old John had not been involved with the Church of Life for very long, his understanding of the Goddess’s teachings was already remarkably profound. He could often draw broader conclusions from simple principles and uncover profound meanings hidden within seemingly ordinary words. His sermons were not merely repetitions of established doctrines. Instead, he could explain their underlying principles in ways that resonated with the experiences and struggles of those listening to him.

Sometimes, even Demacia found himself reflecting deeply on the insights and perspectives Old John shared. Certain statements that initially seemed straightforward would prompt him to reconsider his own understanding of the Goddess’s teachings, occasionally leaving him with a sudden sense of clarity.

At times like these, Demacia had to admit that anyone recognized by the Goddess herself as one of her Divine Favored was bound to possess genuine abilities.

At the same time, Demacia came to realize that John’s success in converting almost every prisoner and guard in the dungeon into a believer of Life in such a short period was no coincidence.

The man genuinely possessed the talent for it.

On more than one occasion, Demacia personally witnessed Old John move even the most vicious criminals to tears with his words. Men who had once committed heinous crimes and shown little remorse for their actions would lower their heads in shame as they listened to his sermons. Some would openly confess their past wrongdoings, while others would swear to turn over a new leaf, embrace the Goddess’s faith, and become believers of Life.

Among them was even a guard who had been transferred into the prison from outside midway through this period.

Unlike the other guards, who had gradually become accustomed to Old John’s teachings, this newcomer was already a believer of the Eternal Church.

Yet, even he eventually found himself deeply affected by John’s words.

Witnessing this transformation firsthand, Demacia could not help but marvel at the man’s ability to reach people’s hearts. Old John was not relying on threats, coercion, or material rewards to win over his listeners. Instead, he was using his understanding of human nature and the principles of Life to awaken something that had long been buried within them.

And so, the days passed one after another.

More and more prisoners converted to the Church of Life, while the faith of its believers grew increasingly devout. Through Demacia’s [Eye of Faith], he could clearly perceive these changes. The believers’ faith was becoming more concentrated and unwavering, their convictions growing stronger with each passing day.

The dungeon, once a place filled with despair, resentment, and hostility, was gradually transforming into an unexpected gathering place for believers of the Goddess of Life.

Then, seven days later, the head of the guards hurried to the cell where Old John was being held, bringing terrible news.

“Mentor, something terrible has happened! We’ve received word that the Pope has issued a holy decree ordering your trial in the city’s main square three days from now!”

The moment the guard delivered the news, the entire dungeon erupted into an uproar.

The prisoners who had gathered around Old John could hardly contain their anger. Curses against the Eternal Church rang out from every corner, while the resentment that had been building among the believers spread like wildfire.

Some clenched their fists, while others shouted that the Eternal Church had no right to judge their mentor. A few even demanded that they do something to prevent the trial from taking place.

After all, Old John was the person who had given them hope when they had believed their lives were beyond redemption. Through his teachings, they had found a new purpose and a reason to believe that their future did not have to be defined by their past.

Now, the very institution that had helped bring them to their lowest point was preparing to put him on trial.

How could they accept that?

Old John, however, remained remarkably calm as if he had been waiting for this day to arrive for a long time.

“Mentor, I’ve already contacted some people on the outside. We can secretly arrange to get you out of here before then!”

The head guard spoke urgently, clearly unwilling to watch Old John walk into what might be a deadly trap.

He had already begun making arrangements behind the scenes, and there was still a chance to get the man out before the Eternal Church could carry out its plans. If they acted quickly enough, Old John might be able to escape the capital and avoid the impending trial altogether.

But Old John gently shook his head.

“No, there is no need.”

His response was calm and decisive, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

“This is a battle I must face. Leaving would mean running away. Besides, if I were to leave, who would bear the full force of the Eternal Church’s wrath in my place?”

His voice was as gentle as ever, as though he were discussing an ordinary matter rather than a trial that could cost him his life.

Looking at his resolute gaze, the prisoners and guards seemed to understand something deep down, even those who had never heard his conversations with Demacia.

They began to realize that Old John had already made his decision long before the news of the trial reached the dungeon.

He had never intended to escape.

Their expressions as they looked at Old John became complicated. Beneath their uncertainty and sorrow lay profound admiration and reverence for the man who had given them a new reason to live.

“Mentor… There are still countless people outside who need you to spread hope to them. You… You cannot fall here.”

Charles, known as “Wolfclaw,” spoke in a grave voice.

He had followed Old John’s teachings and witnessed firsthand how the man had transformed the lives of those around him. He understood better than most what Old John’s continued presence could mean to the believers of Life.

If John died here, countless people who had yet to hear his teachings might never have the opportunity to find the same hope.

For that reason, Charles could not accept the idea of his mentor willingly facing such a dangerous situation.

Old John merely smiled and replied calmly.

“There is only one John, the Goddess’s Divine Favored. How much can one person accomplish on his own? But if my story can awaken countless people, giving rise to one John after another, then that will truly bring hope and light to this age…”

He paused briefly, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

“The strength of a single person is ultimately insignificant. But if everyone contributes even a little of their strength, those contributions will come together to form a force capable of overturning everything and creating something entirely new…”

“Together, we can create miracles.”

His words were neither loud nor particularly impassioned. Yet, there was a quiet conviction behind them that made them all the more powerful.

Old John had never considered himself a great hero destined to change the world single-handedly. He understood his own limitations and knew that even the most capable individual could accomplish only so much.

But he also understood that a person’s influence did not necessarily end with their life.

If his actions could inspire others to continue what he had started, then even his death would not bring an end to his efforts. Instead, his story could become the beginning of something far greater than himself.

After speaking, Old John turned to face everyone in the dungeon. His expression became solemn.

“Everyone, regardless of what you may have done in the past, now that you have accepted the doctrines of the Church of Life, we are comrades.”

He looked at the prisoners one by one, his gaze carrying neither contempt nor judgment.

“I am merely a preacher. Yet, if each of you has ended up in this notorious prison, then you must all possess exceptional abilities in your own right.”

Many of the prisoners had once been notorious criminals, individuals whose names inspired fear and whose past actions had left little room for sympathy. Others had fallen into circumstances that had led them down a dark path, eventually bringing them to this place where hope seemed all but nonexistent.

But Old John did not believe that their pasts had to determine their futures.

Now that they had accepted the teachings of Life, he hoped they would use their abilities for something greater than themselves.

“Once you leave this place, I hope you will remember the convictions in your hearts and continue striving for a better future, for the sake of the Goddess and the beautiful world we hope to create…”

His words left everyone in a momentary silence.

Then, one of the prisoners could no longer restrain his curiosity.

“Mentor, are you saying that one day we will be able to escape from this prison that can never be breached?”

The question reflected a belief that had long been ingrained in the minds of the prisoners.

Dororia Castle Prison was infamous for its security. For those who had been confined within its walls, escape had always seemed like an impossible dream. The guards, the barriers, and the countless precautions in place had convinced many that they would spend the rest of their lives here.

Yet, Old John’s words seemed to suggest otherwise.

Old John smiled faintly.

“Of course. There is nothing in this world that can never be breached. The only thing that matters is whether one’s strength is sufficient.”

He did not elaborate further, but his answer carried a quiet confidence that seemed to linger in the hearts of those who heard it.

Perhaps the prison was indeed difficult to escape from. Perhaps the Eternal Church’s power was so overwhelming that challenging it seemed little more than a fantasy.

But neither circumstance was necessarily permanent.

As long as people continued to grow stronger and worked together toward a common goal, even seemingly insurmountable obstacles could eventually be overcome.

After saying this, Old John turned toward the head of the dungeon guards.

“Sir, I cannot leave, but I would like to ask you for a favor.”

“Please, Mentor. What is it?”

The head guard immediately straightened up, his expression serious.

Old John glanced at Demacia, who was standing nearby, recording everything with a magic recording crystal and wearing a complicated expression.

After a brief pause, he continued.

“I want you to get Lord Demacia out of here. Compared to me, he has a greater need to go outside and accomplish something more meaningful.”

The head guard looked at Demacia, then at Old John, whose resolve remained unshaken.

For a moment, he seemed to want to say something more. Perhaps he still hoped to persuade Old John to reconsider, or perhaps he simply found it difficult to accept that the man before him was prepared to face his fate without resistance.

In the end, however, he understood that there was no point in arguing.

Old John had already made his choice, and the head guard had no intention of undermining his mentor’s determination.

He let out a soft sigh before nodding.

“I understand, Mentor.”

༺⟐༻

In the end, Demacia was the first to leave the prison.

With the assistance of the guards, arranging his release proved to be a relatively simple matter. After all, he was merely an unregistered minor prisoner whose name had never even been entered into the church’s official records. There was no formal record of his arrest, nor was there any particular reason for the authorities to keep him locked up. As a result, the guards could easily draw on their connections and arrange for him to be released without attracting much attention.

Besides, over the past six months, plenty of prisoners like Demacia had been brought here. Most were people who had gotten into trouble with the city guards, whether by causing disturbances, getting involved in minor disputes, or otherwise violating local regulations. Compared with the more serious criminals held within Dororia Castle Prison, people like them were of little importance.

No one would particularly care whether one more remained in custody or one fewer was released.

As long as Demacia did not draw the attention of the Inquisitorial Knights, his departure would hardly cause a stir.

And so, with the guards’ help, he was soon able to leave Dororia Castle Prison.

However, Demacia had no intention of going far.

After stepping outside, he remained in the vicinity of the city’s central square, quietly waiting for the events he knew were about to unfold.

He was waiting for the impending confrontation between Old John and the forces of the Eternal Church.

He understood that what was about to happen would not be an ordinary trial. It could become a pivotal event in the struggle between the two churches, with consequences that extended far beyond the fate of a single preacher.

Meanwhile, the Eternal Church had also begun spreading the news throughout the capital.

John, the human Saint of the Goddess of Life who had been preaching among humanity, was about to stand trial.

The announcement quickly drew attention from all sides. For those who had already heard of Old John’s activities, the news was a clear indication that the Eternal Church was finally preparing to deal with the growing influence of the Church of Life.

For others, it was their first time hearing his name.

Regardless, the news had been released, and the stage was being set for the confrontation to come.

Three days later, the Inquisitorial Knights finally arrived at Dororia Castle Prison.

Under their watchful eyes, Old John was taken away.

At the same time, the city’s central square had become the focal point of attention throughout Holy Maniya.

As the largest public gathering place in the capital, and indeed one of the largest across the entire continent, the square covered an area of more than two million square meters. Its vast expanse could accommodate an astonishing number of people, making it an ideal location for major public ceremonies, religious gatherings, and events intended to be witnessed by the masses.

Now, that enormous square was filled with a sea of people.

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