How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 46

It has nothing to do with me, but I’ve been wondering about it ever since.

 

The contradictory behavior of a world that hates wizards and yet uses magical tools.

 

Atharasis’s eyes widened slightly and said, “That’s surprising, I was expecting you to ask about saints or oracles or something.”

 

For a moment, I thought, ‘Well, technically, this question is related to the oracle,’ but the way Yves glared at me the moment I finished my question made me feel like I’d made a mistake.

 

‘Maybe I shouldn’t have asked about wizards after all.’ 

 

After all, I was asking about wizards, who were considered the equivalent of demons in a world without demons or devils…

 

Asking why the people of the Divine Realm were using magical tools could be seen as poking fun at their faults.

 

‘It was an innocent question, asked out of pure curiosity.’

 

Realizing in hindsight that it was a question that could be misinterpreted, and not lightly, I hastened to apologize.

 

“Oh, um…”

 

But to my relief, Atharasis didn’t seem to mind.

 

“I suppose you’ve always been curious about mage-related knowledge, since it’s off-limits to anyone above the rank of High Priestess.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“That’s a fair question for anyone who’s ever used a magical tool created by a wizard.”

 

“Isn’t it?”

 

“I understand, that magical tools are handy, and it’s tempting to think that the study of magic would make our lives even easier.”

 

Seeing Yves’s glare, I chimed in, amused at Atharasis’s subtle defense of me.

 

“Ha…”

 

And Yves, next to me, let out a deep sigh.

 

‘We…the Pope said it was fine, so I’m sure he won’t scold me later.’ 

 

As I glanced at Yves, Atharasis spoke calmly.

 

“But the wizard broke a taboo.”

 

“Taboo?”

 

What taboo could a mage break?

 

‘Like using ruthless offensive magic to destroy the world.’ 

 

The sentence that came out of her mouth was completely unexpected, as I was thinking of things that demons would normally do.

 

“They refused to die.”

 

“What?”

 

“Defied the laws of the world.”

 

It was a simple statement, but it didn’t make sense.

 

‘Did I hear that correctly?’ 

 

Because death wasn’t something one could reject at will.

 

“Is that possible?”

 

“Well, it’s not something we can discuss now, for the wizards have already vanished from the face of the earth.”

 

For the first time, a coldness crossed Atharasis’s usually gentle face.

 

‘It’s so scary to know that the person with the smile is deadly serious.’ 

 

She was giving off an aura of ruthlessness and coldness that was incomparable to that of Enheduane.

 

“Oh, I must have gotten carried away for a moment, don’t be so nervous.”

 

I nodded stiffly, reminded of the truth that cold anger was the most terrifying thing in the world.

 

“Anyway, if the wizards had been left unchecked, there would undoubtedly have been a catastrophe of epic proportions, just as the oracle said.”

 

“I see.”

 

It wasn’t a delusion, and the human world would have been in chaos if they had actually become immortal, but in a way, I could understand the mages’ side of the story.

 

‘Immortality is a dream of many humans.’

 

Especially since humans who have a lot of things want to live longer.

 

When I first heard about it, I wondered if it was possible, but I quickly realized that it was a different worldview from my previous life.

 

Immortality was a common desire among wizards in other fantasy worlds.

 

“But aren’t wizards stronger than ordinary knights? I mean, the power of their magical tools must have been extraordinary.”

 

Having discovered a new question, I asked it expectantly, like a granddaughter asking her grandmother about old stories.

 

Atharasis smiled gently and answered, “Of course, it is said that the wizard’s abilities are so great that it is difficult for ordinary people to deal with them, but the various powers of the continent, such as holy relics and divine water, divine trees, and dragons, empowered by the gods, gathered their forces.”

 

Oh, suddenly the genre has shifted in a heroic direction. Although it wouldn’t be called heroic because there are no demons.

 

“Furthermore, it is said that there was a schism among the mages at the same time. That’s how we were able to win.”

 

Clearing my mind, I focused on the story with a twinkle in my eye.

 

“After that, we tried to erase anything related to magic from the world, starting with wizards. Books with magical theories were the first to be burned.”

 

At first, they destroyed all magical books and tools, but the proportion of magical tools that provided convenience in daily life was larger than expected, and there was a backlash from the commoners who wanted to destroy them.

 

‘Wow, in other fantasy worlds, magic tools are usually expensive.’

 

Apparently, in this world, magic was once so advanced that even commoners could use it.

 

So, I listened, thinking that wizards didn’t become immortal for nothing.

 

‘I also learned that huge magic circles, such as teleportation, would cause a huge explosion if destroyed without a mage.’

 

Such secrets!

 

Honestly, I figured they left the teleportation because it was convenient.

 

I thought, ‘All worlds are the same in terms of convenience.’

 

An example of an object from my past life was an air conditioner.

 

It has the advantage of cooling the heat and the disadvantage of being environmentally destructive if used too much.

 

Like the air conditioner, I reflected on my past self, who knew that teleportation was a bad idea, but didn’t want to lose the convenience of the present. 

 

I arbitrarily decided that it was a product of human selfishness that shouldn’t be destroyed.

 

“It was in light of these things that I decided to preserve magical tools among all the nations on the continent.”

 

The magical tools that had already been created were those that could be operated with only a magic stone, even if one had no knowledge of magic.

 

The Divine Realm didn’t think it would upset the peace.

 

“So all that’s left are magical tools that provide convenience in daily life!”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“That’s amazing.”

 

As I listened to the epic tale, I marveled to myself.

 

I hadn’t imagined that there could be such a convincing reason.

 

It wasn’t just a fantasy concession, but a genuine sense of wonder that I was actually learning about a piece of history in this world.

 

“Any more questions?”

 

Atharasis asked in a subtly encouraging tone, obviously amused by my reaction.

 

“Well…”

 

I responded, enjoying listening to an interesting story.

 

‘I wonder what new questions I could ask.’

 

As I pondered, I suddenly made eye contact with Yves.

 

How long he’d been staring at me, I don’t know, but his eyes widened slightly, as if startled, and then he looked away with a snap.

 

As if he was offended by the eye contact.

 

‘Did I do something wrong?’ 

 

Though I was puzzled, I shrugged it off, for now I had to choose the right question to ask Atharasis.

 

Then there was something that automatically came to mind when I saw Yves.

 

“Ah!”

 

“What is it this time?” ask Atharasis.

 

“I want to ask about divine power!”

 

In fact, despite the fact that the difference between divine power and holy power had already been explained by Enheduane, it felt like something was missing.

 

When she had asked about something she didn’t understand, she had been told that there was little data on divine power.

 

‘The only humans with divine powers are the descendants of the Seven Gods, the lineage of the monarchs of those kingdoms, and Selene and I.’

 

That’s why I had forgotten about the question about divine power.

 

“I can tell by the look on Miss Laura’s face that she has a lot of questions.”

 

“Yes!”

 

“Well, I’m sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to answer them.”

 

“What?”

 

“Actually, today’s meeting is intended to introduce Miss Laura to him.”

 

“Him?”

 

Laura’s head tilted in wonder, ‘A man who knows more about divine power than the ruler of the Holy Realm.’

 

Moreover, one whom the Pope honors?

 

But before she had time to ponder, Atharasis’ rose from her seat.

 

“Follow me.”

 

We headed in the direction of the Temple of Astarte.

 

I had visited the temple every morning for morning prayers, so familiar that I could find it with my eyes closed.

 

“This way. Miss Laura.”

 

“Not the temple?”

 

“Yes. The person we need to see is here.”

 

She pointed to the side, not the entrance to the temple.

 

‘Is there anything to see in this direction?’

 

I thought I heard there was a lake.

 

Other than that, I hadn’t heard anyone mention anything near the Temple of Astarte, so I shrugged and followed.

 

“Oh, that,” Yves muttered softly, as if realizing what it was.

 

“Do you know what it is, Yves?”

 

“What if I don’t?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“What’s behind the Temple of Astarte.”

 

“You don’t know, that’s why you’re asking Yves.”

 

“You pray to her every morning, don’t you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…”

 

Yves’s face took on a look of bewilderment and then relief.

 

“Isn’t it possible that you don’t know?”

 

“I think your brazenness is admirable.”

 

As Yves and I bickered, Atharasis stopped walking ahead of us.

 

The temple of Astarte, the goddess of fertility, was a wide plain, a blue lake, and giant trees.

 

There was nothing out of the ordinary about the landscape.

 

‘Just a normal-looking field.’ 

 

Atharasis, standing beside me, a look of amusement still on her face, interrupted.

 

“This is him.”

 

“…A tree?”

 

Yves chimed in, “No ordinary tree. It’s called the World Tree by the faithful.”

 

‘The World Tree, that’s not even in the settings.’