Published at 5th of December 2025 7:57 pm

Chapter 180

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Ludovika stared at me with a face that couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"You believe...? You?"

"Why~? Believe it or not, I'm very interested in world religions. Especially when I want to have fun but can't, calming my mind with religion is effective in many ways."

"How did that happen? No, *how*?"

"You don't believe it that much?"

"Are you asking?"

"......"

"You're not just saying that because it sounds cool, are you?"

"No. A few years ago, monks from the East came to New York and gave religious lectures. That's when I first encountered Buddhism."

Ludovika let out a hollow laugh and leaned back against the chair.

"...Buddha would be quite dumbfounded to know he has such a devotee."

"Isn't that too much?"

"Then you're definitely not a Christian?"

"No."

At that, Ludovika's face became troubled.

He couldn't help but be troubled.

The easiest targets to lure into Pleroma are Christians.

Regardless of the denomination, they must believe in that God. This is natural since Pleroma is a heresy based on that religion.

And considering that 99% of the Empire's population is Christian, they likely haven't faced such a difficulty very often.

Ludovika held his forehead and muttered in a low voice.

"Haa... Where do I even start with this?"

"Why? Don't you like Buddhism? Buddhism is a religion that has developed over approximately 2,500 years, profoundly influencing not only India but East Asia as a whole, offering us deep insights into life and the universe. Though someone like Mr. Ludovika, who believes in Christ to the core and is a priest, might not understand, the essence of Buddhist teachings cannot be fully grasped by approaching them with a Christian worldview..."

"No, it's not that I dislike Buddhism...."

Ludovika held his forehead and fell silent.

Then, he spoke seriously.

"Seeing Mr. Jeremiah use so many words to speak, it seems you're truly a zealous believer."

"Is that surprising?"

"Yes."

Ludovika answered immediately, then made a troubled face as if he had just realized something.

"I've already seen everything."

"Haha, I feel a bit sorry. Anyway, to get to the main point... as you know, we do a closed-off business. Only those approved by the leadership can participate."

"Ah..."

I pretended to slowly grasp his meaning and replied with a serious face.

Ludovika clasped his hands together, his expression regretful.

"I'm not saying you have to convert... but to get business approval, you need to align your purpose with ours a bit. How much do you know about Christianity?"

It's not business approval, but that's what it takes to live as part of Pleroma.

Because implanting Vitriol into a heretic wouldn't just instantly finish the job.

They wouldn't be able to blend into the group, so brainwashing would inevitably be necessary.

"I know a lot. I grew up in a Christian culture."

"Is that so? That's fortunate."

Ludovika picked up his bag, Warped somewhere in an instant, and then returned.

Instead of a bag, a wine bottle was now in his hand.

"Shall we begin the test?"

"Didn't it already begin~?"

He smiled at my smooth talking.

"Actually, missionary work isn't very familiar to me. I'm not in charge of missionary duties. So, let's set aside religious talk and discuss this first. Are you interested in strong Magic Power?"

"Not particularly. I'm more interested in making money."

"Money over Magic Power? Saying those two are separate sounds like an American. Then, what about living longer, living healthier?"

I lifted the corners of my mouth and replied.

"If it's about that part, then it's a different story."

"Because if you live longer, you can play, eat, and enjoy yourself longer?"

"Yes. That's it."

Ludovika nodded and uncorked the wine bottle.

"God did not make death, nor does he delight in the destruction of the living."

"......"

Perhaps because the light was not turned on and we relied solely on the sunset outside the window, the red wine looked even redder.

He pushed a glass towards me.

"There's a saying in the Old Testament. Though it might not apply to you, Mr. Jeremiah, being a Buddhist."

Instead of answering, I looked down at the glass.

'He called it a test.'

It's truly beginning now.

Of course, there's no reason to avoid it even if the trick is obvious.

I belatedly brought up a question that Jeremiah might ask.

"It's new to me that God didn't make death. Can't God even control death?"

"Aquinas's philosophy would be helpful to you. Based solely on the biblical text, one can answer this way: 'Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one person, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.'"

"......"

"He did not wish us death, but death came to us through Adam's sin. Death is the price of Original Sin."

Ludovika continued calmly.

"If only Original Sin could be washed away, one could avoid death, right?"

"......"

That's a huge leap.

And since I'm not a religious person, I can't easily accept the way of thinking that confirms things as truth by quoting scripture.

I frowned, feeling the illusion that my mind was starting to blur.

"I think humans without Original Sin are New Humans. I apologize for saying this to you, an Old Human."

"You should not simply use being born from a person's womb as the criterion for Original Sin. We know what true Original Sin is, how to atone for it and change it into a force that is not sin, and thus we have found the narrow gate that truly belongs to Christ's embrace."

"......"

"I mean, we know the way to live forever without dying, Mr. Jeremiah."

I looked at Ludovika with confused eyes, then shook my head.

"This really sounds like a cult...."

It's not *like* a cult, it *is* a cult.

If this isn't a cult, what is?

The moment I thought that, an unfamiliar yet familiar sensation arose from within.

I stared blankly at the table, then slowly lifted my hand to examine my glass.

I tried to lift my head, but my vision wavered, and the figure of the person sitting opposite me also blurred.

The memory of this moment ended here.

* * *

[...Jeremiah...]

Someone called my name.

It was the Imperial pronunciation.

I felt someone urgently slapping my cheek and slowly opened my eyes.

[...Did you wake up? Mr. Jeremiah.]

"......"

[I thought you were going to die, seeing this reaction for the first time. Just now, almost...]

I finally realized what the sensation I had felt earlier was.

It was the feeling of being given the drug from Primrose Path.

I wondered what he'd put in, and it was this.

I squinted, feeling like I was hearing conversations underwater.

[Have you ever done drugs? Or not?]

"......"

When I didn't answer, he grabbed my eyes open and shone a small lantern into them.

[...Need to put in a little more.]

He was just shocked and thought I was going to die, and now he's going to administer more?

There's a contradiction. Why?

It didn't take long to think of the answer.

'The desired effect hasn't appeared yet.'

Perhaps the pupil reflex occurred.

If so, what exactly is that 'desired effect'?

Preventing any reflex action at all can't be the final goal, can it?

Thinking that far, I recalled what happened the day before yesterday at midnight.

When Narce cast Mental Manipulation magic on me, I definitely felt a sensation similar to the drug from Primrose Path.

'...Ah.'

The pieces are finally fitting together.

'This is their truth detection interrogation method.'

Is that why they call it a test?

I felt laughter bubbling up between my teeth and let my head tilt.

Once the puzzle pieces clicked, I also understood why Pleroma developed this drug.

'To become independent from the Chairman.'

To widely use magic that manipulates the mind, mages who use Divine Power are rare, and there's no way to recruit them.

However, if they keep relying on the Chairman's help, it will only solidify his position.

So, they must have tried to develop a magical drug with an effect similar to Mental Manipulation magic.

For a moment, I felt the illusion that my blood was entirely turning into drug.

When I opened my eyes again, quite a bit of time seemed to have passed.

Ludovika lightly pressed my nose and mouth, then slowly took his hand away. I heard him saying something in a voice filled with worry.

'...How far did I think?'

Right.

If my earlier deduction is correct, I need to answer his interrogation.

From experience, when this drug wears off, the energy to speak returns, like talking in your sleep.

And now he seemed to have found the right ratio. I could somehow muster the energy to speak if I squeezed it out.

Since I understood the mechanism of Mental Manipulation magic well, acting wasn't difficult.

'If I could just give him a Revelation, I wouldn't have to do this.'

Does this mean I still can't meet the Chairman?

Thankfully, thanks to my Divine Power, this drug didn't affect me much. I can't complain about it properly affecting my physical body, but at least mentally, that's the case.

In other words, this is also an opportunity to get closer to the Chairman.

[...This test method won't work for you. You have a strong aversion to the drug. You look like you'd do drugs every day, but unexpectedly...]

"What do you think I am...?"

I shook my head.

[You said it seemed like a cult earlier.]

"Yes."

[How long ago did magic come into this world? You don't need to be surprised by this much. If it was God's will, was there anything we humans couldn't do? But as I said, I'm not forcing you to convert.]

"Then?"

[If you just play along with the will of those in leadership, you can do business without converting. You said you were interested in living long and healthy, right? If you just play along, I'll let you live forever too.]

"Why are you doing all this for me?"

[Because you'll be one of our members, even if your religion is different. You said you wanted to live enjoying yourself.]

Ludovika looked at me while drinking.

I saw his act of being benevolent. Well done.

His attempt to become independent from the Chairman was good.

It's time to turn that attempt into bubbles.

I shook my head.

At least I tried to.

"No."

[......]

"That's a bit scary. Eternal life."

Given that I'm saying this even in a situation where Mental Manipulation is in effect, meaning I should only speak the truth, he'll probably accept it now.

"I don't want to live that long."

Ludovika just looked at me silently.

Just as the air started to feel cool, Ludovika said brightly.

[You can feel that way. I seem to have put unnecessary pressure on you.]

"I'm glad you understand."

[What do you think about the business?]

Instead of answering, I first calmly thought.

There's a limit to backing down.

Even considering the risk, it's better not to back down this time.

"It would be good if it wasn't a religious activity, but it's a bit scary. It's not just inclusive people like Mr. Ludovika, are there? Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if I need to do business to this extent..."

I trailed off and slowly closed and opened my eyes.

Ludovika nodded with a gentle face.

[Alright. Let's do this first.]

Ludovika said, pointing to himself.

[I'll take responsibility. Since you say you dislike it, I won't let anyone give you Vitriol until you agree.]

"......"

I looked at him expressionlessly.

That's ridiculous.

But, I'm almost there.

[Instead, let's put a safety device in place.]

*CRASH!*

Ludovika kicked the floor with his foot.

In an instant, the air turned pitch black.

He whispered in a calm voice.

―Blessed is he who hopes to find comfort in the sea of temptation.

My stomach churned, and my vision went black.

I slowly twisted the corner of my mouth.

It's an illusion.

I have no choice but to break my promise with Leo in this timeline.

It's not that I take my promise with him lightly.

A peaceful solution. Why would I dislike that?

Without this process, I cannot meet the Chairman.

Ludovika wouldn't want to hand me over to the Chairman, and the Chairman, if he's a religious person similar to Pleroma, would try to recruit me.

In that case, this person would naturally try to indoctrinate me after getting me involved with Pleroma. This is the safety device.

Conversely, if I go through this process, it means I'm not far from meeting my target.

Something drew a line across my left palm and wrist. Then came the sound of flesh being cut that wasn't mine, and the unfamiliar smell of blood stung my nostrils.

Ludovika's cool hand firmly held mine.

[This is no ordinary person.]

Ludovika pressed down on my wrist and laughed. A subtly different smell of blood mixed and vibrated.

[You've been baptized before. Once 23 years ago, and once 15 years ago.]

"......"

[I'm also curious how you ended up getting baptized twice and then converting despite that.]

"......"

[It doesn't hold much meaning now. When you open your eyes, you'll be somewhere else.]

―This final toast, I offer a blessed worship for the dawn, with my soul.

My palm grew hot.

It was a voice filled with satisfaction.

Ludovika smiled gently and continued.

[See you later.]

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