The Final Crusade (4)
"Ughhh!"
Looking down at Rukia, who writhed in pain, Shirone wore a sad expression.
The Emotion Sickness that had begun in Tormia had ridden the wind and reached the Holy See — which meant it had almost gone all the way around the planet.
No one could escape it.
"According to the World Health Organization's guidelines, Emotion Sickness can be controlled to some extent. But Rukia…there's nothing left to give."
"No — she can't give up. Her faith, everything she does in God's name—"
Glen was not in his right mind.
"Rukia, hold on! I'll fix you! I'll take you to the Pyramid of Truth… I swear…!"
"Augh! Aaaah!"
Shirone asked, coldly.
"What happened?"
Argan the drake answered in a small voice.
"There are rumors that among the pilgrims who broke through security to approach the Pyramid of Truth, one was completely cured of Emotion Sickness."
"I hadn't heard that."
If it were true, Seriel would have stepped forward.
"It seems Paras has been controlling the information. But more pilgrims have been coming lately. It's only a matter of time before news leaks beyond the border."
"…So the king allowed entry."
They judged it better to expose the truth of the pyramid before the situation became uncontrollable.
Ares spoke.
"I'm sorry we didn't disclose it sooner. At first our exploration of the pyramid was pure curiosity. Then Emotion Sickness broke out, and Glen and Rukia joined us. Rukia's a special case. She can't hold out any longer."
"There are a few treatments for Emotion Sickness. First, the WHO guidelines. And I've heard a man named Giyorugi can alleviate the symptoms."
Shirone's eyes grew sharp.
"But he's a demon. The Rami Church could never accept that method. Then rumors about Yahweh began. I don't know if it's true, but you also—"
Ares glanced around for a moment.
"He supposedly has the ability to suppress Emotion Sickness?"
"Yes."
Glen cocked his head and shouted.
"Ares! Don't say such nonsense! A priest of the Rami Church getting aid from Yahweh!"
"Ah! Aaaah!"
When Rukia couldn't hold back her scream, Glen went pale.
"Rukia! Rukia!"
Watching that, Shirone said,
"But even he can't cure it completely. If she doesn't receive baptisms from him periodically, it will recur."
"…I see."
Ares rifled through his inner pocket.
"The last solution we investigated is this." From the southern continent he produced a vial and a syringe.
"Tears of an Angel—Angel."
He listed all four countermeasures to Emotion Sickness.
"I kept it just in case. Even if we could endure it, Rukia wouldn't give anything up."
Whether she heard Ares through the pain or not, Rukia weakly shook her head.
"No, Glen. A priest shouldn't rely on something like that… I'll endure it… Aaaah!"
Everyone afflicted by Emotion Sickness knew it was pain beyond endurance.
Glen's voice broke.
"Rukia, just this once. Take this medicine. Then I'll go to the Pyramid of Truth…"
Rukia managed a fragile smile.
"Glen, I will return to the Holy See. The Pope… he will accept me."
The Papal States.
If you travel north from the Mediterranean, you'll find the Holy See of the Rami Church, the world's largest religion.
Shirone, Iruki, and Nade, who had paused their central-continent pilgrimage, arrived at the Papal States early that morning.
Nade looked around nervously.
"Is this okay? If they find out you're Yahweh, the Holy See won't leave you be."
"We can't help it. The Crusade will begin soon. If not now, I won't get a chance to meet the Pope."
Yahweh, who had fought demons while touring the central continent, had become a worldwide celebrity.
The Rami Church could not sit idly by and had used the Holy Knights' Office to continually obstruct him.
The Holy See's towering spires, which inspired awe at first sight, came into view for the three of them.
"Extra! Extra!"
Shaved-headed priests were handing bundles of newspapers to the crowd.
"What's happening?"
The Holy See's official paper usually reported special events from dioceses worldwide, but this was an extra edition. Iruki stepped forward on Shirone's behalf.
"One copy, please."
A priest who valued speed handed over a paper without even looking at their faces and moved on.
"Hmm."
Shirone scanned the headline.
- Imminent Crusade. World leaders stake humanity's future on divine command.
"So it's come to this."
It was a gathering to decide the leading nations of the world. Given the gravity of the global situation, public opinion held this would likely be the final Crusade.
"Twelve countries will participate in this Crusade."
Qualifications were determined by a mix of one-year GDP, population, military capacity, and so on.
"Until now, the Tri-Imperial Council served as the standing committee to mobilize the Crusade's forces, but this time twelve countries will compete for non-permanent committee status. Pope Constantine will attend as an observer. Once the leading nation is decided, the system is recognized by the Rami Church."
Iruki said.
"The leading nation will be decided by power, but using religion lets the outcome be absorbed rapidly by the world. The Rami Church's endorsement and the Pope's pronouncement will be protected by international law. It's a distinctly superior choice."
Even those who didn't believe in gods associated the word "God" with the Rami Church's deity—so powerful was its influence.
Nade added,
"The Rami Church has nothing to lose either. In this end-times climate where new religions gain traction, it's the perfect chance to seize religious hegemony again."
Shirone nodded.
"I agree that the world should unite. It won't be easy, of course…"
Nade flipped the paper.
"Every article is about Emotion Sickness. Their information network is incredible. Just reading the Holy See's paper gives you a sense of global issues."
A headline caught Shirone's eye.
"Wait. Here…"
- Where is Priest Rukia?
The article began like that, and Shirone read every word.
Iruki murmured,
"Hmm. Interesting. To think a priest from the Holy See once called the 'Essence of God' would be excommunicated."
Raised in the faith and risen to the priesthood, Rukia had been one of the Holy See's most celebrated clerics.
Nade added,
"She must be incredibly talented. Notorious villains kneeled just at the mention of her name."
Shirone kept reading.
"She was cursed by demons. She wounded Maximus, the Holy See's third-ranking archpriest, and…"
At the article's end it claimed the brilliant priest Glen had succumbed to Rukia's seduction.
Iruki said,
"A runaway elopement. Since this is from the Holy See's perspective, you can't trust it completely. It could be lovers fleeing. High priests and paladins are expected to uphold celibacy, after all."
Nade said,
"But they aren't high priests yet. Maybe someday, but not now. Shirone, why this article?"
"They're people I know."
"Same incident?"
"Yes. They're in the Kingdom of Paras now. I wondered why they were obsessed with the Pyramid of Truth…"
Shirone's thoughts tangled.
The Holy See.
Constantine stood atop the highest spire, overlooking the Papal States.
A knock sounded, and a priest from the diocesan administration's press office entered.
"Your Holiness, the extra edition has been distributed. The whole world will know soon."
"Good work."
When the haloed Pope smiled kindly, it seemed light radiated from him.
'The world's most powerful cleric.'
To call a cleric the strongest would be excessive under normal circumstances, but with demons rampant, it felt different.
'He alone will stand against all the demons. This man will guide us on God's path.'
Constantine said,
"I read the extra. Well done."
"You flatter me. I'm simply moved by Your Holiness's grand decision to adhere to the World Health Organization's guidelines."
"And Rukia…"
The priest flinched.
"That was not quite the outcome I'd hoped for. Of course, I do not underestimate the priest's abilities."
"Forgive me. But if you show favoritism toward Rukia, the Holy See's authority will crumble. In any case, that child—"
"Favoritism?"
Realizing his mistake, the priest bowed his head.
"Pardon me!"
"It's all right. Everyone makes mistakes. Following God doesn't make us God. Many people forget that. Even Archpriest Maximus."
"Your Holiness…"
Even Constantine had to be careful about slandering the Holy See's third-ranking archpriest.
"Haha! What of it? I'm not scolding you. Maximus, Rukia—even I—if you dig deep, no single person is wholly to blame. Life's complicated."
"That is why there is doctrine. To follow the will of God. Rukia violated doctrine; excommunication was appropriate."
"I do pity her."
Constantine's eyes shone as he asked,
"Tell me, why do you believe in God?"
"…Eh?"
It almost sounded blasphemous coming from the Pope's mouth.
"If you want a better world, isn't it enough to live kindly? Even if God created us, shouldn't we live our lives with gratitude? Then why do we believe in God?"
The priest's face finally grew serious.
"For my part…"
"That this is not the end."
Constantine said.
"We believe in God because we hope there is no end. We grasp the fleeting void and seek eternity. That is the duty given to religion."
The priest shrank a little.
"Humans easily forget death, but we must not. Clerics bear responsibility for death, not life."
To be sure there is no end.
"Can you take responsibility for another's death? Could I take responsibility for the death of humanity?"
Those who accept responsibility will be used by God.
"I want to see Rukia. And Glen."
The priest, hesitating, finally bowed and said what he must.
"I will run the article in the next issue."
Nagnak Oasis.
Rukia's screams had been so chilling no one remained in the dining hall.
Only Shirone and Ares's group waited, hearts tight, for her decision.
"No… the pain won't stop. Rukia won't give up anything."
To prove her faith.
"Angel."
Before Ares could do anything, Glen snatched the syringe and injected the drug.
"Glen, I—"
"Sorry, Rukia."
Unable to watch any longer, Glen pressed the needle to Rukia's thin arm.
"No! No!"
Even amid pain she resisted fiercely, then suddenly her eyes widened and she gasped.
"Huuugh!"
A brilliant light enveloped her, and the bulging veins on her face began to settle.
"Shi—Shirone."
Ares stepped back, and Glen turned to Shirone, mouth agape.
"Y-Yahweh."
A Miracle Stream was rising.