Chapter 23 : Angel Xin Jian

Since Amanises was not there, we did not hold the divine meeting for (playing cards) preparing the end of the world (by playing cards).

(Author : How do you prepare for the end of the world by playing cards ?! Is the name of the meeting for decoration ?

Xin Jian : Yes. Isn't it cool ?

Author : …

Mr. Fool : *sipping tea*

Author : *turns to The Fool*

Mr. Fool : *nods*

Author : What do you agree with ?!

Mr. Fool : Xin Jian, you were right. Annoying people is fun.

Xin Jian : *nods*)

Mr. Fool looked at Medici and Amon's disappearing figures.

« Didn't you say that anger was a useless feeling ? »

I blinked innocently.

« I'm not angry, I'm just taking revenge to convince Him to not do that ever again. »

(Mr. Fool : And I think it worked…)

I changed the subject.

« So, now we should take over the Aurora Order. Mr. Fool, go kill the True Creator ! »

Mr. Fool : So you still did it in the end…

« What makes you think that I will do it ? »

I made a creepy smile.

« Don't worry, I've always been curious about the True Creator's pollution. If you don't want to kill Him, I can call Him myself and give it a try~. »

Mr. Fool shivered.

« I was joking. I will kill the True Creator… »

(Mr. Fool : Why are you talking about killing a god so casually ?! Do you think it's easy ?

Xin Jian : You can do it, you can do it…)

So Mr. Fool created an avatar, made it recite the True Creator's honorific name and killed Him in the end~.

(Mr. Fool : Aren't you underestimating my efforts a bit too much ?!

Xin Jian : It took seven days and seven nights, you were the hero of humanity who defeated the evil god, bla bla bla…

Mr. Fool : Now you're just exaggerating !)

He said :

« So what do we do now ? »

I deadpanned.

« Of course you gather the divine envoys with an oracle~. »

(Xin Jian : Can't you think by yourself ? Of course I don't know what to do after that ! *please think in my stead.jpg*)

The plan is to control the Aurora Order by making Mr. Fool pose as the True Creator.

« You already have experience pretending to be a god anyway. Right, Mr. Fool~? »

I continued.

« It would be too obvious if we control all of the divine envoys' spiritual lines so I'll just control Mr. A's~. Tell him to come somewhere to sacrifice Himself for the greater good or something. »

Mr. Fool began to pity Mr. A.

No, wait. For the others, I can just parasitize them. That's fine~.

Should I begin to wear a monocle too ?

A monocle on my right eye and my secret puppets' too.

Let's just do everything like Amon…

Mr. Fool : Please don't !

As for the Secret Order, let's just control Zaratul when we visit the kingdom of the night to "interrogate" Panatiya. I can also take out His Sequence 1 Beyonder characteristic just in case Klein needs it…

For the Life School of Thought, I can just ask Will if I need something.

For the Psychology Alchemists, I can simply talk with Adam…

« Make the meeting time tomorrow… »

I began to explain the plan to reform the Aurora Order and what oracles to give to the Iron and Blood Cross Order then went down the gray fog.

Now I should meet Will… Ah, right. I can't since He is in the process of reincarnating…

Then let's meet Adam.

I froze.

Huh ?

Recently, I seem to subconsciously think that everything will go my way.

Even if I meet Him, why would Adam accept to simply hand over His organization ? Or at least do what I want ? The same goes for Will. If that was really the case, then I could simply try to talk it out with the Primordial Demoness.

Hmm… Let's not call Adam.

I turned to Trissy.

« Hey, I have an idea… »

Let's use you to meet the king and become an angel under Him ! Then I'll be able to have at least a unit of the MI9. If Xio can climb in rank, that'll make it two units !

(Mr. Fool : Since when was the MI9 an evil organization ?)

About the Hidden Sage… I don't know…

For the Rose School of Thought's Indulgence faction… Why should I control it ? I should just destroy it.

Right, let's do that.

I knocked Trissy unconscious and asked Mr. Fool to watch her then headed to the church.

Maybe I'll see Leonard there…

Fortunately, the room I rented was near a spot that carriage drivers often passed by so I called one and didn't need Mr. Fool as a GPS.

Thankfully, I saved enough money before and I don't really need to eat as a Uniqueness…

Well, it can last for a while if I don't need to buy Beyonder materials…

As an angel under the seat of the poor god, let's not think about money.

Soon, I arrived at the church and entered it. It was crowded.

I waited until the end of the mass before approaching the priest.

I waved my hand.

« Hello~! I am angel Xin Jian. Is an archbishop here ? Or at least an important person ? I came to deliver the goddess' will. »

I mean, I came to realize my will by putting it under the name of Amanises.

(This is blasphemy.)

I'm sure she'd agree~.

The priest recognized my face and bowed.

« Your excellency ! Please wait for a while, I'll go search someone. »

Then he went away.

Don't worry, I've just been waiting since a few hours…

I sat in a row.

The church was empty, night was begin to fall. Since we're in November, night falls earlier anyway…

I did not see Leonard in the end.

I put my hands together and prayed to Amanises.

Please come back soon, please come back soon, please come back soon…

Who can I hug if you're not there ? How can I tease Mr. Fool by ignoring Him without you ?

Who will I praise for their beauty for no reason ?!

While I was doing my drama queen, time passed by.

There was also a bit of conspiracies in my head… But, well, that's not important.

Wait, now that the True Creator is dead, Mr. A will not learn of the existence of The Fool ! That's tragic ! I have another thing to do !

(Mr. Fool : What is tragic ? The fact that the Aurora Order won't search for me or that you have another thing to do ?

Xin Jian : Both !)

I heard the sound of a door opening and turned my head in that direction.

Still sitting, I greeted Crestet Cesimir.

I tapped my chest.

« May the goddess bless you ! »

Crestet Cesimir made the correct hand sign and repeated :

« May the goddess bless you ! »

Seriously, as an angel of this church, I don't even know the correct hand sign that believers do every day ! Amanises, forgive me for my lack of faith !

Wait, I think I should have said "Praise the Lady" here… Ugh.

He raised his head.

« Your Excellency, what could be the reason for your visit ? »

What, are you reproaching me to never come to pray ? But how can you know that I did not visit the church or another city ?

I said "piously" :

« The goddess has given an oracle ! We should station teams to annihilate the members of the Rose School of Thought's Indulgence faction until the last. If an angel is involved, I can participate. This should be our main priority. This is the goddess' will ! »

(Amanises : Xin Jian, what are doing with my church ?

Xin Jian : Praise the Lady !)

Crestet Cesimir nodded.

« Praise the Lady ! »

Yes, yes. It's as you said.

Well, if I don't do everything myself, nothing will be done but there's actually a limit to how much I can do alone. Let's just give to others what they're can do by themselves…

I changed the subject :

« As an influential banker, I heard that Mr. Hall's daughter was interested in the Beyonder world ? It would be important to give her an education about it so that she doesn't get involved in dangerous things. I have nothing to do anyway. Why don't we propose him to take me as a teacher for his daughter ? Of course, she would still have freedom and this would be a reward for his strong faith in the goddess. »

I'm already Klein's teacher anyway… (I feel like an old grandma. Wait, I'm indeed old…) Why do I end up being the teacher of the people I appreciate the most ? Is it what I get for approaching them in a unnatural way ?

I raised the benefits for the church in this.

« This could also make me learn more things about the world. It would be a mutual exchange of information and an opportunity to strengthen the Hall family's connection to the church. »

Even if they don't need me to keep having faith in the goddess…

The priest understood the hidden meaning of : "and get him to make donations" and agreed.

« I'll talk about it to Earl Hall the next time he comes, Your Excellency. »

Right, right. Make your connections, money, and all… I just want to see the prettiest gem of Backlund !

I said :

« Of course, as an angel of the church, it is only natural for me to help the goddess by trying to develop the church further and spread Her will. (Bullshit) »

I prepared to leave but Crestet Cesimir stopped me.

« Your Excellency, there is a mission for you. »

What ? A mission ? Did you think that I have too much free time or something ? Well, that's not wrong…

« There was a massacre in another city, we need you to investigate. Angels of other churches will also be there. »

I blinked.

« Wasn't there jurisdictions or something ? How can angels of different churches investigate the same place ? »

Crestet Cesimir explained :

« It was originally under the territory of the Church of the Lord of Storms but they asked other churches to help with the investigation. The goddess told me to say to you that it was related to the Uniqueness of the Red Priest pathway. »

Ah, the one they were searching for before.

But couldn't She have told that to me Herself ?

« Okay, okay. I'll investigate. »

Satisfied, Crestet Cesimir gave me the details and finally let me leave.

It's not that they need it anyway, right ? If I find that Uniqueness, I'll just give it to someone who need it… Hey, but isn't that Uniqueness supposed to be in Amon's hands now ?

—————— I am the dividing line~

The next day, I arrived at the meeting point that Mr. Fool had decided, which was surprisingly a back alley.

Hmm… Indeed, shady organizations gather in shady places… Well, it's not like we could have found another meeting place either.

There's actually a good point to the fact that we're gathering in a back alley… (I can beat them up one by one without being seen !) If I have to escape,

I can use the Faceless ability to transform into a bird and fly far away ! Don't angels have wings ?

(Mr. Fool : Please don't do anything weird…

Xin Jian : Lol. Are you seriously saying that to me ?)

In the back alley, the divine envoys of the Aurora order arrived too, and I stayed invisible all along because the protagonist always comes last.

When they were all here, I locked onto Mr. A and appeared.

« Hello, dear comrades. I am Xin Jian, an angel of the Lord and you have been gathered today to hear about the new reforms in the organization. I will now convey His words ! »

(Mr. Fool : Bullshit.

Xin Jian : What, did I lie somewhere ?

Mr. Fool : …

Author : Yes, the part about "dear comrades" should be the only lie.

Xin Jian : No, I really thought : "Dear comrades, you're screwed from now on !"

Mr. Fool : …Anyway, omitting things that change the meaning of your sentence is still considered lying.

Xin Jian : You're no fun… Oh, and can you repeat your 10 commandments again ?)

« First commandment : Thou shalt not sacrifice unto me living human sacrifices.

Second Commandment : Thou shalt not use my name in vain.

Third Commandment : Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Fourth Commandment : Honor thy father, thy mother, and thy children as you love me.

Fifth Commandment : Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Sixth Commandment : Thou shalt not kill the innocent.

Seventh Commandment : Thou shalt not bear false witness, frame, or violate contracts.

Eighth Commandment : Serve me with your heart, not with your offerings.

Ninth Commandment : Those who have committed lesser wrongdoings, first atone for your sins before seeking forgiveness.

Tenth Commandment : Honor my name by helping your compatriots and companions. »

(Mr. Fool : But won't they be suspicious if we use the same commandments for the sea god in the future ?

Xin Jian : Haha. I don't care, you're the one who has to change the commandments anyway…

Mr. Fool : *deadpans* I demand a salary.

Xin Jian : Dear poor god, how can your angels be richer than you ?

Mr. Fool : *speechless*)

I looked at the divine envoys.

One of them stepped forward.

« How can we believe you ? »

Seriously, Mr. Fool, you didn't introduce me as an angel of the True Creator ?

And since the True Creator is Amon's father, I would be His father's angel to Him~.

Hey, didn't I help Adam a lot by killing the True Creator ? And where did Mr. Fool put His Beyonder characteristics afterwards ?

I considered reciting the honorific name of the True Creator but Mr. Fool was one step ahead and gave an oracle to the divine envoys.

Well, I didn't remember His honorific name anyway…

They all kneeled at the same time.

« Please forgive us, Your Excellency ! We'll do as you said ! »

I ignored the guy who stepped forward earlier and was now banging his head on the ground in repentance and continued :

« Okay. Also, did you guys cause a massacre in a city recently ? »

Nobody answered so I turned to a member and gave him an inquiring gaze.

« …No, Your Excellency. We have not made any massacre recently. »

I nodded.

« I see. »

So the Aurora Order wasn't responsible for it. At least I've eliminated one suspect ! (But I still think that it's Amon who made the massacre since He had the Red Priest Uniqueness last time…)

Well, It's not like the divine envoys of the Aurora Order would lie to an angel of their Lord.

Did I say all I had to say ? This meeting was too short…

Ah, yes !

« The Lord would also like you to search for The Fool and His believers in Backlund. »

Ah, I was so sad that the Aurora Order wouldn't search for The Fool since their god died before giving that order ! Now, that problem is solved !

« I'll give you His honorific name, it's :

The Fool who slept thousands of years ;

The mysterious fake god in Sefirah Castle ;

And Tianzun's backhand. »

(Mr. Fool : Anyway, what does The Fool have to do with me, Zhou Mingrui ?)

From that day on, a weird honorific name that felt strangely familiar to the members of the Tarot Club began to spread in the slums and Beyonder gatherings.

(Xin Jian : Don't worry, I know that this is the wrong honorific name.

Mr. Fool : *has given up since long ago and is just sipping tea* I did not see anything, I did not hear anything…)

Anyway, I have already spread the true honorific name of The Fool in the slums before, it won't change much if I make that joke.

At least I said "The Fool" instead of "the idiot". Mr. Fool, you should be glad.

The divine envoys nodded.

Then, I smiled kindly.

I pointed to Mr. A and said :

« You, you have to sacrifice yourself to the Lord. It is a punishment for your past actions. »

Without giving him a choice, I began to control his spiritual lines.

(Mr. Fool : Then are you the Lord ?)

However, I was not very surprised that that mad fanatic kneeled and claimed that it was an honor before I could completely control his spiritual lines.

Now, I can use Mr. A as a secret puppet !

After everyone left, I brought Mr. A above the gray fog and looked around me.

I sighed.

Sefirah Castle is so wide, it's such a waste to not create a town…

I made a house appear and put Mr. A in it.

I'll bring Trissy back here again when the construction is finished, I only need her to negotiate with George III after all… Oh, I can also use a secret puppet to replace her when I have to hand her over to the king…

I began my construction work.

—————— I am the dividing line~

3rd point of view :

A young man with red hair that resembled fire was leisurely sitting on the sofa in a provocative posture.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

The man ignored it and continued to read the newspaper. However, the person at the door didn't stop and even began to make rhythms.

After one hour, the man stood up and opened the door, saw a smiling Xin Jian waiting for Him behind, calmly closed it and sat back down on the sofa.

Still with a smile on her face, Xin Jian slammed the door open and arrived in front of the man.

« Your illusion was so strong that I thought there was nobody in the corridor. »

Xin Jian, who had put up an illusion at some point in time to continue knocking without being noticed by ordinary people (so that they wouldn't send her out because the knocking was annoying), put a hand in front of her mouth and looked at Him with pity.

« Oh my, Medici, I'm sorry, I didn't expect you to be so… »

She looked at Him up and down and didn't say the end of the sentence.

« Even a child (Will) and a mere Sequence 2 angel with only half of His soul can see through my illusions. I guess you're that weak now. »

She looked at Him as if He was about to die.

Ignoring her provocation, Medici was searching for a way to make her forget what she came here for, then she would leave and He would run away.

However, she went to the point right away.

—————— I am the dividing line~

Xin Jian's point of view :

« So, Medici, come with me. »

It was an order.

Medici could only helplessly ask :

« Where are we going ? »

I wanted to tease Him by not answering or saying that we were going to see Amon, ("Where do you think we are going~?" could also make Him overthink), but in the end I answered honestly.

« I'm using you as bait for the Red Priest Uniqueness, we'll meet some angels of other churches too. »

Because I was sure that the truth could make Him lose His composure.

No, Medici, this is not a conspiracy. This is really going to happen.

As expected, bringing Medici along was a good idea. It will be fun~.

Medici kept up a facade but Klein is still far better at managing his expressions than Him.

I dragged Him to the street then remembered that I had a poor sense of direction and stopped.

« Medici… »

I found a good excuse.

« I don't have any money, you'll pay for the carriage. »

(Traduction : Since you now know that we will take a carriage, please lead the way~!)

I then began to walk slightly behind Him so that He could lead the way.

At the same time, Medici had the nagging feeling that I had ulterior motives for doing this. After all, I was the type to say that I had no money and He had to pay only when leaving the carriage.

He turned to me.

I looked at Him innocently.

Medici : Why do you have that look on your face ? It's obvious that you're preparing something now.

(Xin Jian : Hey, it's not like I did something wrong. I just wanted to know the way.)

(Author : Alright, since you probably won't guess the real reason why Xin Jian is bringing along Medici, I'll say it : she just didn't want to be alone with a bunch of strangers so she brought someone that she knew with her.)