Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 247

#247. The One Who Shines (2)

The terracotta in Ray’s hand showed no response.

“… … .”

I wasn’t particularly disappointed.

The condition of a saint is one who can care for all things in the world unconditionally.

But, as an emotionally dry person, there were only a very few people I could truly worry about.

And, above all,

‘It’s just like I tried it yesterday.’

I had anticipated this situation.

Just yesterday.

Because I was able to get pieces of terracotta from the dwarves of Lael Row.

He had already completed the test on everyone in the mansion, including himself.

Except for Veronica.

‘You’ve become strangely sharp since I asked you about love yesterday.’

Based on the pattern so far, it will soon return to normal… but for now, it is difficult to ask for a test.

As Ray contemplates another piece of terracotta in his arms.

The bishop’s voice broke my thoughts.

“Haha, don’t be disappointed that the terracotta doesn’t emit any light at all. Even if a devout priest holds it in his hand, it can only emit a little light. This is a perfectly normal reaction for an ordinary person to have when holding it.”

The bishop didn’t seem to have any particular expectations of Ray.

“… … .”

There was a hint of regret in Solité’s eyes.

*

A few days later again.

The northern outskirts of the sector.

In front of the magnificent cathedral, a dozen or so black sedans stopped one after another.

Ddddddddd─ squeak.

Clang! Clang! Bang! Bang!

Those who opened the vehicle doors and got out came out to the front of the cathedral and greeted the people waiting.

“Oh! Rita! How long has it been! It’s been almost ten years since I graduated from the main training center!”

“May the warm protection of the sunlight be with you. I cannot hide my joy at seeing you again like this.”

“Yes, Bishop Python. Bishop Cardio will be leaving soon after the service.”

Those who arrived in front of the cathedral were the artificial sun transports from sectors 38-40.

Each sector consisted of one bishop, eight priests, and about ten attendants, totaling about 60 people.

Some people were seen hugging each other or shedding tears as their emotions grew intense.

Ray, who was watching the scene from the entrance of the cathedral, spoke to Solité.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you all.”

“Yes, that’s true. Priests of the church are basically trained and educated at the training center of the main church, and then sent to each diocese, where they live their entire lives unless something unusual happens.”

In other words.

This great migration resulting from the discovery of the saint meant that it was an unprecedented event in the history of the sect.

“But, what do you think? In Ray’s opinion, those who have just arrived… .”

Solitaire’s voice was filled with impatience and tension.

Ray, who had been looking at each person carefully, spoke as if he had come to a conclusion.

“27 people.”

“Did I… mishear that?”

“If I count again, it’s still 27.”

Twenty seven.

The number was that of a figure with a mixed ring, the entire ring dyed dark blue.

That was like saying that all three bishops and all twenty-four priests from three sectors were spies of the Nambit Dawn Society.

Solitaire felt as if her body was going to burst from the extreme confusion and pressure.

“That can’t be…! All of the people you see now are people who had a connection with me at the headquarters. I swear by the sun that they are all people with unashamed faith…!”

Ray stared into Solitaire’s eyes without saying a word.

It was because he knew of Solité’s ability to discern truth from lies through the eyes of his opponent.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The blond youth, facing the boy’s white eyes, seemed to gradually calm down after going through emotions such as confusion, disbelief, and emptiness.

Then, with difficulty, I parted my lips.

“Really… that’s it.”

“I don’t think there was a spy from the beginning. It’s more likely that there was an incident somewhere in the middle in each parish.”

“He was leading a life of upright faith, but then changed his mind due to some incident… That is definitely more likely.”

Solitaire gave me a lot of thought.

I thought that if the enemy numbers were small, I would be able to join forces with other priests and drive them out sufficiently.

‘I never thought that all of them would defect.’

The situation was much more serious than expected.

If the number of spies in the upper sectors was like this, it would be difficult to stop the conspiracy of the Dawn Society, let alone save one’s life.

“Ray.”

“huh.”

“I advise you to leave the convoy. I understand that your Majesty Ray is strong, but this is not a situation that can be turned around by a small force.”

It was a remark made out of concern for Ray’s safety.

But the person concerned simply answered calmly.

“That won’t work. I have a goal I want to achieve quickly.”

“… … .”

“And it’s still okay. With this number of wizards.”

When we met eyes, I could see once again that what the boy said was true.

It was a confidence based on solid grounds, not the recklessness of a child.

‘… … .’

Solitaire’s body trembled.

What kind of life have you lived to have such self-confidence at such a young age?

Faith is inherently subject to change.

For Solitaire, who knew this better than anyone else, Ray’s strong self-confidence was a shock.

Dddddddd──!

Then trailers carrying artificial suns from each parish arrived.

Squeak! Clank! Clank!

The dozen-meter-tall spheres, tied with iron chains to the trailer floor, boasted an overwhelming majesty just by looking at them.

However, there was no light.

Red, orange, yellow.

Large, star-like but non-shining patterns cover the white surface like a mosaic.

The convoy remained in Sector 37 throughout the day.

We took a break, washed off the fatigue of the journey, serviced the vehicle, and reminisced about old relationships.

They also went out to the slums together and helped the priests in the sector with relief activities such as food distribution and facility maintenance.

“I will eat it gratefully! Huh…? Are these priests with faces I’ve never seen before?”

“Priests! Is that rumor true? That the sun will soon rise in the sky!”

“I heard that even those who are sick from the black rain will be saved… Is that really true?”

The transport team kindly answered every single question that came up.

“That’s right. The time has come for your long-held faith to be rewarded.”

“A world will come where everyone can live equally in abundance, with warm sunlight shining down.”

A caring smile and tone.

Their sincere attitude in helping the poor was typical of devout religious people.

But Ray could see it clearly.

The dark blue and dark blue emotions that are writhing in their bowls.

It was a form of extreme contempt for the other person combined with malice.

And the next morning.

“Lead vehicle, let’s go!”

The transport force, which had grown to about 80 people with the addition of Sector 37 Parish, raced along the road through the wilderness.

It was truly a spectacular sight to see nearly 20 vehicles speeding along, escorting four trailers.

And the back of the line.

The back seat of a black sedan.

“Master Ray! Look over there! There’s a group of Rockdeer! Could the Fran we saw before be among them?”

Veronica looked out the window and shouted excitedly.

Ray answered without taking his eyes off the art theory book he was reading.

“We saw Fran on the outskirts of Sector 48. It’s not unlikely that the group reached here. But Veronica, you can use the title of Young Master only in public.”

“No! In order to act perfectly, you have to do your best even when there is no one to see! That way, you won’t make mistakes in real life!”

An attendant who assists an upper-class young master.

That was the disguise the red-haired girl was currently obsessed with.

The attendant, who was looking out the window, suddenly turned to look at the master and said.

“But, Master! Bishop Cardio only allowed one attendant. Is there a reason you chose me? If you only look at magical skills, either Greene-sama or Ayla-sama are far more advanced.”

It was a look of secret anticipation.

Of course, Ray didn’t have any clue, so he thought about it seriously and then answered.

“When it comes to battle, the one with whom I have the best chemistry is Veronica.”

“Other than that?”

“Veronica is also the one who can use healing magic at the highest output when injured.”

“Again?”

“Veronica is also good at defense.”

“Is there anything else besides the magical part?”

Ray’s subsequent answers were all similar.

“Well, yes. I am very happy to have gained your trust!”

Veronica nodded slightly.

In fact, there was exactly the answer he wanted, but hearing it might have been impossible in this lifetime, considering Ray’s dullness.

Boooo …

The convoy moved quickly.

There were also times when sandworms and other evil spirits would attack from time to time.

Boom! Boom!

Kkeeek!

It quickly turned into a fireball and moved away to the back of the line.

This was because there were now more than twenty magicians belonging to the transport unit.

As you go further up the Elton River, the distance between sectors gets shorter.

“May the warm protection of the sun always be with you! Nice to meet you! Brothers! I have been waiting for you!

Thanks to this, the speed at which people are joining has also increased.

“How is it, Ray? The bishop and priests of this diocese… … .”

“All except one priest. They have mixed rings.”

The expressions on Solitaire and the eight priests he led hardened.

The rate of spies remained high.

Although the ratio decreased as you went up, it didn’t have much significance.

When we arrived at Sector 31 and the number of people increased to nearly 200, there were less than 30 people with pure rings.

If anything, that’s fortunate.

‘Circles 1 and 2 are the majority.’

Even assuming the worst case scenario of being surrounded at once, the odds of victory were judged to be not low.

Woof!

Ray, concentrating his mind, could feel the thick texture of mana flowing through the four rings.

As I entered the 4th circle, my sensitivity and control over mana had gone beyond the wall.

Most magic can tear apart the bonds of elements and shatter them on the spot.

It was also possible to strangle an opponent’s breathing by emitting a high concentration of mana.

The fact that we have already conducted biological experiments on the children of the mansion… no, that we have confirmed it with their active cooperation.

In other words.

‘The only variables in battle are magicians of the 3rd circle or higher.’

The only people who had to be concerned were the bishops or the heads of the priesthood, a small number of people.

“If you’ve finished your maintenance, lead vehicle, let’s go right away!

Boooo …

The atmosphere of Sector 30, which we arrived at after running through the wilderness again, was a little different from the previous sectors.

Crunch, bang!

Veronica got out of the car and muttered in a daze as she looked at the street where heat was floating around.

“Somehow, it seems like people are really excited. It’s scary. It was like that in all the places I’ve been to, but not to this extent. No matter how much news about the saint spread… .

“Sector 30. Because the saint was discovered here.”

The answer came from Solitaire’s mouth, which followed.

“There must be some who have seen the miracle in person. The strong sunlight and clear sky are things that people of all classes have wished for their entire lives, so it is only natural that they are so excited.”

The convoy parked in a line on the outskirts of the sector and headed down the street toward the cathedral.

Since the cathedral was located on the outskirts of the sector, in keeping with the principle that it should be located next to the poor and the hungry, it didn’t take long to arrive.

The poor swarmed like bees around the cathedral fence.

“Saint! Saint! Give us a miracle!”

“Give us a little light!”

“Save us!”

“My son is dying in the black rain!”

The sight of the bars rattling was almost madness.

The convoy passed them through the main gate and met the saint who was waiting at the entrance to the cathedral with the priests of sector 30.

Veronica whispered to Ray.

“Your Majesty, how tall is the Saintess? She looks about the same as me. I guess she’s around our age.”

“Veronica is a little bigger. Maybe the weight difference is….”

“Ray, do you want to hide?”

The saint was wearing a blue veil, so her face could not be seen.

He could not open his mouth to hear the voice, and a kind-looking bishop stepped forward to greet the transport instead.

“Thank you for your hardship in coming a long way, brothers. The glory that will unfold is just around the corner, so I hope you will endure it together with us for a little longer.”

Words of encouragement and congratulations followed.

And that’s the end.

Rustle.

The saint took out her slender arm from under her long veil.

On the palm of his hand, which was facing forward, was a small piece of stone.

Terracotta, it was a demonstration of miracles.

────!

The moment the saint held the terracotta, a tremendous white light enveloped the scene.

In the halo of light, Ray whispered softly to Veronica.

That girl is a fake saint.