ICTV - Chapter 82
I change The Villain
Edgar looked blankly. Even in these moments of exhaustion and emptiness, the world outside the window rolls on without any trouble.
And that confusion continued until the next day. Edgar eventually headed to the Temple of Harmonia as soon as daybreak.
Violet, who came today as promised, also followed Edgar. Violet looked up at the statue of Harmonia in the private prayer room. Edgar asked while lighting incense.
"This is your first time in a prayer room like this, right? How is it?"
"In my eyes, it's a statue, nothing more, nothing less."
Edgar laughed lightly at Violet's bold words.
"You don't believe in this religion, so of course it seems that way."
"... Don't you feel bad?"
"Not really."
"But shouldn't you point out that it's rude? He is the God you serve."
"Just don't do it in front of other people."
Violet glared at the back of Edgar's head with a disapproving expression. After preparing to offer up his prayers, Edgar immediately knelt down in front of the statue.
Edgar has been praying at this temple since he was a toddler. It's no wonder that he feels at home here.
He prayed without moving for a long time, and Violet watched Edgar from behind.
Two hours later, Edgar opened his closed eyes. After praying, he definitely felt at peace. Edgar looked up at the statue and smiled.
Yes, everything is the will of Harmonia. He guesses he can gain something else from this ordeal.
Edgar left the prayer room with a lighter heart.
Edgar asked Violet as they walked through the temple garden.
"I'm sorry, originally I was only going to pray for an hour. You were very bored, right?"
"It's okay. "Let's just say it was an amazing experience. I would appreciate it if you thought so."
Violet stared at Edgar, who looked brighter than before. Edgar frowned.
"What happens? If you have something to say, say it quickly."
"What would you think if I told you that I followed you and believed in Harmonia?"
"It's good to believe it."
Edgar responded coolly to the sudden question.
"Is that the end? So what if I believed in another God?"
Agnes, the God of victory, or something like that in mythology. Agnes was a God who unilaterally kept Harmonia in cheek. If Harmonia said that everyone should live in harmony, Agnes was a God who said that only the strong were worthy of survival.
Just a few years ago, the number of believers was so small that it could not be compared to the Temple of Harmonia, but the number of believers was rapidly increasing due to the influence of Belial, who swept the battlefield and achieved peace. And the behavior of the Agnes priests began to become a problem.
The priests of Agnes kept the temple of Harmonia in check to the point where the word 'priest' was ever said about that God.
She didn't know the details, but she heard that even the priests of Harmonia, who were famous for their gentle personalities, were reluctant to even mention 'Agnes' name because they kept everything in check.
Violet looked at Edgar with expectant eyes. Edgar is a devout believer in Harmonia, which would be sad if he were the second child, so he is bound to look really uncomfortable this time.
But this time, Violet's predictions were spectacularly wrong.
"If you want to believe, you have to believe."
"..."
"The Avalon Empire is a free country that recognizes any God as long as it is not dangerous. How can I stop the freedom guaranteed by the Empire?"
"No, that's not the problem."
Violet waved her hands furiously.
"Isn't it normal to feel a little bad? I clearly know that you are a devout believer in Harmonia, but I are openly saying that I will believe in Agnes."
"I just don't do it in front of other people."
"You won't blink if I curse at God Harmonia?"
"..."
Edgar looked at Violet in silence.
Oops, even in her opinion, what she just said crossed the line. Violet quickly shook her head.
"No. I was talking nonsense. No matter how much I do it, I wouldn't insult Harmonia...."
Edgar asked with a look of complete confusion.
"What's wrong with that?"
"... What?"
Unexpectedly. Violet was taken aback. Edgar continued speaking.
"It's God. Wouldn't it be better to curse God than to curse a fellow human being?"
"...Are you serious about what you're saying?"
"So do I look like I'm lying?"
A person who just prayed to Harmonia for two hours is saying these words in the middle of a temple dedicated to Harmonia.
Violet looked at Edgar with shocked eyes. But Edgar continued his speech in a calm tone.
"How can you be a God if you don't have that level of tolerance?"
Violet was so dumbfounded that she couldn't say anything.
"In the first place, I think the reason people believe in God is because they need a being they can rely on and who they can blame at the same time. Therefore..."
Violet cut off Edgar's words mercilessly.
"Isn't Harmonia not that precious? What do you mean? I feel sorry for the listener."
Edgar said with a slightly sad look on his face.
"On the contrary, it is the opposite. That's because I know how great Harmonia is."
"Then what are the other priests?"
"Yes?"
Violet said in a questioning tone.
"Other priests know as much as you how great Harmonia is. But do those priests react like you? Nope. He immediately goes crazy as if he's been criticized."
Edgar looked at Violet in silence.
"Why would that be? That's because the God Harmonia is so important. No matter how great you are, you will get angry if your precious being is criticized."
Violet grabbed Edgar's shoulder.
"Do you really believe in the God Harmonia?"
Of course, Edgar was going to say yes. But no voice came out. What? He just prayed to God Harmonia for two hours.
Edgar was finally able to answer after a little pause.
"I believe it."
"But why don't I feel like that?"
Violet muttered, touching her forehead.
"Yes, somehow I thought it was too unconventional to believe in Harmonia."
"Then why not? What if it's unconventional?"
"Of course, it's not like that..."
Violet sighed, feeling grounded. And she spoke in a serious voice.
"Isn't it just an old habit that you keep coming to this temple?"
"..."
"Why, you said your family has believed in this religion for generations. Isn't it because your parents taught you to pray when you're upset, and that you should help people live in harmony?"
It felt like he had been hit on the head.
Edgar wanted to cover Violet's mouth. But his body had long since become as hard as stone, and Violet's words continued endlessly.
"Let's think. Don't you think that if you had been raised by ordinary parents, you wouldn't have believed in the Harmonian Gods and wouldn't have started helping people?"
'Edgar. No matter what happens, don't bring shame to our family. Offer your body and soul to Harmonia.'
The family elders appeared above Violet. Those guys that Edgar hated and loathed so much.
'Be like us and take the lead in teaching people mercy and forgiveness. These days, people are becoming more and more narrow-minded, which is a big problem. They don't know what a concession is and they don't want to lose even a little bit.'
Edgar clenched his fists. Then Violet clicked her tongue.
"This is why cramming education is so scary. In the end, you too, like the adults around you."
As soon as Violet said those words, the life in Edgar's eyes disappeared. Edgar continued with his fists clenched.
"Don't treat me like those people."
Violet narrowed her eyes.
"I will not sacrifice anyone using Harmonia as an excuse."
"Why don't you make a sacrifice yourself...?!"
It was before Violet finished speaking. Suddenly, she felt someone nearby.
The two reflexively turned their heads.
Across the hall, a child was struggling, being held by a woman.
"No! It's boring!"
"Come fast! Do you want to embarrass Mom?!"
"Mom, I really hate this! All you have to do is pray alone! Why do I have to get up early in the morning and pray?"
The child was very angry.
"Just because you pray doesn't mean things will actually come true!"
"This guy! What are you talking about in a sacred temple...!"
The two hid behind a large pillar.
"Don't you remember meeting Edgar during the last prayer? Edgar has become such a great person because he has believed in the God Harmonia since he was a toddler!"
"Oh, I don't know! I'm so sleepy! I'm going to go home and sleep better!"
However, the woman had no choice but to drag the child to the communal prayer room.
Violet looked back at Edgar in silence, and Edgar could not say anything. Suddenly it became difficult to breathe.
He tried desperately not to be influenced by those people. However, the very fact that he was standing in this temple, praising God all the time, and praying whenever he had the chance, was proof that he had been influenced.
He felt like his entire life had been denied. But Edgar did not show his agitation outwardly. He held back desperately.
This was the temple of Harmonia, not any other place. Full of people who depend on him.
That was the moment he thought about it.
"Uh? Edgar. What are you doing there?"
Edgar turned his head.
She was the woman who left during the last consultation because of the man who trespassed. He never thought she'd find him here.
Edgar hurriedly stood in front of the woman.
"Ah yes. I thought about it for a moment.*
Edgar looked at the woman's eyes, he thought her trust had been broken because of what happened last time, but seeing as she spoke to him without hesitation, it seemed she had regained her composure.
Edgar spoke politely.
"You were really rude last time."
"No. Rather, I was rude. It's not even Edgar's fault."
The woman said with a sullen face.
"Sorry. I was really out of my mind at that time."
"No."
Yes, it doesn't matter that he was influenced by adults. Because he really likes helping people.
Edgar spoke with a much more relaxed mind.
"Then let's talk again soon..."
The woman waved her hand.
"Oh, it's okay! There will be no more trouble for you, Edgar!"
"Yes? Then maybe...."
The woman smiled so brightly that her eyes could not be seen.
"I had a good talk with him and we got back together!"
The sound of something collapsing was heard. Edgar looked blankly at the woman.
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