Book 4: Chapter 34


    Luna opened her eyes again. Now that her mana had been replenished, she disyed the special sensitivity characteristic of elves in the middle of the night. And hence, the sound of Nier wiping her sword in the room sounded like a noisy and dangerous signal to her. Nier sat on her bed and wiped her de over and over with a cloth. The elven de isnt the curved sabre type. Its simr to a pirate sword that we know in the modern day, still somewhat curved and with a rtively heavy de, but thinner. However, it was light when swung. Nier became attracted to the de within a single day. She didnt leave it behind even when she returned to the Valkyries ce.


    Of course, there were other reasons as well, like it being given to her by his majesty. Nier was slightly agitated right now because of his majestys hug. She couldnt sleep despite trying, so she did something that could calm her down. But she couldnt calm down for as long as she held the sword.


    Is it because of his majesty?


    Aaaahh!


    Nier screamed in a high-pitched voice and her hands started to shake subconsciously, causing her to toss her de out. Nier turned around and felt her face burn up. Luna looked at her with an ambiguous smile. The atmosphere between the two of them was extremely awkward. It was the first time Nier revealed a surprised expression instead of hate or disgust in front of Luna. Her reaction was like that of a child that had his secret seen through.


    Nier is just a kid in the world of romance. Luna could lead Nier by the nose in that world. Luna looked at Nier who was frightened with a smile like she was enjoying it. First loves are always so beautiful both for the person involved and the people watching from the side. For those watching from the side, a silly romance is like a warm rom. No matter who it is, theyll give their blessings with a smile to the two of them.


    No!


    Nier quickly regained her usualposure. She picked up her de from the ground and began wiping it again. Luna rested her head as she looked at her and said: I think that we can be good friends, Miss Gilliante. If possible, could I call you Nier in the future?


    Do as you please.


    Nier scoffed and then continued, Ive never thought about getting along with an elf. For as long as your elven king does not fall, I will never be friendly with you elves. The situation is only as so since I have no other choice. Dont go thinking you can be friends with me either!


    While you say that, were the same, Nier. Luna emphasised Niers name and then said with a smile, Havent we both fallen for someone we cant fall for?


    What are you saying?! Im warning you. Dont try to get any ideas about his majesty! Im just his majestys temporary bodyguard. Ill return to being a Valkyrie afterwards. Thats where I should belong! Nier looked at Luna and continued sternly, It doesnt matter if its you or me, we cant have feelings for his majesty! Our statuses arent the same!


    I just dont get it. Why must humans have that rule? We dont stop love even though we strongly value bloodlines. Love is the sweet flower dew god gifted us with. If we stop it because of identities and statuses that people created themselves, god wouldnt be happy either. It goes against gods will. A love that came by through bloodlines wont be respected by anyone, nor will it receive the blessings from anyone.


    Luna lied back down on the bed then looked at the roof and continued, Nier, if you give up just like that, Id feel like youre different to how you usually are. Nier, you cant choose who to protect and what you want to do. However, the one thing you have the freedom to do is to choose who you love. Maybe you still dont understand, but youlle to understand it in the end. When you embrace the one you like, your entire body will be filled with bliss and shyness. Youll probably feel like you cant stop it.


    Nier froze up like she got hit by an arrow. She then said to Luna behind her in a soft voice:  Go to sleep.


    Luna rolled over and closed her eyes again. This time, she wore a bitter and astringent smile on her face.


    Nier. Nier, are you still up?


    When Nier was about to put the sword down, a knock suddenly came from the door.


    I anxiously knocked on the door. I wore a simple overcoat and then wrapped a cloak around myself. It happened suddenly and I just found out about it. It looks like the church sped up after I refused their offer. The horse carriage which was supposed to arrive tomorrow had already entered the market. As a result, I needed to take action earlier than nned. Fortunately, I had prepared everything necessary beforehand.


    Aaahh!


    I heard high-pitched cry came from inside as well as the sound of metal dropping on the ground. A momentter, Nier pushed the room door open. She looked at me firmly and in aposed way, and said: Your majesty, what orders do you have?


    I looked at her slightly blushed face and hesitated for a moment. I decided not to mind it for the meantime and said to her: Get ready right away. We need to make a trip outside. Oh, right, wear more clothing, both torso and lower body.


    Is it very cold outside?


    No. Im worried that youll get really hurt when you fall.


    I revealed a mysterious smile and left behind a bewildered Nier. Luna sat up and looked at me. She smiled and said: Your majesty, do you still want some tea? Sorry. If I knew you were going to wake up early today, I would have gotten up earlier.


    Its fine, Luna. You keep sleeping. Just prepare some good tea when we get back. We probably wont be too long. We should be back by the afternoon.


    Alright. I wish you luck, your majesty.


    Luna stood up and bowed before lying back down. I admit I looked down below Lunas sleeping gown for a few seconds. But Im really excited right now because if everything I did before is considered foreshadowing, then tonight will be the battle. As long as my n seeds, Ill be able to ride the wave of momentum and resolve everything.


    Theres definitely a problem with the statues of god. I insist on that. For humans, heavy gold is much more attractive than god. Humans dont actually believe in god. Those who worship god do so just for their own desires. All the exnations of god are just to justify their own actions. Humans and elves arepletely different. Humans dont yearn for god. Humans only make statues of god for their own needs.


    Thats precisely why the elves shrine is miraculous while the humans is forever a ce full of bloodshed and sins. Thats why humans need atheism. As long as god exists in a nation, theyll go crazy over that so-called god as well as kill and seek profit. While they run their mouths about gods will, they just do what they do for their own filthy desires. Thats religion. Thats this so-called belief.


    But Im not trying to destroy religion this time. If I forcefully take away the peoples belief when they believe in religion, their believers will create trouble. Thats no good for governance purposes. You cant make people forget their faith with a single swing of a sword. The protestant reformation in Europe didnt happen overnight. I dont intend to destroy religion this time. What I want is the right to preach religion, thereby not allowing the church to say what they please. So what Im after is the right to preach their content.


    Whoever holds the power to preach will be the one that benefits.


    I want to strangle the churchs neck and make them kneel before me and admit to their crimes. I want them to hand over their gold covered in blood. I want to destroy their bullshit-acts they used to fool countless people.


    Thats right, I dont believe in god. But I can make others believe in me.


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    In thest paragraph, Troy is talking about not believing that humanity has a god, you know the god the church worships, not an umbre term for some never-ever-mentioned singr god figure that rules over all species in this world. Stick to the context.