Shepherd Tantra

Chapter 1315 Will You Become a God?
Without a doubt, that was a true miracle.

No, it could even be described as a miracle—

Even calling it a miracle is unbelievable... because even the true gods have never bestowed such a blessing upon them!

So much so that when the sun rises as usual the next day, many Parthians still believe they are dreaming, that everything they heard and saw last night was just an absurd dream.

Or perhaps I died when the Abyss Heaven Division descended, and what I am seeing now is... merely a hallucination before my death?

The reality today is even more bizarre than a dream!

Many Parthians never left their oasis city-state from birth to death.

It wasn't just because of the man-eating quicksand and sandstorms, the ferocious beasts and slave riders roaming the wilderness... but also because the benevolent rulers regarded both free citizens and slaves as their assets. Therefore, attempting to leave one's birth city-state meant facing the malice of at least two benevolent rulers simultaneously.

This is why most Parthians never actually see anything beyond the desert and oasis in their entire lives.

How could they have imagined that, upon waking up, the swirling sandstorms and the ceaseless roaring sandstorms... would transform into the towering mountains and clear springs they had never seen before?

Many people had already stayed up all night when the miracle happened last night.

They cautiously made their way outside the city, repeatedly touching the damp earth with their cheeks and tongues to confirm that what they were seeing was not an illusion.

Many people, just chewing on those wild grasses, felt as if they were tasting a delicacy, and couldn't stop shedding tears.

Others, under the faint starlight and moonlight, stumbled and ran wildly to the top of the mountain, carefully tasting the sweetness of the spring water—a taste completely different from the water summoned by the benevolent gods, as if it had been mixed with aloe vera or honey.

The water that benevolent beings summon always has a slightly fishy smell, just like purified seawater.

People have never drunk normal water, so they assume that's what normal water tastes like.

Stealing water is a grave crime in Parthia, punishable by the punishment of salt corrosion. Their irrational act demonstrates that the shock they experienced at that moment had truly disturbed their minds.

People sobbed, people wept, people danced wildly, people knelt in worship.

"God..."

The old man knelt down shakily, touching the damp soil with his forehead, and expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the miracle before him.

"Mom...can I eat these grasses?"

Young children, gazing intently at the lush green plants, would drool with envy.

More people... gathered from afar, converging on the giant tree.

Yes, a giant tree—

There was no such giant tree here last night.

That was the "true god" who performed the miracle last night. After performing an even greater miracle, he planted a giant divine tree on the spot. Not only in Holy Spring City, but even in other city-states, such a giant tree could be seen from afar.

Although its size is not yet comparable to the Kingdom of Giant Trees, its height has already surpassed the original fourth ring.

The trunk alone is so thick that it would take a hundred people to encircle it.

This giant tree exudes an extremely comforting sense of sacredness.

The wounds and illnesses were healed simply by being bathed in the shade cast by the huge canopy of the tree.

What's most astonishing is that the giant tree is actually alive, intelligent, and capable of speaking!

"Come, come, let me tell you about the miracle that happened last night, and the name of the person who performed that miracle..."

The giant tree spoke to the Parthians who came to worship or kneel and beg for miracles of healing, repeating itself over and over with great interest.

—She is Anastasia, whom Aiwass left here last night!

[Enchantment: Dryad Moon Spirit (The Fool)]

【Level: 40】

[The Path of Dedication, Attribute: Wind]

[Required: Wind 3]

[Action, Repeat, Summon, Take Effect Immediately]

[Effect: Transforms a tree into the Treant Anastasia. The Treant is considered a summoned creature. While the Treant is present, it continuously heals all friendly units within range and periodically controls enemies within range using its plants.]

[Effect: When used again, summons Moon Spirit Anastasia while the Dryad Anastasia is present. The Moon Spirit is considered a summon and lasts for ten minutes. While the Moon Spirit is present, the Dryad's effect is changed to 'Gain a protective barrier centered on the Dryad that persists.' The barrier is considered a force field, ritual, and shield, and is resistant to all types of damage except for 'Divinity,' 'Fire,' and 'Filth.']

Although all the Parthians heard the voice of Aiwass in their hearts during the night's transition, and recognized him immediately upon his appearance before them.

However, it was ultimately impossible for Aiwass to remain in rest for long.

He didn't want the "curse of thirst" brought about by the sin he had painstakingly eradicated, and the barren desert he had destroyed, which brought people fertile land and hope for life... to be usurped by a group of people who continued to do those foolish things.

So Aiwass left Anastasia as proof of his miracle.

Miracles need traces, and they also need witnesses.

Without a doubt, in the past, the desert, covered with thorns, could not have allowed such a massive plant to exist. Its root system would have been corroded and dried up by the thorns. Therefore, this giant tree could only have been a magnificent existence born overnight from a "new generation".

And coincidentally...

Anastasia, the name means "resurrection" or "rebirth".

Just like the Fool cards she used—

The Fool symbolizes new life, a free and adventurous spirit, and infinite possibilities.

It is the beginning of all miracles, and also symbolizes the guidance and help of benefactors.

This phrase perfectly describes the state of peace and tranquility at this moment.

Meanwhile, Aiwass had already returned to Paradise City.

As mentioned before, Aiwass came to take Sherlock back.

"...I really didn't expect you to be able to do this much."

Sherlock looked at Aiwass sitting in front of him with an extremely complicated expression.

With so much happening yesterday, it was impossible for him to have gone to bed early last night—in fact, since acquiring the meditation technique, Sherlock has hardly had a full night's sleep. The nighttime is equally precious; making good use of sleep time is, in a sense, equivalent to extending one's lifespan.

Who would have thought that this "winged one" sitting leisurely drinking tea in front of him was the man who completely changed the ancient Parthian Kingdom, and thus further changed the history books of the world... He was also his close friend, the one he had personally watched transform from a mortal to this state?

From this perspective, perhaps I am also a witness to a miracle...

Sherlock chuckled self-deprecatingly, feeling no sense of loss, but rather a feeling of absurdity.

It's truly unbelievable...

There was a time when he was thinking about how to surpass Aiwass. Looking back now…

Surpassing a god who walks on the earth?
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, or rather… only I can do this, and I must do it.”

Aiwass held up his teacup and answered earnestly, “Because in the end, the source of the Parthians’ suffering comes from the thorns of sin, and these thorns are the remnants of the candle keeper, and these remnants come from the invasion of nothingness… It can be said that the Parthians’ suffering comes from the whispers of the void.”

"—But the problem is, even if I defeat the Void, the suffering of the Parthians will not lessen in the slightest. The distorted society born from the existence of the Void will not improve in the slightest after the Void is defeated... Don't you think that's absurd?"
"If the hero defeats the Demon King, but the villagers continue to suffer as before, and are completely unaware that the Demon King has been defeated—is the Demon King really the Demon King?"

“…I understand what you’re thinking, Aiwass.”

Sherlock sighed softly as he spoke: "Indeed... in this way, the Parthians will not need to leave this land."

"Their lives will indeed improve, becoming prosperous and peaceful. Those who would have died will no longer die; those who would have suffered will no longer suffer. Before 'that' is defeated, they will enjoy the warmth of the fire of civilization; and after 'that' is defeated, this twisted land will gradually recover its health."

Sherlock sighed softly as he spoke: "But to be honest, I don't think this distorted society will return to normal anytime soon. I do think that the slaves here will still be slaves, and the slave owners will still be slave owners, just with different names and identities."

"They might not call him 'Good Lord,' but rather 'Benevolent Lord,' 'Holy Lord'... And the slaves no longer need to labor to exchange for the water they depend on for survival, but will instead use it to exchange for food, clothing, and even money..."

"Reaching this point already represents progress, doesn't it?"

Aiwas asked in return.

The detective, who was no longer as young as he used to be due to his promotion, simply shook his head seriously.

"I don't think that's enough."

He looked at Aiwass with a wise gaze and asked the question that both of them knew the answer to: "You've come to me to discuss this matter now, isn't that what you're thinking too?"

Upon hearing this, Aiwass laughed happily.

Sherlock's lips curled slightly; he wanted to smile, but forced himself to suppress it.

"Indeed."

After laughing, Aiwass readily nodded: "I want to appoint you as the Grand Vizier of Parthia, to rule this country."

"Grand Vizier...Prime Minister?"

Sherlock was somewhat surprised, but he nodded nonetheless, as this was within his expectations: "I thought you would pass the position of King of Parthia to me."

"That was indeed what I originally wanted to do."

Aiwass replied, "But before I met with you, I went to see Isabel—she was somewhat interested in the position."

"...Your Majesty?"

Sherlock was taken aback: "But I remember she wasn't..."

Isabel was tired of power, which is why she so smoothly handed it over to Julia. Otherwise, no one could have taken the throne from her... The people of Avalon's worship and respect for Isabel had reached a level close to, or even surpassed, that of her grandmother.

“Isa also has a special sense of responsibility to the people of Avalon, a sense of responsibility stemming from the guilt of her father’s generation, the royal family’s education… but the main reason is the corruption of the Round Table Hall.”

Aiwas said seriously.

The founding families, as the heirs of the original Knights of the Round Table, were supposed to personally guard this nation, ensuring its perpetual purity and order. But now, even the founding families have fallen...

When people saw knights on the street, their respect and admiration gradually turned into fear and dread.

—The Kingdom of Knights had already perished shortly after the founding of Lloyd's of London by that time.

"……really."

Sherlock said thoughtfully, "From this perspective, Her Majesty was indeed right to relinquish the title of Queen of Avalon."

Even the noble royal family has abandoned its arrogance, so other founding families and knightly families have nothing to be arrogant about.

Isabelle's relinquishment of power is tantamount to bringing the "knight" whom people feared and shunned back into the mortal world.

Because they are inherently equal, the protector is no more noble than the protected... However, it is almost impossible to accomplish this through education and subtle influence.

Power tends to concentrate spontaneously. This means that if knights want to become the main force in maintaining order, they will inevitably gain the power to change the fate of others, which will inevitably lead to the separation of the two groups... In any case, this power can be inherited through blood.

—But if the royal family voluntarily relinquishes all power, the situation is different.

This means that the monopoly on inheritance has been completely broken—although knight families will still have better educational resources and be able to receive training in extraordinary skills earlier, it does not mean that ordinary people will be unable to become knights.

Because no knightly family dares to be "more enduring and more prestigious than the royal family".

The royal family of Avalon has not lost its authority at all; rather, its "authoritarianism" has reached an unprecedented peak. Isabel can reclaim all power at any time if she so desires.

That is why this "abandonment" appears so solemn, dignified, and insurmountable.

...From this perspective, Isabella's decision to relinquish the royal family's power to continue ruling Avalon actually enabled the people of Avalon to become independent and self-governing, allowed the knights to re-examine their original aspirations, and brought the increasingly divided groups together and unified once again.

"However, the situation in Parthia is completely the opposite; power here is not excessive, but rather in a vacuum."

Aiwass replied earnestly, “A power vacuum can lead to the emergence of those who are ‘unworthy of the power’ who are also qualified to wield it. What the resting people need is not respect, but guidance—to teach them how to be a human being, not a dog, a commodity, a toy, or a meal.” Isabel was quite interested in this cause.

"After all, this is the land where I performed miracles. In a sense, this is the country I created. Today, Parthia is even more closely connected to me than Avalon is to me... Isabel would never want the country to which I have devoted so much effort to to be ruled by a group of mediocre people, ultimately rendering the miracles futile."

"And after I transformed this land, it became easier to live on. So Isabel gave up leaving Parthia... She planned to bring the fleeing Parthians back. Of course, those who did not wish to return could simply stay in New Horasl; the result would be the same."

"...So you want me to work, is that it? After all, Her Majesty can't be too overworked right now."

Sherlock sighed, "Fine, whatever... She's still Her Majesty the Queen after all."

Contrary to his reluctance in words, he seemed surprisingly happy.

After his encounters with the commoners and slaves of Paradise City, he felt a genuine sympathy for them. However, he restrained his compassion with reason, knowing that he ultimately could not bring about any change in them…

If people are given a glimmer of hope, only to fall back into darkness, it will only cause them more pain.

And now...

"Will you become a god someday, Aiwass?"

Sherlock asked, somewhat wistfully yet earnestly, "I mean... after you defeat your nemesis? In the very, very distant future?"

In the past, Aiwass would have shamefully denied it, saying something like "I am human," a load of nonsense that no one would believe, not even himself.

But now, Aiwass simply nodded seriously.

“I will eventually become a god, a god who brings miracles and dawn. My temples will eventually connect on earth, and my believers and apostles will sing my name. I will eventually pierce the darkness and light the dawn…”

The White Wing Pioneer said, "I only hope... that I won't become a 'high and mighty god' in the future."

"of course."

Sherlock smiled faintly: "After all, he is such a gentle god."

(End of this chapter)