Brain bloom

"Heh, put away your weapons." The girl said this with an unconvinced expression.

"Who exactly are you? Why is the Holy Skull by your side?" The melon-slicer's words were no longer so firm.

"Because the first popes were more devout than you."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"His attitude was far more devout than yours. Even though he has passed away, his faith remains, which is why he came to me. I must say, he deserves praise."

Mori, suppressing his trembling little hands, deliberately patted the top of the crystal box as if praising a child.

This act was tantamount to blasphemy, immediately provoking a noisy outcry. But when Sen Shi's cold gaze swept over the crowd, they all inexplicably shut their throats.

The melon-cutter was utterly shocked. He couldn't help but question whether there was something wrong with his own soul. Those words he had just uttered were practically... something only the coffin-bearer himself could have said.

Who, apart from those who carried the coffin, is qualified to praise the first pope?

"Can I interpret this as some kind of provocation? To our Holy Coffin Kingdom? Because you, you are defying the name of the true God."

"Can I interpret it the same way? That you are betraying your faith and your own country?"

After saying that, Mori gently brushed the dust off his legs, took the staff in his right hand, and wrapped the holy skull around his waist.

"Because your blades are pointed directly at the god you believe in."

"I can't stand these foul words! They are blasphemous words—the light of purification!"

The only mage in the group reacted; she seemed to waver greatly and could no longer restrain herself. She made a very abrupt move, summoning a dim light to fall from the sky.

Perhaps because his power was too weak, Mori Toki, despite his inner turmoil, only subconsciously narrowed his eyes.

Instinctively, I just thought it was like the wind had blown away the dark clouds in the sky, and the midday sun was shining down—nothing serious. And that's how it felt; there was a warmth from the sun.

"Uh, it didn't work?" The sound of the staff falling to the ground in fright came from beneath the mage's feet. "She just said so many blasphemous things... she clearly said so much..."

It was only then that Sen realized that perhaps the other party had launched some kind of attack? It really was a close call.

It seems that the divine power possessed by her soul is genuine, and for this reason, the power of the Holy Coffin Kingdom lineage will not harm her—at least that's how it feels.

This gave her more confidence.

Mori smiled and looked at the magician who had just made his move: "Child, stand up. Don't worry, I can forgive your little offense."

The melon-slicer decided to follow his intuition. He spoke with a heavy heart, "Could it be? No, this is too crazy. Or... are you really the idiot god who left the holy letter, the coffin-sender?"

"This...this...um..."

Volume 1 #117 - Still Don't Believe...

Mori didn't want to admit it at all, really.

Never before had she so internally cursed herself for throwing away the money. How foolish she had been! Not only had she caused so much trouble for the world, but she had also lost all face.

To admit that you're the god of idiots is simply...

No, no, no, in this world, the meaning of these two letters is very beautiful; they are a true symbol of religion. Mori tried to deceive himself, but it didn't work.

Even though he tried to interpret the skull as "SB" during his lifetime, Mori Toki himself, who used money to pile up those two letters, knew very well that it had no solemn or grand meaning whatsoever; it was just an insult to himself for wasting money...

She didn't want to admit it, she really didn't.

But we had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it.

"Do you know that, child?"

She looked at the melon-cutter, then pointed to the holy skull, her tone condescending.

"The vast wealth that this pope acquired during his lifetime was indeed left to me. I also know that you used it to build a great kingdom."

"I can't believe it! The idiot god we've worshipped for over a hundred years, the true god who delivers the coffin, is actually the girl of the Four Seasons?"

"Let's skip those two letters. After all... all you need to know is that those nine hundred million gold coins, along with numerous treasures, exotic weapons and equipment, and clothing, were all left behind by me."

"We're not children; we won't be fooled by your few words." At this moment, a steady, middle-aged man with a gray beard stepped forward, his white eyes glaring at Sen Shi. "Little girl, what method did you use to steal the Holy Skull? And how did you avoid divine punishment for blasphemy by fabricating so many lies?"

"Because they are all facts."

Mori would do his best to feign compassion, looking down upon every believer in the name of the true God.

Not only was she suffering, but the leader of the melon-chopping group was also extremely annoyed.

He didn't know whether he should put down his sword; his fingers trembled uncontrollably. Normally, if someone uttered such blasphemous words, he would definitely cut off their tongue with a single stroke, then drag them back to his homeland and throw them into a mine to live forever.

But today... he actually saw a glimmer of hope.

He certainly longed to meet the true God, even though reason screamed at him to be careful not to be deceived, a certain intuition urged him to seek confirmation immediately. Coming to his senses, his mouth began to move:

"Can you provide evidence? If you are truly the one who brought the coffin, you must be able to perform a miracle."

Sen Shi was prepared, so he didn't give a direct answer, but instead spoke vaguely like a charlatan.

"Where was it again? The staff that brings good fortune, do you remember?"

“…Huh? What?” Fu Fu exclaimed in surprise.

"The staff is talking!"

"No, listen carefully, it's that gem..."

Now, their nerves were on edge. The sudden opening of the gemstone in the staff was an even more elusive and rare phenomenon. Those who had been more skeptical earlier gradually lowered their weapons, thinking they should at least hear what the other side's so-called evidence was.

As for Fufu, who startled everyone, she was completely baffled by the current situation. What exactly was Sister Morishita doing? Scaring the enemy was understandable, but... calling herself a coffin carrier? If she goes back, she'll probably be boiled into strawberry tea by the princess.

Mori murmured again, "Don't you remember where I left the gold coins either?"

"Hmm...is that so?"

Mori feigned confusion and reached his hand into the void.

Upon seeing this, the melon-slicer felt a jolt of electricity run through his body and immediately shouted, "It's a spatial magic fluctuation... Be careful! He might have to use a legendary weapon—"

But before anyone could raise their swords in response, Mori's hand had already reached out from his bag, pretending to be holding a world map.

A sweet and compassionate smile graced her face: "Children, do not be afraid, divine punishment will not befall you."

After she finished speaking, she looked down and searched through the pages with her fingers.

“Oh, I remember now, it was the Land of Sleeplessness. I loved the vegetation on that plain, and the days were exceptionally long. That's where I left nine hundred million gold coins—and now, that vast plain has become your capital, hasn't it?”

"This is something everyone knows... Indeed, it was there that the first Pope received the holy letter SB as a gift from the coffin bearers."

"Do you know what else is in there besides the gold coins?"

"You...do you know that?"

The one who cut the melon hesitated. Even within the Holy Coffin Kingdom, this was a top secret, and people only vaguely knew that there was a great fortune.

But the first pope said that it contained the nation's final foundation, a power capable of destroying the world. Therefore, as a divine gift, it was carefully kept in a place known only to three people throughout the entire nation.

Sen casually rattled off a few equipment names:

"The black staff 'Buried Darkness' obtained from the Blood Corruptors; 'Ender's Lamp' engraved with the marks of a demigod; 'Sunset Glow', the sword of a true god capable of cleaving the blue sky..."

Every time he mentions one of them, Sen Shi's heart bleeds. What a nostalgic name it is, placed on a small account, and he was even planning to slowly sell it for a high price.

"What exactly are you talking about?"

“Right? Little guy? You found it.” Saying this, Morishi patted the crystal box containing the holy skull again. “I hope you didn’t miss anything, although to me they’re all just mundane, boring things.”

All eyes turned away from Mori and focused on the melon-slicer. After all, the melon-slicer held the highest position and was most likely to confirm whether the girl's words were true—but even he didn't know...

But regardless, this matter is of utmost importance. The girl of the Four Seasons' godlike demeanor, the Holy Skull's following, and the names she knows so well—if there's a chance to return alive, she'll ask the Attendant of the Gods or the current Pope for clarification, no matter the cost.

Yes, if there's still a chance to go back alive.

The melon-cutter closed his eyes. A second passed incredibly slowly, and in that instant, he saw his parents, his brothers, his attendants, his colleagues. Those hopeful eyes—perhaps he would never see them again.

His determination transformed into courage, which seeped into his muscles.

He opened his eyes, and the Four Seasons Maiden was still standing before him; this was not a dream. Therefore, he had to do one thing: convince himself.

Given that she had killed a powerful figure like a Rain Wizard, could use spatial magic at will, and carried a mysterious staff, she was no match for his group. Based on that alone, she didn't need to fabricate these lies; she could easily wipe them all out.

But she still claimed to be the one who delivered the coffin.

"If you truly are the God of Stupidity, the Coffin Bearer, then take this sword! Only by convincing myself can I truly believe in you. Please prove that my faith is pure and flawless!"

"You're still questioning me?"

Mori shook his head with a regretful expression, feeling a sense of unease and panic.

"You can go back and ask someone who knows. Instead of wasting your time—or life—here."

The holy sword that the melon-slayer held high had already condensed the divine power of his very soul. That power was formless, but strong enough to distort the surrounding space, swirling like mist into the shape of a giant sword.

The act of the melon-chopping leader inspired everyone: "Let us also... prove our faith, and show that our faith is pure and flawless!"

Faced with a dozen or so weapons pointed at him, Mori's smile froze on his face, unable to fade.

Volume 1 #118 - I finally believe it!

The state of the melon slayer was no longer befitting of the holy sword and the azure silver armor he wore. His face was full of forced bravado, and the side effects of forcibly draining his mental energy made his body sway unsteadily.

However, the power gained at such a huge cost does indeed possess an extremely formidable sharpness.

The one who cut the melon knew that this sword would be the strongest strike of his life. If it could truly prove the existence of the true god, what did it matter if he burned his life to the end?

Sen Shi looked at this force with a sense of helplessness, realizing that it was too late to escape.

However, as they continuously accumulated power, transforming their divine energy into a sufficiently sharp attack, the openings in their path were also quite large. Perhaps, at this juncture, using advanced magic to launch a surprise attack would be effective.

Should we do it...?

At this moment, the person chopping the melon, leading the group, all reached into their pockets. Although they were in different places, they all took out the same little trinkets.

gold.

Without exception, they all bore the marks of time. And it was clear they had been handled frequently, a soft, aged sheen giving them a warm glow. When Sen got closer, he could see clearly that there were no so-called sacred letters engraved on them.

Each hand held the gold coin with exceptional care, fingers tracing its surface, fingerprints rubbing against the coin's surface.

"In the name of those who carry coffins, wealth brings death."

They all uttered the same phrase in unison. As this phrase, clearly carrying extraordinary meaning, was spoken, their souls seemed to be completely freed from their constraints, and everyone's power surged once again.