Pilgrimage to Jerusalem / Solomon's Wish

Fujimaru Kyoya did not refuse. If he relied on force to establish a country, that country would probably fall apart soon after his death.

After all, there are quite a few countries in history that perished after only two generations.

But the transmission of faith can last for thousands of years. It can give people hope in their most humble times, and that is the benefit of religion.

Nothing in this world is entirely useless. Even though Fujimaru Kyoya like religion, he has to admit that at this moment, a faith is indeed needed to unite such a race.

However, faith was merely a means for him; his ultimate goal was still to repair the Great Source while allowing the Age of Gods to enter a normal decline.

Chapter 308 A Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

Nazareth, a city whose greatest characteristic is its lack of distinctive features, is more like a village than a city.

The city's inhabitants are mostly Israelites, which is probably why Joseph and Mary came here.

Joseph continued to work as a carpenter, but supporting a family of four was not easy, which forced Fujimaru Kyoya to take on the responsibility of supporting the family at a young age.

[You're not particularly skilled in any trades, so the only way to make money quickly is to utilize your unique abilities.]

Indeed, Fujimaru Kyoya doesn't have any particular talents, but he is quite skilled in Magecraft.

In an era where even a minor illness could lead to instant death, Fujimaru Kyoya uses his Magecraft to treat rare and difficult ailments. His fees are also quite reasonable; even if someone cannot afford the medical bills, he doesn't mind if they pay with food.

Gradually, news of a Famous Doctor in Nazareth spread like wildfire.

[You notice that your younger brother Jacob has begun to worship you, and this is not simply younger brother worship of older brother, but rather carries a sense of respect.]

Did my parents tell Jacob that I am the "Son of God"?

After much thought, Fujimaru Kyoya realized that this was the only possibility. In fact, not only Jacob, but as Fujimaru Kyoya used Magecraft, which was undoubtedly Miracle in the eyes of ordinary people, more and more people began to inquire about Fujimaru Kyoya's age.

Twelve years earlier, Herod had conducted a large-scale manhunt for the Savior of the Israelites in Bethlehem, and this fact was not concealed.

Although Herod claimed to have captured Fujimaru Kyoya, most Israelites still believed that their Savior was still alive in the world.

Fujimaru Kyoya's age matches, which naturally leads to speculation. Even without any evidence, when people are willing to believe, the truth or falsehood becomes less important to them.

"Jerusalem?"

Fujimaru Kyoya never expected that his family would only have a short period of peace before he was going on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, even though Jerusalem was no longer Israelites territory.

"That's right, as Son of God, it's something I have to do if I don't go on a pilgrimage there."

Joseph and Mary were both devout believers and had a strong desire for the Son of God to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Although they probably wouldn't bring it up again if Fujimaru Kyoya refused, however...

"Okay, let's go."

Fujimaru Kyoya still didn't intend to disappoint his family, and besides, going to Jerusalem might have other uses for him given his current status.

Jerusalem, the city once ruled by King David, then passed to King Solomon, and the Israelites prospered under God wise king.

But that prosperity is now all in the past.

[You have earned a great reputation for your medical practice, and with your family's upcoming pilgrimage to Jerusalem, many villagers have given you gifts, which has provided you with sufficient provisions.]

[You encountered many Israelites along the way. That Holy City became a source of spiritual sustenance for Israelites, and even those who might die on the journey risked their lives to go there. You didn't hesitate to use Magecraft to heal these dying people.]

[Your Magecraft is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people; they regarded you as a messenger of God. Only after your repeated requests did they finally stop mentioning it.]

It is not uncommon for people to die on their Pilgrimage.

Given the current situation of Israelites, it is difficult to have sufficient resources, or rather, carrying abundant supplies on Pilgrimage would make them more vulnerable to being targeted by robbers.

Death is not frightening to these believers; they even believe that they can go to Heaven after death.

Fujimaru Kyoya, and this feeling of being brought back from the dead made them feel that it was a divine Revelation. After all, they were rescued on their Pilgrimage, and no matter how they thought about it, it was related to God.

As one by one, people were rescued by Fujimaru Kyoya, they gathered together, supporting each other, and headed towards their shared Holy City.

Such a large and imposing force would deter even bandits from making any rash moves.

"Excuse me, are you Christ?"

A child, who was on a pilgrimage to the Pilgrimage Holy City with his parents, asked timidly the question that everyone wanted to ask but dared not.

Christ means the Anointed One, which was the meaning of the ancient Israelites king.

The legendary king who saved the Israelites is Christ, the Son of God, the King, the King of Kings, the bright morning star, and the Lord of David.

"I'm not."

Fujimaru Kyoya answered in the same way. He didn't want people to place their hopes on others; only they could save themselves.

"What's your name?"

"Peter."

The child said his name.

"Peter, as long as you have hope in your heart, you are your own Christ."

Peter seemed to understand Fujimaru Kyoya's words, but he wanted to ask more questions. However, his parents stopped him with their eyes.

Don't question Christ excessively; simply listen to his words.

Clearly, everyone still regards Fujimaru Kyoya the Messiah who saves everything, the Prophet who leads them to the Promised Land, and the son of God.

It was an indescribable feeling; Fujimaru Kyoya was believed in simply by standing there.

Finally, they arrived in Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem garrison looked on in astonishment at the large number of Pilgrimage; the procession of hundreds was not chaotic at all, but rather resembled an army of believers.

This made the guards nervous, but when they saw the boy leading the way at the front, they couldn't help but relax their vigilance.

Their intuition told them that the boy wasn't a bad person.

Indeed, this was the case. As Fujimaru Kyoya led his men into the city, there was not the slightest disturbance. Not only the garrison but also the city's residents looked on in astonishment at these Pilgrimage.

Countless people come to Jerusalem for Pilgrimage, but never before has there been such a large and orderly procession as today.

The Holy Temple was just ahead, Fujimaru Kyoya and his group could not get any closer.

Pilgrimage isn't about meeting the saint in person; seeing them from afar is enough. For a pilgrim, coming all this way is sufficient. Fujimaru Kyoya came here simply to fulfill his parents' expectations, but...

Who is that?

Fujimaru Kyoya looked into the Holy Temple, where there was a boy about his age, dressed in luxurious clothes, with his white hair tied in a ponytail.

"There's nothing there, really."

Jacob glanced in the direction Fujimaru Kyoya was looking; to him, there was no one in that area.

Chapter 309 Solomon's Prayer

Despite their different ages, Fujimaru Kyoya definitely saw a little boy, and that person was none other than Solomon.

But shouldn't he be dead already?

Fujimaru Kyoya wasn't sure exactly what time it was, but it should be around 1 AD. However, Solomon should have died around 900 BC.

Besides, even if they did encounter Solomon, it should be an elderly Solomon; this childlike form would be problematic.

"You go back with Mom and Dad first. I'll go to the Holy Temple and be right back."

No one would object to Fujimaru Kyoya going to the Holy Temple. Even though the Holy Temple was heavily guarded by the garrison, it wouldn't be difficult for Fujimaru Kyoya, with the help of the White Dove, to enter.

The Magecraft of concealing one's aura was not difficult, and with the assassination techniques taught by the Old Man of the Mountain, plus the fact that Fujimaru Kyoya only twelve years old and short, it became exceptionally easy to enter the Holy Temple by taking advantage of the blind spots in these people's vision.

"A phantom of the past?"

Fujimaru Kyoya looked at Solomon walking in the Holy Temple. Solomon walked with a blank expression. No one could see him, and he seemed to be unable to see others, as if they were in two parallel worlds.

It was a phantom that only Fujimaru Kyoya could see.

"You showed it to me?"

Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the White Dove on his shoulder. If he encountered anything inexplicable, he could simply attribute it to the strange creature in front of him.

"That has nothing to do with me. This is a period when Solomon was experiencing intense confusion, and you just happened to be near this Holy Temple, so you were able to sense it."

The White Dove raised its wings in a French Military Salute, indicating that the matter had nothing to do with it. Such believers with strong wills can indeed have their prayers transcend time and space to reach those they believe in.

"But why me?"

Fujimaru Kyoya did not believe that simulating God once could replace God's existence, or that if his First Magic was truly God's original power, it could not be erased by the power he had given up.

"He's no longer here, so who else can he contact if not you?"

Gone?

Fujimaru Kyoya was surprised by the White Dove's answer. Usually, when people say "no longer here," they mean that person has died. But who can make God die?

It's impossible for God to one day have a moment of madness and challenge Buddha to a contest, only to end up getting an olive branch from Buddha.

Although this was entirely Fujimaru Kyoya's malicious speculation, in his understanding, the only one capable of rivaling God was Buddha.

"What are you thinking? Are those two fighting for no reason? Don't treat everyone like crazy people who'll die if they don't fight."

The White Dove flapped its wings at Fujimaru Kyoya's head, utterly speechless at the violent maniac before it. However, the silver lining was that this violent maniac inexplicably possessed extremely high moral standards.

Even if they say selfish things, they will still help others if they have the ability.

In this era where even tsundere characters have fallen out of favor, for such a trait to still exist in this place is truly... ridiculous.

At this moment, the White Dove transformed into Lord of Dawn, and even his appetite for French fries improved considerably.

Ignoring the White Dove that inexplicably began to exude an aura of "joy," Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the child before him who was praying like a machine. What confusion could this future king be experiencing that could make him utter such a strong prayer?

I'm really curious.

Fujimaru Kyoya reached out his hand and touched Solomon's phantom, and then...

"Who?"

In a pristine white space, Solomon felt the touch on his shoulder. He had just been praying in the Holy Temple, but now he found himself in this unknown space.

Demon?

Of course not. This is the temple built by King David. As a man who once wrestled with angels, no foolish demon would dare to come here to cause trouble.

Is that a god?

Solomon thought to himself that although he was very devout, he was not so sure that he would see God.

"Solomon, you are David's son, born king. What could possibly trouble you so much?"

Fujimaru Kyoya asked his question. Although he was also curious about the current situation, it wasn't so hard to understand when the White Dove was present.

My troubles...

Solomon pondered. Even at such close range, he couldn't see the figure clearly, but the person before him gave him a sense of trust.

It felt like praying to God.

"I don't believe I'm capable of inheriting this country."

Solomon was not surprised that he was able to inherit the throne. Although King David did not have only one child, Solomon was a special case.

He was born with weak emotions, almost like a machine. He could handle all matters as an absolutely just king, but as a machine, he could only handle what he was capable of.

Once it exceeds his capabilities, he will immediately fall into a state of complete darkness.

Solomon was undoubtedly a pessimist, a fact that Fujimaru Kyoya learned once again at this time.

Even though he was emotionally weak, Solomon was not a person without any feelings; these feelings were simply suppressed by reason and wisdom. Wait... wisdom?

Does this mean that Solomon at this time had not yet received the wisdom bestowed by God?

Fujimaru Kyoya glanced at the White Dove beside him, and the dove obviously looked away as well, seemingly with a guilty conscience.

Good grief, what do you mean? Are you suggesting I give Solomon infinite wisdom?

I don't even have one of these myself.

Fujimaru Kyoya recalled the legend of Solomon was given ten rings by God, which gave Solomon infinite wisdom and the ability to control the Seventy-Two Demon Gods.

What do you want?

Fujimaru Kyoya asked the same question, even though he already knew the answer in his heart, he still had to ask it.

"I want wisdom, the wisdom to govern this country."

Solomon said this.