Refusal Is Also Salvation / Reunited with an Old Friend

This process is a test and training for both body and mind. If you can get through it, you will naturally gain something. But if you can't, the result will be failure.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he opened his eyes, his consciousness Fujimaru Kyoya hazy. He felt very light, yet also very tired, as if his soul would die at any moment.

He wandered through the desert, as if entering a new cycle, with exhaustion and hunger still eroding him.

He died and was resurrected countless times, a process that Fujimaru Kyoya know how many times he had gone through. The repeated deaths even made him somewhat numb. And in some unknown cycle, a change finally occurred.

This time, Fujimaru Kyoya didn't appear in the desert. Instead, he came to a high mountain, where a sheer cliff lay before him.

"Jump! If you are a child of God, then an angel will catch you and take you away from this place."

A mysterious voice came, offering him a way to escape this cycle of reincarnation: all he had to do was leap out of the water and he would be gone.

The key point is that Fujimaru Kyoya sensed that the other party's answer was correct; he could leave at any time if he wanted, but...

"I refuse."

Fujimaru Kyoya rejected the suggestion and, despite his weakened state, slowly walked down the mountain. If he needed to rely on external factors to overcome the difficulties, it would be tantamount to admitting defeat here.

Although it took a lot of time, Fujimaru Kyoya still managed to come down from the mountain and return to the desert. The endless cycle began again, and after countless times, that voice came again.

"Enjoy it; if it were you, you could turn it into bread."

Along with the sound came several stones, which landed in front of Fujimaru Kyoya. From the sound of them hitting the ground, it was clear that human teeth were no match for them.

However, Fujimaru Kyoya understood that if he wanted, he could turn even the hardest stone into bread to satisfy his hunger.

That's Magic, isn't it amazing?

"I refuse."

Fujimaru Kyoya's answer was still a refusal. This time, he came here not to use his Magic to do evil, but to protect the future of humanity.

Magic shouldn't be used in places like this.

This time, with Fujimaru Kyoya's refusal, the voice didn't wait long, but instead pulled Fujimaru Kyoya directly into the sky, where a mountain stood tall above the clouds.

Above the cliffs stands Holy City, angels, kings, and a pure white throne and a crown made of thorns.

Fujimaru Kyoya landed on the throne, a crown made of thorns placed on his head. In an instant, the sharp thorns tore through his skin, and blood flowed uncontrollably.

But this did not bring him pain. He could see kings bowing before him and angels serving him. He could have everything in the world if he wanted to.

I still don't need it.

Fujimaru Kyoya and touched the crown. The spikes on it were incredibly sharp, and the mere touch sliced through Fujimaru Kyoya flesh, sending a wave of intense pain through his mind.

But even so, this crown cannot be removed.

Fujimaru Kyoya sense the will within the crown, the longing of a people who had lost their land, and the mission he was meant to continue after being born into this world.

Laying down the crown is not just about giving up power and strength, but also about abandoning the hopes of the nation.

Even so, should we still do it?

Yes, he still wants to do it.

"A dynasty built on the death of one person will inevitably perish. Even if I become the King of Kings, what will happen to the country after my death?"

Fujimaru Kyoya asked this question, but the thoughts within the crown could not be answered.

They have endured so much hardship over the years, yet they know not where the future lies. Now they have found a straw that symbolizes hope, but will that straw also abandon them?

Chapter 313 Rejection is also a form of salvation 102/165

"Messiah, our Messiah, how could you be so heartless as to abandon your people?"

"Son of Man, are you going to forsake us?"

"If I am guilty, I repent. Please have mercy and save us."

These words, accompanied by a sting, reached Fujimaru Kyoya's heart. He understood that no matter what these people's descendants had done, at this moment these people were indeed the oppressed and the suffering.

He was born into this people, and by all accounts, he should have followed his Heavenly Mandate, brought salvation to these people, become the King of Kings in their eyes, and become the Savior who saved them.

"Sorry, I refuse."

Even amidst immense pain, Fujimaru Kyoya tore off the Crown of Thorns from his head, revealing numerous wounds on his body—the price he paid for abandoning his original destiny.

In that instant, all the sounds vanished, leaving only one voice.

"You acted very decisively."

It was a person wearing a white robe but without a face. He looked at Fujimaru Kyoya as if wanting to know the origin of the other's "decisiveness".

"I've seen too much of this; so-called fate is no good thing for anyone."

As Fujimaru Kyoya said, how many people has he seen who bear the weight of Heavenly Mandate?

Artoria, burdened with the destiny of saving Britain, ultimately paid a heavy price to fulfill that Heavenly Mandate.

Gilgamesh, who served as the link between gods and men, underwent a drastic personality change after learning of his Heavenly Mandate, ultimately becoming a terrifying tyrant.

One of them followed Heavenly Mandate, while the other defied Heavenly Mandate, and neither of them ended up with a good outcome. It was then that Fujimaru Kyoya realized that this so-called Heavenly Mandate was something that couldn't be touched; whoever touched it would suffer misfortune.

"But you still walked the path of destiny; saying that is nothing more than accepting fate."

The white-robed man's words came again, clearly indicating that he understood Fujimaru Kyoya's purpose in coming to this era.

"No, I want to go further."

Fujimaru Kyoya understood that around the time of Christ, Jesus had already fulfilled his duty to bear the Humanity's Original Sin. However, Fujimaru Kyoya's task was not just that. He wanted to go further and restore the Great Source, and prevent the Age of Gods from receding. This was an even more difficult task than what Jesus had to do.

That's difficult.

I will not give up.

Fujimaru Kyoya's answer left the other person silent for a long time, before finally letting out a long sigh.

"Then move forward. As long as you don't regret it, there will always be a path to the future."

Then streams of Mana entered Fujimaru Kyoya's body, further amplifying his already formidable power.

No, this is not an external force, but the power that belongs to the simulator itself, the power that belongs to the First Magic. It's just that at this moment, the form of the simulator has changed. It is no longer bound by a physical form and can be freely used by Fujimaru Kyoya.

And what about you?

Fujimaru Kyoya looked at the white figure, and if he wasn't mistaken, this figure was the user of the First Magic from before.

"Me? I've already left."

Here?

Clearly, the so-called "here" is not Earth, but a much larger region, or even the entire Universe.

"When a world loses its future, leaving becomes the inevitable choice, and besides, I'm not the only one leaving."

A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives.

Clearly, this Magus understood this principle. After he saw no hope in this world, he left without hesitation. However, he was not without responsibility; he still chose a successor.

Although most of those guys lost themselves in the simulations, Fujimaru Kyoya, who mastered the "Non-form," was eventually born.

He is also a kind person.

"We'll never see each other again, so I won't say goodbye."

The white figure vanished. After giving away all of the First Magic, the last trace he left in this world disappeared without a trace.

Then Fujimaru Kyoya truly opened his eyes. He was still in the desert, and everything he had just seen seemed like an illusion. The hunger was still there, but with the replenishment of Mana, he wouldn't die anytime soon.

"That guy has completely disappeared. Looks like you passed the test."

The White Dove sighed slightly. After all, they were old colleagues who had worked together for a long time. Although it could sense it too, the day of their final farewell had finally arrived.

"Don't let his nonchalant attitude fool you; he actually tried many times before finally giving up in utter disappointment."

"Can't he do it too?"

This answer piqued Fujimaru Kyoya's curiosity, since in later legends he was truly omniscient and omnipotent.

Is the omniscience and omnipotence described by humans the same concept as the omniscience and omnipotence you understand?

The White Dove explained this issue simply.

To the average person, conjuring a fireball out of thin air is undoubtedly "Magic," but to a proper Magecraft, it's just a simple "Magecraft."

Even if the Church's power was increased in later generations through its expansion, and it did indeed achieve 'omniscience and omnipotence' in a certain sense, that 'omniscience and omnipotence' was merely a common understanding; it wasn't something that was actually very useful.

The White Dove blatantly denied God's omnipotence; if later believers knew this, they would probably call him the devil.

However, since the Church hasn't been established yet, it can say whatever it wants.

"Can't he do it too?"

"Scared?"

"No, it just feels more challenging now."

Fujimaru Kyoya got up from the ground and headed towards Nazareth. He needed to have a proper meal before he went to find Chris.

"By the way, where is Chris now?"

"Magdala, having recently awakened a portion of her power, is doing things similar to yours, and is now known as Mary Magdalene."

"I see."

Fujimaru Kyoya recalled the first time he met Mary Magdalene at the Root, and the familiar feeling from that time was indeed true.

[You returned to your home in Nazareth, and survived for half a month in the desert without food or water. This Miracle further convinced people of your identity.]

[After you had eaten and drunk your fill, you made the announcement that you would be preaching, which undoubtedly had a huge impact on the locals; you could feel the happiness on their faces.]

[You've decided to leave Nazareth, and behind you are many believers who have been waiting for this day for a long time.]

Chapter 314 Reunion of an Old Friend

Magdala was not far from Nazareth, where Fujimaru Kyoya was at the time. It was also a well-known city in the area, and its proximity to the coast made fishing a thriving industry.

But big cities mean large populations, not just Israelites but also many other ethnic groups. It's obviously not a good thing for an Israelites to be so famous in a place.

"Verbal insults are a minor matter. If it weren't for Martha's help, Chris wouldn't be having such a good time."

White Dove briefly recounted what Chris had recently encountered, giving Fujimaru Kyoya a preliminary impression of the woman Martha —a kind-hearted person with a volatile temper.

Chris is now a well-known figure in Magdala, so finding her location wouldn't be difficult. However, the fear in the eyes of passersby shows that Chris is not well-liked at this time.

[Following directions from passersby, you find Chris's house and see Chris treating patients. She is surrounded not only by Israelites, but also by people of other races.]

You're still so kind.

Fujimaru Kyoya understood that in Chris's eyes, those people were no different; they were just a group of poor people.

"Long time no see, Chris."

Fujimaru Kyoya did not disturb her treatment, but waited until the last patient left before speaking.

"Flagg?"

Seeing the strikingly similar face before her, Chris couldn't believe she would encounter Fujimaru Kyoya in such a time and space. She then leaped into Fujimaru Kyoya's arms.

"Is it really you? I was starting to think all my past memories were just a dream."

Chris is a strong girl, something Fujimaru Kyoya knows very well, but seeing such a girl shed tears makes him even more moved, wondering what she has been through all these years.

According to Chris, her memory had not fully returned in previous years; her memories of the two of them only appeared intermittently in her dreams, and she could not remember them clearly each time she woke up.

Fortunately, my memory has become clearer over the years, and I have only recently come to a complete understanding of who I really am.

"Sorry I'm late."

Fujimaru Kyoya understood why the White Dove hadn't let him come earlier: if Fujimaru Kyoya come earlier, Chris's memories might have been severely stimulated.

It might even damage your soul in the end.

"Hey~ stay away from Chris."

A gruff female voice rang out, and a blue-haired girl carrying a broom strode over Killing Intent. Fortunately, Chris stepped in to explain, and after much persuasion, Martha finally stopped.

This is exactly the kind of person Fujimaru Kyoya had imagined.

"Really? That's very suspicious."