Lord of All Spirits

In an abandoned warehouse by the canal, Little George was practicing his shamanic abilities.

The natural elements around him stirred with his spirituality, and faint currents of air swirled around him.

Little George waved his hand. A sharp whoosh split the air, and a piece of wood on the ground fell with a thud. A straight line was cleared through the dust, as if someone had drawn it in a single stroke, without a trace of wasted energy.

"Not bad."

Ivan's voice suddenly appeared in his mind, echoing through the empty warehouse. A jellyfish radiating a faint blue glow then appeared in midair.

"Great Lord?"

Little George jumped in fright at first, but the moment he saw the blue glow before him, he realized who it was and quickly bowed.

"Has the Great Lord come to see whether I'm ready for tonight's Holy Communion and Baptism Ceremony?"

He hurriedly added:

"Great Lord, I've prepared the Holy Communion as you instructed. It can be delivered to the South York Poorhouse this evening!"

Seeing Little George prostrate himself on the filthy warehouse floor, Ivan felt a little sorry for him.

"There's no need for such a show of respect."

He had indeed come to check on Little George's preparations, but now that he had received his report, he was reassured.

Seeing how much more adept Little George had become at wielding his extraordinary shamanic abilities, Ivan came up with a new idea.

"I can have Little George use his shamanic abilities to control the water and baptize the believers. That would surely make them believe even more in the Holy Spirit Society's power."

"As the god they worship, I need to remain mysterious. I can't keep revealing myself so casually. If I do, sooner or later someone clever will start questioning me, this jellyfish..."

Gais's face suddenly appeared in Ivan's mind. Yes, someone just like that!

"I need to find a way to establish an image for the Holy Spirit Society's god, the Lord of All Spirits."

Well, I'd better explain things to Little George first. I can't let the boy keep making wild guesses.

Having made up his mind, he spoke to Little George telepathically:

"You will preside over the Baptism Ceremony."

Little George stood up, but didn't dare raise his head to look directly at Ivan. His eyes widened, and his voice was full of disbelief.

"Me? Great Lord, can I really do that?"

Ivan floated closer. His cool, faint glow fell across Little George's face, and his tentacles gently touched his forehead, dispelling his unease.

"Of course."

"I'm currently borrowing the form of a Jellyfish Spirit Object. My true body cannot reveal itself in this world."

"You are the incarnation I chose, so naturally you can perform the baptism in my place."

"Use your shamanic abilities to control the water and display my divine miracle before everyone."

A warm current spread from Little George's forehead throughout his body. His heart pounded. This was the first time the Great Lord had given him so many revelations all at once.

The Great Lord has recognized my efforts and made me his representative in this world!

Little George nodded vigorously. "Great Lord, I won't let you down!"

"From now on, the Holy Spirit Society may recite my former name: Lord of All Spirits," Ivan added, his tone growing more solemn.

"Remember this name, and make sure every believer knows that they worship the Lord who governs the spirituality of all things."

"Yes! I'll tell everyone!" Little George silently repeated the words "Lord of All Spirits" several times, committing them firmly to memory.

Lord of All Spirits. No wonder the Lord doesn't want to keep appearing in the form of a jellyfish.

The countless spirits in this world are all the Lord's people. How could a mere vessel of spirituality serve as the face by which the Lord is known?

Little George lowered his head further, trying to keep even the corners of his eyes from catching sight of Ivan.

Not bad. That should keep me from having to show myself in front of Gais and causing unnecessary trouble.

Watching Little George's logic come together, Ivan nodded in satisfaction.

As for why he wanted them to proclaim the name "Lord of All Spirits"—

He simply thought the name he'd heard from Gais sounded fairly good. It would distinguish him from the deity of the Church of Divine Grace and help direct the power of faith toward him.

The idea of it being a former name was just a way to pass himself off as an awakened ancient god and raise his standing.

I wonder if Little George understood what "former name" means...

Ivan thought of something else, and his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Also, holding the ceremony at the Poorhouse draws too much attention."

"Gather the believers at midnight and move them to the Small Chapel."

"One more thing: my other follower will join the Holy Spirit Society as a missionary. Work well with him from now on and spread my name."

Little George had received so many revelations that he felt a little dizzy. He hurriedly committed Ivan's words to memory.

"I will obey your revelations, Great Lord of All Spirits."

"Together, we'll spread your name and let more impoverished workers bask in the radiance of your mercy!"

Ivan watched as Little George's thoughts continued to collide and spark. He figured that one more piece of information might make the boy's head explode.

He thought it over. There didn't seem to be anything else he'd forgotten.

"You've done very well, my child."

Soon, midnight came around again.

The moon was obscured by the haze billowing from Trino City's factories, and the night grew even more indistinct.

In front of the South York Poorhouse, Little George stood early on the steps by the entrance, repeatedly glancing toward the street corner.

"Why have so few people come?"

Below him stood only a sparse crowd of twenty or thirty people, a far cry from the turnout the night before.

Ivan wasn't particularly surprised by the sight. He scanned the crowd below and saw only Old Harvey and the people Little George had actually rescued from the Poorhouse.

After all, the night before, everything had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Many people had been swept up in the atmosphere and, in a moment of fervor, believed in the Holy Spirit Society.

But once daylight came, some had thought it over carefully and naturally didn't want to risk being arrested by the Church of Divine Grace to attend the Holy Communion of the Holy Spirit Society.

"I wonder if anyone will report us..."

Ivan winced at the thought. If even a few people reported their gathering to the Night Watchmen, the newly founded church could already declare itself dissolved.

"Good thing we decided to change locations. That way, the Church of Divine Grace won't surround us here tonight."

He made a quick decision: he would have Little George lead the twenty or thirty people to the Small Chapel, while he waited here for Gais and any other "friends" who might show up.

"Head to the chapel first."

Hearing Ivan's revelation, Little George didn't hesitate. He immediately organized the believers below and set off with them for the Small Chapel in the East District.

Silence settled over the South York Poorhouse once more. Even the homeless people who usually slept by the entrance had moved elsewhere, as if afraid to provoke the monster that had torn apart the iron railings.

After a long while, Gais came strolling over from one side. Somehow, he'd gotten himself a top hat and a cane.

He walked with such elegance that he looked just like an upper-class gentleman from the West District.

He glanced around but didn't see anyone else. Just as he was starting to feel puzzled, Ivan's voice reached his mind.

"Gais, the Holy Spirit Society's brothers and sisters have gone to your chapel."