Patience

Higashino Makoto stood in the shadows of the balcony, his golden eyes watching the scene unfold.

"Owner."

Jibril stood behind him.

Are you happy?

"It's alright, why do you ask?"

You're smiling.

Higashino Makoto reached up and touched the corner of his mouth. He was indeed smiling.

"... Okay, a little."

Jibril smiled.

Higashino Makoto remained silent.

He simply stood there, watching Francis on the balcony, watching the believers in the square, watching the light of faith rise like fireflies from above everyone's heads, converging into the unseen God in the sky.

Then it flowed from God to him.

"Jibril."

"Exist."

Let me make a note of this.

Jibril took out the notebook and opened it.

Higashino Makoto cleared his throat and began to dictate.

"Summary of the First Phase of the Plan to Seize the Christianity Faith."

Time: Three days.

Location: Vatican.

"Result: After the Pope transformed into an angel, the faith concentration of believers increased significantly, and the accumulation rate of divine remnants exceeded expectations."

Question: None.

"Next steps: Maintain the status quo, do not actively interfere, and let the believers come to this on their own."

He paused.

"Recording complete."

Jibril closed her notebook.

"Master, what are you planning to do next?"

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.

"Do nothing."

"Do nothing?"

"Yes, do nothing."

Higashino Makoto turned around and walked into the room.

"Faith is something that can't be rushed. What's rushed isn't faith, it's fanaticism. They're fanatical because I've appeared, but once I'm not around for long, the fanaticism will dissipate. Fanaticism comes quickly and goes quickly, so you have to take it slow."

"However, I still need to find a way to provide devout believers with some tangible benefits—"

Jibril followed behind him, her enormous wings gently folding behind her.

"Master, you are so patient."

"It's not about having patience."

Higashino Makoto shook his head.

"I know there's no use in rushing."

He walked to the window and opened it.

Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the entire room.

In the distance, in St. Peter's Square, Francis was still speaking, believers were still praying, and the light of faith was still rising.

"Jibril."

"Exist."

Do you think Francis can be a good shepherd?

Jibril thought for a moment.

"I don't know. Besides, didn't you say that humans are fickle? Perhaps he can do well at first, but then he might not be able to later."

"That's true. When he's not doing a good enough job, we can find another shepherd."

Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.

"I hope he can hold on a little longer; after all, he's waited his whole life, he shouldn't let himself down."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

"Let's go, it's time to head back."

"Yes, sir."

Jibril lifted her skirt and followed.

In the distance, on St. Peter's Square, Francis's voice still echoed.

We believe that heaven exists, hell exists, and the soul is immortal.

Higashino Makoto did not turn back.

He simply continued walking forward, his golden eyes fixed on the ancient city gate ahead.

"Belief."

He said in a low voice.

"That's really interesting."

No one answered.

Only the wind blowing across the square stirred up a few withered yellow leaves.

And in the distance, the long, drawn-out chimes of the clock tower.

Demon Slayer, the Ubuyashiki Estate, now the Higashino Residence, private bedroom.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire room in a warm golden glow.

Higashino Makoto leaned against the headboard, holding a cup of black tea in his hand, his golden eyes gazing out the window at the wisteria flowers that were blooming so beautifully.

The black tea in the teacup had gone cold, but he didn't notice.

In his mind, the remnant of divinity was slowly rising and falling like the tide, each fluctuation bringing a faint feedback of power.

Hundreds of millions of believers, an explosive growth in faith.

The world of Demon Slayer.

No, it should be said that his world is now channeling power into him at an unprecedented speed.

But the power I need is too great, and the throne of the one God is too heavy.

Even with hundreds of millions of believers continuously offering their faith, it would still take at least a century to truly challenge that authority.

Century.

For someone who possesses eternal life, it's just a fleeting moment.

So he's not in a hurry.

Of course, the sooner the better.

"Owner."

Jibril's voice came from behind, clear and ethereal.

She stood by the window, her rainbow-colored hair reflecting dappled light in the sunlight, her enormous wings gently folding behind her, and the glowing wings at her waist trembling slightly with her breath.

Her purple eyes were fixed on Higashino Makoto, a mysterious cross pattern appearing in her pupils—a mark of her concentration.

What are you thinking about?

"It will take a hundred years to completely seize that power. Is there any way to speed things up?"

Jibril's eyebrows rose slightly.

"Should we perform more miracles? Currently, Christianity main Christian followers are in Europe; perhaps we could do it elsewhere..."

"I've considered it, but it won't work."

Higashino Makoto interrupted her. He put down his teacup, leaned back against the headboard, and stared at the ceiling with his golden eyes.

"If this happens a few more times, the growth of faith will be even faster. Maybe in fifty years, maybe in thirty years, I'll be able to seize that authority, but then what?"

Jibril tilted her head, her rainbow-colored hair slipping down her shoulder.

"Then?"

"And then, I rewrote the history of this world."

Higashino Makoto sat up straight and looked at her.

"The world is moving towards a technological age. Steam engines, electricity, computers... these are already emerging. In another hundred years, humans will fly into the sky, dive into the deep sea, and land on the moon. They will create miracles with their own hands, instead of waiting for divine gifts."

He paused.

"If I were to frequently perform miracles now, would humanity still develop technology? Would it still explore the unknown? Would it still be able to walk on its own two feet?"

Jibril looked at him, a complex light flickering in her purple eyes.

"Master, are you worried that humans will become dependent on you?"

"It's not about relying on me, it's about relying on 'God'."

Higashino Makoto stood up, walked to the window, and opened it. Artificial sunlight streamed in, illuminating his face.

"Dependence makes people lazy, laziness leads to stagnation, and stagnation makes all the flowers in the Garden lose their vitality. I don't like that."

Jibril walked over to him and stood beside him at the window.

So, you choose to wait?

"Yes, wait."

Higashino Makoto turned around and looked at the other three people in the room.

Kanae Kocho sat in an armchair by the window, holding a book in her hands, her purple eyes half-closed, and a faint smile on her lips.

Shinobu Kocho sat in the chair opposite her, holding a cup of tea in her hand, her purple eyes looking at Higashino Makoto, his face reflected in her pupils.

Kanao Tsuyuri stood by the window, her long, silvery-white hair shimmering softly in the sunlight, her purple eyes half-open, like a cat taking a nap.