The Shinigami in the Unforgiven, Chapter 41: The Dragon-Slaying Boy Transforms into an Evil Dragon, June 5th.
Six o'clock in the morning.
Ding ding ding, the church bells rang, drifting in through the window on the gentle breeze.
When Shiraishi woke up from his deep sleep, he had to admit that the beds Aizen had arranged for the residents were indeed comfortable, just the right amount of softness, like a young girl's warm embrace, making them impossible to tire of.
He didn't get up, but reached for the mirror on the bedside table and looked at himself. His makeup was unchanged, giving him a weathered, middle-aged look, except for his eyes.
Luko's eyes were as still as water, yet they were bright and clear, sparkling with light.
However, an ordinary person doesn't need to worry about being exposed in such a trivial matter; no one will look at it that closely.
Shiraishi put it back, heard the doorbell ring downstairs, and instead of staying in bed any longer, got up, changed into a black and white outfit from the closet, and ran downstairs.
The house that the Divine Realm gave away for free would have been worth at least tens of millions in the era before he transmigrated, not even counting the furniture and murals that looked expensive.
Aizen's governance in this regard has its merits, but its flaws are too great. He doesn't treat people like human beings at all, and only wants Isshin create the perfect world he envisions.
Secondly, if such great benefits prevent people from sleeping in, what's the point of having benefits?
Shiraishi thought to himself as he reached out and opened the door.
Don Kanonji, dressed in a suit and sporting dreadlocks, stood outside and urged, " Luko, let's hurry to the cafeteria, or there won't be any breakfast left."
"Okay, Tang." Shiraishi mimicked Luko's tone, said briefly, and followed him away.
The streets outside are wide and clean, and the houses on both sides are in a uniform Western style, built of brick and wood, without any modern feel.
The interior is electrified, while the streetlights and utility poles outside showcase modern technology.
People's clothes are also modern garments, such as T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, trousers, suits, and so on.
Shiraishi looked up at the church, which was the center of all the intersections.
You can see the church surrounded by the river as soon as you stand on the road.
The huge door was lined with layers of sculptures on both sides, and upon closer inspection, he discovered that the sculptures were actually familiar faces.
The Hōgyoku Espada, Gin Ichimaru, Aura Michibane, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Nemu Kurotsuchi Izuru Kira, Shūhei Hisagi— one after another, the statues finally converged at the top of the archway, revealing a giant statue bound to a cross.
That's Aizen.
These sculptures give the church facade an epic feel.
Such massive buildings, defying science, could only be built in a world with extraordinary powers.
Shiraishi marveled at Aizen's grand gesture, his eyes sweeping over the people on the street, when he was surprised to find that the entire street was filled with men.
What about women?
Shiraishi looked puzzled, but could only suppress his confusion because there were too many people around.
Follow the Don Kanonji to the dining hall, which is located near the circular square of the church. There are trays at the entrance.
Shiraishi reached in and took one. The room was spacious, with as many as twenty windows where people lined up in an orderly fashion to collect their breakfasts, all of them exactly the same.
A hearty hamburger with plenty of toppings, plus a burrito, and you can choose your own drink from the beverage section.
Shiraishi took a bottle of orange juice, broke open the tab, and gulped down a big mouthful. The cool orange juice was indeed made from blended oranges, with plenty of pulp.
" Luko!" Don Kanonji called out, his face full of anger, "You bastard, have you forgotten what you're supposed to do?"
Shiraishi was taken aback, realizing that everyone around him was giving him very stern looks, but he didn't retaliate because of Don Kanonji's reprimand.
He quickly put down the orange juice in his hand, put his hands together, and said, "Thank you, great God, for providing us with food."
After he said that, all eyes turned away from him, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost forgotten about this part of the meal.
Shiraishi grabbed the hamburger and took a bite.
The bread is soft and fluffy, filled with a grilled beef patty, two slices of pineapple, bacon, cheese, and lettuce.
He really wanted to exclaim how delicious it was, but everyone around him was silent, even chewing quietly, as if afraid that eating too much would scare away the hamburger in their hands.
The atmosphere was too oppressive, somewhat diminishing the joy brought by the delicious food.
Shiraishi silently finished his hamburger and burrito, drank his orange juice, and followed Don Kanonji to the sink to wash the tray and plates.
Throw the wrappers from hamburgers and burritos into the trash can; orange juice bottles have designated recycling bins.
After he finished doing all that, he left the cafeteria, and only then did the sounds of the world return, with people talking again.
He asked in a low voice, "Is eating this depressing every day?"
"Yes, no talking is allowed while eating; only silence is permitted. Thank God for this blessing."
Don Kanonji replied quietly, then complained, "I didn't have this when I was a child. It was just that a priest said it, and then people imitated it, and it became a custom."
"How ironic," Shiraishi muttered. How could Aizen, who once loathed bureaucracy, have become the boss lauded by bureaucracy?
The story of the dragon-slaying youth transforming into an evil dragon must have a different explanation.
The church bells rang, the summer sun shone down from the sky, the river shimmered, and people moved forward in an orderly fashion on the bridges.
A sacred and solemn church stands before us.
A dense crowd surged through the 69-meter-high gate, the interior so spacious that it felt empty no matter how one walked in.
This can hold tens of thousands of people.
Shiraishi looked around and couldn't count them all; all he knew was that there were still people queuing up behind him.
By eight o'clock, a crowd had gathered.
Beneath the enormous Aizen- dyed statue, a priest dressed in white stepped forward and addressed the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome another new day. Let us offer our most sincere greetings to the great God and pray for ten minutes. Amen."
Rice Ball Exploration
Amen.
Everyone answered in unison, their voices echoing throughout the church, followed by a moment of silence.
Like the others, Shiraishi clasped his hands together and bowed his head.
"Ten minutes are up. Please stop praying. With the grace of our great God, let us strive to be useful human beings and realize the value that humanity should have."
After rambling on for a while, the priest pressed a button on the platform, and screens were projected into the air above the church, divided into twenty sections, with a dense list of names on them.
"Everyone's tasks for today have been assigned above. Please find your assigned tasks."
The priest continued, "Now I will personally announce the beings who are qualified to enter the Pantheon and directly serve the gods."
First, Luko Flamikil. Second, Taishi Sōma. Third, Carl Beck...
Those whose names were called were required to move forward. Shiraishi didn't hesitate and immediately headed upwards.
The gazes from all around were filled with envy.
Shiraishi thought to himself that if these people understood what going up there meant, they probably wouldn't show such envious expressions.