Chapter 62: The Sun
"Truth does not change because of changes in the environment," said Corleon.
"Mr. Nyx should understand that."
"The standards of legendary scholars, the modification of curses, isn't it all about restoring the truth?"
"But that’s too difficult." Nyx shook his head. "So difficult that even among scholars, there are three different factions."
"Those who still strive to modify or even eliminate curses; those who abandon lifting curses and instead seek the future based on the current world; and those like me, who neither lift curses nor pursue the future, choosing instead to become a consulting scholar."
"The history of scholars predates even these ten thousand years, and yet, even after all this effort, not only have curses not decreased, they’ve actually increased."
"Priest, can you imagine it?" said Nyx. "Clearly, just the day before, we had almost fully analyzed an object, but the next day when we woke up, its name had changed."
"Yes, its essence had not changed, but because of the change in name, all of our research conclusions became uncertain."
"This change of name is not just a change in terminology, but a conceptual and cognitive transformation."
"Just like the saffron outside the church—before, perhaps it was a rare spice, and at that time it was called saffron, or perhaps some other name."
"But one day, it suddenly changed. It could no longer be used as a spice. It was no longer rare. It was everywhere."
"Then its existing uses were all altered, and everything related to it would also change."
"A minor effect might be the collapse of an entire industry, while a major effect might be the extinction of a biosphere layer."
"And such things have been recorded in the Association."
"This is far too terrifying, far too despairing."
"Your truth is noble, but under such overwhelming power, even truth becomes extremely fragile."
"Like the Morning Star in the sky—it is so great, rising in the morning and setting at night, giving life to all things—but a long, long time ago, it wasn’t called Morning Star. It had an even greater name. Yet one day, we suddenly couldn’t remember its name."
"In the face of this curse, everything is too fragile."
Nyx let out a sigh.
"According to your statement, it is indeed too fragile," said Corleon.
"But in your understanding, this is also the curse distorting the original truth of the object. The curse is imposed, and the logic of the object itself has not disappeared—it is hidden, waiting for the day when someone removes the curse from it."
Corleon thought of his own ability of Enlightenment, which could enlighten objects and reveal the power Blessed by the Lord.
"Perhaps one day, when the curse is removed, the truth of the world will be restored. Like the Morning Star in the sky—maybe it’s called the Sun?" Corleon said.
"The Sun? What a strange name." Nyx shook his head. "Perhaps, but for now, I just want to maintain stability."
"Whether it’s curses or the future, I don’t want to think about it. I’m already old. In my heart, raising Melia properly is what matters most."
"Her parents died exploring the future. I don’t want her to become a scholar."
"You should let her consider what kind of person she wants to become. Forcing her might not be what she wants," said Corleon.
"Perhaps, but being a scholar is also a curse. Every scholar walks the same path. That path is dangerous. I’ve experienced it—I only survived by luck. Her parents went through it too, but died during an exploration," said Nyx.
"I only hope she can grow up healthy, then get married, and finally have a family of her own."
"But now, I have already explained the dangers of this world to the priest, and the priest still refuses to tell me—whose power did you steal?" Nyx looked at Corleon.
"I already told you," Corleon said. "If you still don’t believe me, why not experience it yourself?"
"Experience it myself?" Nyx looked puzzled.
Corleon took off the cross from around his neck, held it in his palm, and reached out to Nyx. "To truly understand something, perhaps the best way is to experience it personally—if you are willing to trust me."
"Of course. Without the priest, Melia and I might already be dead. It's just that mysterious matters are too serious—I have to be cautious." As he spoke, Nyx stood up, approached, and took the cross from Corleon’s hand without hesitation.
"I will pray for the Lord to bestow His Blessing upon you," Corleon said, bestowing the Priest’s Commandment on Nyx at the moment of contact.
"When you touch the Lord, you will feel the presence of the Lord."
"Of course, to touch the Lord, you may need a Holy Scripture—it contains the Lord’s Words."
"It’s just that the church currently lacks extra copies of the Holy Scripture, so you’ll need to transcribe it yourself."
From the conversation with Nyx, Corleon did not sense much desire for life in the other.
But even though Nyx said he had given up the path of the scholar, the hidden longing for truth was something Corleon could clearly feel.
Corleon felt that this strong thirst for knowledge and exploration was perhaps, as Nyx had said, the curse of the scholar itself.
"Of course. I’ll begin transcribing tomorrow. Priest, please forgive me—these old eyes aren’t as sharp as they used to be," said Nyx.
He held the cross that Corleon handed him.
It was simply made of wood, with no traces of magic residue.
Then he put the cross around his neck.
"Naturally, if you need anything tomorrow, you can ask Agamemnon for help," Corleon said with a smile. "Among the monks, he’s the most sensible one."
"What about Cicero?"
"His heart is filled with sincerity."
Nyx understood what Corleon meant, and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Neither of them mentioned Ando.
It was late at night. Nyx had already fallen asleep, letting out light snores.
Corleon kneeled in front of the Lord’s Throne.
What Nyx had said—about needing scholarly enlightenment to become literate—since he knew it was a curse, Corleon thought perhaps it could be resolved through Baptism.
‘O Lord, please grant me Your revelation.’
A vision flashed in Corleon’s mind—it was an image of a newborn child receiving Baptism.
He revealed a smile.
In the world of Light, before Corleon was a projection of the pale red crystal of the Commandment · Bishop.
He reached out and tapped it, and the crystal spread out, showing five nodes, corresponding to the five abilities a Bishop could use.
He waved his hand to draw the node representing Baptism in front of him.
The current Baptism could only cleanse bacteria and minor hidden injuries from the body.
He slightly opened his mouth, and some power of Faith overflowed from the Light Orb and flowed into Corleon’s mouth.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, they had become a dazzling golden, humanity fading away.