Free Web NovelChapter 32: Chapter 32: More than Obedience.
Several days passed before the Elder Council gathered once again.
Roman sat upon the carved stone seat that served as the Tribal Chief’s throne, calmly observing the Magnaris assembled before him. Among the familiar elders sat an unexpected figure.
Gre Ma Go.
The once clingy child had long since grown into a capable young Magnari. Although traces of the admiration he held for Roman still remained, maturity had gradually replaced childish dependence. He now understood when to approach his Tribal Chief and when to quietly observe, never interrupting matters concerning the tribe.
Roman acknowledged him with a brief nod before turning his attention back to the council.
"So... I assume you’ve reached a conclusion."
The elders exchanged glances before one of them slowly rose.
"Lord Tribal Chief, our answer remains unchanged. There is none among the Magnaris more worthy than you."
Roman gave a slight nod.
"I see. In that case... I shall personally oversee Nigairo."
"But..."
The unexpected interruption caused the entire hall to fall silent.No one had ever interrupted the Tribal Chief before.
Roman’s brows furrowed for only a fleeting moment before his expression softened once more, a gentle smile returning to his face.
"Of course, Elder Gre Na Yo. Please, speak."
The elder respectfully bowed before shaking his head.
"It isn’t my proposal."
Turning toward the younger Magnari seated beside him, he continued.
"It belongs to him."
Gre Ma Go immediately rose to his feet and bowed deeply.
"My honorable Tribal Chief, our wisdom cannot compare to yours. Yet despite that, you have always allowed us to speak. You have never demanded blind obedience, nor have you ever dismissed our opinions simply because they differed from your own. Instead, you listened, guided us, and patiently corrected our mistakes. Because of that... we wish to offer a thought of our own."
Roman remained silent, giving the young Magnari his full attention.
Taking a steady breath, Gre Ma Go continued.
"You taught us that no Magnari could build the future alone, and that every generation must guide the one that follows. If Nigairo exists only through you... then what will happen after you are gone? Forgive my bluntness, Lord Tribal Chief, but you yourself taught us that no matter how strong a mortal becomes... they must one day taste the bitter certainty of death."
Silence settled over the meeting hall.
Even the elders quietly lowered their heads. It was a question none of them had been able to answer on their own.
Gre Ma Go slowly raised his gaze.
"Therefore, I... together with the Elder Council... wish to propose something."
His voice grew noticeably firmer.
"Rather than having Nigairo protected solely by the current Tribal Chief, let every future Tribal Chief inherit that responsibility. Let the office itself become the witness of Nigairo, so that no matter how many generations pass... the vow shall never disappear."
Roman sighed softly and closed his eyes, his fingers gently tapping against the carved armrest of the throne as silence settled over the meeting hall.
’This is unexpected...’
’I was certain they’d choose me no matter what...’
’It seems they have grown to the point of not going along with me in everything’
’My original intention was simple. Nigairo wasn’t merely meant to regulate relationships—it was meant to become a medium. Every vow they exchanged, every promise they uttered, would ultimately be directed toward my pseudonym. Generation after generation, the Magnari would swear before Gree Ka Go. Even after they eventually discovered that gods truly existed, the habit would already have become inseparable from their civilization. They would instinctively invoke my name whenever a Nigairo was formed.’
’It would’ve been the perfect foundation.’
’Faith rarely appeared overnight. It was cultivated through countless habits repeated until they became tradition. Once a tradition survived several generations, people eventually stopped questioning why it existed. They simply continued because it had always been that way.’
’That was the future I intended to create.’
His fingers continued their slow, rhythmic tapping against the throne.
’Yet...
A better way of putting it is that they’ve answered the very question I deliberately left unanswered.
When I explained the qualities required of the one who would oversee Nigairo, I intentionally refrained from naming that person. I wanted to see what conclusion they would reach on their own, knowing full well it’d be me.
But instead of choosing the founder...They chose the office.
A hereditary Tribal Chief.
A faint smile almost escaped Roman before disappearing just as quickly.
Interesting...
They’re beginning to think beyond the answers I give them.
Rather than accepting every institution exactly as I envisioned it, they’re adapting them to ensure they’ll survive even after I’m gone.
This isn’t blind obedience anymore.
They’re beginning to reason for themselves.
No...They’re beginning to build a civilization.
And that is the fastest way of fostering religion.
His gaze slowly swept across the elders gathered before him.
If I reject their proposal simply because it doesn’t align perfectly with my own plans, then everything I’ve taught them becomes meaningless. I’d only be proving that, despite all my words about wisdom and growth, I never truly trusted the intelligence I’ve spent twenty-four years cultivating.
Besides...
A hereditary Tribal Chief isn’t necessarily a worse outcome.
Every future chief will inevitably trace his authority back to the First Tribal Chief. Every Nigairo witnessed generations from now will still exist because of the law I established today.
Authority can be inherited.
Reverence cannot.
As long as history remembers who laid the first stone, reverence will always find its way back to its founder.
Roman’s fingers gradually came to a stop.
Opening his eyes, he looked toward Gre Ma Go before a quiet smile formed on his lips. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"An excellent proposal."
A wave of relief visibly spread throughout the meeting hall.
"I had envisioned only the present. You... have considered the generations that will follow."
His gaze lingered on Gre Ma Go for a brief moment before sweeping across the rest of the elders.
"Very well. From this day onward, the duty of witnessing Nigairo shall belong not to a single Magnari, but to every Tribal Chief who inherits this office."
A quiet murmur spread through the hall.
Roman slowly rose from the stone throne, his calm voice carrying effortlessly to every corner of the chamber.
"Prepare the tribe."
"In three days..."
"We shall witness the first Nigairo of the Magnaris."
[Ding!]
[You have established the institution of Nigairo under the authority of the Tribal Chief, profoundly influencing the future development of Magnari civilization.]
[Reward: +200 Karma Points]
[Current Karma Points: 4270]
