Free Web NovelChapter 511: Chapter 286: God is the Myriad, and also the One (Part 2)
’If I truly have followers who completely believe in and worship me, then the ones willing to sacrifice themselves for me are well worth cultivating.’
’I could train the elites among them, equip each with a set of Exoskeleton Armor enhanced with divine runes and alchemy... The thought is actually quite exciting.’
When Duke Phil heard this request, he let out a long, unexpected sigh of relief.
"That’s simple enough. I was worried you were going to make some sort of political demand. If it’s merely an invitation of this nature, I can accept on behalf of the Kingdom and the King."
Fang Zhen couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
’So Phil was worried I would leverage my resources to make unreasonable political demands.’
Fang Zhen said calmly, "I’m not particularly interested in such things. Rather than concerning myself with this world’s Royal Family, I’d prefer to eliminate all the demons. That, to me, is a far more meaningful task."
Fang Zhen was speaking the truth. Based on the knowledge he had recently acquired from Dale, killing each demon earned him a certain amount of merit.
Hearing this, Phil looked at Fang Zhen. Seeing the sincerity in his words, his opinion of him immediately rose.
After a moment’s pause, Phil seemed to hesitate. Finally, as if he had made a decision or summoned his courage, he took a deep breath, looked at Fang Zhen, and said, "There’s something I have to ask. It’s been weighing on me. Are you... really Yak?"
Fang Zhen’s eyebrows shot up. ’This Duke Phil is quite perceptive,’ he thought. ’Has he already figured something out?’
Seeing Fang Zhen’s gaze on him, Phil quickly explained, "Please, don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting you’re a demon or an incarnation of some other evil force. It’s just... I was suddenly reminded of a few things."
"There are certain court secrets—or rather, things that aren’t secrets, at least among the upper nobility. Many of us know about them."
"This world is not the only one. Historical records speak of many individuals who have descended upon our world from others."
"Among them have been powerful benevolent beings, neutral parties, explorers, and yes, demons. One cannot make generalizations."
"And from the signs you’ve shown, you don’t seem to be from this world."
"However, I’ve also done some research. Your body and appearance are indeed identical to Yak of the Clan of Clauren, which has led me to a certain theory."
Fang Zhen narrowed his eyes at Phil. "And what is your theory?" he asked.
Duke Phil said, "Well, it’s like this. I suspect you might be the servant of a certain Divine Spirit... or perhaps an Angel."
"As for your body, it could very well be Yak’s, but with a different soul inhabiting it."
"I have my reasons for this theory. I’ve observed some of your mannerisms, and they don’t align with the etiquette of our nobility."
"Even if Yak wandered among commoners for more than a decade, certain habits ingrained since childhood wouldn’t simply vanish. I can see the lack of those traces quite clearly."
"You, however, operate by an entirely different set of customs and habits."
"I also knew of Yak. He vowed to avenge his father and brother, and he made a great oath to purge this world of demons."
"With such a pious vow, anything is possible."
"Perhaps it was his piety that moved a certain Divine Spirit, allowing your soul to enter this world using Yak’s body as a vessel."
"I wonder... am I correct in my speculation?"
After listening, Fang Zhen glanced at Duke Phil.
’This man is quite perceptive. While he didn’t get it completely right and missed a few key points, his train of thought is surprisingly astute.’
’And from his expression, he doesn’t seem resistant to the idea. On the contrary, there’s even a hint of anticipation in his eyes.’
Fang Zhen considered for a moment, then nodded.
The inconsistencies hadn’t really been "exposed," because he hadn’t made any effort to hide them.
After arriving in this world, Yak’s identity had merely been a convenience for his initial actions.
Now that he was in contact with powerful figures like Duke Phil, he no longer necessarily needed to borrow the identity of a nobleman.
In fact, the story Duke Phil had concocted in his mind was far more advantageous to Fang Zhen than the truth.
Seeing Fang Zhen nod in confirmation, Phil exhaled a long breath, as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Since you’ve admitted it, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. To be frank, is your purpose to proselytize for a certain deity?"
Fang Zhen listened, thinking, ’He’s really getting it now.’
"I am indeed looking to gather believers and followers, and yes, there are divine considerations involved."
"And in a sense," Fang Zhen said, "I also want to work with you to wipe out every demon in this world. That would be ideal."
Duke Phil nodded repeatedly. "As our war against the demons drags on, one thing has become painfully clear to me."
"The Kingdom cannot win this war on its own. This isn’t a matter of confidence anymore; it’s a simple, objective fact based on the disparity in our power."
"We have no new sources of power to draw upon to counter the demons. We can only barely manage to keep the Kingdom functioning."
"So, if the demons were to increase their forces, our Kingdom would be in grave peril."
