Volume 7 Chapter 7 (2/2)

With that, the Ocean Singers began singing again.

Although Ruru still had a few criticisms to make, the Ocean Singers were definitely singing better than earlier.

While waiting for the Ocean Singers to finish singing, I approached Ruru and talked to her.

”Ruru, is everything going well?”

”Yup. At this pace, we'll be ready for tomorrow. I've made an excellent hymn for you, patron. I and the Ocean Singers are staking our titles as otherworld singers in this performance.”

I figured that a memorable song was far more effective than a thousand words. Considering Ruru and the Ocean Singers could influence their audiences' hearts, the effects should be even more tremendous.

And so, I asked Ruru to come up with both rhythm and lyrics. The subject was to be about demi-humans and humans being just the same; about how everyone should live peacefully and happily together; and about how I was a great and benevolent god, so I should be worshipped.

The song was also supposed to be easy to sing and its melody easy to remember.

The plan was to lure the people to come to a worship meeting by offering tax cuts and advantage in agriculture, and have those people listen to the song. Even though the baits wouldn't make them faithful believers, I had confidence the song would.

They would then enthusiastically invite others who would then invite another set of people to come. Like this, the amount of my believers was going to increase at a steady pace.

This method very closely resembled brainwashing, but unlike the latter, this wasn't malicious in any way. We were just going to be instilling some values; we wouldn't be doing any harm.

At any rate, the very first worship meeting was scheduled for the next day. After that, it was going to become a weekly event. Hopefully, each week would bring in more believers while the current would be even more religious.

”Patron, are you sure about sure about the sound equipment? It isn't designed by Rorono, so I have some concerns.”

”Though the Dwarf Smiths were the ones that designed it, Rorono did properly check it. It should be fine. You're going to have the world's greatest stage.”

”I'm relieved, then. Actually, in that case, I guess we should improve our performance!”

Like that, Ruru and the Ocean Singers began their practice once again.

Having checked up on them and being assured, I then headed toward Aura.

”Is everything going well here as well?”

”Yes, I've actually just made a trial product. Have a look. I call this special potion [God's Smile]! Any human that drinks a cup of wine from a barrel that has even only a single drop of this would be put in a state of intoxication and be unable to think fully. In such a state, they would obediently accept all sorts of things.”

Aura then smiled wickedly.

Despite being an elf, why does such an expression suit her so much?

”I'm glad to hear the holy water's ready.”

The tax cuts and agricultural advantages weren't the only things we were using to lure in potential believers. One other such thing that we were advertising was that anyone who would come to the worship meetings would get to drink our high-quality wine—which would be called our holy water—for free.

Of course, this wine would be mixed with [God's Smile].

If people were to listen to Ruru's hymn while under the influence of the holy water, the effects would sky-rocket.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that through those two things, the citizens of Avalon would unite as one.

I'm so excited for tomorrow.

◇

The first ever day of worship for my religion finally came.

The registration for those who wished to be a part of it had begun at the many registration desks we had set up in front of the church.

After writing down their name or—for those that didn't know how to write—having it written down for them, the now-registered believers were handed proof of their faith in the form of a necklace and an expensive-if-sold holy book. The Mythological Foxes then guided them to the church.

As the believers poured into the church, I felt glad I made the hall as large as possible. If I hadn't, it would have been full to bursting in no time.

After checking the crowd, I entered the church through the back entrance.

Now then, time to give my speech as a god.

◇

We had designed the church to be a place for magical rituals. We had estimated it to be able to hold a thousand people. At the moment, it was full.

Thankfully, the Mythological Foxes had skillfully judged the cutoff point in the lines and then closed the doors.

To each of the citizens inside, high-quality wine—or juice for those that couldn't drink alcohol—was being distributed. Additionally, the most famous bakeries in the city had also prepared ham sandwiches with generous amounts of high-grade ham for the citizens.

Understandably, the citizens were overjoyed when they were offered such delicious things for no cost. None that they knew of, at least. In truth, the cost was their ability to think properly.

The citizens had begun giving in to their euphoric state. It seemed like the [God's Smile] mixed in the wine and juice was having great effect.

When certain closed curtains were opened, the intelligence corps including Ruru appeared in the stage built within the church.

After seeing such beautiful girls on the stage, the citizens became excited.

Ruru smiled at the crowd. It wasn't just an ordinary smile though; it was already part of her performance.

A soothing melody then began to flow. Thanks to the audio equipment, it reached everywhere in the hall and was very clear.

The melody was so beyond captivating, no other sound was made.

After a while, Ruru began singing the lyrics to her hymn.

As planned, the magic power laced into her song engraved the thoughts of loving peace and equality into the citizens' hearts. Praises for god Procell were added in as well.

I would say about 90% of those that attended today did not share the values of the hymn and were most likely believers of the Rigdolg Faith. The only reason they came was to ruin this worshipping event.

However, thanks to Aura's [God's Smile] and Ruru's hymn, they were converted into true believers instead.

The hymn was then over.

Hearing the hymn while in a state of trance made everyone have a befuddled look on their face. In other words, they were enjoying pleasure beyond measure.

When Ruru took a bow, everyone clapped. Soon after, Ruru and the Ocean Singers exited the stage.

That worked well, better than expected even. Their emotions are flowing into me. I see. So, this is why the [Black] Demon Lord is obsessed with his religion.

Demon Lords were creatures who fed on the emotions within their dungeon.

In the worshipping event just now, I was able to feed on huge amounts of high-quality emotions. This was important since it proved the hassle was worth it, even if we were to do it weekly.

Well then, it's my turn soon.

As I thought such, I began climbing the stage.

Just by that act alone, the citizens went wild. Another benefit of Ruru's hymn.

”Welcome, everyone. I am Procell, a god. I thank you all for approving my teachings. From today onwards, let us all cherish peace and equality… as part of the Holy Grail Faith.”

I had decided that my religion was going to be called the Holy Grail Faith. It was named after the Holy Grail that granted any and all wishes.

”The Holy Grail Faith's doctrine will center around being happy and loving one another—regardless of race. We are all family.”

Overcome with emotions, the citizens roared while tears fell from their eyes. They seemed to be really into it.

”I want others to be happy as well, so I have a request to all of you. We will be holding a worship meeting once a week, and on the next one, I want each of you to bring someone you know. Tell them there will be delicious food and great music. Just getting them to come is enough. Once they've listened to our teachings, I'm sure they'll understand.”

Afterwards, I spoke all god-like and ended the meeting.

The citizens—now zealous believers—looked satisfied as they headed back. That reaction was more than enough. Like this, the number of believers would increase steadily.

Results of the worship meeting were favorable. I was able to easily gain strong and delicious emotions while also making Avalon easier to govern more than ever.

As of the moment, we only had a church here in Avalon, but in the future, I planned on building them in other cities as well. That way and by using the same techniques as we did this time, the Holy Grail Faith would spread even outside of Avalon.

The stronger my religion becomes, the less of an influence other religions—such as the Rigdolg Faith—would have in Avalon.

◇

Later on, an official notification had arrived stating that the royal family would be coming to Avalon three days later.

I planned on selling to them the idea of switching from being a single-religion state to a multi-religion state. I would argue that having only a single religion in their domain would give that religion too much sway in their politics.

Of course, words alone weren't enough. I had prepared two baits.

One of which needed the [Dragon] Demon Lord's cooperation, but he had already given his approval.

I wonder what the royal family's reaction would be like once they've known that I founded my own religion and have garnered a lot of zealous believers. I'm looking forward to seeing it. At any rate, let's prepare for the battle that doesn't involve armed conflict.

Note: The Holy Grail in Holy Grail Faith has a superscript Kurisu/クリス/Chris, suggesting it should be read like that. If Christ was used, I would have gone along with that or Christianity. As it is, I don’t want to use Chris Faith or Christianity. Besides, I find Holy Grail Faith cooler.