I Killed an Academy Player - Chapter 223

Prophecy of the End (1)

Recently, there have been people on the continent raising their voices in the square, especially in the royal capital.

“The end of the world will come!”

“There will be a severe winter, famine and cold, and disaster after disaster!”

“The age of the wolf will come! The world will be filled with chaos, and eternal darkness will come to the earth!”

“The beasts of darkness will begin to cry! Giants will rise up in search of their cries!”

“In the face of the end of the world, the only people who can go to heaven are those with true faith!”

At first glance, it was an apocalypse theory spouted by pseudo-fanatics.

However, if the people talking about it are mainstream religious people, people take it a little more seriously.

-That prophecy. It was like that two months ago, right?

-If that happens in Zeruem… what should we do?

In modern times, the eschatology preached by priests of the Old Church, known as the Church of Zeruem, throughout the continent has confused not only the Zeruem believers but also the Zeon believers, who have the same roots.

-Winter is not over. Really?

-It’s already March and the weather is still like this! Spring is not coming!

If you had simply been talking about the apocalypse, people would have denied it, no matter how big of a denomination it was.

But January passed, February passed, and now it was March. The temperature, which should have been warm, dropped further and the harsh cold was freezing the world.

To just accept this as a simple abnormal climate, doesn’t it fit perfectly with the prophecy that the old religious sects have been making throughout the country?

-Let’s pray.

-You must pray to the Lord.

-Only those who have faith will be saved…

While many people were deceived by the eschatology and flocked to the Zeruem Church, there were others who were also predicting this situation.

“Really… this is what happened.”

“It’s fascinating. They knew the enemy existed, but how did they know the means?”

“…….”

King David.

Geomje Garand.

Duke of Mard.

The pinnacles of power, force, and wealth that lead the kingdom. They recalled what my future son-in-law said three months ago.

“Winter will never end. The old church will definitely take advantage of this. And then—──”

The old religious order that deceives people with false prophecies and the strange phenomenon that winter never ends.

His confidence in being prepared for all of this has now turned into confidence.

“Sword Emperor. How are the swordsmen of the East?”

“Preparations for winter have been made. Runia is leading this.”

“Then there will be no problem. The problem is food.”

According to Corinne Locke, this winter will last at least another month until it is resolved.

If this happens, the sowing period will be missed and this year’s crop will be considered ruined.

Considering that most of the continent’s population is engaged in agriculture, this would cause havoc.

“We have stocked up on potato seeds to replace the seeds sown in March. We also stopped exporting food last winter and are stockpiling it in the warehouse.”

Needless to say, the person who suffered the greatest loss due to this preparation was Duke Mard.

The Duke of Mard, who was building a large-scale agricultural complex in the southern plains, stopped trading during the winter, believing nothing more than a word from Corin Locke.

Most of the large amounts of food produced in the South are exported to the East and various kingdoms. Since overproduction was initially intended for export, if it could not be sold, it would rot and cause severe losses.

However, the duke stockpiled all the food to be exported. There was opposition to this, but there was no one who could openly oppose his decision to block it.

“Then what’s left now…”

“The Cabinet meeting.”

Corin Locke’s final argument.

The northern North Kingdom is the culprit of all this. An expedition to that cold land.

I had to create public opinion about an expedition drama that I couldn’t put forward in my right mind.

Corin Locke, the new head of the Guardian Association, was also scheduled to attend this cabinet meeting.

* * * *

“So, as the cold climate from the north continues to flow in—”

Scholars who read astronomy and climate have been using it for a long time. However, their climate predictions for this year were greatly wrong.

Needless to say, the reason is that the abnormal winter continued.

“Just tell me the conclusion.”

At the words of the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Meteorological Administration scholar cleared his throat and said:

“As for the current abnormal climate… it is likely to be a temporary phenomenon, so I would like to wait and see. However, from an academic perspective, I would like to suggest sending an investigation team to find out where the abnormal climate occurred.”

“What about the investigation team? What are you planning to do if you provoke the barbarians in the north?”

A Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reacts sensitively to the scholar’s words. Rather than observing this abnormal climate, I am more worried about provoking the barbarians.

“The Korea Meteorological Administration says this abnormal weather is a temporary phenomenon, is that all?”

“Yes that’s right.”

It was Duke Mard who spoke. People suffered more damage than anyone else due to this abnormal climate. Therefore, the position he will present can be predicted to some extent.

“Due to this abnormal climate, we missed the planting season. This year’s crop has been ruined except for the potato crop. I think it is right to dispatch an investigation team to prepare for something like this happening in the future.”

“As expected, what the Duke said is correct.”

“Yes, it is. Accumulating data on climate is important.”

As Duke Mard raised his voice, the ministers belonging to the ‘Voice of the South’ also agreed. Public opinion seems to be swaying as one of the kingdom’s largest factions shows its support.

Geomje, who was watching here, also helped.

“As winter continues, North Kingdom’s food situation must have worsened. Shouldn’t we dispatch the military to prepare for the defense of the wall?”

Sword Emperor Garand Aden. Even at the royal cabinet meeting, he was dressed like a barbarian, but no one could raise an objection.

Rather, they felt strange about the Geomje’s reaction.

‘Why on earth is that old man?’

‘You’ve never been involved in politics until now?’

It is a sword that has appeared occasionally at the Cabinet meeting for 70 years. Why is he here now?

There were questions, but no answers. In any case, this made it difficult for military officials, including the headquarters, to express opposing opinions hastily.

“Then we will dispatch an investigation team. The person in charge of this will be——”

“The new president of the association. I recommend Corin Locke.”

“I recommend President Locke.”

Everyone’s eyes turn to one side at the name that Geomje and Duke Mard suddenly bring up.

Although he attended this cabinet meeting as the president of the Guardian Association, the young man who had not said anything until now… no, the young association president raised the corners of his mouth.

“I am not good enough, but I will do my best to respond.”

Corin takes it as if she’s been waiting for it. Accordingly, King David also took over smoothly.

“It’s okay. Then, I will appoint President Locke as the head of the investigation team and investigate the abnormal climate in the north.”

There was no time for anyone to object to the conclusion reached so quickly by the new president of the association and the big names who had been around for a while.

Although the formation of the investigation team has been decided… King David, Duke of Mard, Geomje Garand Corin Locke’s purpose does not end here.

Northern Expedition.

A justification was needed to form an expeditionary force by crossing the wall and risking provoking the North Kingdom.

Fortunately.

There was a worthy cause nearby.

* * * *

After the promulgation of Protestantism, the political influence of the Jeruem Church decreased significantly.

First of all, the political world was divided between Catholicism and Protestantism, and if ministers in central politics had to choose between the two, it was because they chose Protestantism.

The Zeruem Church is fundamentally fundamentalist.

As of a thousand years ago, when the kingdom was established, doctrines were halted and fundamental religious interpretations and doctrines were imposed.

For example, adultery.

Because there is a verse in the Bible that says adulterers should be stoned to death, stoning is openly recommended in rural areas.

It was an evil custom that could not be eradicated even if the kingdom tried to stop the exercise of religious law by circulating magistrates.

The death of Queen Maria, who was an ardent believer in Catholicism, greatly reduced its popularity, but other than that, Protestantism had many advantages over Catholicism.

Basically, the Church of Zeon was flexible. It breaks away from fundamentalism and originalism, reinterprets Bible passages to suit modern times, and provides appropriate relief to believers.

At least there is no beating to death or burning to death of heretics or atheists for not going to church on Sunday.

Thanks to this, the Protestant church expanded greatly over the past 100 years, and the decline of the Jeruem church was a certain process.

Therefore, it is natural for the clergy of the old church to feel a sense of crisis.

“It can’t be like this. We, true believers, are being pushed out by the perverse Protestants!”

“Their faith is blasphemy against the Lord! They recognize demons as humans! How can those monsters be human!”

Therefore, when instructions regarding this eschatology came from the upper echelons of the church, the priests were more enthusiastic than anyone else in spreading this eschatology.

In fact, when the prediction that winter would continue came true, the leadership simply accepted it as an abnormal climate, but the private sector did not.

-It’s the end! The end is coming!

-Only true believers will be saved!

As a considerable number of kingdom residents, including existing Catholic believers, sympathized with this, the priests of the Catholic Church became even more enthusiastic.

-okay! This is true faith! This is the true status that the denomination should have!

Bishop Renaud Lijunan of the Church of Geruem was also pleased with this response.

“Dear saints, you must not listen to this prophecy in vain! The first of the prophecies has already come true! We must prepare for this!”

This eschatology is an instigation decided at the cardinal council of the denomination.

It causes confusion in the internal atmosphere of the kingdom and divides national opinion.

When economic activity freezes and the food situation worsens due to a freeze, people naturally turn to God.

Whenever the prophecies come true one by one, Zeruem, who foretold the end, will prosper.

That alone would throw the kingdom into chaos. Their decision-making will be hindered by the Old Church, which has left behind a large number of believers, and heresy hunting will run rampant.

‘Everything is for the true end of this world…!’

And for the eternal life of himself and a select few.

Key figures of the Old Church, including Renaud Lijunan, are willing to destroy the world for this purpose.

“The end of the world will come!”

“There will be a severe winter, famine and cold, and disaster after disaster!”

“The age of the wolf will come! The world will be filled with chaos, and eternal darkness will come to the earth!”

“The beasts of darkness will begin to cry! Giants will rise up in search of their cries!”

“In the face of the end of the world, the only people who can go to heaven are those with true faith!”

-What do we do? If the prophecy is really true…

-What on earth should we do?

-Don’t believe it! Why do you believe such nonsense?

-Winter really isn’t over! All the priests of the church say that!

Okay, get confused.

And follow me.

You bring about the destruction of the apocalypse yourself.

Danan, the great light, will purify this world.

“Everyone calm down!”

It was then. A group came to the square where Renault Lijunan was preaching about the end of times.

“Saint Estelle?”

“She is a saint!”

Estelle, a saint from the Church of Zeon.

Originally, this eschatology had to have been joined by the new denominations as well.

Since they have captured more than half of the cardinals, including the Pope, if the new religious order also joins, the chaos in the kingdom will accelerate in an instant.

But that woman ruined it all.

The actions of the saint, who suddenly went crazy one day and purged half of the cardinal bishops, including the Pope, were shocking to the church.

Inside Zeruem, people were scolding and asking what that crazy bitch was thinking.

It’s not just this.

The new church, which was reorganized around a saint, has recently begun to spread increasingly strange doctrines.

Bishop Renault was horrified to learn that the foundation of the doctrine was related to the Danan faith, but he expected that Estelle would deal with this eschatology.

“Meet Your Highness the Princess.”

Bishop Renault refers to her as a princess rather than a saint. He bowed his back, but did not hide his contempt for her.

“Who was it?”

“…….”

There is no way he doesn’t know who he is as a candidate for the next cardinal. It’s a provocation. Renault gritted his teeth and didn’t even flinch.

“What is your Highness doing here?”

“Because you’re talking about prophecies of the end of the world.”

The pink-haired saint smiled and looked down at Renault. That smile was too creepy and cruel to be a saint.

“The prophecy is an inevitability from the Lord. This is an unavoidable disaster and we must prepare for it.”

Renault anticipated Estelle’s response. From a Protestant perspective, they would refute this apocalyptic prophecy.

There is no end. So, feel free to go back to your work.

But Estelle’s response will fail. The prophecies of the end will begin to come true one by one, and the authority of the new church and the saint will fall.

It is unfortunate that we cannot receive cooperation from the new church due to an unexpected purge, but that does not mean that the old church’s eschatology will fail.

“Are you sure that you are denying the Lord’s prophecy?”

Now answer me. No matter what is said, the prophecy will come true. The world will be engulfed in chaos──

“That’s right, the prophecy will come true.”

“Hehe, you’ll just have to wait and see…….Yes?”

what? What did this woman just say?

-Ah, the saint…!

-The prophecy of the end will come true? Unbelievable!

-it’s over! It’s all over!

People screaming. The words spoken by a bishop and the words spoken by a saint have qualitatively different weights.

People know from numerous experiences that Saint Estelle was truly connected to God.

A being that comes true as you pray. A child of God who heals illness and creates heaven and earth. Its existence was confirmed.

The prophecy will come true.

“What on earth is going on…”

“Dear believers! I’m sure you’ve heard the prophecy circulating in the kingdom recently!”

Estelle ignores Renault and stands in front of the public. Her voice resonated throughout Manma with a divine energy, perhaps due to some kind of action.

“The prophecy will come true. This winter will continue, the age of the wolf will come, light will disappear from the world and dark clouds will fall.”

Hey, why do you say that’s right… Renault’s eyebrows did not straighten in confusion.

Estelle held her hands together, creating a sacred light with her holy power, with a very bright expression, considering she had confirmed the prophecy of the apocalypse in front of screaming and despairing people.

“But all these are trials from the Lord!”

“what?”

-test?

-Prophecy is a trial of the Lord?

People making noise. Estelle did not miss their shaking.

“That’s right. After overcoming all these trials, a ‘new sun’ will rise! This is the glory and salvation arranged by the Lord!”

“What nonsense!”

Renault was astonished at Estelle adding a new prophecy to the prophecy of the end.

“Nonsense? Bishop Renault?”

“You are distorting the prophecy! This is an absurd statement that cannot be made!”

“Distortion? I don’t know what that means. I heard it myself?”

“what…!?”

Estelle proudly declared, pointing her finger to the sky.

“I spoke with the Lord and He told me this plan! The Lord said He would not abandon my beloved children! That’s right! All of this is a trial and an arrangement for the new sun to rise!”

-Are you sure?

-What the saint said, of course it is true!

-The new sun will save us!

Estelle smiled brightly at Bishop Renaud, who was blushing bright red, and spoke with her eyes.

‘Who are you? ‘Like a bishop.’

‘who am I? ‘Saint.’

It is said that when the end of the world approaches, false prophets will incite people.

From that biblical perspective, there were two false prophets here.

“Trust me, thank the Lord for His mercy for my children! He will give us a new sun!”

However, the more vicious false prophet was Estelle.