Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 501: Juror’s Scripture II

CH501 Juror’s Scripture II

***

Alex explained calmly, ”Most Navi take a hardline stance. They claim they are the creator, because it wins them more followers.”

”But that claim also comes with risk,” he added. ”Because it can be disproved.”

Zora’s brows furrowed deeper.

Alex continued, ”A ’true creator’ in that sense is supposed to be omniscient and omnipotent. Meaning... no weaknesses.”

”If you can identify even one flaw, even one limitation, the illusion cracks.”

He tapped the scripture lightly with his finger.

”Juror doesn’t take that risk.”

”He only claims a limited omnipotence—Light and Justice.”

”Light is an element. Something he has become terrifyingly knowledgeable about, using the Providence he gains through faith.”

”And Justice...” Alex smiled faintly. ”Justice is vague. It can be interpreted in countless ways, depending on who’s looking at it.”

He leaned back against Dread, his eyes narrowing in thought.

”It becomes very difficult to disillusion his followers, because the foundations of his godhood are built on concepts that can’t be cleanly measured.”

”And as long as the concept can’t be measured...” Alex said quietly, ”...it can’t be cleanly disproved.”

He paused for a moment, giving the women time to digest his words.

But from their expressions, it was clear they still didn’t fully grasp what he was trying to say.

They lacked the foundation to understand the deeper implications behind faith, scriptures, and manipulation.

Alex didn’t push it.

He left it there, hoping they would understand one day, when they had more context and experience.

Instead, he brought up another point.

”According to the scripture,” Alex said, ”humanity lived in a world of darkness before Juror found them... and guided them to Light and Justice.”

”Using light, Juror enlightened humanity,” he continued. ”Granting them knowledge as they could handle, and taking away the knowledge they could not.”

”Some people were grateful and offered him worship,” Alex said calmly. ”While others were not.”

Zora’s gaze sharpened slightly.

Alex nodded. ”I find it interesting because it’s obvious Juror wants to gather as many worshippers as possible... but without necessarily going to war against the other Navi.”

He closed the book halfway, tapping the cover lightly.

”That tells me one of two things—or possibly both—are in play.”

”The first...” Alex said, ”is that Juror is smart enough to realise that as a false god, having building a castle at the edge of the sea with lies as his foundation, he can’t monopolise the worship of all humans on Verdantis.”

”So instead, he consolidates the worshippers he does get.”

He glanced at Zora and Udara.

”Not with a tale of domination and fear, but a tale of generosity, appreciation and guidance.”

”Soft control that slowly entraps...” Alex said quietly, ”...instead of hard control that forces submission.”

Udara’s brows furrowed. ”And the second?”

”The second,” Alex replied, ”is that the Navi of Verdantis are in cahoots.”

He spoke the words plainly, but the weight behind them was heavy.

”They’ve written their scriptures in a way that hides their greed for faith, and allows polytheism among their worshippers.”

Zora’s expression darkened.

Alex exhaled, then added, ”Personally... I hope it’s only the first.”

”Why?” Udara asked.

”Because if it’s just the first,” Alex said, ”then Juror is simply a smart Navi.”

”But being smart this way, amongst a Pantheon of Navi, is dangerous,” he continued. ”It means he’ll eventually draw someone’s ire.”

”And when—not if—that happens...” Alex’s eyes narrowed. ”One or more Navi will move to keep Juror in check.”

He smiled faintly, though there was no humour in it.

”In that scenario, his temple will have less time to worry about small fry interplanar invaders like us.”

”But if it is the second,” Alex continued, ”then it means something exists... something powerful enough to force the Navi to tolerate each other’s presence.”

”Or worse,” he added, voice lowering slightly, ”to accept it.”

”To share the available pool of worshippers.”

His eyes narrowed.

”I shudder to think what could bring about that kind of cooperation among greedy beings like them— creatures who chose the path of faith, then used it to deceive an entire plane for selfish gain.”

”And if it were both?” Zora asked.

Alex didn’t hesitate.

”Then we’re facing an even graver threat,” he replied. ”One where a group of potentially intelligent Navi were forced into unity... and decided the best way forward was to deceive an entire plane together.”

He leaned back slightly, gaze distant.

”I only see it ending one of two ways.”

”A coup for total control,” he said coldly, ”one that dooms the entire plane...”

”Or one of the current Navi—most likely Juror—succeeds and takes over.”

His lips curled into a humourless smile.

”And when that happens, we become a threat to that ruling Navi.”

Zora exhaled slowly.

”So...” she said dryly, ”this will be an eventful expedition.”

”Indeed it will,” Alex replied with a wry chuckle.

Udara and Zora didn’t fully understand the depth of Alex’s analysis, but they understood the stakes.

So, they left him alone, allowing him to continue studying Juror through his scripture.

After they left, Alex sat in silence for a moment.

His thoughts drifted back to the Navi whose divine kingdom had been connected to the Red Rock nest... the same Navi that had stared at him as he escaped.

There had been something about that divine energy that was... unsettling.

His gaze hardened as the thoughts swelled in his mind.

’Sorcerers. Navi. Berserk energy. Beast Nests. The Grand Beast Forest. The Hollowcrest Wildlands...’

It felt like someone had dumped a massive puzzle in his lap...

But left him with barely any clues on how to piece it together.

’Well... it wouldn’t be fun otherwise, I guess.’

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

Kree~!

Senu cried out sharply, as if scolding him.

Alex blinked, then glanced down at the open page.

”Yes, yes...” he muttered, flipping to the next one.

And so, man, eagle, and horse(?) silently continued reading the scripture of one of Verdantis’ powerful Navi.

Not to revere him nor to worship him.

But to understand him...

And eventually, to find the faults in his divinity.

***