Turning Chapter 775

Chapter 775

"What do you think happens to the dead?"

Even Nathan Zuckerman, who had been conditioned by countless peculiar questions from his Lord, found it unusually challenging to answer this one.

Where do the dead go? What could the meaning behind such a question be? The knight from the soYudern lands, having been silent, finally spoke with a heavy voice, "In the temples, they say one goes to heaven or hell, don't they?"

According to the doctrine of the Sun God, it is believed that after death, based on divine judgment, one either goes to heaven, where angels dwell, or hell, the realm of demons. However, eternity is not spent there; once all deeds are accounted for, one is embraced by the Sun God, becoming eternally a part of the burning flame.

Kishiar would know this, yet for some unknown reason he asked.

“So, by mentioning the temple, you imply that this differs from your personal beliefs, Nathan?”

“As you know, I have little interest in tales of gods or the like. To me, death is the end. I care not for what follows.”

Nathan, born to desert warriors but raised in the empire north of the sands, always maintained a distance from such beliefs. To him, the people and the master before him were far more significant than any deity. He didn't wish to waste the living moments for the sake of the afterlife.

His knowledge of such matters stemmed solely from following the master, an imperial family member, to numerous temples in his youth, nothing more, nothing less.

“Interesting. Do the people of the south hold a different view on this?”

“In the faith of the Southerners… I've heard that when one dies, they become a star in the sky. Beyond that, I'm not certain,” he replied, recalling tales told by his parents in childhood, unsure if they truly become stars.

“So, either embraced by the sun or becoming a star... What then, do you think of the existence of ghosts?”

This third question compelled Nathan to reveal his doubts to his master.

“It seems to me that these are questions better suited for priests, not for me. Is there a reason you ask?”

“Just that I've never deeply pondered the afterlife, but now it seems I might need to explore these matters. I was curious about others' views, and you, being my subordinate, were the first I thought to ask.”

“…You’ve come to inquire about the afterlife?”

“Sharp hearing, yet you question me again.”

Despite knowing why Nathan had asked, the master seemed disinclined to explain. Nathan remained silent for a long time, his extensive experience usually preventing any disconcert. His prolonged silence indicated the profound seriousness he found in this question.

Unconcerned with his subordinate's reaction, Kishiar urged for an answer, “So, your response?”

“…Having never seen a ghost with my own eyes, I do not believe in them. Any claim to the contrary would be a delusion or madness.”

Hearing this blunt response, Kishiar's lips curled into a faint smile.

“I see. As expected. Very well, you may go.”

“...”

As Kishiar waved his hand dismissively and turned away, Nathan gazed at his retreating figure, deep in thought. He had a strong suspicion that his master's unusual behavior was somehow connected to the broader intrigues of Yuder Aile.

If the absurd question truly held significant importance for the master, Nathan, as his adjutant, felt compelled to gather any information he could to assist.

'Regarding the afterlife,' he mused, recalling days long past spent with his parents. A recent visit to the village of his youth had sharpened these memories.

Among these, he spoke of a recollection that suddenly flitted through his mind. "Now that I think about it, there was an elderly Southerner in our village who spoke about what happens after death. He said that not everyone becomes a complete star when they die; parts of life get filtered out like dregs, forming the darkness of the night."

Kishiar, who had been walking, stopped and turned his head. Nathan Zuckerman noticed that his story had struck a chord with the master.

"Dregs that get filtered out..."

"It seems to be the Southern version of the idea that those who do wrong are barred from heaven."

"No, it's rather similar to something else."

"Pardon?"

"Consider this: isn't there a similar notion here too? That after fulfilling their deeds in heaven and hell, souls are embraced by the Sun God to burn eternally. However, there are deeds that, no matter how much time passes, cannot be erased. Whether good or bad, the unerased signifies remnants, dregs."

Kishiar, deep in thought and stroking his chin, uttered in a somber tone, "...But our side doesn't elaborate on what happens to these remnants. Only that they cannot return to nothingness, only mentioning becoming part of the eternal flame of the Sun God."

"I see."

"Deeds that can't return to nothing. Remnants buried in darkness..."

In the ensuing silence, Kishiar was lost in thought. His red eyes, visible beneath his lowered eyelashes, held a deeper contemplation than ever before. Nathan Zuckerman waited quietly for his master to gather his thoughts.

The response that came was once again unexpected.

"Even the remnants left after burning were once part of a whole. Then, is it meaningful to speculate and judge based on just those remnants?"

This seemed more of a rhetorical question than a direct inquiry to Nathan, as Kishiar’s gaze was fixated on the unknown void.

"If we must ponder... it wouldn't hurt, I suppose."

Kishiar looked up at Nathan Zuckerman.

"Is that so?"

"People say not to judge a person by a part of them, but that part does indeed speak about the person. That is my view."

Kishiar nodded slightly, his gaze once again drifting out the window. There, unchanged, was Yuder Aile.

Dressed in a dark uniform, the pale man was surrounded by people from various groups, all fervently speaking to him. Despite the chaos, Yuder, with an unflustered, expressionless face, addressed and resolved each person’s concerns in turn.

At a glance, he seemed like someone who had been doing such work for decades, but in reality, he was only in his early twenties, in his first year with the Cavalry. Yet, no one around him seemed to acknowledge this fact.

Anyone in his presence soon realizes that his words are mostly correct, even if the advice is unpleasant. They accept it as if it were from a superior. This was the peculiar aura that Yuder possessed, a strange influence that made others agree with him.

As Nathan observed the scene, Kishiar spoke up.

"Nathan, can you look into that part you mentioned earlier in more detail?"

"Do you mean the tale about the remnants that failed to become stars? If it's needed, I shall do so."

"Thank you. I realize it must have seemed like a strange question."

Instead of replying, Nathan let out a small sigh, directing it towards the hand of his master patting his shoulder.

"It’s far easier than when you proposed creating a bestiary and map for the monsters around Peletta."

That was his attempt at a joke, and Kishiar, recalling that time, smiled.

"That was necessary for everyone, but this is solely for me. So, it need not take precedence over other tasks. I entrust it to you, Nathan."

"Yes."

With a nod, Nathan Zuckerman left. Kishiar stood still, gazing down at his own hands.

'I said it couldn't be speculated with the knowledge I had, but in truth, emotions could lead to conjecture. Especially if it were a part of me.'