17 April 2018

Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukokusaikenki. Arc 4 Chapter 5C

Translator Corner
Minasan oideyasu. This is Yukkuri demasu!

Another chapters!
Also there is a picture I deliberately forgot to place on the previous chapter, so the aggregator won’t get it. It’s Mary’s picture. Check it out.

Also, new editor in place!
Have a claps!

DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I was wrong.

Author:
Dozeumaru(どぜう丸)
Translator:
Yukkuri Oniisan
Editor:
SMS

Enlightenment Arc
Chapter 5 As a Person C

(State religion……)(Souma)

A nation’s official religion. In modern developed countries, this concept that had become entirely obsolete. A religion that is believed and officially endorsed by the country as a whole. That religion’s holy days will be celebrated by the country as national event…… Anyway, it’s not all that realistic to apply this in our multiracial country.

Mary-dono. Do you realize just what your request entails? If we, a multiracial country, give preferential treatment to one religion, this will be a cause for disunity for our nation. Are you asking me to commit such a foolish mistake?(Souma)


I protested, albeit gently, in order to display my annoyance at her request. I may not look like it, but I am someone with an authority worthy enough to be referred as a “Great King”. If she was just a small fry, she would be afraid to anger me and then behave. However, the girl’s expression didn’t change at all.

We’re not requesting preferential treatment. Even though, I would be grateful if we are given preferential treatment, we simply wish for our faith to be appointed as a State Religion to begin with. Our Lunaria Orthodoxy preaches tolerance for other people. This attitude also applies to interactions with other religions. We neither wish to expel the believers of other faiths nor demand their conversion.(Mary)

Saying that, Mary held her open hands high towards the ceiling.

The Moon in the sky changes its appearances as the seasons change, and changes its face based on the time and place it can be seen. Furthermore, just like how some may see an animal’s silhouette on the Moon while others see a human one, the same thing applies to faith. Even if it appears differently, the belief and faith in God doesn’t change. The unbelievers only have a different perspective in seeing what we see as Lunaria-sama.(Mary)
……(Souma)

……That was quite the poetic opinion. If that opinion expressed her true feeling, then surely she was really tolerant…… But I think that her words are nothing more than a weightless papier-mâché pretension.  

However, isn’t it true that you people don’t recognize the Mother Dragon Faith that believes in the Mother Dragon of Star Dragon Mountains.(Souma)
God is in the Heavens and inside one’s heart. To worship a being that physically exists in the world, is only a fear of that being. What could the Mother Dragon do for a believer of the Mother Dragon Faith? The Star Dragon Mountains only interact with Nothun Dragon Knights Kingdom, right?(Mary)
It is natural that an awe towards a greater and stronger being becomes a faith. The Mother Dragon is a being beyond human understanding, a symbol of the nature itself.(Souma)
That way of thinking is wrong. We believe that faith is a bond between the God, who thinks of humans, and humans, who think of God. We see the Mother Dragon Faith as a misplaced affection to the Mother Dragon. We won’t accept it as a religion. Of course, I could understand why there are people who have such thoughts.(Mary)

Mary replied fluently. She didn’t say anything particularly strange. In fact, the impression I got from her was one of sound logic. If this was a personal opinion, I wanted to discuss this leisurely with her on another occasion…… However, her premises were wrong on several points.

…… Since this is a good opportunity, I would like to hear your opinion on this matter. May I?(Souma)
In what matter?(Mary)
Recently, it looks like there are many spies loitering around this country……(Souma)
In this country? Even though this country appears so stable, how unexpected.(Mary)

As expected, Mary’s expression didn’t change one bit. I couldn’t feel any ripple in her emotion from some time ago. This even made me believe that she really didn’t know about the Orthodoxy State’s dark side.

…… The moment that spy attacked my subordinate, he said a phrase, Infidel scum. Perhaps, he was a believer of some religion. As a person who worship a God like that Spy, does Mary-dono understand the meaning of that spy’s words?(Souma)
Since I am not that spy, it is difficult to ascertain, but……(Mary)

Mary pondered briefly and replied without any particular enthusiasm.

Perhaps, he thought that his mission was ordained by God. The people who disturbed his duty were, to him, people who didn’t believe in God. That’s why he saw them as “Infidels”.(Mary)
In other words, it doesn’t matter whether or not the other people are really unbelievers?(Souma)
From your story, I feel that, yes, it doesn’t matter. Though, this is only my subjective opinion.(Mary)
…… No, this is helpful.(Souma)

……I wonder why. She’s made me even more perplexed. I couldn’t detect any agenda or motive in her words. She honestly replied to all my questions…… Is this really a negotiation? Shouldn’t negotiations be a clash of opinions towards a mutual objective? For this reason, any fact that could become a weakness was hidden and conversation was directed towards an advantageous position. However, I completely couldn’t feel anything in her speech and conduct towards such a direction…… This is difficult.

…… Let's return to the original topic. So you want Lunaria Orthodoxy to become our country’s state religion?(Souma)
Yes.(Mary)
How will this benefit our country? Also if you talk about religious tolerance, then what the people put faith into should not matter. So, what is the reason behind the Lunaria Orthodoxy’s request to be made as a state religion?(Souma)
I will answer your first question. If Lunaria Orthodoxy is granted a state religion status, then we are prepared to acknowledge Your Majesty, the Great King, as a Holy Man(Saint). Your Majesty will not only be a king of a country, but a Holy(Saint) King. Then, the Orthodoxy State would depute me as personal bishopess[1], to serve Your Majesty, as if to serve God Himself.(Mary)

After saying this, Marie bowed…… It was just like what Roroa had said. But I never imagined that it would be the Holy Maiden herself to visit me.

…… It sounds as if your visit is to offer yourself as a bride.(Souma)
If Your Highness Holy King desires so, you may do whatever you please to me.(Mary)
I still haven’t accepted nor agreed to your offer.(Souma)
Please forgive my impertinence.(Mary)

Mary once more bowed down. She wasn’t shy at all…… rather than that, her expression was that of someone who didn’t even know that she had done bad things. Aisha, who stood beside me, twitched when I mentioned the ‘bride’ thing, while Liscia wasn’t perturbed at all. She was just observing Mary with serious expression. Just how was Mary reflected in her eyes?

Then? After I become the Holy King and the Holy Maiden serves me, is there any benefit to this country?(Souma)
This country has grown so much that it stands on equal grounds to the Grand Chaos Empire. This is also the result of His Majesty's reign. If you can acquire Lunaria Orthodoxy’s influence, then this country could acquire power that could surpass even the Empire.(Mary)
Sure, we have become bigger. But don’t you know that in terms of both territory and national strength, the Empire still surpasses us?(Souma)

Well, at least on the aspect of technological power, though, we have already overtaken them, but let’s not reveal that. However, Marie shook her head.

About 40% of the Empire’s population comprises Lunaria Orthodoxy believers. This was because the Mother Dragon Faith wasn’t that popular in the Empire that waged expansionist wars against Star Dragon Mountains in the past. In other words, close to half of the Empire’s population follows the Lunaria Orthodoxy. If this country ever found itself at war with the Empire, then with our influence we could divide the Empire in half.(Mary)
……Stop speaking something that outrageous so easily. Our country has no intention whatsoever to wage war against the Empire.(Souma)
This is just a what-if situation. In short, we are extending an offer to be the most powerful Humanity country that even could surpass the Empire.(Mary)

……Hmm. Well, if we look at the relationship between monarchs and the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Age and Early Modern Age[2], this isn’t an uncommon topic. With the combination of the political power of the Monarch and the authority of the Church, they could govern the country and crush any enemies. This might be the simplest method to achieve such result. But only if we ignore the power balance struggle between the monarch and the church that happened afterwards…… However, right now, we are trying to move the age forward. To regress into the older age is something that we must not do. Suddenly,

May I have a moment of your time, Your Majesty?(Hakuya)

Hakuya, who had been silently observing our course of conversations, spoke up.

Please forgive me, Holy Maiden, but I need to talk with His Majesty for a bit.(Hakuya)
Yes, of course.(Mary)

After asking permission from the Holy Maiden, Hakuya approached my throne. Then he brought his face to my ears and then whispered to me.

(You seem to be under the weather, Your Majesty)(Hakuya)
(Yeah…… Somehow, I can’t bring the sun out as I feel a strange sense of discomfort from that girl.)(Souma)
(That may be so, but it may be necessary to consider thinking about this differently.)(Hakuya)
 (Differently?)(Souma)

When I asked, Hakuya nodded.

(I have been observing her from earlier, she seems to be lacking emotions.)(Hakuya)
(Yes, I also arrived at the same conclusion.)(Souma)
(The Orthodoxy State may have some objective in sending her here, but it looks like Mary-dono doesn’t think anything about it. She is merely relaying the top hierarchy’s intention t us as a Holy Maiden, just like a postal Qui, isn’t it?)(Hakuya)
(?! So she is just a messenger!)(Souma)

So she wasn’t tasked to negotiate! It’s no wonder…… Even though I was discussing with her, it didn’t feel like we were negotiating. Surely, she had been guided about potential  questions with prepared answers and was negotiating with me by following this guideline. That’s probably why she answered honestly when asked questions outside those guidelines, just like the spy’s thoughts question.

Or perhaps she had been instructed to honestly answer such questions. Even if the other party skillfully tried to bring out important information from her, if she hadn’t been instructed about it, she could just honestly answer, I don’t know. This is not a negotiation. This was like a text to speech software reading a mail to another person. I took a glance at Mary. She noticed my glance and then slightly tilted her head while still being expressionless.


(…… I see. Indeed, a girl similar to DIVAloid[3])(Souma)

Back in my previous world, there was text to speech software called DIVA loid. It was visually represented by a cute girl, could recite text with a girl’s voice, and even sing, which let to big following on video sites.[4] When talking to Mary, it felt like talking to that DIVA loid.[5]

(In this case…… How should we negotiate after this?)(Souma)
(Well. Please try to get an answer to your second question. However, we should infer the answer not as her personal opinion, but the intention of the Orthodoxy State itself.)(Hakuya)
 (……I understand.)(Souma)

Thank you for waiting.(Hakuya)

After I confirmed that Hakuya had returned to his original position, I spoke to Mary.

By the way, I have not yet heard the answer to the second question I asked earlier. What is the reason behind the Lunaria Orthodoxy’s request to be made as a state religion?(Souma)
It is for all Humanity.(Mary)

Mary answered without any hesitation.

The Demon Lord Territory suddenly appeared in the Continent’s Northern side. Although at present, their expansion seems to have stopped, as long as Demon Lord Territory exists, there will be no peace for Humanity. In order to obtain that peace, it is essential to invade the Demon Lord Territory and eliminate the Demon Lord. However, the demonic monsters of Demon Lord Territory are so strong that it is impossible for any country to deal with the threat individually. There is a need for all of Humanity’s nations to fully cooperate and consolidate their power.(Mary)
………(Souma)
Therefore, I wish for Your Majesty to become a Holy King. With Your Majesty’s power combined with the influence of our Lunaria Orthodoxy, together we could bring many nations together. After we uniting many nations and ensuring their cooperation, even the Empire would yield. Since 40% of the Empire’s population comprises Lunaria Orthodoxy’s believers, the Empire cannot ignore this fact. With Humanity’s nations united, we will attack the Demon Lord Territory, defeat the Demon Lord, and liberate the North.(Mary)

Mary was replying grandly. It was just like a Crusade. To unite the nations with the power of religion towards liberation of lost lands.[6] So, they wanted me to become their banner bearer as the Holy King.

(But…… that is simply what it looks like on the surface.)(Souma)

By taking into account the invisible people who stood behind Mary, their intention came to light. Mary seriously believed that it was to liberate the North, but the intention of those behind her was different. To unite Humanity, that’s the hint. There is already a structure in this world which brought Humanity together into one. It’s the Humanity Declaration initiated by Maria-dono. Although this pact had a defect, I believed that, for the time being, it had functioned effectively.

Maria-dono, who was deemed by the Orthodoxy as “impersonating” a Holy Maiden, was gathering fame and honor as the leader of Humanity Declaration. The Orthodoxy State could not tolerate this situation. After all, the more Maria-dono gained recognition, the more their own Holy Maiden’s influence diminished. A religious country is one ruled by religious influence. In other words, the loss of such influence is a life and death problem for the State.

(That’s the reason why ​​the Orthodoxy State wanted to create an international cooperation structure, different from the Humanity Declaration. A new structure that could emphasize their own influence.)(Souma)

And it seemed that they wished to have me as the figurehead. I sent a glance to Hakuya. who noticed it, closed his eyes and nodded, then he shook his head. Perhaps he had arrived at the same conclusion as I did. Furthermore, it seemed as though he wanted to say: we must not accept it…… Well, of course. Anyway, there is something that I ought to ask.

By the way, what will happen if I refuse this Orthodoxy State’s proposal?(Souma)
Though it is regrettable, I guess it will be better to give up on it. We shouldn’t force you too much.(Mary)

Huh? This is unexpected, she back down easily. I thought that if I didn’t accept their demands, they would say that they would incite the believers inside the Kingdom and raise rebellions. While I had such thoughts, Mary continued speaking without changing her expression at all.

However, perhaps… Perhaps we will wait.(Mary)
Wait?(Souma)
Yes. Your Majesty may change your mind, or perhaps “a new candidate for Holy King will appear”.(Mary)
!?(Souma)

Well, well…… so this is it, huh? In other words, if in the future a country becomes slightly stronger or if a monarch who had gained fame emerges, they would propose the same to them as well. Perhaps, if this is true then the fate of 40% of the Empire’s Population is believers, we could divide the country if we want to will befall us. Mary might not have noticed, but this was a very frightening threat.

(This is…… something that I could just immediately decide right now.)(Souma)

Either to accept it or to reject it, I couldn’t decide without giving it a thorough thinking. At least, I would like to have a thorough discussion with Hakuya. I stood up.

I understand the Holy Maiden’s request. However, given its importance, it is impossible to give an immediate reply. I would like some time to carefully consider it. Let us continue this conversation another day.(Souma)
Certainly, Your Majesty. I pray that you will come to a good decision.(Mary)

Mary obediently exited the Audience Room. Even though the negotiation didn’t reach any conclusion, there was no disappointed expression on her face. I had been observing Mary’s face really seriously. Even during this conversation, her expression practically didn’t change at all. As if she was a doll-like girl.

(Puppet………… An artificial…………!?)(Souma)

――― There I noticed. The true meaning behind the "sense of discomfort" I had felt from her.


☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽


Accept: DEUS VULT!
Refuse: DEUS VULT!
If this is CK2, I think I’ll put my trusted loyal cardinal to become the Orthodoxy’s Pope and assassinate the other cardinals with Satan’s power (press ~).
Next chapter? Perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday.



[1] If female priest is priestess, female bishop is bishopess.
[2] European Middle Age is from 5th Century to 15th Century while Early Modern Age is from 15th Century to 18th Century.
[3] Hatsune Miku!
[4] Hatsune Miku!
[5] In case, you still didn’t get it, Divaloid is, of course, a stand in for Vocaloid.
[6] Yup. This is crusade. To unite the nations with the power of religion towards liberation of lost Holy Lands. Deus Vult.

94 comments:

  1. Why let a little logic get in the way of a good crusade?




    Extra history reference btw, thanks for the chapter 😀

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    1. Hmm... at a score of 0/9 I question if there is a 'good' crusade results wise. lol.

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    2. Well, think of it this way, someone profited with it.

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    3. Well, to be fair, the crusades were religiously driven as much as they were practically economically and politically. Also, the best results the crusaders had was access to lost Greek works improved upon in Islamic scholar works, and a taste of the resources (read: spices) of the east. From his modern knowledge, Soma can probably find ways to solve these problems while turning the need to fight a religious war unnecessary.

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    4. Deus vult!!! deus vult!!!

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    5. haha i got that reference, why let abit of unprovoked acts of naked aggression and the near unseeding of the ruler you're supposed to be helping get in the way of a good crusade. and history has taught us that if you mix religion of matters of state things always go well.. right? :P

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    6. Roman Catholic Church was a religious institution for about... actually never. It was from the start a political oppressive power that shaped Europe (and world) history from the very beginning. They juggled rulers upon their thrones as they liked for a long time. They usurped monopoly for knowledge and science as long as they could, denying common folk even the basic education, and oppressing woman (and painting them as devil spawn) at every point they could. "You like a woman and raped them? Oh, do not worry my son, it is here sinful ways that made you commit this act, you have committed no crime." About 95% christian clergy since the begging can be described as fat, greedy, hedonistic, power-hungry pigs... They are just masters in maintaining a pristine and beautiful mask in front of them.

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    7. Now now Lukas, that is a broad brush if I ever saw one. You won't happen to be a rabid atheist would you?

      Historically, the 'Church' has a much, much longer history than all existing European countries even at that time since they were around even before the Dark Ages. As for claims about monopoly of knowledge, you do know that the only teaching in those times were by monks and nuns in churches? Schools not being 'invented' yet?

      I get you have a grudge against them but your arguments to show that they are 'evil' are not true. If you dislike them, just say you dislike them, there is no need to invent crimes to pin on them.

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    8. Church, as we know it, exist since Emperor Constantine has took Christianity as his own religion. At that moment what was born was an instrument of political power. It was mainly used as an explanation why you are ruled by your King "Because God want it to be so."

      And knowledge... the question: Why was "witches" hunted throughout Europe? Because church do not like sharing knowledge at all... Before Church and those that where under Popes jurisdiction conquered Europe there where many wise woman, who had knowledge about many things, most prominently about herbs, about their properties and usage. Church has hunted those woman and killed most of them.

      Church has actively hunted and killed any person that started to think and voice their opinion that where not aligned with Churches opinion. Freethinkers where branded as heretics, warlocks/witches, and killed by holy pyres. And schools? What was thought in those schools? If you learn only about one point of view you know and see things from only one point. The reason for that was because it is the easiest to control a stupid, uneducated people who only have one opinion on any subject.
      Only reformation of the church and the Renaissance era has made it possible for progress to come to Europe.
      Why do you think Dark Ages was called so? Because church has halted progress and destroyed or kept for themselves all inventions that came to be. If it wasn't made to grow power of the church it was branded as heretical.

      And countries have longer histories then church... church just try to erase everything before christening of a country... Franks under Charlemagne has invited church on their own... but dynasty before him was doing fine without church's support.

      And I do not have a grudge against church.... I just wish that they would not try to shove my country back to the dark ages, as they try to put their hands in every aspect of humans life, again... I'm from Poland, and Poland have a history that is longer then year 966. It was not like apes came down from trees and under christening they turned into man... but sometimes it seems like church try to paint it this way here... ehs...

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    9. Yup we should all be atheists and kill off any intellectuals that are better than the common population....

      oh wait....

      It's not like religion is the only faction killing off intellectuals, try looking up the French Revolution or the Chinese Cultural Revolution or Communism in general.

      Face it, killing off smart people is an age old hobby of the entire human race.

      And I'll worry more about Russia than the Church if I was in Poland....

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    10. "From his modern knowledge, Soma can probably find ways to solve these problems while turning the need to fight a religious war unnecessary."

      He took care of that already when reinventing the kingdom as a hub of international trade given its extensive coastal region. It was part of how he was able to strengthen the kingdom's economy back when it was still Elfrieden. Remember early on when he built that brand new port city? That's what that was for.

      I forget where it mentioned all that though.

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    11. Srsly Owl?

      Russia is very open in her ways. What is worst then church for Poland are assholes in Brussels that try to screw us up, under German dictation... Ther only thing that changed since 1939 is that there are crypto-communist at the EU help instead of Nazist of the III Reich... And Russians where and always will be poised against Poland, one way or another... but at least they are somewhat honest in that, no knife behind their backs but openly in front of them...
      And i'm not an atheist... I am a follower of native faith... Not that Church for the last 2000 years have try to exterminate in Europe... Btw. Christianity, if you read Bible and think about its text, is fallowing God of husbandry, fire and desert, ruler over demons. But not like any priest will openly tell you that...
      And why any Asian would like to fallow semic god of desert instead of given due worship/praise to his ancestors spirit is beyond me...

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    12. I'm sure those of the Warsaw Uprising will be happy to know Russians don't backstab.

      Oh wait....

      As for them following Christianity, guess it's their choice. If you take offence to it, guess you can try reconverting them by the sword.

      Oh wait again....

      IIRC Christianity is one of the major religions in South Korea so it's hardly an isolated case.

      I believe in a middle ground, neither a lender nor a borrower be. Don't be rabidly anti-religious but don't be rabidly pro-religious too. Once you go into extremes, useless fights follow. And most of all, don't preach. Only the choir likes preaching, the other normal people just facepalm and go to sleep.

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    13. Dear Polish colleagues, the opinion of both of you about Russia is ridiculously biased. Do not drag the archetypes and stereotypes of the past to the present day. Today, Russia bears no hostility toward Poland, neither hidden nor open - of course, provided at least the neutrality of Poland itself. But here in it and a snag - in actively russophobic positions of the Poland. Of course, I understand that it is not so much the above-mentioned archetypes and stereotypes themselves, but rather their support from various political forces, and not only Polish ones. Nationalism, in all its manifestations, is a very convenient political tool.
      You know, after the collapse of the USSR, the attitude of Russians to Poland was rather friendly - until about the beginning of this century, when Poland began to conduct an increasingly anti-Russian policy, very actively. This is the only reason for a certain negative in today's attitude of the Russians towards the Poles. This is about the attitude of the people. Now about politicians. Try to give me a REALISTIC reason why it would be advantageous for Russia today to pursue a policy hostile to Poland. Logic suggests that it is much more profitable to have at least a neutral neighbor.
      Regards.

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  2. Nothing good comes from most religions in isekai...

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    1. Because isekai writers can't write religion worth even a shit, well most isekai writers can wrote anything worth a shit really.

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    2. "My Pet is a Holy Maiden" pulled it off, but that's about all it could do. The protagonist is a priest himself and all the popes are pretty chill.

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    3. Lol, has anything good ever came out from religions in politics? Witch hunt, crusade, mass manipulation, racist, discrimination, etc. Either in isekai or Earth, I can't think anything good ever came out of it, except fanatics dying with crazy smile on their face.

      "My pet is a Holy Maiden" may looks like pulled "good religion" off, but it mostly from the insider PoV and lack description of situation outside the nation or how the church operates outside. That maybe what we will see if Souma summoned in Lunaria Orthodoxy.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. awesome, thanks for the chapt, damn religion !

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    1. Well, to be fair, even non-religious villains appear in stories.

      Personally, I don't see much difference between a rabid atheist and a rabid evangelist. Both will bite you if given the chance.

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    2. Both are just different form of dogmaticism

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  5. Typical power-hungry scheming religion in an isekai story. I've yet to read about a religion that actually cares about their believers in such a story.

    *Public Service Announcement: If you ever find yourself transmigrated into an isekai, immediately be on guard of any and every religious organizations as they will use anyone and anything to gain more power and influence. And they will shamelessly spout hypocrisy and lies.*

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    1. IMO Overlord's Slane Theocracy is truly cares about their believers (or humanity)

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    2. Well, there's one. It's called 'My Pet is a Holy Maiden'. And no, even if the title is like something outta hentai but there's nothing lewd. But expect a fluffy diabetes.

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    3. As Asians, and Japanese people especially, has a taste how vicious catholic church can be, with their ways of converting and downgrading people to animal levels... it is no wonder that churches in isekai novels are painted that way... catholic church in Asia was just another institution that came there to make colonies to suck people dry from wealth and resources, with a general excuse of bringing one and only thru religion to them...

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    4. .... Lukas must go to a different church than the ones I'm familiar with lol.

      I'm from Asia and throughout the 4 generations of my family, some are Christian/Catholic and none of them/us have ever met the kind of viciousness Lukas describes.

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    5. no, it's because Japan and Asia in general already have a different outlook on life (ugh, i don't know whether this is a right word or not)
      there is a reason why in Japan christimas is not about Jesus, but eating chicken...
      if you say that christianity (or religions in general) are evil, do you think what shogunate did to innocent people who were christian at the time for the sake of repelling colonialism is right?

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  6. Thanks 4 the translation!

    So, Mary is some kind of artificial being?

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    1. no she is human.... but Souma know why Mary is "Doll"

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    2. Rhythm_ ISSUE - She's a human sex doll, isn't she!?!? Damn, Soma knows this shit. He definitely does!

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    3. like Agnes from PLIC i presume, someone that got 'brainwash' since birth

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  7. What did she meant by "For all Humanity"? Does the other races included in there?

    and this Arc is really giving me the CK2 flashbacks in here. Got ganged up by Catholic Kingdoms when I was playing Saxons for the first time.

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    1. Probably for all races. For starters, the Lunaria Orthodoxy was not mentioned to be a human supremacist faith; basically they work on the principle that individuals of all races are equal (in being convinced, supported by and exploited). Secondly, the current standing structure for the world is named the 'Humanity Declaration' so it's probably fine to assume all races. Basically, for now, think of 'Humanity' as all humanoids, humans and demi-humans clumped into one category.

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    2. Huh, for some reason, I've remembered Lunaria Orthodoxy's Major Population are Humans, and kind of assumed that the people or higher-ups are extremist. Man, Reading too many novels really jumbled up my memory.

      Well, even if they are not racist, They might be against other religions. They might not outright say it, the interactions above and spies last words says it all. Hell, even naming their country with "orthodoxy" reeks prejudiced against other religions.

      I'm kind of excited how Souma is gonna solve this one. I'm kinda hoping for the Lunaria to have a reformation period but I don't think that's what gonna happen in here.

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    3. Lunaria Orthodoxy was at the beginning an elvish country. Like Elves that descended from the Moon...

      And Elves across the fantasy franchise can be portrayed as an exquisite example of supremacy assholes. Especially High and Moon Elves tends to thing they are better in every way then any other race on their world... Bona fide racist race.

      So it is not a long stretch that top echelons of Lunaria Orthodoxy, that was "humanized" throughout the ages, are thinking that they stand at the top of the world and all others should be theirs subjects or they should die... And turning a King into Saint King would essentially turn the said King into Popes subject.

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  8. doll like huh.. i wonder if his powers could work on her...

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  9. To be fair, bishopess was never really a thing in the Judean/Catholic/Christian religions, they're very patriarchal so females very rarely get high powered posts, so to try finding a female analog for 'high ranking person' in these religions is very difficult. The 'highest' most common rank would be deaconess. Anything more is hard to find.

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    1. From the star woman in Moses religions where treated as necessary evil... Christians priests even declared openly that woman is an devil-span creature, that has as a main objective seduction and reproduction... and every sexual crime is pinned on a woman only, as it is a woman way to seduce all around her...

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    2. Wow, star woman. lol

      devil-span lol how wide is a devil?

      Lukas quit seducing everyone to the dork side.

      lol

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    3. "From the start" or "from the beginning"
      "devilspawn" or "devil offspring"

      ...

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    4. You might want to check your spelling before hitting the 'publish' button then.

      Misspellings make you look way too eager to badmouth some people.

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  10. He should've just rejected outright. These religious organizations are like parasitic maggots. They just seep into a nation and brainwash everyone around them slowly working their way into the high levels in the government, rendering the country unstable and destroying talented free thinkers to advance their own pathetic agenda.

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    Replies
    1. Well, these religious organizations are practically giants in societies like that. Simply rejecting their proposal could be exaggerated to rejecting their followers, and in Amidonia, that would be a lot. In this case, Soma's policy of transparency would be a good countermeasure against the church. The problem is a lot more political than it is religious.

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    2. The problem is not that easy since she already stated if souma reject they just need to search for other and give them with same offer, the problem lie with "40% our beliver in that country" also can be said "we can do same in your country if u refuse our offer"

      Delete
    3. Not only that... "Yes. Your Majesty may change your mind, or perhaps “a new candidate for Holy King will appear”
      You can read that as "You change your mind, or we will assassinate you and the next King will be presented with this title."

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    4. I took it as a threat as well.

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    5. Yes there are a lot of religious idiots in Amidonia and probably even some in Elfrieden but this just begs the question, 'Why is Soma not doing anything about them?'. From Anti-Religion edicts to uncovering the criminal activities of the religious high levels there are many things to do to make threat of the religious imbeciles a lot lower.

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    6. Anonymous, such course of action is suicidal. If half your country is religious, ANY anti-religion edict is begging for a civil war or at minimum religious strife. It's like me going 'convert all atheists like Anonymous to religion X or toss him in jail'. Not fun, right? That's what you're proposing to do but in reverse.

      The best way to solve this is to maintain a habeus corpus or general body of laws that people have to follow, regardless of religion, so you're controlling the actions of fanatics, both religious and atheistic, at a distance. Not directly touching it but constraining it through public laws.

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    7. Owl, fanatics don't care about laws. They're a bunch of brainwashed imbeciles whose loyalties lie with the religious heads. That is the problem. Though I do get your point of riots caused by anti-religion doctrine, there needs to atleast be some form of control over the religious idiots like privatization of religion which is basically giving people freedom to follow any religion but only in private by shutting down churches, shrines and other public religious facilities.

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    8. Anonymous, not EVERYONE is a brainwashed imbecile just because they believe in a religion and your way burns them ALL, even the moderates. This forces a 'you with us or against us' mode of operation which will often not lead to riots but outright civil war.

      You want to control religion, you need a light and invisible hand, not run round with an axe chopping heads. Subtle, subtle, not barbarian. Hit them with habeus corpus, not special anti-religion laws that specifically target beliefs.

      When dealing with religions, the last thing you EVER want is a heavy hand, it'll backfire on you.

      Delete
    9. most stupid way to handle religion is with barbaric way, many people tend to relied to religion even in minimum manner, tried to do that from what you suggest Anon only will rise to revolt in bad way inviting crusade to your own country since the said religion seen you as enemy worst part this can be used as bait by them to rallied neighbor country too

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    10. Shutting down the public religious facilities is not barbaric or anything because those religious fucks have their own nation and those who attend these public facilities can be rightfully accused of treason and plotting a rebellion. The citizens will understand this and won't dare to riot or anything because the justice will be on Soma's side and shutting them down cannot be considered an abuse of power by any margin. It will simply be increasing the defense of the country.

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    11. Did you guys forget what Souma has always been saying? The more you press a religion, the stronger it becomes

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    12. Anonymous, that's like burning churches because you have a problem with Rome. It's pulling people who are unrelated into a fight which totally did not concern them at all.

      God help us if you ever got involved in national policy.
      'Someone robbed a woman in X town!'
      'Kill everybody in that town!!!'

      Brutal, excessively heavy handed, no differentiation of targets, involvement of neutrals, I can't see your way as anything but national suicide.

      Delete
  11. I just recently started playing CK2 again as a minor scandinavian ruler, namely Gotland. You know what i've done for ... let's say 40 ingame years ? Raiding. And the most profitable regions to raid ? Paris, Rome, Venice & Amalfi. (Wars fought for other reasons ? Why participate unless i'm not busy raiding?)

    My point being that Rome has never succeeded in driving me off, despite the several times i've literally sacked everything they have and stolen some relics . (France usually gathers enough troops to make it illadvisable to fight, but I did get away with the queen and a princess each from west & mid francia at on time, all of which I married into my family. Repeatedly tried to plunder konstantinople as well, but their fortification levels + troops gathered quicker enough make it very difficult)

    That being said, I do believe that EU4 has more of a 'crisis' thing about 40% of the population being of different faith and possibly rebelling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rebellions are easy to handle in EU4. CK2 on the other hand has those annoying disloyal vassals who keep creating factions to try and overthrow you every time you conquer even one county. The stupidest part is that when you win a war against an enemy king, instead of imprisoning and executing his vassal nobles, they just directly become our vassals with a -100 opinion towards us.

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    2. Try playing "pagan" religion and conquer Catholic countries. All vassals under vanquished king are dissolved, you get all titles from top to bottom.

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    3. Rebellions are maybe easier to handle in EU4, but there shouldn't be the whole religious type of rebellions in CK2, mostly vassals who just had enough of some point of the nation. And there's literally no way to deal with religious rebels other than one province at a time.

      Putting it simply, there's two ways to never have rebellions against you in CK2.

      1. Have grateful & loyal lords pleased with their status
      2. Have a big enough army so that noone has the guts
      to even try and fight you.

      Both tips work colonial nations in EU4 as well, although having happy CNs is tougher. But once you lose your army ? They rebel. I learned that the hard way as Portugal with... 5 colonial nations I think, in the Americas. I went to war with Morocco, lost my army, and all 5 rebelled at the same time. 4 of which I had created from nothing, one taken from mexican natives. And the only thing I actually got from them as the minimum sum from them being CNs, and had pretty much given them every other privilege.

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  12. Thanks for the chapter.

    She is merely relaying the top hierarchy’s intention t us as a Holy Maiden, just like a postal Qui, isn’t it? <- what's a postal Qui?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pigeon like bird that is used for message delivery in the other world.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the new chapter !!!

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  14. Thanks for the chapter! Maybe he can expels the Jews after asking loans, after all.

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  15. wow when Mary talk i say she full of horseshit :|
    and this line
    *Yes. Your Majesty may change your mind, or perhaps “a new candidate for Holy King will appear”.」(Mary)*
    so what she say the Orthodoxy will assassinate our MC if he say no to they crap!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Including yours and Soma's, I have three different opinions on those words. I saw it as the Orthodoxy's potential plan to overthrow the throne with its followers in the country.

      Delete
    2. Outright assassin rather stupid after all but indeed somehow can be taken as that also the way souma think and anon above me indeed can be taken too, that Orthodoxy seriously act like they in highhorse here

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    3. They think they are the top of the world, and everyone else their subject, or enemy to slain...

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    4. I don't see it as assassination, it's too myopic focused on one country, their church is more global in scope. I see it as them saying they'll raise someone else to be his competitor from a different country and that country will 'grow over' his because of their support in the future.

      Delete
  16. Great CK reference... it make me want to play as viking monarch and destroy the europe civilization as the old god wish

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  17. The course of action should be to weaken that religion. Without big scandals it would be difficult but it can be done and Souma has the instruments to do it without openly oppose them: education and popular culture. Then the Empire must do the same.

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  18. Ugh, this hits little closer to home especially that threats. 80% in paper but probably not more half of them in reality are scary af especially when they're playing victims of becomes oppressed to get the support of the rest.

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  19. It's like building a second power to match or overcome the Gran Chaos Empire similiar to the US vs. Soviet Union but through religion.

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  20. Thanks for the chapter

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  21. Then Jerusalem get crushed by dual Jihad from Seljuk and Fatimid loool

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  22. (EU4) but why should he invest into the religion idea group when there is already a coalition against them and the colonization expansion CB is so much more fun

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  23. EU IV as the protestant reformation and the religious wars that followed.

    Also how to deus vult infediel

    Play as Poland, form the polish Lithuania commonwealth

    Take full religious ideas

    Get winged hussars from national traditions

    Become defender of the faith

    Become papal controller

    Call for crusade against the ottoman empire


    Remove kebab

    Retake the holy lands

    Days vult

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did all of the above except I went Protestant and junior partnered France, England, Austria, Bohemia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Castille, Aragon, Naples and Muscovy and forced religion on all of them. And out of these, I so far inherited Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria and Bohemia and started integrating France. Also since Austria and Bohemia were my junior partners and my Commonwealth wasn't a part of the HRE, the HRE was basically dead in the water and I also took Rome and destroyed the Papal State. Ideas I took were Aristocratic, Influence, Religious and Quantity so far. The year is 1580. No console command or mod was used.

      Delete
  24. This is why I choose to be a follower of Flying Spaghetti Monster, which it's only tenet is "Thou shalt not be an asshole"

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  25. One two three four

    I declare a holy war

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  26. something that I could just

    mayble "I couldn't"

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  27. thanks for the chapter btw when the next chapter out? saturday or monday? i really can't wait lol

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  28. Большое спасибо!

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  29. Lots of comments on the evils perpetrated in the name of religions,
    but I'm more interested in Souma's reaction to the the emotionless Holy Maiden.
    She's so .... doll like. Human doll like.
    His power of manipulating objects only used on a human body.
    If so I don't know wether it would be better or worse if the original girl's mind still exists.
    Thanks for the chapter

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  31. He needs a figure like Martin Luther to emerge and create a schism between the believers of the religion and therefore weakening the influence of the group.

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