◆ Avangarde Castle Town, Uzei Religion, Main Hall ◆
Ryoho guided us effortlessly to the temple, a building adorned with a tiled roof reminiscent of Azuma, exuding a serene atmosphere with its red pillars. Several tiled-roof structures stood within the expansive grounds, interconnected by corridors. I marveled at how such a grand building had been constructed without my knowledge; it was truly impressive.
At the entrance, the Smooth Ones were sweeping the path with brooms. They offered a slight nod to us as Ryoho and I followed behind, then resumed their cleaning. They were so calm and composed, a stark contrast to the raucous chaos of the Nation of Kashiram. I wondered if Negesta was similar.
“Let me tell you about the origins of the Uzei Religion. Long ago, there was a notorious bandit named Lacon. Abandoned by his parents, he was a pitiful man who saw no other way to survive. Within Lacon, hatred for humanity, including for the parents who had forsaken him, swirled like a tempest. He rampaged, slashed, and violated, committing every conceivable evil. In the midst of this, Lacon was ambushed and met with a counterattack. Severely wounded and on the brink of death, he realized his end was near. Yet, his assailant spared him and uttered these words…”
Even though I hadn’t asked, Ryoho began to speak eloquently about the Uzei Religion as we walked. If we weren’t moving, I might have dozed off. It wasn’t the content of the story that made it feel like a lullaby; it was the monotony in his tone.
“If you wish to survive, accumulate virtue. First, help yourself with this. But even with this healing potion, you will not be able to harm others with your strength. Instead, try to help them without causing harm. In that process, you will come to realize your own foolishness. Eventually, you will learn to despise your sins.” Having been told this, Lacon found himself unable to wield a weapon, unable to unleash his brutality any longer.”
“Why couldn’t he wield a weapon anymore?” I asked.
“His arms were likely destroyed in the battle. There are critical points in the human body, and while we have the convenience of healing magic now, back then it varied by region.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I wonder what kind of person could inflict such damage on the strong Lacon?”
“You seem to focus on those details, Rua-chan.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, I love it.”
“Ahem, may I continue?”
With a cough, Ryoho drew our attention back to his story. I felt I might have been rude; he wore a slightly uncomfortable expression. I could only respond in a hushed voice, “Please go on.”
“Having survived, Lacon returned to a life of evil. However strong he was, he could not stand against armed opponents or groups. He must have faced defeat and been beaten time and again. Once again standing on the brink of death, Lacon reflected on his life. How terrible it was—what was the purpose of his existence? Though he had grown up without knowing his parents’ faces, it was then that he shed tears for the first time. At that moment, a girl took Lacon into her home and treated his wounds.”
“Once he was unarmed, he couldn’t win at all…”
“Rua-chan, your unique perspective is appreciated, but could you please hold your tongue for a bit?”
“Okay.”
I was almost met with another displeased look from Ryoho. It was important not to anger him further. We weren’t here to fight; we had come to learn about the Uzei Religion. Of course, I hoped to find some clue that could help us.
“Helping a man like him, whom she had never met, was quite strange. There was a possibility he could have harmed her severely, yet this girl acted without any ulterior motives. Lacon couldn’t comprehend her actions. However, as they interacted, he gradually began to understand and opened his heart.”
“What does ‘ryoujoku’ mean, Kurinka?”
“Ahem!”
“I’m sorry.”
I realized that she might be scary when angered. She was usually gentle, but when it came to the Uzei Religion, she became intensely passionate. That was probably just how she was.
“If the girl’s village lacked a well, Lacon would dig one. If the fields dried up, he would use his extraordinary strength to carry water. He worked tirelessly, day after day, without rest. For Lacon, who could not wield a weapon, this must have been an incredibly difficult task. The villagers, led by the girl, expressed their gratitude, and he gradually became a beloved figure. It was unimaginable compared to the days when he only took from others. For the first time in his life, Lacon experienced the joy of giving and being appreciated. It was during this time that he faced his sins. He had committed terrible acts in the past, yet he had remained silent about it. He had taken the lives of others while living without a care.”
“A past filled with unforgettable sins…”
Kurinka’s murmured words held a meaning that only I understood. After a brief moment of lowering her gaze, she smiled at me reassuringly. Perhaps she wanted to convey that I didn’t need to worry.
“As time passed, the girl and Lacon became united. After many twists and turns, they built a family together. Yet, Lacon never forgot his past, not even for a single day. One day, he mustered the courage to confess his past to the girl. He was prepared to be scorned, to be hated. With a determination akin to a death-defying resolve, he opened his mouth, but the girl said…”
In the painfully quiet temple, we paused, both of us listening intently to the story. I hadn’t meant to interrupt, but here, I remained silent.
“I will not punish you. However, I will despise your sins. From now on, let us wash away those sins together.” Those words represented the girl’s intention to spend her life with Lacon. For the second time in his life, Lacon shed tears.
We were completely absorbed, hanging on every word. I couldn’t take my eyes off Ryoho, who was facing us and sharing the story.
“At that moment, Lacon recalled the words of the one who had saved him for the first time. The meaning of accumulating virtue—it was this. It may sound foolish; if he hadn’t met the girl, he wouldn’t have been who he was. Some may think that way after hearing this story. However, after being saved by the girl, Lacon dedicated himself to others. As a result, he was able to come to love what he once hated—the very things he had despised. To convey this to as many people as possible, Lacon set out on a journey with his beloved wife to spread the teachings throughout his life.”
“So that’s how the Uzei Religion came to be…”
“Thanks to their efforts, in the homeland of Negesta, 80% of the population are Uzei followers. It’s the result of the hard work of those who patiently spread the teachings over a long history. Because of that, there are hardly any notable crimes committed within the nation.”
“Without punishment, yet hating sin. That belief is what has led to these results.”
“Kurinka, why are you praising me? What was the purpose of our visit then…?”
With a gesture of her index finger to her lips, I decided to remain silent. That’s right; even if I didn’t praise him, it would only provoke him.
“By severing worldly desires and distractions, one can learn to view the secular world objectively. That’s the training that takes place over there.”
What we were led to was an incredibly unusual sight. In a spacious courtyard, rows upon rows of Smooth Ones sat cross-legged, meditating.
“Is that also part of the training Ryoho was doing?”
“It can be considered the foundation of all foundations. To create pressure points, maintaining a natural posture is essential.”
“Pressure points?”
“The founder, Lacon, never sought to heal his arms that could not wield weapons. To live while bearing his sins, he pondered what he should do. The self-defense technique that requires neither strength nor unnatural postures or movements is the Tenryu-ken, which the Uzei Religion takes pride in. One day, he would flow his sins to the heavens, presenting them to the Divine Being for forgiveness. And during the cycle of reincarnation, all transgressions would vanish, giving birth to a pure soul.”
“A Divine Being?”
“Yes, while the founder is Lacon, there is a Divine Being revered at the core of the Uzei Religion. But let’s set that aside for now.”
There are pressure points in the human body, and depending on the location, striking them can render a person completely unable to lift their arms or stand. Conversely, there are also pressure points that can promote health, and it seems that the Uzei Religion utilizes these to help others. It’s one of the convenient teachings of the Uzei Religion that can be applied to both combat and assistance. That seemingly meaningless posture is the foundation of all foundations. It helps clear the mind of distractions, eliminating any unnecessary thoughts. This allows for minimal movement to be executed naturally, reducing physical exhaustion. When that happens, there’s no need to take lives unnecessarily for nutrition, and resources can be conserved by not consuming as much. The more I hear about it, the more I find myself nodding in understanding. Yet, even so, questions continue to bubble up within me. I feel like I’m on the verge of articulating them, but the words still elude me.
“Of course, to reach a level where one can be called a master like me, you would need to spend over thirty years in training. I won’t expect that much from you all, though…”
“Simple fare means tasteless cold vegetables and thin soup, right? There’s no way I could survive on that!”
Indeed, Kurinka might genuinely perish if forced to live like that. Ryoho chuckled as if teasing her.
“Hahaha! It’s understandable to think that, given how far removed it is from ordinary life. When I once fasted for ten days, it was tough, but I achieved enlightenment.”
“Ten days of fasting?”
Kurinka muttered, counting on her fingers as if trying to grasp each word. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, she shot a fierce glare at Ryoho.
“If you continue living like that, you absolutely won’t live long. I know this! There’s a set amount of essential nutrients you need to consume each day. If you keep enduring without eating, it’s only a matter of time before you collapse. Ryoho, do you really intend to spread such a lifestyle throughout the Avangarde Royal Capital?”
Ryoho bit her lower lip, and for a brief moment, I hoped she might reconsider under Kurinka’s intense gaze. But that moment passed quickly, and she switched back to a smile.
“You needn’t worry. Mastering the natural state also means being able to deflect the burdens placed on the mind and body. In other words, it allows you to release the pressure on your heart, keeping your body free from harm, thus enabling you to live a long life. Kurinka, I understand that you’re frustrated now because you can’t grasp the teachings. However, that pressure on your heart will soon dissipate. That’s what the natural state is all about.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
Kurinka, overwhelmed by the barrage of words, stomped her feet in frustration. Whether intentional or not, it felt like Ryoho was provoking her. And once she started talking, Ryoho could go on for quite a while.
“I often think how wonderful it would be if people all over the world could understand the teachings of the Uzei Religion. Uniting the world under the Uzei Religion is also my dream.”
Ryoho gazed dreamily at the scenes of many people training, like a girl lost in her fantasies. This is bad; perhaps these people are beyond our reach. At this rate, the townsfolk will really only be able to eat vegetables. No, Kurinka has already been affected. It’s not just that.
What can I do to convince her? No matter how much I ponder, the answer remains elusive. I never knew that believing in something could be so steadfast. How does one cultivate such a strong conviction? The strength to believe in something; perhaps that’s something I need as well.
“Ryoho, I have a suggestion.”
“What is it?”
Ryoho, who had intended to respond cheerfully to Kurinka, was taken aback by my sudden interjection. Perhaps the training scenes had inspired me, or maybe it was the grudge against food that prompted me. Ryoho closed her eyes and fell silent for a moment. But ultimately, she accepted it with her usual natural demeanor.
◆ Shin Report ◆
The story is long.
Summarize it briefly.
An evil man was punished by a hero but was saved.
Later, he committed evil deeds again, but this time he was saved by a girl.
He repented and got married.
Reflecting on his past misdeeds, the villain set off on a journey with the girl.
He established the Uzei Religion, and they lived happily ever after.
What a foolishly simple tale.
I’m so sleepy that drool is pooling in my equipment bag.
Oh no, this is bad.
If I lay down, they might think I wet myself again.
This new recruit doesn’t wet himself so easily like Rakon.
Unlike Rakon, Shin reflects on things in one go.
Well, even if I’m pursued, I’ll just let it flow naturally.