I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 581 'God' is a hoax
"Just... an ordinary prayer?"

"Yes, sir."

After the crowd dispersed, the FBI agent immediately reported to his superiors via encrypted phone: however, both the agent and his superiors were completely baffled.

Staying up all night just to get a group of people to pray to 'the Lord'?
Well, that leader has gone mad.

Everything is normal.

How dare someone call themselves 'the Lord'? What else could it be but madness?
In this extraordinary and turbulent era, madmen are everywhere. Every day, the FBI receives a bunch of messages from people claiming to have received 'divine revelation', 'divine favor', or even claiming to be 'gods' themselves; in the end, they all turn out to be just a bunch of madmen who couldn't accept reality and went insane.

On the contrary, the more powerful the extraordinary beings are, the less they dare to utter arrogant words: all indications suggest that it is hard to say whether the Lord exists or not, but the 'Father in the Sea' has just faced a supernova.

This 'Akatsuki' organization seems normal enough, but it's not incomprehensible that its leader is ambitious and calls himself a god.

wrong,

This does not conform to the models established by psychologists.

The FBI director held the phone in one hand and reviewed intelligence reports in the other.

According to the intelligence they gathered, the Akatsuki organization had a diverse membership, including those who genuinely helped ordinary people, those who were indifferent to anything, and even those who clearly showed disgust towards ordinary people.
But there was one thing: they were all extremely loyal to that leader, the 'Master,' to the point that one might suspect they were under a mind spell.

After having the mages of the 'Veteran Guild' secretly confirm that these people were not 'mind-controlled', the American leadership could only conclude that these people were true fanatics!
The leader they worshipped was a noble person in both his words and deeds.

What does tonight's 'prayer' mean?
Perhaps that leader really was
"Sir, sir?"

The voice on the phone brought the FBI supervisor back to his senses;

"Okay, that's settled—you continue to lie low and keep watch, and report back to me if anything comes up."

"Yes, sir."

Back in his FBI headquarters office in Washington, after hanging up the phone, the FBI director lowered his head in deep thought, the eerie prayer echoing in his mind. Eventually, he became so restless that he simply stood up.

For security and rapid response, the FBI headquarters, the Pentagon, and the Veterans Association are all located in the same area.

If it weren't for the immense symbolic significance of the 'White House,' even the White House itself would be crammed here.

So when this supervisor knocked on the door of his own bureau chief's office and reported the situation to the newly appointed bureau chief, the bureau chief couldn't help but frown. Finally, feeling uneasy, he got up and went elsewhere.

"The leader of that 'Akatsuki' organization calls himself 'Lord',"

The head of the Secret Service, a blond young man with brown sunglasses, dressed in luxurious clothes, and looking like a dashing young nobleman, Awenche, put down his coffee.

This Secret Service director once saved the president's life and is a true confidant; at the same time, he is also a Level 5 member of the 'Veterans Guild', codenamed 'Gambler'.

"So you, the FBI, suspect that he really is 'that person' walking among humans?"

"Yes, sir."

The FBI director nodded.
"Intellectually, I know the probability is very low; but emotionally, I hope it is."

The FBI, who were investigating this 'fake Akatsuki,' knew them very well: without a doubt, the leader was a 'good person.' If such a person was the 'master,' it might not be such a bad thing.

"I understand, what a pity—"

"Unfortunately, our 'Veteran Guild' recently acquired a secret manual."

The room contained not only the director of the Secret Service, but also another level 5 member of the 'Veteran Guild': a mage!

Because the FBI director is not a 'veteran,' there are some things he cannot say outright; but as long as the space is not mentioned, it's fine. The Nightmare Space does not restrict their powers or tools, and the space doesn't care unless they intentionally want to reveal its existence.

The magician took a sip of his coffee. "Even the director of the FBI has the right to know these 'secrets'," he thought.

"The existence of that 'master' is nothing but a shocking hoax!"

"Yahweh was not born a god."

"No, strictly speaking, Yahweh is a man, not a god."

???

"What do you mean?"

The FBI director was taken aback. That person was the most widely worshipped 'god' in the world. Well, he used to be the most widely worshipped 'god'; this level 5 member of the Veteran Guild actually said he was a human?
How dare he!

"That's right,"

The head of the Secret Service, 'Gambler' Avenche, took over the conversation.

"The secret text we recently acquired is called the Gospel of Judas."

The mission worlds in Nightmare Space are not without clues; they must be filled with human history and legends: for example, the 'Grand Duke of Vampires' Dracula that Fiora and his companions encountered, or someone who participated in the 'Battle of Thermopylae' and fought alongside 300 Spartan warriors against Xerxes' undead army.
Others were thrown into ancient Egypt, where priests could summon monsters from stone tablets and command them to fight each other in what was known as 'dark gladiatorial combat'.
While resisting the Burning Legion was their job, the weekly 'Nightmare Quest' continued uninterrupted. So, someone brought out a secret manual from the quest space, and after its interpretation, it caused a huge uproar among the veterans.

"The Gospel of Judas? That's not it."

The FBI director was taken aback; he naturally knew this book.

Judas was not a traitor.

Everything he did was at Yahweh's behest;
In order for his 'lord' to ascend to the throne of God, all sins are to be borne by him.

"Is this secret manual authentic?"

After a long pause, the FBI director spoke in a dry voice.

"It's very likely true."

"Gambler" Awenche gritted his teeth and uttered some outrageous words.

"The reason is: so far, that 'Lord' has not appeared, because there is no such deity as Lord!"

“That’s not surprising,”

The 'magician' drinking coffee next to him looked completely calm.
"The so-called 'gods' are nothing more than more powerful beings; with enough knowledge, we magicians can do everything that gods can do!"

Such a statement is indeed very much in line with the identity of a 'magician'; this profession is that of a 'scientist' in the extraordinary era.

The belief is that power is gained through research.

With the knowledge and magic they obtained from the Nightmare Space, combined with modern science and technology, the magicians created many new things: such as colossi and aerial fortresses. In the magicians' view, even gods could reach such places by accumulating knowledge.

"Two thousand years ago, a powerful superhuman believed that the existence of gods was a mistake."

Only someone like a 'magician' would dare to say such a thing.

"So he performed miracles everywhere, traveling with his twelve disciples and attracting more and more people to follow him."

The priests under God were naturally very wary of such a person; so they bribed one of his disciples to arrest him and nail him to the cross.

"All of this was nothing more than that person's scheme."

Faced with the stunned FBI director, the magician calmly revealed the 'truth' they had recently declassified.

"To come back from the dead is a miracle!"

Even in a world of the extraordinary, the ability to resurrect oneself is a terrifying power.

The man who was nailed to the cross was resurrected three days later.

From then on, his name spread far and wide; and gradually became the mainstream belief.

"You cannot have any other gods besides me."

The Secret Service director picked up the conversation, and the man made no attempt to conceal his goal:

"With the power of faith, he will drive all the 'gods' off this planet!"

"Judging from the results, he accomplished half of his goal."

The magician thought it was understandable; after all, if a god was displeased, it could destroy the world or inflict a curse. It was normal for someone to want to rebel, and he actually did.

"This world did indeed begin a thousand years ago, gradually losing its gods and demons: at the cost of the world's shattering."

It was this very person who started the war of the gods!
As for the 'Lord of All Armies' who rallied faith, ascended to the throne, and defeated countless gods and demons, it seems he ultimately fell.

To be beaten to death by a group of gods is a glorious defeat.

Yes, that's their speculation.
"Is that so?"

The FBI director was momentarily speechless.

He was just there to report on his work, but he never expected to hear such a terrifying secret: although nothing seemed to have changed.
"Um?!"

Just then, the magician's eyes sharpened.

Suddenly, magical symbols lit up on his mage robes, replacing the 'casting gestures';
"Brain Occupation!"

As the 'magician' raised his hand, an invisible beam of light shot out and struck the FBI director between the eyebrows.

?

They got away.

The magician, who stood up after casting the spell, had an unpleasant expression.

“Mr. Magician,”

Is there something wrong with me?

The FBI director, being the director, didn't yell or shout, but reacted immediately.

"Yes,"

The magician rubbed his temples in annoyance.
Because this body is a clone, it lacks its former strength; which is why he only just now noticed a faint spiritual power in the FBI Director's brain!

"You've been affected by mind magic. Our conversation may have been overheard."

???

"how come--"

The FBI director opened his mouth to refute, but ultimately chose to believe the 'magician's' authority.

He was a C-level superhuman, yet he was hit without anyone noticing?
"calm,"

'Gambler' Awinche raised his hand, signaling the FBI director to calm down.

"The ability to penetrate your mind indicates that the other party is extremely powerful or skilled in mental magic."

"It's a good thing for us to be exposed now."

With the diversity of the 'Veteran Guilds', knowing about them will allow you to cope with them.

As for the conversation just now?
It's just a legendary secret. So what if the subject is that 'Lord of Ten Thousand Armies'?

Does the fall of the Lord of Armies have any impact on their current situation?
No!

That's equivalent to it not existing!
"Mage, please do me a favor and thoroughly investigate whether anyone else has been affected by mind magic."

"No problem, you can cover the cost of the spellcasting materials."

".good."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"So that's how it is?"

Luigi, sitting in the church, withdrew his hand from his temple.

It was he who attached his consciousness to that FBI agent; then, following the clues, he secretly influenced the FBI director, causing him to report to the director. Given Luigi's personality, he had no intention of harming the FBI.

He just wanted to confirm the government's attitude towards them: Luigi himself didn't care, but he also had to consider the people who followed him.

Then I heard such a shocking secret!

Not to mention the FBI director, even Luigi was so shocked that he suffered a mental breakdown.
That's when the 'magician' noticed them, and they almost got caught and tracked down.

"I never imagined that person would have such a grand ambition,"

Drive out all gods and demons!
By constantly performing miracles, and even at the cost of his own death, he pushed people's faith in him to its peak: and then with this power, he attempted to knock all the gods and demons down from the clouds.

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.

Luigi murmured to himself, "So that's how it is. No wonder the 'master' hasn't made a move yet; he's long gone."

"This road is practically covered in thorns."

However, that person stepped onto it!
Then he might as well take a walk!
The ability to travel through dreams means that Luigi can infiltrate almost any place and read other people's memories through dreams.

So he quickly discovered many shadowy figures operating in the shadows and began to formulate his own plans.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Tsk, day after day,"

"It's a real headache for me to come up with so many 'stories'."

In Tokyo, in the principal's office of the Jujutsu High School, Yu couldn't help but rub his temples.

The Gospel of Judas, the plot to destroy God, and the solitary path he walked were all fabrications of his! Even this extraordinary era was orchestrated by him.

As a competent mastermind, Yu still tried his best to cover everything up: Why hasn't Yahweh shown up even now that things are like this?

It's simple, because Yahweh has already been killed!

What about the other gods?
They were defeated by Yahweh, who was trying to create a 'world belonging to humans'!

Of course, most of those who fell were minor gods or wild gods; the true gods still dwell high in the clouds, dreaming for ten thousand years.

Believe it or not, that's how Yu arranged it: with the 'unearthing' of various ancient texts, people have to believe it whether they want to or not, otherwise it wouldn't make sense.

"Headache, headache~~"

Let's check on how Hina and Ichika are doing in 'The King of Fighters World'.

(End of this chapter)