"The world is like a grand stage. Ordinary people can't stand on it. They're merely spectators deceived by the actors."
"The spectators are ignorant, fooled by what happens on stage. But the actors themselves can't exist without the audience. Once the people in the seats disappear, the play can't go on."
"So there's a kind of supply-and-demand relationship between the spectators and the actors. And when does this shift occur? Naturally, when the actors transition from background extras to main characters."
"That's exactly what happens when someone advances from Sequence 5 to Sequence 4."
As Ren said this, he glanced at the three of them and noticed their eager expressions before continuing:
"Upon reaching Sequence 4, Beyonders gain divinity and obtain a corresponding mythological creature form. That form is a symbol, a brand, a shape that cannot be described with words. It is also the most direct manifestation of power."
"Though incomplete, it is a form with substance. The gap between Sequence 5 and Sequence 4 is like a chasm between mortals and gods. A Sequence 4 imbued with divinity cannot be touched lightly. That's the turning point. At this stage, many actors fully immerse themselves in their roles and forget their identities, abandoning the original stage."
"Still, the drama at that level isn't just some random background performance. It becomes a play in and of itself."
"Which is why the spectators are the key to helping the actors remember who they are."
Faith!?
Beyonders are the actors. The spectators are everyone else in the world.
A true god requires people to maintain their divine state. That's why this world has gods and churches.
That is the most fundamental reason for the church's existence.
"So, now you understand."
"The essence of this world is strength. If you don't want to be someone else's captive belief, if you don't want to become a rope meant only to stabilize a god, then you have to grow stronger."
"Only power can reshape this world. Any change without power is just an illusion."
After saying that, Ren turned to look at Miss Audrey, who was stunned into silence.
"So, Miss Justice, after you've yearned for power and caught a glimpse of the world's true nature, what do you think?"
For a moment, Audrey couldn't say a word.
Speechless? It was inevitable... Alger also felt his faith beginning to waver. At this moment, he found it hard to control his emotions.
He wanted to object, but couldn't find a single argument.
Because this was the truth, spoken by someone who had seen the true form of the divine.
Cruel. Real.
"I..."
Audrey opened her mouth but couldn't form a sentence. She didn't know what to say. If this was true, then wasn't the Seven Gods Church simply a system for divine captivity?
Then what were they? Just disposable resources meant to maintain a god's existence?
"Ah..."
The Fool let out a light sigh as he looked at their expressions, as if he understood what they were feeling.
Klein's gaze remained fixed on Ren.
"Don't focus on what the gods think. Focus on what they do."
The two slowly looked up after hearing that.
"Their intent might be to cultivate followers, to harvest faith and stabilize their divinity. But what's the result of their actions?"
"In the regions governed by the Seven Gods, public security has improved, and overall stability has increased. Even if there are still dark corners in the world, it's better than nothing."
"Change comes slowly. I won't deny that people in some areas are still suffering and fate seems to be mocking them. Life is bitter for many. But at least some have been saved by the church."
The dullness in their eyes gradually faded, replaced by a faint light.
Right. The two of them came from different classes and experienced different things.
If the church hadn't been cleaning up chaos all these years, perhaps the world would be even more disorderly than it already is.
There would be no structure, and Beyonders might be rampaging unchecked.
But thanks to the church's existence, even the actions of Beyonders are restricted. That gives many ordinary people a chance at survival.
"Hahaha~ Good answer."
Ren laughed and clapped, clearly satisfied.
"A gentleman is judged by his actions, not his thoughts. If you judged people solely by their hearts, you'd never find someone who's truly good."
"That saying suits the gods quite well. Even if maintaining order isn't their original intention, it's still because of their actions that order exists in your world."
"No matter the gods' intentions, the result is still the same: they've brought some semblance of order to the ordinary masses. And that's what really matters."
Having said this, Ren glanced teasingly at Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man.
"As gods, they understand this principle, but the believers they protect don't. You really need to open your eyes to this 003 world."
"Don't limit your perception to what you can see. Expand your vision. If there's something you don't understand or can't perceive, then work hard to become stronger. Only then can you change the fate of others."
"Got it?"
Audrey's face turned slightly red, a sign of shame.
It was just that, at this moment, she truly realized how narrow her perspective had been. Maybe she really did need to broaden her horizons and deepen her understanding.
Alger thought back to how he had once been bullied and manipulated.
Maybe it was really as Mr. Fool said. The Seven Gods Church's purpose might be to raise followers and tie faith to the gods' stability.
But the church had still brought a certain level of order and calm to the regions it governed.
Maybe that wasn't their intention, but the end result was that ordinary people benefited, at least somewhat.
There were still many suffering in remote areas, still without enough to eat or wear. But at least it wasn't everyone anymore.
He was one of them. Why hadn't he realized it sooner? Alger couldn't help but curse himself in his heart.
And he firmly remembered Mr. Fool's last words—
If you want to change the current world, you don't need to do anything else. Just become stronger.
(To be continued.)
***
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