(Convergence Arc – Part II)
The sun rose over the border town of Aderra — a small, peaceful place that had no idea a walking catastrophe was about to ruin its morning.
Under a tattered cloak and suspiciously glowing scarf, Sora strolled down the cobblestone road like a man who had just googled "how to be normal."
Sora: "Alright. Step one — blend in."
Minion A: "You're glowing, my Lord."
Sora: "That's charisma."
Minion B: "That's radiation."
Sora: "Same thing. The ladies love mystery."
A mother dragged her child away. A priest made the holy sign three times. A cat hissed, then fainted.
Sora tugged his hood lower. "...These mortals are so judgmental."
Minion A: "Perhaps, my Lord, you should suppress your aura?"
Sora: "I am suppressing it!"
The minion stared at the cracks forming in the ground beneath his boots.
Minion B: "Then perhaps suppress harder."
Sora inhaled deeply, clenched his fists, and — boom — the nearest water fountain erupted like divine retribution.
Children screamed. Pigeons scattered. Someone shouted, "The Demon Lord has returned!"
Sora: "...Perfect. Step two: public relations."
He marched into a tavern. The place fell silent immediately. Every eye locked on the tall, hooded man radiating what could only be described as 'apocalyptic customer energy.'
The bartender gulped. "W-what'll it be, sir?"
Sora: "Your finest mortal food. Preferably something that doesn't scream."
Bartender: "...So… bread?"
Sora nodded solemnly. "A brave choice."
While the man fetched his meal, his shadow minions hid under tables, whispering.
Minion A: "Should we… maybe stop him before he summons a religion again?"
Minion B: "Too late. He's already monologuing."
Sora (standing dramatically): "People of this humble tavern!"
The patrons froze mid-chew.
Sora: "Do not tremble before the unknown! For even in darkness—!"
Minion A (panicking): "My Lord—!"
Sora: "—There shines… the faint light of free bread!"
The bartender awkwardly handed him a loaf. "Uh… here."
The crowd erupted. Someone shouted, "He blessed the bread!" Another dropped to their knees. "A miracle!"
Within minutes, half the tavern was chanting prayers to "The Holy Fool of Shadows."
Minion B: "Congratulations, my Lord. You've invented a new religion."
Sora: "...What?"
Minion A: "You blessed carbs, my Lord."
Sora: "That's not how divinity works!"
Minion A: "It is now."
He turned to see candles lit, people kneeling, and one elderly man trying to offer him his cow in devotion.
Sora: "No! Keep your cow! I don't even drink milk!"
Dorte, sitting quietly in the corner, watched it all unfold — expression unreadable. His cloak was worn, his eyes sharp. A mercenary, or perhaps something else entirely.
Dorte (quietly to himself): "So that's him… the 'Calamity King' they all fear? He looks like he's losing an argument with bread."
He sipped his drink, smirking.
Sora, meanwhile, tried desperately to escape the growing crowd.
Sora: "Stop bowing! I'm not holy! I'm unemployed!"
Woman: "His humility proves his sainthood!"
Man: "He denies his divinity! Just like the prophecies!"
Sora: "What prophecies?! I just wanted breakfast!"
Outside, the scene had already attracted guards, priests, and one overenthusiastic bard writing songs titled 'The Fool Who Fed the Masses.'
Sora stormed out, clutching his loaf of "divine bread."
Sora: "Alright, new plan. We run."
Minion A: "And the cult?"
Sora: "Leave it. Maybe they'll worship gluten instead."
They bolted down the street as chants echoed behind them — "Praise the Shadow Saint!" "He feeds both body and soul!"
Sora: "...I hate this timeline."
Dorte followed from a distance, amused.
Dorte: "He doesn't even realize it. Every step he takes bends the world around him. No wonder even the heavens are confused."
He adjusted his cloak, eyes gleaming faintly red.
Dorte: "This should be fun."
Sora and his minions finally ducked into an alley, panting.
Sora: "Okay… step three: disguise upgrade. Ideas?"
Minion A: "What about pretending to be a wandering scholar?"
Sora: "I can't read."
Minion B: "A traveling merchant?"
Sora: "I'll eat my stock."
Minion A: "...A fool?"
Sora paused. "That's actually not bad."
He pulled his hood lower, smirked, and said with complete conviction:
Sora: "From this day forth, I shall be known as… The Holy Fool."
Minion B: "You just named yourself after the cult."
Sora: "Brand synergy."
Somewhere behind them, church bells rang. A new rumor had just reached the town square:
> "The Holy Fool walks among us — the shadow saint of miracles!"
Sora stared blankly at the sky.
Sora: "...I swear, I didn't do anything."
Minion A: "That's the problem, my Lord. You exist."
Sora: "...I miss the mud pit."
The wind shifted. The faint scent of incense carried from the north — the Radiant Church, moving again. And somewhere, Seraphine's golden eyes narrowed, sensing something.
But for now…
Sora tore a chunk of bread and muttered:
Sora: "If the gods are laughing… I hope they choke on it."