The 103,000 grimoires encompass nearly all worldly knowledge, rules, and wisdom. Magic, like science, is the interplay of concepts. Once understood, it ceases to be fearsome.
Once a magic's power is grasped, it rarely poses a threat.
Legends claim that mastering the 103,000 grimoires could make one a Magic God, ruler of the world.
Samuel knew this "legend" was flawed, but not entirely false.
Possessing the 103,000 grimoires grants the basic "condition" for becoming a Magic God.
But to become a being of boundless mystery, a "Magic God" at the pinnacle? Something's still missing.
What's missing? No one knows—not even the Magic Gods themselves.
Like saints in ancient tales, the 103,000 grimoires are akin to a "primordial essence," the foundation for ascension. But how to ascend?
Until that moment of "ascension," they themselves don't know.
Magic Gods are much the same.
Endless wisdom flooded Samuel's mind like an ocean, merging with his Artificial Heaven, gradually completing it.
The union of yin and yang, the act of inheritance.
It's the oldest "mystery," symbolizing the authority of the ancient earth and the rhythm of life itself.
From lofty gods to the myriad tribes roaming the land, all were born from this power.
This is the most ancient ritual, the oldest transfer, the process called "inheritance"!
Samuel had used this "ritual" before, but this time, its magnitude was entirely different.
The grimoire Ancient Tome was a small "grimoire shelf," containing knowledge of all things. Its ritual of inheritance was renowned, a legacy of wisdom from an ancient sovereign, born from humanity's primal intellect.
"Mystery" is the power of the ancient and unknown. The older it is, the greater its accumulated might.
The wisdom of the 103,000 grimoires resonated with Samuel, the grand ritual of inheritance flowing with his actions.
Kanzaki Kaori, hand over her mouth, cheeks flushed, eyes dazed, watched Samuel force a 20mm cannon round into a 7.62mm chamber.
Why was she here?
She couldn't trust Samuel not to hurt Index and insisted on supervising.
But Samuel, ever the mischief-maker, smirked, hatching an amusing plan.
"Kanzaki… help me hold Index down. I might hurt her otherwise!"
"Uh… this…"
"It's fine if you don't… I'll be as careful as I can…"
Samuel's nonchalant tone reached Kanzaki's ears. She hesitated, bit her lip, and stepped forward.
"Where…?"
"Here…"
A mountain from one angle, a peak from another—each perspective unique.
This described not Samuel's view of Kanzaki, but hers of him.
Some things seem manageable from afar, but up close, they carry an overwhelming pressure.
The guilt from before resurfaced, different this time.
Because now, Kanzaki was truly helping Samuel "bully" Index…
…
"Ngh~"
Sunlight bathed Index's face. She groggily opened her eyes.
Her head rested on something softer than a pillow… an arm.
Her stomach felt full, like she'd chugged bottles of water. Something pressed between her legs, like…!
"Aaahhh!!"
Index's scream echoed through the room.
She realized her predicament…
In Samuel's arms, her bare, delicate body without a stitch of clothing…
As a nun serving God, by church doctrine…
"I'm impure now. God will punish me… I'll go to hell."
The tale of Sodom lingered in the Bible, lust a cardinal sin.
Raised by the church, Index's goal was to atone and become an angel at God's side.
But now…
"God doesn't exist, and hell flees my gaze… Index, no need to panic. I'm right here."
Samuel's arm wrapped around her slender waist, her smooth skin sparking delight.
"It's because you're here that I'm panicking!"
Index said, exasperated.
Did she believe in God? Yes, but not fanatically.
Living alongside the 103,000 grimoires for so long, their ancient wisdom constantly whispered: "God" doesn't exist.
The wiser one becomes, the more one understands the world's mysteries, the clearer it is that "God" is a myth.
Omniscience and omnipotence are impossible powers, an impossible existence.
Rules and faith control the foolish, not the wise.
Aiwass, strictly speaking, was such a "wise" being—an atheistic angel.
Though Index was under Automatic Writing's control, she vaguely recalled what happened.
Her face flushed, she shifted away, keeping distance from Samuel.
Her feelings toward him were complex. Whatever his motives, he'd solved her problem. No more memory loss.
But her bad impression of him lingered, and last night… was complicated, too tangled to dwell on.
Her decision was simple.
Pretend yesterday never happened. Live normally, let fate decide.
But…
Samuel pulled her close, swiftly kissing her lips!
"Morning kiss, my little wife!"
…
"I'm that kind of woman, aren't I? Heh… helping someone violate my friend…"
Kanzaki curled up on the sofa, mentally unraveling.
How to put it?
This was another of Samuel's wicked games…
With a few choice words, he'd shattered the Saint's heart.
But no need to worry. As a Saint and skilled magician, she'd recover quickly.
***
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