Chapter 39: A Toast to a Merciful World

"Detective Schade Hamilton."

Schade introduced himself as he shook the old man's hand.

"Bill has already told me about you. It is your good fortune to join us, just as it is ours," the old man said with a cheerful smile. Schade noticed a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket on the coffee table. It must have been prepared by Dr. Schneider, as Father August's financial situation appeared to be only slightly better than his own.

Father August was a Ring-術士 of the Second Ring within their group, having become a correspondence-course Ring-術士 three years ago.

He was not a native of Tobesk, but hailed from a small town in the south of the Delarion Kingdom. Influenced by his family, he had been a devout follower of the deity, Mr. Dawn, since his youth. In his early adulthood, he passed the exams for the Dawn Seminary in Tobesk and joined the local Dawn Cathedral at the age of twenty-three. He had remained unmarried and dedicated his entire life to the church ever since.

Although thirty years had passed, Father August had not advanced further than his priestly status for various reasons. Yet, no one doubted his piety. The old priest held significant prestige within his parish and was deeply trusted by the clergy and followers of the Dawn Church. Even the Archbishop of a major diocese like Tobesk would often seek his counsel on important matters.

Due to the awkward relationship between correspondence-course Ring-術士 and the orthodox churches, Schade would often need to conceal his identity from the church in the future. Father August was the best person in the group to handle church-related affairs and navigate such complications.

Despite his advanced age and mediocre talent as a Ring-術士, he was an indispensable member of the five-person team.

As a gesture of mutual trust, Father August and Schade showed each other their spirit rings. The priest was an exception to the rule, though not in the way Miss Louisa was with her three spirit runes; he possessed only one core spirit rune: "Glimmer."

Father August's background and core rune were perfectly suited for the "School of Theology" at St. Byrons Comprehensive College. However, he had not joined that department, choosing instead to join the School of Chemistry, where he excelled in the cultivation and harvesting of herbs and the concoction of potions.

Schade had now met another member of the five-person group. As for the two who were absent, Dorothea Louisa, the writer from the School of Folklore, would likely arrive later, while the other Third Ring-術士, Luvia Anatt, could not come today as she was temporarily away from Tobesk on business.

"Miss Anatt is actually quite different from the rest of us. Strictly speaking, she is a Ring-術士 belonging to the 'Prophets Association.' She wrote to us, asking us to convey her greetings. She should be back next month—though, in truth, that is only a few days away, just next week."

The doctor continued to introduce the group, gesturing for Schade, who had finished shaking hands, to find a seat.

"Since she belongs to our group, is that lady not a correspondence student of St. Byrons?" Schade asked, puzzled, as he sat opposite Dr. Schneider.

While Father August had a church background, he was enrolled in the college's adult education program, making him a correspondence student. Miss Anatt, however, was clearly different.

"No, she is also considered a correspondence student of the college, belonging to the School of Astronomy, and she is highly skilled in the art of divination. As for why she holds dual affiliations, are you familiar with 'joint cultivation'?"

The doctor asked. Schade, who had been merely confused when he first heard about the lady, was now genuinely surprised. He reaffirmed to himself that the organization he had joined was truly a school.

"She belongs to the 'Prophets Association,' but she receives training from both sides. In fact, St. Byrons Comprehensive College has such joint cultivation programs with many friendly organizations, including the Zalas School of Literature and the Sexes Higher Institute of Medicine—though not with the churches. You will learn more about this later."

"But do not harbor any preconceptions about Miss Anatt because of her background; just treat her as an ordinary companion. Would you like some tea? I had some of that excellent black tea at your place last time, so I had my servant buy some."

The doctor asked. Schade thought for a moment.

"Yes, thank you... So, in reality, is Miss Luvia Anatt just like us?"

"There are still differences."

Father August said, fiddling with his old pipe. Naturally, he would not smoke inside the clinic; it was merely a habitual gesture.

"Beyond the knowledge she gains at the college, the 'Prophets Association' also provides her with many conveniences. She is highly regarded by the Ring-術士 of the association. So, relatively speaking..."

The priest glanced at the doctor. The doctor shook his head nonchalantly, signaling for the gray-haired old priest to continue.

"Although she is only of the Third Ring—just one ring higher than me—even the doctor is not certain he could defeat her in a non-confrontational setting. Of course, this is also because the abilities of Schneider and Louisa are not suited for direct combat."

Father August believed that while Ring-術士 possessed power, the profession was meant for studying the world and delving into one's own inner self, not for fighting and killing. In the old man's eyes, a Ring-術士 was more of a scholar than a mercenary.

He shared a similar philosophy with the doctor: after becoming a correspondence-course Ring-術士, one should not indulge their inner desires simply because they had gained power, but should instead remain humble and cautious.

In other words, the two were subtly reminding Schade to be careful and not to involve himself in matters that did not concern him. Patiently reading books, engraving spirit runes to accumulate spirit, studying the notes of predecessors, and learning more sorcery and incantations—this was the proper life of a correspondence-course Ring-術士.

Schade suspected that the doctor had already told Father August about his encounter the day before. The priest was likely worried that Schade, having suddenly gained power through the remnants of an Old God, might crave similar adventures to acquire more strength.

Father August was truly a kind man.

"Come to think of it, I am actually quite curious about one thing."

Since the topic of Ring-術士 and violence had been raised, Schade asked:

"Since a Ring-術士 gathers elements within themselves, and even possesses spirit runes engraved due to these elements, is it possible to obtain another's power by killing them? For instance, their spirit runes, their dispersed elements, or having their essence transform into some kind of artifact?"

"Oh, that is a terrifying thought."

The gray-haired old priest shook his head, clutching the holy emblem on his chest as he closed his eyes in prayer. The doctor shook his head solemnly, his blue eyes scrutinizing Schade.

"Schade, I do not know where you got such a horrifying idea. But if you kill a Ring-術士 who has nothing to do with you, all you will gain is a corpse and a sense of guilt that will haunt you for the rest of your life."

"From Delarion to Karsinrik, from the Old World to the New, from steam-powered industrial cities like ours to dark, rural graveyards—Ring-術士 can appear almost anywhere. But remember, this is an age of civilization, not a dark forest where the weak are prey to the strong. If someone attacks you, you may retaliate, but do not kill for pure profit. It will only make you more likely to lose control."

Schade realized his words were inappropriate; his curiosity had stemmed only from the fantasy stories he had read in the past. The outlander had no desire to gain power through murder; he was merely worried that others might do so.

"My apologies. I was merely curious. Yes, such a world would be too terrifying... as if people could live by eating each other."

Father August, still clutching his holy emblem, looked at Schade. His gaze was not as stern as the doctor's; the crinkles at the corners of his eyes held a softness.

"Although our world is strange and terrifying, crawling with countless evil entities, with relics of past eras scattered everywhere, and with dangerous, cryptic knowledge that constantly challenges the limits of a normal person's sanity; although evil gods walk the earth peering at humanity, and abyssal monsters hide beneath the oceans of the New and Old Worlds—we are still grateful for the world's existence. Come, gentlemen, a toast to this merciful world."

The old man was moved by his own words and raised his teacup. The doctor nodded with satisfaction and raised his own, and Schade smiled. No matter how bad his circumstances had been since arriving here, it was as if the world was compensating him by sending such wonderful friends his way.

"To this merciful world."

The three of them said in unison, and the outlander's smile was genuine.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. The blonde writer, who had burst in without knocking, had not heard the preceding conversation. As she opened the door, she saw three men holding their cups high—one with a look of sanctity, one with a solemn expression, and one with a hint of a smile.

Miss Louisa looked at the men with hesitation, wondering if she should withdraw.

"What... were you just doing?"