The Brutal World of Gods, Demons and a Fallen Hero

A Glimse of Truth

Nathaniel and Sara were slowly walking back towards the camp. Nate used the opportunity to pry for more information.

"The emperor was obviously tricked. My guess is that the church was initially collaborating with the empire about how to deal with me but that changed. Is my potential also the reason?"

"Who knows"

"Then why take me with you in the first place? To kill goblins? What all of that even achieves?"

"You'll see"

"And the person who ordered you, was it Cornelius?"

"..."

"So, it was him"

'The always nice, friendly priest turns out to be a sly fox. You really can't tell what people think by just looking at the surface'

The pair could already see the campfires being short distance from them but Sara seemingly irritated stopped going forward and Nate noticing this also stopped.

"Tsk... you just want to know everything don't you? Well, let me tell you this politics are simply complicated and not worth thinking too much about"

"That I understand but I still want to know at least what is going on around me"

"Ugh... Fine! Then let's start with the fact that this continent is practically split into six factions that compete with each other for influence, three belonging to the church and the three belonging to the secular empires. The Valencian Empire is one of the secular empires and the Church of Light is one of the three main churches and the two occupy the western side of the continent. Technically speaking they are allied and the church is the head religion of the empire. They often collaborate with each other to fight off other empires and their churches but internally they also compete for the influence over the empire. Similar situation is ongoing in the other empires as well"

Nathaniel finally got to learn a bit about how this world operated and was listening with great care as to what Sara was saying but seemed confused about something.

"If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to cut off churches all together? They help the empires but seem too keen on controlling them. Couldn't the three empires collude with each other and split the continent between them?"

Sara looked at Nate like someone would look at a complete idiot but seemed to have remembered something and simply shook her head.

"And who told you that they would have the power to do so? My church of purity would be far more than enough to wipe all of them out, not to mention that we are just an affiliated church under the church of light"

Nate was shocked.

'So, this world is truly run by theocracy. I am really surprised with the power the churches possess... but how can that be?'

"Forgive me but I can't quite believe that. How can the churches possess such power?"

"You simply know too little. The empires are nothing more than a local power on a small continent. I am not sure if you know but there are thirteen continents in total. The largest one is at least ten times the size of this one and two continents are fully under churches control not to mention they are present on all of them"

'What!? Does that mean they are basically super powers and no one can rival them?'

"This... is there no other powers that can rival them then?"

"Of course there are. The world is a large place and there are a lot of powerful organizations and countries but if you ask anyone who holds the most power and influence in the world that would be undisputedly the churches. Gods run them after all"

'Gods!? Like actual gods? Physically?'

"Forgive me but I must ask. Are the gods real?"

Sara seemed confused by the question and answered in a weird tone.

"Yes...? Why wouldn't they be real? I even seen my goddess once..."

'So, the gods are real in this world!? No, maybe they are just a bit different from what I was thinking. Perhaps they are just powerful beings that mastered the laws of the world, like the ones I read about in the cultivation novels?'

Nathaniel was intrigued by what he learned but decided to change back to the main topic and focus on the issue at hand.

"Anyway, from what I understood the churches run the world and the Valencian empire is pretty much insignificant in comparison and I should listen to the church. Am I correct?"

"Yes, you are"

Sara seemed pleased with the summary Nate presented and gently smiled.

"Then..."

Nathaniel smiled widely but clear irritation could be seen in his expression.

"In the end I didn't get any answers to my most important questions... why the f*ck are we here to kill goblins? They are no threat at all... and why am I with you?"

"Tsk... why this. Why that..."

Sara seemed to be a little irritated by the constant questions.

"Why am I with you? Because I am the most powerful person in the capitol the church could deploy and why kill goblins?"

She smiled wickedly and continued after a short pause.

"I don't like them so I want to kill them is all. I hope you won't show any sympathy to those rats just because they appear a little intelligent"

Nate was once again reminded that the beautiful woman next to him was bats*it insane. Strangely though he smiled and a glint of madness could be seen in his eyes as well.

"Why should I do something so annoying as to show them sympathy?"

"Oh?"

After this exchange they decided to stop talking and finally entered their camp. Nate finally got to sleep after a long day but before he truly fell asleep, he had last, interesting thought.

'In this world I will live for myself and myself only. Whether be it the church, the empire or anyone else I won't be answering to no one and if they really want to force my hand, I will destroy them no matter what'