Faith Life of a Former Scammer

076. [Revision] Elf user manual

Before returning, Leon had witnessed an amazing scene.

“When the fight is over~ I will go back to where my family is~.”

Songs of singers comforting soldiers tired from a long war, and dancers dancing to the songs.

It was a ‘comfort performance’ introduced by the commander to keep morale dropping.

‘That was an amazing sight.’

dancing and singing. They comforted the soldiers and created a resting place on the battlefield with these mere games.

‘A few ordinary people created an atmosphere that can only be created when a superhuman of the level of a swordsman comes.’

It was as effective as a superman through dancing and singing.

Then Leon realized.

‘What if I could use this elsewhere?’

It’s just singing and dancing, but I thought there were infinite ways to use it.

Then I remembered the idol plan.

‘Of course, after the consolation performance, that thought disappeared completely.’

Did they go back happily after the consolation performance?

Not at all.

‘The nobles were the problem.’

When the night came after the performance.

They had to perform another consolation performance only for nobles.

‘At that time, the idol plan was neatly folded.’

There was even an excuse to cover up the dirty parts of Flint, the mage lord, ‘work for the world’.

One mistake was enough.

‘The situation is completely different now.’

But now it was different from before the return. They had the power and the means to keep IDOL out of the hands of the nobles.

‘That’s the story after persuading the elf, too.’

That wasn’t the problem now.

It was about how to cheat the elves and make them idols themselves.

While Rion was organizing her thoughts, the elves also found an answer to Rion’s question.

“If it’s an idol… … Are you referring to idolatry on the witchcraft side? I don’t know exactly. It is a very ancient method.”

It was the answer that the 20 elves found with their collective intelligence.

‘Oh, are you okay?’

idolatry. It was as good information as the materials Leon had brought to convince the elves.

Lyon replied as if it was okay.

“As expected, they are elves. You know. That’s right.”

“Are you looking for a new spell? If you need our strength, just speak.”

The guardian said the words, but everyone looked at Leone, as if the other elves had the same idea.

“This is not the story I told you in that sense. The reason I brought out idols now is for the elves.”

“You mean for us?”

What was so surprising, she asked in surprise.

“That’s right. Since I have brought you to the earth, I must of course help you live on earth.”

“Lee, Leone.”

Is this what it feels like to soak an elf in emotion? That was exactly what the guardians looked like.

Being so moved, it was rather embarrassing to Leon.

“First, let me ask you. How did you plan to live on earth?”

Leon went straight to the point.

“I plan to attend the World Tree planted here for the rest of my life.”

“We are looking for such a Guardian!”

It seems that I did not understand the intent of the question correctly.

“Rather than that, I asked about plans for how to live in the human world and how elves can prosper.”

I wished I hadn’t built it at all, but the Guardian wasn’t that stupid.

“I have a plan in place.”

“Can I hear what your plan is?”

“I met the mother of the spirit clan, the ruler of the city.”

It seemed like she was talking to her grandmother.

“I was thinking of joining the city temporarily in connection with the Soul Clan until the World Tree takes root and grows up.”

A position that is temporarily attached to a city and helps with work. It wasn’t a bad decision.

“That’s a good idea, but it’s too survival-focused.”

It wasn’t a lie.

“When they parted ways with the spirit clan, the only thing left for the elves would be ‘World Tree’.”

It was difficult to grow power, and it was difficult to grow power on its own.

“If you look further, in the long run, there will definitely come a moment when you regret this decision.”

It wasn’t because the elves were stupid that they made this decision. They have just come to earth.

‘In fact, if it’s amazing just to make a plan like this, it’s amazing.’

The Guardian’s expression turned sullen.

“I understand that you have made this decision. It must have been a plan that made the most of what was available.”

Little by little, her sullen expression began to revive.

“But now I am. The plan can be better if you use me.”

“Utilizing it, absolutely not. We can only help!”

Suddenly, her face brightened.

“Idols! This is your future plan that I have brought to you. Would you like to listen?”

“yes!”

If you put Hogu in the seat, half of the morale is successful.

* * *

“Do you know exactly what idolatry is?”

At Leon’s words, the elves shook their heads. There was no way that ‘idolatry’, which was used only in ancient magic, would remain.

‘It’s a reinterpretation.’

So it was okay to transform Rion as much as she wanted.

“I don’t know exactly. But one thing is for sure. The reason this idolatry is still passed on is because it worked.”

At Leon’s words, the elves nodded.

It’s a technology that is now forgotten, but that it was still handed down meant that it wasn’t just a shamanic act.

“Idolatry. There are still places where this remains. Do you know where it is?”

“… … Are there still places left?”

The reason why Leon heard the elf’s words and immediately used them as ingredients was because he had often seen stories related to idolatry.

“Yes. Idolatry is strictly forbidden in the church.”

“At the church?”

She tilted her head, not understanding.

“You’d be surprised to hear that idolatry is being banned in the most prevalent places.”

“… … sorry.”

She apologized, wondering if she had offended her, but Leone shook her head.

“no. Rather, you should consider why this idolatry was banned. Why? In our denomination, we are told not to worship idols related to the ‘devil’.”

The reason for banning idol worship is simple. One idol (symbol) has the power to gather people.

That is why it is forbidden in the church.

“The reason is simple.”

Of course, Leon’s reason to tell the elves wasn’t the truth.

“Idolatry is human because it gathers people… … .”

She gave the correct answer, but Leon cut it off.

“There are reasons for that, but the real reason is different. Because idolatry gives power to what is worshiped.”

“… … Yes?”

She looked a little bewildered.

It was a natural reaction.

It is nonsense to give power to idol worshipers.

But what Leon was trying to say wasn’t the truth. It was a plausible scam.

“You can’t find anything far away. The reason why there are so many statues of gods standing in the church.”

“Why all denominations are extremely wary of idolatry.”

“The reason why we can use power just by worshiping and worshiping a god.”

Plausible bullshit turns into the truth.

“Even the World Tree nearby can be regarded as idolatry. The more the elves worship, the bigger the World Tree grows.”

After citing the example of the world tree, the expressions of the elves gathered in the room changed.

“Idolatry has not disappeared. It permeates us so that we can use it even without magic, divine power, or magic.”

Leon hardened his expression and added his last words.

“This is a hidden story from the world. If you weren’t an angel… … This story should be heard here and forgotten.”

Lastly, when he mentioned angels and asked to keep them secret, the elves’ expressions hardened as well.

“I promise. We elves will never break a promise.”

If you don’t believe it, that’s even more amazing.

Leon nodded and continued his explanation.

“In order for the World Tree to quickly take root in this land, you must worship idols.”

“Will the worship of humans, not elves, help?”

It was a sharp question, but it was okay. The relationship between ‘elves and the World Tree’ was like ‘a priest and a god’.

There is something unconditional about this side.

“I heard that the World Tree is the one who embraces everyone on the earth. Would the World Tree hate human worship?”

“… … It was an imprudent question.”

The moment they refute, the god they serve becomes intolerant.

This is an irrefutable question!

“But there is a major problem with this plan.”

“The denominations forbade idolatry. Is that the story?”

Leon nodded.

“That’s right. The Cult of the Dawn is rather benign. If you don’t, you might end up on a demon hunt.”

“then!”

Leon quietly suggested a solution.

“Of course, there is no way. All you have to do is join the church.”

“… … Yes? Are we in the church?”

“If you belong to the church, all problems will be solved. The idolatry promoted by the denomination becomes faith.”

She made a confused expression.

“Of course, I am not saying that you should really enter the church. I’ll make a faction. You belong to it, but you become independent.”

It seems that it was different from what she thought, and she started to show interest little by little.

“It is the Empire and the Church that divide the continent into two. If you belong to the Order, hunting elves like before will never happen.”

“Besides, sects can incorporate unique doctrines. If you put in clauses like ‘no marriage and maintaining chastity’, you can block other human access as well.”

“You can tell just by looking at me how safe the priest is on the continent. This is why I can travel without worry.”

A church can be both a safe fence and a safety device.

“As long as believers gather, it is possible for the World Tree to be worshiped.”

“Guardian-sama knows that rapid growth also leads to rapid expansion of elves.”

“Since sects can also be independent from the main church, they can become independent while preserving their power.”

With the growth of the world tree and the subsequent requirements for independence, this was an offer that could not be refused.

It wasn’t without problems though.

“We really appreciate Leon’s offer, but as priests, there’s nothing we can do.”

Since they couldn’t use divine power, the elves couldn’t be considered priests.

But Leon was waiting for this question only.

“You don’t have to use divine power to become a priest.”

“Yes?”

Finally, it was time to talk about the real purpose.

“I heard that elves are good at dancing and singing.”

“That’s right.”

“That is enough.”

“Yes?”

“The idol (IDOL) I was talking about is not real idolatry. It means an existence that induces idolatry.”

IDOL.

A being that induces idolatry.

“Your dancing and singing will be of great help to the World Tree.”

You have to grow the world tree.

‘It’s not even close to the real world tree, but it’s only about branches.’

I couldn’t do anything wrong with the real world tree, but the branches of the world tree I brought to plant had a ‘membership registration’ hanging.

Leon said to the elves.

“everyone. Become an Idol! dancing! I will sing!”

* * *

the next morning.

“I will start this morning with a song! These are the people the parish priest recruited with difficulty!”

The city opened the morning with a song.

“Listen. The sound of their singing!”

Elf debuted.