Chapter 41: Rebecca’s Insights
The dwarf alchemist, Horst, readily agreed to Rebecca’s request, his voice booming with his characteristic boisterousness. “Ah, no problem! I’ve copied the entire formula from the stone tablet. I even have a translation if you need it. But first, tell me, what do you think about this potion that can store Divine Grace?”
Rebecca considered his question carefully, then replied, “I believe it has both advantages and disadvantages. The benefits are obvious. Divine power is far more potent than magic. I’m sure everyone here understands that. If we could store Divine Grace in potions like we do with magic, it would revolutionize alchemy.”
Horst, pleased with her answer, nodded, his eyes twinkling.
“But…” Rebecca continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “Are there only benefits? I don’t think so. If we blindly pursue this formula, gathering those rare ingredients and brewing this potion, we might unleash something dangerous, something we can’t control.”
Horst waved his hand dismissively. “That’s not a problem. We’re the most skilled alchemists on the continent. We have the influence and the resources to acquire a healing spell from a Church Divine Arts user without revealing our true intentions. No one has tried it before, but I’m sure, within the vast ranks of the Church, there are a few Divine Arts users who wouldn’t report everything to their superiors.”
The elderly woman beside him immediately objected. “They might be willing to keep quiet about minor transgressions for a small fee, but this potion is no small matter. I doubt any Divine Arts user would be foolish enough to keep a secret of this magnitude…”
“That’s not the issue,” Rebecca said. “The issue isn’t the Church, but the entity they serve—the Nine Gods.”
Horst and the elderly woman, about to resume their argument, stopped and turned to face her.
“We don’t know how the Nine Gods view this potion,” Rebecca said, her voice firm. “The Nine Gods worshipped by the people of this continent aren’t just figments of imagination, deities invented by primitive humans based on natural phenomena. They are real entities residing in the Divine Realm. We must understand that the Divine Arts used by the Church’s practitioners aren’t their own power, but a privilege bestowed upon them by the Nine Gods. We don’t know if this potion is considered acceptable or blasphemous in their eyes.”
The room fell silent. They had been focused on the potential benefits of this potion, debating the Church’s reaction, but no one had considered the Nine Gods.
Abyss, observing their discussion, understood their oversight. It wasn’t arrogance, but the fact that the Nine Gods rarely interfered in mortal affairs. They usually communicated through vague pronouncements, relying on the Church to interpret and enforce their will. This made the alchemists subconsciously dismiss the Nine Gods as a potential obstacle.
What was the Nine Gods’ stance on storing Divine Grace? Abyss didn’t know the answer, but he could make an educated guess.
These nine deities, detached from worldly desires, valued balance above all else. Why did Divine Arts require a physical sacrifice from the user, the more powerful the spell, the greater the cost? It was to maintain balance. The Nine Gods wouldn’t allow mortals to wield power beyond their station.
But if this potion were created, mortals could store Divine Grace in a bottle, and the physical toll from prayer could be healed… This could lead to a proliferation of potions containing divine power. Even if the Church intervened, there was no guarantee the Nine Gods would grant mortals a second chance.
Throughout history, the Nine Gods had never directly intervened to punish mortals for upsetting the balance. Abyss suspected they were bound by some rule that prevented them from interfering directly. Although he was curious about their methods, he wasn’t eager to test their limits.
He would have the opportunity to witness their power eventually. His current path, if he continued, would inevitably challenge their authority—and then, the Creator God himself.
Horst, his initial enthusiasm replaced by a thoughtful frown, sat back in his chair, stroking his bushy beard. The other alchemists also seemed to be pondering Rebecca’s words.
“Hmm… Ray, you’re more insightful than us,” Horst finally said, looking at her. “You’re right. We can’t just consider the Church’s reaction. We also need to consider the Nine Gods’ will. I’ve decided to abandon this research. We’ll keep this formula secret, and that tomb… I’ll have it destroyed.”
He glanced at the other alchemists. No one objected to his decision. Some even nodded in agreement.
“Before you do that, could I examine the formula? If you trust me, that is,” Rebecca said, smiling.
Although she had only just arrived, her brilliance and her insightful analysis had made her the center of attention. These seasoned alchemists might not believe an unknown outsider could surpass them, but they didn’t doubt her abilities. They agreed to let her examine the formula. After all, everyone in the room had already seen it.
Rebecca took the ancient inscription, studying it carefully, her eyes widening in admiration.
“My god… The ancients were truly remarkable… To think someone could conceive of such a thing in an era when alchemy relied solely on luck…”
Abyss leaned closer, examining the inscription. Besides the rare herbs and unusual animal organs, one phrase caught his attention: “An object imbued with Divine Grace.”
This phrase might have puzzled other alchemists, but Abyss instantly knew what could be used as an “object imbued with Divine Grace.”
He didn’t worship any deities, so he didn’t possess Divine Grace. But he did know a girl whose Divine Arts talent was so potent that even her belongings were imbued with divine power.
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