CH 190

Chapter 190 – Those Who Believe in God

“Now then, I will have to ask you two to wait here,” Sayuri said to the two blue bandana women before entering the room. But of course—

“But then we can’t protect Founder-sama in case something happens!” (Blue Bandana Woman)

There was no way they would let it go so easily.

“This is an order. Please remain on standby in front of the room.” (Sayuri)

““…Understood.””

But as always, Sayuri’s word was absolute, and the two blue bandana women hung their heads.

And thus, Sayuri and I went into the office alone.

There was a work desk and a pair of sofas facing each other with a table in the middle, perhaps for meeting with visitors.

I was prompted to take a seat on the sofa, so I went ahead and sat down.

“Torimoto-san, do you like tea?” (Sayuri)

“…I see that you have access to electricity here.” (Torimoto)

“Yes. There is a solar power generator. But we can’t be too wasteful with our energy.” (Sayuri)

“That’s convenient. In this day and age, not many places have access to electricity.” (Torimoto)

“It’s the same for fire. It’s an opportunity for us to realize just how outstanding civilization really is, I suppose.” (Sayuri)

It certainly was. Until not long ago, utilities like water, gas, and electricity were things that we took for granted. But if those lifelines were to disappear, the standards of human lifestyle would drop drastically. I was acutely aware of the truly wonderful things that human civilization had brought about.

Sayuri put a cup of tea in front of me.

“…Milord.” (Shiki)

“I know. I won’t drink it rashly.” (Torimoto)

While Sayuri was brewing her own tea and had her gaze turned away from me, I took the [Appraisal Looking-Glass] out of my pocket and appraised the tea.

It seemed that it was just ordinary tea and that there wasn’t any poison in it.

I quickly put the looking-glass back in my pocket, and in the next moment, Sayuri turned around with a cup of tea in her hand and sat down on the sofa across from me.

“Brewing black tea is a little pastime of mine. Please, I hope it suits your tastes.” (Sayuri)

After having confirmed that it wasn’t poisoned, I gave my graces and took a sip from the cup.

“…Sip. It’s delicious.” (Torimoto)

It had a refined, elegant aroma that was pleasant to the nose. The tea was light and tasted great.

“Is that so? That’s great to hear… It’s a brand of assam tea called Edial.” (Sayuri)

“Edial? I haven’t heard of it before. That said, I’m not very familiar with tea at all, so I would hardly know brand names.” (Torimoto)

“That’s quite normal. Edial is a high-quality brand of tea that successive generations of presidents and even Picasso were said to have enjoyed.” (Sayuri)

Wow, Picasso? In other words, it’s a tea that was loved by eminent figures of the past.

“So what did you want to talk about, Sayuri-san?” (Torimoto)

Hearing me get right to the main topic at hand, Sayuri put her teacup down on the table and gazed intently at me.

“…What do you think about us, Torimoto-san?” (Sayuri)

“If you ask me, I don’t really think anything in particular about it.” (Torimoto)

“Nothing? Even though it’s a religious order that aims to eliminate men from this world?” (Sayuri)

“As I said yesterday, as long as it doesn’t harm me personally, you can go ahead and do what you want. However… eliminating all men from this world. Do you understand what that really means?” (Torimoto)

There was no hint of fluctuation in Sayuri’s gaze. I suppose that meant that she understood.

“Even if your cult’s wishes were fulfilled, the only thing that would await you would be destruction. A woman-only paradise will not last forever. Unless they bear children, they will eventually perish.” (Torimoto)

“Certainly, that is the natural order of things, isn’t it?” (Sayuri)

“But you still say you don’t need men? Are you saying you would choose destruction?” (Torimoto)

“That is the ideology of this cult.” (Sayuri)

It really was a cult. If order in this country was still in place, they would definitely be the target of a purge.

It was an organization that could only exist because Japan had become a lawless zone. It wouldn’t be long before they tried to poison a community made up entirely of men. No, maybe they already…

“Well, it’s up to you all to choose your own paths. I have neither the right nor the will to stop you. But as I said before, if you wish to harm me, then that’ll be a different matter.” (Torimoto)

“At the very least, we have no intention of harming you.” (Sayuri)

“Isn’t that just your will?” (Torimoto)

“My will is the will of the religious order. That is to say, my will is God’s will.” (Sayuri)

“……..” (Torimoto)

“You may say that we are destined for destruction, but we have the salvation of God. Even if we die, our destination is by God’s side. What is there to fear?” (Sayuri)

“……Do you really think that there’s something like a god in this world?” (Sayuri)

“From the bottom of my heart.” (Sayuri)

She answered directly without any hesitation. Her eyes were gloomy and glazed over, and they seemed to contain an unfathomable darkness within.

“Then are you saying this cult follows the teachings of God?” (Torimoto)

“There is more than one god.” (Sayuri)

“Huh?” (Torimoto)

“God is something that exists inside each and every one of us.” (Sayuri)

What is this philosophical talk all of a sudden…?