Author: Sasaki Ichiro	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Tanaka	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“Welcome to our restaurant! We’re a bit crowded right now, so would you mind sharing a table with others?”
“That’s fine with me. How about you, Hiyuki?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t mind either,” I replied.

The waitress guided us to a large eight-person table already occupied by four or five men. They didn’t seem drunk, but almost every sentence they spoke ended with a phrase like “Azure God did this” or “No one surpasses the Exalted Azure God,” repeating with the regularity of a worn-out recording.

I did my best to appear casual as I greeted the group, who were fully immersed in their meals and conversation.

“Hello. It’s my first time visiting this city. Looks like you’re all enjoying yourselves,” I said politely.

“Hey, you’re quite a beauty. Where are you from?”
“I’ve never seen clothes like that before. Are you from another nation?”
“On a pilgrimage at your age? That’s impressive.”
“Go ahead, sit down. The food here in the holy capital is top notch.”

“Thanks, I’ll take your word for it,” I replied with a small smile.

I couldn’t tell if their friendliness was influenced by the Karma system or if they were just naturally cheerful. Like Johnny, they didn’t dig deeper than small talk. Their openness sharply contrasted with the Holy Kingdom back in my world, where anything non-human was viewed as a curse on existence and treated with hostility. That contrast stirred something conflicted within me. Johnny gave them a polite greeting and took a seat beside me.

Before I knew it, the diners had drawn me into their conversation with cheerful enthusiasm.

◆◇◆◇

“Everyone sure seems to be having the time of their lives,” I remarked.

Despite trying to remain reserved, their warmth and excitement eventually drew me into some light conversation. I made sure to keep track of time, and eventually left with Johnny when it felt appropriate.

“I know, right? We’re really lucky to have the Azure God’s blessing,” Johnny said, nodding like it was the most obvious truth.

After watching his reaction and listening to the conversations at the diner, I had a better sense of where the dullness I had sensed in the city came from. It lingered beneath the polished surface, hidden behind its vibrancy.

The real issue was how every conversation, no matter the topic, eventually circled back to praising the Azure God.

“We have nothing to fear because the Azure God watches over us.”
“Thanks to the Azure God, we live in comfort.”
“Everything you see here was granted by divine grace.”
“Your homeland struggles with famine? Offer your prayers, and you’ll get five times the harvest.”
“I heard a barbarian tribe once tried to invade, but the Azure God wiped them out with a single blow.”
“Natural disasters? We don’t have those here. The Azure God controls the very laws of nature.”

And eventually someone would always conclude, “This land is a heaven on earth thanks to the Azure God. Maintain your karma, and you’ll carry that prosperity even into the afterlife.”

To be honest, I left the diner because I couldn’t stand listening to them anymore. It felt like their entire world revolved around the Azure God, as if nothing else existed beyond that belief.

“Everything here mirrors the other side so closely. They’ve really built this city around their so-called god, but everything feels extreme. The foundation itself seems completely off.”

“Are you saying the Azure God is wrong?” Johnny had clearly heard my quiet muttering, and his expression shifted to one of doubt and disapproval. Still, if he heard it, then I might as well speak plainly.

“Can’t you see it? That dullness hanging over every corner of the city, even in how people live their lives? It’s because they’ve accepted the blessings of their god without question.”

They have someone who gives them everything without hesitation. Their god is an umbrella that shields them from every threat. But when you give people too much, they stop progressing. Why struggle for survival when they believe they hold a magic lamp that grants unlimited wishes? Just pray to the Azure God and like magic, everything is solved. Even hardship becomes a divine lesson, not something they must overcome themselves.

In the end, peace that wasn’t earned, prosperity built on someone else’s authority, becomes hollow. Comfort without struggle erodes the will to survive.

“So you’re saying that I… that we’re wrong?”

As expected, Johnny’s face twisted with displeasure. I tilted my head slightly in response.

“Who’s to say? I don’t know much about the Azure God or what they truly intend. But I’m certain of one thing—any prosperity built on this kind of system is harmful in the long run.”

Johnny fell silent. He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp. Then he looked away, and irritation crept into his tone. “If you’re going to doubt it, then let’s go ask the Azure God directly. Come with me. I’ll take you to the tower.”

He said this and began walking toward the center of the city, where the Blue Divine Tower stood tall over everything.

“Are you sure about this? I’m not even from this country.”
“As far as I know, there aren’t any rules against it. Usually, you need a high Karma score to get an audience with the Azure God, or so the rumors say. Still, I’ve got a feeling they wouldn’t refuse you.” Johnny turned around and added.

“Well, I guess I’ll just count myself lucky if I get to meet them,” I said with a shrug.

I had planned to visit the Azure God’s tower sooner or later anyway. I might as well take the opportunity now. But before that—

“By the way, have you ever heard of a place or family called Graviol?”

Johnny looked puzzled as he gave it some thought.

“Graviol…? That doesn’t really ring a bell—wait. I think there’s a family called Gravia or something similar. The Azure God gave them that name when an eastern barbarian tribe converted to the Sacred Teaching. Their chieftain was blessed personally by the Azure God, and part of his family’s hair even turned silver as a symbol. Wait, are you from that tribe?”

“No, not me. I just know someone from that family.”

I gave him a vague answer and stepped up beside him. He gave me a curious look, but when it became clear I wouldn’t say more, he simply nodded and started walking again. I followed behind, thinking to myself.

‘If I remembered correctly, the Graviol Empire had existed for 800 years, while the current era of Aeon stretched back about 1000 years.’

The pronunciation was a little different, but everything Johnny said lined up. It had to be the same family. To be honest, I had already started suspecting the truth the moment I saw the Blue Divine Tower. Now it was clear.

There was no longer any doubt. This was Faximile, the sacred capital of the Holy Kingdom of Aeon. But somehow, I had ended up in its past—somewhere between 800 to 1000 years ago.

I looked up at the Blue Divine Tower once more and let out a sigh at the overwhelming realization.

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