Krea Cathedral
This religion, which is the national religion of the Empire and the most famous in the other world, has a different origin from the world of reincarnation.
While Jesus, the founder of reincarnated Catholicism, started as a kind of revolutionary figure, Krea Cathedral began amidst war.
About 1500 years ago, demons from the demon realm invaded the surface world.
At the time, magic had not yet developed, and humanity seemed to have no way out other than despair over the invasion of demons.
It was then that “Solar Krea,” said to have been chosen by God, began teaching people the divine magic “Nuben,” boasting absolute power over demons, banishing them and saving humanity.
And so, a religion was created to convey God’s teachings and prepare for the invasion of demons – that was the “Krea Cathedral.”
In fact, I had no interest in what kind of religion Krea Cathedral was until I created Dune.
I thought it was a similar religion, just spouting phrases like “Love your neighbor” and “Never doubt God’s teachings,” like reincarnated Catholicism.
However, Father Raul’s response was beyond my imagination, leading me to investigate closely, and what I felt was this:
“This is totally like ‘Dune Guy,’ right?”
The ideal believer they pursued was a berserker who would hunt demons even to the ends of hell.
In short, they were like the protagonist of Dune, the “Dune Guy.”
Surprisingly, I had inadvertently created an ideal believer manufacturing game for Krea Cathedral.
*
Meanwhile, Father Raul was conducting mass.
With muscles that looked capable of tearing a person apart, he had a kind smile as he spoke.
“Beloved brothers and sisters, today I have joyful news to share with you.”
Father Raul took out a blood-red crystal ball from his pocket, holding it up for the congregation to see.
“It is said that our brother Yuren’s game Dune has been released into the world, and countless people are playing it.”
Not a single person among the worshipers present was unaware of Dune.
It was popular for a reason, but also because posters and advertisements for Dune were plastered all over the church.
To the gamer worshipers, it was hard to tell if they were in a church or a “game store.”
“Since that day, much time has passed, and people have forgotten their fear of demons.”
Father Raul looked up at the sky with sad eyes as he spoke.
Who was it that he mourned?
Was it the people who began treating demons as mere legends in these modern times?
Or was it himself, resigned to the idea of giving up?
One thing was clear: Father Raul was in sorrow.
“We must always be ready to fight demons, yet at some point, we have treated them lightly, like goblins, leaving it to adventurers and mercenaries.”
Demons are still sighted from time to time.
However, most of the time, they were dealt with by adventurers and mercenaries.
They primarily handled those according to the demon monster exorcism manual, and the church only intervened for exorcisms when absolutely necessary.
“However, that time ends today. Many people who have forgotten their fear of demons and are unprepared to fight them are now taking up arms to confront them once more. What a beautiful sight that is.”
In such an era, Dune was released.
It contained the forgotten fear of demons and the rightful image of us fighting against such demons.
Father Raul thought that all members of the Cathedral should emulate the protagonists of Dune.
“And God said, ‘O lost lamb, even if you lose your way in life, never forget your hatred toward demons.’ Let us all remember God’s words while playing Dune together.”
It wasn’t just Father Raul who was touched by Dune.
The entirety of Krea Cathedral viewed Dune this way and encouraged the worshipers to partake in the game.
Father Raul even bought Dune out of his own pocket, gifting it to worshipers who were financially struggling.
“Um… Father?”
“Yes, Sister Christina, go ahead.”
But still, the violence in Dune was rather severe.
Christina, who had a young daughter, cautiously spoke to Father Raul.
“Well… I think it’s a bit too brutal for the children…”
Christina’s concern was valid.
If we were to think of Yuren’s previous life.
With cold eyes, Father Raul gazed at Christina.
“Are you denying the hunting of demons, Sister Christina?”
Krea Cathedral was able to hold its position because it provided proper teachings as a religion.
The Cathedral taught that all living beings on Earth are creations of God and are brothers and sisters, forming the basis for various races to unite.
However, there was one thing that the Cathedral could never forgive: demons and their collaborators, the “heretics.”
“Oh! No, that’s not what I meant!!! My daughter is just scared of red things!!!”
Feeling the heretic vibe, Christina hurried to explain.
Then, relieved, Father Raul smiled as usual.
“I see. No need to worry. Our brother Yuren has included a feature to change that red color to green for such people. You can rest easy and enjoy the hunt, Sister Christina.”
“Yes, haha…”
Though the medieval witch trials were a thing of the past, any association with heresy could be quite burdensome; one wrong move and you could ruin your life.
People had many things they wanted to say but stayed silent, listening to Father Raul’s words.
“Alright! The mass is over! Let us all recollect God’s teachings while engaging in demon hunting. Aaamen!!!!!!!!”
With that, the mass ended, and the people returned home, clutching the red crystal balls Father Raul had handed out.
Father Raul looked on at this scene with great satisfaction.
*
In truth, what Yuren prepared as a solution to the violence was not a religion.
The power of religion was merely a bonus; what was truly prepared was something else.
It was none other than the identity of the protagonist.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Kueeek!
“Okay, now just the final boss left!!”
Dune’s stages comprised a total of 15 levels.
As players progressed, they would descend deeper into hell, culminating in a final boss battle against the demon lord [Demon Lord] at the end of the final stage.
Unlike Dune, which used futuristic equipment, the Demon Lord wielded armor and swords from the other world.
Even deploying the ultimate weapon, ‘BG9000,’ was no easy feat against his formidable strength.
The Dune Guy, who used every weapon and even electric saws in his desperate struggle against the Demon Lord, found his armor began to crack under the intensity of the battle.
As he delivered the final blow to the Demon Lord, Dune Guy’s armor shattered, revealing the hidden identity that had been concealed.
And the faces of those gamers who beheld Dune Guy were filled with astonishment and shock.
“Oh my God… it’s real!!?”
Dune Guy’s true identity was none other than [Karuga Nova].
A legendary general like Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the protagonist of Legend Fighter, this [Karuga] had been foretold to resurrect in the distant future to stop the demonic invasion.
Hints were strewn throughout.
The electric saw that Dune Guy used was powered indefinitely, and traces of Legend Fighter had been left all over.
However, most people likely considered it merely a hidden element included as a nod from the same developers, never realizing the greater twist behind it.
The shock of experiencing the cliché of “Actually, it’s the same universe” hit the people of the other world hard.
And it had social implications as well.
There were surprisingly many who were concerned about the violence of Dune.
For instance, Sylvia was worried, and even my Master had warned against letting children under ten play.
But it was never publicly discussed.
How could they even approach that discussion?
Could they say that a general of the nation appeared as the protagonist of a game, resurrected in the future to protect us, killing the demons foretold by the Cathedral, just because it was too violent?
Especially after receiving endorsements from the general’s family and the Cathedral?
Dune had effectively shut down any criticism aimed at it, blocking anyone who tried to raise objections.
