Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Lord McDonald, what are your thoughts on myths and similar subjects?"
Aldridge suddenly threw out this question.
McDonald was taken aback, not understanding why Aldridge would ask this.
Is this really happening? Are we discussing academic issues? But I'm not a scholar from the Tower of Scholars!
"Hmm? Are you two learned scholars calling me, a rough soldier, here to embarrass me?"
The old marshal complained.
He picked up the teacup on the table, blew away the floating tea leaves, and took a small sip.
A bitter yet fragrant sensation spread in his mouth.
"I've spent my life focusing on how to lead troops and fight. Myths? I heard my mother tell them when I refused to sleep as a child, and I heard the choir sing them during services at the church when I grew up. Perhaps I'd tell them to my grandchildren when I'm bored, but if you want me to offer any insights, what could I possibly say? All I can do is listen to others and then share what I've heard."
"I know that some scholars or theologians specialize in this, so maybe you should call in those professionals instead."
The old marshal complained as he found the tea in his cup not to his liking and gulped it down in several big swigs, as if drinking wine.
"Lord McDonald."
Alvey chuckled while stroking his beard, "So do you believe that the stories in myths actually happened?"
"Ah?" McDonald was quite puzzled.
These scholars!
"I can only cleverly say that some of them happened, and some are fabricated or exaggerated, right? Isn't it the job of scholars to uncover the truth about this? Why ask me?"
Aldridge said, "Alright, let's move on to a sensitive topic."
Is it coming? McDonald became cautious again.
"What are your thoughts on the Lord of Light and the Church?"
McDonald frowned, contemplating both the question itself and Aldridge's intention behind it.
The two scholars did not rush him, simply waiting in silence.
After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, "I can only tell you this: I believe in the divine and revere the divine. I feel that behind this world, there is indeed a great existence that governs everything. It is omniscient and omnipotent, but…"
Here, the old marshal paused, clearly hesitating about whether to speak the next words.
"Oh, Lord McDonald, please feel free to share. Once your words enter our ears, they won't leave."
Alvey assured him.
McDonald took a deep breath and continued, "Alright, given my limited understanding, my views may be mistaken. Our god…"
At this moment, the old marshal stopped, his hands gesturing erratically as if he couldn't find the right words to elaborate on his views.
"According to the Church, our god should exist beyond the realm of 'form,' at least beyond the material we understand. In my view, He is a concept, a principle, a spirit that does not rely on a physical entity. I believe that the gap between such a great being and us mortals is even larger than the gap between us and ants. We mortals still depend on material existence. But… do we care about how a colony of ants lives? Do we worry if the ants make mistakes? Do we care if the ants are suffering? Do we care if the ants need our help? Yet the scriptures describe god as one who punishes when humans err, rewards when they perform well, and helps when they encounter difficulties. The god in the scriptures is practically like an overly attentive mother… cough, cough, forgive my inappropriate wording, heavenly father… He's like a stern yet caring patriarch watching over humanity."
McDonald's remarks made both Aldridge and Alvey widen their eyes in disbelief; they never expected such words to come from a general who leads troops in battle.
McDonald also noticed their reaction and did not interpret their surprise as shock at his unorthodox views.
"This is just my humble thinking."
He rarely displayed a shy expression, hurriedly picking up his tea to cover it up.
After all, he was speaking in front of the renowned scholars of the entire empire.
At this point, Aldridge began to clap enthusiastically, laughing, "What an interesting insight, Lord McDonald."
Alvey added, "You needn't worry at all; in fact, we… hold similar questions."
"Oh…" McDonald felt relieved.
Alvey whispered, "The reason we asked you is that we were concerned about your attitude toward the Church."
McDonald replied without hesitation, "Then I can reciprocate; you need not worry at all. My loyalty to the Empire and Prince Antonio comes before my religious beliefs."
"Moreover…"
He paused slightly but ultimately chose to continue, "Considering my reflections on the divine, I don't believe that an organization composed of mortals can fully represent His will."
"Your rationality and loyalty impress me, Lord McDonald."
Admiration filled Alvey's eyes.
"Now, let's return to discussing the content of the myths themselves…"
General Semyon Fedotov of Collins stared dumbfounded at the remnants of his army.
"Three thousand men, three thousand men! And you come back with just a few hundred?"
He yelled angrily at the subordinate responsible for commanding the vanguard troops.
Just as he confidently led the main forces toward Hydra, he encountered the fleeing vanguard troops along the way.
They had actually been defeated! This shocked Fedotov immensely.
The commander of the vanguard was among the fleeing soldiers. The poor guy named Harper was in as dire a situation as his troops.
Harper's cheeks were swollen, and his head was wrapped in a rag, with bright red blood seeping through it. His left eye looked like it had taken a solid punch, with his eye socket and surrounding areas bruised purple; from a distance, he looked like a pig's head.
Fedotov was furious. The Eatonians hadn't killed him but instead returned him in this beaten state, which was a blatant humiliation.
Fedotov fiercely seized Harper by the collar. "What on earth happened? How did you end up like this?"
Harper began to wail, utterly humiliated. "General, you must avenge us. We… we…"
"Speak up!"
"We encountered a horde of wizards?"
"Wizards? Harper! Are you mocking me? Or are you just looking for excuses after being defeated?"
"I'm not lying to you!" Harper fell to the ground, kneeling.
"All my men can testify!"
(End of the Chapter)
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Translated 4 Series, 1.65K+ Chapters and 2.01M+ Words.