"My King, please do not believe this man's lies!"
At this moment, Erica suddenly stepped forward to Roy's side. She wore a solemn expression, holding her longsword firmly as she stood by Roy's side, embodying the knight's code. Her resolute gaze pierced King Solomon, showing no fear even in the presence of a Heretic God.
"This god is 'Wise Solomon,' known for his talent in sweet-talking and manipulation. His power has always been 'wisdom,' not 'force.' He must have no confidence in defeating the King, so he resorts to this stalling tactic, hoping to use these seven days to probe Your Majesty's divine authorities!
"...My King, your loyal knight, Erica Blandelli, beseeches you: slay this 'Wise Solomon' here and now, denying him any chance to wield his greatest weapon!"
Erica knelt on one knee, pressing her hand to her chest as she made her passionate plea.
"No... no! Dear young knight, I am not lying! Truly, I am not lying."
Solomon waved his hands repeatedly, a bit flustered. He even tried to approach Erica to explain himself further.
"Stop! Do not come any closer!"
Erica's sharp rebuke left Solomon frozen in place, confused and helpless.
Erica, feigning fear, ducked behind Roy as though Solomon were some oversized pile of rubbish. Her delicate face peeked out, her cheeks slightly flushed, as she glared indignantly at Solomon.
"...Your Majesty," she declared, "it is recorded that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, amassing a harem of 1,000 women. In the Bible's Book of Kings, it states that beyond Pharaoh's daughter, King Solomon also loved many foreign women—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites!
"...Princess Alice's words earlier also noted that Solomon was skilled in magic. He must have used his magic to deceive countless maidens and make them fall for him! Erica's purity belongs only to Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to protect me from being defiled by Solomon."
King Solomon froze in place at Erica's accusations. His shoulders slumped, and he muttered under his breath like a sorrowful old woman, "...That wasn't me, that wasn't me. Solomon only acted according to the Lord's revelations. He merely fulfilled what 'Solomon' was meant to do."
"Hah! And yet you dare not acknowledge your actions, shifting the blame onto the Lord. Then what of the Queen of Sheba?" Erica pressed on. "It is clearly written in the Old Testament that the Queen of Sheba fell for Solomon at first sight, bore him a son on her return journey, and yet, while his lover was pregnant, he sent her away to her homeland. As a man and as a father, Solomon failed utterly!
"...And in his later years, Solomon indulged in extravagance, wasting resources and even worshipping many gods instead of remaining loyal to Yahweh as his father, King David, had done. This incited Yahweh's wrath, leading to his kingdom's division. A man who could even betray the Lord he worshipped—how could his words ever be trusted? Please, Your Majesty, think twice!"
Every word Erica spoke struck Solomon to the core. He staggered back, despair spreading across his face. Roy couldn't help but wonder if Erica continued, would Solomon simply kill himself on the spot?
These accusations left Solomon speechless because they were all recorded in the Old Testament. As the king bestowed upon humanity by God, a vessel of divine grace and renown, Solomon was also the most devout of believers.
Roy pitied Solomon. If everything Solomon said was true—that he was an emotionless machine—then none of his actions were truly his own. He had merely been fulfilling the role of "King Solomon."
After all, the teachings of Christianity made it clear: if you defeat God, it is because God allowed you to do so; if you betray God, it is because God permitted it; if demons exist in this world, it is because God willed their presence.
The Lord is omniscient and omnipotent.
Solomon's entire life had simply been God's will.
Roy raised his hand, stopping Erica from further piercing Solomon with her verbal sword.
"...Erica, I deeply feel your loyalty and sincerity. I am overjoyed that you care for me so much that you are willing to advise me. My heart is full of gratitude. But Erica, there is no need to say more—I see everything clearly."
"Your Majesty!"
Erica wanted to speak again, but when she saw the resolve in Roy's expression, she finally sighed and said, "...I understand. Then, I shall follow Your Majesty's wishes."
Erica cast one last glare at Solomon before stepping back and taking her place one step behind Roy. As a vassal, she could advise the King, but she could not make decisions on his behalf.
"King Solomon, you wish to live as a human for seven days. I can agree to that! But I must ask you one question: do you still possess 'God's wisdom'?"
Roy's tone turned serious.
Solomon, finally regaining his composure, nodded solemnly. "...Although I have now become human and gained human awareness, I have not abandoned 'God's wisdom.' However, I do not wish to use it. A human should live as a human and should have no ties to the divine."
"Then if you are willing to use 'God's wisdom' to do me one favor, I will grant your request and allow you to live as a human for seven days."
"You... are willing to trust me?"
Solomon asked in disbelief.
"Of course. Trust must exist between people. Since you are now a 'human,' I should have expectations and faith in you."
Roy smiled and took two steps forward, extending his hand to Solomon. "...Roy Crowley is my name! Let us work together for the next seven days, King Solomon."
Solomon hesitated, then nervously extended both his hands to shake Roy's. "...Yes, this is the correct way to greet someone with a handshake, right? I didn't get it wrong, did I?"
His expression was filled with apprehension, but his face glowed with joy and emotion.
He was moved to be trusted as a "human," moved to interact with others as a "human," and moved to finally exist as a "human."
No longer was he the emotionless "King Solomon," a machine fulfilling its function. Now he was Solomon, a man with his own will, free to laugh and cry as he pleased.
"Mr. Roy, though I do not wish to use 'God's wisdom,' to repay your trust, please come to me with any troubles you have. I will do everything I can to help!"
King Solomon's voice was sincere, his tone filled with gratitude.
…
"Why should I agree to you? Why should I work for you here?" (T/N: That was fast)
King Solomon's anguished cry echoed through the hotel in Jerusalem.
"King Solomon, as a symbol of wisdom and sagacity, you must not go back on your word. Since you promised me something, you must follow through."
In the hotel room, Roy lounged lazily on the soft sofa, holding a glass of iced cola, a straw in his mouth, sipping leisurely. He stared intently at King Solomon, his gaze like that of an exploitative capitalist watching his employees toil.
On the massive table in front of them lay piles of documents. King Solomon was hunched over them, furiously working. With the "God's wisdom" activated, he was either sketching intricate ritual diagrams on enchanted materials or annotating them with mysterious languages only he could understand.
"Didn't you call yourself the King of Kings, the King of Magecraft Solomon? Then helping me complete this grand ritual should be a piece of cake for you," Roy said with an unhurried tone, showing not a shred of guilt for imposing the labor.
"No, that was just something I said casually! Besides, the magecraft you're asking me to perform is too difficult—even for me! This has crossed into the realm of true magic!"
King Solomon, his head buried in the documents, let out a mournful cry.
"Keep it up, Your Majesty King Solomon!"
Roy said cheerfully, without an ounce of empathy.
"Ugh... That phrase is the worst! But never mind that for now. Why do I have to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, with only one hour for lunch and dinner breaks?" Solomon grumbled in protest.
"Didn't you want to experience life as a human? Well, this is what being human is like. It's a labor-driven society. Humans can't survive without working. You're eating my food, drinking my drinks, and living in my space. I've already provided full board and even paid you. What more could you possibly complain about?"
Roy replied with righteous indignation.
"Don't lie to me, Roy! You're making me work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week. That's illegal! I've studied the modern world. Real jobs are supposed to be 9-to-5 with weekends off!"
"The Book of Genesis says, 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.' The Lord worked for six days, creating everything in existence, and then rested on the seventh day. Even the Lord had to work six days before resting. What right do you have to complain? Or could it be that Erica was right, and you've truly abandoned your faith and betrayed the Lord we both serve?"
Roy sat upright, making the sign of the cross over himself with mock solemnity.
"My faith isn't the same as yours!" Solomon countered, attempting to defend himself. As a Jew, his beliefs were different from Roy's Christianity.
"But our Lord is the same!"
"..."
Roy's response left Solomon speechless.
"Now, work hard. On the seventh day, when you rest, I'll take you around Jerusalem. Even though this is no longer the nation you once ruled, nor even the world you lived in, there are still similarities. Don't you think?"
Roy got up and walked over to Solomon, gently patting him on the shoulder.
The softness of his tone touched Solomon momentarily.
"And besides," Roy added with a smirk, "996 is your blessing!"
Roy's next words caused Solomon's already not-so-fair complexion to darken even further.
********
(T/N: Hope you like the chapter. Also 996 is a reference to Solomon's work schedule if you didn't figure it out. Anyway, this week I will post an extra chapter for every 60 PS so go nuts if you want them extra chapters.)