Happy Life
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"And other outsiders..." - Aiyano merely noted the princess's phrase to herself.
- In my world, there exists a state that uses monotheistic faith to create a unified theocratic empire. In some of its humanitarian manifestations, it brings good, but otherwise, it merely tries to subjugate foreign territories and resources by force of arms, without regard for losses - and it is not difficult to understand that few agree to this of their own free will. In the territories they have passed through, I always have a great deal of work to do. After the final laying to rest of the unfortunate souls trapped on the verge of life and the afterlife, - the miko lowered her gaze, and after a moment of silence, she continued. - As for me and those like me, our beliefs are based on the objective fact of the reality of the existence of Kami - divine entities, or spirits; the semantics do not matter. Enlightened, materialistic scholars, or theologians of invented monotheistic religions would contemptuously call this paganism, but to deny the existence of such a thing would simply be foolish. Their existence is as real as the existence of the soul itself. No person who is willing to see, hear, and otherwise feel can deny, for example, the energy of the wind, the sea, the vitality of the forest, and the importance of the memory of ancestors. I think that our beliefs have more in common than it might seem at first glance, - the miko smiled. - You revere the planet, the world itself, and the Kami-sama are manifestations of its will, extensions of its body. Perhaps the callous scholars could accept such a very down-to-earth analogy as "the composition of blood" or something similar, - with a flick of her tongue, Aiyano expressed all her contempt for these men and their vulgar, limited simplifications, and then continued. - Our people revere the Kami, offer symbolic offerings designed to show them respect, and in return, they are able to grant them their protection from life's troubles, guide the souls of deceased relatives, or even help with some modest worldly requests. Health, success in love and studies, spiritual strength. No matter how difficult a person's life, burdened by its harsh circumstances, they can always hope for something good, turning to the Kami for help and living according to their conscience, without being constrained by the most rigid rules, which change from century to century under the new edition of the next arch-inquisitor, pursuing his personal vision. I admit that I am biased in this regard, but in my opinion, this is absolutely wonderful.
She looked sadly towards the city.
- I suppose this is the longing I felt in people's hearts. I would like to build a modest shrine somewhere here in the suburbs, on a hill. So that people can temporarily escape from the urban madness, visit a place of power, feel peace and unity with nature and the world. I am sure that this would make them much happier... - the thoughtful monologue ended with a heavy sigh.
- In my world, there exists a state that uses monotheistic faith to create a unified theocratic empire. In some of its humanitarian manifestations, it brings good, but otherwise, it merely tries to subjugate foreign territories and resources by force of arms, without regard for losses - and it is not difficult to understand that few agree to this of their own free will. In the territories they have passed through, I always have a great deal of work to do. After the final laying to rest of the unfortunate souls trapped on the verge of life and the afterlife, - the miko lowered her gaze, and after a moment of silence, she continued. - As for me and those like me, our beliefs are based on the objective fact of the reality of the existence of Kami - divine entities, or spirits; the semantics do not matter. Enlightened, materialistic scholars, or theologians of invented monotheistic religions would contemptuously call this paganism, but to deny the existence of such a thing would simply be foolish. Their existence is as real as the existence of the soul itself. No person who is willing to see, hear, and otherwise feel can deny, for example, the energy of the wind, the sea, the vitality of the forest, and the importance of the memory of ancestors. I think that our beliefs have more in common than it might seem at first glance, - the miko smiled. - You revere the planet, the world itself, and the Kami-sama are manifestations of its will, extensions of its body. Perhaps the callous scholars could accept such a very down-to-earth analogy as "the composition of blood" or something similar, - with a flick of her tongue, Aiyano expressed all her contempt for these men and their vulgar, limited simplifications, and then continued. - Our people revere the Kami, offer symbolic offerings designed to show them respect, and in return, they are able to grant them their protection from life's troubles, guide the souls of deceased relatives, or even help with some modest worldly requests. Health, success in love and studies, spiritual strength. No matter how difficult a person's life, burdened by its harsh circumstances, they can always hope for something good, turning to the Kami for help and living according to their conscience, without being constrained by the most rigid rules, which change from century to century under the new edition of the next arch-inquisitor, pursuing his personal vision. I admit that I am biased in this regard, but in my opinion, this is absolutely wonderful.
She looked sadly towards the city.
- I suppose this is the longing I felt in people's hearts. I would like to build a modest shrine somewhere here in the suburbs, on a hill. So that people can temporarily escape from the urban madness, visit a place of power, feel peace and unity with nature and the world. I am sure that this would make them much happier... - the thoughtful monologue ended with a heavy sigh.
My sword, my trusted ally, unphased by my aspect.
