The Kingmaker looked genuinely appalled and saddened by the possibility that people did not want to follow the so-called grand design of the universe. Yet, it was difficult for me to sympathise because he was not part of those who felt they got the short end of the stick.
After all, he was a man in the highest possible position.
I had met a lot of people who assumed that famous politicians, showy capitalists, and celebrities who were hounded by the paparazzi were powerful. However, I have found there is a special group of hidden powerhouses who combine wealth and power… and remain anonymous.
One of them is the Kingmaker.
No one knows his name except a few, but he has shaped the world.
Only those who matter know the Kingmaker's name.
That is…
Those who belong to the Order of the Paragons, a religious cabal of the most powerful men around the world, controlling the laws, economy and politics… The puppet masters of a world where people believe in democracy…
Well… and petty conspiracy theorists like me.
However, I was not willing to let go of his argument and strong position on the so-called design of the creator. It was not just about the subjugation of women. It was about being denied the freedom to choose the position in which one was born.
Simply speaking, one's fate is decided before one is born! Therefore, the power in the world was held by those who had advantages that they did not work for. It was hypocritical and egregious to impose the so-called natural design on the less advantaged.
I faced the Kingmaker with what I assume was an angry and defiant expression! Again, the female lead in a fantasy novel…
"I thought those who believe in the creator believe in free will. Shouldn't you let people choose whether they want to adhere to the rules instead of forcing them to follow a system that favours you?" I asked with raised eyebrows.
This time, the Kingmaker laughed out loud.
It was one of those cool laughs that makes one feel like money is pouring around on a golf course. It was a rich man's laugh. I thought of my own cackling laugh and decided to make sure that I did not laugh before the Kingmaker.
Not that there was likely to be an opportunity for that…
"You are testing me. You must have already come to your own conclusion about this matter after reading all those heretic texts you have become so obsessed with," The Kingmaker said once he stopped laughing like he was indulging a child. "What have you come to understand about free will?"
I felt a little embarrassed. He was right. I was testing if he was as serious about his beliefs as he claimed. I thought he would give me some platitudes about free will or even the creator's love and mercy.
Still, I refused to lower my head.
"It is a dictatorship," I replied.
"Go on," He encouraged.
"It is a common misconception that the creator gave human beings free will. It is not written anywhere in religious texts. Rather, people assume that because they can do what they want, and they can make choices, it equates to free will."
The Kingmaker nods calmly.
"In reality, the creator gives orders and commands like a drill sergeant or whatever the leaders in the army are called. Any choice that is contrary to what he commands is not considered exercising freedom of choice but rather disobedience."
I tried not to look at the Kingmaker and just took a deep breath before continuing my rant. I did not want to see the critical look in his eyes.
"In other words, it is a violation of orders, and the natural reaction to disobedience is punishment. If one is required to follow a set of rules to be considered worthy, then they must also experience punishment for failing their duties."
I lifted my eyes and looked at the Kingmaker finally.
"The creator does not give false illusions about this matter, but people choose to misunderstand that he allows them free will to act as they wish. But there is no freedom in his world. It is simply a prison where we are told we are doomed unless we act in a certain way."
"And we are not in a free world where we can end up in prison if we do the wrong thing. We are in prison, and we hope to be released if we do the right thing. But the warden does not tell us what to do, so we hope that fighting one another will lead to one less prisoner to fight for our spot out. We keep telling other people they are the wrong ones because we want to take out one more prisoner."
I concluded.
I felt a little lament about this matter.
I did not want to feel that way.
I once also told people that they had free will.
Then, I came to realise that following the creator's will does not always mean using free will to choose to do what one wants or do good. Countless examples in the religious books people swear by account for countless deaths, especially when he ordered cities to be decimated.
Free will does not mean doing what one wants.
Free will means doing what the creator wants.
The end.
If free will were about good and evil, most would have chosen to violate the orders of killing everything in those cities, including children and animals, in those religious books. Perhaps, it could be justified by devotees who believe that his word is law.
But anyone with common sense can see how twisted it is to order murder and, in the same breath, add a command that forbids killing. It was a contradiction that many have justified over and over to make their beliefs make sense.
I have come to hate any justifications for the ill carried out in the creator's name.
It is often followed by platitudes of unconditional love as long as one obeys.
"The thought of obeying and lacking free will troubles you," The Kingmaker said.
"It does. I hate to think of not being able to do what I want," I replied. "But the illusion of freedom for the ignorant is perhaps more upsetting to me. A man like yourself, who is devoted, understands what they have signed up for by following this path. You are a soldier in his army and are willing to do whatever he says, even if it is to murder."