I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

After navigating through a rather complex path, they arrived at the black market.

Lyla was already there, having received notice through an owl in advance.

“To be honest, the items here aren’t that great. At least, they don’t have what you’re looking for,” she said.

It seemed Lyla had already scoured through most of the items.

“Pick something usable for her!”

I said, nudging Talia towards Lyla.

After that, I began to inspect the items myself.

‘Let’s see…’

As Dowol had once mentioned, priests had absurdly powerful abilities. Not only were their related traits impressive, but they also had strong buffs and many area-of-effect skills.

‘But they did have a definite weakness.’

The weakness stemmed from the limitations of miracles. Miracles were techniques that reproduced existing phenomena. The conditions for reproducing those phenomena had to be met exactly; otherwise, the effects wouldn’t manifest.

‘〈Forbidden Transformation〉 is weak to long-range attacks, for instance.’

It had tremendous recovery abilities and could deliver counter attacks that could kill the opponent instantly. Though powerful, this counter attack didn’t activate with long-range attacks. And that wasn’t all.

‘If you die in a way that can’t be healed, it’s over.’

Let’s say I used 〈Forbidden Transformation〉 and faced Eldritch as an opponent. Vulnerable to long-range magic, if they cast a spell that trapped me underwater, I’d drown. The same would happen if I were burned or struck by lightning.

‘It’s strong but surprisingly easy to neutralize.’

If the opponent knew nothing about me, I could leverage all sorts of bizarre miracles for an advantage. However, if someone like Albeka had information about my miracles, a few simple countermeasures could leave me utterly defeated.

‘… Ha, it’s no good this time either.’

Looking at the fifth lowest-grade relic I’d chosen, I sighed.

“To think I can’t even use the miracle contained in the relic…”

It was likely due to my trait as an Apostle of Calamity, which prevented me from handling miracles of other faiths. I had tested various items, but none worked.

“It would’ve been nice to confirm this at Lyla’s house…”

“But we were so busy then, weren’t we? Nothing we can do about it!”

Lyla said.

Indeed, as Lyla pointed out, we had been too preoccupied to check, and now it was merely regrettable.

“But you can still use enchanted magical items, right?”

This black market secretly imported and sold items from overseas, meaning it had many hard-to-find relics of Ancient Gods. Though only low and lowest-grade items, this was understandable since the Church of Hayat strictly forbade miracles and relics of other religions.

“No, even that’s not possible. The cloak must’ve evaded detection due to the heretical energy… If only I could use a necklace that increases mana.”

Heretical miracles could drain mana quickly with just a few uses. Even I, armed with my overpowered traits, couldn’t avoid it.

“Then, why don’t you buy something from Lyla’s collection?”

“I don’t have any items left…”

“Shall we go back then?”

“No, we still need to pick something for you.”

Though Talia appeared apologetic, Lyla and I had already chosen a few items. A harpoon with an auto-recall enchantment. A bracelet with Tiamat’s maritime blessing. A bracelet that enhanced Strength from Thor. A ring of life protection from Amaratet. They were all rather insignificant in their efficacy, but…

『Lord Ethnos, quite a generous gesture. Honestly, at first, I thought you were raising her as either a sacrifice or an apprentice.』

“I have no intention of doing that.”

I replied to Eldritch, hidden in my bag, while frowning. Not because I was displeased, but because my head throbbed.

“Why does your telepathy make my head ache so much?”

‘Telepathy’ conveyed meaning directly to the brain. Creatures related to Outer Gods had often attempted to communicate with me via telepathy. For beings lacking vocal organs or sharing different languages, telepathy was the most useful means of communication.

『What I’m using is not widespread telepathy but a magic called 〈Mind Link〉 that focuses on a single target.』

“Magic…?”

『Imitating the communication ability of superior beings poorly results in side effects.』

Whenever Eldritch’s explanation echoed in my mind, it made me slightly nauseous.

『If you focus your thoughts with the intent of conveying them to me, I can read those thoughts.』

It was nice that only I could hear it, but it seemed like it would take some time to get used to.

『I really thought you were a madman steeped in insanity… But the more I get to know you, the more unexpected sides I see.』

‘Quiet down. Just pick another one for me.’

『There’s really nothing useful here. Like any other market, it’s full of seemingly good trash.』

As I was about to wrap things up and call Talia, I noticed that her gaze was fixed on a necklace.

It was a piece of old wooden carving tied with a string, so old that any distinct patterns seemed to be erased.

“Do you like it?”

“For some reason, yes.”

Talia nodded, but Eldritch sent a telepathic message, seeming troubled.

『It seems like that item had a miracle from a departed God hung on it… But it appears the God took the miracle with them as they left this world.』

‘So, it’s just a useless necklace?’

『Yes. There’s a faint remnant of the Ancient God’s presence, but it’s insignificant.』

Of all things, why would she pick that?

Talia seemed to have less discerning eyes than I thought. Even Lyla appeared to want to dissuade her.

“Talia, that item has no real effect—”

“No, I really want this one.”

Talia spoke with unusual firmness. Given that she always felt burdened whenever buying something, her sudden insistence made me suspect as if she had been influenced by the presence of an Outer God.

『You don’t need to worry about that. The item undoubtedly held a miracle from an Ancient God.』

‘It could be an elaborately disguised item from an Outer God, though.’

『For that to be possible, it would take an exceptional Outer God. Mimicking another God like that is an enormous provocation.』

‘… Is that so?’

It really didn’t seem like anything special even to me.

“I don’t know why, but… I’m strangely drawn to it.”

“Alright. Let’s buy that one too.”

What a peculiar event.

Maybe it was just a trivial misconception.

Thinking so, I paid for the necklace as well.

‘I’ll need to hunt down the local thugs soon.’

I was becoming indifferent to offering criminals as sacrifices.

My mind and body were healing, but changes were gradually happening. I was slowly deviating from being human.

‘Though it’s not something I welcome…’

I wished to remain human for as long as possible.

I wondered how long I could hold onto this sentiment…

“Thank you, mister.”

“You’re welcome.”

Talia immediately wore the item, and I helped her hide it inside her clothes to keep it from others’ sight.

It’s always best not to show such items to anyone. However, I couldn’t help but hide the harpoon.

『Anyone would think she’s your own daughter.』

Eldritch, even though he was hiding inside my bag, seemed to see and hear everything.

『You cherish her quite a bit. Yet, why do you intend to send her away?』

“Because I’m walking a dangerous path. I might lose my humanity, and in the worst case, death might be the only mercy in the hellish path I tread.”

That was the path I chose to uncover the truth. I neither desired peace in this place nor wished to return.

It would be nice if granted, but I didn’t crave it.

I just wanted to discover the truth.

『You’ve been so insistent against the Outer Gods. What are you trying so hard to find out?』

“No need for you to know.”

『… We are in this together, after all.』

I half-ignored Eldritch’s words. Despite the 〈Geass〉 contract, I wasn’t planning to trust a servant race of an Outer God so easily.

“We’ve bought everything we need…”

“Mister.”

“When traveling later, never head towards the ‘Isolated Black Island’. It’s inhabited by the fishmen, a servant race of an Outer God—”

“Mister…!”

Talia tugged at my sleeve.

She was always the one I advised to keep distance, and she had been good at it.

“… I’ll go ahead to the ship. Come when you’re done.”

Lyla, considering both of us, left first, and Talia clung to my sleeve even harder.

“What’s the matter?”

“I… actually…”

“No.”

I knew what she was about to say. Thus, I cut her off firmly, and Talia fell silent.

“Is it really a no? I know it’s dangerous. I also know how grateful I should be for this opportunity you’ve given me. But…”

Talia bit her lip. Her voice was suddenly filled with tears.

“You’re the only one I can trust… It’s been fine so far.”

“We only escaped danger because we were lucky. It’s best if we part ways as soon as possible.”

Those entangled with the heretical priests are destined for ruin. It’s a truth of this world. To be less entangled and to hopefully avoid ruin, ending this relationship soon is the best choice for Talia.

“Do you know? At the orphanage, I was the oldest one?”

A mix of sobs accompanied her words.

“The previous older siblings would die of cold in the winter, die of hunger overnight. Some died after venturing outside to avoid hunger and getting bitten by monsters.”

“…”

To Talia’s story, I could only listen, offering no reply.

“The director said that it couldn’t be helped, that we had to accept it because we were sinners who hadn’t received baptism. The children were too young to listen to my stories; they just spoke about themselves.”

Talia’s grip on my sleeve tightened. She clung to it as if she didn’t want to let go.

“Wherever I went, people wouldn’t even talk to an unbaptized orphan like me. It’s been that way my whole life. I was supposed to die living such a life… But you listened to me.”

“That was-”

“You didn’t just listen, did you? You stood up for us. As though… as though I had some worth. Why did you do it?”

As if I had some worth. Those words painfully pierced my heart.

“I just wanted you to live.”

“That made me so happy. The miracles you perform… even though I haven’t seen them, you can turn people into money, right? You could have used them for us.”

Talia pointed out sharply that the scripture arrived at the orphanage with that purpose in mind from the beginning.

“I’m sorry. I picked a fight on purpose because I didn’t want to part ways.”

“I know.”

There’s no way such a smart child would be unable to find a job because of causing problems wherever she went.

“This time, you truly intend to say goodbye, don’t you? Just a little… It’s fine.”

“Talia.”

“Just a little is enough… Please, save me.”

I heard the sound of her teardrops falling, wetting the ground. Gently, I reached out to wipe her tears and looked at Talia.

“From now on, you will meet many people and see a vast world.”

“But you won’t be there…”

“There will also be people who are kind to you and want to stay with you. You will get to know Lyla better as you travel together.”

“…”

Talia nodded while sniffling. Children who lost their parents early learned to accept farewells well. They had already experienced the saddest parting.

“It’s okay. You will be alright.”

No, she won’t be alright. I had heard this lie before.

—You’ll be okay.
—You’ll get through this.

Time had shown that it was not true. Yet, lacking any way to comfort or improve the situation, I repeated the lies adults once told me. Though I knew it was a lie and that it always left me feeling empty, I still clung to the hope within those words as I spoke.

‘… You’ll do better than I did.’

I believed that this smart child could overcome that empty loneliness and find happiness.

“Be happy, Talia. Thanks to you, I’ve come this far. Thank you. Thanks to you, I wasn’t lonely.”

Talia burst into tears and hugged me. I held her until she stopped crying. Regrettably, it was something no one else in this harsh world would do.