I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

“Uwaaah!”

“Die! Just die…!”

The people fighting with fists and teeth resembled beasts. Skin tore apart, bones were exposed, and they bled thick, dark blood, yet the killing intent showed no signs of abating. It was chaos incarnate, a landscape of hell materialized in the present world.

“Light, light, light…”

Priest Admon was plunged into despair. Located outside the influence of the 〈Black Blood of Frenzy〉, he seemed unscathed, but witnessing those fighting to the death while spilling their innards was breaking his spirit.

“Blinded by greed.”

Admon had been blinded by the greed for the immense wealth that this scripture in my possession would bring. Considering the horrendous acts committed by such an avaricious human, he must have been blinded by greed long before.

“It’s nearly over.”

Listening to the progressively diminishing sounds, I advanced slowly. I approached the trembling Priest Admon, who had lost his will to fight. Those who died or were mortally wounded in the brawl did not obstruct my path.

“In the name of the light… please, in the name of the light…”

I wanted to interrogate Priest Admon about several things, but he seemed mentally broken. Whether it was due to fear of impending death or the aftermath of witnessing the frenzy, I didn’t know.

“Tsk.”

It was irksome to see him desperately praying while clutching a sacred relic.

“… Let’s end this.”

Just as I was about to employ a suitable miracle, the dark liquid mingled with the blood on the ground began to gather and engulf Admon. Formless residues were acting independently.

“What is this?”

I questioned the formless residues swallowing Admon. Behind me, both the bodies of those who had lost the battle and the still-living were being eroded by the liquid as if melting. It was as though the place had turned into a gigantic black swamp.

“What are you doing?”

The formless residues squirmed wildly. Though they made no distinct words, their actions signified laughter.

『Price.』

With those words, the formless residues vanished. The bodies also disappeared. In the place where Admon stood, only his necklace and a sack of gold coins remained. And…

“Damn bastards.”

From a slightly open seam, jewel-filled fabric pouches, appearing not stitched but rather melted together, emerged from the black puddle. The source of those jewels was unmistakable, and the reason for their placement was evident.

‘What if I ignored it and walked away?’

Refusing this unsettling money would be easy; I had no intention of taking it initially. But I was well aware of how naive such thinking was.

‘They abandoned Priest Admon, but they won’t give up on me.’

There was no way the Stigmata would leave untouched someone who caused such a major incident. By the next time, they would surely prepare meticulously. Money was essential for escaping, surviving, and preparing for future battles. They knew this well, hence the offer.

‘Will greed blind me as well? Initially out of necessity, later creating my own reasons?’

Feeling a sense of unease, I took the sack. Even the more moderate and seemingly less harmful Outer Gods were still Outer Gods. Becoming complacent could lead down a path of madness and corruption.

‘No, I won’t become like those people.’

I calmed my unstable mind. Memories of my unsettled past still lingered within me.

The emotions entangled within that place were fiercely tumultuous, but they were ignored and suppressed.

‘I have no reason or leisure to be tormented by past events. Let’s focus on what I need to do first.’

Hoo…

After exhaling and calming my emotions a bit, I headed towards the orphanage building.

An elderly woman in worn clothing was standing at the entrance.

“Director, have the children safely evacuated?”

Her face was pale and her hands were trembling, but it probably wasn’t due to a health issue.

“… Yes, thanks to you. But-”

“You don’t need to tell me where.”

The director flinched, her body shaking. I could roughly guess what kind of misunderstanding she had. I would likely experience this kind of treatment frequently in the future.

“Take the children and leave. Anywhere is fine, but it’s best if you go in a different direction after seeing me leave.”

“What?”

The director was dumbfounded and looked at me blankly, then soon averted her gaze, frightened. She probably thought I intended to offer the children as live sacrifices.

‘I can’t blame her for thinking that.’

It was difficult for me to imagine how confused she must be right now. Religion and faith were absolute to the people of this era. But then something happened, and they were almost exploited by a priest.

‘And the one who informed them of that fact was a priest from a foreign religion.’

Simply put, let’s consider it in the context of reality. If the police made a suspicious request for cooperation, and a heinous terrorist appeared and said not to trust the police. What if the terrorist claimed that the police were trying to frame and exploit them, and then killed all the police officers? Would it be possible to completely believe that the terrorist saved them?

‘A lot of thoughts must be racing through their minds. But now is the time to make a quick decision. Priests or holy knights will gather to investigate this matter.’

The director looked as if she could neither do this nor that. Judging by her appearance, she might just tell the truth to the people dispatched by the Church of Hayat. To her, it might just seem like one bad priest named Admon, and the Church of Hayat would still be absolutely right.

“What I desire is…”

I put on a smile. The same fake smile I often displayed in the past.

“…silence. Do you understand? I am content with retrieving this scripture. Since you showed kindness to me when I was pretending to be collapsed in the forest, I will not ask for anything else.”

The director took a step back. On her face, confronted with the unveiled evil, the fear she tried to suppress began to emerge.

“We… we know nothing. Nothing at all…”

“Yes, that would be better for you.”

I threw a pouch full of gold coins and a gold necklace to her. Although it felt a bit unsettling to give her things taken from dead people, it was better than the formless residues that gave me these jewels.

“What… what is this?”

“The price for silence. If you discreetly donate this money to a suitable Priest of Hayat, they will provide the baptism you so earnestly desire.”

At those words, the director’s eyes slightly changed. Forgetting even the fear and hesitation.

“You can give the children better food or clothes, whatever you wish, as long as you keep your mouth shut and don’t get caught.”

I tempted, just like a devil would. The director, who had likely never touched gold before, took the pouch in her trembling hands. Though she flinched, fearing some ill fate, naturally, nothing happened.

“Good. Now that you’ve received the payment, I expect loyal silence. You surely know what I am capable of, so don’t do anything foolish.”

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground. As I turned around and walked away, I sighed. If it weren’t for being an extremely dangerous entities like a heretical priest, I could have earned more trust. But as of now, this was the best I could do.

‘There’s nothing more I can do, and it’s best not to get involved at all. I should mind my own business.’

Wishing for the children’s safety, I moved my steps. But now, where should I go?

Just as these thoughts began to trouble him, a voice called out from behind.

“Mister.”

Even without turning around, he knew. It was Talia.

“What are you doing here?”

I asked.

“I’m coming with you.”

Looking down at Talia, I saw that she had already packed her things.

“You don’t even remember anything, do you? You probably don’t know your way around this area, either.”

“That may be true, but you shouldn’t put yourself through any trouble for me. It’s no good following me around.”

“I’m not saying I’ll follow you forever. Just accompanying you to the nearest village.”

Talia spoke assertively, showing no sign of backing down. While her bravado was admirable, it was far too dangerous for her to travel with me.

“You don’t seem to understand…”

“And even though you told the director otherwise, we know you’ve helped us. And you also need help.”

“What help do I need exactly?”

“Well, you’ve forgotten your bag and books, haven’t you?”

Only then did I notice that the bag Talia carried had originally belonged to me. It turned out I had forgotten about it completely. Even though it was my, I hadn’t paid it much attention.

“I would do just fine by myself. Besides, the people pursuing me are dangerous. Most of all—”

“You’re saying you’re the dangerous one? I know that too.”

I gazed quietly at Talia.

“I know, but it’s something I’m willing to risk to go with you.”

Talia didn’t give up.

“I’ve been hunting all this time, and I can run if things get bad. I’m quick-witted and have sharp senses.”

In this world, it was common knowledge how dangerous foreign faiths could be, yet she persisted stubbornly.

“And besides, you have a lot of shortcomings. You need someone by your side.”

“What shortcomings do I have?”

“How could you give all that money to the director? There wasn’t any money or food in your bag. Why go off just like that?”

“I’m not careless.”

I took out a pouch full of jewels and showed it to her. Talia stared at it blankly before letting out a small laugh.

“Well, I see that. But you still need help, right?”

“… I suppose so.”

It was hard to deny. Still feeling hesitant, I saw Talia quickly continue.

“So, let’s travel together to the nearest village. It would be even better if it were a port city.”

A port city? I tried to recall if there was such a place and something came to mind.

“Port city Wavebridge?”

It was the largest port in the empire. Filled with people from all over, I thought my red hair would attract less attention there. And in a bustling port city, tracking me would be more challenging.

“It is a bit far… but fine, let’s go there. To the port city.”

“What? Really, we’re going to the port city?”

“Yes, didn’t you say you wanted to go?”

The port city was a place where people and occupations from various countries gathered. It seemed like the perfect place for Talia to start her life, no matter what she wanted to do or where she wanted to go. And I had my own reasons for wanting to go there as well.

“And one more thing. If you’re really coming with me.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t have to pretend not to be scared. Bottling it up will only make it worse.”

Talia bowed her head quietly. No child could merely show bravado without feeling fear in such a situation. I could see through the act, having grown up knowing what it’s like to fake being okay.

“Thank you…”

With an awkward silence between them, the rejected child and the one chosen for a perilous path began walking down the forest trail.