I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

The chaotic situation dissipated like a dream that ended abruptly.

As such dreams usually do, the encounter with Sevika raised many questions.

‘The door has disappeared… Should I ask the next time I meet her?’

Although I wanted to go back, both the flower and the door had already vanished. As a result, my mind was a jumbled mess.

‘She came from the same Earth.’

Could Dowol speak Russian? Did they make a Russian version of the ≪Orders≫?

‘… Let’s stop making wild guesses with insufficient information.’

I wasn’t a detective, and there was no way I could come up with a proper answer from these pieces of information. Shaking my head, I returned to the room by the coast.

“You left with such confidence, yet you’ve returned already!”

Eldritch remarked, untangling the spider web and shaking off what was stuck to it. Much time seemed to have passed, or maybe he recovered quickly; I couldn’t tell.

“Better to give up. From the start—”

“I’ve already met her and returned.”

I interrupted.

Eldritch paused, then let out a mirthless laugh.

“Not even two minutes have passed. Even a rabbit breeds slower than that.”

Two minutes? It had only been that long?

‘It felt like at least 30 minutes had passed…’

Time must have flowed differently. Meanwhile, Eldritch had recovered in those two minutes, indicating a strong resistance to venom.

‘Luckily, I have fully recovered, too.’

Had Eldritch challenged me to a second round while I was still worn out, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. Yet, thanks to Sevika—whether I should call it healing or being wrenched apart—my body was perfectly fine.

‘I don’t feel any mental fatigue.’

I felt refreshed, as though I had a good sleep.

‘I’m in peak condition. But being this alert makes it feel like I’m on drugs, which is scary.’

Naturally, my mana hadn’t recovered at all. Given that only two minutes had passed, it was expected.

“She called herself Sevika in the dream. I brought back a gift too.”

I produced it from my pocket with a nonchalant smile.

“What, what is this?! That’s the Chalice of the Red Ceremony!”

As expected, Eldritch’s face was overtaken by astonishment.

“That’s impossible! The treasure of the Red Haze Order… how could this relic, which had been missing for over 800 years…?”

Red Haze Order? And it had been missing for over 800 years? Eldritch started mumbling about various events—pirate incidents, uprisings, and so on.

‘I don’t know about its history, but it certainly is a remarkable relic.’

In ≪Orders≫, it was the key item the final boss brought out in one scenario. Unfortunately, due to some conditions, I couldn’t fully utilize its potential like the final boss could.

‘The relic bestows one of seven types of blessings for 24 hours through a ritual of filling the chalice with blood.’

That’s its basic effect, but the blessings are exceptionally powerful. Additionally, as a high-grade relic, it has various inherent effects.

“And to think she is the famed Sevika Embraced by Dreams… I’ve only heard rumors.”

“Rumors?”

Eldritch nodded.

“She is a priest of the only 【Witch of Dreams】 that exists in this world. She’s renowned for being stern and terrifying, never showing herself in the pitch-black darkness.”

… She wasn’t like that at all.

“She particularly values human etiquette and becomes enraged if offended. When that happens, terrible things occur.”

Completely different. If those are rumors, they’re completely off the mark. There was no need to correct him, though.

“Not only did Lady Sevika allow an audience, but she also bestowed a gift. Indeed, you are…”

Muttering to himself, Eldritch then looked up at me with newfound determination.

“There’s no reason to doubt your claim of meeting her. I have one question. What is your purpose?”

“My purpose?”

“There must be a purpose. For humans, the scriptures of heresy are disasters and misfortunes. Those who handle them are driven by nearly mad desires.”

Eldritch’s words reminded me of my purpose. I wanted to know the truth. The truth behind the mysterious actions Dowol had undertaken.

However, maybe beyond that……

“I have no reason to tell you that.”

“You must know. Whether you establish a sect or seize power. Whatever it is.”

In response to the words urging for an answer, I replied briefly.

“The truth. I just want to uncover the truth.”

“That is the most dangerous path of all.”

Eldritch pondered briefly and then took something out of his pocket.

“A scroll?”

“It’s not just a scroll. It’s a top-level contract, the 〈Geass〉 scroll. You’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”

Of course, I knew it.

A type of vow originating from Celtic mythology.

If broken, it brings death or even greater ruin.

A pledge that must be kept, so stringent that no existing magic could break it.

“And what kind of contract would you want to make with that?”

“I wish to make a pledge of allegiance. Please take me with you.”

…… What?

Surprised by his sudden words, I looked down at Eldritch, and he continued earnestly.

“No matter how long I wait here, I am getting nowhere. As things stand, I am weak and insignificant, merely a creature doomed to obsolescence.”

Eldritch’s words were filled with both bitterness and determination.

“I am willing to offer whatever you need if I can provide it!”

“Hmm…….”

Eldritch’s magical skills were quite outstanding.

Especially since I lacked offensive techniques and was vulnerable to medium-to-long-range attacks, Eldritch’s help could be quite beneficial.

“You seem to know a lot. Mr. Eldritch. Your knowledge is quite intriguing…”

“Of course, I will offer it to you.”

“But honestly, I don’t see why you would follow me to the point of subordination?”

Eldritch smiled at my question.

“Are you not Alice, one of the Apostles of Calamity? You were also invited by the terrifying Lady Sevika in that dream. Wouldn’t it naturally be beneficial to follow you?”

…… Hold on, one of the Apostles of Calamity?

“There are more Apostles of Calamity?”

“Isn’t Lady Sevika, whom you met immediately, an Apostle of Calamity?”

So Sevika is also an Apostle of Calamity?

Well, there’s nothing strange about it.

“There are also a few more Apostles of Calamity operating in secret. Although I don’t have detailed information…”

I felt I could find out more if I asked Sevika, but I didn’t have anything to offer in return for that question.

Moreover, Sevika had too many suspicious aspects.

It would be best to minimize visits or questions to her.

“And about this so-called Alice. Everyone says that to me, but I have no idea what it means.”

Eldritch blinked, genuinely puzzled, as if he couldn’t believe I didn’t know.

“It’s not a term commonly used among humans, but it’s a concept that has been around for quite some time. You really don’t know?”

“I don’t.”

“Hmm… Alice, the creator of the concept said, is a kind of wordplay. It reminds one of a person’s name, but in reality….”

Eldritch began to write something on the floor.

At first, it seemed like he was writing in a foreign script, but I couldn’t read it.

「אל-less」

What on earth is this?

“And at the end… is that Roman script?”

“Yes, it’s a script that some ancient Gods taught. It has disappeared due to being overshadowed by the common language of today.”

Ancient Gods taught Roman script?

I thought I might need to visit a library or such to understand the conventions of this world better.

‘In English… it seems to mean less? Or none? Something like that?’

“The first letter is read as Al. It means master or God.”

“Master or God?”

“Yes, so ‘Alice’ means ‘one without a God.’ It does not merely mean a godless unbeliever. It implies someone blessed despite not serving a God.”

Is it because I don’t worship any particular God?

I wondered why people were calling me Alice.

‘I’ll find out gradually later.’

If I continued investigating and asking questions now, there would be no end to it.

‘Then, back to the main point… A master-servant contract with a 〈Geass〉 would certainly be reliable.’

There were many benefits for me.

Knowledge, combat power; as a companion, Eldritch was lacking nothing. The problem was his conspicuousness.

“You seem to be capable of transformation magic. To what extent can you change?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s a mimicking ability.”

Eldritch sighed slightly.
.
“It’s the only characteristic I have as a mutant. However, with my current limitations, I can only maintain this one form. Other forms keep collapsing.”

“Then, what about transformation potions or magic?”

“Magic is intended for humans, so it’s impossible.”

Eldritch shook his head as he answered.

“Magic to transform into another species is much more advanced and complex. Likewise, transformation potions are based on human standards, so I can’t use them.”

What a troublesome restriction.

How should I handle this…?

I thought of one possibility.

“Can you shrink by camouflage?”

“I can’t camouflage, but in my original form, I can shrink to about the size of your hand with an item I possess.”

That size was sufficient.

A smile spread across my face as I realized it would work for my plan.

“What exactly do you want from me?”

“I want food and lodging, access to the scriptures you own, and occasionally, items imbued with heretical priest energy.”

Not a bad deal.

Eldritch filled out the contents on the 〈Geass〉 scroll, and I checked it before making the contract.

“Then, Mr. Eldritch, there’s something we need to do to get started together…”

Eldritch was initially surprised by my words, but he soon nodded in agreement.

* * *

“Hmm…”

Cernun read the report I wrote on the parchment and nodded in satisfaction.

“You’ve done well. But…”

Cernun’s gaze shifted to the floating entity beside me.

“Playing the role of a mage and familiar.”

Eldritch, floating like a wobbly jellyfish, bowed his head or waist—whatever it was—to greet.

—I intend to create a mage persona. You will pretend to be my familiar, shrunk to accompany me.

As a result, Eldritch turned into a jellyfish the size of a small fist floating beside me. Perhaps due to its cute appearance or camouflage abilities, it didn’t cause any mental distress even to ordinary people.

“You seem to enjoy creating fictitious identities.”

With a different face and hairstyle, Cernun commented as he looked at me, who appeared to be an entirely different person from before.

“I acquired a great miracle, which makes it easier to create new identities.”

The miracle, 〈Mask of Illusions〉, recorded in the scriptures given by Sevika allowed me to hide my true appearance and impose another through a powerful illusion.

“Congratulations. Consider your first task complete with this. By the way… how did you handle the miracle I gave you?”

“I’ve kept it safe.”

“Do you intend to use it?”

“Of course, but not yet.”

I frowned as I spoke.

“It seems you’ve certainly understood its contents.”

Despite its description as a reinforcement-type miracle that grants transcendent strength and mana…

‘In reality, it’s a suicide miracle.’

Contrary to its description, this miracle existed for believers to take their own lives. Its name was ironically 〈True Salvation〉.

‘Crafty old man.’

He must have been testing my abilities. If I hadn’t noticed the miracle’s truth, he’d see me as insignificant and let me die.

“What’s the second task?”

“I’ll let you know later. This is enough for now. And since you’ve worked hard, I’ll give you a small reward.”

As I looked puzzled, Cernun handed me a parchment. Feeling a slight headache, I examined what was written on it.

“You’ve acquired such detailed information—impressive.”

“When you’re in this position, you hear all sorts of things.”

The content written on the parchment was none other than a report. It confirmed that Ethnos, a red-haired heretical priest, was in the port city, hence a subjugation squad was being formed to deal with him.

‘Luminaries assigned personnel to capture the one responsible for the count’s murder. Ethnos’s subjugation is under Stigmata…’

The name of the subjugation squad leader was familiar.

“It has been confirmed that Albeka of Stigmata has received permission to use sacred relics and will lead the Ethnos subjugation team.”

As I finished reading the contents of the parchment, Cernun stood up.

“It looks like we’ll both be quite busy.”

Indeed, his words rang true.