I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 125. The Secret of the Temple (2)

In this world, there were four types of the most powerful divine relic known as the “Dragon Crown”. Similar to the four elements, there were red, blue, yellow, and green, each embodying the power of an associated Outer God. The red, symbolizing fire, was related to the “Eternal Blaze”.

“You were guarding it all along. For ages, without anyone finding out…”

『Those seeking to invade here do not know of the Dragon Crown’s existence.』
『Normally, it cannot be found or sensed… But we must prevent it from falling into the hands of those wicked beings at all costs.』

Even without the miracle of the Eternal Blaze, using the Dragon Crown was possible.

If it fell into the hands of a 5th-ranked priest like Beatrice, there was no doubt that a great calamity would unfold.

“Of course, I will protect the Dragon Crown and burn away the followers of an Outer God.”

『Then I shall bring out the Dragon Crown, please sit in the center.』

“I’m worried because it’s not an ordinary divine relic. Is there anything to be cautious about? Any side effects?”

『There are none.』

With a brief response, a peculiar silence ensued.

“Hmm… I understand.”

I quietly recited a prayer, just in case.

“Bestow upon me the blessing that leads to the darkest underground. 〈Forbidden Transformation〉.”

After silently invoking the miracle, I sat at the center of those who formed a circle.

『Let’s begin.』

Fwoosh.

One by one, we began to ignite ourselves. Everyone was transforming their bodies into flames, even those reduced to ashes kindled anew.

『To prepare for a time when we might all turn to ash and be unable to protect the Dragon Crown, we transformed the Red Dragon Crown into flames and divided it.』

Bright and translucent flames emerged from their chest regions, almost unnaturally so.

『We have hidden it within our souls.』

The flames merged into a burning ring.

A crown made of fire.

It was still connected to a string of flames extending from their chests, as if it hadn’t completely detached from their bodies.

As the crown gradually descended onto my head…

‘… I can’t see.’

My vision went dark. Strangely, I did not feel any heat from the Dragon Crown on my head.

‘Could it be… my head has evaporated?’

I realized that my entire head had evaporated, leaving me unable to see or feel anything.

‘I didn’t even have time to feel anything…’

Despite having a fair resistance to flames, I was taken aback.

The only reason my consciousness remained was due to the 〈Forbidden Transformation〉 I had cast in advance, which was continuously attempting to regenerate.

However, every time my head was recreated, it would evaporate again. Reluctantly, I moved my brain and senses to another part of my body.

“What on earth is happening?”

『The power is too much for you to handle at this point.』
『Normally, at least a 4th rank would be necessary to barely manage it; however, I believe you can do it.』
『There is a way. Absorb the flame of the Dragon Crown into your soul. Seal it there and release only a small part at a time; at your current level, it should be manageable.』

Absorb it into my soul? Such vague advice left me uncertain of what to do. But beyond the confusion…

‘I absolutely cannot contain this within my soul.’

An intuitive sense, beyond just instinct, informed me of this. Despite not understanding what it meant to absorb it into my soul precisely.

“Is it truly safe to absorb this into my soul?”

『Of course. We have always shared and stored it within our souls.』
『A being as strong as you should have no issue.』

… You? The sudden shift in how they addressed me struck me as odd. They began to urge me further.

『You don’t have time to hesitate. Accept it quickly.』
『If someone else arrives, it will become troublesome. There is no reason to think otherwise.』

“No.”

I firmly refused.

“I’ll think carefully about how to absorb it. There’s plenty of time as I have my comrades above.”

『Hurry and take it already!』
『I can’t believe this… We’re finally going to be free, so why won’t the bastard just accept it?!』
『Grant us respite! Free us from this torment! Take this dreadful thing from our souls!』

As if unable to hide it any longer, their skeletal jaws gaped as they emitted metallic cries.

『Tear it from our souls! Immediately!』

“Since when has it been like this? Was it a trap from the beginning?”

『Of course not! A trap is unimaginable!』

A voice with some semblance of sanity responded.

『We merely cannot endure any longer. We don’t care anymore. Anyone… Just free our souls!』

But the remaining voices were utterly desperate.

『You can do it! You can save us! Endure this torment no longer!』

Truly, the years spent maintaining their conviction was commendable. And then I appeared.

The one who could inherit the Dragon Crown, even if not completely ready, a being that surely heralded hope for them.

‘Faced with a real chance at freedom, they crumbled.’

They were literally losing it.

“So, you lose control and try to offload it onto someone else? Isn’t it agonizing despite being divided amongst you?”

『You alone can help us!』

“I’m disappointed. Truly.”

It wasn’t an incomprehensible action. Honestly, it’s somewhat impressive. Yet, this is entirely unacceptable.

“If I were to contain it in my soul, I might have succumbed to the agony and gone on a rampage. As I am still a 3rd rank, I might not have been able to endure it properly.”

Rage bubbled within me. Had I lost control and run amok, those on the floors above could have all perished by my hand.

“I can’t allow this.”

『What more do you want us to do? What have we done wrong by offering the Dragon Crown when you say you’ll take it?!』

Their brazen audacity nearly made me laugh. Those who had defended their beliefs so fiercely, yet now fall into depravity so suddenly.

“If you were so righteous, why didn’t you just say so from the beginning? In the end, you feared I might refuse and deceived me, didn’t you?”

My words struck a nerve, leaving them silent. But…

『Even so, what will you do? Remain this way forever?』
『You’ll have to take it eventually.』

They began to pressure me differently. Certainly, if things continued like this, I would eventually dissolve and disappear completely.

These bastards had maneuvered me into a position where I had no choice but to accept the Dragon Crown.

『Please accept it… Just do it…』

“Yes, I must take it. But there is another way.”

If they had just told me from the start that there are side effects, requiring my soul to contain it, I might have found an alternative approach.

But now, I have no intention of sparing them.

“I ask with all due respect, grant me permission to summon your servants. 〈Door of Reinforcement〉.”

With all my remaining mana, I conjured a black hole. From it, Leng Spiders began to emerge one by one. Though they seemed confused by the situation, I didn’t intend to demand combat from them or anything of that sort.

“I intend to perform an Awakening Ritual. Leng Spiders, assist me! If you prepare the silk I require, I shall return the divine relic I acquired from Pleroma!”

The divine relic which held no use to me. But to them, it was an invaluable treasure.

The Leng Spiders, though taken off guard, began to weave silken threads in excitement at the chance to retrieve the relic.

‘With that, the Awakening Ritual will not be an issue.’

Having discovered the tremendous divine relic known as the Dragon Crown, I had earned enough merit for an Awakening.

While the materials required for the ritual were demanding, all could be bargained for in this manner.

『You mean to perform the Awakening now?』
『What madness is this? Performing the Awakening in that state!』

I eschewed a response, observing as the spiders spun a pile of silk at my feet as though it formed an altar.

The Leng Spiders spun colorful silk, then received the divine relic from me in return.

“Offering a creation in tribute, fashioned in your illustrious deeds.”

As I began the prayer for the Awakening Ritual, the silks unraveled into threads, forming a spider’s web encircling me roundly.

“To you who incessantly weaves threads that herald destruction, hear my prayer.”

The silken threads became a kaleidoscope of color. Like the reflection of starlight upon a lake, their humble creation mirrored the vibrant hues of an Outer God’s work.

As I beheld even a portion of the magnificent masterpiece, my mind and soul underwent transformation.

“I pray that your light may awaken this humble being, granting permission for the Awakening.”

A luminous essence filled me. With a brilliant white light completing the triad of hues already within me, I finally attained the 4th rank.

『This is unbelievable! To awaken… in such a state?!』

Despite their astonishment, their voices carried undertones of hope.

『Now you can accept the Dragon Crown, so there should be no problem, right?』
『Please, finally set us free-』

“You seem to be mistaken.”

A head slowly formed beneath the Dragon Crown. Now, I could somewhat resist without disintegration.

“I ascended in rank to meet the minimum conditions to hold the Dragon Crown. But that doesn’t align with your freedom.”

I held no intention to grant leniency.

For any reason, these beings attempted to trap me in a snare to be used. Thus, I decided to employ them purposefully.

“The Dragon Crown is safely contained within your souls. Though you might not perceive it as such, it is remarkably stable. Hence, I decided to simply utilize it as it is.”

Managing the Dragon Crown entirely at the 4th rank remained formidable.

If I could not fully suppress its power, withstand its pain, and endure its side effects… well. Henceforth, they could continue doing it.

『Wait… What do you mean?』
『Please, don’t! We could finally have been free, why would you not help us?! We’ve borne sacrifice too!』

The beings, grasping my intention, began to convulse and plead.

“At first you were noble and admirable. Yet, in the end, when you deceived a person to shirk your obligation, you deserved to bear that crime.”

I began the prayer,

“Life is like a fiercely burning flame.”

『No! Stop it!』
『He intends to imprison us forever within himself!』

Having reached the Awakening, and with my mana sufficiently restored, I could do things impossible at the 3rd rank.

“To you who devours all things, grant me too that ecstasy. 〈Plundering of the Spirit Flame〉.”

In the next instant, cries filled with lamentation and despair echoed, as I absorbed them within me.

To exist indefinitely as mere vessels for holding the Dragon Crown.

『Why won’t you save us…』

As I absorbed the last voice, I replied.

“Don’t ask me for salvation; seek it yourself.”

And just like that, the space was void of all else.

Until the day I grant them deliverance, they would continue to exist as vessels to stabilize my Dragon Crown.

TL’s Corner:
What goes around comes around.