I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 132: Ospryng (3)

The tentacles burrowed into the flesh, rummaging through the organs. It was a horrific scene, but it was undeniably a part of the healing process.

『Lord Ethnos, what should I do?』

Eldritch, who had moved Gerald to another room, asked.

“Scatter oil outside and light the torches. Ghouls might attack.”

『Ghouls? Why here… understood.』

I focused back on the treatment.

The patient was kept unconscious to prevent shock, but their bodies were precariously frail, which presented a challenge.

A sense of urgency arose as the threat of ghouls attacking loomed uncertainly.

‘I understand why no one could uncover anything.’

Observation was distorted.

Be it mana or the patient’s condition, nothing could be accurately observed because of the power of an Outer God controlling the distortion.

But I could eliminate this distortion with Gluttony.

‘Can it even be called a human organ?’

As the distortion faded, the true form became visible. It functioned as an organ, but its form was nothing more than decayed, rotten flesh. To think this was inherited…

‘It would be quicker to let Gluttony devour it and create new ones.’

Once the distorted organs were consumed, the distortion that impeded observation vanished, leaving the aura of an Outer God strongly imprinted.

As more organs were consumed, Gluttony feasted contentedly, and I created new organs and tissues within my own body.

It was a bizarre process, but it assured effective healing.

I could feel the patients’ breathing becoming steady and their groans disappearing.

“Success.”

They would awaken soon enough.

‘I’ve treated all the patients here; only Gerald remains…’

But I didn’t plan to heal Gerald just yet. He needed to be used as bait.

‘What the ghouls are after… must be the distorted and decaying aura spread throughout the Ospryng family.’

Therefore, I had to leave one untreated.

‘… They’ve arrived.’

Sensing the ghouls’ presence, I drew forth the Dragon Crown with low output. Ignoring the annoying howling sounds, I focused, and from the torches lit near the house, sounds came through.

“This is strange. I sense a deep aura.”

“Is an Outer God priest here?”

The ghouls sensed my aura and appeared bewildered.

“If someone like them is here… it must be the Gray Calamity.”

“That priest of the 3rd rank?”

It seemed the news of my Awakening Ritual hadn’t reached them yet.

“We better report this. Let’s retreat.”

To this, another ghoul retorted.

“No, this is our chance to showcase our strength. For how long must we bow? It’s just a 3rd rank!”

“That’s against the words of the twin priests. They said to continue trading with him.”

“Last time’s trade was a total loss. He’s probably overconfident now.”

The ghouls argued about me. Listening closely, it seemed the twins had decided to be obsequious towards me.

“At least report it to the superiors first. We should avoid unnecessary conflicts.”

“Why should we? We have two from the 3rd rank as well. The rest are 2nd rank.”

Though they seemed quite confident in their combat prowess…

‘How laughable.’

With the Dragon Crown obtained and me at the 4th rank, their power seemed pitifully weak now.

“Let’s show him we’re in control! Then, in future dealings, we can benefit more! It’s for the twin priests!”

“We just need to subdue him, no need to kill.”

With disdain for their triviality, I manifested before them through the flames.

“What the—”

Using Gluttony, I ensnared one and crushed it. Whether it was 2nd rank or 3rd rank, it was devoured alive, unable to even scream.

“We greet the Gray Calamity!”

Just as they had been talking about subduing me, they knelt and bowed their heads instead of showing hostility.

“I heard you saying you’d subdue me to show your superiority.”

“Wait, that’s—”

I crushed the head of the one who spoke.

“… We were impudent, O Gray Calamity.”

“You came here to capture the humans, wasn’t that your purpose?”

A ghoul responded to my question.

“We deeply felt how powerful the Gray Calamity is, how could we resist.”

“And if I decide not to hand over the humans here, what then?”

“If you would allow us to simply withdraw, we would gladly comply.”

“Hmm… then tell me why. These humans have little to do with the God you serve. Why target them?”

One of the ghouls started to speak.

“Pardon, but I can’t divulge the details—”

I pulled out that ghoul’s head as well. As three of them died quickly, anxiety and fear began to surface in the remaining ghouls.

“Seems like everyone’s hiding something. Choose: confess or join them in death.”

At that, one ghoul hastily spoke up.

“The twin priests need the aura of an Outer God instilled in these humans! The aura of decay!”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, it is. We didn’t know you, the Gray Calamity, were here.”

The ghoul trembled as it spoke.

“Well… there’s nothing more to gain from tormenting you further.”

While I suspected deception, it didn’t seem worth verifying.

They weren’t likely foolish enough to lie about something so significant, and if necessary, I could confront the twins later.

“Alright, there’s nothing more to discuss. You won’t harbor resentment and make trouble for me over this, right?”

“We dare not harbor grievances. The twin priests will understand too.”

So, even the twin priests would understand…

“It’s peculiar how cooperative you are. Any reason?”

“Our priests merely wish to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with the Gray Calamity.”

I pondered briefly about why. Then the answer seemed to dawn on me.

“Is it because of my divine blood?”

At that moment, the ghouls began to froth at the mouth and convulse. One of them managed to speak amidst the spasms.

“It seems… we cannot hear of it. The twin priests have forbidden it. Please forgive our forthcoming follies.”

In surprise at their sudden words, one of the ghouls slammed its head into the ground.

Thud!

The sound was unpleasant, and just like that, the other’s heads were smashed, dying in silence.

“…?”

I wondered if it was some sort of trick but, with all their heads broken, they were dead.

‘For the mere mention of divine blood to cause suicide… even for a secret, that seems overwhelmingly unnecessary.’

‘Perhaps even minor creatures would willingly die upon hearing about divine blood.’

I used Gluttony to consume the bodies, allowing me to transform into a 3rd rank ghoul. Capable of operating even in sparse air and possessing vision through darkness.

‘Just as the Dwellers of the Abyss reveal their true worth underwater, these creatures shine underground.’

Though they were not as formidable as Pleroma or Leviathan, they seemed useful in specific situations. However, there was a disappointment…

‘Their most significant racial trait is regenerating health and mana by consuming corpses.’

Having acquired a stable mana recovery method upon reaching the 4th rank, I had no need for this feature.

“Hm… is this matter settled?”

I waited a bit longer just in case, but no additional opponents appeared.

I returned to the mansion quickly, healing Gerald, before strolling and conversing with Eldritch in the yard.

『Divine blood… I haven’t heard of it either.』

“Really?”

『Yes. I only heard tales of Elise’s great importance. This is my first hearing of ‘divine blood.’ 』

Even Eldritch, with vast knowledge, was clueless, indicating it was a deeply hidden secret.

‘Just how does Dowol know about all this… bothered by it or not, it’s best not to dwell.’

Focusing instead on the information I currently possessed.

『By the way, Lord Ethnos. As I reflect once more, you’ve grown so strong that insignificant beings don’t concern you anymore.』

Eldritch adjusted their monocle and remarked.

『Before, they might have attacked you upon confrontation. But now they couldn’t even meet your gaze, right?』

Thinking back, even those mutated humans I encountered in the wildlands cowered upon seeing me.

“Certainly… 3rd rank opponents aren’t very threatening now.”

They were so trivial that I didn’t feel like I was truly facing them.

While I aimed to extract information, in reality, I could have simply annihilated them upon my arrival.

‘But is it right to entertain such arrogance?’

Concerned I might become more aggressive with decreased mind, I checked and found my mental state had recovered to a level of 35.

“Perhaps I’m intoxicated by this newfound power…”

『That could be the case. Especially with the Dragon Crown.』

Though Eldritch agreed, I sensed it wasn’t merely that.

“Something feels different… unsure what, but I must stay cautious.”

With a slight unease marring our walk, I sensed patients beginning to wake one by one.

I reverted my transformation after employing the Dragon Crown, returning to Gerald and the other patients.

“What on earth… what has happened…?”

Faces of the Ospryng family brimmed with astonishment.

“I’m not sleepy at all now! Breathing is so easy…”

“My head isn’t heavy!”

Gerald even began bouncing around. Overjoyed by their newfound lightness and comfort, they were unsure what to do.

“Professor Magus! Did you heal us?”

“Technically, it was with Tako’s help.”

I used pre-prepared lines about Tako’s unique racial traits. Still, the Ospryng family was too excited to fully grasp my words.

“Thank you so much, professor!”

“How can we ever repay such kindness…!”

Amid talks of rewards, I broached the main point.

“I am truly relieved you all regained your health. There’s, however, something I need assistance with…”

Despite their downfall, they remained noble. When I mentioned the ship, they confidently assured me.

“A ship we have for bringing healers from afar—please use that vessel.”

It hadn’t been used for nearly half a year, so it needed some maintenance, though.

‘What a relief. I thought I’d need to rely solely on the Ospryng name, but to think they had a ship ready.’

Fortunately, the maintenance wouldn’t be difficult, and I had plans for staffing as well.

“I’ll handle the maintenance. I’ve got workers specifically for that, so just the ship will suffice.”

When I extended my hand, the man overseeing the conversation, likely the patriarch, took it and shook it firmly.

“On behalf of the Ospryng family, we will support you to any extent, professor.”

“Ha-ha, thank you.”

Now it was time to seek out the priest of Zeus.