I Became the Servant of the Blind Wicked Woman

To read over 260 fully translated episodes, patreon.com/Denji02

"Oh. Could it be me?" Urania asked playfully. However, as a priestess of Elimon, Urania's playful question was not just a jest but a temptation, given the power she possessed as a priestess.

"No," Utis replied to her without any sign of emotion or disturbance. In fact, the debate with Hyacinth seemed more sincere by comparison.

The scale tilted again toward Utis's hair. As soon as the scale stopped moving, the lightning scale flashed, and then it dissolved into particles of light and disappeared.

Hyacinth pondered over the "one lie" that Utis had mentioned.

'Why lie about that particular question? And why make it so that everyone could know it was a lie through Philoxenon's sanctum?'

The question of whether he had someone he loved could also be interpreted as whether he could love anyone at all. If Utis couldn't feel affection for anything in the world, the priests' wariness would have intensified several times over.

But didn't this ridiculous exchange significantly alleviate that wariness?

'If there's a hidden agenda, it must be around this point….'

Was there really a need to prove his humanity in such a manner?

While Hyacinth was trying to figure out Utis's intentions, Philoxenon, having withdrawn his sanctum, spoke again.

"You were invited to this Divine Cult meeting by the representative of the Enyalios Cult, Demus. You have proven your ability and sincerity, so now speak of what you wish to say."

***

As planned, none of the priests could prove my prophecy as a lie.

Though I'm still puzzled as to why the scale tilted at that question about who I like.

'If it's not in the context of romantic feelings or attraction, but just general goodwill toward someone as a human, then it could be considered a lie, I guess?'

Setting aside the puzzlement, what I feel is half joy and half bitterness. I'm pleased with the plan's success, but the Mage King remains a problem.

'It might have been easier for my future plans if what I said turned out to be a lie.'

My goal after accomplishing Carisia's complete and safe destruction of the White Light was to retire and live a life of leisure.

Even if I manage to succeed in destroying the White Light by taking advantage of the clash between the Ten Towers and the Mage King, the Mage King is still the most dangerous variable.

What if he finds a way to ascend even with one of the Ten Commandments missing?

The ending of the first part of the original, where Carisia, the original White No Name, caused a worldwide expansion of extra-dimensional rifts after destroying the White Light, was devastating.

But there's no guarantee that the result will be different if the Mage King attempts an incomplete ascension. Ascension ultimately means moving into the extra-dimension, which would break the walls of the world.

As long as the Mage King desires ascension, the possibility of an extra-dimensional flood remains open.

'I wish the butterfly effect of my actions had completely erased any chance of the Mage King's resurrection.'

But it can't be helped. I have to figure out how to make the most of this situation.

Initially, my purpose in coming here was to make the Divine Cult check Argyrion. From what Demus said, it seemed that if left alone, they might lean toward supporting Argyrion.

However, now that I've revealed the card of the Mage King's return, I need to extract more from this situation. I carefully choose my words.

***

"Then, shall we return to the matter of Argyrion?" Hyacinth couldn't understand why Utis, after throwing out such a cataclysmic prophecy like the Mage King's return, would now discuss such a peripheral issue.

"Let's stick to the facts that have been revealed so far. The ten mages with the Ten Commandments…"

Orthes's thoughts became complicated. Judging by the attitudes so far, it seemed that even the Divine Cult didn't know that the Mage King's disciples had betrayed him.

"…They reached such lofty heights that they could assist in the ascension ritual. They were probably the second most powerful mages after their master. The knowledge accumulated over several generations of first disciples made the Ten Commandments even stronger. The Ten Towers are the only force that can oppose the Mage King."

"There's a problem with that statement. Why would the Ten Towers fight the Mage King? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to worship the Mage King?"

A high-pitched voice, belonging to the same person who had asked about the Blasphemia entrance exam. Orthes turned his head toward her. Although her face was hidden by her robe, it was easy to guess her identity.

'The owl perched on her shoulder is a symbol of Glaucus.'

Another war god, the goddess of strategy and tactics, Glaucus's priestess.

"In the future I've seen, the Mage King tries to reclaim his power, the Ten Commandments. Do you think the Ten Towers would easily give them up?"

"The Ten Commandments?"

The priestess of Glaucus fell into thought. Sometimes the future revealed by Phoibos was so bright that even deep wisdom couldn't fully comprehend it.

It was not immediately clear why the Mage King would seek the Ten Commandments. However, analyzing it under the assumption that all prophecies are true…

A war between the Mage King and the Ten Towers for the Ten Commandments.

The Mage King's might was synonymous with the power of the Ten Commandments, for the Ten Commandments were the Mage King's wisdom. If all ten towers fought the Mage King, it seemed certain that neither side would survive.

"The reason I argue that the Divine Cult should reject Argyrion lies here. Let's assume that Argyrion has grown enough to become the main enemy of the Ten Towers."

While unlikely, it wasn't impossible. The most insidious aspect of the extra-dimension was its contagiousness. If Argyrion were given enough time to defeat and convert enough of the Ten Towers' forces to their side, it was a feasible future.

The potential for Argyrion's power to expand until it rivaled one of the Ten Towers was substantial.

"If the Ten Towers and Argyrion are at war, and the Mage King descends to reclaim the Ten Commandments, can the Ten Towers withstand a two-front war? Even if all ten towers combined their strength, it wouldn't be enough."

The sinister similarity between the Mage King and the extra-dimension was clear.

If Argyrion boosted its power by converting defeated mages into members of the extra-dimensional invaders, the Mage King would wield even greater power by reclaiming the Ten Commandments.

"Even if Argyrion's expansion goes smoothly, it might only manage to replace one or two towers. But the Mage King would be able to fight against all the Ten Towers simultaneously."

Hyacinth shuddered.

This man was advising them to pit the creator of the magical world against the magical world itself.

'The truth of the prophecy still can't be trusted. However…'

The level of thinking was different. He had to admit that it was an idea he hadn't even considered.

"If the Divine Cult seeks its future, it shouldn't just support something as trivial as Argyrion. Instead, it should aim for a massive clash of forces that can shake the entire Mage Era."

Orthes could feel the atmosphere shifting. The priests were beginning to listen more intently to his words.

"The advantage the Divine Cult currently has is that Blasphemia is the division responsible for handling Argyrion. Actively report information about Argyrion, but mix in false information. Even if eight out of ten reports are false, it won't matter."

"What's the point of that?"

"Does Blasphemia have unlimited manpower?"

Utis's question carried multiple implications. If all reports to Blasphemia were false, they wouldn't act. But if some were true, Blasphemia couldn't ignore them.

Excessive reporting means excessive labor. The more time and resources Blasphemia spends on dealing with Argyrion, the weaker their surveillance of the cult will become.

Utis's gaze swept over the round table, as if assessing whether they understood the implication. The priests held their breath, waiting for his next words.

Satisfied, Utis nodded and spoke again.

"Then it's time for liberation. It's time to reclaim the many temples and relics sealed by the Mage King, the Ten Towers, and Blasphemia."

By gradually weakening Argyrion's forces, they could distract Blasphemia's attention and restore the shattered past.

The Divine Cult had only considered using Argyrion to "weaken the enemy's forces," but Utis proposed an additional strategy of "strengthening their own forces."

"As Demus may have told you, I'm well-informed about Blasphemia's internal matters. If you tell me the locations of the relics or temples you wish to unseal, I could provide you with information on the placement of Blasphemia's agents nearby."

It was a flawless proposal.

"Don't you wish to reclaim the old era?"

***

I recalled the one who first told me of the Divine Cult's existence. Sikton, the bishop of the Bacchus Cult, who had become delusional due to Ensa's infusion.

Sikton had certainly screamed that "the Divine Cult is trying to abandon the gods." This question would help discern how much truth his ravings held.

To read over 260 fully translated episodes, patreon.com/Denji02