I Became the Servant of the Blind Wicked Woman

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

"I shall create the cornerstone that will restore the glory of the olden times. Together, let us reclaim the era of the radiant gods."

Utis's intention was clear.

"The door opens to those who knock, and salvation comes to those who seek it. Join hands with me."

However, the Divine Cult could only remain silent. It was because of the blasphemous plan proposed by the Pope and agreed upon by the Cult.

Some had cast dissenting votes, and some priests hadn't even been able to attend the vote. But ultimately, the fact remained that the Divine Cult had supported the Pope.

"..."

The dubious silence that fell among the priests would have seemed like mere contemplation in response to the sudden proposal. But Orthes, who had already gathered clues from Sikton, could sense a certain discomfort in the silence.

'Is that so?'

It seemed that Sikton hadn't been speaking nonsense. There was ambivalence about the return of the gods—a mixture of welcoming and unease.

The one who stepped forward as the representative of the silent priests was Philoxenon. Serving the chief deity, he had the strongest voice among the priests present from each faction of the Cult.

"An extraordinary proposal. But also a dangerous one. If the Mage King were to grasp the Ten Commandments, it would become a catastrophe incomparable even to the Ten Towers."

"Precisely because of that, we must stop Argyrion's expansion. The Ten Towers, exhausted from battling Argyrion, will become even more vulnerable to the Mage King's descent."

"I acknowledge that it's a persuasive proposal. However, this proposal would alter the policies of all factions within the Divine Cult. We are merely members of the Divine Cult, not its true representatives, so we cannot provide an immediate answer."

"True representatives? You mean the 'Pope'?"

A glint flashed in Philoxenon's eyes. That a priest who had never once visited the Divine Cult would know of the Pope's existence was unexpected.

However, upon reflection, it wasn't strange. While infiltrating Blasphemia, it was possible to gather information about the leader of the Divine Cult.

"We cannot discuss this in the presence of an outsider."

Orthes realized why the Pope hadn't appeared in a meeting where the representatives of the Twelve Factions had gathered. The Pope couldn't show his face to an outsider.

'He's extremely cautious. Hm…'

To demand an immediate decision on the plan would be the move of a fool. Orthes quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Now was the time to retreat briefly and observe. A new future had been presented, and they would need time to chew it over.

Especially since an event as monumental as the descent of the Mage King was at stake. The prophecy Orthes delivered would bring great turmoil to the Cult's future.

'The second-best scenario is for the entire Divine Cult to agree with my plan, cooperate in eliminating Argyrion, and begin the search for the relics. The best scenario, however…'

The Divine Cult's internal division. If the pro and anti-factions proceeded with their own plans and failed to unite, that would be the most favorable outcome.

After all, the Divine Cult itself was an unpredictable variable Orthes could not fully understand.

***

Philoxenon's words clearly carried the intention of expelling Utis. Demus looked at Utis.

Despite the potentially provocative statement, Utis's expression remained unchanged, with only a subtle smile lingering on his face.

"Is that so? Then, I shall take my leave as the unwelcome guest."

Utis bowed deeply. His posture was deliberately exaggerated. Once again, Demus sensed an air of a jester or actor from Utis.

"But before I go."

In Orthes's hand, which had just finished bowing, there was suddenly a small box. It seemed to have been pulled from his sleeve.

"I have a gift for you."

Orthes opened the box. Inside were a few grapes.

Too insignificant to be considered a gift. Not even a whole bunch, just a few individual grapes.

What could this mean?

Among the priests, the first to recognize the 'grapes' were Philoxenon and Hyacinth, the two most seasoned among them.

"The fruit of Bacchus! It didn't disappear along with the fall of the Cult?"

***

Now, the important part begins. I smiled serenely.

"Priest Demus must have mentioned that I had a child from the Bacchus Cult with me in Elysion."

Silence.

"I was not merely a witness at the final moments of the Bacchus Cult. I also acted as the undertaker, collecting their remains."

"A graverobber, you mean."

Hyacinth's sarcasm. I responded with a smile.

"Perhaps so. But isn't that better than Blasphemia taking all of their legacy?"

"..."

"I have no interest in possessing the Bacchus Cult's legacy, including the grapevines. I am merely holding onto it temporarily, so that it may be returned to its rightful heir when they come forward."

Philoxenon asked in place of the silent Hyacinth. His tone wasn't as stern as when he used the Holy Incantation, but rather more akin to a weary middle manager.

"Are you saying you protected the Cult's items from falling into Blasphemia's hands?"

"I would appreciate it if you accepted it that way."

"So, why are you showing this now?"

"How many 'legacies' do you think I've seen and collected while using my status in Blasphemia?"

In truth, I hadn't seen that many. But I do know where some of the relics are buried.

"And how many of these legacies do you think are stored in Blasphemia's secret vaults?"

The 'best' outcome I was aiming for was the division within the Divine Cult. If I wanted the best results, merely presenting facts and hoping for division wouldn't be enough.

Doesn't it say that Heaven helps those who help themselves?

"For those who are interested in the Cult's legacy that I've personally gathered, please contact me via this email. It's the L13 account within Blasphemia, so you should take appropriate security measures."

I provided the priests with a pretext to contact me personally.

Any of them could become a source of information, and possibly even an ally for my cause.

Conversation is the seed of empathy. The more the priests talk with me, the more they will gradually hear about the threat of the 'Mage King's return.' The more they empathize with that threat, the greater the chance of internal division.

As I continue to communicate with them through various channels, it will become easier to uncover the truth behind the 'betrayal' that the Divine Cult committed.

Demus was the one to see me off, as expected.

"…There are many things you haven't told me."

"I do have quite a few secrets."

Demus nodded his head.

"After we send you off, a meeting will begin regarding that… terrifying news you spoke of. The Pope will likely attend in person. I'll send word once a decision is reached."

He deliberately avoided mentioning the return of the Mage King directly. Even the priest of the war god, likely the most accustomed to battle and violence, feared that name.

But I was in no position to criticize. The Mage King was also the greatest variable for me.

"If there's nothing else, we should part ways."

"Ah. Come to think of it, there was something I was curious about."

"What is it?"

"If the Pope is absent, then shouldn't there be two empty seats, not just one? After all, the Bacchus Cult was wiped out, so there wouldn't be a representative attending."

***

After Orthes left, the priests' meeting was temporarily adjourned. In the meantime, Hyacinth led one of the priests who had been seated at the round table away.

The space itself was a labyrinth, intricately woven with countless Holy Incantations. With each step through the marble corridor, the scenery changed, shifting like a kaleidoscope.

The sky of Aigio, the bedchamber of Elimon, the battlefield of Enyalius…

With each step through the diverse spaces, Phoibos's foresight was intertwined. The design made it impossible to find the way without the Holy Incantation. Hyacinth navigated the corridor leading to all the sacred sites until he finally arrived at the abyssal darkness.

"Pope!"

A figure, meditating beneath twelve lights—now reduced to eleven—turned their head.

"Has the visitor already left?"

"He left after sowing a precisely calculated, terrifying chaos among us. Do you know what he said? He said that the great disaster of old would return among us."

The Pope could see that Hyacinth's words, tinged with anger, were rooted in deep fear. He gently nodded, signaling Hyacinth to withdraw.

Though Hyacinth harbored an unbearable wrath toward Utis, he dutifully followed the Pope's request. His task had been to escort this young priest to the Pope's presence.

Only the priest who had quietly followed remained in the silence.

"Now, Kore. Would you not explain what you saw in him?"

As the priest lowered her hood, vibrant reddish hair flowed out. She did not originally belong to any of the Twelve Factions.

The Pope's eyes shone with a cold brilliance.

"The prophecy of the old era. It is passed from Pope to Pope, and to your Thirteenth Deity's Cult alone, and now an outsider has come bearing it."

The Pope asked Kore, the priestess of the Thirteenth God, who ruled the underworld.

"What color was his soul when you saw it?"

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