I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 93: New Chapter (3)

Those who had nowhere else to go found themselves engulfed in fear within a grand castle that didn’t suit them.

Easy prey in anyone’s eyes, people whom nobody would care to need.

There were even those severely injured, their value as serfs reduced to nothing, and among them were the elderly.

“What kind of sacrifice might the Red Saint demand?”

Everyone had been anxious about it, but none had dared to mention it. A young man missing an arm softly muttered those words.

“What is it they want from us in exchange for providing accommodations and food? Are we going to end up as sacrifices?”

“As if… anyone doesn’t know that,” said a gruff elderly man, coughing loudly.

“We’re here because we wanted to stave off hunger, just for a brief moment and sleep peacefully, even if just for a single night. All of us knew he is an Outer God priest. We knew, yet we came, even though he is considered the most dangerous person of our generation.”

Everyone in Wave Reach had underestimated his menacing presence. Once thought to be merely a cunning criminal, he was, in truth, a quiet, lurking catastrophe. For some reason, this calamity had extended his hand.

Believing it to be a genuine act of purity would be foolish.

“So, let’s consider what we’ve eaten as our last supper, even if it tasted a bit off.”

While the old man attempted to joke as a form of comfort, the unease among the people only grew.

“I don’t know if it’s just me, but I keep feeling like something is watching us. Every time I turn toward the wall to cough, I sense a gaze.”

“I changed my bandages and bled, but the bloodstains disappeared entirely. And at that moment, I too felt eyes on me.”

As they shared their experiences, trying to comfort and soothe their collective anxiety, all of them suddenly felt as if their breaths had been snatched away. An overwhelming oppression and fear pressed down from all directions.

“My apologies for disturbing your rest.”

He appeared before them, with red hair that seemed so out of place. Donned in a priest’s robe different from usual and a living, squirming cloak, he was a gigantic calamity in human form.

“As promised, I will now preach the creed of an Outer God I serve.”

The Red Saint contorted his face into a grotesque smile. His expression seemed a forced imitation of human emotion as he began to spread teachings of grotesque dogma.

* * *

“You shall not worship the heavens and become slaves unto yourselves.”

As I read out the prepared sermon, I sneaked a look at the people’s faces. They all looked very tense. It was because they were new to such surroundings.

“The ones you call Gods hold no such value, hence awaken your own light and blossom.”

Reactions began to surface. However, more than approval, confusion spread due to the radical nature of the message.

“Approach yourselves with the values and order established by yourselves. Question infinitely and continuously improve, feeling no repose.”

People listened with somewhat perplexed expressions. It was a look as if they were dazed.

“These are today’s teachings. If you keep them in mind and abide by them, you will become adherents of the ‘Vainglory of Blasphemy’.”

Of course, no such Outer God existed. Though the title of an Outer God might have been mentioned vaguely, it was clear that when I spoke of it, people grew immensely uneasy.

“Feel free to ask any questions.”

This was so I could learn what I might have missed.

“I… I do not understand. What creed is this supposed to be?” asked the elderly man in a rugged voice. Wasn’t he once the captain of a ship? He lost a leg while fleeing from the spiders, it was said.

‘He has a quite impressive strength of mind,’ I thought with a smile forming unconsciously.

“If I spoke too freely…”

The elderly man suddenly recoiled, seeming surprisingly timid.

“No, you spoke well. You might not understand it well, but that is because an Outer God I serve is a very peculiar being.”

Everyone became even more tense. A few had turned pale and were trembling.

… Why are they like this?

“This entity desires the downfall of the Outer Gods, wanting them all to be rendered meaningless. Thus, human independence brings that being great joy.”

This was also the ideal direction I desired.

“Independence… you say?”

“Correct. Do not rely on the Gods or desire from them. Just as a warrior places their faith only in their own skills and experience in a life-or-death battle!”

People began to withdraw backward.

“Do not become slaves; labor through thought! Endlessly! Do not lean toward peace of mind! Do not irresponsibly shift everything to the Gods!”

I continued spewing whatever boiled within me. Gluttony synchronized with my emotions, drumming against the floor and scratching at the walls.

“Do not seek comfort! No matter how much you pray, no matter how many offerings you make, it’s meaningless! The Gods will not alter your lives!”

I took a breath.

This fierce anger.

This was among the few certain emotions remaining within me.

“The Red Saint…”

A terrified elderly man finally managed to speak.

“Your words… doesn’t that mean we receive no protection at all? For people as weak as us, without divine favor, how are we to protect ourselves? Other Gods are watching over their devotees and bestowing miracles upon them, aren’t they?”

A derisive laugh escaped me.

“When I waged war with the spiders in Wave Reach and unleashed disaster upon them, what exactly was Hayat doing to allow you to become like this?”

“Luminaries helped us escape.”

A young man stepped forward. Considering my courage in this situation, I might have been a devout follower of Hayat in the past.

“Luminaries are just human, aren’t they? They would have tried their utmost to save people even without Hayat. And more than anything….”

I used Gluttony to bring out numerous bags filled with gold and jewels.

“It was I who extended a hand to those abandoned by Hayat. It was I who provided the food that eased your hunger, and it was I who offered shelter for your repose.”

I concluded with a smile.

“Could receiving help from an Outer God priest possibly align with Hayat’s will?”

I gave them time to ponder and then stepped outside.

The hall where they congregated would frequently be used to propagate fake faith.

‘Seems like no one genuinely fascinated by the Outer Gods has come here.’

Given the black markets in Wave Reach, one could never be certain. If there were anyone aspiring to become a real devotee of the Outer Gods for the tremendous vitality or power bestowed by their miracles…

‘I’d have made them a meal for Gluttony.’

But it seems they accepted it merely because of their dire circumstances.

“Lord Ethnos.”

Eldritch, who had quietly listened outside, approached me.

“Can something like this truly work? I’m not even sure what you aim to achieve through this peculiar creed, but aside from that…”

Eldritch posed the most significant question concerning I’s plan.

“Is establishing a religion based on a nonexistent Outer God actually going to help accrue any accomplishments?”

Certainly, it was a question worth pondering.

“Do the Outer Gods need worship?”

“Sorry?”

“Think about it. Do the Outer Gods need worship? Maybe for their servant races, but wouldn’t they find human worship redundant? What value does it hold?”

Except for instances like Levant reaching the 4th rank level, there’s no real need for ordinary devotees.

“Vaguely associating the Outer Gods as Gods seems to have led to that assumption. Like Gods, they bestow rewards upon their followers, so we thought similarly.”

I looked at Eldritch.

“Then why do the Outer Gods proliferate scriptures and gather believers in this world?”

“To expand their influence, perhaps?”

“Precisely, why? What compels them to compete, making enemies of other Outer Gods, Ancient Gods, and even Hayat?”

I tapped my foot on the ground lightly.

“It means this world has that significant of value. Enough to catch even the eyes of Outer Gods.”

What other explanation would justify the fiery battles waged by Gods over this world in times past?

Given what little I knew, holy wars were practically religious global wars. If so, this world must have certainly been special to the Ancient Gods or Hayat.

“It’s an intriguing story, but what does it have to do with anything…?”

“My advantageous position as favored by the Outer Gods to carry out unbelievable feats stems from the same notion. I’m a pivotal key to securing this world.”

It was merely a hypothesis.

“But they’re not exactly fighting over me, are they? While extreme measures have been taken, if they truly desired, they could have just snatched me, couldn’t they?”

“You maintain your status as Elise, that value too.”

“Exactly. I struggle to envision any other justification. The Outer Gods must have a pact—a begrudging alliance.”

“Isn’t that too much of a leap? You have no evidence.”

“Evidence? There is, isn’t there?”

I pulled out the Chalice of the Red Ceremony.

“What Outer God’s relic is this supposed to be?”

“… It’s yet to be clearly identified.”

“Not just that, it lacks characteristic features, the effects are too varied. What if its origin was the pantheon of Outer Gods and it was crafted there? What if the varied abilities are due to the combined strengths of diverse Outer Gods?”

I flashed an assured smile.

“The Outer Gods united to seize this world. While discreetly contending over me, the core of their scheme, they refrain from overt actions. Therefore, in essence…”

I caressed Gluttony, the amalgam of varied Outer God powers.

“The purpose of gathering believers is to amplify influence to seize this world. There’s no need to specifically propagate a particular Outer God’s doctrine. As long as I augment the Outer Gods’ influence, spreading anything suffices. Though initially theoretical, today it was validated.”

A slight accumulation of achievements was palpable.

“Though inefficient due to unconventional methods, achievements are indeed being secured.”

“Understood. But isn’t it rather dangerous? The contents run counter to all Gods and are blasphemous.”

I nodded with a grin.

“Haha! Because that’s what makes it exciting, Eldritch. I dislike the Gods.”

The maniacal laughter erupting from my mouth carried with it the rage accumulated over time.

“Aren’t you perhaps going a bit too extreme?”

Eldritch voiced concern.

“This seems exceedingly unlike your usual approach, Lord Ethnos. You’ve always been excessively cautious and prudent, thus averting various issues.”

“And yet we find ourselves here, don’t we?”

I merely shrugged my shoulders.

‘Many things that used to mourn and worry me no longer feel significant.’

It wasn’t that I intended to become entirely reckless.

I simply intended to be a tad more proactive.

“The Outer Gods won’t mind at all. Devotees might get upset and try to argue a bit, but before others find out about this…”

I gazed out the window.

The full moon illuminating the sky was delightfully full.

“I’ll delve into the inner workings of other Outer God factions.”

I entered the bedroom, closed my eyes, and silently waited.

The time had come to face the most dangerous and malicious presences in this world, the priests leading those factions.

TL’s Corner:
And this is when he became the Priest of Blasphemy.