I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 90. The Red Saint

The tragedy that took place in Wave Reach stirred great chaos among the public.

For over a century, nothing of such magnitude had occurred, rendering it a significant shock to everyone.

However, such a tragedy was not necessarily a burdensome event for all.

“Welcome, everyone. Hayat’s sanctuary is always open.”

The tragedy left a deep anxiety in people’s hearts, which soon translated into a longing for stability.

And Bishop Eloya was one who took advantage of that need.

“We’ve prepared ‘Holy Water of Light’ for you today.”

Eloya held out bottles filled with a radiant liquid and pointed to a golden sword hanging on the sanctuary wall.

“A long time ago… the sword of Luminaries Adel, who bravely fought against the monstrous Outer Gods that beset our village! Even now, this relic exudes an energy that repels the wicked. The power of that sword! Hayat’s blessing! It is contained within this holy water!”

A woman, looking haggard as if she hadn’t eaten properly for days, asked him a question.

“I lost my entire family in Wave Reach. I’m still terrified that those dreadful spiders might return. Will I truly be safe with that holy water?”

Eloya smiled as he replied.

“Of course. Behold!”

What Eloya pulled out was a glass jar containing a small spider. Just the sight of the tiny creature caused some onlookers to pale and tremble.

“This vile and disgusting minion of the Outer Gods!”

However, it was just an ordinary spider.

“Now, observe the power of this holy water!”

When the bottle containing the holy water was brought close, the spider desperately tried to escape in the opposite direction.

With just a few drops of the holy water, the spider emitted a “chiiii” sound, steamed, convulsed, and died.

“Did you see that? Just the sight of the holy water made it flee, and a couple of drops killed it instantly! It has shown great effect against monsters too!”

People wasted no time in handing over money. There weren’t enough of the Luminaries or the Stigmata to counter the Outer Gods’ creatures.

The guards were merely ordinary. Thus, to protect their families when disaster struck again, people needed something.

“But it’s so expensive. It’s almost a month’s worth of food expenses.”

“What choice do we have? I had a nightmare just last night about being devoured by a spider. Who knows where that red-haired Outer God priest might be lurking…”

Once thought to be merely a legend, a priest of the Outer Gods who could summon such calamities was actually real.

Until now, the most severe incidents only involved the murder of a dozen or so people, and the faithful of the Outer Gods were swiftly dealt with by the Luminaries.

“You think… it works?”

“The priest vouched for it and demonstrated it to us just now. Besides, the relic is genuine too.”

Substantial funds quickly accumulated in the donation box. With bottles of holy water, people felt a bit of relief and returned home.

“Heh heh…”

Bishop Eloya couldn’t stop grinning as he looked at the money. For ten years, he’d managed the sanctuary on the outskirts, where there were scarcely any visitors or donations.

After being banished for meddling with donations where he previously served, he thought he’d rot in such a place…

“Who would’ve thought that useless sword would prove so handy.”

A sword left by an ordinary member of the Luminaries. It was just a standard-issue relic, holding no great value. Yet who would’ve guessed he’d use such a worthless object to craft fake holy water?

“Is that a real relic?”

“Hm? Oh… Yes, it is, little one.”

When did they come in? Bishop Eloya was taken aback upon seeing a child staring at the sword. Perhaps they had overheard his earlier statements?

“Is it really the sword of the Luminaries hero?”

The child asked, still staring intently at the sword. Eloya considered just dismissing them but…

‘Wait, the clothes they’re wearing…’

Were they from a wealthy family, perhaps? Eloya donned a kindly smile.

“Of course. Adel was a hero born and raised in this village. He defended his hometown till his last breath. That’s Adel’s sword.”

Bishop Eloya tried to spin a tale intriguing enough to captivate the child’s interest, detailing how the miracle within the sword dealt deadly blows to all manner of creatures and kept the user’s mind clear.

Furthermore, how Hayat’s blessing inside the sword allowed the crafting of holy water.

“Lies.”

“Hm? What are you saying?”

The boy continued to gaze at the sword, seemingly motionless for some time now.

“That’s not how you make holy water, bishop Eloya. You’re wicked.”

The child’s body began to twitch. His form convulsed and cracked, bones jutting out…

“The… The Gray Calamity!”

The notorious red-haired man appeared just as the rumors described.

“Those people. They’re merely deluding themselves into thinking they are safe with an acidic solution, mistaking it for divine protection.”

“Get back! How dare you come here! This is Hayat’s sacred sanctuary! Where he resides!”

The Outer God priest approached, grinning.

“In a place like this… A place where someone like you claims to be a priest. Does God even dwell here?”

“What… What are you saying…?”

“Priest Eloya!”

At that moment, the door burst open, and two members of the Luminaries entered. Was today the scheduled visit?

He couldn’t quite remember, but Bishop Eloya was certainly relieved to see them.

“You two! Help me! This vile man is…”

A strange sound interrupted.

“Snicker… Ahahah!”

“Heheheh!”

To Eloya’s bewilderment, the two Luminaries who came broke out in laughter. He stared at them, dumbfounded, and they stifled their amusement.

“Ah, is this not how it’s done?”

“I feel mocking is the correct emotion, but I can’t quite recall.”

Suddenly, they spoke in unison, using the same voice.

“We apologize, bishop. Human emotions have been a bit perplexing lately. We’re still learning what’s natural, but it’s a long way to go.”

“This… This is absurd…”

Both men’s heads transformed into vivid red. Three Outer God priests glared at Eloya.

“So, shall we begin your departure?”

The two figures blurred together, merging until the three became one.

“I need to earn some money too, after all.”

While shrieking, Eloya rushed outside. But as soon as he stepped out, he found himself surrounded by dozens of corpses.

They all looked just like Eloya. Shredded in gruesome ways, their lifeless bodies began moving as maggots crawled out from them.

“Aaaaahhhh!”

Eloya was overwhelmed, torn apart alive by his own doppelgängers, dying amidst the voracious swarm. But when he was finally dead, none of the supposed corpses remained except his own, and his body showed no signs of injury.

* * *

“Bishop Eloya is dead! Praise the Gray Calamity!”

A secretive crowd shrouded in suspicious robes fondled their necklaces in ecstasy.

The chains around their necks were made from dried human hearts, bearing primitive and grotesque symbols of the Outer Gods.

“At last, the age of the Outer Gods is coming. The Gray Calamity will lead the way.”

Within the recesses of a cave, they monitored the situation with anticipation.

“Wave Reach is not the only one. The times are changing.”

A leader among them began to speak. His body was inscribed everywhere with symbols of the Outer Gods, carved into his flesh with a knife.

Half-submerged in a pool of blood inside the cave, he wore a robe made from human skin, raising his hands as he shouted.

“Black goats have emerged in the wilderness. The Dwellers of the Abyss have stirred once more in the ocean. The terrors that once hid in darkness are returning to engulf the world again!”

In response, the zealots trembled with excitement, echoing his words.

“The downfall of the valueless, commonplace world is at hand!”

“The saints will arrive, beginning with the Gray Calamity! And we will!”

The leader glanced toward one side of the cave alongside the zealots. They eyed children, left utterly bloodied and barely breathing, with fervor.

“We shall advance as we consume the fools.”

* * *

“Is it really okay for me to accept this money?”

An elderly man, missing a leg, trembled as gold coins poured into his hands.

“Of course. Please, let it be a great help to your children.”

“Thank you! Truly, thank you, Red Saint!”

I smiled, grasping the old man’s hand kindly.

“This money was always meant for people like you. Although I’ve burned Eloya’s sanctuary, I’ve left all his assets untouched, so please distribute them among the villagers.”

Trying to recall whether I forgot something important, one thing came to mind.

“They can confirm the holy water is fake if you ask any Luminaries.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much…”

“And you know, if there’s ever nowhere for you to go, you can come to the place I mentioned. You’ll be protected.”

The old man thanked me several more times before leaving. I wiped the smile from my face. Judging by their response, my expression must have appeared natural.

“So difficult…”

Honestly, I couldn’t grasp why I had to go through this trouble. Wouldn’t humans be loyal just for money? Yet, apparently, ‘the old me’ had a different perspective.

“Ensure the human is maintained.”

It was a note I stumbled upon while sorting through various records within Gluttony. It seemed to have outlined several doctrines for whenever I stopped being human.

‘But even now, it doesn’t quite make sense. I suppose gathering these weaklings could offer worthwhile sacrifices, but…’

Based on the note, that didn’t seem to be the purpose. If not, there could only be one reason for this bothersome act,

‘Could it simply be gathering experience points?’

I retrieved the Divine Relic of the Hayat faith. ‘Adel’s Sword’. It might have been insignificant, but it was a relic nonetheless.

Crunch.

I gripped the sword firmly, crushing it in my hand.

“Ah… This feeling.”

The delight that came from destroying a relic of another faith. And the reward filled in after.

Up until now, various activities had sufficed, but to advance to the fourth rank, more dedication was needed in gaining merits.

Clap, clap.

Just as I was about to head back, I heard clapping.

“This overwhelming aura of the Outer Gods. It hasn’t been long since then, but it’s incomparable now.”

A graceful woman in a flamboyant yellow dress caught my eye. Her shining platinum hair fluttered in the breeze.

Accompanied by headless knights like a noble receiving an escort, she walked toward me.

“It’s been a while. You continuously pique my interest.”

With a clattering sound, the headless knights knelt. Between them, the woman elegantly lifted her dress and bowed.

“Charlotte Prellati.”

An indescribable rage surged. From the back of Gluttony emerged eight feathered spider legs.

“Professor Magus… Or should I address you like this now?”

Charlotte lifted her head, smiling, while I enshrouded Gluttony’s tendrils in flame.

“My dear Red Saint.”

TL’s Corner:
Damn, Ethnos lost his humanity. Sadje.