Became an Apostle of an Ancient God

Chapter 10

A lazy afternoon.

"Here, honey. Say ah~. Ah~."

"... Ah~."

'How old are these kids, still playing house.'

Haru, spending time mixed with the orphanage children, wore an innocent-looking mask while having completely different thoughts inside.

The Master Bishop of the Hall of Atonement, and the one possessing the Holy Relic of brainwashing that forcibly turns the prisoners here into Followers of Serre.

Luther Bishop.

He told Amelia that he would invite Haru to the church soon. It's unknown exactly when the invitation will be. But if he is invited to the church, Haru will have to face it, whether he likes it or not.

The reality of the brainwashing received by the prisoners sentenced to atonement.

"What is it, Rebecca! Why are you the only one playing house with Oppa? The other kids want to play too."

Just then, another child squeezed between Haru and the girl. She glared at the girl called Rebecca, then looked up at Haru like a rain-soaked puppy.

"Here."

Haru handed the flower necklace he had made himself to the little girl who had been waiting. With a slightly flushed face, she carefully put the necklace around her neck.

All the children transferred to the Hall of Atonement are said to be Heretics whose parents or relatives received the atonement sentence. Even now, this child's parents must be forced into false faith, doing manual labor to build the church.

"Wow. It's pretty! Thanks, Haru Oppa!"

Since his craftsmanship wasn't great, it was made a bit messy, but the girl seemed to like it. What was so great about the crudely made necklace. Haru scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly.

"Um, Teacher Amelia."

"Hm? What is it?"

Amelia had just returned from patrolling the Hall of Atonement.

Although not enough personnel to fight head-on, she is talented enough to use rites. The higher-ups must have judged her talent too precious to remain just a nun taking care of the orphanage.

"I have a favor to ask?"

Putting on the most innocent face possible, Haru spoke.

"What is it?"

"Um... you know the uncle wearing the Iron mask I met at the coast. Can I meet that uncle again? He's the only person I know among the people here. Even just for a moment is fine..."

"Ah."

Amelia made a complicated expression. It seemed Amelia's authority didn't extend to the prisoner camp.

"Could you wait just a moment? I'll check right now."

Hearing that, Amelia briefly activated some rite and lightly touched her hand to her ear. Just as Haru was wondering what that was, Shub appeared beside him and said a word.

[It's a rite that processes Divine Power into light, then sends a message embedded in it. Right. It's like the mobile phones from the world Haru was originally in.]

"I didn't know something like that existed in this world too. Quite convenient."

As Haru whispered softly enough not to be heard by Amelia, Shub shook her head.

[Not necessarily. This rite requires a pathway through which the Divine Power of Light flows. In this case... yes. It's buried in the floor.]

Amelia said something or other, then seemed greatly disappointed and briefly deflated. But that too was momentary. She quickly regained her energy and walked over to Haru.

"Ahem. Originally... visits are forbidden for prisoners who haven't been here long. But Luther Bishop has given special permission. However, it seems we'll have to wait until tomorrow. Will that be alright?"

"If you just promise..."

"A promise might be a little difficult. But I'll try my best."

Amelia clenched her fists tightly, her blue eyes sparkling.

"Thank you."

* * *

"Haa."

A harsh underground prison where not even light enters.

The only food provided is hard bread, half-covered in mold, and water no different from dishwater.

This place, where sewer rats scuttled in and out between the Bars and cockroaches swarmed, was the camp for those sentenced to atonement.

The most eye-catching presence within it was, naturally, a man wearing an Iron mask. Beside the man, who wore a straitjacket fastened with steel belts, stood two men holding iron rods.

It wasn't exactly torture or anything like that.

"Damn it. Why. Won't it come off!"

The two men trying desperately to remove the Iron mask using the rods strained with all their might, but the mask didn't budge.

Rather, every time they tried to remove the mask, it clung even more strongly to Iron Mask's face, showing no intention of coming off.

"I told you, didn't I? It's useless. If this came off so easily, would I be like this?"

Iron Mask answered curtly and sighed.

Just as the operation to remove Iron Mask's mask was in full swing, the camp's Overseer approached him and opened the prison door.

"Is it mealtime already?"

"No. Special permission has been granted by Luther Bishop. Someone wants to meet you. Come out. However, the straitjacket stays on."

"Yeah, yeah."

At least, I hope the person coming for the visit brought some proper food. Iron Mask thought as he climbed the stairs with the Overseer.

And finally, the meeting room they arrived at.

There was a familiar face there.

"... Haru?"

The Child of the Devil he had met on the Jeanne was there.

However, unlike Iron Mask, who was treated like trash in the Hall of Atonement, Haru was dressed in the clean clothes of a noble's child, and beside him stood the kind-looking nun, Amelia.

"Even the Follower of Serre I met at the coast. What's going on?"

"Uncle Iron Mask. Thank goodness... you were safe. Um. Teacher Amelia. Could we... talk alone for a moment? Is that alright?"

"Alright. But the visiting time is only 30 minutes. Understand?"

"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."

As Haru nodded vigorously, Amelia left first. After her, the Overseer also stood up with a displeased look.

"If you try any funny business, be prepared for the consequences. Even if you have Luther's favor, we know you are the 'Child of the Devil'."

Thus, the meeting room was left with only the two of them.

The first one to speak was Iron Mask.

"Haa. Looks like you've been doing well while I was gone. I'm jealous. If I were about 15 years younger, I would have ended up in the orphanage instead of the prisoner camp."

"It's not really like that. Here. I brought this from the orphanage."

Haru handed Iron Mask the baked potatoes and apples he had secretly saved during mealtime and spoke.

"Proper food. I figured you wouldn't be eating well, so I brought it. Is it okay?"

"If I eat it all here, the Overseer can't say anything. Thanks. So? I doubt you just came to hand this over. What is it?"

"You're pretty sharp. That's right. Iron Mask. Do you know what happens to the people sentenced to atonement?"

To Haru's question, Iron Mask surprisingly nodded and answered.

"They become people crazy about the Light."

"What, you knew?"

"You hear all sorts of things in the prisoner camp. And I had a rough idea even before coming here. Of course, I have no intention of meekly going crazy for the Light. I'm looking for a way out. And allies too."

As expected, Iron Mask. I thought he wasn't the type to stay put, and indeed he wasn't.

"So?"

"I'll soon be summoned to Luther's church. Luther wants my Divine Power. He probably intends to use brainwashing to turn me into a Follower of Serre. I need insurance for that time."

"Insurance?"

"Just in case. I might fall victim to the brainwashing. Uncle Iron Mask. You don't plan on dying here, right? To escape from here, you'll need my power. My Divine Power and rites. Right?"

"Hmm. That's true."

Haru looked straight at Iron Mask and proposed.

"If you become my insurance, I'll also help you escape with all my strength. How about it."

"Alright, let's hear it then. Haru. This 'insurance' of yours."

Haru explained to Iron Mask the insurance he had designed in advance, just in case. After hearing the whole story, Iron Mask couldn't hold back and finally burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!!"

"Is it really impossible?"

"If we fail, we'll die. And the probability of success is narrower than the eye of a needle."

"So?"

To Haru's question, the man called Iron Mask, his eyes gleaming inside the mask, spoke in a tone completely devoid of laughter.

"Let's do it right away."

* * *

About three days after the meeting with Iron Mask.

Haru, taking advantage of the time Amelia was away on patrol, was experimenting with various ways to draw out Divine Power more efficiently, how to use rites, and the abilities of the Holy Relic.

"Letting treasure rot, you said. Maybe that's true. This isn't just a Holy Relic that creates light bugs. This is..."

[Right?]

Haru fiddled with the Amber Amelia had given him and replied. Thick Divine Power that hadn't yet fully combusted trickled down his hand.

And just then, sensing a presence outside the room, Haru immediately put the Amber into his pocket and stopped using Divine Power.

"Haru, do you have a moment?"

This voice belonged to Amelia.

"Yes. I'm fine. What is it?"

"I met Luther during my patrol. He said he wanted to see you as soon as the patrol was over. He asked me to guide you. Come on, let's go. We need to go see the Bishop as promised."

So, what was bound to happen finally came.

If he had his way, he would have wanted to delay meeting Luther a bit longer, but if he showed any signs of stalling, there was no telling how Luther's side might react.

For now, it seemed right to trust the insurance prepared in advance and answer the summons. Haru shrewdly rolled his eyes and glanced at Shub.

[Let's go. I was getting curious too. About the face of the human who rules this Hall of Atonement.]

Getting off the bed he was perched on, Haru followed Amelia out of the orphanage. Visible even from the orphanage was the largest church in the Hall of Atonement and its spire.

"Haru. Don't get lost. Stick right behind me and follow closely. Got it?"

"Yes."

Haru couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but he felt like someone was watching him from the top of that spire.