I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 114. Formless Residues (2)

“Did you know that it’s only been a few months since I last saw you?”

Belido muttered, leaning against a tree, seemingly either due to injury or sheer exhaustion.

“It often takes decades to climb a single rank. Some people only manage to reach the 1st rank in their entire lives, and no matter how hard they try, they usually only reach the 3rd rank.”

Belido let out a hollow laugh.

“But then there’s someone like you, who disregards everything and commits blasphemous acts, yet somehow advances so quickly. I just don’t understand it.”

In this unjust world, most humans can only reach the 3rd rank at best, although there are exceptions like the Saintess, Iris, who was born into the 3rd rank.

“With your current skills, there definitely seems to be potential.”

“So, should I understand this as cooperation?”

“There’s no other choice, is there? It doesn’t seem like you’d show me any mercy.”

He certainly understood well.

While I might spare some types of people, Belido was definitely not among them.

“Then, back to the main point… What is it you want?”

“First, to protect this castle and the people I brought.”

“The first? Seems like you’re asking for a lot.”

I continued without concern.

“Second, to provide me with information on formless residues and any miracles I am unaware of.”

“Not too difficult so far. What else?”

“Lastly, to investigate an Outer God related to the White Night. That’s all.”

Belido, much like I expected, didn’t seem to know anything about the White Night.

“Well then, I’ll be off…”

“Where do you think you’re going? A verbal agreement isn’t enough. I’ll prepare a 〈Geass〉 contract, so let’s sign it.”

“You are truly a tiresome individual.”

Belido could say whatever he wanted, but I pulled out the scroll. I had three in total, all crafted by Lyla.

Though she initially complained, she happily accepted when she saw the large sum of money I offered.

“I’ll add my conditions as well. Please verify them.”

Belido’s requests were fundamental: maintaining secrecy, causing no harm to each other, and such.

We agreed on adjustments and forged a contract using 〈Geass〉.

“So… when can I receive the scripture imbued with the miracle I don’t know about?”

“Before that, there is something to discuss. Though our relationship is not pleasant, given that we now share a common enemy…”

Belido sighed.

“It’s about Johann, who insulted our family, and a now-dissolved group.”

Belido’s story stretched back to before the Holy War.

In a time when formless residues hunted humans for a lethargic Outer God.

Back then, these residues were much stronger and could truly be described as calamities.

“The horror of residues is their ability to infiltrate anywhere and manifest anytime.”

Barriers effective against monsters were meaningless, as was evident from their robust vitality and resilience to most forces.

“But it wasn’t only an Outer God’s forces that were strong then.”

In one of the villages attacked by formless residues, a priest of the Demon God stepped in to protect it.

They demanded sacrifices, but compared to the damage from residues, the villagers accepted this.

“Even the Demon God demanded human sacrifices, did they not?”

“They say human sacrifice wasn’t so unusual back then.”

There were two priests of the Demon God who defended the village against the residues. One was the priest of ‘Dantalion’, revan.

A name I had heard before.

“Revan, the guide of mysteries?”

“Yes, the very Revan revered everywhere.”

Belido nodded, affirming.

Revan was renowned as the founder of numerous secret societies, mentioned in texts as having been at the origin of every clandestine group.

Dowol had once remarked that some of these societies still existed, and I had indeed encountered one of them, ‘Masquerade’, as an adversary.

The other was a devout follower of ‘Barbatos’ and a formidable warrior named Ilena.

“He’s an ancestor of my mother.”

Belido seemed quite proud, though my knowledge about her wasn’t as detailed as about Revan.

I only knew she was called a hero for her immense strength at the time, epitomizing a typical magic swordsman style.

‘Pretty impressive lineage.’

“They were widely known as adversaries, yet before becoming so, they were once in love.”

The two, once lovers, formed a group called ‘Arkanis’ to resist the formless residues.

Arkanis achieved notable successes, such as stealing scriptures, which weakened the residues over time.

However, as conflicts arose between them, revan and his followers departed, leading to Arkanis’s decline in strength.

“Lacking the power to battle the residues, they shifted their organization towards preserving the obtained scriptures.”

Before parting ways, revan and Ilena split the residue scriptures in half. The resulting half-scriptures became the ‘Scripture of Defilement’ and the ‘Scripture of Black Glory.’

“Had they managed to protect the scriptures, the formless residues’ influence might have vanished during the Holy War.”

Yet, that didn’t happen.

During the Holy War, a traitor emerged from Revan’s faction, and the Scripture of Defilement returned to the residues.

Meanwhile, ilena’s followers in Arkanis merged with other factions amidst the Holy War, transforming into an organization known as ‘Mystica’.

They specialized in sealing and concealing divine relics obtained from Outer God factions.

As the Demon God’s influence waned, Mystica also gradually weakened…

“But the will still continues to this day.”

Belido pulled something from inside his chest. Retrieved from near his heart was an ancient-looking emblem.

“A knight with a covered face holding a sword… Is that Mystica’s emblem?”

“Correct. It belonged to the last Mystica and is also a relic of my mother.”

Belido held the emblem tightly. He seemed to hold it dear, but I couldn’t understand him.

“You mean to say that while you act as a disciple and spokesperson for an Outer God, you’re also upholding the will of the organization that opposed them?”

It was utterly paradoxical.

Belido had undergone the Awakening Ritual as a priest at least once — ceremonies known for their grim acts, such as murder or human sacrifice.

‘And those rituals…’

Their prerequisites were horrifying, like the requirement to kill at least ten children in the Awakening Ritual.

And yet, he’s the one who…

“I know it’s contradictory. I do aspire to reach higher as a formless residue, gain favor, and revel in wealth and glory. I can’t ask for much more than that.”

As if savoring the thought, the residue part of Belido moved slightly.

“Yet, half of me remains human. My choice.”

Belido’s human side looked at me.

“I won’t say any more. I don’t wish to burden you with my personal dilemmas. Just know that I don’t take my mother’s wishes lightly.”

He then drew a book hidden on his person.

“This is the other half, the Scripture of Black Glory.”

I accepted the book.

This obsidian tome had numerous seals and protective measures — a stark contrast to the malevolent aura exuded by the Scripture of Defilement.

“Try to use it discreetly among other residues. Once they know you possess the scripture, things will become quite complicated.”

“I’m aware of that much.”

Belido nodded.

“I will send the rest of the information in writing.”

He briefly glanced at Mary before departing. As soon as he left, Mary began viciously sweeping the ground where Belido had stood.

“You seem to particularly dislike Belido?”

“A contradictory fool. Neither here nor there.”

“Hmm?”

Piecing together her comments, it seemed like she was saying, ‘He lamented endlessly without resolution and treated me like some doll. Even though he didn’t want to open up to you, he kept rambling in front of me.’

What was he up to, indeed?

Pondering over Belido’s ridiculous behavior, I questioned,

“Did he approach you on purpose to talk?”

“Yes.”

“Did he ever give you gifts or anything?”

“Yes.”

‘Could it be that he likes her?’

Perhaps it was due to looking similar to his kind. Anyhow, Belido seemed to want to win Mary’s favor.

“Total revulsion.”

It seemed to have backfired spectacularly, instead.

“Can you share what he told you about?”

“What did he tell you?”

Apparently, part of Belido’s ramblings to Mary included some grumbling about his circumstances.

“He thought I couldn’t speak.”

Mary had a slight smirk.

“Then please, I needed some judgment on Belido anyway.”

Honestly, Belido was not someone I saw any benefit in keeping alive.

Even the condition in our 〈Geass〉 contract to avoid harming each other was intentionally set to last only until Johann’s elimination.

‘But it’s worth checking if there’s any value in keeping him around.’

Mary considered for a moment before speaking.

“He’s competent.”

According to Mary, Belido was a 4th rank. Apparently, not only had he hidden his power but had been highly complacent the last time.

There was even a time when he showcased his might, but Mary, being 3rd rank, found it unbearable to hear as it hurt her pride.

“His social reputation is high.”

Holding a baron title, he wielded considerable influence within the nobility, maintaining a gentlemanly image.

His reputation was also commendably high within his territory, almost Eldritch level of integration into human society, yet…

“He performs human sacrifices.”

In the end, she confirmed that he did partake in human sacrifices. Mary coldly analyzed that it seemed as though he did so just to the necessary extent.

“Hmm… that’s a bit of a downside.”

Still, both Mary and I didn’t completely disregard extenuating circumstances.

Given that faith in the Slumberer of the Abyss practically required human sacrifices, neither I, who had once offered heinous criminals as tributes, could claim innocence.

“But he is an enemy.”

Mary stated firmly.

“He won’t betray us, but he can’t be trusted either.”

Due to his family pride and his own, she claimed he couldn’t act treacherously.

“Then, why can’t he be trusted?”

From all we’ve discussed, it seemed like he had quite the decent track record; what was the problem?

“He’s full of contradictions.”

Mary’s expression changed.

“He claims not to take his mother’s wishes lightly?”

It was a clear scoff.

“The guy sacrificed his own parents.”

TL’s Corner:
Full of contradictions indeed.