I Became the Servant of the Blind Wicked Woman

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

I inquired about the identity of the person who had taken Bacchus's place, but Demus's response was unexpected.

'He asked if there had even been someone there.'

They must have been using some sort of Holy Incantation to conceal their presence. The performance of my eyes is probably too advanced for such camouflage to work on me.

The Thirteenth God.

'As for the candidates…'

The Divine Cult is an alliance of representatives who serve the mightiest gods. If I narrow down the candidates based on the authority that warrants being called "the mightiest gods," there are about two possibilities.

Estia, who once belonged to the Twelve Factions and was the most prosperous before Bacchus. The goddess of the hearth. According to Blasphemia's research data, at some point in ancient times, the balance of power shifted in favor of the Bacchus Cult.

Since the Bacchus Cult was wiped out due to Sikton's rampage, it's possible Estia was brought in as the replacement for the Divine Cult.

Or perhaps, the underworld god Pluton.

Though a mysterious figure not often seen with other gods in mythology, Pluton is undoubtedly an entity with authority comparable to the other great deities.

In truth, I've always wanted to meet a cleric of Pluton at least once. Being the god of the underworld, they might know why I was reborn into this world.

I had long since given up searching for any trace, but now I see the possibility of an encounter.

"If I had known, I would have opened my eyes and taken a look."

As of now, I can't tell whether the Thirteenth Priest serves Estia or Pluton. Anyway, as I wait for other factions to contact me, the chance to connect with the Thirteenth Priest will likely come.

For now, let's head home and get some rest.

I boarded the Magi-train bound for Etna City and closed my eyes.

***

Bertrand was feeling extremely tense. The boss had summoned him.

Despite his diligent execution of tasks with the rigid discipline characteristic of a dwarf, there might still be something that didn't satisfy the perfectionist Carisia.

'Hmph, maybe I should have worked faster on the gauntlet.'

If he could gain some favor by offering a tribute, this overwhelming pressure might be reduced. Bertrand thought about the gauntlet he had been working on for months as he headed to the office.

"Welcome, Director Bertrand."

"What did you summon me for?"

Carisia transmitted a file to Bertrand via his mana proxy. It was a certain blueprint.

"This is…"

It was far from a perfect blueprint. Rather than precise structures or material ratios, it was mostly filled with sentences like "I hope it turns out like this."

But because of that, understanding the design's purpose was easier.

"A sort of airship?"

"Yes. It would be something like a high-output levitation engine."

The concept outlined in the blueprint was too grand to be summed up with such simple words. The engine would be unprecedented in size and power. Not just high-output but something that would require adjectives like ultra-high-output or extreme-output to match the power Carisia demanded.

As the blueprint progressed, the gaps became more frequent. At this stage, "design" felt less appropriate than "planning" or "concept."

As Bertrand studied the blueprint, he felt cold sweat running down his back. He recalled the words of Arabella, who drunkenly complained during a company dinner after Carisia had left, saying she was "the worst kind of nightmare boss."

A boss who expects you to complete doable tasks overnight, forces you to make the impossible happen, and considers overtime a given.

"Surely…"

"I would like you to complete this blueprint. You can drop all other tasks and focus solely on this."

"What about the deadline?"

"The sooner, the better, but it's not something that can be done in just a few months. I won't set a strict deadline."

Bertrand almost sighed in relief. The blueprint was missing too many parts, and the power required was beyond the realm of common sense. Even with the hologram simulator running 24/7, it would take at least six months just to draft a feasible blueprint…

"I'll check on your progress weekly, so please report to me."

"What?"

"Don't worry about it. You don't have to report in person; just send the documents."

After a few more exchanges, Bertrand left the boss's office with the words "Please send your first report starting next week" echoing in his mind.

Today was Silver Iron Day, the day before the holiday of Black Dark Day.

"What's the matter?"

Bertrand, who was hesitating to tell the miners and industrial technicians that he would need them to work overtime the day before a holiday, heard a familiar voice by the office door.

"Manager Orthes?"

***

I heard from Bertrand about Carisia's merciless work order. I couldn't even begin to imagine what she planned to do with such a massive levitation engine…

"According to the work order, you're free to utilize any Hydra Corporation personnel or resources as necessary. Why not start by calling on Geryon or Kaicle to source the necessary mana?"

"Do you think they would come? Wizards who have their own magic towers wouldn't respond to my summons…"

"Why not just say it's an order directly from the boss? Who could refuse the boss's authority? And if you inform other directors like Director Arabella or Director Cretone, they would surely offer their full cooperation as well."

I imparted the wisdom of leveraging the boss's authority to Bertrand. There's nothing in Etna City you can't accomplish by invoking Carisia's name.

"Hmm, does the Head of the Divine Investigation Office also support the active promotion of this task?"

What's this? Is he planning to draft me as well?

I recalled the work order Bertrand had shown me. At the very bottom, it clearly stated, "You may request the use of any and all resources, tangible and intangible, that Hydra Corporation possesses as necessary," with Carisia's signature underneath.

Naturally, that meant I was included in the list of those Bertrand could requisition.

I had no choice but to nod. I couldn't disregard a document signed by Carisia.

'This old man isn't ordinary either. Trying to get someone fresh off a business trip back to work immediately.'

It seems Carisia's work orders are contagious. There's something terrifyingly unsettling about this syndrome that removes any guilt about imposing overtime on subordinates.

"Understood. Have a good holiday."

Bertrand walked away with confident strides.

"What the…"

Why did he even ask my opinion?

I thought for a moment and concluded that Bertrand had more consideration than Carisia.

He probably felt it was unfair to put someone who just returned from a business trip straight back to work, so he's planning to wait until after the holiday.

I decided to show that I'm one step ahead of Bertrand. I'll make sure to disappear somewhere as soon as the holiday ends so that I can't be called upon.

***

Bertrand thought.

'If I ask for cooperation citing the boss's orders, they might all find excuses, claiming they're busy with other tasks assigned by the boss.'

It was true. Every director, including Bertrand himself, had at least one task directly assigned by Carisia.

Even Meconion had been given her own task: organizing and investigating the distribution channels for the drugs she had sold.

In such a situation, if Bertrand were to present another of Carisia's work orders, they could avoid it by saying, "I need to handle the other task first."

During these months of Etna City's redevelopment, the directors had gotten used to the overwhelming workload and had become skilled at finding excuses to rest. Unless Carisia personally intervened, the directors would do their best to evade any additional work.

But now, Bertrand had the backing of Orthes as well.

'With the Head of the Divine Investigation Office's name, I can probably reduce the miners' overtime.'

By passing, no, sharing the burden with other directors, the miners would have some breathing room. Bertrand smiled with satisfaction.

Had Arabella seen him, she would have screamed, "That old man's been infected by those two as well!"

***

I intended to finish my business trip report quickly and get some early rest.

The Cult had yet to respond to my proposal, and since I hadn't done much in the field, I figured the report would be brief.

"I have returned after setting the stage for internal division within the Divine Cult. Even in the worst-case scenario, they won't be able to ignore the prophecy I mentioned."

"What prophecy?"

"The prophecy that the Mage King will return."

Carisia's lips twitched. Her gaze was one of 'What on earth are you talking about?'

…Come to think of it, I hadn't mentioned this to Carisia either.

"It's not happening immediately. Three years from now─"

"Orthes."

Carisia's voice cut me off. Her tone was as usual, making it hard to read her emotions. Somehow, I felt my mouth go dry.

"…Yes."

The brief wait before Carisia's next words felt unbearably long.

"What if we detonated the Artificial Commandments at the location of the resurrection? Wouldn't that kill him?"

"What are you talking about?"

I still have no idea what's going on in Carisia's mind.

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