Pope.
In Blasphemia’s report, it was merely noted that a ‘theoretically existing’ position was mentioned. A being revered as the highest commander by all cults united.
I thought it was just exaggerated information from Blasphemia, trying to pull more funds from the Ten Towers.
A political show, overblowing the danger to obtain a larger budget for themselves to deal with that ‘mighty threat.’
When Carisia and I were in guerrilla warfare against Blasphemia, we hacked into their database a few times.
But there was not a single concrete piece of information about the cult federation ruled by the Pope.
The Pope serves as a representative for many cults. Thus, the election of a Pope requires participation from various cults.
However, with most cults hiding away due to Blasphemia’s hunting, it seemed impossible to attempt an election where multiple cults must gather.
‘Was there really a Pope? A cult federation formed by the cults?’
Suddenly revealed facts left me dumbfounded.
The original work barely touched on these matters.
In ancient times, it was the Mage King who drove the cults into decline, but the main adversaries in the original work were the Ten Towers that betrayed him. In the second part, which began with the death of the original Carisia, the existence of extra-dimensional beings arose as new enemies.
‘The purpose of the cult of gods that disappeared in the original work…’
Was akin to a mine extracting items like the Relic of Phoibos I possess now. A bank where the Mage King nostalgically recalls, “Ah, back in the day, we buried such temples,” to withdraw necessary tools?
It’s clear the world-setting from the original still somewhat applies today.
But what causes such discrepancies?
‘Is it because we haven’t reached the year 2077, when the Mage King resurrects? Or will the cult federation be completely destroyed by Blasphemia between now and 2077?’
Still, Blasphemia now is significantly weaker than in the original.
A civil war with the survivors of the Golden Desert Operation who returned as Eroders. They’ve lost the ability to project their strength outward as they scramble to settle this.
The ones responsible for throwing the elite operatives into the extra-dimensional realm, reducing Blasphemia’s capabilities by one or two tiers?
That would be me and Carisia.
Hahaha, damn it.
Is this a disaster I brought upon myself?
A hollow laugh escaped.
*
Sikton initially viewed the man before him merely as a sacrifice. But not anymore. He was a person endowed with faith and power to receive the Relic of Phoibos.
His snake-like gaze didn’t seem worthy of the far-seeing Phoibos. With eyes barely open, it raised curious pressure instead of clarity.
A moment where an old saying about the power of contradictions crossed my mind.
The man gripping the crystal relic suddenly burst into a chuckle. An unspeakable foreboding loomed.
Sikton instinctively interpreted this as mocking with an intention behind it – “Are you still resisting despite knowing my identity?”
“…Indeed. The superiority between the enchanting power granted by Bacchus and the Relic of Phoibos you possess is clear.”
Divine Power is a gift bestowed upon believers by the gods. In this world, where divine power has diminished compared to ancient times, the absolute amount of divine power given has no choice but to diminish.
On the other hand, those relics date back to an era when gods directly communicated with priests – the glorious times. The divine power embodied in these relics overwhelms modern priests both in quantity and quality.
“But listen. You, High Priest of Phoibos, will be deemed a traitor by the Divine Cult. However, didn’t they betray the gods first?”
“High Priest, does it really appear so?”
“Do not try to deceive me any further. If you have evaded Blasphemia’s tracking with such a powerful relic, who else could possibly be the High Priest of the Phoibos cult?”
*
‘In fact, this is a divine relic that even Blasphemia knows nothing about.’
I thought of saying this but refrained. It’s more important to extract information somehow right now.
“Traitor.”
I pondered what the bishop of the Bacchus cult was trying to achieve with the magic circle drawn here.
Let’s recall the vision the relic showed. The bishop was offering chimera and other sacrificial offerings to the gods, creating something.
Blood created by compressing the sacrifices together. Given it’s the Bacchus cult, could it be some sort of wine?
After drinking that, did he ultimately obliterate both himself and this space?
A drink made by offering sacrifices to the gods. If it merely wrecked people, it might be fine, but to obliterate space and let the currents of extra-dimensional realms flow through is not something regular wine could achieve.
“You attempted to invade the realm of the divine. Bacchus’s wine. Did you not seek to ascend to the semi-divine realm by drinking the gods’ wine?”
“Did the Divine Cult say that? The foresight granted by Phoibos can pierce the veil of enchantment, but cannot perceive the malice of men.”
The repetitive phrase – Divine Cult. It seemed to be the name of the federation of cults that elects the Pope.
“Give it up. You cannot withstand the divine.”
“What I desire is precisely that!”
The bishop suddenly shouted, having just played the role of a dying man until a moment ago.
“The Divine Cult seeks to abandon the gods! Since the gods have forsaken us first, we shall abandon the gods too! Do you think that makes sense? No! No!”
The fiercely shouting bishop seemed to lose strength soon after, relying on his staff and gasping for breath.
“You wouldn’t believe the Pope said such a thing. But it’s true. With the power of Phoibos, discern the truth in my words.”
“Assuming your words are true. But what connection is there between ascending to the semi-divine realm and loyalty to the gods?”
Kekeke, a low chuckle echoed in the cave.
“Didn’t you just say? I cannot withstand the divine. I had no intention of enduring from the start. As my body, filled with Bacchus’s divinity, is destroyed… I become the door connected to His palace.”
‘Is he insane?’
What that old man meant was that he intended to die and open a door to the extra-dimensional realm. To directly connect the thrones of the gods to this world?
Even if one attacks the dimensional barrier with an exceedingly potent force, it might be possible to break it.
However, who can tell if the extra-dimensional realm on the other side would be Bacchus’s vineyard, Phoibos’s shooting range, or the gaping maw of some nameless horror?
Unaware of my shock, the man claiming to be Bacchus’s bishop continued rambling.
“When the gods descend directly to this world again, the Pope will surely change his mind. That loathsome Blasphemia and the Ten Towers behind them will be wiped out! How wonderful would that be?”
This was bordering on delusion.
“Is there a way to synchronize a connection with the extra-dimensional realm? You are chasing a vain dream.”
“There exists a secret Divine Pray passed down since ancient times. I stole it from the secret library of the Divine Cult. They hide so much from us.”
Divine Pray. Sacred (聖) prayer (禱). A miracle invoked by praying to gods using divine power. Even when described as magical that uses divine power, it reasonably makes sense. There are quite a few differing details.
“It is a Divine Pray that explores the extra-dimensional realm. Through the divinity of Bacchus residing within me, I will find the celestial coordinates.”
*
Sikton revealed all the plans and looked at Orthes. If the High Priest of Phoibos supports his plan, the likelihood of success would skyrocket.
Isn’t he a prophet who sees the future? By identifying and improving the causes of failure in the future where they fail, that should suffice.
‘Only the heads of each cult attended the Divine Cult’s council. The leader of the Phoibos cult didn’t resemble the author. If they find out that the leaders supported the plan to abandon the gods, their hearts will surely waver.’
And that wavering of the heart was exactly the specialty of Bacchus’s priests. Seducing with pleasure, excitement, and intoxication is the essence of liquor, after all.
You cannot shield the prophet’s eyes with the veil of illusions. But through the aroma of wine, you can amplify the anger boiling within the prophet’s heart and cultivate pity towards yourself.
A subtle grape fragrance spread within the cave.
Sikton saw Orthes’s grip on his sword tighten.
‘Everything’s falling into place!’
“Sikton.”
The High Priest of Phoibos approached. A glimpse of blue iris could be seen between his eyelids.
How did he know my name? Did the Divine Cult inform him? No. It could be a unique power of the prophets.
‘Seeing that he’s calling my name, the distance in his heart has surely closed considerably. But not yet. If he realizes I secretly used the Divine Pray, everything could unravel.’
“Take my neck if you wish. But realize I did not betray the Divine Cult; it was the Divine Cult that betrayed our gods first.”
“I have something to tell you.”
Sikton smiled, arms wide open towards Orthes as a sign of welcome towards a comrade sharing his cause.
Swish.
And in the next moment, his head was severed and soaring through the sky.
‘Why?’
Sikton heard Orthes’s final words in the fading of his life.
“Die alone, if you must.”
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