I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 108. Knight (2)

The unexpected arrival of Arian left me rather flustered. I quickly contemplated how to handle this situation.

Perhaps I should cover my head with something and ask Redner not to disclose my name. Or should I just make a run for it?

‘Truthfully, there isn’t much reason to dread it this much…’

Even I found my reaction over the top. The opponent was bound by a 〈Geass〉 and couldn’t harm me or reveal my identity. Why such a contract was made, I still had no idea.

‘… Is that why I’m hesitant?’

In any case, it was an uncomfortable situation. Footsteps had already approached quite closely.

“Hello! It’s a fine….”

Suddenly, the voice halted. An awkward silence followed.

‘Completely armed, huh.’

My gaze immediately shifted to Arian’s armor.

With only her chin exposed under a helmet, Arian was equipped with a sword, shield, and several ornaments that appeared to be divine relics.

“…weather.”

Arian’s voice took on a dull tone.

“I didn’t know there was a guest here.”

“The Saintess Iris granted special permission for this old man. He seems interested in learning about symbolism, just like you.”

Redner, not particularly concerned with Arian’s sudden change in demeanor, opened a scroll. Truly remarkable in maintaining composure.

“Is that alright?”

“Yes, we’re acquainted.”

Arian emphasized the term ‘acquainted’.

“Ah, come to think of it, didn’t you say you captured a necromancer with some mercenary?”

Arian nodded, and Redner seemed intrigued by me before shifting back to his topic.

“Anyway, symbolism was properly defined by the second headmaster of the Academia….”

Redner earnestly began explaining who initially established the concept of symbolism. As he enthusiastically delved into the subject, my gaze wandered elsewhere.

‘… She’s really glaring.’

Through the helmet, a sharp, demanding gaze seemed to question what I was doing here and why I was inquiring about symbolism.

‘Completely unreadable.’

Judging by Arian’s demeanor, there wasn’t much friendliness toward me. It wasn’t just awkward; there was a palpable coldness. If she was going to act like this, why engage in a 〈Geass〉 contract?

“Are you listening?”

Redner inquired with some annoyance.

“Less on the history, and more focus on the main subject.”

Grumbling, Redner started explaining symbolism again.

Every religion has its symbols, and there are symbols specifically representing the God.

For example, the most known symbol for Zeus is lightning, but eagles and oak trees are symbols too. As a result, followers of Zeus often wore carvings of eagles or lightning on oak wood.

“Are there symbols representing Hayat?”

“Not specifically. But there are records of the white dove being considered Hayat’s messenger.”

While I asked questions, Arian remained silent.

“These symbols aren’t just facets of their divine presence.”

“Is there another meaning to them?”

“There are sayings that through these symbols, Gods glimpse into the world. Records suggest that they even manifested in the form of their symbolic animals.”

Redner then began reading tales about the Kingdom of Are.

It was a nation worshipping the war God Mars as its main God. They put significant effort into soldiering, with grueling training routines.

One soldier, on night watch, attempted to desert into a forest. He was greeted by a giant wolf speaking human language as he entered the forest.

“Flee past me. I am famished but will seek easier prey than you. Weren’t you fleeing down this very path?”

The soldier hesitated, knowing the wolf would ravage his sleeping comrades if he fled.

“Even if I pass you by, they are soldiers too. Easy prey they are not, so give up.”

Said the wolf.

“Very well. I shall go farther to feast more comfortably.”

The soldier, realizing this meant a village, decided to fight. With a grin, the wolf replied,

“You’ve chosen wisely. This is why you’ve endured harsh training. Now you may become a warrior, not a deserter.”

The wolf vanished abruptly. Startled, the soldier pursued it, but there were no footprints. Only later did he realize it was Mars.

“Hmm… Just a typical folktale, isn’t it?”

I pondered why they referred to Mars instead of Ares. Could it have been the language in which it was recorded?

‘And there’s no guarantee that wolf was actually Mars either.’

“The abundance of such tales suggests that Gods truly experience the world through symbols!”

Redner enthused as I expressed skepticism.

However, Arian interrupted Redner as he expanded on various folklore.

“Bishop Redner? If you don’t mind, could we move on?”

“Hmm? Sure, let’s do that. But aren’t you unusually calm today?”

Rather late in noticing, I was taken aback at learning this person was actually a bishop.

‘Then, shouldn’t he be incredibly busy?’

“What specific part are you interested in?”

In response to Redner’s question, Arian and I both answered almost at the same time,
“When one religion utilizes another’s symbols…”

“When unrelated symbols are publicly displayed…”

Arian and I exchanged glances. So Arian, too, was investigating regarding the Black Willow Cult.

‘Come to think of it, Arian was deployed to the wilderness as well.’

Redner thoughtfully stroked his beard as he considered our questions.

“So, a specific religion displaying symbols unrelated to themselves… that’s unprecedented! Elaborate a bit more.”

After listening to Arian’s explanation, Redner reflected for a moment.

“Generally, such acts don’t occur. It would be tantamount to impersonating another God, potentially igniting conflicts between the two religions.”

Redner proposed various theories, from it being an eccentricity of an Outer God to the presence having separate symbols due to changes. Yet none fully satisfied.

“… What if they were allies?”

Considered in another light, Redner’s assertion could imply that if the respective Gods had agreed, altering symbols could be feasible. Pondering aloud, his response was dismissive.

“As if! Whether allies or siblings, altering a God’s representative symbols is outlandish! Symbolism suggests it even affects their essence!”

Despite his dismissal, it seemed there might be an unresolved aspect on his mind.

“Do you have any thoughts?”

Inquired Arian. Redner scratched his head in response.

“There are puzzling elements; I’ll look into it further and inform you.”

Satisfied with this extent of information, I decided it was time to leave.

“Mr. Ahab, allow me to escort you home.”

‘Oh… I’d rather not.’

While she likely didn’t intend to accompany me all the way to my actual residence, the idea was still unwelcome.

“For what it’s worth, I captured the Leviathan alone. I’m quite capable of handling myself.”

“Wait! You captured the Leviathan?”

‘Ah, shouldn’t have said that.’

I calmed Redner, who was eagerly rushing for parchment and ink, promising to elaborate another time.

But my objection to being escorted wasn’t accepted, so I had to reluctantly walk alongside Arian.

‘Still quite noticeable.’

While we walked silently this time, Arian’s luminous knightly armor still attracted plenty of attention.

“How far do you intend to go?”

“Speaking casually now? You were rather polite last time.”

“It’s a bit late for that, isn’t it?”

Engaging in a bit of a verbal duel, I calculated Arian’s specs internally. Fully equipped, Arian was on a different level than during the encounter with Charlotte.

These were more firmly etched in my memory.

‘Four miracles on the armor. One reflects magic or miracles entirely. Plus, high resistance to physical and poison attacks. The sword, on the other hand, has offensive enhancement miracles…’

Strong offensive ability, very durable, and even self-repairing. Essentially an all-rounder. Without a clear weakness, tackling it would be challenging.

‘Could I win if we fought now?’

I was confident I wouldn’t lose, even if victory was uncertain. With a 〈Geass〉 preventing harm, I was wary of possible tricks. Arian wasn’t one to shy away from subterfuge.

“So, where are we headed? I obviously don’t plan on taking you to my residence.”

“I wasn’t expecting that. Let’s go somewhere for a quiet conversation. I’ll guide you.”

“And why should I trust you?”

“Coming from you?”

Arian retorted, caught slightly off guard. Admittedly, I couldn’t quite argue that point.

Thus, this unplanned accompaniment led us to a modest house. It wasn’t large but certainly tidy inside.

“You’ve brought me to quite the dreary place.”

A chair, a table, and a bed — that was it. No decorations adorned the interior.

It was void of potential ambush spots, yet choosing such a peculiar location suggested possible traps.

“Never mind how uninhabited it feels, it seems easy to clean up should you kill someone.”

“Let’s leave my house out of this.”

“… So, this is where?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

Arian placed her helmet on the table, revealing her face.

“Having utilized 〈Geass〉 should quell your doubts.”

Observing Arian’s face left me taken aback. There were no severe scars, nothing like that. But… it seemed as though the glow had dimmed.

Slight dark circles and dulled eyes gave the impression she was someone else entirely.

“So, the wilderness was quite a challenging battlefield?”

When I subtly inquired, Arian scoffed.

“Does it seem like desert hardships caused me trouble?”

Swoosh.

Arian slowly drew her sword, pointing it directly at me. Only then did a grin form on my lips.

“Ah… Yes, this seems right. Did you trick 〈Geass〉? Or are you planning to kill me and die as a price for 〈Geass〉?”

Arian’s eyes coldly scrutinized me.

“But I won’t be so easily killed now.”

“Regardless of your transformation, eliminating you isn’t a daunting task.”

In the next moment, Arian’s sword slashed through the air in a silver arc.