I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 99. Rescue Operation (3)

The Saintess of the Inquisitors held a crucial position, one separate from combat prowess, as she was responsible for the final trials and judgments.

“It’s like calling the police for a thief and having the police commissioner show up.”

Due to the unprecedented nature of having such a high-ranking officer involved, as feared, an excessive number of personnel had been dispatched.

A striking twenty inquisitors had arrived. Smuggling Lyla out was challenging, but hiding one’s identity amidst such individuals was even tougher.

“And the biggest problem is the Saintess herself.”

According to the ‘Orders’, the Saintess possessed certain characteristics: 〈Insightful Gaze〉 that allowed her to detect lies and covert actions with high accuracy, 〈Radiance of Divinity〉 that amplified miracles when used against those with faiths outside the Church of Hayat, and 〈Sole Light〉 which increased mana consumption and casting time of miracles that did not originate from the Church of Hayat.

These traits were already troublesome, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she had additional unique characteristics.

“I expected just three or four inquisitors to detain suspects, but things have become too complicated.”

That the Saintess would appear on the scene herself was something I had never anticipated.

“There’s no reason to doubt the identity of Eihab. Does this mean they’re taking exceptional measures due to the real 5th rank formless residues?”

I grumbled internally as I surveyed the notable Inquisitors, their distinct gloominess making them stand out.

“Is it really necessary to go this far?”

I wasn’t the only one questioning their extreme measures.

“Should metal really be maintained like that…?”

“Shh. Don’t make eye contact for no reason.”

Amidst the bustling workers on the ship, their eyes were drawn warily to the Inquisitors, who had laid out torture instruments and weapons as if drying fish.

Ordinarily, weapons were protected from rust by sea breezes, but these Inquisitors seemed to intentionally let them rust.

“Each one is as grim as the next.”

Even at a glance, the tools exuded an inhumane extremity. There was a reason why victims executed by the Inquisitors were said to be unrecognizable, as if no longer human. Despite claims of fairness, everyone avoided them.

“It’s a bit frightening to see, right? Oh, but I can’t see, so I’m okay!”

Beside me was a child with words I couldn’t quite respond to. The bandage made of flowers in place of a crown stood out on the gray-haired girl.

She was indeed the Saintess of the Inquisitors.

‘She doesn’t look like an Inquisitor at all.’

Aside from her missing eyes, she did not resemble the dreary Inquisitors in the slightest. And for some reason…

‘Still, there’s a reason for everything! Since the ancient days of the Holy War…’

She was quite talkative.

“… Saintess Iris.”

I tried to hold back but eventually interrupted her. Iris Bernado Catalos. As if she weren’t a Saintess, she had a rather long name and spoke too much.

“Why do you bother with a mere mercenary like me?”

I resumed my appearance as Eihab after a long time. It was the most useful disguise in this situation, although outwardly, he was just a 2nd rank mercenary.

I couldn’t fathom why this girl, the Saintess, bothered chatting beside me. I worried about being detected due to her peculiar traits.

“Because you were a mercenary recommended by Luminaries’s Military Commander! You’re even the hidden hero who dealt with an underground necromancer alongside the Military Commander.”

I sighed. Despite the caution I had taken against Arian, I had ended up relying on her help. With the Saintess on board, identity checks had become extremely thorough.

Any fake identity would not suffice. The professor identity as Magus would be useful, but I didn’t have the courage to expose Eldritch in front of the Saintess and the Inquisitors.

‘Though Arian’s backing and recommendation helped me through it…’

Honestly, I couldn’t comprehend Arian’s attitude. Arian was annoyingly principled, yet it was to maintain order by pursuing good.

‘I’m an Outer God priest. I even contributed to the destruction of Wave Reach. Did she really lose her mind?’

I couldn’t understand on what basis she allowed me on the same ship as the Saintess.

“Were my stories boring to you?”

“Weren’t you recounting how you came to enforce strict punishments on apostates to deal with internal unrest during the Holy War?”

Truthfully, I was not interested in the story but couldn’t openly disregard it.

“Unexpectedly, you were listening?”

“Why are you out here instead of staying protected in a safe haven…?”

Iris replied with the confidence typical of someone her age, standing confidently.

“Even though I look like this, I was born a 3rd rank! I’m not just any small fry!”

Perhaps because her sight was gone, she posed in a peculiar direction, but I… I could understand that confidence of hers.

“Born as a 3rd rank… That’s a condition to be a Saintess.”

Though the probability was exceptionally low, some people were favored by the Gods. Born as a 3rd rank, it made sense she was treated like a Saintess, even at such a young age.

“And besides, it’s easier to track from outside. While within the continent, I can usually manage, but the sea is still a bit unfamiliar to me.”

Iris had taken less than an hour to pinpoint Lyla’s location through a miracle.

“Arguably, this is the most overwhelming of Hayat’s miracles.”

The 〈Guidance of the White Radiance〉, a miracle akin to a map hack that tracks a target’s location.

It even provided the safest route, avoiding enemies lying in wait and potential danger zones. Due to these factors, our ship continued on a smooth journey with favorable winds.

“And honestly… I wanted to enjoy some freedom being out here for once, after being stuck doing paperwork in gloomy places!”

“Now, that’s a reason I can understand.”

I briefly replied and turned my gaze to the chart. The location of Lyla and her expected route were noted on the map.

“This direction leads to a remote black island.”

Considering the ocean currents and winds of the time, it seemed like an odd direction.

Although the Cernun’s parchment confirmed she wasn’t being taken to the Dwellers of the Abyss, it felt as though Cahon was luring me.

“A Kraken ahead! The Kraken has appeared! Everyone prepare for battle!”

It was the inevitable. I expected the Dwellers to be sent after us, but the Kraken was unexpected.

“What? How…?!”

Iris gasped in shock. The miracle should have prevented encounters with enemies, yet she was at a loss seeing the Kraken appear.

Cahon, with his 5th rank, undoubtedly schemed something beyond even the Saintess’s control.

‘A Kraken, huh… It’s been quite some time since I’ve entered this world, yet this is my first sighting of such a creature.’

I grasped the spear infused with a blue glow. Beneath my clothes, Gluttony wove through my muscles, enhancing my strength.

“Eldritch. Activate this enchanted weapon.”

“Yes, Lord Ethnos.”

I maintained continuous communication with Eldritch in the subspace via 〈Mind Link〉. Although I couldn’t directly utilize enchanted items, if it were something Eldritch activated for me to throw, it was manageable.

Swoosh-!

Like something out of an old movie, the colossal octopus limb wrapped around the ship.

The various protective spells cast upon the ship gleamed with mystic light, fending off damage, but the massive, ship-sized Kraken proved a formidable threat indeed.

“Fire!”

Boom!

The deafening roar of cannon fire blasted off several of the beast’s limbs.

“We need to target its head.”

The Inquisitors hacked away diligently at the limbs, but their efforts seemed inconsequential compared to their disciplined execution.

To end the creature’s life, its body, where the heart resided, needed to be struck. However, it was challenging as it refused to emerge from the water.

“Watch out!”

Iris shouted a warning as a massive tentacle came flying at me from behind. Instead of dodging, I empowered and launched the spear.

Pa-choom!

With a sound like the breaking of air, the launched blue spear obliterated the tentacle.

The ‘Sea Dragon Slayer’s Spear’ was endowed by Cernun, bearing enchantments that increased throwing power, automatic retrieval, blade vibration, and gust creation.

Pieces of the brutally shattered tentacle scattered everywhere, and I retrieved the spear at my feet.

“Wow…”

While the other Inquisitors focused on their tasks, iris, in particular, was mesmerized, her blindfolded eyes wide with admiration.

But she should have been ensuring her own safety instead of gawking.

‘But then again, she’s surrounded and protected by Inquisitors, so it doesn’t matter.’

I utilized Gluttony’s strength to leap up the mast effortlessly. My physical prowess was at most on par with a 1st rank warrior, yet Gluttony could match a 3rd rank.

‘My arms and waist have ruptured again.’

Taking the form of a powered suit, my body frequently got damaged enduring the power. However, with the transformation healing my broken bones and torn muscles, it was akin to regeneration, removing any concern.

“Eldritch, discreetly manipulate the waves to expose its head as much as possible.”

“Understood. 〈Aquatic Control〉.”

Eldritch’s tentacles wavered slightly, forming a magic circle. Initially, there was no noticeable change, but gradually the waves stirred, revealing the creature’s massive head.

It was a whimsical thought, but comparing Eldritch to a real octopus, the former seemed much cuter in retrospect.

“Activate the spear again.”

“At your service!”

I assumed a throwing stance and charged toward the Kraken. With overwhelming force, the spear hurled, its velocity terrifying.

Crack-crack!

The sound of splintering echoed through the air, but even as its torso was rendered apart, the Kraken displayed a tenacious vitality.

Its beak-like jaws opened wide, and I deliberately plunged inside.

“It’s more convenient this way, unseen from the outside.”

Unfurling from my body, Gluttony wreaked havoc within the Kraken’s mouth.

With spider legs emerging, it shredded the interior to pieces, and gradually the Kraken’s strength waned.

“Time to end this, Eldritch.”

Retracting Gluttony to wrap around me once more, I grasped the spear. With full force, the spear annihilated the Kraken’s torso. And at that moment,

“… Hm?”

Beyond the dispersing ink and torn flesh, a massive form emerged from beneath the dark ocean.

“Of course… He wouldn’t have brought just one.”

Accompanied by a colossal whale clad in menacing, plated armor, the Dwellers of the Abyss made their appearance.