Rise of the OtherGod Apostle: Not a Cult Leader, but a Serf?!

#022Reader Mode

T/N: Read if you’re still confused about the names: Sorry about that—I’m kinda new to this whole translation thing and I’m learning as I go. I’ll definitely aim for clearer translations next time around. Here’s a quick breakdown to clear things up: “Holy Maiden” is a title/role, and it can be held by a Saint or Saintess, no matter if they’re male or female. MC aka ‘Fabio’, can’t help but find Pelagio and Ada’s names funny since they sound like sexual slang in Korean, making them difficult to say out loud. That’s the gist of it. Hope this helps, and happy reading!~ ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

#022

But here, I’m known as ‘Fabio.’ People think of Fabio as a simple, uneducated country bumpkin, but that doesn’t really bother me.

Fabio might lack formal schooling, but that doesn’t mean I do.

In fact, there’s a certain freedom in everyone assuming you’re just a simple farm guy. It’s like being the unofficial tech support in your family—always on call to fix everyone’s devices. If everyone sees you as the resident genius, you’re constantly stuck with all the tedious, boring tasks.

“But remember this,” Pell cautions me, his voice grave. “You must keep your blessing from beyond the stars an absolute secret. Only the Apostles and Commander Casimir in the Order are privy to this knowledge, and we intend to keep it that way.”

So, this is top-tier information, hidden even from the Archbishops?

“Fortunately, you’re able to read the Holy Text. However, what is second nature to us might be completely alien to you, so tread carefully. Don’t let anyone realize you’re an outsider.”

…How am I supposed to manage that? Pretend I’m not from another dimension? They’ll probably just think, ‘That bastard’s at it again,’ no matter what.

“If you get caught…”

If I get caught… then what?

Pell hesitated, lowering his voice as he muttered, “…the head of the research department is going to want to study you.”

Wait, seriously? Am I some sort of lab rat here?

Ugh, these damn Order bastards! They swore they’d protect me. What happened to all those grand promises and their sacred oath to Roklem? Wasn’t the Saint supposed to be the most powerful figure around here?

I must’ve looked pretty betrayed, because Pell suddenly couldn’t meet my eyes, like he was struggling to find the right words.

“I can’t warn them ahead of time. If I do, they’ll realize there are beings like you and start hunting for them.”

Why the hell is there a guy like that in the Order?

“Be careful. No matter the rules, there will always be those who find loopholes to conduct their experiments.”

Is this some kind of twisted horror story?

Pell tried to reassure me, “Of course, the Research Director is a devout follower of the Order. He won’t do anything harmful to you.”

Yeah, right. And back in the day, people thought rubbing themselves with mercury was a cure-all. His idea of ‘harmless’ might be a bit different from mine.

But I had to keep up my facade as the clueless serf, so I asked, “Then why should I resist? If it’s for the good of the Order and it won’t hurt me…”

That’s when Commander Casimir, who’d been silent this whole time with her arms crossed, finally spoke up, “The Research Director is an Apostle of Ledeia.”

Ledeia? As in…

“The Goddess of Healing, Ledeia?” I asked, needing confirmation.

Pell nodded. “Yes. I heard you were quite taken aback when you saw Agnes, and he’s just a regular priest.”

The physical transformations in the priestesses of Ledeia are a direct result of divine energy. The stronger the energy, the more pronounced the transformations. If the Research Director really is an Apostle of Ledeia, he’d be as powerful as an Archbishop.

“That’s precisely why meeting the Research Director will probably be quite a shock to you,” Pell continued.

“He looks more like a mass of bugs wearing human skin,” Casimir added with a grimace. “I almost lost my lunch the first time I saw him, and that was right before my own baptism.”

Hearing this, my mind went completely blank.

A sight so horrifying that even someone with the guts to gouge out their own eyes couldn’t handle it?

“Yes, that’s correct,” Pell confirmed with a nod. “I wish I could spare you the psychological trauma, but I can’t. It’s best if you avoid him completely.”

All I could think was: I absolutely must not get caught, or I’m totally screwed f*cked.

A being that looks like a pile of bugs in human form? Seriously, what kind of low-budget horror movie nonsense is this?

Pell gripped my hand tightly, eyes meeting mine as he said, “Remember, if you’re ever in danger, call my name immediately.”

What good would that do? The Saint’s not exactly a 911 operator. Even if he was next door, I doubt he’d hear me scream.

And wouldn’t I get accused of blasphemy just for saying his real name?

“…As long as you’re within the Empire’s capital, I can sense who calls my name and know exactly where they are.”

What the actual…?

That’s seriously creepy.

How is that even possible?

Is this some special ability only the most elite unit [Holy Maiden (Male)] chosen by the Order—the big shots running the entire continent—can do?

“Fabio, if you call me, I’ll come immediately,” Pell said gently.

“Um, why would you do that?” I asked, genuinely confused.

Why is he going to such great lengths for me?

I had to wonder. Having the Saint in your corner is definitely a huge advantage, but it seemed over-the-top for someone of his stature to be rushing to save an ordinary citizen (and a former serf, no less).

Maybe it’s because of his vow to Roklem to protect me?

Breaking that kind of oath could mean an Order member losing their divine power.

A thought crossed my mind. “Wait, would you hear me if I just called you ‘Pell’?”

“No,” he replied bluntly. “You would need to call me by my full name, Pelagio. Is that too difficult?”

In a life-or-death situation, I figured I could shout out just about anything. Plus, the full name isn’t that bad.

It’s just that it was too powerful after hearing Ada’s name.

“You should be able to manage it in a high-pressure situation,” he encouraged. “Why don’t we try it now? We can start with something easier, like ‘Pelagio’ instead of my baptismal name?”

…Right now? No, I’m definitely not prepared for that.

“Just follow my lead,” he insisted.

No, don’t give me a f*cking example.

“Pelagio.”

I bit down on my lip, bracing myself.

“If you can manage the first two syllables, adding a third shouldn’t be too challenging…”

“No, it’s okay. I can do it,” I assured him.

Might as well spit out the whole thing; breaking it down feels harder, honestly.

Let’s just get this over with.

“But before that, could you please move your hand?” I asked.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

[SYSTEM: Due to the effect of ‘The Whole World Is Beneath One’s Self,’ the status effect ‘Blessing of Comfort’ has been nullified.]

No, that’s not it and seriously? You’re still trying?!

“Ah, sorry, force of habit,” Pell said, looking a bit disappointed in himself.

“Just focus on my face,” he suggested. “It’ll help ground you.”

But looking at your face is exactly why I can’t say it!

I mean, honestly, how does a guy with a face like that have a name that sounds like ‘fellatio’? I had to look away, just to escape his gaze.

“…If it’s too much for you, then it can’t be helped.” Pell conceded, finally letting go of my hand and pulling out a necklace from his pocket.

A necklace?

It had a pendant shaped like a cross, an “X”—the emblem of the Order.

But it wasn’t the gruesome image of someone hanging from it; it was modeled after an ancient tool used for measuring celestial altitude, like a right-angle ruler.

“If saying my name is too difficult, at least keep this with you,” he said, placing the necklace in my palm.

“What’s this…?”

“It’s been personally consecrated by me. Hold it and call upon the Lord.” He guided my hands into a prayer-like position, and I found myself obeying his gentle instruction.

“Lo-lord Roklem?” I tried. Nothing seemed to happen. “Is it not working because I lack divine power?”

Pell stayed quiet for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

“No, it’s working perfectly.”

Did something really happen, though?

“Now, if you ever need to reach me, use this. Not just in emergencies, but anytime. Feel free to call me, even if it’s just to admire my gorgeous face,” he added with a playful grin.

Yep, total narcissist.

“How could I possibly trouble someone as important as the Saint?”

“Actually, I’m not that busy. I might just have the most downtime around here.”

Why the hell are you so free?

Adelaide, the Grey Saintess, was drowning in a sea of responsibilities. In [Heretic Slayer], those maggot-infested Ledeia worshipers were ancient history. Yet Adelaide, despite being a Saintess, never received the treatment she deserved and had to fight on the front lines…

So why was this older man, a fully-fledged, just chilling without a care in the world?

“Aren’t you swamped with duties as the highest-ranking member of the Order?” I asked.

“No, the Pope handles the administrative side of things. That’s not my job.”

“Then what exactly do you do?”

“I exist solely to listen and act according to the Lord’s commands. When there aren’t any directives, I wait for the next one.”

Huh, so he basically just hangs around, twiddling his thumbs until some epic crisis hits? Must be nice.

“My latest mission was to locate those chosen by beings from beyond the stars and bring them into the fold of the Order.”

I see.

That actually makes some sense.

Even with my ‘ignorant serf’ act, I’m just one of 16 potential contractors chosen by an Othergod. They probably want me to report anything significant.

If I’m just a serf who knows nothing, I might overlook a crucial clue, mistaking it for something trivial.

“…Got it,” I said, nodding with understanding.

“Although…”

Pell’s eyes clouded momentarily as if he was pulled into an internal reverie. When he snapped back, he released my hand. “…Apostle Adna will brief you on the other precautions you need to take.”

Did he just get a telepathic message? He did say he could sense it when someone calls his full name…

Even if that wasn’t it, I remember from [Heretic Slayer] that Apostles have a way of communicating among themselves, so maybe another Apostle reached out to him.

If his Saintly duties are just about handling contractors, did he just identify a new one? Or is there an internal update from someone in the Order?

I was dying to know, but I had to keep up my clueless peasant act, nodding away like a bobblehead.

“…Fabio, come with me,” Adna instructed, her face now obscured again by her intricate mask.

Lacking pockets, I clutched the necklace in my hand as I trailed behind her. Still, something didn’t sit right.

Everything is going way too smoothly.

I half-expected to be dragged out with a burlap sack over my head, maybe even tied to a stake or something.

But nope.

No execution, no prison time. Just a friendly Holy Maiden (who’s actually a dude) telling me to hit him up anytime, and a promise from the Order to keep me safe…

Honestly, the overwhelming niceness was starting to seriously weird me out.

Is this actually the White Realm or something?

Because the Dark Realm I know is nothing like this…

Could it be because there are 16 of us potential contractors? Maybe they can’t afford to scare us off if they want to lure out the ones still hiding.

As an ‘ignorant serf,’ it’s not like I’d know how the Order operated before the official storyline began. But if I were a smart contractor who struck gold and ended up in a noble’s body, I’d definitely be watching the Order closely before making any decisions.

But just imagine if the rumor mill started churning out stuff like, “The Order is snatching up suspicious heretics and burning them at the stake!” or “They’re on the hunt for any heretics with strange-colored eyes!” That would definitely make me hesitate and rethink aligning with the Order. Hell, I’d probably start considering teaming up with other players instead.

So yeah, it makes sense they’re turning on the charm…

But still… something’s off.

Maybe I’ve just played too much [Heretic Slayer]? It’s like my brain can’t process why the Church of Order, infamous for slaughtering heretics, is suddenly acting all out of character.

Not that I’m complaining about dodging a fiery stake, but this is just… strange.

It’s like finding yourself on an island of cannibals, and instead of drooling over their next meal, they’re all like, “Aww, you poor thing! You’ve trespassed? No problem, we’ll treat you like a guest and give you a room and whatever else you need.”

Why the hell aren’t they acting like, well… cannibals?