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

#013Reader Mode

T/N: Just a heads up. Different POVs that aren’t our MC will be told in third person.

#013

“It’s been a while, Antonio,” Nasir said, a grin spreading across his face.

“I assume Casimir sent you?”

Antonio set down his knitting, a hint of surprise in his eyes. “You’re earlier than expected. I was told it would take three days. So, tell me, did you meet Fabio?”

Nasir gave him a wry smile. “All this time, and not even a courteous inquiry about my well-being.”

“You’re here on official business. I’m sure you want to leave as soon as possible.”

“That’s rather cold of you.”

Nasir’s smile faded, and he reached into his coat, producing a necklace that had been hidden within its folds. “You honor me by allowing me to call you ‘uncle’, yet you keep an emotional distance like this. It’s a little hurtful.”

“…Nasir?”

“That’s right.” Nasir confirmed, his grin returning. “Even you, my dear uncle, did not recognize me at first glance.”

“Is that a new talisman?”

“Yes.”

Antonio’s eyes widened as he studied the medal-shaped talisman that Nasir was fiddling with. “So, it alters your appearance, but there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”

“Indeed, you’re perceptive as always.” Nasir said, a hint of pride in his voice. “This talisman is called ‘Blindspot’. It not only changes how I look but also obscures my presence, making me hard to remember.”

“Impressive, indeed,” Antonio said, leaning forward in his seat, intrigued. “It seems to have many applications.”

“True, but it comes with a caveat,” Nasir said, his expression turning thoughtful. “Its power can be misused, so I can only utilize it under specific circumstances. It’s a shame.”

Nasir cherished this talisman.

Although prolonged use could result in memory loss, the benefits were far too great to ignore. The talisman not only altered one’s appearance but also manipulated the perceptions of others, causing them to glance over the wearer as if they didn’t exist. With the talisman activated, Nasir could move unnoticed unless he chose to reveal himself.

It should always work this well.

Nasir’s train of thought was interrupted by a memory of a young man who had stared at him intently, causing Nasir to check if the talisman was still active. Intrigued by the young serf’s ability to resist Blindspot’s effects, Nasir attempted to use his hypnosis powers on him, but to his surprise…

It didn’t work at all.

Usually, people under his hypnosis spell would relax and welcome him as a familiar friend. But this young man, Fabio, only looked slightly startled and wary, as if sensing Nasir’s attempt but unable to identify it.

Such a powerful blessing he possesses.

The more Nasir thought about it, the more his curiosity grew.

Why would a lowly serf like Fabio be blessed with such incredible power?

Fabio’s reaction to Nasir’s sword – startled, but not afraid – only piqued his interest further.

He wasn’t affected by my illusion either. He was only startled by the real sword swinging down at him.

Nasir’s illusions were unmatched. Even the elite Holy Knights of the Order, Centurion-level warriors, could only partially resist them.

A blessing that could effortlessly dispel any ‘distortions’ at will.

Even an Archbishop couldn’t do that without first declaring a sanctuary.

The motives of the boy’s hidden god remained shrouded in mystery, but one thing was clear: they had bestowed a blessing rivaling that of an Apostle.

Was this a move to target Antonio… no, the ex-Archbishop Ansberto?

It seemed unlikely that a mysterious deity would grant such immense power to a serf in the middle of nowhere without a specific purpose.

How Fabio had uncovered the former Archbishop Ansberto’s whereabouts, known only to the Order’s top echelons, was unknown. But it was unreasonable to lavish such an extravagant blessing on a peasant unless the target was indeed the former archbishop.

This logic led Nasir to wonder…

Why bother seeking out Antonio, a mere bell-ringer of no consequence?

If he hadn’t given me a satisfactory answer, I would have cut him down right then and there…

It was only then that he understood why Antonio had gone to such lengths to write a detailed letter to Commander Casimir.

Fabio’s most dangerous ability is not some mysterious blessing or an enigmatic gift.

It is not the result of intricate rituals, oppressive power, divine aura, or even the authority that comes with wisdom and experience.

A lowly serf, without any of those things, was able to raise doubts in him with just a few words.

The nameless god didn’t bestow a blessing on Fabio as a means to an end.

Fabio was the end in himself.

Even with his limited education and experience, he’d already managed to captivate Antonio, a former archbishop, and himself, a heretic hunter.

The potential influence he could wield as he learned and grew was truly terrifying.

“…Sir Antonio, are you aware of the nature of Fabio’s blessing?” Nasir asked.

“Well… considering he knows things he was never taught and has a strange affinity for books, I thought perhaps he was blessed by the God of Records…”

He glanced briefly at Nasir and then added, “Have you met him already? Your face hints you suspect something.”

“No, I truly have no idea.”

“But I can assure you, the God of Records did not bestow that blessing,” Nasir said confidently. “Fabio recognized me even when I wore the talisman.”

It was far from a typical reaction when an Imperial citizen encountered a desert tribesman like Nasir. Instead of being taken aback, Fabio hesitated for a moment before nodding in confirmation.

He didn’t even question me when I mentioned my unusual eye color or referred to ‘desert’s gold’.

As a wearer of Blindspot, Nasir’s appearance to others was that of an ordinary Imperial citizen with blue eyes and golden-brown hair. So, if Nasir suddenly brought up his peculiar eye color, it was reasonable to expect some skepticism.

However, Fabio acted as though he saw right through the illusion, recognizing Nasir’s true golden-eyed appearance without a hint of doubt.

It is notable how unusual it is for Fabio not to be shocked by the sudden appearance of a desert tribesman…

But what truly defied explanation was Fabio’s ability to see through the illusion cast by ‘Nephiton’s illusion’, a feat believed to be impossible.

You see, illusions are different from hallucinations or hypnosis. They are not mere manipulations of a person’s perception but a warping of light itself, independent of an individual’s senses. While one may resist or intercept hallucinations and hypnosis with talismans or blessings, illusions are inherently harder to counter.

Deflecting the power of an illusion or dismantling it is a challenging task, but seeing through an active illusion is something most believe to be unachievable.

Yet, the young man I met today, Fabio, effortlessly did so.

Curious to know if the talisman was still effective, Nasir met with Antonio while wearing it. To his surprise, Antonio didn’t recognize him at all. Despite Antonio having significantly weakened his divine power by breaking self-imposed vows, he was still once an archbishop, and yet he couldn’t sense anything amiss within the ‘blind spot’…

Fabio’s ability went beyond mere defense or nullification of the distortion of perception; he seemed completely unaffected by any of Nephiton’s illusions.

Even after Nephiton’s assassination and subsequent loss of power by Roklem, no deity could surpass him in the domain of ‘illusion’.

Nephiton, despite losing power after death, still remained unrivaled in the art of ‘illusion’. The talisman, crafted from his remnants, and the ‘illusion’ of the [Blind Spot] proved impervious, even to the blessings of unknown gods at the Apostle level.

“Antonio, I must regrettably inform you that I cannot fulfill your request,” Nasir said, his tone grave.

Antonio had been insistent, even forceful, in his pleas to Casimir, asking that Fabio be allowed to live an ‘ordinary’ life.

He didn’t want Fabio to be recognized as one ‘blessed outside the Order’, but rather desired for him to live in the Cathedral, studying and assisting priests, passing as a young man with slightly above-average intelligence.

Perhaps if Fabio’s blessing hadn’t been seen as dangerous, Antonio’s wish might have been granted.

“…He’s exceptionally special,” Nasir continued.

It wasn’t just the capabilities of Fabio’s blessing that made him so, but the very fact that a powerful god, choosing to remain anonymous, had granted it, inherently making it ‘dangerous’.

“Concealing it could put both him and us at risk.” Nasir cautioned, his words hanging heavy in the air between them.

Antonio’s eyes widened, his hands trembling slightly as the weight of their conversation settled upon him. After a long pause, filled with the echoes of their unspoken thoughts, Antonio spoke, his voice laced with caution and a hint of trepidation. “I hope I won’t come to regret sending that letter.”

But was regret truly avoidable in this situation?

How many times had he started to write to Casimir, only to crumple the parchment in frustration, afraid that any revelation might drive Fabio away?

Perhaps, given the mysterious motives of that unknown god, it would be wiser to entrust Fabio to someone trustworthy for protection.

Yet, the thought felt more like placing Fabio under strict surveillance than offering genuine protection.

Antonio’s breath hitched, suffocated by the gravity of the decision.

Those with powerful ‘blessings outside the Order’ would always be under suspicion, never fully accepted or allowed to leave until their last breath.

Would such a person even remain sane by the end of it?

“You won’t regret it, my friend. I’m certain of it,” Nasir reassured him.

Antonio’s face twisted into a grimace. “Are you trying to pacify this old man with hollow assurances?”

Nobody could guarantee a future shrouded in uncertainty.

Moreover, Nasir didn’t even have the authority to make decisions on this matter. Casimir held the final say. Nasir was well aware of Antonio’s aversion to empty promises, so what did it mean for him to speak words he couldn’t assure in this situation?

Nasir offered a gentle smile. “No, I’m placing my trust in the impression that young man left on me, even in our brief interaction.”

“…And what impression is that?”

“A certainty,” Nasir replied without hesitation. “A certainty that he won’t let you down, no matter what comes to pass.”

As Nasir finished speaking, Antonio’s turmoil began to settle, his fears and doubts finding solace in Nasir’s sincerity.

… Fabio.

Nasir stretched and leaned back in his chair comfortably. “If Commander Casimir is as perceptive as I think she is, she will understand. So, yes, I trust both her judgement and Fabio’s character.”

“Try not to worry too much,” he continued. “He will be well-loved, even within the Order. Isn’t he the one who caused Archbishop Ansberto to abandon his principles?”

Antonio shifted uneasily, clearing his throat at Nasir’s words.

“I am no longer an Archbishop…”

Nasir acknowledged this with a nod. “Of course, but when you wrote to Commander Casimir, didn’t you use the Archbishop’s seal?”

After resigning from his position as Archbishop, Antonio vowed to forsake all his powers and renounce his priesthood. He wanted a clean break from his past and did his best to avoid any reminders of his previous life. Antonio even hid his baptismal name and kept his new location a secret. Even Casimir, a high-ranking official in the Order and Antonio’s stepdaughter, barely knew her stepfather was serving as a parish priest somewhere.

Casimir had to send her letters to Antonio through the Papal office, and replies came to her through the same route. Given the scrutiny of the Papal office, she always chose her words carefully, especially when expressing her frustration at Antonio’s stubbornness.¹T/N: The “Papal Office” is a Catholic term that refers to the administrative and governmental structures that assist the Pope in managing the affairs of the Catholic Church. So the term here is being used to describe where the Order handles their administrative affairs.

However, astonishingly, the letter that Antonio had sent directly to Casimir, bypassing the usual route, bore the seal from his days as Archbishop—perhaps to prevent any suspicion of forgery.

“Commander Casimir was quite upset about that.”

Nasir was curious what had caused Antonio, normally so inflexible, to suddenly show a hint of compromise. Under Nasir’s questioning gaze, Antonio glanced away.

“Is there anything you want to tell Commander Casimir?” Nasir asked.

“…She wouldn’t understand why I’m doing this, why I’m going to such lengths.”

In the world, Roklem, the God of Order and Condemnation, enforced the laws and meted out punishment to all transgressors, no matter their rank or title. By changing the Holy Doctrine, Antonio had violated the divine order and faced the consequences, his divine powers greatly diminished. Stepping down as Archbishop did not necessarily mean giving up the priesthood entirely, but Antonio had relinquished that as well, determined to stay true to his convictions.

Casimir had difficulty accepting her stepfather’s choice.

“I remember how she would yell at me,” Antonio recounted, his eyes distant. “Demanding to know how running away to some unknown place would solve anything, if it would really change things, or if I’d just end up filled with regrets. Even now, I can clearly picture Casimir’s face twisted in anger.”

Listening to Casimir’s heated words at the time, Antonio could feel the intense love and concern behind them. But her fury, mixed with anguished tears, cut him like an envenomed blade, the wound festering in his heart for far too long.

“I couldn’t bring myself to respond then, so I turned away and left. But now, I want to give an answer,” Antonio said, his voice steady.

This path I’ve chosen holds great meaning and purpose.

Regret will not overtake me.

A new era is on the cusp of dawning.

Because…

“Let her know I’ve discovered something truly precious and invaluable here.”

I have witnessed the most divine and glorious order within the humblest of places.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

Antonio… I really thought he was just a revered, beloved bell-ringer in this charming little frontier village.

As I poured water for the knight’s horse, my mind couldn’t help but replay the wild rollercoaster of recent events.

The most mind-blowing revelation wasn’t even about the heretical inquisitor or the chaotic mess that was the Order. No, it was the startling realization that someone I’d known closely for half a year was a completely different person than I’d believed him to be.

He didn’t drop a single hint, even though he might have suspected I was a heretic.

I used to worry that Antonio was too naïve and might get scammed by some shady character…

I feel so utterly betrayed.

Every time he insisted he wasn’t a priest, he always framed it as “not currently.”

And that claim about needing to learn the sacred scripture to be considered literate was an outright lie…

But the most unforgivable part? He straight-up reported me to the inquisition.

When he mentioned that he had called a clergyman to escort me, I was deeply touched, thinking, ‘Aww, did he really go above and beyond like that for little ol’ me?’ But the shock of discovering that this so-called clergyman was a heretical inquisitor…

I had expected a comfortable ride when he said he had arranged transportation. I was imagining something fit for a celebrity. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with what looked like a sketchy prisoner transport vehicle.

Even if the inquisitor was just a casual acquaintance and assured me there would be no issues, I still couldn’t help but feel betrayed.

If I had any favorability towards Antonio before, they’ve probably plummeted by about -50 points after this fiasco.

If I find myself locked up in some heretical detention center, I swear I’ll curse Antonio’s name for the rest of my days.

T/N: Now we understand why Fabio experienced a slight level-up when he ‘moved’ Antonio with his words, even though gaining experience is usually a challenging task. It turns out Antonio used to be an Archbishop! (*ﾟﾛﾟ) Low-key Fabio’s tongue is pretty dangerous…