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

#048Reader Mode

T/N: Yes this is the next Chapter. No, I didn’t make a mistake. At least not this time! Enjoy~ (˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧

#048

Leaning against the wall, I craned my neck to peer down the shadowy staircase, staring into what seemed like an abyss ready to swallow me whole.

F*cking scary.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I dared one step forward, some unseen monster lurking in the darkness would snatch my ankle and drag me into the shadows.

Of course, this isn’t a horror game, so there won’t be anything like that…

Look, I’ll be honest. I’m a total chicken.

Horror movies? I’ll pass. Video games with jump scares? Not in a million years.

So how did I manage to finish Heretic Slayer? That was different. Athanas, the main character, is a powerhouse. Ghosts that explode after one swing from his holy mace aren’t scary at all. It’s the helpless fleeing that freaks me out.

Now, as I’m staring down the gloomy staircase, I’m debating if I really need to go down there.

On one hand, if I don’t check it out, I’ll be constantly worrying if [Retrograde] really exists or not.

But on the other hand, do I really need to see everything firsthand? That’s what our brains are for, right?

Time to think this through.

If I head downstairs now, I’d probably see one of these three things:

1. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.
2. Signs that someone already found the hidden basement.
3. Just failed attempt evidence, like a charred floor, from people trying to open the secret space.

It’s gotta be one of these, right?

But here’s the thing: no matter what I find, I still won’t know if [Retrograde] really exists or not.

In scenario 1, I can’t confirm the secret space exists—I’m just a goblin who’s not allowed to do anything crazy, so starting a fire to check is out. If it’s scenario 2, I’ll know there’s a secret space, but I can’t prove if [Retrograde] was there. Scenario 3? Same deal.

If I had found Retrograde, I’d make scenario 2 look like scenario 3.

So in the end: checking the basement won’t give me real answers, no matter what I see.

Well, except maybe walking into immense danger.

If it were me, I’d have rigged the secret space with traps. Who else but a player would snoop for this hidden piece? No need for a grand trap, though.

Something simple like burning a unique incense or spraying a special dye on the floor would ID anyone who drops by.

Going down there without a good reason would make ‘Fabio’ seem suspicious of having a player’s memories and pretending not to.

So, let’s say I find out [Retrograde] does exist, then what?

It might be a relief to know it doesn’t, but if it does, wouldn’t my happiness circuit miss the days when I could blissfully believe it didn’t?

Gaining pessimistic information in a powerless situation only leads to endless fear. You can swerve the steering wheel just before an accident, but if you’re buckled up in the back seat, all you can do is scream when you see a truck coming.

If a plane were to crash, I’d rather lose consciousness before knowing it.

…Whether [Retrograde] exists or not, the Order probably knows and is prepared.

Because there are other surrendered players besides me, and that thoughtful player, a likely candidate for [Rider of Civilization], must’ve already reported on this matter.

So, the emptiness of this branch library is a dead giveaway that [Retrograde] isn’t here.

They wouldn’t leave a player like me unattended in a place hiding such a crucial ability…

But then, why did Elamin bring me to this library…?

Was it a test to see if I remembered anything about this place?

Maybe someone’s been watching my every move.

A chill ran down my spine as I wiped the cold sweat from my face.

Have I already raised any red flags?

I replayed my actions in my head.

Okay, I did gawk at the stained glass for a while, but I can just say I was awestruck by the dazzling window as a country bumpkin…

And I never went down into the basement anyway.

If questioned, I can just say curiosity got the better of me, wondering if there were books down there, but it was too dark, so I didn’t go.

Alright, even if someone’s been spying, I should be fine.

Maybe I’m being paranoid, but better safe than sorry.

You never know with people.

From now on, I’ll act like I’m under constant watch until the stars align and the sky opens up. The Order, no matter how sloppy they seem, wouldn’t trust a player blindly. They must have some safety measures in place.

If I keep a low profile till then, they’ll believe that I’m just a nobody.

And that’s exactly what I’m hoping for.

I’ll be so uninteresting and boring that it’ll drive whoever’s watching me nuts.

Truth be told, I am that boring. No need to try too hard. Strength 30, Endurance 25, Charm 30– that’s me.

I’ll just read books all day today.

I made up my mind and headed upstairs to the second floor, where the shelves were lined with what looked like novels.

But seriously, there’s nobody here.

Selecting a few books, I settled down in the sunniest, coziest spot I could find.

At least it’s peaceful.

Maybe Elamin had my preferences in mind bringing me here. I should thank him later, let him know I appreciated it.

A goblin saying thanks can’t be too offensive, right?

With that thought, I opened the first book. About ten pages in, I realized it wasn’t a novel at all, but an actual family genealogy, narrated like a story.

No wonder the character intros felt never-ending…

Turns out, the book was just endless introductions.

But why on earth would a library keep a family genealogy?

Just then, I heard the scrape of a chair. Someone decided to sit right across from me.

Of all the places, why pick the one in front of me?

I was baffled for a second, but then it clicked – this was the brightest spot.

Ah, right. Good lighting is key for reading.

I continued flipping through the pages. This book seemed worth a read, touching on real history and all.

I had zero plans to see who was in front of me.

Probably just another random person. Making eye contact, striking up a chat? That’d be a headache. There’s way too much I still don’t know, being only my second day at the capital church.

No need to yap away and accidentally let slip I’m a goblin.

Thud Thud. The person sitting opposite me tapped on the desk.

Are they trying to get my attention?

I wondered briefly what I might have done wrong.

Maybe it was impolite not to acknowledge the person sitting across from me?

F*ck it. If they start something, I’ll just say I didn’t know any better – I only got here yesterday.

With that in mind, I lifted my gaze.

And froze on the spot.

…Athanas?

I blinked hard a few times, wondering if I was seeing things.

But no, it wasn’t a trick of the light.

Maybe it was the bright spot we were in, but there he was, clear as day in glorious 8K resolution. His lustrous black hair, those deep blue eyes. Athanas looked even more youthful than usual – probably because this was before the water shortage hit.

But why is Athanas here, of all places?

He didn’t even have a book in front of him, so reading was out of the question…

Wait, has he been watching me this entire time while I was reading?

Why, though?

Why me?

What did I do to deserve this?

What should I do?

…Did the Saint send him? Is this a check to see if I have player memories?

“Why do you look so startled upon seeing someone’s face?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m curious why you seemed so surprised at seeing a face.”

Athanas’ question snapped me back to reality.

This is a 100% test!

Quick thinking was crucial now.

“Well, you’re just incredibly handsome!”

“What did you say?”

“Seriously, you’re unbelievably good-looking. I almost stopped breathing for a moment.”

“…You find me handsome?”

Don’t they compliment on looks in the Dark Realm?

Why does everyone have such a dramatic reaction to this?

“Yes? With your looks, how could you not know? If I were you, I’d be in front of a mirror all day, making sure I’m still that striking.”

“…I thought people who look like me were pretty ordinary.”

Yeah, right… What universe is he from?

“Have you seen anyone who looks like me around here?” Athanas asked.

“Pardon? Similar to you? Never in my life. If faces like yours were common, do you think I’d have reacted like that?”

“Then… You must be surprised because I remind you of someone you know.”

“There’s absolutely no one. I assure you.” I denied firmly.

If the Saint is watching… he’s probably thinking that Fabio here is just smitten with good looks again, right?

Athanas seemed displeased at something I’d said, his brow furrowing slightly.

For a split second, my heart sank.

Don’t freak out. Right now, Athanas isn’t the infamous heretic slayer. In this peaceful Order, he doesn’t go around hammering heretics on sight. He’s not that butcher… at least not right now…

“…Why do you look so startled again?”

“Me? Startled? Oh, I was just thinking, ‘Wow, even a frown looks handsome on him.’ Guess it was written all over my face.”

“You’re startled because I’m good-looking?”

“Yes. I mean, where I come from, a remote village, we don’t get to see many beautiful people. So, I’m not used to seeing handsome faces, and it keeps catching me off guard.”

“And what about when you saw the Saint?”

“The Saint’s face?” My eyes shot wide open.

‘Fabio’ can’t let on that he suspects this is a test.

But ‘Fabio’ can’t be too naive either.

Appearing too dumb might convince them that keeping me on a tight leash is a wise move.

So, ‘Fabio’ will act like any regular reader who’s just been approached by a stranger.

It’s totally normal for a newbie at the church to have never seen the Saint up close. Fabio should have that much judgment.

“I know right! If I ever saw the Saint, I might just faint right there. I’ve heard he’s the epitome of beauty. So radiant, you’d risk going blind just by looking at him!”

“…You’ve never seen him before?”

“No, not even a glimpse from a distance!”

Athanas’s frown deepened.

What’s with that reaction?

Is he reacting to some secret message from the Saint?

Secret messages can only be sent between Apostles, but with a holy relic, even non-Apostles can receive them. They can only listen, though, not reply.

“The Saint, huh… Maybe one day I’ll get a chance to see him? Um, have you ever seen the Saint? What’s he like?” I babbled, my nerves getting the best of me. Because Athanas’s frown stayed put.

“…You know, we haven’t really introduced ourselves properly.” He finally said.

“Oh right, sorry about that. I’m Fabio, just a guy from the frontier who arrived at the capital church yesterday. Please excuse my ignorance and feel free to correct any mistakes.”

“…Is Fabio really your name?”

“Yes? Are people here known to use fake names? I’m just a humble country fellow, always been Fabio. My father picked it, meaning harvest after much thought. And you, Sir, may I know your name?”

“I am…” Athanas hesitated.

Why the pause before his name?

Maybe he’s testing me for player memories, but hesitating over your name isn’t exactly normal.

Finally, he said, somewhat reluctantly, “…My name is Adrian.”

Did he hesitate because he forgot what alias to use?

Is this a trick to see if I’m shocked he’s not ‘Athanas’?

But I didn’t miss a beat, responding instantly. “Adrian, huh? That’s a great name! Should I call you Sir Adrian?”

“…Does the name sit well with you?”

“Yes? Is there something wrong with it?”

“I just asked if you’re okay with the name Adrian.”

What’s he expecting me to say?

Should I react like, “Adrian? That can’t be! You’re Athanas, my Athanas!’” Would anyone really fall for that?

…The thought that someone might is kinda scary though.

But I’m not that gullible.

“Hmmm. I think Adrian is a great name! It sounds noble! Or maybe it’s just because I know you’re handsome, so even your name seems charming?”

“…Have you known another person named Adrian?”

For a moment, I focused on the name ‘Adrian’, half-expecting a narration window. Nothing popped up.

“Nope, can’t recall anyone by that name.”

“…Do you have a younger brother?”

“No, only child here. My mother passed away after I was born from an illness, and my father never remarried.”

“…….”

“Um, Sir Adrian, are you an only child too?”

“I was orphaned.”

“…Oh. I see. Then who gave you such a wonderful name? A priest?”

“Some liar named me.”

“That… I see?”

A liar?

Who’s he referring to?

Maybe the Saint who asked him to act this way?