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

#049Reader Mode

#049

Anyway, Athanas’s attempt at acting was about as convincing as a cat promising not to knock things off the table. Seriously, if this guy was angling for a gig in undercover work, he’d stick out like a sore thumb.

No, this isn’t about lack of skill. He’s just not even trying.

Would it kill him to at least pretend to read a book? Sitting there without one in a library is too unnatural.

And that look on his face?

Why does he look like he’s doubting everything I said?

If he’s here without a clue why, sure, frustration makes sense, but he shouldn’t show it so openly. That’s making my job of playing dumb way harder.

To a naive ‘Fabio’, Athanas must seem like a weird guy with unclear intentions.

I flipped through my book, sneaking peeks at him. “So, is there something you wanted to tell me? You must have a reason for striking up a conversation…”

Athanas’ response was just a piercing stare, amplifying the pressure in the room.

…Don’t get scared. No freaking out.

After all, ‘Fabio’ has no idea Athanas is the infamous Heretic Butcher. So, it’d be weird for him to be scared witless by Athanas.

Alright, time to retune my brain. That’s not the real Athanas, it’s his look-alike, Adrian.

Let’s imagine we’re at a gaming expo. Adrian is just some guy here who just so happens to look like Athanas but knows nothing about Heretic Slayer.

I visualized a crowded gaming convention, where Adrian, overwhelmed by fanfare for his looks, reluctantly dresses up as Athanas for a cosplay contest. But this joker hasn’t even played the game – disrespecting the fandom and can’t even get Athanas’s demeanor right.

Mentally reframing it this way, surprisingly calms my nerves.

This wannabe bastard Athanas relying on his good looks. Tsk.

Bet if he snagged a win for looking the part, his acceptance speech would be lousy too.

And since he’s currently not the ruthless protagonist of the Heretic Slayer, he’s definitely not the real deal.

The events of Heretic Slayer haven’t unfolded, so it’s impossible for him to be that character. How can he be the same person if what he will experience is completely different?

Would you expect a Bruce Wayne with a happy family to skulk around as a vigilante in a bat costume?

Then, breaking my train of thought, he finally spoke up again, “…My real name is actually Athanas.”

So what?

Since I’ve mentally labeled him as a fake Athanas, his words didn’t faze me much.

But I played dumb, feigning surprise, “Is it trendy now to introduce yourself with a fake name first?”

“…No.”

“Then why’d you introduce yourself as Adrian earlier?”

“I wanted to test something briefly.”

Wow, he’s straight up admitting it’s a test? Really?

“A test… you say?” I echoed, playing up my cluelessness.

“I needed to check if you remembered… knew about some lost time.”

His mention of lost time struck me like lightning.

What?! Did he just hint at [Retrograde] actually existing?

Wait, he’s turned back time and I don’t remember any of it?

But on the outside, I maintain an Oscar-worthy puzzled look. “Lost time? Is that even possible? You mean like the days are getting shorter?”

He clarified, “No, I’m talking about actually turning back time, erasing events like they never happened.”

“Turning back time?” ‘Fabio’ scratched his head, pretending to mull it over.

“…Doesn’t the doctrine teach us that time only moves forward? Isn’t the hourly bell chimes a testament to time’s order? If time could jump around, wouldn’t that throw everything into chaos?”

“Have you ever heard of [Retrograde]?”

“No, never. First time hearing of it. Retrograde, huh?” Pretending to be perplexed, I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, looking every bit the part of someone out of their depth, “Sounds like something way over my head, something an uneducated guy like me shouldn’t worry about.”

Just drop it already! Damn!

Whether Retrograde is actually real, and whether this is round two of our chat, or just a trick to test a player, there’s only one thing for me to do.

Stay clueless!

Fabio is just a serf who knows nothing!!

“And above all, my knowledge of the Lord’s teachings is pretty basic. Complex stuff like that is way beyond me.” I tried to drive the point home.

“…You said you’re from the County of Riquelon.”

“Yes? But how did you…”

“Because, Fabio, we’ve had this conversation before. I asked if you remembered the lost time.”

Yeah, I don’t believe it.

Everyone knows I’m from Riquelon. If you’re trying to sell me on Retrograde, you’re going to need something more convincing. Even a stupid serf wouldn’t buy this.

“…That’s hard to believe.”

“How else would I know where you’re from if not for turning back time?”

“Well, there are many ways, right? Someone else could have told you. I never hid the fact that I’m from Riquelon.”

“Do you think I’m lying to you now?”

“Of course. How can I just accept something so miraculous as this? If I believed every wild story, I’d already have all of my possessions swindled by some street gambler. Do you have any evidence that can only come from reversing time?”

“…What kind of evidence would convince you?”

“How about…a secret of mine that I’ve never told anyone?”

“Can you tell me one?”

“Pardon?”

“I couldn’t ask before, so tell me now.”

“If I tell you, what’s the point? You’d hear it from me directly…”

“If I turn back time and reveal a secret you’ve never shared, wouldn’t that prove it?”

…Is there really a Retrograde?

His confidence was starting to get to me.

Suddenly, I felt uneasy.

“…Actually, telling a secret proves nothing. You could just use a blessing or make me forget I ever said anything.”

“Then what must I do for you to believe me?”

I crossed my arms, trying to hide my sweaty palms. “Why do I even need to believe you in the first place?”

I need to make it impossible for him to prove it!

“If such an incredible miracle exists, it’d be more effective if it remained a secret. If no one knows time can be reversed, who could stop someone with that power? If I were you, I’d only confide in those I truly trust, not chat about time travel with just anyone. The fewer who know, the better.”

“So….”

“I’m not trustworthy. Proving this to me achieves nothing. If something as extraordinary as this is possible, surely the Lord who allowed it must have a grand divine plan? What could a former serf like me contribute to something so monumental? I’d be lucky not to mess it all up. I’m just a simple country boy. So, I’ll stay out of it – not curious, not interested.”

“…Are you saying you won’t believe me, no matter what evidence I bring?”

“That’s right. You could bring me all the proof in the world, and I’d still doubt a miracle like that. And I’m certainly not helping you prove it either.”

“That’s… very cautious of you.”

“Of course. I know my place very well. I’m far from being an important person. If I become aware of something so frighteningly serious, I’ll immediately go to any bishop and confess everything.”

“But didn’t you say to only tell someone that you really trust?”

“Yes, and who’s more trustworthy than someone higher up than me?” With that, I got up from my seat, ready to leave.

“Anyway, this was an interesting story. Turning back time, imagine that? I should share this with Elamin during dinner.”

Then, I threw in another comment for good measure.

“You know Elamin, the reader, right?”

Athanas just gave me a blank stare.

“…Perhaps you don’t know him. Apparently, Elamin has been close with Casimir even before joining the Order. Ah, you know Casimir, right? The Knight commander of the Inquisition.”

“…And what’s the purpose of telling me this now?”

“No special reason. Well, not every story shared needs to have a deeper meaning, does it?”

What am I getting at? ‘Fabio’ is a scaredy-cat who can’t keep his mouth shut. So, if you don’t want your secrets broadcasted, better not say anything to me in the first place.

The last thing I wanted was to get tangled up with Athanas.

And I definitely didn’t want to be a ‘trustworthy companion’ of his either.

“So, I’ll be going now.” I turned and started for the stairs.

I could feel his eyes on me, but I intentionally ignored them.

A shiver ran down my back.

What in the world did I do in our first meeting?

Why did he feel the need to test me?

Did I mess up?

[Retrograde] isn’t without its drawbacks.

It drains stamina temporarily, but that’s a limitation worth noting.

If I were him, I wouldn’t waste my precious time and energy on some insignificant guy like me…

…But if he’s not following me, maybe it was just a test.

There must’ve been some telltale sign during our first encounter that gave me away. I probably looked spooked.

So he knows I’m from Riquelon…

But does the Saint know about Retrograde?

He has to, right?

He knows but pretends not to?

He just hasn’t filled Athanas in on the Othergods and the Watched Ones, right?

He’s not the Saint, so what the fuck does he really know?

Even if I tell the Saint, if Athanas opposes it, he’ll just rewind and erase it.

Of course, if I really flexed my brain, I could create a situation that even Athanas can’t fix with a time reversal.

But honestly, I’d rather not exert myself that much.

If Athanas really can turn back time, I just hope he uses it so I end up knowing nothing about all this.

Well, as long as Athanas doesn’t side with the Othergods, it’s not my problem.

“Stop.”

…F*ck.

Is there more he wants to say?

Despite every fiber in me screaming to bolt, I knew there was no outrunning Athanas, not with my strength barely tipping 30 and my Endurance hovering around 25.

Resigned, I obediently stopped and turned to face him.

Athanas was wearing a scowl that could curdle milk.

Just gotta remember, this Athanas is a phony. He’s just a wannabe doing a cosplay…

“Did you need something else?” I asked, trying to keep my voice level.

“Can’t we have an honest conversation without any lies?”

“Pardon? Lies? When did I ever lie?”

“You claimed you’ve never seen the Saint.”

“But I haven’t!”

“…Then enlighten me—how did you manage to summon the Saint without ever meeting him?”

“What?”

“But more importantly, who are you really? Why would the Saint come running to your rescue?” he pressed.

During our first encounter… the Saint came to rescue me?

A multitude of questions flooded my mind.

“I-I don’t understand what you’re saying…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. It’s useless. Haven’t I already mentioned I can turn back time?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Doesn’t the Saint know that time has been reversed?

Doesn’t he know that Athanas has Retrograde?

My head felt like it was spinning.

How did Athanas get his hands on Retrograde so fast?

If not through information from the Saint, then how?

Did another player tip off Athanas?

No, that can’t be. If another player personally approached Athanas, he would have known I was one of them instantly.

Anyone briefing Athanas on Retrograde would’ve clued him in on how to spot us.

This only leaves one scary possibility.

…Could Athanas have memories from Heretic Slayer?

Right now, the hows and whys didn’t matter.

Maybe it’s the system, or the Saint, who’s in the loop about the Othergods and players, pulling the strings.

Perhaps Athanas, the protagonist of Heretic Slayer, somehow received memories of his own story.

And if that’s true… this Athanas isn’t a fake…

…He’s the real Athanas from Heretic Slayer?

The chilling realization hit me hard.

Before Retrograde kicked in, why in the world did I call for the Saint?

I wanted nothing to do with Athanas.

I don’t want his attention.

I don’t want to linger in his memory.

And I certainly don’t want him to think of me as someone ‘important.’

Even if I had gasped ‘Athanas?!’ in sheer surprise after seeing him, my usual move would’ve been to use my shield of ignorance, to stammer “No idea why that came out!”

If Athanas grew suspicious of ‘Fabio,’ I might’ve scrambled to find someone to vouch for my identity, possibly even dragging poor Casimir into the mess.

But calling on the Saint?

That’s something I would never do!

A mere serf with the power to summon the Saint on a whim?

What could make you a more unforgettable existence even after you die?

So, there’s just no way I would’ve called for the Saint unless I was out of my mind!

If I didn’t summon him, then the only reason the Saint would come is…

…This necklace. It emits holy power, a shield meant to protect its bearer in moments of danger.

I looked up at Athanas.

Those deep blue eyes bore into me, as if judging my very soul.

Heretic Inquisitor Athanas….

Heresy inquisitors were granted the chilling authority to execute without trial, without question.

Innocents wrongly executed? No problem – the Lord promised that any innocent person killed by the hand of the Inquisitor would go to heaven.

So, Athanas had been relentless, cutting down any ‘heretics’ in his path without hesitation.

That’s how he earned one of his grim nicknames.

The Heretic Butcher Athanas….

Sure, the Athanas standing before me didn’t wield that kind of terrifying authority yet.

But he currently has something even more fearsome.

[Retrograde] – a power to erase any act, even murder.

Would Athanas, haunted by memories of a world plunged into chaos, really play by the current rules?

In Heretic Slayer, Athanas is depicted as an individual of extreme efficiency.

…Did he try to kill me as soon as he sensed something was off?

And then used Retrograde to make it like it never happened?

But if the Saint’s arrival made him reconsider doing that…

My whole body froze with fear.

Is he really that psychopathic executioner?!