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

#052Reader Mode

#052

“…Regardless, you’ve realized that I’m terrible at this. So, I guess anyone else would do a better job than me.” Athanas said.

Can’t argue with that.

With the acting skills of a wooden puppet, it’s a given that he’s outperformed by a solid 95% of the population.

“Hmm… Alright, then let me give you some advice that’s based on common sense.”

“Sure.”

“First of all, if you don’t have a reason to chat with someone, don’t just approach them out of the blue.”

“But…”

“What I mean is, you need to find a natural way to start a conversation. And before that, you need a legitimate reason to be in the same space as them. Take this place, for instance—we’re in a library, so…”

“…I guess I’m here to read a book.”

“And do you read often?”

“Not particularly…”

“It’s kind of obvious. If you were here to read, that wouldn’t really open up a path for conversation, because it’s a solitary activity. Now, if you were a bookworm, you could perhaps spark a conversation about their current read. But since you’re not…”

I let that sink in for a moment before adding,

“…It’s probably better to say you’re here to just slack off.”

“To slack off…”

“You’re helping out with this request because you seemed to have some free time, right? If you’re visibly just hanging around in a public place, you might be asked to help with all sorts of annoying tedious tasks, which you’d rather avoid. So, you’ve picked this quiet branch of the library. That gives you a good excuse to talk to me.”

“But how should I…”

“Try starting with, ‘I come here often, but I haven’t seen you around before.’ Simple, right?”

“And after that…?”

Do I seriously have to walk him through every step?

“Well from there, you’ll need to improvise. Ever notice someone who’s just a natural at socializing? Watch how they ease into a chat, then give that a try.”

“…And if that person were you, how would you start the conversation?”

“No, you’ve got to think for yourself sometimes. Are you going to keep asking me or someone else every time something like this comes up?”

Is it possible for someone to be this stupid even in a peaceful world?

Athanas in Heretic Slayer was nothing like this.

Sure, he’s often depicted as a single-brain cell character in parodies, thanks to memes of his reckless Holy Hammer swings, but that’s just an obvious exaggeration.

In Heretic Slayer, Athanas is clearly shown to be intelligent and quick-witted.

Could he be under some kind of intelligence debuff?

“I see. I misspoke. Thank you for the advice. Your guidance has been incredibly helpful.”

…Well, he’s at least got manners.

And he’s still young, so being a bit dumb is to be expected.

I felt my attitude softening a little.

“…If it were me, I’d say I’d like to get to know you better since I’ll be around often. Like asking you to wake me up if I accidentally happen to doze off while reading.”

Athanas narrowed his eyes. “Wouldn’t it be unpleasant to receive such a request from a stranger?”

“Even if it is, so what? Do you have to become friends with them? As long as you’ve got a reason to talk to them, that’s all you need.”

“Is that so…” Athanas paused, then cautiously asked, “Is there a way to… win someone’s favor?”

I mean, he should at least offer to pay me for enduring this relentless questioning.

You shameless bastard.

“…Well, if it’s a woman you’re interested in, there’s a straightforward approach.”

“Which is?”

“Just ask her, with a touch of shyness, if she’d like to grab a meal because you find her attractive. With your looks, it should work in your favor. But remember, if you’re not into starting something serious, you’ll need to be gentle in letting her know that after the meal.”

“So, you’re suggesting I ask her out on a date?”

It seems the concept of dating exists in the Dark Realm as well.

Well, technically, the word for ‘date’ in the common language here sounds like ‘date’ to me.

It’s a bit surprising, given that the idea of romantic dating is relatively modern, so it’s quite strange that the Dark Realm has the concept of dating.

Well, in a world where even clerics are allowed to date, I’m sure there’s a lot of dating going on.

“Yes. There’s no better reason to start a conversation than asking someone on a date.”

“But why does it need to be a woman?”

…….?

What’s he talking about?

Does this world’s Athanas have double-digit intelligence?

“Are you saying you want to ask a guy out?”

Athanas just looked at me with a blank expression after hearing my question.

“…Is there something wrong with that?”

“What? I mean, I’m not sure…”

I found myself at a loss for words, wondering if the term ‘date’ held a different meaning here. Although I was speaking and hearing Korean, the language of this world wasn’t Korean. Maybe the word for ‘date’ had a broader meaning in the Dark Realm, including both romantic and friendly outings.

I paused, mulling over my thoughts before deciding to lay them out, hoping to avoid any misunderstandings.

“…Well, isn’t it forbidden for men to date each other?”

“Excuse me?”

“What?”

“What are you talking about?” Athanas looked as if he’d just heard the most strange thing.

I was confused.

Did I say something weird?

Back in the Middle Ages, the persecution of homosexuals was as almost as famous as witch hunts. If you wanted to kill someone, it was easy to get rid of them: accuse a woman as a witch, or call a man gay, and watch how fast they get the stake together.

So naturally, I assumed the Order would also recognize homosexuality as a….

…Hang on a second.

Now that I was actually thinking about it, I haven’t come across any specific doctrine in the Order’s teachings outright banning homosexuality. Nor could I remember any cases in the casebook where someone was punished for it.

Does that mean…

Homosexuality is… accepted?

Here? In the Middle Ages? Being gay is…?

Actually OK??

What the hell is happening…?

Well…

This world wasn’t a carbon copy of the Middle Ages, but it’s still steeped in religion. And when you mix religion with views on homosexuality…

…It doesn’t necessarily have to be forbidden, does it?

In ancient Greece, homosexuality was accepted without question. I must have subconsciously assumed that the social norms in the Dark Realm would be similar to Christianity, given its many similarities to medieval Christian society.

But…

Homosexuality is openly accepted here…?

My head felt like it was spinning.

Why didn’t I realize this sooner?

Did I miss something in the game?

No way, this would’ve blown up online.

The idea of a medieval, deeply religious world embracing same-sex love?

That’s the kind of sh*t that even non-gamers would’ve talked about. It would’ve been impossible to miss the uproar in the gaming community.

So, it must have never been brought up in the game.

In ‘Heretic Slayer’, who has time for dating or romance when the world’s on the brink of destruction, and heretics need slaying?

And in Conclude…

Only legal marriages are shown within the game’s system.

Stuff like dating or secret affairs? The game doesn’t bother with that. So, there’s no way to know who’s with who.

And there’s no point in knowing anyway.

After all, it’s a strategy game at its core.

For named units, the game emphasizes their titles and ranks over love stories. Marital connections are displayed for their strategic value to noble families. The exception is an illegitimate child with a special ‘bloodline’ who then becomes part of the family tree.

This can result from an illicit affair or a legal marriage, but only between a man and a woman.

Since only heterosexual relationships can produce offspring, isn’t it reasonable to assume that only straight relationships are allowed?

I held my head in my hands, feeling dizzy from the information overload.

The Dark Realm is a world where gay relationships are possible!

It’s shocking and horrifying.

Now, don’t get the wrong impression. It’s not like I’m upset that gay relationships are a thing, or itching to picket with a ‘Repent!’ sign against any kind of love.

What consenting adults do in their private lives, whether they prefer men or women, is none of my business.

It especially has nothing to do with ‘Fabio’, who only has 30 points of charm.

But… still…it’s a lot to take in…

Those soundproof blessings at the reader’s dorm, I mean, they weren’t for… ‘that’ reason, were they?

…Yeah, I’m gonna pretend I didn’t just think that.

With an awkward chuckle, I responded, “I’m sorry. It seems I’ve gotten things mixed up.”

“…Did you come from a culture where relationships between men are forbidden?”

“In a way, yes,” I mumbled, rubbing the back of my head. “Guess that just goes to show how new I am to the Order, huh?”

Athanas furrowed his brow, “But… when you joined the Order and took your vows, shouldn’t you have received the Blessing of Order?”

Inside, I screamed.

Damn it!

Outed by my own goblin-ness again!

You become instantly accepting of homosexuality as soon as you receive the Blessing of Order?

Freaking out at the sight of bugs squirming under someone’s skin is branded as heresy!

And being shocked by clergy in same-sex relationships? Also labeled as heresy!

Is faking it as a non-heretic too advanced a role for me?

Athanas questioned, “…Did you not receive the Blessing of Order?”

“No, no, no! How dare you say such a grave insult….” I shot up from my seat abruptly. “How rude of you. I no longer wish to talk with someone as disrespectful as you.”

“…My apologies. That was out of line.”

His apology fell on deaf ears as I spun on my heel, determined to escape.

I need to get out of here before he picks up on any more abnormalities!

If this is some sort of test, I’ll leave it to the Saint or the Apostles to handle!

“Please wait.”

“I’ve made myself clear. I don’t wish to speak to you anymore.”

“…But I still want to talk with you.”

“I said no!”

“Fabio!”

Sh*t.

Athanas caught my wrist in a firm grip.

I struggled, but with my strength at a measly 30, I was going nowhere.

“Where are you really from, Fabio?”

“How do you know my name? I never told you…”

“Even if you didn’t receive the Blessing of Order, a native of Riquelon County wouldn’t be this confused. The Riquelon Countship has been under the Empire’s wing for over a century.”

My heart raced, panic rising. I glanced around frantically, sweat beading on my forehead. “What are you saying? I… You! Who are you? How do you know my name and where I’m from? Who gave you this information?”

“…I heard it from Elamin, just like you said.”

Don’t lie to me!

Feeling utterly betrayed, I couldn’t believe his audacity.

This shameless bastard knows how to lie without batting an eye!

“You don’t have the Blessing of the Order, do you? That’s why you can’t receive the Saint’s blessings, isn’t it? And that’s why you were so scared of the healing priest? Scared that it would prove blessings don’t work on you?”

“What are you…?”

“…What dark power has cursed you with such a terrible affliction?”

A shiver of dread crept over me.

If this was a test orchestrated by the Saint, Athanas wouldn’t be allowed to speak to me like this. He wouldn’t be questioning me like this if he knew I was a ‘Being outside of Order’ and immune to his blessings.

He was either instructed to avoid prying into my identity, or he already knew I was one of the [Watched Ones].

Then I began to consider the possibility that this might not be a test at all.

In that case, Athanas’s behavior…

“…Your earlier mention of not failing next time.”

I shuddered. “Did you mean that next time, you would take my advice and deceive me?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“How… many times?”

Using [Retrograde] drains stamina.

“How many times have we had this conversation… for you to be this exhausted?”

I opened my mouth to speak, then clamped it shut again, realizing my mistake.

The more I talk, the more he learns.

I’d already messed up twice, revealing both that I knew about Retrograde and the fact it drained stamina.

Without thinking, my other hand flew to my chest, as if to calm my pounding heart…

“Stop.” But Athanas grabbed that hand too, pinning me in place.

“What, what do you mean, ‘stop’? Let go of my arms first! You say you want to talk, but you’re holding me here against my will!”

“Because the moment I release you, you’ll summon the Saint,” he countered, his grip unyielding.