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

#058Reader Mode

#058

“Could it be the god of vaults, Horeum?”

“Or perhaps Ophia of Solace?”

His peers, buzzing with theories about families famous for their vast collections of ‘holy relics,’ turned their attention to Athanas.

“Athanas, any thoughts?”

“Yeah, didn’t your revelation give you any clues?”

“Maybe he’s related to your family somehow.”

Athanas pondered this.

The real secret behind ‘Fabio’ was surely deeper than that. A mere bastard wouldn’t be so protected and bestowed with holy relics by the Saint. Still, the speculation that ‘Fabio’ might be an illegitimate child held some weight.

He’d heard rumors of how the domains governed by nobles far from the capital were like different realms entirely. Though they paid lip service to the Order’s supremacy, they celebrated their ancestral gods more lavishly and kept to their old customs strictly. For those never venturing beyond such domains, this lifestyle becomes their only reality.

Heirs brought to the capital were quickly taught the ‘common sense’ of the wider world, to avoid mistakes. But no such education would be given to a bastard.

No, they wouldn’t even know of the Order’s governance beyond their borders.

A devout follower of a single god is seen as more valuable as a source for producing holy relics. An illegitimate child kept in isolation like that might not even know basic things.

Just like ‘Fabio.’

…Perhaps he’s been blessed by an entity outside the Order.

If so, as a bastard child, he would’ve been ‘disposed of.’

Since he’d be tainted, his body couldn’t be buried to create a holy sanctuary.

There’s no doubt he’s received a revelation from the Lord.

That’s how he ended up in the Order.

He probably talked about the Order’s Church in the capital and the Lord’s teachings, convincing his family. Begging not to be killed or the Lord would know and asked to be sent to the Church of Order instead.

…But if that was it, he wouldn’t be hiding like this.

No family, even prestigious ones, can defy the Lord.

So why would someone under the Saint’s protection, the Lord’s representative, be so fearful?

What’s he desperately trying to hide from?

“…I have no idea.”

There still weren’t enough clues.

“Well, I get why you’d lie. He’s obviously touchy about his identity being scrutinized.”

“If he realizes we’re snooping, he might really vanish from the Order’s Church.”

“But then, wouldn’t there be another revelation? Revealing where he ran off to…”

“And what, Athanas ends up heartbroken and pining after him forever?”

Athanas responded with a slightly awkward expression. “…I asked for help, but didn’t think you’d go this far.”

His peers even got clergy robes to blend in, insisting on remaining inconspicuous.

Athanas didn’t understand their strange enthusiasm.

They had no idea that ‘Fabio’ could be a clue related to the end of the world. So they were putting in this much effort just for someone else’s love story.

“Seriously! When fate throws your soulmate your way, it’s only right we go all out.”

“Sereno and Nicola will wait at a halfway point and casually follow him to the cafeteria. They’ll observe him discreetly at lunch.”

“Should we keep following him after that?”

I thought pretending it was a revelation from Valentine would be effective, but…

Athanas didn’t expect it to get this much attention.

He briefly wondered if he’d made the wrong call.

But since he couldn’t turn back time to yesterday, he had to see this positively.

“Thank you.”

“So what’s next? Should we find a place for you to ‘accidentally’ bump into him?”

“No, it’s time for training now.”

“What?!”

Despite their shock, Athanas ignored them.

He had too much to do to only focus on ‘Fabio.’

If Sereno makes a big mistake, I’ll need to save my energy to turn back time.

“How can you think about training after receiving a revelation from Valentine?!”

“At least wait until we get his forwarding address in case he leaves the Order!”

“You should try to ‘accidentally’ meet him more! Oh, should we harass you some? Get him to notice you that way?”

Athanas might not know much about Fabio, but he was sure of one thing: Fabio wouldn’t intervene in such a situation.

“If he’s sane, he won’t get involved in a fight between knights.”

“But he’s your destined partner! He might unconsciously get involved!”

Then the holy relic would activate, and the Saint would come.

Athanas had to stop them from implementing such a foolish plan.

“…Even if it’s a lie, I don’t want to put him in danger.”

His peers gaped at Athanas’ words.

“Wow…”

“I just got chills.”

“Is this the mindset of someone who received a revelation from Valentine?”

“His feelings are sincere. Asking us for help was sincere too…so it makes sense.”

“Sorry. We’ll take this more seriously.”

“……”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

“I’m sorry, but I can’t eat with you tomorrow,” Elamin said apologetically. “I have plans to meet Casimir for lunch.”

I shrugged. I wasn’t particularly bothered. It’s not like I don’t know where the cafeteria is. “No problem. I’m fine with eating alone sometimes too.”

Looking around the cafeteria these past couple days, I’ve noticed quite a few people eating solo. Even those seated together don’t seem to talk much unless they know each other already.

“Are you sure?” Elamin asked, sounding concerned. “You barely know anyone here yet.”

That’s because you haven’t introduced me to anyone else.

… Of course, that’s probably because there aren’t enough people in the top 10% of humanity who can tolerate an uneducated goblin like me anyway.

I reflexively suppressed the urge to complain and grumble.

I don’t know how many people can see emotions as colors, so just acting politely won’t be enough.

“I’m used to being on my own, so don’t worry about me,” I said humbly instead.

“…Well, someone else will be coming to eat with you tomorrow in my place then,” Elamin informed me.

“Oh? Who’s that?”

“He said you’d know if I mentioned ‘Ter’.”

…The 6th Apostle?

The idea of dining with someone who could read emotions tied my stomach in knots.

Why are you coming to see me?

Aren’t the Apostles supposed to be swamped with duties?

In times like these, Apostles should be anything but idle. Unlike a ‘noob’ like myself, players loaded with ‘Clear Points’ would have plenty of things they can start doing now, especially with Christmas on the horizon. Any player that still hasn’t given up on the game would be busy gathering offerings for the altar…

Did they catch that bastard by any chance?

But I couldn’t ask Elamin that.

From our chats, it was clear Elamin was in the dark about ‘Othergods’—he didn’t even seem to know Ter was one of the six Apostles.

Well, tartar sauce did say ‘Tertius’ wasn’t his Apostle name.

I decided to change the subject.

“So, what kinds of festivals does the Order celebrate? With so many gods in the Pantheon, I imagine there’s a festival every other day. But I’m curious about the major ones the entire church prepares for.” I hesitated before adding, “…I’d like to see one if possible. Of course, if that’s not possible, I understand.”

As a former serf, ‘Fabio’ would definitely be looking forward to a festival.

Elamin smiled knowingly. “If it’s a festival that the entire church celebrates, it would be the upcoming 4th Solar, right around the corner.”

The 4th Solar was the grand winter festival held on the winter solstice, a time of year when the days were shortest and the nights longest.

That name sounds so dull.

The Order seemed to prioritize practicality over creativity when it came to naming their most important celebrations.

The equinoxes and solstices were simply referred to as 1st Verse, 2nd Verse, 3rd Verse, and 4th Verse respectively.

As if they’re reciting a national anthem…

While studying the Holy Text, I learned the days of the week were actually called First Day, Second Day, and so on.

Once, while studying, I asked Antonio why they didn’t give these days and festivals more interesting names.

Why not call the 4th Solar the Winter Festival, Night Festival, or even the Day the Sun Revives, or name it after a Saint?

Antonio told me something interesting then.

It’s fascinating. Did you know, the believers of the frozen winter god used to call the solstices the Day the Sun Dies and the Day the Sun Revives?

…After that, I decided to think twice before complaining about the Order’s seemingly lame names.

Just thinking a name was boring could get you branded a heretic.

Anyway, this year, the winter solstice and Christmas are happening at the same time – the day the starry sky opens. I couldn’t help but wonder if the winter festival would go on as planned.

“The winter festival lasts nearly two weeks until early January,” Elamin said. “You should be able to take a few days off for it.”

I nodded at Elamin’s words.

Canceling such a big event would only cause more chaos.

A potential Othergod contractor was more like a wannabe cult leader than an actual one. Mobilizing just handful of Apostles and knights would easily annihilate them.

With that thought, I decided to put my worries aside and look forward to the festival instead.

But what exactly did they do during the winter festival here?

A celebration lasting nearly two weeks…

My idea of a festival is, admittedly, pretty crude.

Well, there’s bound to be dancing and singing, right?

But for two whole weeks?

It’s going to be freezing outside during winter…

Maybe they’ll have a massive bonfire or something?

Piling up a towering stack of firewood in a perfect square…

But this is the capital we’re talking about. It’s not like a campfire on a school field trip.

What would a grand bonfire, fit for the capital of an empire, look like?

If the fire is too intense, the wood will burn too quickly, so there’s a limit to how big you can make the bonfire…

Maybe they decorate the firewood intricately before setting it ablaze?

Or perhaps they burn something incredibly valuable and precious.

…But then, isn’t that just making a burnt offering?

I mused over this while munching on a hard biscuit which tasted like a bizarre mix of biscotti and hardtack.

I guess I’ll head to the library and find out what goes down during the fourth solar term.

I don’t want to accidentally stumble upon a horrifying sacrificial rite during the festival. I could’ve asked Elamin, but where’s the fun in that? I was bored and wanted to see what the library had in store for me today.

It wouldn’t be strange for someone new to the capital Church to be curious about the upcoming festival.

The library had been deserted yesterday, but today it was lively with librarians, so I could easily snag their help finding the right books.

I kindly turned down Elamin’s offer to accompany me and set off for the library branch.

A short 15-minute walk wasn’t far. What could possibly happen…

“Hey, reader!”

What now?

Just when you think nothing will happen, what happens?

“Do you have a moment?”

As if on cue, a young man with sea-green hair, tied back in a tight ponytail, blocked in my path.

I sighed

.…This isn’t some RPG with random system encounters.