I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 135. Carlos (3)

“Is that really true?”

Instant death.

The very notion had a captivating allure.

“Yes. As you’ve pointed out, killing our kind, the residues, proves to be extremely challenging. The higher the rank, the more difficult it becomes.”

Carlos pulled out the black liquid he had hidden beneath the ground. As expected of a residue, he had cleverly concealed a part of his body.

“The most essential strategy is to hide one’s body like this. It’s a very effective tactic. What if you had been under the mistaken belief that your miracle had completely eradicated me?”

“I might have been caught off guard and ambushed.”

He could have sprung out from the ground and unexpectedly attacked me. Even with Gluttony, I could only respond belatedly.

But if a 5th-rank residue had attacked me correctly, I would likely have been incapacitated.

“That’s not all. Over there, in the crevices of that collapsed building, I’ve hidden parts of myself as well.”

Carlos gestured to a rather distant location. I didn’t immediately understand which building he meant, but I soon realized he must have hidden parts everywhere.

“Moreover, I’ve planted them among other distant followers. I even embedded some in my servants.”

“If not for that method of instant death, it seems exceedingly difficult to end you.”

“That’s right. Even with powerful miracles like yours, it’s incredibly difficult to kill us. Imagine if creatures of the same rank fought against each other?”

… It would result in a fight with no conceivable end.

“So that’s why someone devised a method for causing instant death. With this, no matter where the body is hidden, it kills everything all at once.”

“Everything?”

“Yes. No matter how far away it’s hidden.”

I was curious as to what possible method could achieve such an outcome. I waited eagerly for Carlos’s next words.

“It’s simple. Pray to a God.”

“… What?”

I couldn’t believe my ears, feeling my expectation shatter completely.

“Pray to a God? What nonsense is this…?”

Carlos looked at me, puzzled, before continuing his explanation.

“As you should know, the Slumberer of the Abyss really enjoys human sacrifices. Not only high-quality offerings, but an abundant number is also favored.”

As the conversation grew increasingly unsettling, I decided to bear with it and listen.

“Human followers generally seek monetary gain, while residues desire the essence of the God. They want to magnify their bodies and grow stronger…”

Carlos demonstrated by splitting his body to create residue particles, then reabsorbing them.

“Some among them desire the removal of other residues. Whatever personal reasons they might have, as long as the offerings are sufficient, that wish is granted.”

“If one offers enough…”

Essentially, many sacrifices would need to be made. Needless to say, this was not a method I wanted to employ.

“You seem displeased. What’s the issue? I’ve shared all I can. It’s often said that mentoring a disciple is taxing, is it not?”

“To someone like you, it might seem irrelevant, but I detest human sacrifices.”

“Whatever do you mean? Even at a glance, it’s evident that you’ve received the grace of the Slumberer of the Abyss. Surely you must have undergone an Awakening Ritual?”

His words filled me with heat.

“I’ve only sacrificed heinous criminals. The Awakening Ritual was performed by offering some heart of color or whatever it was.”

“This… I can’t quite pin what sort of person you are. You’re speaking like a follower of Tiera, yet you serve the Outer Gods?”

I growled in response, my temper rising further.

“Who serves willingly?! I’m bound by fate to this path! I’m only bowing my head now as a form of resistance!”

Hearing this, Carlos’s expression twisted in more confusion.

“You mean to say the Outer Gods are extensively influencing you? Well, I understand the gist of it, but let me add a note about your predicament.”

Carlos gazed at me seriously.

“You’ll end up dead. Not through the madness of ruin, but simply because you’ll be outmatched by another Outer God priest. Maybe contributing to their nourishment was always your role.”

Furious, I lapsed into silence. Carlos raised a hand, signaling for me to hold off.

“Your intense reaction over certain matters is clear. However, since I’ve taken up tutoring you, I can’t leave you ignorantly forlorn. So simmer down and listen.”

“What is it you want to say?”

“Why you’ll lose.”

At that one statement, my raging temper cooled instantly.

“I can’t speak to who exists in your time, but in this era, among the priests of 5th rank Outer Gods, there’s a formidable one named Cahon Tiburon.”

“Was Cahon already 5th rank back then?”

“It’s puzzling. He seems to approach 6th rank soon, yet remains at 5th rank in your era? Hmm… regardless.”

Carlos altered his attire before me. Formed from his own body, the newly fashioned priest robes had a sense of solemn dignity, though it was crafted from the usual slick black liquid of residues.

“You need to acknowledge one crucial fact—we are priests.”

Mystified, I asked, “Are you saying I don’t realize I’m a priest?”

Carlos nodded and continued.

“We might be strong, but our power does not originate from within us. All of a priest’s strength and authority emanate from the God.”

“What does it mean then?”

“The issue is that you recognize this but ignore it.”

I was temporarily at a loss for words. It felt like a poignant truth had struck me deeply.

“It seems apparent—you loathe the Outer Gods. You strive to be independent, solving everything yourself as much as possible…”

Carlos shook his head.

“Are you a mage? A priest doesn’t just toss out miracles like casting spells. The true power of a priest lies in directly petitioning the God!”

I could only bite my lip in silence.

Every word he spoke was irrefutably true.

After all, miracles were formed through mighty supplication, bringing the strength of the Gods into this world.

Thus, a priest’s real strength lay in communicating with a God, drawing power to achieve the impossible.

‘Come to think of it, I was aware of the method Carlos mentioned.’

I was only disappointed because it reaffirmed there were no alternative means.

“Compared to priests beseeching their Gods, you, who does not—who would have the advantage is blatantly obvious.”

Under the current course, I was destined to lose. Despite the clarity of the truth, it was hard to suppress the mounting frustration.

“I…”

“I get it. You’re reluctant to plead with a God. Human sacrifices are repulsive to you. But do you think this world and your situation are so easily manageable?”

Carlos’s words preempted any excuses or avoidance I wished to make, cutting through sharply.

“Do you assume I pursued this power from the beginning and rose by madly offering sacrifices?”

His unexpected words took me by surprise. Though directed at me, it seemed like Carlos was speaking to himself.

“Unless you pour everything into it and relinquish unnecessary attachments, you can’t rise to the top, nor can you survive. That’s how it was in my era, and I doubt it differs in yours.”

I found myself unable to agree with his sentiment.

“This so-called unnecessary attachment—aren’t they your desires and beliefs? Cutting those off deeming them unnecessary, what remains after all? Isn’t that essentially losing oneself?”

“What were you listening to?”

Carlos laughed wryly.

“Even if you lose everything, there’s still one thing you must uphold—the identity you find for yourself.”

With those final words, I opened my eyes.

Familiar surroundings greeted me. Standing on high alert with magic circles spread all around, Eldritch and Mary were bracing for combat.

“Relax. I’m more intact than you think. Not that there was… well, there was something.”

I stood up, feeling slightly dizzy. When I pulled up the character sheet just in case, I noticed my Mind had diminished by about two points.

This much would naturally recover in about two weeks.

“Was the meditation successful?”

“Not exactly, but…”

Strictly speaking, the meditation had been practically a failure. However, considering the original goal, it was not entirely a loss.

“At least there’s something gained.”

Reflecting on the information I gathered today, a question came to mind.

‘If I meditate on the origin of miracles again, will I meet Carlos once more in such circumstances?’

Though his manner wasn’t entirely to my liking, Carlos did show a surprising diligence in teaching.

‘He seemed to know about Cahon, too. If the meditation had lasted longer, I would have asked more…’

If he failed to remember me during the next encounter, it would be somewhat unfortunate.

‘I’ll have to persuade or induce the meditation into a fusion again… There’s a way.’

While I was immersed in thought, Eldritch carefully asked.

“You seem to be deep in contemplation.”

“Yes. Quite deep.”

Indescribably frustrated and weighed down.

“You both know already, but I don’t like the Gods.”

Mary and Eldritch nodded quietly.

“I don’t plan on elaborating my reasons…”

I sighed.

“I’m thinking I might soon need to pray to an Outer God.”

“A prayer…?”

“Prayer incantations aren’t always verbal.”

Mary appeared puzzled, and I shook my head.

“I merely recited them aloud like incantations. But this time, it feels like actually beseeching a God. Really begging.”

It was a harsh sentiment, but that was truly how I felt. Eventually, it felt like I was merely begging.

“Desperate begging.”

Back when I truly believed a God existed. When I hoped some day a God would rightfully punish that deceitful pastor who deceived my mother.

Recalling those infuriatingly naive days stirred a churning tumult within me.

“Lord Ethnos, what could possibly prompt such a grave deliberation? Under normal circumstances, it’s not something you would even consider.”

I shook my head.

“I have considered it. I simply resolved never to choose it. But…”

I closed my eyes.

“I’ve realized again today that they are not foes I can stubbornly resist.”

Thanks to Carlos, I understood the troublesome nature of defeating Johann.

Moreover, I couldn’t even begin to fathom how challenging it would be to face Beatrice, Cahon, and the still unknown capabilities of the Twins of Blasphemy.

‘Just winning isn’t the issue; if it were, it wouldn’t be this daunting.’

Yet, I sought not just victory, but total eradication. I intended to diminish the influence of the Outer Gods on this world, ironically needing to beseech them for that very purpose.

“In the end, humans do end up pleading with the Gods.”

I felt an indescribable frustration.