I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 104. Revelation (2)

Subsequently, the return voyage was smooth, allowing me time to organize my thoughts.

Lyla had been rescued safely, but officially, she would be declared missing.

Regarding the compensation, I decided to discuss it directly with Cernun.

“I obtained spoils from the Kraken and Leviathan, as well as the remnants of 5th rank formless residues. I should leave them for negotiation purposes.”

But that wasn’t all.

A hint about the approximate location of the “Dragon’s Gate” had been given.

Looking at it this way, it seemed like everything was going well.

“Revelation…”

Still, the revelation bothered me.

No matter how much I thought about it, Iris’s sudden talk about the records wasn’t a coincidence.

It was Hayat’s message, blatantly shown to me.

… A reminder that I was being watched.

“To what extent are they intervening, and to what extent are they merely observing?”

Was my destiny being toyed with by the Gods?

If assumed that these coinciding events were not mere coincidences, the helplessness of humanity became all too palpable.

“Despite not wanting to become such a monster, I ended up choosing to forsake my humanity. Continuously confronting the choices forced upon me.”

At this point, no longer being human wasn’t as concerning to me, but the fact that it was forced upon me was unpleasant.

“And what about Levant? He devoted everything for his family over those long years only to realize his entire family was being used like pawns.”

Was it just a coincidence that Lyla got involved in this incident?

From the beginning, she unknowingly stored an arrow purchased with the aura of an Outer God and got entwined with me.

“Now, none of this seems like mere coincidence.”

Cogs.

Everything was like cogs meshed together.

And I was caught in them, forced to turn along.

“… I must escape.”

And I vowed to disentangle as many people as possible from this cog-like fate.

Even though I could only earn credit gradually, that was why I insisted on an artificial Outer God.

“Eldritch. How much longer until we arrive?”

『You will arrive in 5 hours. It’s fortunate that no additional attacks have occurred.』

“So it was just a greeting.”

I responded, gauging Cahon’s intention.

Since I’ve brought back a map fragment of the “Dragon’s Gate” just like he wanted, he was leaving me be for now.

He likely expected more in the future.

“There’s much to be done. I need to meet Cernun, negotiate with the twins, and also visit that temple.”

Eventually, the ship reached the harbor.

Although I was somewhat tense seeing the Inquisitors stationed…

“Mister Ahab. On behalf of the Inquisitor Knights, I sincerely thank you for your cooperation this time.”

Iris expressed gratitude as the Inquisitors saluted.

Passersby gathered, intrigued by the unusual sight of the Inquisitors saluting.

Ahab’s reputation seemed like it was going to skyrocket undeservingly.

“It was an honor. I would gladly assist again if the need arises.”

“Thank you. May Hayat’s blessing be with you!”

With those words, Iris departed with the Inquisitors in tow.

I too promptly moved on to the next location—Academia.

“Well… it was quite a hard time.”

Meeting Cernun again, he seemed quite exhausted.

“All because of one troublesome student… No, is it because of an acquaintance? Tsk, what a bother.”

Cernun grumbled.

He was still rather unrefined for a grand mage.

“I taught that child the importance of mastering battle magic. Yet, no matter how sharp-witted they seem, they don’t heed the advice of their teacher.”

He sighed with a hint of relief seeped into it.

“Will you take her? It would be better than staying with the grand mage.”

“While I do think so, she’s already been involved in two incidents related to the Outer Gods. Considering future entanglements, it might be better if she stays by your side.”

“Is that so? Though it’s quite embarrassing to admit, I’m not exactly sane myself.”

Cernun sighed deeply, scratching his head irritably.

Then, he pulled out a bundle of parchment from somewhere.

“By coincidence, a guy submitted his research results on insanity. You know who it is.”

“Who?”

“Charlotte! That crazy thing! Sent her compilation here, bold as brass!”

I was bewildered, unable to comprehend.

So, Charlotte submitted a paper to Academia out of nowhere?

“What on earth is she scheming? The content is… well, frankly, it’s quite impressive.”

“To the point where a grand mage like you would rate it highly?”

Unable to hide my discomfort, I asked.

“Though it’s distasteful to give such praise… what can I do.”

Cernun sighed.

“But I can’t discern the intention. What’s written here is extremely valuable. It’s not dangerous, nor a trap. Could you be involved in this?”

“No, not at all. However…”

A thought flashed through my mind.

“Charlotte once said she wanted to make the miracles of the Outer Gods into something wieldable by humans, like techniques anyone could use.”

“What?”

“That’s what she directly said. It’s absurd. At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but submitting research about insanity now… it seems genuine.”

Cernun gazed silently at the parchment.

“So Charlotte wants… Outer Magic to be treated and researched like magic?”

“That’s probably not it.”

If that were the case, research on insanity wouldn’t be necessary.

Plus…

“That’s not like Charlotte at all. I believe she aims to analyze and comprehend the miracles of the Outer Gods as if establishing a new discipline, rather than creating new Outer Magic.”

Judging from the nuances, that seemed to be strongly the case.

Outer Magic simply replicates the miracles of the Outer Gods, similar to how magic works.

What Charlotte desires goes beyond that.

She wishes for miracles to lose their mystique, to be understood, analyzed, and transformed into something akin to academic magic.

“Indeed… I get what she’s trying to do.”

“Do you think it’s possible?”

Cernun demonstrated something magical in front of his eyes.

An intricate, metaphysical symbol.

Eldritch, standing nearby, recognized the pattern and muttered.

“It’s the Seal of the Demon God.”

“Do you know? Magic was also originally a miracle.”

“Magic… was a miracle?”

Cernun nodded.

“It was originally the miracle of a Demon God who fell from grace as a demon king. But at some point, it transformed into what we now know as magic—a skill humans can control with their own will.”

Thinking about how demon kings and Demon Gods were often interchangeably referred to, it made sense why in this world they blend the two terms when naming the 72 demons.

“So, there’s really a possibility the miracles of the Outer Gods can change too?”

“It’s hard to say definitively. I don’t know much about the miracles of the Outer Gods or Outer Magic, so I can’t assume easily.”

“Then, why not try learning some Outer Magic?”

“Don’t say such nonsense. Never recommend that to anyone.”

Not intending to recommend it to anyone less than someone of Cernun’s caliber, I simply shrugged.

“So, what did she propose in her thesis that made you keep it instead of burning?”

“It states that madness induced by the Outer Gods isn’t mere mental illness.”

Cernun passed the thick parchment to me, and it was quite heavy.

“Regular madness is an anomaly in the brain, but madness from the Outer Gods leans more toward being a transformation, rather than a disease or disorder.”

“A transformation, you say?”

“The details are something you should learn from reading it. The content would surely be helpful to you.”

“If Cernun is saying this much, I can’t just waste it as kindling.”

Reluctantly, I decided to read it and then burn it afterward.

“I’ve digressed. Returning to the main point… Is my student under your care at your estate?”

“I need to ask for her preference, but that’s my intention for now.”

“Hmm… If she ever asks you to bill the lodging costs to me, don’t agree and have her pay it herself.”

“Understood.”

“And what I’m giving you is… this.”

Cernun pulled out a wooden box carved with numerous metaphysical symbols.

As the box opened, a cool breeze and a frosted glass bottle appeared.

“This is… Could it be the highest-grade elixir?”

Eldritch stared at the glass bottle in surprise.

I, too, knew what it was from Dowol’s descriptions.

The mysterious blue liquid in the glass bottle was more valuable than a thousand golds.

“What kind of elixir is it? Judging by the blue color, it seems aligned with mana.”

Elixirs came in quite a variety, some even permanently increasing one’s stats.

Among them…

“You’re correct. If you consume this elixir, it grants the ability to increase mana capacity each time you use it. The more mana expended at once, the greater the increase, and recovery speed will gradually accelerate.”

Some types even imprinted specific traits.

“Crazy…”

I couldn’t help but be amazed at such a coveted item.

“Dowol mentioned something like this existed, but I never thought Cernun would have it.”

“After you’ve taken it, please tell Lyla that it would have been hers if she had listened and followed my words.”

“I will inform you of Lyla’s detailed reaction once I pass it on.”

“Good.”

Such a thing couldn’t be consumed thoughtlessly.

The sheer overwhelming power granted necessitated time to fully assimilate it.

A stable environment and period were required.

“I believe that should suffice as compensation.”

“Honestly, it seems more than enough.”

“That’s how a mentor cherishes their student. Consider it the price of Lyla’s life.”

I nodded, carefully packing the elixir.

“You’ve done well. If you wish, you can remain a bit longer as Professor Magus, of course, if you want.”

“Thank you. Though there’s a lot I need to do, something I heard today gave me an idea. I’d like to ask something of you.”

“A favor?”

I nodded.

Hearing that magic was originally a miracle of the Demon God sparked something within me.

A hypothesis requiring confirmation, but…

“To be direct… I’d like you to spare some time in the next few days.”

“You want my time? I’m not as free as you might think, what exactly are you asking?”

“I have a hunch that I might be able to enhance Outer Magic.”

It’s worth a shot.

If successful, it could significantly bolster my capabilities.

“Oh? So you’re asking me to review the theory? But I’m a novice when it comes to Outer Magic. I have no intention of learning or analyzing it.”

“I know. Therefore…”

It was about time to clash.

“I would like to request a duel.”