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Chapter 118: Priests of the God of Lies and Deception (3)

“So you came to see me,”

Milena said with an ambiguous expression.

Naplas nodded.

“Apologies for the sudden visit. I regret any rudeness.”

“No, it’s…”

Milena trailed off.

It really was a sudden visit.

Normally, she would have refused.

She had plenty of immediate tasks to deal with and no time to converse with strangers.

But this was a follower of a god.

As they were representatives of the Church, she couldn’t refuse.

Naplas spoke up.

“I am Naplas, a servant of Kalosia, the God of Lies and Deception. Though unworthy, I hold the position of Elder.”

“I am Heize, a nun serving Kalosia, the God of Lies and Deception.”

Naplas and Heize introduced themselves.

Milena nodded awkwardly.

“Ah. Yes… Nice to meet you.”

Her expression showed unease.

There was a sense of rejection and anxiety towards the followers of Kalosia.

Naplas gave a bitter smile.

“I understand your feelings, but we have no intention of causing trouble. If you wish, I can swear in the name of Kalosia.”

“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I’ve heard that the Church of Kalosia has changed its policies.”

Milena shook her head hastily and cleared her throat.

“So, you want to meet Arkamis.”

The Church of Kalosia was currently being invaded by evil forces.

They were seeking external help, and this time their target was Arkamis.

“I understand that you are the only one who can connect us to Arkamis.”

Arkamis did not like to communicate with the outside world.

Several people had visited seeking her help, but she had refused them all.

Only if Milena allowed it, would she meet with them.

“I know it’s an unreasonable and rude request, but I’m sorry. We don’t even have the luxury of time.”

“No, since it’s a matter involving evil, it’s only right that we cooperate. But it’s not possible right now.”

Arkamis had suffered significant damage in a battle with demons.

Although she had largely recovered, she was still not in perfect condition.

She was not in a situation to help anyone else.

Naplas’ eyes wavered upon hearing this.

“Is that so…”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

Milena bowed her head.

“No, it’s fine. Thank you for welcoming us despite the sudden visit.”

Naplas forced a smile.

The two stepped outside.

Heize mumbled blankly.

“What should we do?”

“Hmm.”

Naplas sighed.

“I don’t know.”

With Arkamis unable to cooperate, their path was blocked.

After standing in thought for a while, Naplas shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.

“Let’s take a break and think about it.”

“What?”

“We’ve been moving without proper rest due to the sudden journey. Aren’t you tired?”

“Well, that’s true, but time is…”

“Yes, it’s urgent, but it’s not like we don’t have the luxury of a brief rest. Kalosia won’t blame us for taking a day to clear our heads.”

Their sanctuary was certainly in danger.

But it wasn’t an immediate crisis requiring urgent assistance.

The sanctuary was under the protection of their god, so they had some time to spare.

“The more you overthink it, the less likely you are to find an answer. Sometimes, taking a rest can bring clarity. Let’s clear our heads for today. Don’t think too deeply. You never know; the answer might come during the break.”

With that, Naplas started walking away.

“Where are you going?”

“To do some sightseeing. This place is much bigger and cleaner than our sanctuary. It’s worth exploring.”

Naplas left.

Left alone, Heize muttered blankly.

“Half of this city is in ruins…”

She could guess why Naplas was acting this way.

He was probably trying to ease her burden.

“But that doesn’t solve our situation.”

She sighed and started walking.

Naplas wasn’t wrong.

Sometimes taking a break could lead to answers.

“Maybe I should rest a bit too…”

After leaving the Barkan estate, she had traveled to many places.

She was indeed quite tired.

As she wandered the capital, she found a tea house.

It seemed to have avoided damage from the demon invasion, as it was a bit away from the center of the capital.

She could hear people talking inside, indicating it was open.

The tea house, located in the capital, was very clean and upscale.

She felt a spark of interest.

After a moment of hesitation, she made up her mind and pushed the door open.

Ding.

The bell on the door rang.

She cautiously sat at an empty seat.

Soon, a server approached her.

“May I take your order?”

“Yes.”

She ordered some tea and snacks.

Shortly after, the server brought her order.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

The server didn’t leave right away.

After a moment of hesitation, she cautiously asked,

“Excuse me… are you perhaps a priestess of the Earth Mother?”

[TL/N: Followers of Earth Goddess call her Earth Goddess.]

Heize was wearing a nun’s habit.

The design and symbols were unique, but it was clearly the attire of someone serving a god.

Recently, some followers of the Earth Goddess had visited this area.

Naturally, the server assumed Heize was a priestess of the Earth Goddess.

There was kindness in the server’s eyes.

It was only natural.

The priests of the Earth Goddess were known for their self-sacrifice in fighting against demons.

In fact, the number of people who worshipped the Earth Goddess had increased significantly after the demon invasion.

Heize gave a bitter smile and said,

“No, I serve Kalosia, the God of Lies and Deception.”

“Oh.”

The kindness in the server’s eyes quickly turned to shock.

She unconsciously took a step back.

The other customers reacted similarly, instinctively distancing themselves upon hearing Heize’ words.

“Please be assured. I have no intention of causing trouble. If you wish, I can swear in the name of Kalosia.”

“Oh, no. That’s not necessary. Have a pleasant time…”

The server hastily retreated.

The difference in attitude from when they thought she was a priestess of the Earth Goddess was stark.

Heize let out a small sigh.

She was used to this.

Kalosia’s power was specialized in deceiving and tricking others.

It was not a church that could easily gain favor from people.

And their reactions were not entirely based on prejudice.

Many priests of Kalosia had caused trouble in the past.

Although the church had since changed its policies, its notorious past left a heavy stigma.

Heize’ face grew somber.

In the Barkan estate, it was somewhat better.

They had gotten used to her over time and accepted her without much prejudice.

But other places were different.

They always shunned and rejected her.

This fact made her feel a bit melancholic.

‘…No.’

She shook her head.

There was no time to be buried in such emotions.

The important thing now was the evil forces attacking their sanctuary.

‘We need cooperation…’

But they had already been rejected by everyone.

At this rate, they might have to seek help from other churches.

As she was pondering with a groan, the doorbell jingled as the door opened.

With her mind preoccupied, she didn’t hear it.

Simultaneously, she heard the scraping sound of a chair being pulled back.

“Huh?”

Heize looked up.

The customers were hurriedly rushing outside.

Their eyes were filled with fear.

‘Why, why are they doing that?’

Could it be because of me?

Are they scared because a priest of Kalosia is here?

Just as she was about to feel deeply hurt, she realized that the reason people were leaving wasn’t her.

Heize’ face turned pale.

A large barbarian leisurely sat down.

The elegant chair creaked as if it would break under his weight.

Heize recognized who this barbarian was.

The barbarian felt her gaze and turned his head.

Their eyes met.

Then the barbarian smiled brightly.

“Oh! Heize! Isn’t it Heize!”

“Ke, Ketal?”

* * *

Ketal’s face truly showed joy.

And Heize was stunned.

Why is that barbarian here!

Ketal stood up from his seat.

“What a coincidence to meet again! May I join you?”

“Ah, yes. Yes…”

Ketal walked over and sat opposite Heize.

His face was full of friendliness.

Ketal was genuinely happy.

Heize, a priestess of Kalosia, the God of Lies and Deception.

They had met in the Barkan estate, and she was one of his first party members when he first conquered a dungeon.

They had taken on several missions together.

They parted ways due to a protection mission, and now meeting again like this, he couldn’t help but feel happy.

And Heize was extremely flustered.

“Ke, Ketal, why are you here…”

“I left the Barkan estate for a protection mission. This is where I ended up. I’m staying here for a while.”

“Ah…”

“Um, um.”

A server approached.

The server’s eyes were filled with tears.

“Um… would you like to order something…?”

The voice was so weak, it seemed ready to disappear into a hole.

The server showed even more fear than when dealing with the priestess of Kalosia.

Ketal ordered from the menu.

The server left in a hurry.

Heize cautiously asked,

“Is this a place you visit often…?”

“No. This is my first time.”

Until now, he had been staying at Arkamis’s residence, learning alchemy.

But since her condition wasn’t great, it was hard to do that every day.

While wandering around the capital out of boredom, he discovered the tea shop and decided to enter, where he found Heize.

It was a miraculous coincidence.

‘This must be one of those fantasy coincidences.’

Ketal was slightly moved.

Heize had a similar thought.

‘What an incredible coincidence.’

“So, what brings you here? Sightseeing?”

“Oh, no.”

Heize shook her head.

“I came seeking help because of a problem with the church.”

“A problem?”

Ketal’s face showed interest.

“What kind of problem?”

“Well…”

Heize trailed off.

Although the church’s problem wasn’t exactly a secret, it wasn’t something to discuss lightly with outsiders.

Sensing her hesitation, Ketal spoke calmly.

“Weren’t we comrades who solved missions together? If you can’t talk about it, that’s fine. But if sharing it with someone would ease your mind, I’m here to listen. It’s up to you.”

“Ketal…”

Heize was moved by his words.

Thinking back, Ketal had never harmed her.

On the contrary, he had shown her kindness.

It was she who had feared and distanced herself from him.

In a way, it was her prejudice.

‘That’s right.’

How was she any different from those who feared her just because she served Kalosia?

Resolving herself, she calmly explained the situation.

She told him that Kalosia’s sanctuary was under attack by evil forces.

That to seek cooperation, an elder of the church had come to her, prompting her to leave the Barkan estate.

That they had been wandering around seeking help but were having little success.

“We even requested help from the Kingdom of Gehentra… but they are currently dealing with problems at their borders and don’t have the capacity to assist. Other kingdoms are in the same situation.”

“I see.”

Ketal murmured quietly after listening to her story.

“Black magicians attacking a divine sanctuary…”

There was a strange fervor in his voice.

Not noticing this, Heize nodded.

“The situation is dire. We lack the strength to deal with it alone, so we are seeking cooperation.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Ketal muttered.

“You need help.”

“Yes.”

Heize nodded again.

“Would it be a problem if an individual helped, instead of an organization?”

“It wouldn’t be a problem. We’d be grateful for any help.”

At that point, Heize paused and looked at Ketal’s expression.

“…Ketal?”

“In that case, that’s great!”

Ketal laughed heartily.

“As a comrade and friend, I can’t just stand by! Let me lend you my humble assistance!”