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Chapter 119: Priests of the God of Lies and Deception (4)

“Huh, what?”

Heize’ face showed immediate confusion.

She stammered and asked.

“Wa-wait. You’re going to help us?”

“Yes. Didn’t you say you needed help?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Then it’s settled.”

Ketal grinned.

“When you return to the Holy Land, I shall accompany you. Though I am but a humble individual, I will do my best to assist you.”

“…What?”

Heize was taken aback.

She tried to rid herself of any prejudices about Ketal.

She wanted to reduce her sense of rejection and accept him.

‘But that’s a separate matter from bringing him to the Holy Land!’

She screamed internally.

Ketal was certainly not a bad person.

He had helped her and treated her kindly.

She owed him quite a bit.

If Ketal said they were companions, it wasn’t an overstatement.

But that was as far as it went.

Heize couldn’t fathom what kind of person Ketal really was.

During the battle between the Inquisitor of the Sun God and the demon, Ketal’s behavior was extremely peculiar.

He leisurely watched the fight and casually conversed with the demon.

Heize could see it clearly.

Ketal’s gaze upon the Inquisitor and the demon.

There was no distinction between good and evil in his eyes.

In the end, he did help Aquaz, but she couldn’t tell if it was just a whim or if he genuinely wanted to help.

His values were undoubtedly separate from those of the people of this world.

To bring such a being directly to the Holy Land?

She couldn’t fathom such an action.

If she were acting alone, it wouldn’t matter, but she was a priestess of the gods.

It wasn’t something she could judge and handle on her own.

She shook her head hastily.

“No. I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s alright. The Holy Land is extremely dangerous right now.”

“Don’t worry. Though I may not look it, I have sufficient strength.”

Ketal laughed heartily.

Heize knew that as well.

Ketal possessed the power to toy with named demons.

‘…That’s exactly why it’s dangerous!’

If Ketal exhibited the same behavior as before in the Holy Land, she wouldn’t be able to control him.

Heize spoke desperately.

“It’s more dangerous than you can imagine. There are numerous superhuman-level dark sorcerers, many of top tier. Even the highest-ranking superhumans might appear.”

She exaggerated the danger further, hoping he’d change his mind.

“They’re besieging the Holy Land, attacking it. Monsters are everywhere, and all routes are cut off. Only the light protecting the Holy Land remains, but outside, it’s already engulfed in darkness.”

But she didn’t realize that her words only intrigued Ketal more.

“Is that so?”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled.

“Then they need help even more.”

“……”

Ketal showed no sign of backing down.

Heize couldn’t understand him at all.

‘Is he a barbarian eager for battle? But it’s an invasion of evil. This is a different matter entirely.’

She racked her brain.

But Ketal had no such complex thoughts.

‘I’ve always wanted to visit the Holy Land. This is perfect.’

A real, influential, transcendent being.

A place directly protected by such entities.

It was one of the places he wanted to visit, but the opportunity rarely arose.

The Holy Land typically didn’t welcome outsiders.

He thought he’d visit someday, but now, the chance had come sooner than expected.

He could help Heize and see the Holy Land.

And there was more.

The Holy Land.

The dark sorcerers besieging it.

A grand clash of light and dark.

He could already envision the scene.

Ketal had no intention of missing out.

‘Perfect timing since I had nothing else to do.’

“This, this is our matter… If you get involved, the evil entities might target you.”

“They already are.”

“…Ah.”

In the Barkan territory, Ketal had been marked by demons.

Heize remembered that belatedly.

“Even if it weren’t for that time, it’s the same now.”

Ketal muttered.

Heize’ eyes widened.

“…Could it be, Ketal, during this evil invasion…”

“I helped a friend.”

Heize realized that what Naplas mentioned had been about Ketal.

“Come to think of it, you did invite me. Perfect timing. I’ll visit this opportunity.”

Back in the Barkan territory, Heize had invited Ketal to the holy land of Kalosia.

Half resigned, Heize spoke.

“…We don’t have much to offer in return, are you okay with that?”

“Of course,”

Ketal nodded.

“This is a friend’s difficulty; there’s no need for a reward. I will surely help.”

“Thank you….”

* * *

“Haah.”

Returning to his quarters, Naplas sat on the edge of the bed, his face weary.

He rubbed his eyes.

“What should I do….”

He had maintained a calm demeanor in front of Heize, but internally, he was anxious.

He had requested help from every place that came to mind, but they all refused due to their own circumstances.

From now on, if he wanted to ask for cooperation, he would have to approach other churches.

The chances of getting help were high; it was an invasion of evil, after all, and they wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

But the methods and timing were the problems.

Relations between churches devoted to different gods weren’t particularly good.

Especially for a church that served Kalosia, which was often ostracized and persecuted.

He couldn’t predict how the other churches would act if they accepted their plea.

They might move after Kalosia’s church was destroyed or detain and imprison them.

The kingdom wouldn’t allow such a thing.

Treating a church in such a manner would cause significant issues.

But those wielding the shield of divinity could do as they pleased.

Not all churches would act that way, of course.

Some would genuinely help.

It was a gamble.

Asking another god for help was an insult to Kalosia.

But there were no other options left.

Just as Naplas was about to make his decision, there was a knock at the door.

He relaxed his expression.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Heize entered.

Naplas’s gaze softened as he looked at her.

“Did you rest well?”

“Yes,”

Heize nodded.

Naplas looked at her with a mix of pity and pride.

Thinking about it, this was truly a disaster for her.

She had set out on a pilgrimage to improve herself, only to be dragged around by him, being told the holy land was in danger.

She must have felt confused and tired, but she hadn’t shown it, quietly following him.

He felt sorry for her but also proud.

“What’s the matter?”

“Well….”

Heize hesitated briefly before speaking.

“I found someone who’s willing to help.”

“What?”

Naplas’s eyes widened.

“Someone’s willing to help us?”

“Yes.”

“Who is it?”

Naplas asked urgently.

Heize replied.

“A barbarian.”

“…Hm?”

Naplas hesitated.

Heize, resigned, began to explain.

Naplas stroked his chin after hearing the story.

“…The barbarian from the Barkan territory you mentioned.”

“Yes.”

Naplas knew about Ketal.

While traveling together, he had asked Heize various things.

Someone who had formed a party with Heize and cleared dungeons.

Someone who had defeated the demon that descended on the Barkan territory.

“Hmm,”

Naplas pondered.

“He said he’d help us?”

“Yes.”

“…There’s no doubt about his strength. He would certainly be helpful to us.”

A barbarian with the power to overwhelm a named demon like Ashetiar.

At least a superhuman-level powerhouse.

Having even one such individual would be a great help.

They could return without further delays.

“A barbarian….”

But there was a problem.

The fact that he was a barbarian.

Naplas, as an elder of the church, had undertaken many pilgrimages before reaching his position and had met many barbarians.

Not once had those encounters ended well.

Barbarians rejected the existence of gods.

Naturally, priests who served gods were targets of hatred and contempt.

There had even been times when barbarians had swung axes at them, telling them to ask their gods for help.

Naplas, after contemplating, spoke up.

“We need to meet him first.”

“You’re going to meet him?”

“From what you’ve told me, he seems very different from other barbarians, so it’s worth meeting him.”

Heize hadn’t mentioned Ketal’s peculiar nature when describing him.

She hadn’t felt the need to.

“It’s better than requesting cooperation from another god’s church.”

“…….”

It might not be, Heize thought, but she swallowed her words with effort.

Naplas spoke again.

“Arrange a meeting. I’ll speak with him directly.”

* * *

Naplas sat in a chair in his quarters.

Soon, the barbarian would arrive.

He felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Soon there was a knock at the door, followed by a deep voice.

“May I come in?”

“…Enter.”

Creak.

The door opened.

The first feeling Naplas experienced was one of being overwhelmed.

‘…He’s big.’

He was a head taller than the average person, and even among the barbarians Naplas had met, he was quite large.

There was an odd sense of intimidation about him.

A person of weak heart would likely hold their breath just from facing him.

Naplas stood up calmly to greet him.

“Nice to meet you. I am Naplas. I serve the God of Lies and Deception, Kalosia. Though I am unworthy, I hold the position of an elder.”

“…An elder.”

Ketal muttered with a peculiar look in his eyes.

Naplas tensed momentarily.

‘As expected, a barbarian has a sense of rejection towards priests.’

Although Heize had said Ketal was different, Naplas didn’t believe it.

He was old and experienced, and thus carried his own prejudices.

‘He might be somewhat socialized, but…’

A barbarian was still a barbarian.

They disregarded church and valued strength.

Naplas braced himself for any potential situation.

But Ketal’s thoughts were entirely different.

‘Elder.’

The highest position a layperson could attain.

Though based on earthly standards, it wouldn’t be much different here.

He must be a high-ranking member among those who serve gods.

Meeting such a person directly was a rather strange feeling.

“Nice to meet you.”

Ketal adopted a polite posture and began to greet him courteously.

‘This is how it’s done, right?’

Naplas’ pupils dilated in surprise.

The fact that a barbarian showed manners wasn’t that surprising.

This was the capital of the kingdom.

A truly uncouth barbarian wouldn’t have made it here.

He assumed Ketal would be somewhat socialized.

The reason Naplas was surprised was different.

The greeting Ketal used was the traditional etiquette of the Kalosia church.

A barbarian was following the church’s etiquette.

“Greetings hidden in Deception hidden within lies. I am Ketal, a simple barbarian.”