Ch.152Chapter 152. The Truth of the Deserted Island (1)

## 152. The Truth of the Deserted Island (1)

[MalakStreetButcherShop: I discovered an underwater temple!

Today I went diving in the sea hoping to catch some big fish, and I found this temple!

(Photo of a temple made of stone)

It’s not an underwater city or building, but it seems like the island sank over time and became submerged.

I think this place wasn’t always a deserted island. Even if it was deserted, the land mass must have been much larger than it is now.

(Photo of a female statue with three pairs of wings)

This is a statue I found inside the temple. It was quite heavy, so it took some effort to bring it out haha

If I weren’t a Paladin but just an ordinary person, I wouldn’t have been able to retrieve it.

Since the worshipped being has a female form, could it be the goddess Ishtania who called us to this world?

I think ancient people who worshipped the goddess might have lived on this island.

(Photo of objects that appear to be ritual tools)

I also found these. I brought them thinking they might help when praying to Malak.

I swept them all up at once with a handmade net hahaha

Since these were used in the temple, wouldn’t they be effective in receiving divine help?

(Photo of a totem somewhat resembling a blue dragon)

(Photo of a makeshift altar)

I’m not certain, but I feel like I’m getting a bit closer to reaching the mainland! I just have that feeling!

I’m fully charged with positive energy!

I hope you all have a wonderful day too!]

It looked like an ordinarily hopeful post, but the attached photos contained terrifying information.

“That is an idol made in the image of the evil god Shamishur.”

This was why the Holy Maiden, after reading another Paladin’s memories to check this post, hurriedly came to the altar.

The winged female statue wasn’t Ishtania but Shamishur. Shamishur was also a deity with a female form.

The Holy Maiden saying this was quite excited. It was unlike her usual calm demeanor.

– Not a deserted island, but a place where ancient humans lived.

The first to worship Shamishur were ancient humans. Specifically, ancient humans who lived on an isolated island. Perhaps the land sank over time, turning it into a deserted island.

“That’s right. It’s not my first time seeing an idol of Shamishur, but I’ve never seen one in such perfect condition.”

A perfect statue. Since statue=totem, we shouldn’t take it lightly as just a figurine.

“It must contain tremendous mystery and divinity.”

– What happens if the idol falls into the hands of Shamishur and the demon forces?

“If there are enough demon worshippers… there’s a possibility of recovering divine status.”

I thought so. That would be the worst-case scenario.

Is this why the goddess sent MalakStreet to the deserted island? To destroy the evil god’s idol in its perfect state?

That makes sense. There must have been a plan similar to maintaining the number of Paladins at 100.

Then why did AtomicRex possess him? …To instill a sense of vigilance in me and the users?

If so, that’s truly a ruthless god.

– It’s fortunate that demons haven’t yet expanded to the deserted island.

“Indeed. I should tell that Paladin to be careful not to activate the idol.”

I need to think about this.

– Call a meeting.

Better to think together than alone. Following yesterday, I called another meeting today.

MeleeSpy and Dina had already finished preparations and arrived, probably having read MalakStreet’s post.

“It should be possible to bring that Paladin to the tribal federation. We have sufficient ritual materials. The rest depends on his will.”

Muri nodded after seeing the photos posted on the community through the Holy Maiden’s psychic abilities.

– Can we bring him here now?

“It’s possible. First, if we have that Paladin take certain measures…”

As the longest-living priest, she immediately offered a solution. As expected of Grandma Muri, the totem expert.

So we’ve saved Uncle MalakStreet. Next is how to deal with the evil god’s idol.

No matter how I think about it, it seems too valuable to simply destroy.

If MalakStreet completes the totem and I can go to the deserted island, I could use the ‘Transfer Totem’ blessing to bring the idol to the tribal federation.

Hmm…!

Combining the information I already knew with the opinions of the leadership, I came up with quite an interesting idea.

– What about using the idol to lure demons to Symphonia?

Activate the idol to force them to come to the tribal federation.

An evil god capable of opening dimensional gates should be in a position to command or request something from the Seven-Headed Dragon demon who became the commander-in-chief of demons after the death of the cloud demon.

Without the evil god, demons couldn’t live in this world. It must be similar to or slightly higher in rank than the Seven-Headed Dragon demon.

According to the Holy Maiden, the reason demons couldn’t ascend despite dominating the surface for five years was because they couldn’t create idols.

The goddess Ishtania used her power to prevent demons and their worshippers from making idols. Just as natives don’t know the identity of the possessed, those who became worshippers forgot how to make idols.

It’s called the ‘Veil of Deception,’ which I understand as a global hypnotic ability that impairs cognitive function.

She could use such powerful authority because the cathedral was still intact. It’s designed so that only Paladins can enter, keeping demons away.

“The evil god and demonic forces are obsessed with ascension. They’d want to grasp even the slightest possibility.”

The Holy Maiden affirmed my opinion.

“If it’s the first totem (idol), its significance would be profound. It would be very special to that evil god.”

Paya also expressed agreement.

“Indeed, it would be an enticing trap.”

MeleeSpy, wearing his helmet pulled down low to avoid Rachel’s gaze, nodded.

“If only we had a way to activate the idol.”

Dina, with her platinum hair tied in a ponytail, said.

“That’s right! That’s no problem!”

Kanto, who had been frowning in concentration to follow the conversation, burst into laughter.

This guy is finally happy because something he knows came up. Try to be at least half as good as your sister Paya.

“Paladin, our tribal federation has a tool that can bestow faith.”

Lakye, leaning against Totem No. 1, answered for me.

“Yare yare… that would be ‘Prayer Unreached.'”

Yare yare is… I can’t even object to this.

Yes, MeleeSpy, you would know. It’s something we obtained thanks to you.

Prayer Unreached. A hidden piece we obtained after defeating the Night Stalker demon at the assassination guild headquarters.

It’s a terrifying ritual tool resembling some grimoire… made of human bones and skin, imbued with faith in a non-existent god.

Faith that should have been absorbed by a god remains intact due to the god’s absence—essentially a disposable faith auxiliary battery.

For me, faith is points I can use to buy blessings. Initially, I wanted to absorb it myself, but I left it alone since I didn’t know what side effects it might have.

Having already obtained divine manifestation, there was no reason to experiment with an unidentified hidden piece arranged by the goddess.

To think it would shine here. Indeed, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.

– Let’s start by bringing back the Paladin trapped on the deserted island.

“Yes!”

Rescuing Uncle MalakStreet is the top priority.

The Holy Maiden used her psychic abilities to convey MalakStreet’s general situation to Muri.

“There’s no problem with the altar and totem. It’s quite well-made for someone who isn’t a priest. The issue is the medium. He had no medium to transmit faith to Malak.

If he uses the swollen hand of the Daemund Mountain monkey, the killing knife, and the fan engraved with a human face that you see there…”

Wow, I don’t understand any of this. Muri helped MalakStreet while using technical terms. Noah organized what Muri said and posted it.

It would be awkward if UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode, who isn’t here, explained it.

Several hours later.

[MalakStreetButcherShop: I’ve completed it!

(Photo of Malak totem and ritual tools placed on the altar)

I’ve arranged everything as instructed by Mr. PetitNoah, I mean, Priest Muri!

Now I just need to offer my prayers!

…Everyone, thank you for your support. There have been times when I wanted to die, when I resented the world, when I hated myself.

But I wanted to live. No, I will live. I want to live and breathe.

Malak, I offer my prayers. I call out your honorable name.

If you can hear me, please respond.]

All the groundwork is done. Now we just need MalakStreet’s prayer to reach me.

“It must be a sincere prayer. No matter how good the medium is, it won’t reach if he doesn’t truly worship Malak.”

Since this was said by Paya, who brought me, the true Malak, to manifest on earth, it was all the more credible.

After waiting for some time, a man’s voice was heard from afar.

‘Malak, can you hear my prayer? This humble one offers prayers to you.’

Finally. At last!

– I have heard your prayer.

‘Ah…!’

I transferred my consciousness to the totem that should be right there.