Ch.158Chapter 158. Paya’s Bizarre Adventure (2)

Chapter 158. Paya’s Bizarre Adventure (2)

I stared intently at Udan’s totem. Indeed, it didn’t emit the mysterious aura that evil god idols typically had.

The totem didn’t contain Loa’s energy. That was quite strange.

The reason for making totems resemble Loas is to signal to them, “I worship you.”

When you create an idol modeled after the Loa you wish to serve, and infuse it with spiritual power using magical materials, it sends a signal to that Loa.

Just as I heard the call of Nix who completed the Malak totem, or Bojak, or Maljuk, it sends a signal saying, “Loa, look at this! I made this for you!”

Once that signal reaches the Loa, their energy fills the totem. Since this is an indirect connection, the Loa cannot exert influence through the totem.

If the Loa responds to that call, it becomes a “descent.” In this state, they can exert some influence on the earthly realm.

Like me now, becoming a buff dispenser—no, a “glowing vibrating totem.”

Going further, by consuming a massive amount of divinity, they can summon their spiritual body from the spirit realm to the material world (earth). This is “manifestation.”

It’s actually impossible for a totem not to contain a Loa’s energy. If made properly, a totem should naturally be infused with energy.

The Starlight Harbor tribe wouldn’t create an altar to reverently enshrine an incomplete totem that hadn’t even received energy.

Could there be a problem with Udan?

– Hmm.

This doesn’t feel right. I need to investigate this.

Fortunately, I have a devotee with supernatural abilities optimized for investigation and tracking.

I used the “Summon Devotee” blessing to call the Saint. Of course, I didn’t forget to ask for permission beforehand.

I can’t summon her while she’s bathing or sleeping, after all.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been outside the cathedral. The mountain air smells nice.”

The Saint, who appeared with a modest demeanor, took a deep breath. She’s enjoying the natural air.

“…”

Paya’s complexion seems to have worsened. What’s wrong? Am I imagining things?

– Saint. Would it be possible?

I asked if she could touch Udan’s totem to check what happened. The Saint’s ability didn’t work on divine beings, but it might work on a totem without any energy.

“To be honest, I’m not confident. I’ve never tried it before.”

She’s never touched a totem before? Well, she’s a Saint who hasn’t even touched my totem (more precisely, Lakye prevented her from touching it).

She probably never had the opportunity to touch idols of pagan gods.

– Don’t feel pressured. If it seems dangerous, remove your hand.

It shouldn’t be dangerous just to touch a totem, though.

“Phew, I’ll give it a try.”

The Saint took a deep breath and placed her hand on the totem.

“Hmm…”

With a subtle expression, the Saint examined the totem from various angles before sighing.

“As expected, I can’t see clearly. The scenes are disconnected and don’t flow naturally. Even the visible scenes are too blurry.”

– Hmm.

“Though it’s said to have disappeared, this idol once contained divine energy. A mere mortal with unusual abilities like myself cannot spy on gods.”

– Is there no way?

“Well, there is one possibility…”

The Saint muttered quietly before continuing.

“I can use objects as mediums to leave memories.”

– I know.

The Pope touched a piece of cloth left by the Saint and read the memories contained within. That’s how he was able to invade the evolutionist faction’s headquarters.

The Saint can not only read memories through objects or people but also leave memories. It’s truly a super psychometry ability.

The Saint suddenly turned her head toward Paya.

“Priestess Paya, you said you can sense the energy of Loas, right?”

Sensing Loa energy is not something ordinary priests can do. It’s a unique ability that only Paya, as a spirit shaman, possesses.

“Yes…?”

“With Priestess Paya’s help, I might be able to see the totem’s memories.”

“Really? How can I help you?”

Paya looked at the Saint with suspicious eyes, then showed delight at being able to help.

Hmm. Is she starved for recognition? I think I praised her a lot when she activated the evil god idol.

Of course, afterward I put her in “self-quarantine” for over a week for her own stability.

A child nearly got into serious trouble because of the evil god’s energy, so naturally I had to protect her. Yes, absolutely.

“When I touch the totem with one hand, please hold my other hand. Then I can borrow some of your spiritual ability.”

“Alright.”

Paya extended her small, soft-looking hand, seemingly eager to start right away. The Saint wore a troubled expression and shifted her body slightly backward.

“The reason I didn’t mention this to Malak from the beginning is because there might be side effects. Resonating with a person is much more difficult than with an object.

And with spiritual abilities involved, ‘bad variables’ beyond my control could arise. The mystical contains elements that cannot be controlled.”

That makes me uneasy.

– Let’s go back. We can return when another opportunity arises.

We decided to try again another time. This isn’t a critical matter right now, with the final battle against the Seven-Headed Dragon demon approaching.

Maybe Udan just used some method to cut off the energy because he was tired of hearing his followers’ desperate pleas.

I was curious about what happened to Udan, but I didn’t want Paya to be endangered just to find out.

Even now, I (don’t have hands but) tremble at the memory of that evil goddess leaking energy to Paya.

“I can do it.”

Paya looked at me with a serious expression.

– It’s dangerous.

“I’m the only one who can do this.”

– You could get seriously hurt.

“Other warriors risk their lives in battle too.”

– This isn’t worth risking your life for.

I told her we could investigate slowly after creating safety measures.

“I can do it too! I can!”

– It’s fine. Let’s go back.

She seems to have become stubborn, but that’s when we need to calmly retreat.

Paya suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and exclaimed.

“I’m not a child who needs protection anymore! I can be helpful! I can do it like Chief Lakye!”

– …

So that’s what this was about.

“Hic!”

Paya hiccupped, seemingly surprised by her own words.

Since the early days of the tribal federation, I often went around with just Lakye, and Paya didn’t seem to like that very much.

She probably felt like a daughter watching her father with an untrustworthy stepmother.

I thought her jealousy had faded with time, but that wasn’t the case. She just wasn’t showing it.

Come to think of it, we’ve been apart for quite a while. Between rescuing Chosun in his room and going on high demon subjugation missions to achieve manifestation… I’ve been too busy to pay proper attention to her.

– Paya, you’re already helping plenty.

It’s a bit late, but I should clear this up now.

– You’re the one who brought about my descent. All the achievements of the tribal federation would have been impossible without you.

It’s true. Conversely, one could say I was possessed in this other world because of Paya… but that’s not something to blame her for.

How could this child have known I would be dragged here? She just asked a god for help. If anyone’s to blame, it’s the goddess and the real Malak.

– Don’t underestimate yourself. I’m not dissuading you because you’re weak or young.

Actually, that is why I’m dissuading her, but I can’t say that directly.

– I’m worried about you getting hurt because you’re my first priest.

Both wanting to save the world and worrying about Paya are true, so let’s call this a “white lie.”

…I don’t even know what I’m thinking anymore. Ah, whatever. Complex things are a pass. Anyway, what matters is sincerity.

“*sniff*”

Paya quietly sniffled. Her eyes were welling up with tears.

– If you really want to do this, your safety must be ensured. We’ll need Lakye.

As soon as I mentioned “Lakye,” Paya puffed her cheeks but nodded.

“I want to do it. It would be a shame to come all this way and return empty-handed.”

Paya hesitated for a moment.

“And… I’m sorry for getting angry. I was childish, wasn’t I?”

– It’s alright.

I found myself smiling without realizing it. She’s just too cute.

After waiting for the cooldown to end, I summoned Lakye with the “Summon Devotee” blessing.

“Understood. I’ll intervene immediately if anything seems wrong.”

After hearing Lakye’s assurance, we proceeded with the operation.

Ah, but before that.

I asked the Saint if I could bestow the “Divine Possession” blessing on her. It was a blessing I could only bestow on vassals, meaning priests, but the Saint was treated as a vassal due to her special abilities.

Divine Possession allows me to partially share the priest’s vision and body, so I thought I might be able to see information about the totem as well.

“I wonder how it works.”

– I’ll show you now.

It’s time for a blessing I haven’t used in a long time to shine again.