Ch.290Blasphemy (2)

The young man who firmly believed himself to be Xenon, the fake Xenon, wore a mesmerized expression as he looked at the woman who had appeared without warning.

Hair that captured the golden plains perfectly, eyes that shone like the blue sky embracing those plains.

Though she wore the white nun’s habit symbolizing the Church of Luminus, it failed to conceal the woman’s curvaceous figure.

Add to that the holiness that emanated from her just standing there and the subtle scent of lilac.

A purity and compassion so delicate it seemed a touch would soil her. Her gentle smile dissolved any ill feelings harbored in the hearts of those who beheld it.

If the saint Lilly from the Biography of Xenon were to appear in this world, would she feel like this? A figure worthy of being called a saint.

Because of this, Xenon couldn’t say a word despite the woman’s call, and just stared blankly.

He hadn’t felt this level of beauty even when he saw the elf woman who called herself Sophia.

Tap!

Meanwhile, the elf woman he had been holding captive hastily shook off his hand and fled.

She was also flustered by the sudden appearance of the clergy, but getting away from this impostor was her priority.

But Xenon couldn’t take his eyes off the clergy woman, even though the elf woman had shaken off his hand and run away.

He had met many beautiful women and even had interesting relationships with them, but none were as beautiful as the woman before him.

How beautiful, holy, and pure she was. An ordinary person would have been dumbfounded and unable to come to their senses.

But the man, Xenon, was different. As the lilac scent invaded his nostrils, he quickly regained his composure.

“Ahem. Ahem. Excuse me, but who are you?”

Xenon quickly turned his head to hide his flushed face as he asked the question.

He was preoccupied with suppressing his pounding heart while asking the question.

Despite having met many beautiful women, he had never felt like this before. Could this really be something like fate?

‘Could it be that woman…?’

Xenon cleared his throat and glanced at the woman in front of him. At the same time, he recalled Lilly’s appearance as described in the Biography of Xenon.

Lilly was a woman with snow-white hair and golden eyes, befitting the meaning of her name, ‘lily.’

Instead, her physique matched perfectly. Above-average height and a beautiful figure that couldn’t be hidden even by the pure white nun’s habit.

It’s her. This woman is definitely Lilly, the saint from the Biography of Xenon. The man concluded.

The sinister feelings that had disappeared until just now began to stir again, and a smile contrasting with the pure white woman emerged.

“Ah. Excuse me. My name is Kate Louise Angelica. I am a believer who serves Luminus, the god of light and hope.”

In response to Xenon’s question, the woman, Kate, politely bowed her head.

Perhaps because the nun’s habit was made of a material that clung to her body, her ample bosom became more pronounced as she bent at the waist.

There was no exposure at all, yet why did it feel so sensual? Xenon’s heart pounded even more at the subtle sensuality emanating from Kate.

But his lustful thoughts were momentary, as he couldn’t help but be surprised after hearing her name.

‘If it’s Kate, then surely…’

Kate Louise Angelica. This name is becoming world-renowned, though not as much as the author, Xenon.

The corrupt cardinal incident that shocked the world beyond Sabre a few months ago.

The very person who resolved that incident and currently wields the greatest fame and power in Sabre.

She’s practically dragging Sabre by the collar when even its pillars were shaking, and according to rumors, she has a standing comparable to the Pope.

Originally, there was no position like ‘saint’ in the Church of Luminus, but due to Kate’s significant contributions, there are movements to create one.

A cardinal who is a devout believer of Luminus and is being revered as the next Pope or saint.

Unlike Lilly, who had no strength at all, she was a jack of all trades, lacking nothing whether it be strength or faith.

Xenon’s heart pounded violently as the famous person he had only known through newspapers and rumors appeared right in front of him.

“If you’re Cardinal Kate… I’ve heard of you. The Grand Inquisitor who drove out the corrupt cardinal and personally dealt with devil worshippers. I’ve heard you’re the clergy who makes the world clean before anyone else.”

“Thank you. But I fall far short compared to Him.”

“Him?”

Does she mean Luminus when she says ‘Him’?

As Xenon tilted his head in confusion, Kate smiled more deeply than before and said:

“I merely clean up the trash that defiles the light, but there is only one who brings light to the world. You know that, don’t you?”

“Ah.”

Xenon nodded as if he had just realized, but soon his expression frowned as displeasure swept over him.

The person she mentioned was Xenon, without having to ask. To be precise, not himself but the ‘author’ Xenon.

He wasn’t stupid. In fact, he prided himself on being quite intelligent.

That’s why he was even more angry. Why did that woman respect the author Xenon instead of himself?

After all, he was the person the author used as a motif. His name, birth, and even the achievements he had made so far.

What the author writes are the achievements he will accomplish in the future, so why does she respect him?

The man, who firmly believed himself to be Xenon, expressed his dissatisfaction to Kate:

“You said earlier, didn’t you? That you came looking for someone named Xenon.”

“Yes. Because of a disturbing rumor.”

Even though Xenon spoke informally and treated her rudely, Kate’s smile didn’t disappear.

On the contrary, her tone became noticeably rougher, but Xenon continued what he wanted to say, paying no attention to it.

“Right. You’ve come to the right place. I am the Xenon you’re looking for. Oh, just to clarify, I’m the real Xenon, not some mere scribbler.”

“…Scribbler?”

At the derogatory term for an author, Kate’s upturned corners of her mouth lowered slightly before rising again.

It was such a fleeting moment that Xenon (or so he claimed) didn’t notice it.

Right now, he was only thinking about recruiting Kate as a companion. She was truly a saint.

Jin, who was his coupling? That could be found later without rush. Besides, it was just a motif, and it hadn’t been proven that they were actually lovers in reality.

If we consider it this way, he himself also conforms to it and is a contradiction in itself. But he didn’t have the mind to go back to that.

Because he was the protagonist. Because the story in the book was all about him.

Therefore, whatever he did would be forgiven. Who would dare refuse the words of a hero who would save the world?

“You didn’t come looking for the scribbler Xenon, did you? You came looking for me, right?”

“…Yes. That’s right. Now that I’ve confirmed it directly, you’re not impersonating him.”

“Why would I impersonate anyone? I am the real Xenon. Even comparing me to such impostors is disrespectful.”

Xenon maintained his characteristic arrogant attitude as he slowly moved towards Kate.

The lilac scent that intensified as he got closer and the holiness that seemed to envelop his entire body.

I want her. Like Lilly in the Biography of Xenon, I want to recruit Kate as a companion and go on an adventure.

The elf woman he had grabbed earlier had already completely disappeared from his mind.

Attraction. This is the first time he’s felt such attraction during his travels.

This could truly be called fate.

With this, he stood proudly in front of Kate with a smile full of self-interest.

As he had felt from afar, her appearance and figure were exceptional up close. Despite wearing a nun’s habit, her figure was fully revealed.

Could she have worn such attire for him? Literally to find Xenon?

Trapped in his own delusion, Xenon took a deep breath to suppress his excitement, then looked at Kate’s face.

A warm smile that warmed the heart, befitting a saint, was directed solely at him.

Swish-

Xenon didn’t even try to control his sinister thoughts and slowly extended his hand. His hand was heading towards Kate’s snow-white cheek.

Though there was no trace of filth to be found, he would now stain her with his color. Make her completely his.

Because he was Xenon. Because he was the hero of heroes who would save the world in the future.

Not even aware of the vile desire growing in his heart, just as he was about to place his hand on Kate’s cheek.

Thud!

Kate, still smiling, coldly rejected his hand. It was a resolute gesture, yet her smile didn’t disappear at all, which was the point.

From Xenon’s perspective, it was naturally perplexing. He certainly thought the atmosphere permitted contact, so he never imagined she would reject him like this.

Meanwhile, Kate shook her hand that had pushed away his touch on the ground as if it were dirty, then quietly opened her mouth.

“Don’t think about touching my body.”

“What?”

“My body is for Him. Until He embraces me, I have an obligation to maintain cleanliness.”

Xenon frowned deeply upon hearing those words.

A body for Him. In other words, it’s a body for the author Xenon, not the fake.

Not only that, but maintaining cleanliness until he embraces her means she’s treating him as a dirty person.

Why? Isn’t it better to be embraced by a hero who will save the world in the future than by a mere scribbler?

At least by his common sense, it was an incomprehensible situation. What’s so inferior about him compared to that guy?

“…Kate.”

“Please call me Cardinal, not by my name.”

“Ha, really.”

Now she even refuses to be called by her name. Xenon let out a hollow laugh as if it were ridiculous, then faced her directly.

Kate still wore a benevolent smile. That’s why it’s more infuriating.

“Are you trying to play games with me? I’m Xenon, yet you refuse even contact?”

“You may be Xenon, but don’t put yourself on the same level as Him.”

“This is absurd. If you think about it, even his achievements came about because of me, didn’t they?”

“…Pardon?”

As if this was something she couldn’t let slide, Kate showed a surprised reaction.

The benevolent smile disappeared, and a question settled in her blue eyes.

What nonsense is that, not only she but also the bystanders watching from a distance had the same question.

“Think about it. The scribbler you call ‘Him’ wrote the Biography of Xenon using me as a motif. Do you understand?”

“… …”

“Judging by your expression, you don’t seem to understand. Then let me explain slowly. The Biography of Xenon appeared in the world using me as a motif. So everything that guy achieved is all thanks to me.”

The point he’s making is this: It was because of himself, the motif, that the Biography of Xenon could emerge.

Therefore, the achievements of the Biography of Xenon are all essentially his. Shouldn’t he receive the same, or even greater, treatment as Xenon?

It was nonsense or sophistry to anyone who heard it, but Xenon (the fake) firmly believed it.

Birth, name, and even talent. These elements combined to create a significant delusion.

“In fact, that guy has stolen the achievements I will accomplish in the future. In other words, what’s written in the Biography of Xenon are the feats I will achieve in the future.”

Swish-

Was she caught off guard? Kate allowed physical contact as she was unable to regain her senses due to the sophistry that would leave one’s mouth agape.

The man’s lewd hand caressed her cheek.

It wasn’t an affectionate touch but a vile and sticky sensation.

But after briefly acknowledging such a touch, Kate stared at the man in front of her with a blank expression.

Since he was about the same height as her, their eye levels matched, allowing her to face him directly.

He didn’t have passionate red hair that shone like someone else’s, nor did he have sparkling golden eyes like someone else’s.

There was only a blasphemer who was vile and defiled the name. With this, she grabbed the man’s hand that was stroking her cheek with a blank expression.

At that action, Xenon’s vile smile deepened, but that was as far as it went.

Crack!

“Huh?”

“You…”

As Kate strongly gripped the man’s hand and quietly muttered.

“Blasphemer!!”

Crunch!!

With a cry filled with anger, she completely crushed his hand.

A grip strength that could crush a rock into sand with her hand, and when she gripped the sand, water droplets would fall from it.

A person, especially a physically weak human’s hand, could be turned to powder.

Crunch!!

“Aaaaargh!!”

The man let out a pain-filled scream as his hand was not only completely crushed but also became tattered like paper.

The hand gripped by Kate was already deformed beyond recognition, and blood flowed out like squeezing fruit juice.

The blood of the blasphemer was staining her hand red. However, Kate didn’t mind.

Right now, her priority was to deal with the sinner who had committed ‘blasphemy’ right in front of her.

That sinner is currently kneeling and screaming, unable to bear the pain.

“How dare you, of all people, blaspheme Him!! Do you dare to extend your filthy hands to the light He has spread!!”

“Aaaagh! Aaagh!! Gaaack!”

Kate’s thundering voice didn’t reach his ears. If it had been an amputation, the pain might have been less, but his hand was completely crushed.

Bones shattered into pieces and turned to powder, and the skin and muscles protecting them were torn to shreds.

Faced with pain he had never felt in his life, Xenon had no choice but to kneel.

Rip!

Like tearing paper, Kate tore off the hand that had lost its meaning of existence.

Since the flesh up to the wrist, as well as the bones inside, had completely turned to powder, it came off easily with just a little force.

Of course, even such an act required strong muscle strength, which gives an idea of how strong she was.

“Aaaagh! Aaaagh!!”

Now clutching his wrist and screaming an unsightly scream, Xenon, or rather the impostor.

Like turning on a faucet, sticky blood flows continuously from his wrist. If this continues, his life will surely be in danger from excessive bleeding.

Kate looked down at him, who was screaming and making a fuss, as if looking at an insect, then silently extended her hand.

Shaaaa-

Then, a golden light appeared in her hand and flowed into the impostor.

Divine power, an ability that only clergy can possess and is the raison d’être of a god.

The divine power of the Church of Luminus is originally white, but Kate’s divine power emits a brilliant golden light as it is as strong as the Pope’s or Issac’s.

And its effect can be described as close to a ‘miracle’.

“Urgh… Uh, uh…?”

The impostor, who had been trembling while clutching his wrist, wore a dumbfounded expression at the ‘miracle’ unfolding before his eyes.

The golden energy slowly seeped into his wrist, and surprisingly, it was being ‘regenerated’.

To reiterate, it’s not ‘healing’ but ‘regeneration’. Healing merely stops bleeding, but regeneration is a phenomenon that transcends that.

The part that should be missing above the wrist, the hand that had been terribly torn and crushed, is being regenerated.

Like a seed sprouting, growing a stem, and eventually bearing a flower, the small hand growing from the wrist gradually grows.

Eventually, the hand was completely regenerated, and as the impostor stared blankly at the phenomenon, Kate opened her mouth with a stern voice.

“In the name of Luminus, I tell you. Your name is indeed Xenon. But that’s just a name, and His achievements are never yours.”

“… …”

“If you insult Him with that mouth once more…”

Kate shook her blood-stained hand a couple of times and declared:

“I will personally change your name from Xenon to something else. In the name of Luminus, I’ll help you be reborn.”

“I, I am… Xenon. I am Xenon! What do you know!!”

It seems the warning was slightly insufficient. As the impostor shouted in anger, Kate looked down at him with colder eyes than before.

What kind of Xenon is that? If he had at least a righteous character like the Xenon in the book, she would have been willing to provide some support.

However, there’s only a maggot in front of her who is not only lacking in character but also in skill. A maggot that tarnishes the name of ‘Xenon’.

If devil worshippers are trash that harm the world, the impostor in front of her is a maggot that defiles the name of light.

At a glance, they may seem the same, but there’s no need for immediate execution like devil worshippers. However, it’s not something that can be left unattended either.

Kate sighed, then quietly prayed with her hands neatly folded.

“Luminus… Please give me strength so that this foolish one may repent.”

“This bitch really…!”

While she was praying, the man jumped up and rushed at her. His speed was like an arrow, indicating he was confident in his skills.

But he picked the wrong opponent. No matter how great his skills might be, could he compare to the ‘Grand Inquisitor’?

Kate easily avoided his charge by slightly shifting her body, then tripped him to disrupt his balance.

Thud!

“Aagh!”

Once again, the Xenon impostor fell ungracefully. He immediately tried to get up, but his attempt remained just that.

Crack!!

“Aaaagh!!”

Kate roughly grabbed his hair. The impostor resisted violently against the pain that felt like all his hair would be torn out.

But all resistance was futile. Because she was so strong, the more he resisted, the more painful it became.

Although the impostor reacted violently, saying he couldn’t fall like this and that he was Xenon.

“Was one hand not enough?”

“… …”

He quickly quieted down with one murderous smile from Kate.

The incident at the Alfheim Square was thus concluded, and there was no longer anyone who called himself Xenon.

Where that person went, only he and Kate know.

Along with this, all the Kayre impostors also disappeared, so the diplomatic conflict between Alfheim and Sabre was neatly resolved.

Issac’s reaction to this situation, which he only learned about through newspapers, was…

“It’s become mysterious.”

He recalled a certain country from his past life.

******

After educating(?) the man who was defiling Xenon’s name, Kate headed to the shower room to wash herself.

Inquisition was originally her specialty, so it wasn’t difficult to educate a mentally ill person who insisted he was Xenon.

Might she have implicated an innocent person? Don’t worry. If there had been any sin, Luminus would have directly rebuked her.

But this time, He didn’t. This means that both Luminus and the gods implicitly agreed.

If Xenon’s name is defiled, it would be troublesome for the gods who support him. So such impostors should be removed early on.

Shaaaa-

“… …”

As Kate was meticulously washing her body in the shower room, she looked at her face reflected in the mirror.

Blood had splattered on her face during the recent ‘inquisition’ and hardened, but what she was concerned about wasn’t the blood.

It was the cheek that had been caressed by the maggot who had defiled Xenon’s name.

There was no blood on her cheek at all; on the contrary, it was immaculately clean. However, she placed her hand on her cheek and gently rubbed it.

“…It’s dirty.”

Scratch-

After rubbing her cheek, Kate began to scratch it with her nails. Her fine expression was completely crumpled, and her compassionate smile had disappeared without a trace.

“It’s dirty. It’s dirty. It’s dirty. It’s dirty. It’s dirty.”

Scrub- Scrub- Scrub- Scrub-

Kate began to scratch her cheek vigorously while muttering in a voice filled with madness.

Scratches appeared on her white skin due to her nails, and blood began to bead up.

A strange behavior that anyone would see as abnormal. The light gradually disappears from her eyes that had been shining intelligently.

‘It won’t get clean.’

Due to the frantic scratching with her nails, her skin was scraped and blood flowed down. But what she cared about wasn’t the blood or the wound.

It was a body she had kept clean for Him, yet it was defiled because of that maggot.

Of course, He would say it doesn’t matter if it’s defiled. But that’s disrespectful and insulting to Him.

He is a saint who spreads light in this world and the light itself that will save the world. How could one insult Him?

After frantically scratching her cheek for a long time with eyes that had lost their light, Kate recalled the face of a man in her mind.

‘…I miss you.’

She wants to purify her defiled body through His touch.

She wants to repay the grace she received from Him.

She wants to receive His seed and spread light widely in this world.

‘Please…’

Purify me.

Kate stopped scratching her cheek. With her divine power, she could easily heal the wound on her cheek, but she didn’t.

This was a symbol that she had been defiled. Only He could remove it.

Let’s leave this wound until then. She would go directly to Him, confess her sin, and ask for forgiveness.

‘And quickly, the seed…’

Kate placed her hand on her lower abdomen with a gentle smile. A tiny room where a new light would one day be born.

Her turn hadn’t come yet, but just imagining it brought a strange thrill.

She had already named it. Lilly, the same name as his younger sister and the saint in the Biography of Xenon.

“Haah…”

Receiving the stream of water pouring from the shower, Kate let out a heated moan.