I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods – Chapter 145

Chapter 145 The Path of Struggle (3)

There’s a saying about small societies.

A group where separate rules exist to control its members.

These small societies inevitably form when people interact, and they can, at times, become significant problems.

Especially when you watch movies themed around monsters or cults.

“There were this many…?”

“Yes.”

A large number of people made up a group involved in horrible activities.

‘I expected it, but this many?’

I gathered all the villagers in the square and identified them all at once using Gluttony.

The result revealed that the number of villagers cooperating with the Dwellers of the Abyss was, effectively, almost the entire village.

In one place, we had piled up the 【Father of the Abyss】 statues found in their homes; it appeared that nearly every house had one.

“For many years before you were given your power, this island was under no God’s protection. It’s only natural that it was eroded.”

Of course, the village hadn’t completely fallen to become one of the Dwellers’ bases.

Some villagers, as part of this small society, were reluctantly cooperating and conniving.

“I hope the situation is better in other villages.”

The influence of the Dwellers would lessen the further from the sea we traveled.

However, this brought little comfort to Talia.

“They all treated me kindly, so how could they do this?”

Talia seemed shocked by the severity of the situation, biting her lip tightly.

“They accepted me and were genuinely happy when Zeus chose me… was it all a lie?”

“We didn’t…”

“That’s not entirely true, dear. We couldn’t help—”

A man who tried to explain himself had his head exploded by Gluttony.

『Lies! Still trying to deceive!』

Crunch, crunch.

The horrifying scene of a person being devoured alive silenced the others.

“If you speak nonsense, you die instantly. Let me remind you that it’s easy to tell who’s lying.”

I was already displeased to show such a scene to her.

In fact, there was nothing that didn’t irritate me, but it was still too soon to kill them all.

“…… How can we trust that?”

Even among these scum, there were some who hadn’t fallen into complete depravity.

“Aren’t you merely a priest of a Foreign God? Are you going to take revenge by killing us?”

A young man started to argue, but closed his eyes tightly in fear.

“A good point. But, aren’t you also a faithful believer of the Foreign God?”

The young man quickly retorted.

“I’ve never truly served them! Whatever Foreign God you want us to serve, I refuse to bow anymore, so kill me if you must!”

『He’s sincere!』

“Nice. Now, does anyone else want to step forward?”

The young man seemed puzzled about why he wasn’t dead.

“I- I also have something to say! I regret the cruel actions that have occurred! If you give me a chance to atone, I’ll…”

『He’s lying.』

Another person who tried to bluff met their death.

“I told you, I know when you’re lying. Well, let’s continue.”

I questioned them, using their answers to filter people.

Ultimately, out of nearly 40 people, only 5 were spared.

“…… Is it really them, uncle?”

“Yes.”

“Just… five.”

I gently patted Talia’s shoulder as she gazed down at the ground, conflicted.

“You should admire them instead. They resisted falling into depravity while surrounded by family and others indulging in evil.”

“Yes…….”

Talia glanced at the 【Father of the Abyss】 statues.

“O Ruler of Thunder that Splits the Sky, annihilate and condemn the evil before me. 〈Reprimand of Thunder〉.”

Boom!

A bolt of lightning struck from a clear sky.

In a single brilliant flash, the statues began to burn instantly.

The people glanced sideways at Talia, me, and the burning statues.

“This tragedy… I’ll ensure it never happens again. As long as I’m on this island, I’ll protect it so that no one falls for the Foreign Gods’ deceit.”

No one responded.

Having witnessed the massacre of 35 people, it would be difficult to speak easily.

“Was it necessary to kill them all?”

An elderly man, hair and beard whitened but still looking robust, spoke up.

“I won’t deny that they deserved it for their actions. But shouldn’t they have been given the same chance at redemption as us…?”

“You seem to misunderstand something.”

I approached the old man.

“You were the ones spared for having the possibility of repentance. Even then, you’re nevertheless complicit in crimes that merited death.”

How many people were sacrificed to sustain this village?

Of course, they could argue they had no choice to survive…….

“You should know better. Whether these people were truly oppressed with no choice, or if they craved the sweet prosperity from their inhumane deeds.”

The old man, unable to retort, slumped to the ground.

Others remained speechless too.

Though they were overwhelmed by loss and shock, ironically, they seemed somewhat relieved.

Talia and I left them behind.

“Will those people… be okay?”

“I don’t know.”

They were spared simply because I could afford to spare them; they too should have paid for their sins.

“They have to manage on their own. Your role is to protect them. The rest is the burden they must bear.”

“…… Is that so.”

“And you can’t be too concerned with them; your situation isn’t exactly bright.”

The Dwellers of the Abyss had obtained information about Talia.

Thus, even if it greatly affected the island, purging these humans was necessary.

“This island will soon be a battlefield. You won’t have many allies, while the enemies are countless. You need to reduce those already aiding the enemy.”

“But if I act so harshly, won’t others harbor resentment? Can they trust me?”

“Sorry, but……”

I checked the map for the next village.

“You don’t have the luxury to worry about that.”

That day, I traveled across the island, killing 20 more.

* * *

『He finds them all and kills them. He’s not even accompanied by the Priest of Hayat, so how does he know?』

In a cave deep under the sea.

The Dwellers of the Abyss were exchanging opinions on the current situation.

『He’s traveling with the Priest of Zeus.』
『Has he perhaps turned her into a puppet? We’re too late.』

They didn’t consider a possible alliance between Talia and Ethnos.

Alliance between a priest of an Ancient God and a priest of a Foreign God was, by common sense, unthinkable.

It was reasonable to think naive Talia had fallen under Ethnos’s control.

『Truly insane. How can he touch the highest-ranking Ancient God’s priest without hesitation?』
『He’s always been reckless. Yet he’s not dying and continues to grow stronger.』

A person walking the most dangerous path, climbing ever higher due to their reckless journey.

Ethnos’ actions were bizarre not only to the Dwellers but to everyone.

『We lost four of the valuable 4th ranks. We can’t spare more forces while dealing with what’s happening at the temple where the Dragon Crown is sealed.』
『What will the Captain do?』
『Could he be planning to establish trade with him at the upcoming meeting?』
『Or perhaps he’s about to destroy everything he has accumulated.』

Although Ethnos’s power was growing, the Dwellers were confident Cahon would inevitably triumph.

Thus, they could even afford to ignore Ethnos.

That was, in fact, the wiser choice from the Dwellers’ point of view.

Still, there was a reason for their active effort to deceive and kill Ethnos.

『So… any news about the ‘Princess’?』
『Nothing besides the ones who followed her being dead.』
『We long since stopped following her because the repercussions were too severe.』

The object they referred to as the princess was none other than the daughter born between 【Father of the Abyss】 and his consort ‘Mother Hydra’.

『Why is the princess left to her own devices? Does Mother Hydra truly wish for the princess to seize power, replacing our captain?』
『Otherwise, how else could she have accessed so many divine relics?』
『Has 【Father of the Abyss】 granted his approval…….』

It was one of the Dwellers’ greatest concerns.

A 4th rank formidable warrior and priest.

Moreover, she wielded many divine relics, as if she were completely armed.

『But she hasn’t shown up in the fight against the Gray Calamity. Is she unexpectedly disinterested?』
『Considering the princess’s personality, she’s definitely targeting the Gray Calamity. She probably withdrew after failing to find an opportunity.』

Attacking Ethnos and his followers in the waters with the risk of the princess hunting them posed too great a loss for the Dwellers.

『It’s disgraceful. Mother Hydra’s own daughter is so unruly.』

The first child born to the Matriarch of the Dwellers, mother Hydra.

Initially seen as a herald of victory, destined to emerge as Cahon’s mate, securing the ocean’s dominion for the Dwellers.

But…….

『I wonder if the princess intends to restore her kin. Or does she simply regard us as toys?』
『Mother Hydra’s intentions are a mystery. Why did she give birth to such a ferocious being?』

The Dwellers of the Abyss, despite being a cruel Foreign God sect, are a race that understands kinship, creating a society.

Yet the princess was a misaligned existence even among the twisted Dwellers.

She ruthlessly slaughters kin and enjoys it.

『Speaking of the unknown princess… what should we do about Gray Calamity and the Priest of Zeus?』
『Since Gray Calamity is clearing the island, let us pull out all our people. It’s best to watch from a distance.』
『If the princess clashes with Gray Calamity, we wait for an opportunity to seize our advantage.』

The Dwellers reached a tentative consensus.

A patient hunter is a terrifying one.

They decided to wait from a distance until the moment was right to strike either side.

As the Dwellers were about to disperse.

Squelch-!

One of them was ripped apart, turning into a spray of blood.

『What……?』

In that brief moment of realization, others lost their lives just as quickly.

It was something that happened in the blink of an eye.

Amidst the blood-drenched cave, shadows flickered briefly before disappearing into the deep waters.