319 – Elisia’s Prayer -1-

The most important thing in the role of an apostle is.

– Lord…!!!!

Faithful belief too.

– It is for the Lord’s work.

Not the resolve to sever ties with family.

– …Die.

It is power.

In a cult where various people gather, conflict is bound to arise. There were many in the cult.

Those reaching out for stronger power.

– If you grant me greater strength, I will do anything.

Madmen who want to commit more murders.

– If I can kill more beautifully, becoming a footstool for God wouldn’t be so bad.

And those seeking revenge.

– Please kill this person… I will give my life for it, just kill this person!!

In this place, where many have immersed themselves in the cult for various reasons, conflict and murder violence occur incessantly.

Only strong power was the answer.

Especially in this place, where those burdened with the emotion of ‘regret’ were the majority, incidents were never-ending.

They were people with nothing to lose.

When their eyes turned, they killed, and the guilt they had to bear could be absolved by seeking forgiveness in the name of God.

So this place was.

-Crack.

Power was the measure of duty.

Elysia, praying before the blood-soaked statue, closed her eyes. She needed to quell the anxious feelings rising within her.

-…

The man’s cold eyes.

Emotions tangled like spider webs,

After seeing the monstrous form that could not be contained by the eyes that perceive emotions, the tremor in her heart had not ceased.

It was the first experience since receiving the title of Apostle. No, it would be more accurate to say it was the first form she had seen since gaining the eyes that perceive emotions.

She had never seen such a bizarre color before.

Even after enough time had passed, her hands trembled.

“…My God.”

Elysia bowed her head and prayed. Calling upon the name of a God who always remained silent.

“Why do you give me such trials?”

Elysia prayed again today.

“What is the reason for showing me that monster? Are you telling me to soothe his pain with a gentle heart…?”

To the God who offered no answer to her question of whether granting the rest of death was sufficient.

“…Why are you silent?”

“I am here, prostrated in this place, forsaking your name for you…”

“Why is there no response, even though I have made so many followers of you?”

From behind Elysia, the sound of many footsteps echoed. The footsteps of those who had abandoned their faith.

-If we kill that woman, we can ascend as Apostles.

-It was written in the ancient grimoire… If we kill a strong dark sorceress, we can become even stronger…!

-After all, that woman is alone, right…? She hasn’t formed a knight order like the other Apostles… Cough…!

Elysia shed tears as she focused on her prayer. Lightly ignoring the heavy scent of blood, she silently spoke her fears to God.

Without remembering the names of those she had killed.

“God….”

I was calling out the name of the divine.

I had never felt this way even when I saw the Pope. He was consumed only by a desire for the heavens.

Wanting to seize the world.

Grasping for power.

There was only a desire to annihilate, and it was not frightening. I could simply bury those filthy emotions deep within my heart.

But he was different.

More wicked than anyone else.

And yet, at the same time, kinder than anyone.

What terrified me the most was the unfathomable sorrow that filled that space, which settled in Elysia as a great fear. It was frightening and daunting.

Seeing emotions that could not be expressed in words, Elysia shuddered as she recalled that day.

Even when faced with a horrific murderer.

Even when encountering a robber brandishing a knife at my throat.

Though the thought of dying crossed my mind, I was not afraid.

Unfathomable sorrow.

Endless rage.

A murderous intent that felt like it could tear me apart.

Knowing that there was no one in this world who could harbor such feelings, Elysia trembled in fear.

It felt as if I could not dare to oppose him.

Her ability was to manifest everything visible. Especially those with immense emotions were easy prey, allowing her to manipulate and kill at will.

But he was—

-Tremble.

A monster that far surpassed her realm.

‘I will die…’

‘If I see that person’s emotions, I will die…’

‘I will surely perish…’

The fear that echoed indirectly felt like it was shaking her entire body, and Elysia was terrified.

In that moment.

-Clack.

The sound of unfamiliar heels echoed in Elysia’s ears.

The feeling that resonates is ‘peace’

It was the emotion of a messenger sent to convey someone’s words.

“Saint Onyu.”

A man’s voice reached Elysia’s ears, interrupting her prayer. A calm voice, one that controlled its emotions.

At the sound of the man’s voice, Elysia turned her head, and as soon as she saw his face, she frowned.

He was an unwelcome guest.

“What brings you to my church, Archbishop of Shame?”

Archbishop of Shame.

The man who had killed her son was stepping into her sanctuary with dirty feet. Elysia frowned even more than when she faced the heretic who had come to kill her.

“I have come to convey the words of the Apostle of Temperance.”

– Saaah…

The color of emotion shifted to purple.

A deep purple, rising like a mirage.

Elysia suppressed the crackling rage within her and silently called out to Onyu. She wanted to avoid an irreversible mistake born from a moment of anger.

The Apostle of Temperance held her weakness in his grasp. That man was the blood of the Apostle of Temperance.

– Your son was killed by my brother.

– No… please, no!!!

– Do you wish to save him?

– Please… save him.

– Very well. But make me one promise.

Elysia clenched her fists, thinking of the Temperance that held her leash. And the Archbishop smiled as he looked at Elysia.

The Archbishop of Shame spoke to Elysia.

“You have failed.”

“…”

“And you were caught by the commander of the Empire’s knights.”

He pointed out the Apostle’s mistake with an arrogant expression, as if it were the fault of a superior.

“The Apostle is greatly disappointed.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“I cannot do that. I am a messenger who conveys his words. Even if Saint Onyu does not wish to hear me, I will remain loyal to my duty.”

Crackle.

Elysia clenched her fists and glared at the man before her. Then she closed her eyes upon seeing the ‘old watch’ he held.

“…”

Gold.

She shut her eyes at the unspoken threat from the archbishop who held her leash.

– The Pope finds your talent quite charming.

-…

– However, it seems the leash must be tightened… There’s nothing you can do with that look in your eyes. It would be wise for you to follow my words right now.

– Please… I’ll do anything, just spare my son.

– Then… is this your son’s belonging…? Hah! No… is it a keepsake?

Disillusionment washed over her.

This very situation.

She had no regrets about abandoning God, but anger surged at the mistake she had made that day.

“Speak… please.”

The archbishop nodded lightly.

“If this matter concludes well, the Apostle has promised to return this item to you.”

“…”

“However, since things have turned out this way, he expressed his disappointment.”

“Archbishop.”

“…”

“Are you toying with me?”

The emotion visible in the man’s eyes was delight.

The arrogance and pride of being able to treat the Apostle with such disdain. The colors of this emotion danced and frolicked.

With just a gesture, he could kill her.

She could twist that emotion and turn it into a corpse, but knowing that the Apostle of Temperance would never easily permit such a thing, Elysia closed her eyes against her fury.

Surely.

Temperance would be here.

“Shut up, Archbishop.”

“…”

“Are you feeling giddy with the Apostle at your back?”

“I believe you are misunderstanding, Apostle. I am merely here to convey the words of the Apostle of Temperance…”

“Thinking that you can’t kill someone just because they are your blood… seems like a big misunderstanding.”

“…”

“Here, your brother, the one who embodies restraint, is merely a lamb believing in a single god.”

“…As I said before, I am just a messenger conveying the words of the Apostle of Restraint.”

Elysia let out a bitter laugh as she observed the emotions of the archbishop, who had clenched his fists. His feelings were filled with shame, just as his title suggested.

‘A presumptuous woman.’ That was the exact hue of his emotions.

The tangled web of various feelings writhing within him was not unpleasant to Elysia.

If she poked at it further, it would surely burst, but doing so would provoke Restraint to take action.

“Tell Restraint that if he comes here one more time, I will kill him, collar and all.”

“…”

“Why are you silent? Should I kill you too?”

“I apologize.”

Elysia knelt once more before the statue and lowered her head.

Before the massive statue illuminated by moonlight.

In one hand, an hourglass.

In the other, a sword.

As Elysia bowed her head before the statue of a benevolent-looking man, the archbishop of shame bowed his head and vanished into the darkness behind her.

Gentleness.

Benevolence.

Restraint.

And four others.

The seven apostles always maintained the highest power over the heretics, except for the four messengers of the Pope.

Elysia muttered softly.

“Just a single blood relative…”

In that moment, black shadows began to approach from behind the archbishop, who had vanished into darkness. As a shadow shaped like a blade moved closer to the archbishop, he bowed his head and spoke.

“The Apostle of Restraint prioritizes the matters of the Apostle of Gentleness above all else.”

“…”

“Thanks to that, the Apostle of Gentleness can reach true faith….”

A sharp shadow loomed right before the archbishop’s eyes. If he continued to speak, he would surely see blood.

“You have a good sense, Archbishop.”

“…”

“Don’t think that just because a wretched Apostle gives an order, you have to obey.”

“I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

Elysia twitched her eyebrows and spoke again to the Archbishop of Shame.

“Leave when you’re done.”

“…”

“Why? Is it shameful?”

Elysia’s gaze shone with a madness more intense than ever.

“Why do you think I won’t kill you?”

“…gulp.”

“Are you afraid of the Apostle’s decree?”

“…”

“There are countless ways to lift the decree. We can just start all over again.”

“…There is no way to lift the decree given by the Apostle of Restraint in this world.”

“Keep believing that. I’ll make sure you die the most painful death.”

Elysia’s eyes were bloodshot with rage.

“When the day of promise comes, I will kill you all.”

“…”

“I’ll take you back to before you killed my child and gift you with the worst pain once more. Just wait.”

“…”

Emotions tremble.

This time, it was anxiety and fear.

Elysia nodded with a satisfied smile at the Archbishop’s quivering emotions, more intense than any she had shown until now.

“Go on. I need to pray now.”

“Understood.”

“If you wag that tongue of yours one more time, you won’t die peacefully. Archbishop.”

The Archbishop clenched his fists and left, heading to where the Apostle of Restraint was.

*

In this sunny place called Hamel.

After a long time, I had gone out alone to do some shopping, and I was returning to the mansion with a pleasant smile.

Today is a glorious day, as the young lady has taken her first step. Regrettably, it was a step taken while holding my hand, but the outcome was satisfying enough that laughter never ceased.

“Uhm.”

In the bag, there was beef.

Asparagus.

It was filled with various spices and chocolate.

In particular, this chocolate was sourced directly from the young lady’s favorite shop.

I walked on, silently expressing my gratitude to the shopkeeper who had procured the finest chocolate, layered with solid chocolate inside a liquid state, boasting the best flavor.

– Thank you for pretending not to notice last time.

– Huh? No, it was nothing. I…

– Quiet. Take this.

– Yes?

– I thought the young lady liked chocolate, so I bought some. Be careful with it; it’s fragile.

The shopkeeper was always an angel.

With a small smile, I put more energy into my steps as I returned to the mansion. If I could just arrive at the mansion safely, I could naturally slip into the bath…

– Thud.

“Mm?”

– Crack.

“…?”

The sound of something breaking.

I felt the despair of a crumbling world as I lifted my head. A passerby had deliberately bumped into my shoulder. I hoped they would pay the price for their actions as I raised my gaze.

And then.

“Ah.”

I smiled at a familiar face.

Dressed in white.

With hair that fell to her shoulders.

And an old watch.

“Um…”

It was the archbishop.

Bearing the grand title of disgrace.

And as I looked at someone with such a remarkable fate, I smiled.

Thinking that this would be enough as a settlement.