Chapter 136

The rendezvous between the psychic parasite and Nastiorn was conducted covertly but swiftly, as they could immediately discern each other’s identities upon meeting.

Their discussions and negotiations did not take place through physical language. Instead, they opened their minds to each other and communicated through imagery.

They exchanged necessary information, calculated what each desired, and repeatedly gauged each other’s abilities. Despite these probing exchanges, the time that passed in the material world was less than a moment, showcasing the efficiency of those created to manipulate the mind.

The psychic parasite’s first inquiry regarded the detailed composition of Argeyirion. As Nastiorn, whose role was to support Argeyirion and invoke its cause, this was an unavoidable sensitive question.

The parasite revealed its intentions, stating it sought only to verify the truth behind the rumor of an alliance between the Theistic Order and Argeyirion.

Nastiorn couldn’t fathom why the Theistic Order had suddenly become a topic of conversation.

However, Nastiorn knew that the parasite’s kind had been at odds with the Theistic Order since ancient times. If Argeyirion were indeed aligned with the Theistic Order, it would be reasonable for the parasite to hesitate in forming an alliance.

“No, that’s merely an excuse fabricated by the Ten Towers to cover up their failures.”

“Indeed? What then is the true relationship with the Theistic Order?”

“Wizards, while bound by decrees, fear what they cannot understand. Superstition-followers lie beyond the wizards’ comprehension, so they wield the names of such groups to oppress magical society. They are merely tools.”

The parasite found this answer satisfactory, as it aligned with how its own kind had historically dealt with religious orders—whether as tools for parables or propaganda, there was little difference.

“You must wonder why I brought this up. The adversary your Argeyirion speaks of, the one I have faced…”

‘Could it really have ties to the Theistic Order? That seems unlikely.’

For Nastiorn, this was a puzzling story. He knew that the Theistic Order had declined significantly over the past centuries due to the relentless oppression by the Ten Towers.

According to Haltos and other high-ranking members of Argeyirion, one of their adversaries was a monster created by Baegwang—a being essentially considered a bastard offspring of the Ten Towers, though fundamentally still a creation of the Ten Towers.

Such a creature, which constituted sacrilege against divinity itself, could never be tolerated by those affiliated with the Theistic Order. Could the order’s priests truly consider such a being as a companion?

“…Because he is a demigod.”

Nastiorn was bewildered. Had the long-sealed individual gone mad?

No. The psychic parasite inherently possessed a spirit immune to the ravages of time. Those who existed with unwavering self-sacrifice to serve as bedrocks for the future were unlikely to succumb to madness easily.

“I felt a power within him that I could not comprehend. It defied categorization as either martial prowess, magic, or even elemental mastery. This irrational ability to bear fruit without seed has only ever been witnessed in the divine essence of the Twelve Great Gods.”

‘Is he truly mad?’

If there were a demigod among the Theistic Order, they wouldn’t be engaging in such a pitiful struggle. They would have unleashed the divine power of their lineage to confront the Ten Towers head-on.

Yet, the psychic parasite remained the sole living witness who had encountered the supposed “adversary” and retained full memory of the event. Thus, Nastiorn could not dismiss its testimony lightly.

“So be it. Let’s assume this Ortes is a demigod. How do you plan to face him?”

“Even if not a true demigod, his level of danger is undeniable. I’ve heard that your Argeyirion has prepared for rebellion and secured the arsenal of the Ten Towers. Surely, obtaining a Magic Core capable of housing my form shouldn’t be difficult?”

Though not necessarily a Magic Core, there were many means to contain the psychic parasite. Technologies like the ones used to create silver soldiers (Drachma) could likely provide a suitable vessel for parasitic transformation.

“Complete the transformation and strike with unexpected power…”

This strategy resonated with Haltos’ own plans to counter Ortes. Even if they suffered losses on multiple fronts, a decisive victory must be achieved to cut off the enemy’s lifeline using a fatal move that Ortes could never anticipate.

Acquiring artifacts or a Magic Core sufficient to create a false god would impose a significant cost on Argeyirion.

But if Ortes posed even half the threat that Haltos feared, dealing with him now would be the right course of action. After all, hadn’t the seemingly deranged psychic parasite judged Ortes as a demigod-level threat?

Nastiorn quickly vowed to procure an object with a magical capacity suitable for hosting the psychic parasite.

One hour later.

Priests of the Theistic Order, led by the priestesses of the goddess Agrotera, began hunting and killing the physical forms of the psychic parasite.

The parasite’s decision was swift. Since the body present here was just one among many, it detonated the accumulated magic within, sweeping away its surroundings. Thus ended the Theistic Order’s first hunt.

Nastiorn did not immediately retreat far from the enemy group, moving instead from shadow to shadow, as he needed to uncover the reason the Order pursued them.

Listening to the priests’ conversations revealed that this was not merely a solo operation by the Agrotera Order. At least six or more orders had collaborated in hunting the psychic parasite.

“How could this happen!”

Nastiorn’s shock was justified. Just as people instinctively prioritize their own survival in times of crisis, the twelve orders comprising the Theistic Order would not hastily form a coalition solely for the sake of one order’s emergency when survival was paramount.

There were limited authorities capable of enabling such a union of orders.

‘Surely not…’

Surely not. A real demigod?

In this era, two millennia after the mythic age had ended?

From his hidden position within the shadows, Nastiorn quietly observed the hunters. Confident that he himself would not become a target of pursuit, as the hunters believed their quarry to be only the parasite, he noted that based on his knowledge of the Theistic Order’s current state, they should not be able to consecutively use sacred rites. With their decline, the divine power granted by the gods had undoubtedly weakened.

But that wasn’t the case.

The priestesses of Teleia, the queen of the gods and guardian of households, stepped forward to cast protective barriers around the priests, masking the flow of divine power from detection by mages. Inside the barrier, the priests of the hunting goddess began using sacred rites to track their prey.

Despite the parasite’s own magical interference, the rite didn’t succeed instantly. However, the priests continued to use the sacred rites without regard for depleting their divine power.

A sight impossible during a period of dwindling divine power. Witnessing this near-wasteful consumption sent a chilling intuition through Nastiorn.

Such extravagant use of divine power was unfeasible unless the priests had a new source of divine energy.

And throughout history, demigods had served as powerful mediators bridging gods and humans.

‘Truly?’

Truly a demigod?

Unconcerned with Nastiorn’s growing fear, the order’s hunters resumed their pursuit. If this continued, the parasite might run out of bodies to inhabit and perish.

The parasite must be hidden somehow. A transformed false god was essential to oppose Ortes, the alleged demigod.

‘At least…’

Fortunately, a bishop of the Bacchus Cult had been influenced by a gift. By inciting that bishop’s rampage, the Bacchus Cult had likely been devastated. With one of the few orders capable of fundamentally countering the parasite eradicated, there was some breathing room.

As long as the demigod himself did not intervene to confront the parasite, time was on their side.

***

“Heh. This feels convenient.”

The hurried movements of the Theistic Order’s priests came into view. This was why people set up automated hunts.

Surely, no one would call it cowardly if the Wizard King had been automating hunts for thousands of years, and now it was happening here too.

Cnemon was informed and Demos was assigned as temporary escort. It would be good for the two to get acquainted, given the upcoming confrontations with the Ten Towers.

Thus relieved of her guard duties temporarily, Kine was receiving training on the use of sacred rites from veteran priests of the order, despite being treated like a newcomer. Though Carisia was familiar with utilizing extraordinary abilities, her expertise lay in magic.

After undergoing the indoctrination of the veterans, Kine would surely become the secret weapon against the parasite.