In the desolate wilderness, a priest of Enyalius introduced himself as Demos.
“What should I call you? I can’t keep referring to you indefinitely as the enemy of the Ten Towers.”
‘I’m not even considering being called Rank L13. And it’s understandable you wouldn’t want that blasphemous codename from Blasphemia either.’
“How about Utes?”
“Hmph. That name is obviously an alias.”
I shrugged. My face isn’t memorable unless someone has spent considerable time with me.
So I don’t feel much hesitation in revealing my face, but names are different. Unlike with new recruits from Blasphemia where I could have prepared some elaborate cover story…
It’s better to give a different name from the start.
“A prophet without a name whose eyes are closed. Very symbolic, isn’t it?”
That comment was unclear whether it was mockery or appreciation. Demos left it hanging as he briskly walked away.
“Where are we going?”
“Hmm. You did say you hadn’t attended any meetings of the Theistic Order, didn’t you? It’s understandable you wouldn’t know.”
“Given that Blasphemia has been chasing for such a long time and still couldn’t find it, I assume some kind of sanctuary was used.”
“True. Blasphemia has indeed been pursuing us for a very long time. But…”
Demos rolled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo of two snakes entwined around a staff – the symbol known as the Caduceus.
‘Wait? Isn’t that the symbol of Piraeus the gatekeeper, not Enyalius the war god?’
The moment I had this thought, Demos grabbed at the tattoo as if trying to tear flesh from his arm.
But no skin tore or muscle exposed. Just a golden emblem came loose in his hand and floated into the air.
Demos channeled divine power toward the hovering emblem, which grew larger as it absorbed the energy.
Finally, when the staff reached nearly 2 meters in height, the two snakes unwrapped themselves and solidified into snake-shaped pillars on either side. The space between the central staff and snake pillars filled with radiant divine light. As the staff seemed to melt away, it stained the shimmering curtain of divine power golden.
The undulating curtain of divine light between the two snakes facing each other was clearly a portal connecting spaces.
“Those who have not received the blessing of the gods cannot reach the sacred grounds of the Theistic Order. Come along.”
Demos naturally stepped through the golden portal, and I followed after him.
Beyond the spotless white marble corridor, footsteps could be heard approaching.
“They’re coming.”
It wasn’t just one set of footsteps. Hearing this, Hyacinth, the current Sect Leader of the Phobos Cult, murmured gravely.
‘A prophet of Phobos…’
There was once an age when the gods themselves spoke directly to people, when humans could behold the divine countenance.
But when the glorious era ended and the dark age brought by the wicked Wizard King began, the existence of prophets who conversed with the gods disappeared into history.
The same goes for the current Theistic Order. Among the sect leaders and bishops, there are those who claim to “receive revelations from the gods,” but none who claim to “hear the voice of the gods.”
Subtle omens and symbolic dreams are all that remain; truly those who can hear the voice of the gods have vanished.
It has been too long a silence, long enough to weary even the most devout.
‘That’s why when the Pope’s unholy plan was put to a vote, the other sects approved it…’
Yet now, a self-proclaimed prophet claiming direct communication with the gods has appeared.
A prophet of Phobos, no less.
It could not be accepted. How could the deity they had faithfully worshipped for so many years remain silent!
Hyacinth looked around. Most were wearing robes or veils covering their faces, making their expressions unreadable.
But Phobos sees far. Through his own faithful followers, Hyacinth could sense the emotions of others.
‘Most are cautious and observing.’
Hyacinth glared at a veiled woman sitting across the round table. Though veiled, it wasn’t a thick veil meant to completely conceal her face.
The almost transparent veil felt more like a bride’s veil waiting to be removed. Through the translucent veil, her facial features could be clearly seen, along with her striking golden hair.
Urania, acting Sect Leader of the Elimon Sect dedicated to pleasure, ecstasy, and sacred love.
‘Interesting…’
Though serving a spontaneous and hedonistic goddess, she showed curiosity even toward this highly suspicious self-proclaimed prophet. Hyacinth shook his head.
Two figures could be seen approaching from beyond the corridor.
The priests seated around the round table stood up.
Originally there should have been thirteen golden chairs around the round table. One was empty since the Pope was absent, and another because a representative of the Enyalius Sect had gone out to meet the visitor.
The eleven pairs of eyes focused on the two approaching figures, more precisely on the self-proclaimed prophet following behind Demos.
Demos spoke up.
“This is the one who prophesied to me about Argeyirion’s movements and the fall of Torres Tower. When we first met, he called himself the enemy of the Ten Towers, and upon meeting again, he revealed his name as Utes, now claiming to be nobody in particular. Fellow believers of the holy name, I hope you will welcome this prophet of Phobos appropriately.”
Hyacinth thought:
“The supreme leader among the sect leaders is absent. Therefore, it falls to me to speak first.”
Hyacinth stepped forward confidently, or perhaps angrily. Seeing this, the other priests returned to their seats.
With strong momentum, Demos moved to block Hyacinth’s path. Six steps between Demos and Hyacinth, and another six steps between Demos and Utes.
At twelve steps distance, Hyacinth shouted toward Utes:
“I, Hyacinth, legitimate Sect Leader of the Phobos Cult, declare: We of the Phobos Cult do not recognize your kind. Self-proclaimed nobody, you will reveal your true identity to me!”
This level of resistance was expected. What was surprising was that the other sects seemed to be holding back.
Unlike the others who kept their faces covered, Hyacinth, like Demos, had his face uncovered. Was this a gesture indicating he intended to speak as representative of the Phobos Cult?
“I do not know you either.”
“What?”
“But I do know one thing. That everyone here gathered is an enemy of the Ten Towers. And I too am an enemy of the Ten Towers. Even if you cannot trust me as a fellow believer, can you not trust me as an enemy of a common foe?”
Hearing my words, Hyacinth’s face slightly contorted.
“You claim to be a prophet of Phobos while not even knowing the Sect Leader–”
“Excuse me.”
The interruption came from one of the priests seated in the golden chairs. Judging by the timbre of his voice, he seemed to be a young man, perhaps just past puberty.
“Say ‘Ten Towers son of a bitch.'”
“Huh?”
“You claim to be an enemy of the Ten Towers, right? Say ‘Ten Towers son of a bitch.'”
“Ten Towers son of a–”
“I want my love reading!”
The sudden interjection came from a high-pitched voice – the veiled blonde woman.
“Urania, what are you doing? Ideological screening is an important process.”
“Proditus, you’re the one. This is someone vouched for by Demos! The issue isn’t whether he’s an enemy of the Ten Towers but whether his prophetic abilities are genuine!”
Their comments seemed to break some dam.
“Blasphemia job interview tips!”
“The high-frequency blade you’re carrying now – isn’t that a non-standard Blasphemia weapon?”
“Is it true they eat carrot stew in Blasphemia’s basement?”
“Where are Bacchus Sect’s children?”
While a few priests remained silent, the roundtable meeting room quickly filled with noise. Demos buried his face in his hands.
Approaching cautiously, Demos whispered:
“There used to be fewer people behaving so undignified… Understand, please. After decades of nothing but bad news, this seems to be a hopeful event, so everyone’s spirits are lifted.”
I gave a bitter smile. I had come here not to bring hope but to deceive.
Among the excited roundtable, Urania and Proditus were the loudest.
“Can you give me a love reading?”
“Say ‘Ten Towers son of a bitch.'”
“Love reading!”
“Ten Towers son of a–”
“Enough!”
Hyacinth shouted in anger. He had tolerated it a few times, but finally reached his limit.
“As someone responsible for leading a sect, everyone must maintain proper dignity! I am the one currently speaking to this person!”
*
Having suppressed the commotion with his angry shout, Hyacinth glared at Utes again.
“Since you’ve asked us to believe you’re an enemy of the Ten Towers, I shall test whether you truly possess the wisdom and prophetic ability to oppose them, as you yourself have claimed.”
Utes calmly nodded. His closed eyes and smiling lips gave the impression of someone contemplating the world from a place detached from worldly affairs. Everything about Utes irritated Hyacinth.
“Speak! Self-proclaimed prophet!”
‘No matter how capable you may be, there’s no way you could possibly know this.’
This was the most secret prophecy Hyacinth had divined. Not even the other sect leaders knew it – only the Pope had been informed.
Without divine selection, there would be no way to correctly answer this.
“What is the greatest calamity that will befall this world?”
Utes’ smile deepened. Hyacinth assumed this was merely an act to hide his confusion.
‘No matter what you say about the great purge of the Ten Towers or the invasion from another dimension, you won’t touch the truth. I’ll expose your false claims under the light of day.’
Slowly, Utes opened his mouth.
“…Wizard King.”
The voice was too soft, barely audible.
“If you’re a true prophet, you must clearly state your prophecy!”
A faint blue glow could be seen through Utes’ closed eyelids. The blueness intensified, as if casting shadows over the entire round table.
No.
The saturation of the world seemed to decrease.
In the suddenly darkened vision, a mist could be seen enveloping Utes from behind.
This was no ordinary mist. It rippled as if made from all the ominousness of the world collected together.
Within this haze-like fate, the shadow of an indescribably radiant being could be glimpsed.
Using this terrifying light as backlighting, Utes with glowing blue eyes delivered his prophecy.
“Return of the Wizard King.”
