Chapter 212: Oracle (2)
Chapter 212: Oracle (2)
[Kuang? Kuaang!]
Righteous Light, looking like a lion-beastkin version of Helena, let out a roar.
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Righteous Light hands you her mane, asking, [Want to take a look?]
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Her features were identical to Helena’s, but her eyes held a strangely sharp glint. Despite that, the woman, who possessed an air of absolute purity, fumbled as she handed me a muffler.
It was a fluffy muffler that looked as if someone had plucked a real lion’s mane and stitched it together.
So, this was just a cosmetic item….
As I took it reflexively, Righteous Light giggled and wrapped it around my neck herself. Then, with a bright smile, she began to clap enthusiastically.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
[Kuang! Kuaang!]
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Righteous Light marvels, [It really suits you!]
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“Uh… thank you. It definitely looks pretty cool.”
Checking my reflection in a mirror pulled from my inventory, the look was quite impressive.
Overall, it added a sense of nobility. However, that was merely the surface; beneath it, one could faintly sense a ferocity capable of tearing a throat out at any moment.
Even at a glance, it wasn't just a simple design; it was an impression altered by the addition of an Authority. It was a muffler that clearly showed a great deal of thought and effort had gone into it.
I suppose whether you're a human or a god, the true endgame is always cosmetics and character customization.
I once lived for character customization myself, so I knew the feeling well. In fact, my current appearance was a remnant of those days.
Just as a smirk escaped me at the absurdity of it all, Helena—who had been holding her tongue in the presence of her deity—pointed at me while trembling.
“T-That is….”
“Hmm? What is it, Priestess Helena?”
“I recognize it now! The muffler you are wearing, Brother, is a piece of the Holy Armor!”
“Pardon?”
According to Helena’s subsequent explanation, the Apostle of Righteous Light is granted a cloak made of light as a symbol of their station.
Its defining feature is a snow-white mane that covers the neck and shoulders, much like what I was wearing.
The cloak itself contains immense Holy Power and assists in all manner of Divine Arts… but its true value lies elsewhere.
Normally, it remains short, covering only down to the shoulder blades so as not to hinder movement. However, in battle, it extends to wrap around the entire body, taking the form of armor.
The Holy Armor, once it reveals its true form, goes beyond merely assisting the wearer; it strengthens and heals them on its own, and even reacts to crises by deploying shields and various other Divine Arts.
It was less a Divine Object and more an extension of an Authority. As such, it was a privilege reserved exclusively for the Apostle.
Come to think of it, in all the sacred paintings and statues I saw while touring the Great Temple yesterday, the Apostle was always depicted wearing the same armor.
“This is probably just a shell that mimics the form… but still, you’re giving something like this to me?”
[Khu-heong!]
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Righteous Light tempts you again, saying, [Yeah. It looks good on you, so why not just become my Apostle while you're at it?]
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“…I told you, I can’t.”
She certainly had a persistent streak.
[Kuaaang….]
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Righteous Light sulks, saying, [Kuaaang….]
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“???”
For a moment, I wondered if the translation was wrong and read it again carefully, but the content was the same.
She literally just said "Kuaaang"….
With her tail and ears drooping, Righteous Light began to hug Helena and nuzzle against her.
[Kruuuang…!]
“Pardon? Oh, uh… M-My Lord, if this is what you wish, then this body…!”
Did she think Righteous Light was angry because I had spoiled the mood earlier? Helena spread her arms wide and squeezed her eyes shut.
She looked exactly like a maiden being offered as a sacrifice to a lion.
However, her god didn't actually seem angry. She was simply clinging to Helena and purring like a pouting child.
Anyway, perhaps it was because they looked identical except for the ears and tail, but seeing the two of them stuck together like that was… quite a sight.
Curves and contours that even a nun’s habit couldn't hide were pressed together and distorted. Add to that the contrast between one person’s solemn, determined expression and the other’s satisfied one.
I shook my head to clear the lewd thoughts that were creeping in, even though we hadn't even started the important discussion yet.
“Ahem. Anyway, I’d like to get back to the main point. Would that be alright, Lady Righteous Light?”
[Krung?]
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Righteous Light looks embarrassed, saying, [I got so excited talking to someone after so long that I forgot for a moment… What was it? Were we talking about making this child an Apostle?]
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“That’s right. I would like you to make Priestess Helena your Apostle instead of me. I’m stronger as a mage… and above all, Lady Helena is a much better fit for you than I am.”
[Krung. Krurung.]
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Righteous Light agrees, [True. Helena does fit me well.]
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“…Huh?”
Was it because no divine punishment came no matter how long she waited with her eyes shut, only receiving some "kneading" instead?
Helena, who had peeked one eye open to look around, let out a dazed sound.
I lightly patted her on the shoulder and spoke.
“Don’t worry, Righteous Light isn't really angry.”
“Ah… that is a relief.”
Righteous Light continued, giggling at the sight of Helena sighing in relief.
[…Kuang.]
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Righteous Light says, […She looks so much like my first Priestess. I was truly startled when I first saw her.]
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“A Priestess? Not a Saintess or a Saint?”
“Did you know, Brother Yandel? Righteous Light has been present on this land since ancient times. It is said that in the era before there was even a proper religious framework, the Apostle was called a Priestess.”
“Just how long ago was that…?”
“Who knows? It was certainly before the Empire was even founded.”
“Hoh.”
The Empire was the largest nation on the Eurelia Continent… but it was also the very first nation.
In other words, Righteous Light had been around since the Paleolithic or Neolithic eras in the form of a primitive religion.
“The scale is so massive it makes my head spin… More importantly, if she looks like the first Priestess….”
As I looked back and forth between the two, Righteous Light noticed and grinned, pressing her face right against Helena’s.
“M-My Lord?!”
[Grrr. Kung.]
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Righteous Light says, [She’s probably a distant descendant. My human form is modeled after that girl, which is why they look so much alike.]
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Helena was frozen in panic, while Righteous Light looked purely delighted.
I wondered if it made sense for a descendant from thousands of years ago to look this similar… but surprisingly, it was possible in this world.
Bloodlines with special powers maintained their characteristics, however faintly, through generations.
And if a regression to the origin occurred, those traits would persist for several more generations.
The Lindelheit family was a perfect example. Hadn't the dragon blood, which was thought to have thinned out, become thick again after the Progenitor’s awakening?
In the form of immense mana and beautiful looks.
There was likely something in Helena as well. Something that served as the foundation of her talent. …Though I didn't quite have a grasp on what "talent for a Saintess" meant.
Was there a constitution that influenced personality or way of thinking?
While I was tilting my head in thought, I spoke up for Helena, who looked like she was about to hyperventilate.
“Uh… anyway, that means you’ll take Lady Helena as your Saintess, right?”
[Kuang Kuang.]
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Righteous Light smiles a bit lonely, saying, [Yeah. It seems you have your own plans, Yandel. My support would actually be a hindrance, wouldn't it?]
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Righteous Light suddenly slumped like a woman who had been stood up.
“Well… it’s not exactly a hindrance. Really. It’s just that it doesn't quite suit me. And it would be a waste.”
Righteous Light perked up her ears at my words, which sounded like an excuse.
Seeing her look as if she were telling me to go on, I nodded and continued.
“My goal is to destroy all the Evil Gods. This is something that is absolutely impossible to do alone. Having both an Archmage and a Saintess would be much stronger than me being an Archmage-slash-Saint.”
For example, if I were to be mortally wounded and fall unconscious, who would heal me?
It’s good to become strong enough to do anything alone… but the Evil Gods are not opponents that can be defeated with that kind of stubbornness.
So, I felt I could say at least this much to Righteous Light and Helena.
[…….]
The moment the words about killing the Evil Gods left my mouth, Righteous Light froze with her jaw dropped.
She looked as if she had been struck by lightning.
However, before long, she seemed to recover from the stun. Her mouth hung open for a moment, and then… she began to dash around the chapel.
She looked like she couldn't contain her joy.
After circling the chapel about three times, hopping around for no reason, and finally rolling across the floor back to her original spot, Righteous Light stopped.
She stood up abruptly, her golden eyes sparkling, and pounced on me.
“Whoa…?”
It was a movement that was fluid yet threatening, reminiscent of a predator hunting. I instinctively twisted my body to dodge, but….
As if this were nothing, Righteous Light calmly countered and pulled me into a hug.
“Ack.”
As I let out an ungraceful sound and slumped into the chair behind me, Righteous Light finally spoke.
[Kuang! Kung! Krurung! Kuaang!]
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Righteous Light’s eyes sparkle as she says, [No one in this day and age has said those words sincerely! Even the child called the Pope only thought of sealing the Evil Gods, never of killing them!]
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Helena seemed to be of a similar mind, staring at me blankly.
“Brother… are you serious? Not just wiping out the cults, or clearing all the dungeons to restore the glory of the Good Gods… but destroying the Evil Gods….”
“Yes. To begin with, it’s already too late. Even if we kill all the cultists and clear all the dungeons now, the Evil Gods will still break free from their seals. And this time, with insufficient preparation and no Hero, the world will truly meet its end.”
“You speak as if destruction is already certain.”
“At least, as far as I know, it is.”
“Ah….”
The atmosphere grew heavy as they realized I was serious. However, Righteous Light didn't seem to care, flopping down to lie across my lap.
Then, she reached out a hand and guided mine to her stomach.
[Krung.]
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Righteous Light boldly demands, [Pet me!]
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“Pardon? What do you mean….”
Dissatisfied with my flustered hesitation, Righteous Light kept hold of my hand and moved it in circles or stroked it up and down her belly.
The sensation of her abdomen against my palm was incredibly soft.
Without thinking, I glanced up, only to see Helena hurriedly covering her own stomach.
Her face was slightly flushed. She was kind of cute.
As I was idly thinking that, Righteous Light grabbed my head and turned it back toward her.
[Kuang. Krurung.]
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Righteous Light nods, saying, [You definitely have the qualities to be my Apostle, but if that's the case, I understand why you're refusing!]
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“Thank you for understanding. Then, for now, please take back a bit of my blessing and transfer it to Lady Helena….”
[Khu-heong!]
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Righteous Light puffs out her cheeks, saying, [I don't want to!]
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Her cheeks, which were indeed puffed out tight, deflated only after I stroked her belly a few more times.
[Kuaaang!]
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Righteous Light looks triumphant, saying, [There’s a better way! If you help me just a little, you can keep your blessing while making Helena a Saintess!]
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“Oh… that would be great. You need my help? What should I do?”
If such a way existed, I had to do it immediately. I guess a god is a god after all. She was incredibly reliable.
[Kuang! Kuang!]
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Righteous Light smiles brightly, saying, [It’s simple! You two just need to overlap your bodies!]
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“…What did you say?”
I faltered for a moment at the completely unexpected suggestion and asked again, but Righteous Light maintained her smile and made a gesture, tucking her thumb between her index and middle fingers.
[Krung!]
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Righteous Light nods confidently, saying, [Male! Female! Mating!]
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The answer came out instantly, as if she had been waiting for this very moment.
Upon hearing those words, Helena, perhaps realizing what it meant, turned pale and collapsed to the floor, beginning to pray fervently.
Righteous Light continued to look at Helena with a smile full of goodwill.
It was a total mess.