Chapter 207: Brainwashing
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 207: Brainwashing
[The existence of a religion among humans that revered Blood Dagger was a rather peculiar affair from the Green Skins' perspective. It has already been described in the chapter titled 'The Wives of Blood Dagger' that among the women he cherished were several humans, but it is right to pay special attention to this individual named Baek Ahyeon. The reason is that the Old and New Testaments of Blood Dagger, which she personally authored, are now considered to be of great historical value.
She was an ardent follower who served him from their very first meeting... omitted... This religion, which began in a small temple in the Brother's Land, would later establish itself as a true faith, and it is said that the second temple built was comparable in scale to a small city. Interestingly, the one who aided in the construction of this temple was... omitted... - Excerpt from a very old book, The Footsteps of the Great Chieftains.]
To be honest, though Baek Ahyeon didn't know it, I hadn't paid much attention to her followers. I considered them a completely separate group rather than members of the Blood Dagger Clan. Of course, their advantages were quite immense. They might be less efficient than ordinary priests, but a congregation of priests with a final, ultimate move... It was only natural to want to applaud them.
“A-At last…”
For some reason, she was overcome with emotion. It seemed she was quite happy that I was finally showing interest. From her perspective, it was as if her achievements were finally being recognized, so she must have been overjoyed, but her rather excessive reaction made me feel a little awkward.
“I-It is difficult to explain with words alone. Rather than this, why don't you see it for yourself, O Savior?”
I began to consider it. It certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to visit at least once. It also seemed like a good opportunity for Alisha, who was still adjusting, to get some practice.
Baek Ahyeon clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling, and I could feel her body trembling with excitement.
“Then let's go right now.”
“Ah… y-yes!”
“Alisha, get ready.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Alisha’s long ears twitched as she nodded. Baek Ahyeon’s face was ecstatic, but she also looked a little nervous, as if she hadn't expected me to move so suddenly. Though she was always prepared, this would be the first time I had ever set foot in the temple she managed.
“O Savior. Then… w-with… with me.”
“I understand.”
And so, Baek Ahyeon, Alisha, and I set off. Our destination was quite close: the temple used by Baek Ahyeon and her followers on the outskirts of the Blood Dagger Clan’s territory. Baek Ahyeon had wanted to build something magnificent and grand, but we didn't have the resources to invest heavily in it, so we ended up fulfilling only a fraction of her ambitions.
The entrance to the temple was very simple. It had a certain lofty elegance, but it wasn't overwhelmingly large or imposing in its design. This, however, was exactly to my taste.
Beside me, Baek Ahyeon chattered on endlessly, presumably explaining the details of the temple.
“This temple is composed of one large pillar and several smaller ones. U-Uniquely, there is a foundation that supports the l-large pillar… th-this represents… m-me and the Savior…”
“I see.”
It looked like it had been built hastily, but a great deal of thought had clearly gone into it. I’d heard Lee Wanyong had designed it, and its appearance was enough to make me believe the stories that he had once been an architect.
Because the temple was on the outskirts, Alisha the elf had never seen it. Seeing a proper, handsome building, so different from the tents, she too seemed a little surprised. The blush on her face suggested she was thinking about the comments she had made before.
“Th-Then I will escort you inside, O Savior.”
“Thank you.”
It still felt strange, being revered like this. As we entered the temple, the first thing that came into view was, unexpectedly, a statue.
“D-Do you remember?”
“I remember.”
How could I not? The figure in the statue was none other than me. To be precise, it was me as an Orc, from when I first met Baek Ahyeon.
Before me sat an Orcish Blood Dagger, looking quite resolute. Of course, the figure of Baek Ahyeon, gazing up at the Orc with eyes full of adoration, was also sculpted, perfectly recreating the scene of our first meeting.
My image had been somewhat glorified in Baek Ahyeon’s memory, making me look a bit more handsome, but the quality of the statue was extraordinary; it looked as if it could come to life at any moment.
“Incredible…”
It was likely the work of a human sculptor. I glanced to the side and saw Baek Ahyeon looking at the statue, offering up another prayer. There was even an inscription on an elegant plaque at the base of the statue.
[The humble servant followed a sign where there was nothing, and what she saw was the Savior, who pierced through all things with his red eyes. The Savior asked, What is thy name? The humble servant spoke her name and uttered the word 'Savior' that was in her heart.
The Savior, borrowing the body of an Orc, proclaimed, I am not your savior. I am but a mortal who will help you achieve what you desire. Is it not revenge that you seek? I can lend you my strength.
Before his gaze, which seemed to see through everything, the humble servant could do nothing but nod her head. The Savior once again quietly regarded the humble servant and opened his mouth, and it was as if the very air around them had stopped.
When you reach the end, you will obtain what you desire. My beloved servant, wait quietly for the time to come.
When the humble servant, deeply moved by the Savior's voice, bowed her head and raised it again, there was nothing before her eyes. - The New Testament of Blood Dagger, Chapter 1, Verse 35.]
“Hmm…”
The story had been wildly exaggerated. The conversation was more or less accurate, but it had been arbitrarily altered to suit Baek Ahyeon’s tastes. This was apparently her version of a bible, and frankly, I was embarrassed at the thought of anyone else seeing it.
The second statue depicted me helping Baek Ahyeon get her revenge. The third showed my fight with that Jeong Jiyoung fellow in the Forest Worm burrow. The fourth was of me catching Baek Ahyeon when she jumped from a building in Somorah. Besides those, the moments of our lives together were preserved as if they were still breathing. The verses below them were also slightly distorted. To give just one more example, there was the one about catching Baek Ahyeon when she jumped from the building during the battle for Somorah.
[To bring down the hammer of judgment upon the fallen Somorah, the Savior's holy army entered the city, and the corrupt humans all fled in terror, shedding the black blood of demons. The Savior cried out, Where are you, my servant! and the humble servant nodded, saying that she could now see the Savior's gallant form.
The Savior tested her faith, saying, Leap, my disciple! and the humble servant threw herself down without a shred of doubt. At this, the Savior was greatly pleased and praised her for passing the test of faith, and the humble servant blushed and rejoiced greatly. - The New Testament of Blood Dagger, Chapter 3, Verse 21.]
'Fangirling…'
This was fangirling on a massive scale. It wasn't so bad for me, as it let me reminisce about old times, but it was another moment that made me marvel at Baek Ahyeon’s determination. The large statues were like figurines, and this book, the New Testament of Blood Dagger, was clearly fanfiction.
In other words, this was a Blood Dagger museum. She had somehow even found out what I looked like as a goblin; there were even statues depicting my evolutionary tree.
Everything was polished to a brilliant shine. Just then, Baek Ahyeon seemed to spot something and rushed over to start wiping a statue again.
“D-Dust.”
I couldn't see any dust. Baek Ahyeon’s expression was definitely filled with a kind of madness.
“Hah… hah…”
The sight of her scrubbing the statue so hard it squeaked was almost frightening. Seeing this, however, I could understand how Baek Ahyeon was able to increase her number of followers. From what I’d heard, many of the production workers and human hostages here had already converted.
Witnessing a scene like this, it would be strange not to feel a sense of awe. Baek Ahyeon’s face was certainly beaming with joy. For some reason, I felt like a friend obsessed with a product was showing off their collection, but Alisha was looking at Baek Ahyeon’s collection with a very serious expression.
“When you reach the end, you will obtain what you desire. My beloved servant, wait quietly for the time to come.”
She was even muttering it to herself. I had a feeling that this show of interest was just the beginning for her. When I glanced her way, a startled Alisha immediately twitched her ears and began to follow Baek Ahyeon again.
“P-Please look at this. This is a dagger the Savior once used.”
“Hmm…”
Truthfully, after I had a surplus of weapons, I started treating daggers as disposable, and this seemed to be one I hadn't retrieved. The sheer number of items filling the display cases in the temple was frightening even for me to see. There was even a plate I had used.
The display was so impressive that it almost made me want to believe in myself. It was needless to explain how much effort Baek Ahyeon had poured into this temple.
“From here on is the main worship hall. In the basement, there is an interrogation room and a place to re-educate the filthy heretics.”
“…”
“It is not difficult to proselytize to the followers who quickly grasp the Savior’s will, but there are some foolish ones who refuse to bend their own will. It is likely because they are too corrupted. How pitiful…”
I'd be seeing it soon enough anyway, but for some reason, I had a feeling they were living truly pitiful lives.
“Then, let us proceed to the worship hall.”
“Let’s.”
“Worship is held every day without fail. It is not time for worship now, but many of the followers are likely spending their time here after finishing their duties.”
Baek Ahyeon slowly began to open the doors to the worship hall.
The first thing that caught my eye was a statue of me on a throne made of weapons. With large horns and one hand propping up my chin, it looked quite cool even to me, and it emanated a strange aura. In its hand was Levatain. It seemed Levatain had left a stronger impression on Baek Ahyeon than Dainsleif.
That was only natural. In the moments I had spent with Baek Ahyeon, I had used Ancient Flame almost constantly, so that weapon must have been etched into her mind.
As I revealed myself, a stir went through the worship hall.
“O… O Savior.”
“O Savior!”
“When you reach the end, you will obtain what you desire.”
“O Savior!”
I still couldn't get used to everyone bowing toward me and cheering fanatically. Seeing as they were chanting Chapter 1, Verse 35 of the Blood Dagger scripture, that line seemed to be a key point.
The word ‘end’ could be interpreted in many ways, but I personally thought it meant martyrdom.
When Baek Ahyeon slowly and silently raised her hand, the crowd suddenly fell dead silent.