Chapter 290: Blasphemy(2)
Chapter 290: Blasphemy(2)
The young man who firmly believed himself to be Xenon—the fake Xenon—wore a dazed expression as he stared at the woman who had appeared without warning.
Her hair held the golden hue of a sun-drenched plain, and her eyes shone like the azure sky stretching above it. She wore the white habit of the Church of Luminous, yet the modest garment did little to hide the elegant curves of her figure.
Holiness seemed to radiate from her very presence, accompanied by the faint, lingering scent of lilacs. She possessed a purity and mercy so profound that one might fear even holding her hand would leave a stain. Her gentle smile was the kind that could dissolve any lingering resentment in a person's heart.
If Lily, the Saintess from the Xenon Chronicle, were to manifest in the real world, would she feel like this? Her poise was nothing short of saintly.
Stunned, the fake Xenon could only stare blankly, unable to find his voice even when she addressed him. He hadn't felt this level of awe even when he encountered the Elf woman who called herself Sophia.
Slap!
In that brief moment of distraction, the Elf woman he had been clutching hurriedly shook off his hand and fled. She was equally bewildered by the sudden appearance of a high-ranking cleric, but her priority was putting distance between herself and the imposter.
However, Xenon didn't even glance at the fleeing Elf. His eyes remained fixed on the priestess. He had met many beautiful women and shared many "interesting" encounters, but none compared to the woman before him.
How beautiful, how divine, and how pure. Any ordinary man would have been left utterly speechless and starstruck.
But this man—this "Xenon"—was different. As the scent of lilacs tickled his nose, he quickly regained his composure.
"Ahem. Excuse me, but who might you be?"
He turned his head slightly to hide his reddening face as he asked the question. He was busy trying to suppress the frantic thumping of his heart. Despite his history with many beauties, he had never felt like this. Was this truly destiny?
Could she be...?
He cleared his throat and stole another glance at her. At the same time, he recalled the description of Lily from the Xenon Chronicle.
Lily was a woman with snow-white hair and golden eyes, befitting her name's meaning. This woman's colors were different.
However, her physique was a perfect match. Her height was above average, and her beautiful figure was evident even through the pure white habit.
It's her. This woman is definitely Lily, the Saintess from the book. The man reached his conclusion.
The dark, murky emotions that had momentarily vanished surged back, and a smile that contrasted sharply with the woman's purity spread across his face.
"Ah, forgive my rudeness. My name is Kate Louise Angelica. I am a humble servant of Luminous, the God of Light and Hope."
At his question, the woman—Kate—bowed her head politely. Perhaps because her habit was made of a form-fitting material, the curve of her ample chest became even more pronounced as she leaned forward.
There was no skin showing, yet the sight felt strangely provocative. The fake Xenon's heart raced even faster at the subtle sensuality he sensed from her.
But his lust was momentarily eclipsed by shock when he processed her name.
If she's Kate, then surely...
Kate Louise Angelica. While perhaps not as famous as the author Xenon, her name was currently echoing across the globe.
A few months ago, the Fallen Cardinal incident had sent shockwaves through the Holy Nation of Savior and the rest of the world. She was the one who had resolved that crisis and currently wielded the greatest fame and influence in Savior.
She was practically dragging the Holy Nation along by its collar after its foundations had been shaken, and rumors suggested her standing was now equal to that of the Pope. Although the Church of Luminous didn't originally have a formal rank for a 'Saintess,' there were movements to create one specifically for her due to her monumental achievements.
She was a Cardinal revered as a devout follower of Luminous and hailed as the next Pope or Saintess. Unlike the Lily in the books, who possessed no combat ability, Kate was the ultimate polymath—unrivaled in both martial prowess and faith.
The fake Xenon's heart hammered against his ribs as he realized a world-renowned figure he'd only read about in newspapers was standing right in front of him.
"Cardinal Kate... I've heard much about you. The Grand Inquisitor who purged the fallen cardinals and personally hunted down demon worshippers. I heard you are the cleric who works harder than anyone to cleanse the world."
"I am flattered. However, I am still far lacking compared to him."
"Him?"
Did she mean Luminous?
As the fake Xenon tilted his head in confusion, Kate's smile deepened.
"I merely sweep away the trash that defiles the Light. There is only one person who truly brings Light to this world. Surely you know who I mean?"
"Ah."
He nodded as if he finally understood. But soon, a wave of displeasure washed over him, and his brow furrowed.
He didn't need to ask to know she was referring to Xenon. More specifically, the 'Author' Xenon, not himself.
He wasn't stupid. In fact, he prided himself on his quick wit. That was why he felt even more insulted. Why did this woman respect the author instead of him?
After all, he was the very person the author had used as a motif. From the name to the birth, and even the achievements he would eventually accomplish. Everything the author wrote was merely a record of his own future deeds, so why did she respect him?
Filled with resentment, the man who believed himself to be Xenon spoke to Kate.
"You said it earlier, didn't you? That you came looking for someone named Xenon."
"Yes. I heard some... irritating rumors."
Even as the fake Xenon dropped his formal tone and spoke with arrogance, Kate's smile didn't waver. On the contrary, her tone turned strangely sharp, but he paid it no mind and continued.
"Well, you've come to the right place. I am the Xenon you're looking for. Oh, and just to be clear, I'm the real Xenon, not some mere scribbler."
"...Scribbler?"
At the derogatory term for the author, the corners of Kate's mouth dipped slightly before curling back up. It happened in a flash, so the man claiming to be Xenon didn't notice.
Right now, his only thought was to make Kate his companion. She was the true Saintess.
What about Jin, his supposed love interest? He could find her later. Besides, they were just motifs; there was no proof they were actually lovers in reality.
By that logic, his own existence was a contradiction, but he lacked the mental capacity to realize it. He was the protagonist. Everything in the book was his story.
Therefore, anything he did would be forgiven. Who would dare refuse the hero who would save the world?
"You didn't come looking for that scribbler Xenon, did you? You came for me, right?"
"...Yes. That is correct. Now that I've seen you in person, I can see you aren't merely 'impersonating' him."
"Why would I impersonate anyone? I am the real Xenon. It's an insult to even compare me to those fakes."
Maintaining his arrogant posture, the fake Xenon slowly walked toward Kate. With every step, the scent of lilacs grew stronger, and a sense of holiness seemed to envelop his entire body.
He wanted her. Just like Lily in the Xenon Chronicle, he wanted to recruit Kate as a companion and set off on an adventure. The Elf woman he had been holding just moments ago was already long forgotten.
Attraction. This was the first time in his travels he had felt such a powerful draw. This was surely true destiny.
With a smile full of ulterior motives, he stood boldly before her. He had noticed it from a distance, but up close, her beauty and figure were exceptional. Even through the habit, her curves were clearly defined.
Could she have worn this outfit just for him? Specifically to find him?
Lost in his own delusions, the fake Xenon took a ragged breath of excitement and looked into Kate's face. Like a true Saintess, she wore a heart-warming smile directed solely at him.
Reach—
Without even trying to control his murky desires, he slowly reached out his hand. He aimed for Kate's snow-white cheek. There wasn't a speck of dirt on her, but he intended to stain her with his own colors from this moment on. He would make her entirely his.
Because he was Xenon. The hero of heroes who would save the world.
Unaware of the hideous greed growing in his heart, his hand was inches from her cheek when—
Slap!
Kate coldly swatted his hand away while maintaining her smiling face. It was a firm, decisive gesture, yet the fact that her smile never faltered was the key point.
The fake Xenon was naturally bewildered. The atmosphere had seemed to permit his touch, so he never imagined he would be rejected so harshly.
Meanwhile, Kate brushed off the hand she had used to swat him away as if it were contaminated, then spoke quietly.
"Do not even think of laying a hand on my body."
"What?"
"My body belongs to him. Until the day he embraces me, I have a duty to remain pure."
The fake Xenon's brow twitched the moment he heard those words.
A body for him. In other words, she meant the author Xenon, not the man standing before her. Not only that, but her mention of remaining pure until he embraced her implied she viewed the fake as something filthy.
Why? Why would she rather be embraced by a mere scribbler than the hero who would save the world? At least by his logic, the situation was incomprehensible. What did that guy have that he didn't?
"...Kate."
"Please address me as Cardinal, not by my name."
"Ha, give me a break."
Now she was even refusing to let him use her name. The fake Xenon let out a scoff of disbelief and looked her straight in the eye. Kate still wore that benevolent smile. It only made him angrier.
"Are you playing games with me? I am Xenon, and you're refusing to even let me touch you?"
"I suppose your name is Xenon. However, do not place yourself on the same level as him."
"This is ridiculous. If you think about it, his achievements only exist because of me."
"...Pardon?"
This was something Kate couldn't simply ignore. Her benevolent smile vanished, replaced by a look of genuine confusion in her blue eyes.
What kind of nonsense was this? Not only Kate, but the bystanders watching from a distance shared the same question.
"Think about it. That scribbler you call 'him' wrote the Xenon Chronicle using me as his motif. Do you understand?"
"..."
"From your expression, I guess you don't. Let me explain it slowly. The Xenon Chronicle was only able to appear in this world because it used me as a motif. Therefore, everything that guy achieved is thanks to me."
His point was this: because he, the motif, existed, the Xenon Chronicle could exist. Therefore, the achievements of the Xenon Chronicle were essentially his own. Shouldn't he receive the same, if not better, treatment than the author?
To anyone else, it was pure nonsense or sophistry, but the fake Xenon firmly believed it. His birth, his name, and even his talent—all these factors had combined to create a massive delusion.
"In fact, that guy basically stole my future achievements. In other words, the things written in the Xenon Chronicle are the great deeds I was originally destined to achieve in the future."
Stroke—
Perhaps she was caught off guard. Stunned by his jaw-dropping sophistry, Kate failed to react in time, allowing him to make physical contact. The man's grubby hand caressed her cheek.
It wasn't a tender touch, but a hideous, sticky, and unpleasant sensation.
But after a moment of processing the touch, Kate stared at the man with a blank expression. Since they were of similar height, she could look him directly in the eye.
He didn't have passionately glowing red hair like him, nor did he have sparkling golden eyes like him. There was only a hideous sacrilegious fool defiling a sacred name.
With a blank face, she grabbed the hand that was stroking her cheek. The fake Xenon's vile smile widened at the gesture, but that was as far as it went.
Grip!
"Huh?"
"You..."
Kate gripped his hand tightly and whispered under her breath.
"You profane wretch!!"
CRUNCH!!
With a scream of fury, she completely crushed his hand.
Her grip was powerful enough to crush boulders into sand and squeeze water from the dust. The hand of a human—especially a physically unremarkable one—was nothing more than powder to her.
CRA-CRACK!!
"AAAAAAAGH!!"
The man let out a blood-curdling scream as the agonizing pain of his hand being pulverized into a tattered mess hit him. The hand Kate held was already crushed beyond recognition, and blood began to pour out like juice being squeezed from a fruit.
The blood of the profane wretch stained her hand red. But Kate didn't care. Her priority was punishing the sinner who had committed 'sacrilege' right before her eyes.
The sinner was currently on his knees, screaming in unbearable pain.
"How dare a creature like you insult him!! How dare you reach out your filthy hand toward the Light he has spread!!"
"Aaaagh! Argh!! Gaaaah!!"
Kate's shouting didn't reach his ears. If it had been a clean amputation, the pain might have been less, but his hand had been completely pulverized. Bones were shattered into dust, and the skin and muscle protecting them were torn to shreds.
The fake Xenon had no choice but to collapse to his knees from the unprecedented agony.
Rip!
As if tearing a piece of paper, Kate ripped away the hand that had lost all meaning of existence. Since the flesh and bone above the wrist had been turned to powder, it came off easily with just a little force. Of course, even this required immense physical strength, giving a glimpse into just how powerful she was.
"Aaaagh! Argh!!"
The fake Xenon—no, the imposter—clutched his wrist and let out a pathetic wail. Thick blood poured from his wrist like a faucet. At this rate, he would surely die from blood loss.
Kate looked down at him as he thrashed and screamed as if he were a mere insect, then silently reached out her hand.
Shhhhh—
A golden light began to emanate from her hand, eventually flowing into the imposter. This was Divine Power—the strength only clerics possessed and the very proof of a god's existence.
The Divine Power of the Church of Luminous was originally white, but Kate's was so potent it rivaled that of the Pope or Isaac, radiating a brilliant golden hue. And its effect was nothing short of a 'miracle.'
"Ugh... H-huh...?"
The imposter, who had been trembling while clutching his wrist, stared in utter shock at the 'miracle' unfolding before him. The golden energy slowly seeped into his wrist, and to his amazement, it began to 'regenerate.'
To be clear, it wasn't 'healing,' but 'regeneration.' Healing merely stops bleeding and closes wounds, but regeneration is a phenomenon that transcends that.
The part of his arm that should have been missing—the hand that had been hideously torn and crushed—was growing back. Like a seed sprouting and growing into a stem before finally blooming, a small hand began to grow from his wrist.
Once the hand was fully restored and the imposter was staring blankly at it, Kate spoke in a stern voice.
"In the name of Luminous, I declare this to you. Your name may be Xenon. But that is merely a name, and his achievements are by no means yours."
"..."
"If you insult him with that mouth one more time..."
Kate shook the blood from her hands and made a declaration.
"I will personally change your name to something else. In the name of Luminous, I shall help you be born anew."
"I-I am... Xenon. I am Xenon! What do you know?!"
Apparently, the warning hadn't been enough. As the imposter shouted in desperation, Kate looked down at him with eyes colder than before.
How could this thing be Xenon? If he had possessed a decent character like the Xenon in the books, she might have been willing to offer some support. But before her was nothing but a parasite who lacked both character and skill. A maggot defiling the name of 'Xenon.'
If demon worshippers were trash that harmed the world, this imposter was a maggot defiling the name of Light. They were similar, but he didn't need to be executed on the spot like a demon worshipper. Yet, he couldn't be left alone either.
Kate sighed, folded her hands neatly, and offered a quiet prayer.
"O Luminous... please grant me the strength to help this foolish soul repent."
"You bitch...!"
As she prayed, the man lunged at her. He must have had some confidence in his skills, as his speed was like a lightning bolt.
But he had picked the wrong opponent. No matter how skilled he was, could he possibly compare to a 'Grand Inquisitor'?
Kate simply shifted her body, easily dodging his charge, and tripped him.
Thud!
"Argh!"
The Xenon imposter fell pathetically once again. He tried to get up immediately, but he didn't get far.
Grip!!
"AAAAAGH!!"
Kate grabbed him roughly by the hair. The imposter resisted violently as the pain felt like his scalp was being torn off. But his resistance was futile. Her strength was so immense that the more he struggled, the worse the pain became.
The imposter reacted fiercely, claiming he couldn't be defeated like this because he was Xenon, but...
"I suppose one hand wasn't enough?"
"..."
He fell silent instantly at Kate's murderous smile.
The incident in Albenheim Plaza concluded there, and the man who called himself Xenon vanished. Only he and Kate knew where he had gone.
With the disappearance of the Kair imposters as well, the diplomatic friction between Albenheim and Savior was cleanly resolved.
Isaac's reaction when he read about the situation in the newspaper was...
"It's become quite 'mysterious.'"
It reminded him of a certain country from his previous life.
*
After 'reforming' (?) the man who had been defiling Xenon's name, Kate headed to the shower to wash up.
Interrogation had always been her specialty, so reforming a delusional man who insisted he was Xenon wasn't difficult.
Could she have framed an innocent man? There was no need to worry. If she had committed a sin, Luminous would have personally rebuked her. But He hadn't. This meant that Luminous, and indeed all the gods, had given their tacit approval.
If Xenon's name were defiled, it would be troublesome for the gods who supported him. Therefore, such imposters had to be eliminated early on.
Splash—
"..."
As she washed her body in the shower, Kate looked at her reflection in the mirror. Blood from the 'interrogation' had splattered on her face and hardened, but it wasn't the blood she was concerned about.
It was the cheek that the maggot who insulted Xenon's name had touched. There was no blood on her cheek; in fact, it was perfectly clean. Yet, she placed her hand on it and rubbed it gently.
"...Filthy."
Scratch—
She stopped rubbing and began to scratch her cheek with her fingernails. Her beautiful features were contorted, and her benevolent smile was nowhere to be found.
"Filthy. Filthy. Filthy. Filthy. Filthy."
Scritch. Scritch. Scritch.
Kate muttered in a voice filled with madness and began to scratch her cheek violently. Her fingernails left red marks on her white skin, and eventually, beads of blood began to form.
It was a bizarre behavior that no one would consider normal. The light in her once-intelligent eyes was slowly fading.
It won't get clean.
Because she had scratched so frantically, her skin was raw and bleeding. But she didn't care about the blood or the wound.
She had kept her body pure for him, yet it had been defiled by that maggot.
Of course, he would probably say it didn't matter. But that would be a discourtesy and an insult to him.
He was the Saint who spread Light to this world, the very Light that would save it. How could she ever allow him to be insulted?
Kate scratched her cheek manically for a long while, her eyes devoid of light, until the face of a certain man surfaced in her mind.
‘I miss him...’
She longed to purify her defiled body through his touch.
She wanted to repay the grace he had bestowed upon her.
She wanted to receive his seed and spread his light throughout the world.
‘Please...’
Purify me.
Kate stopped scratching. With her Divine Power, she could have easily healed a wound of this magnitude, but she chose not to.
This was the mark of her defilement. Only he could erase it. She would leave the wound until then. She would seek him out in person, confess her sins, and beg for his forgiveness.
‘And soon, his seed...’
Kate smiled softly, resting her hand on her lower abdomen—the tiny chamber where a new light would one day be conceived.
Her turn had not yet come, but the mere thought of it sent a strange, electrifying thrill through her. She had already chosen a name: Lily. It was the name of his younger sister, and the same as the Saintess in the Xenon Biography.
"Haa..."
Standing beneath the cascading spray of the shower, Kate let out a feverish, breathless moan.