Chapter 165: Divine Power(1)
Chapter 165: Divine Power(1)
The Head Priest had called Kerry a priest.
It was because Kerry possessed divine power.
But Kerry, anticipating something like this might happen, had already prepared an excuse.
His bewildered companions all turned to look at him.
“Kerry, you're a priest?”
"Well, there are... circumstances."
Kerry's explanation was long and winding, but it boiled down to one point.
He claimed he had accepted the condition of becoming a priest in order to bring the Saintess with them.
Lina, her face filled with shock, said, "But Kerry, don't you despise Elena? Why would you accept such a condition...?"
"Because you said we absolutely needed the Saintess, Lina."
Lina bit her lip. The Saintess was indeed essential for the battles to come.
Still, the thought that Kerry had sacrificed himself for her sake left her feeling uneasy.
Of course the Saintess wouldn't have come along for nothing. Was this Elena's way of trying to improve her relationship with Kerry, even just a little?
Lina felt deeply indebted to Kerry.
I will definitely repay this debt, Kerry.
Seeing the resolute expression that flickered behind Lina's touched face, Kerry's conscience ached.
In fact, recently it had gone beyond a simple ache; his conscience was in critical condition, like a patient in the ICU.
Facing Lina's pure, unwavering trust only made the pain worse. Kerry avoided her gaze.
I'm so sorry for lying, Lina.
The others also voiced their concern for him.
"My husband. Again, because of us... you've pushed yourself too far..."
"Kerry. Why must you always try to bear everything alone?"
His companions were so pure-hearted they believed everything he said without a filter.
Watching them, his conscience felt like it was about to go into cardiac arrest.
I'm such a piece of trash! I'm so sorry!
Kerry desperately wanted to change the subject.
Just then, the Head Priest spoke, looking puzzled.
"So, the heroes were unaware that Sir Kerry possessed divine power. My apologies. It seems I have unintentionally caused you trouble, Sir Kerry."
"It's alright, Head Priest."
Not alright at all, actually. But it's not like I can curse him to his face.
Then he saw the Saintess staring at him, a look of utter disbelief on her face. If eyes could curse, they would look exactly like that.
You and I will have a talk later.
Come to think of it, the Saintess was a big reason he'd become such a piece of trash.
If she'd just been normal, he wouldn't have needed to tell this lie in the first place. Now I'm getting pissed.
The Head Priest then asked Kerry, "If not a priest, what role do you typically fill in the party, Sir Kerry?"
That was... difficult to put into words. Lately, he felt like a commander, but he also used magic to shield the rear.
Who knew he'd be having an identity crisis here of all places. Still, his most distinct role was probably a mage.
"I act as the party's mage. Though I'm still inexperienced."
"..."
The Head Priest's expression turned puzzled again. What is it now?
"That is a bit strange. You certainly possess divine power... Are you truly a mage?"
Natasha answered for him.
"My husband is a mage of incredible talent! Everyone here knows it."
"..."
"Is it so strange for a mage to become a priest?"
"...Yes. A priest is, by nature, one who serves and is beloved by the gods. Mages, however, with their characteristic arrogance... are often despised by the gods. They try to comprehend even divine miracles through logic."
"..."
"In any case, that is why the only other class a priest might have is that of a holy knight who wields a sword. That is the norm."
"..."
"But I suppose a hero's companion is bound to be special. The fact that Lady Elena permitted it proves as much."
In truth, Elena had never permitted it. The divine power had just randomly appeared from the Saintess's breast milk.
"If I were to name a similar case... it would be the legendary Asmodeus of old."
Kerry was sure he'd heard the legend of Asmodeus from the Witch before.
He'd heard it when he asked her if the divine power he'd gained from the Saintess might cause problems.
The legend of Asmodeus, a man who, like Kerry, had gained ownerless divine power. A man who became an undying king.
But even the White Witch didn't know the details beyond that.
Just because she was an archmage didn't mean she was versed in all knowledge.
The priest before him, however, seemed to know something.
"I'd like to hear more about that story."
Kerry felt like he might find a clue as to how he should use the divine power dwelling within him.
*
Faced with Kerry's suddenly serious gaze, the Head Priest said, "I-I don't know the details of the legend myself. I've merely chanced upon a few related books in our library."
It was disappointing, but what could he do if the man didn't know? Kerry decided to go to the library to search for other clues.
He needed to investigate Asmodeus.
I can't believe a library this big exists in a world where paper is a luxury.
It was a rather large library, even by modern standards.
Searching through it alone would take months, but Kerry was a hero's companion.
At his single request for books, all the librarians sprang into action.
These were people who had spent their entire lives managing this library.
Pulling out the materials Kerry wanted was the work of a moment.
Dozens of books presumed to contain relevant information were piled up in front of him.
The hero title really comes in handy.
Of course, he had no intention of reading all these books himself.
Besides, why would he read all this himself when he had a bookworm friend?
I wonder if the Witch will be happy if I bring her these.
They were all old, thick books.
At least they seemed well-maintained. If someone had given these to him as a gift, Kerry was confident he would have cursed them out.
Kerry had all the books moved to his room and told his companions, "From now on, I'll be reading all day. No one is to disturb me until I come out. Understood?"
"Kerry, are you planning to read all of those books? We have to leave tomorrow..."
Dozens of thick books. It was an impossible amount to read in a single day.
“It's fine. I'm just going to skim for the necessary information... a day will be enough.”
A total lie. He'd only brought this many books because he was counting on the Witch.
His companions, knowing nothing, just looked at him with awe.
"My husband... can't I just stay by your side and watch? I'll be really quiet. Please?"
"I'm sorry, Natasha. Even for me, I'll need to concentrate if I'm to get through all this in one day."
"Then I guess it can't be helped..."
Victoria, standing next to Natasha, also let out a heavy sigh.
From their deeply disappointed expressions, it was obvious they had been planning to pounce on him again tonight.
Thinking about getting laid even in a temple. You lewd woman!
She deserved to be smitten by the goddess.
"Kerry. We must leave first thing tomorrow morning to search for the Black Monolith. Please don't overdo it."
"Understood, Lina."
With that, Kerry was finally alone.
"Now, shall we begin?"
Kerry began moving the books to the White Witch's bedroom.
*
It was the White Witch's bedroom. In one corner, old books were stacked high.
The White Witch's eyes sparkled as she looked at them.
"Is this all? Kerry?"
"What do you mean, 'all'? There must be dozens of them."
"Haha! Wonderful. It's rare to find ancient texts this well-preserved. You must have found a fine library."
Like the book-lover she was, the White Witch rejoiced at the sight of the towering stacks of books.
He could understand getting excited over an interesting novel, but he had no idea what was so great about stuffy records and history books.
"Anyway, as I said, I want to know about the legend of Asmodeus."
"Yes. I know."
The White Witch didn't give Kerry a chance to say another word. She grabbed an old tome and began flipping through it.
She turned a densely printed page every few seconds.
Is she taking pictures with her eyes or something?
"...Are you actually reading all that before turning the page?"
"Of course."
"How can you read so fast?"
"Kerry, if you do nothing but read for a hundred years, you too can become like this."
No, thank you.
Kerry was about to open a book next to her when the White Witch shook her head.
“Did you not say you needed to finish your research by tonight? I alone am sufficient here. Kerry, why don't you practice your magic instead?”
“Practice my magic?”
“I wish to see you become a proficient magic user as soon as possible.”
"..."
Kerry hadn't had much time to spend with the Witch today, but he had squeezed in a visit earlier.
It was to show off the Archmage's Pendant he had recently acquired.
Upon seeing the Archmage's Pendant, the Witch had been visibly delighted.
["With this pendant, I will be able to see you become a mature mage that much sooner. I am truly happy, Kerry."]
Kerry looked at the White Witch.
The book-loving White Witch was already lost in the ancient texts, flipping through the pages at a frightening pace.
The Witch really isn't an ordinary person.
Her speed-reading was extraordinary.
In the first place, what was reading books for a hundred years without getting bored if not a talent?
Kerry decided to do as the White Witch said and practice his magic.
He had a feeling he wouldn't be of much help here anyway.
He went outside the castle and stood in a field.
On the first day he practiced magic, he had shot a small flame from his hand.
It was a tiny flame, like a lighter's, but it was the first spell he had cast without the help of a orb.
The result of his practice in his spare time was this.
"Fireball."
Kerry extended his hand forward and chanted the spell.
At the same time, a fist-sized fireball shot out with a whoosh.
"So this is my level now."
Even this much was only possible thanks to the Archmage's Pendant.
Before, the best he could do was produce a flame slightly larger than a lighter's.
But after getting the Archmage's Pendant, he quickly became capable of forming it into a sphere.
“At this rate, I'll be an archmage in no time.”
Talent and items really are the best. And on top of that, he had the greatest teacher in the Witch.
Today's goal was to master the Fireball spell.
Kerry focused, trying to cast a complete Fireball.
He closed his eyes and pictured a fireball in his mind. Kerry's way of using magic was not orthodox.
He skipped the theory. Instead, he used magic intuitively, based only on the minimal foundation the Witch had taught him.
Kerry imagined a fireball as large as his own body.
It needed to be at least that big to deal any meaningful damage to the powerful enemies they would face.
A fist-sized flame like the one he had now was useless.
Of course, it didn't work from the start. The Archmage's Pendant made it easier to get a feel for it, but it was still a difficult task.
Kerry continued his magic training late into the night.
He didn't give up when he failed, but kept searching for his own method.
He kept at it until the late hours of the dawn.
“Fireball.”
Kerry chanted the spell and drew up the mana from within his body.
He circulated the mana along the pathways the Witch had taught him and channeled it into his fingertips.
He poured in plenty of mana to make the fireball grow as large as he had imagined.
Kerry finished concentrating and opened his eyes.
Before him, a fireball of a satisfying size was blazing with a fwoosh.
“I finally did it.”
Kerry shot the fireball toward the sky.
He couldn't very well burn the Witch's field.
For the first time, he had successfully cast a complete spell without the power of a orb.
He had taken one step closer to the path of an archmage.
There was no particular sense of overwhelming emotion. He had already felt that he would reach this level someday.
Just then, a welcome voice came from behind him.
“Kerry! You've finally perfected the Fireball spell.”
“Yes, Witch.”
“You've done so well! Truly splendid!”
He could see the White Witch clapping her hands in joy. For some reason, she seemed even happier than he was.
Kerry looked at the White Witch.
Her presence here meant she had finished her task as well.
“More importantly, Witch, did you already read all of those?”
“Indeed.”
“Whoa. As expected of the legendary White Witch.”
“Hmph. This much is nothing for me. But let's go inside and talk. There is quite a bit to discuss.”
The White Witch was practically beaming with pride.
She seemed proud of having read so many books in a single night.
Kerry and the White Witch sat facing each other at a table.
Asmodeus, the first to gain divine power and become an undying king.
The White Witch said that Asmodeus might still be alive.
“Someone from a legend is still alive today?”
“It is not a confirmed fact, merely my own speculation.”
“...”
“It is not so surprising, is it? If Asmodeus truly became an undying king as the legends say, it would not be strange for him to still be alive.”
“What's your reason for speculating?”
“Because of recurring records found in ancient ruins.”
“Ancient ruins... you mean the places you said might hold a clue to breaking your seal?”
“Yes. For some reason, it seems Asmodeus has been wandering through ancient ruins. And he has been doing so for a very long time, over the last few hundred years.”
To think a story from a legend was suddenly real.
It felt strange. Then again, another living legend was standing right in front of him.
“There are repeated records of a man matching Asmodeus's description visiting the ruins. And these records repeat over a span of several hundred years.”
“...”
“As I said before, this is merely my speculation. But for some reason, I cannot shake the feeling that Asmodeus is alive.”
If this is true, then I...
The White Witch continued, her eyes looking somewhat dreamy.
“So eternal life truly exists in this world. My dream was not in vain.”
But then the White Witch looked at Kerry and shook her head.
As long as Kerry was by her side, she no longer cared about things like eternal life.
Having finished her story, the White Witch stared intently at Kerry.
It was as if she were asking for praise for her hard work.
Kerry stroked the White Witch's head.
“You worked hard, Witch.”
The Witch smiled, looking pleased, before catching herself and putting on a stern face.
“Do not treat me like a child! Kerry!”
She really couldn't be honest with herself.
The huffing White Witch moved her lips as if she still had something left to say.