Became an Apostle of an Ancient God

Chapter 11

Entering the central church of the Hall of Atonement hand-in-hand with Amelia, the sight was truly magnificent.

It was more splendid than any religious facility Haru had ever seen, and the dense Divine Power in the air pressed down on Haru and Shub's shoulders, slightly but surely.

Stained glass installed here and there depicted scenes from the scripture.

The dome-shaped ceiling of the church bore a massive artwork reminiscent of Michelangelo's paintings in the real world.

The Hall of Atonement is a place where Heretics who do not believe in the God Serre are captured and re-educated.

And yet, it's on this scale.

This might be a device to subtly flaunt the greatness of Goddess Serre to the Heretics.

[Awe and Reverence]

Haru recalled the 'Location Card' from the Board Game, beyond a faint memory. [Awe and Reverence] was a tag attached to massive religious facilities.

It's not just the Hall of Atonement. Besides Lusis, there must be several other nations in this world.

Those who serve other gods besides Serre, and their nations.

They capture people from such other nations and show off the majesty of Serre, the majesty of Lusis. That alone would intimidate those who believe in other gods.

"Haru, this is your first time coming here, right?"

"Yes. I didn't know it would be this big. It's beautiful."

"Right? But this is just a taste. The church in Salem, the capital of Lusis, is much bigger than this. Isn't that amazing?"

'Yeah, amazing. Thinking about how this church too was built piece by piece by people brainwashed by Serre.'

The path from inside the church to Master Bishop Luther's office was even more complicated than the path from the orphanage to the central church.

To think I'd have to worry about getting lost indoors, not outdoors. Haru followed Amelia, trying his best to memorize the way based on the paintings and ornaments displayed on the walls, the shapes of the Stained glass, and so on.

"The Stained glass is pretty, isn't it? The first floor depicts the genesis of Goddess Serre. The second floor tells the stories of Goddess Serre's believers and the believers living in the promised land of Lusis. The third floor contains the story of the six Heroes saving this world."

"Six Heroes?"

"Yes. In Lusis, there are six 'Heroes'. Bishop Luther, whom you are about to meet, was once a member of those 'Heroes'."

"He was a member?"

"Yes. Though he has now passed on the Hero title to someone else and retired from the position."

Why would such an incredible figure be tasked with something like re-education at the Hall of Atonement?

No, perhaps it's because he is incredible that he's tasked with re-education. Haru corrected himself internally.

An overwhelming amount of Divine Power, high-grade holy relics, and the status of a former Hero. It would be the perfect position to crush Heretics from above.

"Here we are."

In front of a wooden door with luxurious carvings, Amelia adjusted her veil and checked the hem of her habit, tidying her appearance.

"Your necktie is a little crooked. We're in front of the Bishop. We should look as neat as possible."

Amelia slightly knelt to match Haru's height and fixed his slightly askew bow tie.

"Ahem."

Clearing her throat once, she knocked briefly on the door twice.

"Who is it?"

The voice of a robust middle-aged man echoed from beyond the door. It was a deep, powerful tenor voice.

"It's Amelia Louise. I've brought Haru. May we enter?"

"Ah, I've been waiting, Amelia-nim."

As Amelia politely opened the door, a splendid room befitting the title 'Master Bishop' unfolded within.

Although called an 'office', it was about the size of a living room in a large mansion.

Perhaps reflecting Luther's taste, various sculptures and paintings related to the Serre faith were displayed throughout the room, and weapons like maces, longswords, and muskets, along with battle robes, were showcased inside transparent glass display cases.

Inside, a nun acting as a secretary assisting Luther with his duties was waiting, and she bowed politely as if expecting Haru. As Haru awkwardly bowed back, Luther stood up as if he had been waiting.

"Hello, Haru. It's been a while. I was busy with work, so our meeting got a bit delayed. Please forgive me generously."

"It's alright. I had quite a bit of fun at the orphanage."

"That's good to hear. Uh, Amelia-nim. Thank you for your hard work on patrol today. Taking care of Haru must have been quite tiring, right?"

"No. It wasn't that difficult."

"You must have accumulated fatigue without realizing it. I believe you're on duty tomorrow. I've assigned a priest to take your place, so you may rest tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"Instead, you'll have to work twice as hard on your next shift. Hoho."

"Yes!"

Amelia energetically saluted and left Luther's room. Once Amelia left, Luther gestured to the two nuns who had been waiting.

"Abigail-nim. Ismael-nim. You may withdraw. I wish to speak with Haru alone."

""Yes.""

The two nuns exited the room, and when only the two of them truly remained, Luther moved his large frame and sat at the reception table for guests.

"Sit here."

On the table were medieval sweets that children would like, cupcakes, and sweet milk tea. Unfortunately, the contents were foods far from the taste of Haru, who was an adult inside.

"You can eat. But, could you keep it a secret from the children at the orphanage? Haha..."

Looking troubled, Luther scratched his slicked-back hair and laughed. Out of courtesy, Haru picked up the least sweet-looking cookie and carefully put it in his mouth.

As expected, it's sweet.

It feels like my teeth will rot.

"So, Luther-nim. Why did you call me here today?"

"I heard the story from Amelia. Haru, you. You're a survivor of the Holy Maiden Jeanne, right?"

"That's. Correct."

"I've been slowly searching for survivors of the Jeanne, and it seems the only survivors from that ship are you, Haru, and one man from Anatolia. It's truly regrettable."

"It's okay. I didn't know anyone on that ship. I didn't have family either."

"First of all."

Luther lowered his head deeply with a serious face and clasped his hands together.

"I apologize for everything that happened in Lisboa. Was it Father Engels? The one who reported you."

"I don't think what happened back then can be resolved with an apology."

Haru knew he was being extremely disrespectful, but he cut off Bishop Luther and asserted firmly.

"I have no excuse, even if I had ten mouths."

Before being dragged to the Hall of Atonement.

That is, this happened right after Lee Haru got hooked on 'The Story of Heroes Who Uphold the Will of the Gods'.

When he opened his eyes, his adult self was nowhere to be found, and he had become a young boy. Faintly in his ears, only the name of the Noona he spent his childhood with, [Shub], lingered.

In that situation, the one who took in Haru, who was practically a blank slate, was an old woman in the village of Lisboa. The grandmother, named 'Emma', treated Haru kindly as if he were her own grandchild.

He received clothes. He received meals.

He received a place to rest comfortably, and he received undeserved love.

'I am looking for someone named Shub.'

When he said that, Emma kindly suggested they go to the cathedral church together to find the person, and she even went with him.

It was good up to that point.

Father Engels.

That damn priest, the moment he heard the name [Shub], restrained Grandma Emma with a rite.

Just like that, Haru was branded as the 'Child of the Devil' for the crime of merely uttering the name [Shub] aloud, received an atonement sentence, and was transported to the Hall of Atonement.

"What on earth is [Shub], that you act like this?"

Bishop Luther let out a groan and then took Haru's hand as he spoke.

"Haru. [Shub-Niggurath], you see, is one of the profane idols called Outer Gods, Alien Gods that bring forth calamity.

Long ago, the six Heroes of this world sealed the incarnations of all Alien Gods, including [Shub], and now all records have been erased so that even her name cannot be passed down.

However, a child appeared who knew of [Shub], whose records should have been obliterated.

So, Engels must have intended to nip it in the bud beforehand. By treating you as the Child of the Devil and sending you to the Hall of Atonement, and eliminating the civilian who had contact with you to erase all records.

Truly, I am sorry this happened. You are not the one at fault, Haru. It is [Shub]."

Glancing aside, Haru looked at the phantom of Shub who had been watching this scene beside him. Shub wore an expression 'sadder and darker' than any expression Haru had ever seen on her before.

[A being that brings forth calamity, huh. ......Still the same.]

"Then why didn't Father Engels kill me?"

"That's because you, Haru, are that precious of an existence. I won't ask how you came to know [Shub] or why you became her believer."

Luther looked Haru straight in the eyes. Although one of his eyes was covered by an eyepatch, his gaze held the same 'sincerity' as Amelia's.

"As you might have heard from Amelia, the power you possess, your Divine Power, and the rite etched onto your body can become a hand of salvation for many people.

Haru. I ask of you. Please help us. Under the name of Light, won't you become our strength to save the pitiful lambs?"

"..."

After contemplating for a moment, Haru released Luther's hand and shook his head.

"I don't think... I can do that. You followers of the Serre faith. You restrained Grandma Emma, who was merely an ordinary citizen, just to erase records.

Those who cannot even save a single grandmother with the power of Light claim they will save pitiful lambs? I cannot believe those words."

"...I see. That's truly regrettable."

"Then... what happens to me?"

At this moment, Haru was somewhat prepared.

If Haru's prediction was correct, he would now reveal his true self, throw off the eyepatch, and try to brainwash Haru using the power of the holy relic within it.

He knew it was a dangerous choice.

Even if he had the insurance called 'Iron Mask'.

However, more than that, he had absolutely no intention of joining the group of fanatics who believed everything was right under the name of Light.

However...

"What do you mean, what happens? Nothing will happen, Haru. I also think the story of the Heroes is too early for you right now. Actually, the story I'm about to tell you now is the real one."

Luther spoke in a much softer, kind voice.

"Haru, I'm thinking of taking you in as my adopted son."

"... Huh? Adopted... son?"

"Yes. If you're okay with it, that is. Life at the orphanage is fine too, but wouldn't it be better for you to have a father, if possible? Even if we're not related by blood."

Luther said so with a benevolent smile.

Asking him to become his family.

Faced with a completely unexpected reaction... Haru couldn't help but freeze.