Became an Apostle of an Ancient God

Chapter 12

"Adopted, son?"

Even when working at the company, Haru had a strong tendency to operate within a somewhat pre-planned scope.

Such people usually tend to be somewhat weak at coping with situations that significantly deviate from their expectations or plans.

Bishop Luther watched Haru with a smile. In front of him, Haru took a sip of milk tea and calmly considered the risks and returns of accepting the proposal.

While doing so, Haru unknowingly glanced towards Shub Noona, who was watching the situation from the side.

For some reason, Shub was just staring intently at Bishop Luther, remaining silent throughout the long conversation between Haru and Luther.

[Are you troubled?]

Haru nodded slightly. Then, Noona carefully placed her hand on Haru's shoulder and said.

[Whichever path you choose, I will become the starlight that illuminates your way. Don't worry.]

Just as he was about to decide on his answer after hearing Shub Noona's kind words, Bishop Luther let out a hearty laugh.

"I'm not asking you to decide right now. It's difficult to start a new relationship as family with someone you've just met."

"Yes..."

"Well then, we should start by spending time together. Let's see. I've finished all my work for today. Shall we go out for some fresh air together for a bit?"

Luther carefully rose from his seat and spoke.

"Abigail. Ismael."

As he called the two nuns' names loudly, the nun who had been waiting outside the door entered and bowed deeply.

"I intend to go out for some fresh air with Haru. If anything happens, please call me using the rite of message. I've finished the tasks that needed to be handled today, so it should be fine."

"Yes. How far are you going?"

"We won't go too far. Just to briefly check on the construction progress of the cathedral church. Let's go now."

Luther kindly extended his hand.

This time, Haru couldn't push that hand away.

He was confused.

It was completely different from the image Haru originally had of Bishop Luther.

The residual Divine Power of the Holy Relic under that eyepatch, still continuously flowing out. It was definitely the same power as that of the other prisoners stained by the light of Serre.

But... But the look of faith in this man's eyes. Not avoiding the wrongs he committed but facing them head-on, even offering a polite apology.

And to the 'Child of the Devil', who knew the name [Shub-Niggurath], an 'Alien God that brings disaster' from these people's perspective, whatever the actual truth may be.

It seemed like he definitely had some ulterior motive.

However, for someone with ulterior motives, the kindness and affection shown to Haru felt genuine. The virtuous heart of a steadfast and honest clergyman resided in his eyes.

'Truly, an inscrutable man.'

Bishop Luther's hand, held like that, contained a warm heat.

A false warmth, crafted through Divine Power.

* * *

Emerging from the maze-like paths of the complex central church, a white carriage awaited Luther outside.

"Hearing from Abigail that you were going out, I prepared the carriage."

"Thank you. May the blessing of Serre be with you."

The person who had prepared the carriage, unlike other Followers of Serre, wore steel armor on his shoulders, and sturdy greaves were visible on his legs beneath his robe.

Seeing him come out personally like this, he might be Master Bishop Luther's personal attendant.

"Wait, that child is..."

The attendant immediately scowled upon seeing Haru holding Luther's hand. Contempt and disgust emanated from his expression. It seemed that Holy Knight knew about the existence of the 'Child of the Devil' who had fallen into the Hall of Atonement.

"I heard. The survivor of the Holy Maiden Jeanne. The 'Child of the Devil'. Said to have jet-black hair and eyes. And the Divine Power..."

At the attendant's words, Luther approached him with a stern face and said one thing.

"Black hair. Black eyes. Overflowing Divine Power. Ditthardt. Are you planning to discriminate against and cast away this poor lamb for such trivial reasons?"

"But..."

"He is not the Child of the Devil. It seems necessary to correct the words Father Engels spread without knowing better."

Luther placed his rough yet warm hands on Haru's shoulders.

"From now on, this child is not the 'Child of the Devil', but the 'Chosen Child'. Please be careful with your words. And please convey this to the other believers as well."

"But."

"..."

In that moment, for the first time, Haru could see Luther's angered face.

Although he was quite old now and his hair was starting to gray, Luther's eyes held the powerful charisma and killing intent from his days as one of the six Heroes.

"Did you not hear me?"

"Ah. No. It's nothing."

"Then it's settled. Haru, here."

Since Haru was short and had some difficulty getting into the carriage, Luther grabbed Haru's waist and lifted him swiftly onto the carriage.

"Where should I take you?"

"Take us to the construction site of the 7th Church. I want to check on the progress."

"Yes."

The coachman nodded vigorously and pulled the reins. Haru thought this might be an opportunity.

Although it was called the 'Hall of Atonement', honestly, Haru didn't know exactly how large this hall was.

It wasn't just a detention center or prison. There was a market inside, an orphanage, and even such a large religious facility.

Since he arrived here after a long boat ride from Lisboa in Lusis, he guessed it might be a remote island-like area located somewhere in the middle of the sea, but it was merely speculation, and its size was also uncertain.

As Haru was spending time looking out at the scenery outside, Luther slightly extended his hand, perhaps to break the quiet atmosphere.

"Haru. You might have already heard from Amelia, but do you know about the Origin of Rites?"

Haru shook his head.

Origin of Rites, it was a phrase he heard for the first time. He rummaged through his memories to see if such a phrase had come up in the Board Game he played with Noona, but nothing came to mind.

"Everyone who handles Divine Power has something called an origin. An origin is like a characteristic of that person, determined from the moment they are born. It's difficult... How should I explain this..."

As a good father and a senior Hero, Luther sighed, racking his brain. He muttered faintly in a small voice, 'Teaching is really too difficult for me.'

Just then, the coachman driving the carriage urgently shouted to Luther.

"Luther. A message from the 5th Church. They report that a monster has appeared in the forest near the church. Currently, star-rank priests have been deployed."

"A monster? In broad daylight like this? Strange."

"It is suspected that someone might have summoned it."

"That possibility is low, but an investigation will be necessary. Understood for now. This might be an opportunity. Please turn the horse around. We will go towards the 5th Church."

"What? No. The priests and Holy Knights on patrol should be able to handle this sufficiently."

"Haha. That might be so, but."

Luther glanced back at Haru and smiled.

"I might become his adoptive father. I want to show my son a cool side at least once. Please hurry."

At Luther's words, the coachman immediately turned the horse's head and began to pick up speed. Right after that, Luther used the rite of message to inform the person in charge of the 5th Church.

"Civilians in the 5th Church residential area are to evacuate into the church. Priests, please use the rite of protection to block the invasion of monsters entering the church. That is all."

Due to the sudden increase in speed, and having rarely had the chance to ride a carriage, Haru experienced motion sickness for the first time since coming to this world.

"My. Stomach..."

But that too was brief. Shub, who was watching Haru, carefully appeared beside Haru in her phantom form, sat down, and gently rubbed Haru's stomach with her hand.

Unfortunately, he couldn't feel the touch. However, after Noona rubbed his stomach a few times with her hand, his queasy stomach felt relieved as if it had never happened.

[Are you okay now?]

"Yeah... Thanks."

[It's nothing. By the way, it seems the presence of the monster is getting closer.]

Saying so, Shub turned her head towards the coachman. Between her black hair fluttering in the wind, her violet eyes briefly shone, reflecting the sunlight.

[Let's see this man's skills.]

After running at full speed for a few minutes, they arrived at the 5th Church.

Unlike the magnificent and huge central church, it was a facility about the size of a slightly large cathedral. However, it was large enough to accommodate the civilians living in the vicinity without issue.

Around the church, priests were holding their ground, having erected a protective shield of light as Luther had instructed, while outside the shield, knights were fighting creatures called 'monsters'.

No, could those even be called living creatures?

Even that was questionable.

"That's..."

To describe it, it was like a shadow given form. Should one say it was like lumps of black coal tar imbued with life?

Moving fluidly, it resembled the common image of a slime, but unlike slimes, they each possessed distinct appearances.

Some individuals were smaller than Haru.

On the other hand, some individuals were about twice Luther's size.

Some individuals charged towards the protective shield bare-handed.

On the other hand, some individuals charged while holding giant maces or sawtooth swords.

From the depths of his memory, Haru recalled their names.

Also called the Shadow of Disaster, the most common and threatening monster.

A species that belongs to the source of all monsters.

"It's a Shadow. This is a good opportunity. I will cut the bud right here."

Luther lightly warmed up his body and continued the previous conversation.

"Haru, you said everyone with Divine Power has an origin, right? Seeing is believing. Haru, I will show you directly."

At that moment, Luther began gathering a terrifying amount of Divine Power in his hand. The overflowing Divine Power soon turned into light, spreading around, and began to let out fierce roars of anger.

Kururururu... Ururureung!!!

"Th-this is...?"

"My origin is [Lightning]."

With those words as his last, Luther chanted briefly and powerfully.

"O strike of divine punishment that judges monsters! [Lightning Strike]!"

For a very brief moment, a powerful flash of lightning and a deafening roar of thunder erupted, blinding eyes and ears. Luther mercilessly threw the lightning gathered in his hand at the Shadow laying siege in front of the protective shield.

Kwaaaaaaaang!!!

[Hmm? Is this all?]

The Strike of Divine Punishment.

Lightning Strike.

Before it, all the Shadow couldn't even resist once, turning into ash and disappearing from this world.

"Th-this is..."

This is the 6 Heroes.

No.

The power of the Former 6 Heroes...?