I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 138. The Endurance (3)

I had always been the type to be laden with anxieties, constantly calculating every possible misfortune that could unfold in any situation.

As such, I often found myself preparing for every possible scenario, even if it seemed excessive at times…

“I never imagined something like this would happen.”

Who would have thought they would blockade the sea route and stage a sit-in?

‘They aren’t gangsters, but still… are they?’

Upon reflection, they were pirates, after all, the gangsters of the sea.

“Everyone, return to your cabins. I will handle this.”

The crew was tense, but since no battle had broken out yet, I sent them inside. I slipped on the ring and quietly reached out to Mary.

『Mary, are you listening? Take the ring from my hand and deliver it to Eldritch and Lyla.』
『Got it.』

While Lyla felt fear towards the Dwellers of the Abyss, her assistance was still invaluable.

If those scoundrels tried anything strange, she could manipulate the ship’s systems to aid in combat.

“Select a few representatives and come forward.”

Without realizing it, arrogance naturally slipped into my voice.

“If you make any weird moves, I might end up wiping you all out. Don’t test my patience.”

『Don’t disregard us. We are Captain Cahon’s subordinates, and this is our domain.』

“Evil Seal.”

Without responding, I immediately invoked Outer Magic. As the ominous seal formed from lava appeared, they became visibly frightened.

Some flailed and retreated into the water, while most bowed their heads, waiting for the seal to dissipate.

“I’m not killing you all the moment I see you because you mentioned negotiations. If you think you have the upper hand, feel free to ignore the warning.”

『We understand. We are here for negotiations, so please do not harm us further.』

Eventually, the Dwellers of the Abyss yielded, and after a short time, three of them climbed aboard the ship.

Meanwhile, I heard the voices of Eldritch and Lyla who had received the ring from Mary.

『Ethnos, can you hear me? Why don’t you just wipe them out?』
『Miss Lyla, calm down. They came to negotiate. It’s better to hear them out than provoke hostilities.』
『Negotiation, my foot! Just fire the cannons and take them out!』

Should I just take off the ring? I frowned and addressed the Dwellers of the Abyss.

“Quickly state your business. I don’t want to waste time because of you.”

『First, we’ll offer something beneficial to you. We will waive the passage fee and assist you in traversing this area.』

The moment I felt displeasure, Gluttony snatched one of the Dwellers and, right before their eyes, tore it apart and devoured it.

‘… That was uncalled for, acting on its own.’

I considered just killing them, but refrained from doing so. The situation was already running wild, so I glared at the others.

“If I heard correctly, you’re talking about a passage fee, which you think you can dare demand from me?”

『This area belongs to Cahon-』

“You mean your captain directly requested this from me? Then, I suppose I’ll collect at the upcoming meeting, and maybe I’ll consider it your apology after wiping you all out.”

Seeing one of their own dismantled, the remaining Dwellers trembled in fear.

Cahon certainly didn’t desire to receive a tribute, he sought to compete with me.

“I warned you quite clearly, and yet you didn’t listen. Am I still an easy mark to you?”

『It’s a misunderstanding. We have always collected a passage fee. We were never ordered to exempt you by the captain.』

The Dweller fawningly tried to justify.

“You should engage in piracy with a sense of discretion. Trying to profit from an unattainable toll fee will only result in your demise.”

『W-wait, you may need our help to navigate through these waters.』

One of the Dwellers stepped forward urgently.

『There was a battle here recently. The area ahead is different from the waters you humans remember.』

“I haven’t heard any news about that.”

I even asked Eldritch and Lyla, just in case, but they too were unaware. If such an event had occurred, it would have been a prominent topic of discussion.

『We have been preventing anyone from approaching those waters. Only after receiving a passage fee do we redirect them safely.』

“Explain the current state of the waters then.”

The Dweller stated that a clash between the forces of Outer Gods occurred. Between Johann’s faction and Cahon’s faction.

Johann’s underlings had recklessly invaded, and Johann initiated an attack using a miracle.

‘If no declaration of war was made, it’s probably just to reduce his forces.’

『And then the captain also used a miracle.』

With both sides clashing head-on, the area continued experiencing natural disturbances even three weeks after the battle.

The Dwellers of the Abyss dared not approach.

“Though the story is engaging, it seems I can just turn back. Why would I need a guide from you?”

『You say this because you’re unaware of the sea’s current state. It appears calm, but suddenly defilement erupts or whirlwinds spiral up unexpectedly.』

Only the Dwellers, familiar with the sea, could determine the exact area and feel the repercussions of the miracles’ clash.

I relayed this information to Lyla and Eldritch.

『The ship can easily weather a storm. Still, it’s concerning. The miracles were formidable enough to leave an aftereffect persisting over three weeks.』
『I also find it dangerous to cross or blindly detour around those waters. While the ship might endure, we might find ourselves trapped there.』

I agreed as well.

I could vaguely guess which miracle Johann had utilized, one of the few inscriptions in the Scripture of Defilement I was incapable of handling.

‘I neither know its name nor the prayer.’

It was a miracle barred from my access, impossible to comprehend even if I tried. The only record I could read was of the event it triggered.

-The sky turned into a dark torrent. Rivers and lakes turned into cloudy black liquid from the residues, engulfing everything on the land.

… A threatening text.

If such a powerful miracle was countered, the miracle deployed by Cahon must have been equally exceptional.

Thus, its aftereffects would far exceed those caused by Wave Reach.

“So, what do you want from me?”

『Bring calm to those troubled waters.』

This was quite unexpected.

“You should ask your captain, not me.”

『Captain Cahon has been resting after deploying his miracle. He cannot personally stabilize the waters.』

“Still doesn’t make sense. Why not continue collecting tolls as you’ve been doing? What profit does stabilizing the waters bring to you?”

A hesitating Dweller replied.

『That area was our home. The aftermath has reached deep into the ocean, preventing our return. We don’t wish to relocate elsewhere.』

“Cahon believes I’m capable of calming those waters?”

『Indeed, he said you could do it.』

After contemplating briefly, I devised an addition to the terms.

“What is the fee you collect, by the way?”

『It’s one human per crossing. They must be undamaged since they’re used as offerings.』

Blood rushed to my head at that moment. One human for a single crossing. If it meant a return trip, two would have to be sacrificed.

“What happens to the ships that don’t comply?”

As if puzzled why I would ask such a thing, the Dweller answered.

『Naturally, we capsize them and slaughter everyone aboard. Those who do not comply must pay the price.』

My mood soured, yet the Dweller seemed to mistake my interest as curiosity about their sacrificial methods and continued speaking.

『It’s quite advantageous when encountering a ship that refuses, as it provides more offerings. So, we celebrate on days when such ships are encountered.』

“You’re quite happy to speak.”

Sensing my anger, Gluttony extended its tentacles, trembling slightly in anticipation.

The Dwellers, not understanding why I was upset, started stepping back in hesitation.

『It’s our tradition. We won’t demand the same from you.』

“… Ha.”

Numerous lives had been claimed by these wretches’ heinous antics, all just for passing through their waters.

In return for navigating the mess they created.

‘Mention of the 【Father of the Abyss】 favoring human sacrifices was notably absent from the scriptures.’

And yet, based on their delusions and self-justification, how many more have perished at these wretches’ hands?

The very thought filled me with revulsion.

『What exactly is the problem here?』

“I don’t like what you’re doing. I’m sure you won’t get it, so I’ll leave it at that.”

『We approached for negotiations! We’ll pay for any discourtesy. Just state your demands!』

I was aware that killing them now would be a mere act of venting.

Until I concluded terms with Cahon and could obliterate them, it was just reducing numbers for no real purpose.

Besides, if I wiped out those who approached, it would break the negotiation. I had to hold back…

‘Even venting is fine. They should experience the same fate.’

As I sighed, mixing anger with my breath, the Dwellers sensed my wrath and began offering their terms.

『We will provide a large pouch filled with jewels and gold.』

I merely smirked at their offer.

“That’s unnecessary. If you wish to pay for your discourtesy…”

I gestured toward the Dwellers in the sea.

“I’ll take your lives instead. Fifteen should suffice.”

Fifteen.

That was the number that would have perished if I hadn’t been able to refuse their earlier proposition.

Additionally, I intended to feed them to Gluttony to collect transformation data.

『… Agreed. Then we’ll choose fifteen-』

“I’ll pick them myself.”

Before he could finish, I leapt off the ship. The Dwellers watched in shock as I rushed toward them.

I unfolded my spider legs like wings, flying and hunting them one by one.

Crunch! Slash!

The sea turned red from the Dwellers’ heads being crushed and bodies impaled. Though some tried to flee into the water…

“No use.”

I folded my wings and followed them underwater, bringing shards of dismembered bodies to the surface shortly thereafter.

“You’ve long been a figure of fear to sailors, haven’t you? It seems you’ve enjoyed and normalized it.”

Seemingly delighted by the rare feast, Gluttony trembled the tentacles it had extended to their fullest.

“Remember this.”

The last of the fifteen Dwellers was slowly torn into four parts by Gluttony, who held it by its limbs.

“I am now your fear.”