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Chapter 150: Divine Power (1)

“It seems there are no issues. How was your conversation with Kalosia?”

“It was a very enjoyable time. I hope we get another chance.”

“Is that so…”

Shadrenes said with a hint of reluctance.

Even though she was acknowledged by the god, she would tremble and barely manage to speak when conversing with Kalosia.

It wasn’t because she was an ordinary village girl by nature, but because talking to a god was a tremendous burden for any human.

The fact that he found such a conversation enjoyable was hard to understand.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Though it was hard to comprehend, it seemed the conversation ended without any problems. She had been worried about possibly offending the god, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Oh, and there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Yes?”

Shadrenes looked puzzled.

Ketal began explaining to Shadrenes.

The reason Kalosia hadn’t given them the scriptures was because they had abandoned the values of deceit and trickery.

Their actions to atone for their karma had actually disappointed the god.

Hearing this, Shadrenes’ mouth fell open.

“Is… is that really true?”

She asked, forgetting to hide her shock.

Ketal nodded.

“Unless my memory has failed me in the meantime, it is true. That’s what Kalosia said.”

“Oh, um.”

She stuttered, unable to find the words.

A strong dizziness overtook her.

“So that’s why we weren’t granted the scriptures?”

Mumbling, she suddenly frowned as if she had realized something.

“But then, why am I the only one who can handle the scriptures?”

“Perhaps it means the mask you’re wearing has that much value?”

A peculiar smile and words.

At that moment, Shadrenes realized.

“…Did you notice?”

“I was surprised too. I didn’t realize at first. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a perfect mask.”

“Please keep it a secret.”

“I have no intention of doing anything boring.”

Ketal smiled slightly.

Shadrenes let out a deep sigh.

Now, Ketal knew her secret, which only Heize had known.

She felt gloomy.

However, the personal secret was not a major issue compared to the greater truth she had just witnessed.

“It feels… so futile.”

They had made every effort to gain Kalosia’s forgiveness.

They had helped people and made many sacrifices to restore the reputation of the church.

But those actions had actually disappointed Kalosia.

All their efforts and actions so far had been in vain.

She felt extremely disheartened.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“I’m not sure…”

Shadrenes trailed off.

“At this point, I don’t intend to disrupt the world again with deceit and lies.”

Being acknowledged by the god was a separate issue.

They couldn’t tarnish Kalosia’s name with their own hands.

“We need to find a way to uphold the values of deceit and lies without being rejected by the people of the world.”

“It will be hard work. Good luck.”

“We must try our best.”

She stood up from her chair and bowed respectfully.

“Thank you. Without you… we might never have realized this truth and would have continued to disappoint Kalosia.”

Perhaps they wouldn’t have realized it until the church fell.

At the end, they might have resented the god who did not grant them the scriptures and fallen into corruption.

Thinking about that possibility sent chills down her spine.

Considering such a possibility, the information Ketal had provided was invaluable.

Ketal spoke lightly.

“I had an enjoyable experience as well, so it’s fine. Now, I’d like to get to the main point.”

Ketal’s eyes shone.

Shadrenes nodded slightly.

“Yes. Please follow me.”

Shadrenes opened the door.

They began to head toward the deepest place in the small church.

“For this too, we should thank Kalosia. To be honest… I had no idea what kind of reward to give you.”

Ketal had done a great deal for the church of Kalosia.

They needed to provide a suitable reward.

However, they lacked the resources.

With significant investments of capital and manpower required to restore the holy land, it was impossible to give Ketal a satisfactory reward.

So she had been worried about what to do, but Kalosia had prepared the reward instead.

“As expected of Kalosia. To care for us, who can only disappoint you. So merciful.”

The saintess praised Kalosia.

Ketal smiled silently.

They arrived at the deepest part of the church.

There, the saintess offered a small prayer.

“Kalosia, please allow us to encounter your value.”

Rumble.

With the prayer, the floor split open.

Ketal’s eyes shone.

“Oh.”

“Ah, follow me,”

Shadranes said as they descended underground.

“This is the place where Lord Kalosia was farewelled when He left the earth to return to the heavens. At that time, He took off His garments and accessories and handed them to His followers.”

The garments and accessories that the god used while walking the earth were here.

Throughout the long history of the Kalosia Church, no one had ever used the holy relics.

This was because Kalosia had not permitted it.

But now, for the first time, someone had been granted permission.

“This is the place.”

The underground door opened.

Ketal gasped in awe.

There were various items displayed there.

A robe of ashen gray.

A very small dagger.

An unidentifiable tree root.

They were all holy relics.

Ketal could sense the intense divinity emanating from them.

Shadranes carefully picked up one of the relics.

“This is the relic that Lord Kalosia has allowed for you. Please, take it.”

It was a jet-black bracelet.

“Oh my,”

Ketal exclaimed in reverence, taking the bracelet.

If someone who was not permitted touched a holy relic, their body would be consumed by divine fire.

But that did not happen.

Whooooosh!

Golden light fiercely enveloped Ketal’s body, indicating he had been deemed worthy to handle the relic.

Shadranes couldn’t hold back her exclamation.

“It’s real…”

Kalosia had granted a barbarian his holy relic.

It was like a scene out of a myth.

Ketal smiled.

“It’s done.”

* * *

After ending his conversation with the god, Ketal obtained the relic.

By that time, Rakza had finally healed from all his injuries and was able to leave the infirmary.

Meeting Ketal, Rakza cautiously asked,

“Ketal, I’ve heard a strange rumor. Is it true?”

“What rumor?”

“Well…”

Rakza hesitated, finding it hard to believe even as he spoke.

He asked slowly,

“Is it true that Lord Kalosia met with you personally and granted you His holy relic?”

“That’s correct. I received this.”

Ketal raised his arm, showing the black bracelet on his wrist.

The bracelet exuded a strong divine presence, enough for any layperson to feel.

“……”

Rakza was speechless.

After a long while, he managed to say,

“It was true…”

Barely recovered and out of the infirmary, Rakza was shocked to see the state of the sanctuary.

The devotees practically worshipped Ketal.

Rakza couldn’t understand.

Certainly, Ketal had done a lot for them.

Without him, the Kalosia Church would have been destroyed.

It was a great achievement, worthy of admiration.

But the devotees’ veneration of Ketal was on par with their worship of Kalosia.

It was excessive devotion.

Unable to understand, Rakza asked the devotees why they were acting this way.

Their answers baffled him even more.

Ketal had met with Kalosia.

He had even been directly granted a holy relic by the god.

It seemed impossible.

But no matter how much he asked, the devotees did not appear to be lying.

With Ketal’s own admission, Rakza couldn’t deny it any longer.

He chuckled in disbelief and said,

“At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if a book about Ketal is written.”

“That might happen,”

Ketal laughed heartily, not taking it seriously.

Rakza, having meant it as a joke, didn’t pursue the matter further.

But they didn’t know.

In the sanctuary, some devotees were indeed writing books extolling Ketal’s deeds.

Even before Ketal met with Kalosia, there were rumors about him being an incarnation or something similar.

After he met with the god and was granted a holy relic, those sentiments intensified.

Some even considered him alongside Shadranes as a messenger of the god.

Unaware of this, the two continued their relaxed conversation.

“Looks like you’ve recovered well. That’s good.”

“Yes, just barely,”

Rakza replied with a bitter smile.

He had narrowly avoided permanent damage.

It had been an intense battle against a powerful foe.

“Demons… They’re strong indeed.”

“That was a top-level superhuman,”

Ketal remarked.

After the battle, he had researched the demon they had fought.

Rubitra, the demon of Demonic Lines.

A top-tier demon with a name, close to the highest level.

Two hundred years ago, he had single-handedly destroyed an entire church.

His power was considered the pinnacle of superhuman strength by earthly standards.

Rakza nodded.

“It’s difficult to make detailed comparisons, but it’s probably around that level. Two hundred years ago, a top-tier superhuman managed to defeat Rubitra, but he also sustained severe injuries.”

“I see. He was indeed formidable.”

It was the first time since coming outside that he had encountered such strength.

Even the top-class spirits and Nano he had faced were below Rubitra.

“Strong… yes,”

Rakza said bitterly.

In truth, Rakza was the most shocked.

He had confidence in his own strength.

Even without being permitted to wield the Holy Scripture, he had power that was top-tier among superhumans.

Although he didn’t reach the upper echelons, he believed he was not far behind.

Since he had never faced a top-tier superhuman, Rakza’s belief had never been shattered.

But he was utterly defeated by Rubitra.

Even with the absolute advantage of divinity, he couldn’t do anything.

He realized the stark gap between himself and the upper-tier fighters.

His confidence and self-esteem were severely damaged.

Ketal, curious, asked,

“If a top-tier superhuman is at that level, how strong is a heroic-level fighter? Is it within reach?”

“No,”

Rakza denied flatly.

“Heroic-level fighters are incredibly strong. Very much so.”

They split the earth.

They cleave the sky.

They shatter mountains.

Heroes can single-handedly overturn continents.

While top-tier superhumans are indeed strong, they can never reach the level of heroes.

Ketal’s face lit up with interest.

“Are they that powerful?”

“Their strength is beyond comprehension. And…”

Rakza trailed off.

A top-tier superhuman can never reach the level of a heroic fighter.

If they fought, they would be toyed with, like twisting a child’s wrist.

And the same was true for the top-tier demon Rubitra and Ketal’s fight.

Since Ketal couldn’t handle mystic arts, it appeared as though they were somewhat evenly matched, but in reality, it was close to being a complete mockery.

Of course, Rakza was only at a superhuman level.

He didn’t know the true extent of a hero’s power.

It was beyond his understanding.

‘But,’

That was also true for Ketal.

Ketal’s strength was also beyond his understanding.

Rakza swallowed hard.

He looked at Ketal with awe-filled eyes.