#119

“What happened?”

“…Let’s move to another spot first.”

Nasir stepped forward first.

‘A tail….’

The tail poking out from under the robe swayed gently with every step.

I looked around, but no one else seemed to be noticing Nasir.

‘Is it invisible to others?’

It seemed he had used the Divine Power of the dead Desert God to hide it.

Nephiton of Illusions—the god of hypnosis and hallucinations.

‘Without Nephiton’s relic, this would attract a lot of attention.’

Even I, being accustomed to CG, couldn’t take my eyes off it; imagine how shocking this visual would be to people of the Middle Ages.

‘Even an uneducated serf would run straight to the Church to report exactly what they saw with their own eyes.’

Thinking about it that way, I understood even less why that possibility enthusiast had done such a thing.

‘Is he determined to get caught?’

Causing such a conspicuous mutation would naturally lead to someone stepping on his tail.

And to do this to a Heretic Inquisitor, no less.

‘They should be keeping a low profile before The ‘Stars’ even open….’

Since it wasn’t in the game, this was mere speculation, but there was a high probability that players could only use limited Divine Power through Sacred Relics and bound traits until The ‘Stars’ opened.

It was similar to being unable to level up even if you gained experience.

‘In that situation, if you blow your cover and lose your resources, there’s no way back.’

Once we entered a room with no one else around, Nasir let out a sigh and took off the necklace he was wearing.

“I don’t know where to begin explaining.”

“…Is this a story I’m allowed to hear?”

Nasir likely only knew that ‘Fabio’ was a serf who had received a Blessing from a deity outside of Order.

‘Isn’t it against the rules for a cop to tell a civilian about an unsolved criminal case?’

“I cannot tell you in detail. However, Fabio, you possess eyes that pierce through falsehoods. It would be best for you to hear at least a minimal explanation.”

Nasir wrapped the necklace around his hand.

‘Is that Nephiton’s Sacred Relic?’

“First, I am not the only one who has received this Curse.”

‘…There are more cat-eared Heretic Inquisitors?’

Is that possibility enthusiast seriously insane?

What is he trying to achieve?

“Because the Curse is too conspicuous, I was instructed to carry Nephiton’s Sacred Relic while moving around the Capital Church. However, Fabio, Nephiton’s illusions do not work on you.”

Nasir’s ears flickered.

My gaze instinctively drifted toward them.

“…If you stare so intently when meeting someone other than me, they will immediately realize that Nephiton’s power is not working.”

I quickly lowered my eyes.

“I’m sorry. I did it without thinking….”

“There is no need to apologize. It is only natural for the eye to be drawn to things that are gruesome and bizarre.”

‘…It’s not that gruesome, though.’

If anything, it was fascinating, not repulsive or unpleasant.

‘But if I say it doesn’t look bad, I’ll be treated as a prospective possibility enthusiast.’

I absolutely did not want to be lumped into the same category as that disgusting bastard.

“Will you stay like that? Is there no way to remove the Curse?”

“I tried using the Blessing of Healing after cutting them off, but they grew back exactly as they were. An apostle of Ledeia told me that the original form itself had been altered.”

‘…I briefly wondered if another player was imitating the possibility enthusiast to keep Mother God in check.’

Hearing Nasir’s words, it became certain that this was the work of a Mothergod Fanatic.

‘Because Mother God’s domain is mutation.’

Since the DNA itself had been rewritten, using the Blessing of Healing simply regenerated the ‘normal’ cat ears.

Only Mother God could do such a thing.

If the Plague God had created a ‘disease’ that caused cat ears to grow, they would have vanished completely the moment the Blessing of Healing was applied.

If it were a Distortion making it look like cat ears existed, I wouldn’t have seen them….

‘…Then this really is self-destruction?’

Why on earth did that possibility enthusiast do this?

Did he want to see a cat-eared Heretic Inquisitor just once before turning himself in?

“If the person who cast the Curse is caught, can you return to normal?”

“…I do not know yet.”

‘Which means they haven’t been caught.’

Could he have been testing the waters, thinking, ‘Will they still not catch me even if I do this? Even this?’ because Order was doing absolutely nothing?

“Are there any other abnormalities? Does it hurt?”

“I am fine. I have also been confirmed that there are no other adverse effects.”

“That’s a relief.”

Nasir’s expression became subtle.

I quickly added, “You could have died. I’m truly glad you came back alive and that I can see you again.”

“…Did you miss me?”

“Of course!”

‘Though I had forgotten your very existence until we bumped into each other just now.’

Honestly, I thought it was unavoidable.

Too many things had happened in the meantime.

If I had been living peacefully without any major incidents, I definitely would have thought about Nasir a lot.

Really.

Nasir’s tail swayed.

“I missed you very much as well.”

A brilliant golden light, a color impossible for human melanin, curved softly.

Looking into those golden eyes, a question suddenly occurred to me.

‘…Why didn’t he farm that?’

Nasir possesses the ‘Divine Bloodline’ trait.

This means Nasir’s physical body itself is a Sacred Relic.

‘Did he not recognize it?’

When playing as Mother God, the most important thing is to collect as much biological data as possible.

If he had recognized a ‘Divine Bloodline’ from which useful traits could be obtained, there was no way he would have sent him back alive.

If I were the player….

‘…No, she said it was updated so it could be obtained through other methods.’

Mother God had said it.

From now on, complete biological data could be obtained using only reproductive cells.

Which means….

“How have you been?”

I smiled awkwardly.

‘…Let’s not think about it too specifically.’

“I’ve been doing well.”

“What brings you to the Inquisition?”

“There is something I wish to ask of Lady Casimir.”

Nasir looked slightly troubled.

“The timing is poor. It will be difficult to see the Commander for the time being.”

“Did something happen?”

“…I suppose I can tell you this much. She is very busy as a Council will soon be held.”

“A Council?”

“A meeting where doctrines can be newly established or abolished.”

I knew what a Council was.

Antonio had taught me when I was learning to read.

‘…But when gods actually exist, is it okay for humans to discuss doctrine among themselves?’

Even if they debate and reach a conclusion, isn’t it just over if the god says, ‘Nope, I hate it’?

That’s how it was during the Conclude.

Nasir continued his explanation.

“Once the Council is convened, attendance becomes mandatory starting from the Archbishops. The main meeting proceeds if more than half of the Order’s Archbishops are present.”

‘If Archbishops from across the entire continent have to gather….’

“Then it must be a massive event! I’m a bit embarrassed that I was completely unaware of such a big deal.”

“It is natural that you didn’t know. It has never been officially proclaimed that a Council would be held.”

‘…But you said it’s happening soon?’

Even in the modern era, where one can travel to the other side of the earth in a day, meetings that gather people from all over the world are prepared at least several months in advance.

In the Dark Realm, where people have to gather on horseback, shouldn’t they be notified at least a year prior?

It seems like it would take months just for everyone to gather.

“However, it is certain that it will be held within two weeks.”

“How is that possible?”

“…There is an increasing number of nobles who claim to be on a pilgrimage and refuse to leave the vicinity of the capital. They are staying there with the intention of heading straight to the Capital Church the moment the Council is convened.”

“Who decides to open the Council?”

“If half of the Electors agree, a Council can be proclaimed.”

Listening to the story, I could roughly tell how the situation was playing out.

‘They’re aiming for a snap passage.’

If you hold a meeting after excluding the people likely to oppose, it will inevitably be passed.

It’s a common occurrence in democracies.

The point that bothered me was….

‘…Why is the Order letting this happen?’

I frowned.

This isn’t a matter of being unable to stop it.

They are choosing not to stop it.

The fact that the date of a surprise Council can be estimated to be within two weeks means they have already won the information war.

‘The Order probably already knows exactly what the pro-Council faction has discussed.’

Furthermore, if they could move the Inquisition, stopping a snap Council would be very simple.

They could just place light charges on the Electors, have them investigated for a month, and give the opposing forces time to mobilize.

‘No, there’s no need for such tricks.’

Just creating a slightly anxious atmosphere regarding heresy would make the nobles rush back to look after their own territories.

Because the nobles of the Dark Realm are less like nobles of a centralized state and more like small kings and priests serving a greater king.

Wouldn’t it be very troublesome if heretics took root in their lands while the king was away for a moment?

But the reason they don’t do that is….

“…So Lady Casimir is busy because the Council must be held?”

Instead of answering, Nasir stared at me intently.

I felt a bit awkward.

“Is that not it?”

“I thought this before, but Fabio, you are quite intelligent.”

‘Based on this?’

“It is exactly as you say. I have been ordered to remain quiet and not investigate the one who cast this Curse until the Council concludes.”

Hearing Nasir’s words, my thoughts became complicated.

‘…Did the players intervene in the Council?’

The fact that the Council was being held before The ‘Stars’ opened weighed on my mind.

‘If I were a noble, I would have suggested holding it right after the Four Seasons Festival.’

The Four Seasons Festival is a massive celebration that lasts for several weeks from before the Winter Solstice until the New Year.

It is natural for nobles to gather at the Capital Church for such a large festival.

After the festival ends, they could pretend to be reluctant to leave, linger for a bit, and then surprise everyone by opening the Council once it’s confirmed that many of the opposition have departed.

Why try to hold it before Christmas?

‘Come to think of it, the Prophet also said he would be coming to the Capital Church soon.’

Is the Prophet one of the nobles trying to open the Council?

“…Which is why I have become very idle.”

“Pardon?”

I snapped out of my reverie at Nasir’s words.

Before I knew it, Nasir was standing right beside me.

‘…Isn’t this a bit too close?’

Every time Nasir’s tail swayed, it lightly brushed against my leg.

“Aside from the Commander, is there nothing you wish to ask of me?”

‘Nasir…?’

I fell into thought for a moment.

What I had intended to ask Casimir was nothing major.

‘I was going to ask her to have a Heretic Inquisitor openly monitor me for a few days.’

So that the cautious ‘Prophet’ would think it best not to approach me.

‘Nasir is also a Heretic Inquisitor, for now, right?’

Would Nasir be okay?

‘Even if he just stays by my side wearing the Inquisitor’s clothes, wouldn’t it have some effect?’

Since he’s idle until the Council ends, he’s the perfect candidate….

I looked up at Nasir.

‘If he can use hallucinations, he might be less vulnerable to Distortion.’

The two are of a similar type.

When domains overlap, there is actually a level of resistance.

After calculating this and that, I reached a conclusion in my heart.

‘I’ll just ask.’

I said to Nasir, “Nasir, without asking why, could you stay by my side?”

Nasir didn’t answer immediately but stared at me for a long time.

As he did, I started to break into a cold sweat.

‘…Is it too suspicious to say not to ask why?’

“U-um, it’s not for a strange reason….”

“I understand.”

“I just had a slightly ominous dream. So I wanted someone to be with me….”

“You do not need to say any more.”

‘…Is he actually okay with this?’

Chapter 120