#061

To be scolded for not knowing something I was never taught.

This is seriously infuriating.

However, on the surface, I maintained the demeanor of a cowed serf.

“I am sorry. What should I have answered?”

Elamin looked at me silently, then suddenly grabbed my left wrist and slammed me against the wall.

Elamin’s face became so oppressively close that I could see his beard in 4K.

“In a situation like this, what are your thoughts?”

“Pardon?”

“Tell me what you think would happen if another person cornered you like this.”

‘Is he asking for knowledge on self-defense?’

I quickly assessed the situation.

Even if I tried to crouch down and slip away, it was impossible because my arm was held fast.

‘If you’re grabbed like this in a dark alleyway, usually….’

“…I’d get stabbed between the ribs?”

“…….”

Elamin’s brow furrowed further.

“Fabio. I am not currently holding a weapon.”

“But when caught like this, isn’t it correct to act under the assumption that the opponent possesses a weapon?”

“…Assuming there is no weapon. Then what do you think I would do?”

“Am I also unarmed in this scenario?”

“…Yes.”

‘The most lethal attack when both parties are unarmed would be….’

Strangling with both hands, but Elamin is currently holding my arm with one.

Unless there is a massive difference in physique, it’s difficult to strangle someone to the point of unconsciousness with only one hand.

In that case….

“A punch to the stomach…?”

“…Why did you think of that?”

“Because the stomach is an area not protected by bone, so it’s a part where a lethal blow can be dealt even without a weapon. If internal organs rupture and bleeding occurs, one could die….”

“Really, are there no other possibilities… that come to mind?”

“…A knee to the groin?”

Elamin let out a short sigh and continued.

“Fabio, look at my face.”

‘It’s so close I can’t even focus.’

Elamin used his other hand to grab and fix my chin in place, then asked again.

“What do you think I will do next?”

“…A headbutt?”

Since the frontal bone of the human skull is quite hard, a proper headbutt can deliver a tremendous shock.

Especially if one aims for weaker bones like the opponent’s nose or cheekbones, the impact is even greater.

‘Even if it’s not lethal, it can provide enough shock to neutralize them.’

Because the sensory organs are concentrated on the human face.

Of course, humans don’t have a physical structure capable of absorbing enough shock like a Pachycephalosaurus, so the attacker also risks a concussion; usually, if their hands are free, they’d be more likely to punch first.

But if the criminal laws of the Dark Realm separately define punching and punish it more severely, one might intentionally headbutt to claim there was no intent to harm….

Elamin released his grip on me, stepped back, and quietly pressed his hand to his forehead.

“Um, was the headbutt the correct answer?”

“…Let’s just say it was.”

‘Definitely not.’

Then what is the answer?

Swallowing my frustration, I retraced the questions Elamin had posed.

‘These questions were probably asked to check if I am aware of the precautions to take within the Capital Church.’

Therefore, answers like robbery or human trafficking are all wrong.

It seemed Elamin couldn’t tell me the answer because he had been instructed not to directly inform me of anything.

I sank into thought.

‘…Was the act of cooperating with someone trying to investigate me the wrong answer in itself?’

I was told that the truth about the Othergod is a top-secret matter known only to the apostles and the head of the Inquisition, Casimir.

I was told I must not let the apostles of the subordinate gods discover my existence.

‘If the person who says they want to search my room or my belongings is an apostle of a subordinate god….’

The moment they confirm I possess the Saintess’s Sacred Relic, there is a high probability they will realize Loclem’s apostles are hiding something.

It was said that the Saintess’s Sacred Relic does not reveal divine power when not in use, but that only means it’s easy to hide when tucked inside clothing.

If they are determined to investigate, they could easily tell it’s an object given by the Saintess.

‘In the first place, the fact that they came to search my belongings means there’s a high probability they approached me because they already have some suspicion.’

A priest of unclear origin is under the protection of apostles.

The moment I comply with the search, it’s no different from handing the evidence over to the apostle of a subordinate god.

‘…The Saintess said it would be a disaster if it’s discovered that I’m related to the Othergod.’

Did she say the lab director, an apostle of Ledeia, would want to perform human experiments on me if my identity were revealed?

Goosebumps rose on my arms at the thought of maggots crawling under my skin.

‘…That’s why I listened so carefully to Sereno’s personal details.’

Being from a noble family means he originally has a subordinate god he serves.

Suddenly, I perfectly understood why Elamin found me frustrating.

How absurd it must have been that someone who needs to hide their identity would let people into their room and offer to strip and show their Sacred Relics just because someone asked.

‘Wait. Then what was he trying to warn me about by grabbing my chin?’

If it’s a threat that another subordinate god’s apostle could inflict on me….

‘Ah.’

I had an epiphany.

“I understand! What you were trying to tell me just now!”

Elamin looked at me with an expectant gaze.

I answered confidently.

“Be careful of the opponent’s eyes! Because those of the Divine Bloodline can use Miracles!”

‘I’ve seen Nasir use it personally, yet I forgot!’

Ah, he gave me a blatant hint and I didn’t take it.

If Elamin’s eyes had been gold, I would have remembered, but since Elamin has silver-grey eyes, I couldn’t make the association.

“I forgot that I must hide my identity from the apostles of other subordinate gods. Instead of cooperating with the search, the correct action is to refuse and seek Lady Casimir’s help, right? And I must be careful about making eye contact!”

Elamin seemed satisfied with my correct answer and added no further comment.

“It must be frustrating for you since I couldn’t understand even though you taught me so kindly. Thank you for teaching me.”

“…Yes.”

Although I am immune to mental interference, the moment that is discovered, I become a suspicious person, so I must be careful to ensure I’m never caught.

“In a situation like that, how should I be careful?”

“…First, make sure you don’t end up in such a situation.”

“Understood!”

“And if you do happen to find yourself in such a situation….”

“Should I close my eyes to avoid making eye contact?”

“…….”

Elamin remained silent.

“Um, if I’m wrong, please explain it in words. Don’t look at me like that….”

“Never close your eyes. In that situation.”

‘True, if I close my eyes, I lose the ability to respond.’

Even if I’m not mentally manipulated, what use is it if my body is tightly bound afterward?

‘I should keep my eyes open and always look for an escape route, but avoid meeting their gaze.’

“Then what should I do?”

“First, scream to alert those around you to the situation.”

‘Surprisingly ordinary self-defense advice.’

“And then?”

“…Express your will to the opponent, telling them to stop, that you don’t want this.”

“What? Does that actually work?”

If that worked, Batman wouldn’t be an orphan.

“…Because actions committed against the will of the opponent are subject to condemnation, it has some effect on those who belong to Order.”

“I see.”

So in the Dark Realm, ‘No, I don’t want to, please stop’ actually works.

‘But that woman who beheaded her ex-boyfriend was also ordained….’

Did that happen because the ex-boyfriend didn’t say ‘I don’t want my head cut off’?

Or does it just not work on psychos who don’t care about condemnation or anything else?

“And it would be better to carry at least one more Talisman.”

“I have the necklace the Saintess gave me….”

“You are keeping that hidden, so it would be better to have one visible on the outside. I will procure one for you.”

‘Indeed, possessing ordinary items would draw less suspicion.’

I was impressed by Elamin’s thoughtful consideration.

Of course, it’s a bit annoying that he looks at me with eyes that say ‘What am I to do with this deficient thing’ every time I say something wrong, but since I really did give some stupid answers, I decided to accept it humbly.

“Thank you for your concern!”

I beamed a wide smile.

After all, hadn’t Elamin given me advice by defying the orders of the god-like Casimir in his own way?

“…Fabio.”

“Yes.”

“I think what you said was correct. There is a need for you to become more accustomed to this Capital Church before you start making friends.”

‘Is he saying I’m stupid….’

I’ve never been called stupid in my life.

My pride is wounded.

However, I maintained a smiling face on the outside.

“I am indeed very lacking. I will learn diligently whatever you teach me!”

“…Let’s just go eat breakfast.”

“Yes!”

* * *

For breakfast, there was meat stew, white bread, and raspberry jam.

While I was poking around wondering what kind of meat this was, the Narration Window suddenly appeared.

[It’s rabbit meat.]

…I see.

Thanks for letting me know, Fabio.

‘Rabbit meat tastes similar to chicken.’

I roughly brushed aside Fabio’s memory that rabbit brains were edible even raw and finished my meal.

Athanas was at the Branch Office today as well.

‘…He’s already asleep.’

Seeing him sleep for three days in a row, I’ve grown somewhat used to it.

Rather than Heretic Slayer Athanas, he feels more like that one guy in every class who sleeps all the time.

‘Of course, his looks are truly unrealistic.’

When it was a game, I just thought the art team worked very hard, but knowing that face belongs to a real person and not polygons made me wonder.

Was the person who saved the world just incredibly handsome by chance, or was he able to save the world because he was handsome?

Considering that Loclem’s apostles are all beautiful men and women, it’s possible that Athanas’s awakening as a new apostle in the latter half of ‘Die Heretic!’ was possible because he was handsome.

Or….

‘Among the futures that didn’t happen, maybe there were cases where an ugly person saved the world, but they just weren’t made into a game.’

That theory is also quite persuasive.

If Athanas hadn’t been the protagonist, ‘Die Heretic!’ probably wouldn’t have been that popular.

I stared at Athanas silently.

‘…How can someone who looks like this be alienated?’

It’s truly strange.

If someone is this handsome and also exceptionally skilled, people would naturally flock to flatter them.

Aren’t there plenty of people who act arrogant just because someone else they know is successful?

He looks like the type of person those kinds of people would swarm around….

‘I could understand if there were just a few groups he didn’t get along with, but being completely isolated is hard to wrap my head around.’

Why are there no followers who take Athanas’s side?

Does he usually speak in an incredibly obnoxious way?

‘…Still, with looks like that, even a caustic way of speaking would probably gain a cult following.’

After pondering for a while, I could only conclude that medieval people are a truly mysterious breed. No matter how I thought about it, the fact that Athanas was being ostracized didn’t make sense.

‘Well, maybe it’s because Athanas is the protagonist.’

Doesn’t a trivial villain always cling persistently to the protagonist?

Such a villain is a role that charges in without knowing their place, only to be utterly humiliated later, providing a sense of catharsis.

I stopped admiring Athanas’s face and opened my book.

But the pages wouldn’t turn, and my mind kept wandering.

‘A character who is exceptionally talented and beautiful, but feels lonely because everyone around them is jealous….’

…Aren’t there quite a few female characters like that?

While it’s strange in reality to have no friends because you’re too perfect, it’s quite common in harem-element rom-coms or dating sims.

That way, they can be saved by a few kind words from a plain, ordinary protagonist and fall in love.

‘It’s a lazy and complacent trope.’

It’s nonsense in reality.

What kind of human being is saved just by a few words of kindness?

If that were possible, why would psychotherapists even be needed?

‘Well, this isn’t a dating sim, so Athanas will probably just save himself.’

Chapter 62