Chapter 149: Kalosia (3)

Gods in this world did not look after humanity out of love or mercy. Ketal had come to understand that fact.

“It feels rather unfair, does it not?” Kalosia remarked, as though sensing Ketal’s thoughts. “Even so, I have exerted myself to bestow divine power upon humankind.”

His followers were able to wield holy power because Kalosia granted it to them.

“Yet, the holy scripture is the embodiment of my domain, left behind in this world. I cannot allow those who spurn my principles to wield it, even if that choice leads to the downfall of my own church,” Kalosia continued. He refused to compromise on that, even if it meant the end of their believers.

“I see,” Ketal murmured.

He understood now that gods indeed cherished their followers, but only within certain bounds. There was a clear line they would not cross for mortals. Kalosia regarded him quietly, star-like eyes focused upon the barbarian.

“You seem rather composed,” Kalosia remarked in a surprised tone. “I expected you to be taken aback or distressed, yet you merely look as though you anticipated all of this.”

“It’s not so shocking,” Ketal answered calmly.

Back on Earth, he had encountered countless stories of gods. Some embodied absolute good, some placed order above all else, and others concerned themselves only with their own pleasure. A deity like Kalosia was simply another possibility from among those tales. While it was fascinating to see such a god exist in reality, Ketal did not find it particularly alarming.

“You appear to carry fewer preconceptions than most. That is unexpected, indeed,” Kalosia said, narrowing their eyes as though intrigued. “Nevertheless, I believe I have seen enough.”

Ketal seized the opportunity. “May I ask you something, then?”

“You may speak freely.”

“Why did you grant me your power?” Ketal asked. During the battle against Lubitra, the named demon, Kalosia had chosen to empower Ketal—an outsider—rather than simply granting additional strength to Shadranes, their Saintess, or to the church’s most potent holy knight.

Shadranes herself had been shocked by this also.

“I am not one of your followers,” Ketal continued. “I do not see any reason for you to give me such power.”

Kalosia responded in an even tone, “First, allow me to correct a misunderstanding. We do not turn a blind eye to the affairs of this realm merely by choice. We protect humanity and stand by those who serve us. All the gods share this principle. While I can accept that my church may crumble as a consequence of mortal conflict, the current invasion of evil is a wholly separate matter.”

Their star-like eyes glimmered as they continued, “I have no intention of allowing such foul beings to blight my children and my land without challenge.”

“Yet, you appear to have done very little,” Ketal pointed out.

“My power suffers certain restraints. Those abominable fiends have erected interferences that make it difficult for us to act at will,” Kalosia said, their features betraying a trace of annoyance.

Ketal nodded in understanding. “So the gods cannot intervene freely with their invasion. The demons are manifesting in this realm without proper rituals, and the gods’ revelations are likewise distorted.”

Ketal knew that these portents heralded the Demon King’s arrival, and that the very balance of the world was unraveling. Such turmoil would naturally limit the gods’ ability to intervene.

Kalosia acknowledged it with a small nod. “Indeed. My authority here has its limits. Even if I had bestowed greater power upon Shadranes, she would still have been defeated.”

“That is a frank admission of your own limitations,” Ketal said.

“Such talk about blasphemy and the like is meaningless to you, I surmise,” Kalosia answered. They seemed genuinely indifferent to revealing their weakness before Ketal.

“That is why I chose you,” Kalosia continued, their layered voices reverberating through the church. “You already exemplify my domain—lies and deception—beyond any of my other options. At the very least, you fulfill the minimum requirement.”

Kalosia was the God of Lies and Deception, and those were his highest values.

“I think you are mistaken in some sense,” Ketal said, raising a brow.

“Perhaps I am,” Kalosia replied with a faint, knowing smile. “But the fact remains: you stand among mortals while concealing your true nature. Does that not itself constitute ample proof of my domain at work?”

Kalosia spoke in a subdued tone, then exhaled softly. “No matter. What matters is that those vile creatures were driven off. You have served well by banishing them and preserving my holy land.”

Their voice carried clear contempt for the demons. “They behave like insects, forever returning in their failure, unable to accept defeat. It is shameful. Their downfall is cause for celebration among us. You performed admirably, expelling that evil and safeguarding my holy land.”

Ketal’s deed was truly a feat worthy of history.

“Therefore, I shall grant you a reward,” Kalosia proclaimed.

Ketal’s eyes glimmered with interest. “A reward?”

“My followers can scarcely manage their own circumstances at present, so it would be difficult for them to provide you with something commensurate. Consider it a gift from me instead.”

“Oh, wow,” Ketal murmured, surprised. His voice wavered slightly. A blessing from a god was hardly something one encountered every day. He wondered what it might be, but his mind soon settled on a request.

“I want to wield your holy scripture,” Ketal said.

The holy scripture contained the history and journey of the god. Whoever could handle it would wield the deity’s power directly. Naturally, that was what Ketal desired most: access to the holy scripture.

Yet, Kalosia slowly shook their head. “That is impossible. You indeed embody my domain more effectively than anyone else, yet the necessary conditions remain unfulfilled. In your heart, you do not truly revere me.”

The holy scripture demanded two conditions: genuine worship of the deity and commitment to their values. Only when both were met could one wield it.

“Such a thing cannot be granted to one lacking in devotion, nor could I permit you to handle it,” Kalosia explained.

“I see,” Ketal said, clicking his tongue in mild disappointment. He had hoped, but it seemed it was indeed impossible.

After a brief moment of thought, Ketal spoke again. “In that case, I would like something that can help me fight against evil.”

The forces of evil were invading this land, and they already regarded Ketal as an enemy. Future clashes seemed inevitable. He had a major problem, though: he could not use Myst of his own, so he had no means of banishing or exorcising demons.

In every conflict with them so far, he had needed someone else’s assistance. Even in the last battle, if Kalosia hadn’t personally bestowed holy power upon him, he would have been able to overpower Lubitra, but not finish him off.

Ketal could not rely on outside help forever. He needed a way to handle future threats himself.

“Something to fight evil...,” Kalosia murmured, as though weighing the request. Then they lifted one finger. “In my name, Kalosia, I decree that you shall be granted the proper qualification.”

A cross of light shimmered around Ketal. When Kalosia lowered their hand, the glow took hold within him.

“I have bestowed upon you one of my relics. In principle, only the worthy may wield it, but I am making a special allowance in your case. Possessing it shall grant you the ability to manipulate holy power.”

“What?” Ketal’s eyes widened at a reward he had never imagined.

“It does carry certain limitations, but it should suffice when confronting lesser evils. Will this satisfy you?”

“It more than satisfies me!” Ketal answered with an enthusiastic nod. Gaining control over holy power—something out of legend—was an unexpected gift, and it brought a genuine smile to his lips.

Watching him for a moment, Kalosia finally spoke again. “For more detailed explanations, consult my Saintess. Have you any further questions?”

“I have plenty,” Ketal admitted. He wanted to know what gods were and what demons were. He also wanted to know the countless myths humanity had preserved.

“You hunger for knowledge, I see,” Kalosia remarked, sounding almost intrigued. “Were you hoping for access to the Akashic Record? I did not anticipate you to be one who pursues such knowledge so fervently...”

Their star-like gaze rested upon Ketal. There was something peculiar in the way they watched the barbarian, as though observing a mysterious phenomenon. From the start, Kalosia had treated Ketal with a distinct sense of curiosity, like a scholar dissecting an unfamiliar subject.

“As you might have guessed, I cannot divulge such secrets to you,” Kalosia continued.

“I figured as much,” Ketal replied. He had not really expected answers to all of life’s mysteries. The rest would be up to him to uncover as he journeyed through the world.

Their conversation felt as though it had reached a natural conclusion. Ketal recalled something and asked one last question. “You withheld divine grace from your believers because they gave up on lies and deception, right? They mistakenly believe it was their past atrocities that drove you away.”

“Indeed, they have misunderstood. I would prefer they arrive at the truth on their own. Yet, I will not forbid you from setting them straight. Do as you wish.”

“I’m surprised. I assumed you would order me to remain silent,” Ketal admitted.

“Order?” Kalosia echoed with mild amusement. “No being in existence can truly command you, I suspect. Neither us, the gods, nor the demons. Is that not so?”

“Hmm.” Ketal narrowed his eyes as he asked, “How much do you actually know about me?”

Kalosia had earlier referred to Ketal as someone from the Inside—presumably the White Snowfield where he once lived.

“It is amusing you put it that way. In truth, I know very little about you,” Kalosia said, calmly acknowledging their own ignorance. The god regarded Ketal as if he were an enigma. “I understand you hail from Inside. Yet, how is it you, or any being like you, managed to leave that place? The barrier should have held, and there was no reason for it to fail. It is most perplexing...”

“Have you observed me long enough to satisfy that curiosity?” Ketal asked them with a faint smile.

From the moment Ketal stepped foot into the holy land, he had felt Kalosia’s watchful presence. Ketal was well aware the god had been scrutinizing him to learn what he truly was. Indeed, both had effectively been observing each other all along.

“I have gleaned certain insights, but they only raise further questions,” Kalosia admitted. “I believed those from the Inside to be our foes, and yet... I find you quite unexpected.”

Kalosia’s presence began to fade. Their allotted time in the mortal realm was nearing its end.

“Yes, my time here is almost done. I believe we have both satisfied our mutual curiosity. May we both find this meeting worthwhile,” Kalosia said.

“I am more than satisfied,” Ketal replied with a broad smile. This was his first-ever conversation with a god, and it had yielded new knowledge and a welcome gift. It had, in its own way, been an enjoyable exchange.

As Ketal grinned, Kalosia spoke one final time. “Stranger from Inside, I bear you no particular enmity. As long as you do not harm my followers, I shall not interfere with your affairs. Yet... not every god will share my neutrality. Some gods may seek your downfall, Anomaly.”

With these parting words, Kalosia vanished from the earthly realm.

“Ah...,” Ketal murmured, staring at the spot where the god had just been.

In that moment, Shadranes’s voice rang out, and she swayed before collapsing. Ketal caught her in his arms.

“Are you okay?” he asked her.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Y-yes, thank you. Did your conversation go well?” she said breathlessly.

“It did indeed,” Ketal replied with a satisfied smile. “It was a most enjoyable time. Thank you.”