Chapter 91: Twenty-third Floor, The Sword That Never Returns (1)

“We’ve finally found you—our guide. Please allow me to formally introduce myself again. I am Comet Drett, the last apostle of the goddess Blue Dawn Breeze.”

“What?”

The last apostle of the goddess Blue Dawn Breeze?

His unexpected revelation struck me like a jolt of electricity, freezing my thoughts in place. I pushed through the mental haze, forcing myself to catch the significance of his words.

So, the unassuming low-ranking mercenary Comet wasn’t a mercenary at all, but, in fact, the last apostle of the Goddess. Since that was the case, my real objective hadn’t been to protect the merchant leader or the slaves. I had to protect him.

Thinking back to his earlier behavior, it now seemed more calculated than random. He had been unusually warm from the outset, constantly trying to engage me in conversation despite my curt replies.

He even told me that peculiar story about the song.

Everything clicked into place, like pieces of a floor-shaped puzzle.

Wait. Wasn’t the last apostle of the goddess reported missing in this desert?

Comet must have noticed the subtle change in my expression, for he quickly offered an apology, “I’m sorry for deceiving you. I have to conceal my identity to protect my secret mission."

“Hold on. Didn’t you tell me the last apostle vanished here?”

“Yes. That apostle was the previous apostle before me."

“There’s still one thing I can’t wrap my head around. Let’s assume that everything you’ve said is true. Was it really necessary to conceal yourself as a low-ranking mercenary? Couldn’t you have simply come to the desert on your own?”

Something about his logic didn’t seem sound. In an era where nations had heightened their control over mercenaries—especially their movements—becoming one meant leaving behind travel records. Moreover, joining a caravan would inevitably limit Comet’s freedom to search the desert.

I couldn’t find a compelling reason for him to adopt the guise of a low-tier mercenary and draw unnecessary attention.

Comet’s lips curled into a faint, rueful smile.

“The Dumie Desert is both a trade route and a national border. You can’t freely wander it without authorization. Even though I’ve never encountered soldiers myself, both nations have them patrolling the area at regular intervals.”

“I see...”

“Without joining the slave caravan, I wouldn’t have been able to enter. Even if I had managed to sneak in, crossing the desert alone would have been an arduous task.”

“I understand now.”

“But the bigger issue is that there are people pursuing me. The bandits who ambushed us earlier? They appeared because of me. Normally, you wouldn’t encounter bandits here, thanks to the constant patrols.”

His words reminded me of what the caravan leader had said earlier that day.

“Damn it. They said there weren’t supposed to be any bandits in this area... Kulsen, did you figure out who they were?"

I now understood why the majority of the mercenaries hired to guard the caravan had been low-rank.

If it weren’t for Comet’s presence triggering the ambushes, the slavers likely wouldn’t have needed more powerful mercenaries.

Yet, one thing still puzzled me.

“You said your mission was a secret. So how did the ambushers even find out? And why would they interfere with your religious order?”

“It’s a long story, but since the desert night does last a while, allow me to explain it at my leisure.”

Comet lowered his gaze to the sandy ground, silently suggesting we should sit down. I nodded and eased myself down onto the sand, feeling its grains shift beneath me. Comet followed suit and settled beside me with a gentle sigh.

“I once served as a priest for the Order of the Dawn Breeze in Ernheim.”

“Since you know the order’s secrets, I assume you were no ordinary priest.”

“You could say that, though it’s not particularly important...”

He trailed off, his expression clouded, obviously feeling complicated emotions. I waited quietly, giving him the space to gather his thoughts.

“The chain of events that led up to us coming together began when the goddess disappeared.”

“Fifty years ago, right?”

“Yes. Precisely one month after the goddess vanished, her last apostle also disappeared—right here, in this desert.”

So far, everything matched what Comet had told me earlier today. Suspecting that, from this point onward, he would begin sharing the key details, I sharpened my focus, ready to absorb every detail.

“Not long after, heretics began to emerge. The first sign of their presence surfaced in Rupeln, a small town on the western fringe of the continent.”

“Heretics?”

“Yes. They are followers of an unknown god, a deity no one had heard of before. The order started an investigation after the goddess’s followers in Rupeln began to go missing. When the truth was uncovered, we discovered that these heretics had been offering our goddess’ followers as human sacrifices.”

“Human sacrifices...”

Those words alone made my skin crawl, and my brow furrowed instinctively.

Regardless, Comet pressed on without pause, “Of course, we moved to eliminate them. Such practices are unforgivable under any circumstances. Despite our efforts, however, the heretics’ influence began to spread. How they managed it, we never discovered.”

“Even the Order couldn’t contain them?”

“No. Over the next fifty years, they gathered in the shadows and grew in numbers. Eventually, even a few high-ranking nobles joined their ranks.”

Heretics, flourishing in the absence of the goddess...

The idea didn’t sit well with me. Religious conversion was challenging even in modern times.

Furthermore, this world was in a medieval era, where beliefs were deeply ingrained and change was rare. The idea that believers of the continent’s only religion would abandon their faith seemed almost impossible—especially when they had witnessed their god’s power firsthand.

“What drove them to become heretics? Was it simply because the goddess disappeared?”

“Yes, that’s correct. While the goddess’s power had faded from the land, the heretics’ god displayed his might—in exchange for offerings.”

“If his power was real, I suppose that would be reason enough for some to convert.”

“Indeed. They claim that their god, the ‘Stagnant Terror,’ killed the goddess and that her absence is proof of his triumph.”

Memories of previous floors flickered through my mind. The goblins who had lost their god, and Soborn’s continent besieged by the armies of another deity... This scenario followed the same pattern.

Comet seemed to have mistaken my silence as tacit agreement with the heretics’ claims, so he hurriedly added, “But that’s not the truth.”

“You mean the goddess is still alive?”

“Yes. The goddess commanded me to come to this desert.”

Even though no one was nearby except for me and Doppy, Comet glanced around as if he feared that someone might overhear him.

“Two months ago, during dawn prayer, I heard the goddess’s voice.”

His voice dropped to a solemn whisper, “In two months, a guide will appear in the Dumie Desert. My son, go to the desert. The guide will be brave and intolerant of injustice. You will recognize him the moment you see him.”

Comet locked eyes with me, and it was at that moment that I fully believed him.

“That’s how I became the goddess’s last apostle. As soon as I saw you, I felt that you were the guide.”

Given how distinct my appearance was from the other mercenaries, it wasn’t exactly surprising. Not wanting to ruin the mood, I held my tongue.

“I wasn’t entirely certain at first, which is why I chose to observe the situation before making a move.”

“I haven’t received a message from the goddess, though.”

“‘Where the guide walks, the path shall follow.’ That was the goddess’s last message to her apostle, fifty years ago. I believe that the path I seek lies wherever you choose to go.”

Though Comet’s explanation had clarified many things about this floor, it didn’t provide anything concrete to work off of. Even Comet himself didn’t know the exact route.

Hmm... What should I do now?

While mulling over my options, I decided to focus on a detail Comet had mentioned.

“You said we are being targeted by heretics, right?”

“Yes.”

“How have they managed to track you?"

“I haven't told anyone about this mission, so I guess their god gave them a revelation."

Comet finished speaking and closed his eyes briefly, offering a silent prayer to the goddess.

“But if the goddess gave you a command, couldn’t you bring the order with you? Why are you traveling alone?"

“It’s faster to go alone... Plus, the order might have a traitor."

His quiet voice carried a heaviness, and I could sense the truth behind his words.

A traitor within the order... Have the heretics really grown so powerful, enough to corrupt even the heart of the church?

Comet let out a deep sigh, his expression clouded with guilt.

“Those who fell to the heretics’ ambush all died because of me. I am honorless and don’t dare to show my face to the goddess anymore."

“..."

Most of the casualties had been low-ranking mercenaries—common people of this continent. Whether their faith was strong or weak, many of them were likely followers of the Blue Dawn Breeze. As a priest, Comet’s burden and guilt were now easier to understand.

I stayed silent, offering him quiet solace.

What should I do now?

As Comet had mentioned, if we were going to find the goddess’s relics, we needed to act quickly. What to do with the surviving mercenaries and travelers was a problem, however.

Can they make it across the desert without me?

Even if the heretics were receiving divine revelations, they wouldn’t act instantly. Still, once we were gone, anyone left behind would become an easy target.

If I escort everyone to a safe location, I will have less than three hours left.

Another difficult choice stood before me. Finding the goddess’s remnants along the way would be ideal, but how likely was that? And even if we did encounter them, what would happen if we got attacked again?

My thoughts churned, chasing after possibilities, but I already knew the answer.

I need to get the survivors to safety first.

I couldn’t in good conscience risk the lives of so many people for the sake of a hidden mission that didn’t necessarily exist. I wasn’t desperate enough to sacrifice others for a few achievement points.

If we happened to come across it, then I would figure out the details.

“For now, since I don’t know the exact path, we’ll stick to the original route and head toward the city."

“Of course. I will follow your lead, Mr. Kwon Su-Hyeok."

“I don’t have much time left. If we don’t find the relics along the way, there’s nothing more I can do to help you."

“Whatever you decide on, follow your heart. I’ll go wherever you lead."

Despite my concerns, Comet remained composed, almost carefree. He acted as if none of it troubled him. He seemed truly dedicated to following me, no matter the path I chose.

Well, if the god he worshiped had personally told him to follow me, he would trust me infinitely.

Just then, Doppy suddenly shrieked, its voice sharp and frantic.

“Kriee!

To the right!"

“What?"

Startled, I whipped my head to the right, half-expecting to see an enemy. In reality, all that greeted me was the gentle curve of sand dunes under the moonlight.

“What the hell, Doppy? What’s gotten into you?"

“

Kriee!

To the right! Fenrike told Goblin!"

“Fenrike?"

This was new. Doppy had experienced spiritual visions before, but never directly communicated with Fenrike. Something must have changed, although now wasn’t the time to puzzle it out.

If Doppy says to go right, we go right.

The survivors weighed on my mind, though. I doubted there would be an ambush before dawn, but we couldn’t be sure.

Should I leave Doppy behind to watch over them?

With Two-Way Portal at my disposal, it seemed like the safest option.

Noticing my hesitation, Comet gave me a questioning look.

“Is something wrong?"

“Just a moment. Doppy, you still have the signal device, right?"

“

Kriee!

Of course!"

Ha Hee-Jeong had given us supplies, including a pair of signal devices. When the button on one was pressed, the other would vibrate. It was simple but effective. I had given one to Doppy.

Thanks to my portal skill, I could instantly return to Doppy if it sent the signal.

“If anything happens, press it immediately, understand?"

“

Kriee!

Okay! Don’t worry!"

To be safe, I ensured the devices were in working order one last time before turning back to Comet.

“Let’s go. We’re heading to the right."

“May I ask what’s going on?"

“Doppy is a saint from another world. It seems its god has given us a sign."

“A god from another world?"

Comet’s expression darkened, his brows furrowing in discomfort.

Ah, right. To someone like Comet—born and raised on this continent—the idea of another god’s existence was heretical. Additionally, with the heretics claiming that their god had killed the Goddess of the Dawn Breeze, mentioning Fenrike was a risky move.

I quickly added, “As you know, we’re not from this world. The god Doppy serves has endured hardships, just like your goddess. Perhaps they feel a sense of solidarity and want to help."

He hesitated but chose to believe me in the end despite his lingering doubts.

“I will trust you, Mr. Kwon Su-Hyeok, as the guide."

With that settled, Comet and I began our trek toward the right, following Doppy’s intuition.