Chapter 979: Altanus (16)

It was too early to decide which route to take.

I had yet to come up with a plan of what I had to do if things went wrong once I had become Altanus. It would be better to discuss the best next course of action once it was over.

Plan B was the safer route, but if ended up in the worst-case scenario, I would have to consider Plan A. Right now, the most reasonable thing for me to do was to make my move while considering both routes at the same time.

That was exactly the reason I decided to plant a seed in Templar Genny.

‘Whether it’s Genny or Gen, he’ll be my shield at least once.’

If I were to go with Plan A, it’d be Genny. If I were to go with Plan B, it’d be Gen.

Actually, even if the future ended up changing, I could still create a scene where Templar Gen would have to make a noble sacrifice in Kim Hyun-Sung’s place.

‘It’ll be the same for Draktaris.’

I had an idea about how to do that. I just had to lay the foundation that would turn him into my collaborator, deepen the conflict between Bahamut and Draktaris, and transform Draktaris into an NPC who would help against the final boss.

‘This could be the reason why I haven’t heard any news about defeating Draktaris.’

Hee-Ra noona probably found this boring, but those who had entered the prayer room could have noticed that the raid condition had changed.

Regardless, the main force seemed to have decided to continue with the raid, so I could assume that they were not in a dangerous situation. Regardless of what plan I ended up choosing, Draktaris could still become an allied NPC.

The key to these two routes was Templar Bahamut.

‘Weakening their forces is the first thing to do.’

It would be better if we could get rid of them…

‘But it’s too risky.’

He was the hero of this world, after all.

The continent had to meet its end after Benigoa or I had entered the iron maiden, but it would only happen when Lucifer was finally ready to abandon the continent.

If the continent were to meet its end in a different way, the future would definitely change into something unfamiliar to me. Templar Genny was a shield. A shield that'd protect the continent until Benigoa or I had inherited the continent.

Moreover, I could easily kill him if I wanted to do so.

“Father, how about reconsidering it?” Draktaris suggested.

“It’s fine, Father Draktaris,” I replied.

“...”

“Lady Lucifer wants it. I-I don’t know whether what I had seen was the future that is about to begin or not, but as you and the others had said, I don't think I’m worthy of the title, 'Priest of Prophecy…'” I paused.

“...”

“But if Lady Lucifer had truly bestowed upon you that ability, there had to be a reason behind it. I might be able to figure out the reasons behind Templar Bahamut’s downfall, and I might be able to stop it as well. I need to become close to him.

"I-It hasn't been that long since we met, but… I don’t think he'll abandon Lady Lucifer,” I added.

“...”

“I know what you’re worried about, Father Draktaris. I agree that there might be a safer and more reasonable method than this… but I believe that this is the only thing that I can do,” I told him.

“Father…”

“Even if he's going to abandon Lady Lucifer—”

“How about at least taking Templar Genny or the other guards with you?” Draktaris suggested.

It wasn’t a bad idea, but I shook my head. I didn't want him to put his guard back up.

“F-Father Lee Ki-Young, Father Draktaris is right. As you said, it’ll be nice if nothing happens, b-but you might end up in a dangerous situation…” Templar Genny chimed in.

“I’m just going to spend some time with him, Templar Genny,” I reassured him.

“...”

“I won’t do anything that’ll worry you, so you don’t have to worry,” I added.

“But Father!”

“As I told you yesterday… I’m not someone special. Please keep that in mind, Templar Genny,” I reminded him.

I stepped back slowly.

Templar Genny frowned as if he were looking at someone who was being sold off, but the Priest of Prophecy would never avoid his fate.

I was scared, but I knew that the bigger picture was more important than me.

I smiled brightly, trying to tell him that it wasn't a big deal.

I used that same bright smile to greet the guest who had been waiting for me.

“Templar Bahamut!” I greeted in an energetic voice.

Templar Bahamut wasn't the type of person to enjoy a social gathering, so he wouldn’t have attended the third day of this social gathering if it hadn't been for me.

It seemed that he had truly enjoyed our time together yesterday.

‘I’m sure he enjoyed it.’

The Underground Temple had no concept of recreation, and the Goddess' Hand Mirror had yet to exist, so I was sure Templar Bahamut's daily life was boring. Moreover, he was always in the company of the same priests.

He had just met someone easy to talk to, so I was sure he was excited to spend some more time with that individual—an outsider who cared about no one else but Lucifer.

“You’re here,” Bahamut greeted.

“I saw you from back there, Templar Bahamut…” I said.

“

Hahaha…

” Templar Bahamut chuckled sheepishly. It was a short conversation, but the atmosphere was clearly better than yesterday. His sword training class had helped us build a bond, and our interaction was so natural that there was no awkwardness.

‘People are normally awkward around each other the day after having a few drinks with each other.’

It could be said that we were already past that point.

“Father Draktaris.”

“Templar Bahamut.”

The two pillars of the Underground Temple looked at each other. At this rate, things were going to get awkward, so I had to get in between the two.

“I’ll go spend some time with Templar Bahamut, Father Draktaris,” I said.

“Understood, Father Lee Ki-Young,” Draktaris answered.

I had a lot to do at the social gathering, but there were things I needed to prioritize. I had already informed Metel of the things she needed to do and the people she needed to meet.

I saw her with so many people around her, so she was definitely doing a great job.

‘Draktaris will start making his move as well.’

He was gathering his people and planning for the future.

Rather than staying with Draktaris, it was more helpful to disappear quietly because I needed to gain the Mage Marquis and the Grand Duchess’ favor. Of course, it’d be kind of strange if I suddenly suggested that we head out, so it was better to wait for the right timing while talking to other people.

“

Hahahaha!

”

The place was filled with laughter today as well.

“So that’s the hidden meaning behind Lady Lucifer's words. That’s amazing, Father Lee Ki-Young.”

“It’s just my own interpretation. How could my words replace her words?” I said.

“You don’t have to be so modest,

hahaha

. You said it was your own interpretation. In that case… Mr. Bahamut… can I ask what you think about this?”

“Before hearing Father Lee Ki-Young’s words, I also understood her words as it is… but after hearing his words, I believe there’s a hidden meaning as well,” Bahamut answered.

“Your knowledge is pretty impressive. Now that I think about it when you arrived here…”

‘The rumors reached that far already?’

“I heard from somewhere that you spent quite some time in the library.”

“I wanted to see what the Underground Temple’s library looked like…” I told them.

“

Hahahaha.

”

Of course, my goal today wasn’t to entertain the people here. Although I was laughing with them, I needed to show that I was uncomfortable. To others, I seemed like the same old Lee Ki-Young, but Bahamut looked uncomfortable upon seeing me. His genuine smile from yesterday was nowhere to be seen.

He kept looking around as if there was something he wanted to say to me, and he looked like he wanted to leave this place.

“Are you okay, Father?” Templar Bahamut asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I answered.

Of course, I showed him that I wasn't actually fine.

“How about we go get some fresh air?” Templar Bahamut suggested.

I nodded as if I had been waiting for him to say that.

“You looked really uncomfortable earlier.” Templar Bahamut pointed out.

“What?”

“Yes, earlier…”

“That can’t be…” I said.

“I could have been imagining things… but that was how I felt. It’s like you're worried about something…” Templar Bahamut said.

“...”

Naturally, I didn’t say anything for a while because I needed to think about what I wanted to say. As always, I revealed a worried face and muttered, “Well…"

“...”

“I… don’t know how to tell you this, but…” I trailed off.

“...”

“Sometimes… I see strange scenes,” I continued.

“...”

It was the same as yesterday.

“One of my eyes will sometimes see a different place. It sounds crazy, but after receiving Lady Lucifer's divine message, I have been seeing strange things—things that will happen in the future."

I don't know whether they'll happen in the near or distant future, but they are things that are bound to happen, and I saw them as if they were illusions,” I explained.

It was a secret that I had been keeping to myself. I hadn't told anyone about this except for him. It was a stupid thing to do, and it was clearly strange to tell all of this to someone I had just met yesterday, but I had no one else to rely on because I was alone down here.

Upon hearing my struggles, my new friend Bahamut stared quietly at me.

“I’m sorry. I know that it doesn't make sense,” I said. “...”

“

Ha… haha

… Actually, it was a joke, Mr. Bahamut. My joke must’ve been a bit—”

“I believe you.” Templar Bahamut interrupted me.

“You do?” I asked.

“I

think

I can believe you,” Templar Bahamut said, nodding.

‘Yeah, I knew you'd believe me.’

Since he had witnessed an illusion as well.

He had witnessed the priest from aboveground spreading his wings and showing off his golden eye. He also saw an indescribable holy light spreading from the priest's figure.

Who would believe me if not him?

“Really?” I asked.

“Yes, I believe you, Father,” Templar Bahamut replied.

Perhaps it was because I was no longer feeling nervous, but my legs quivered, and I felt as if they'd give up at any moment now. Tears welled up in my eyes as if they were representing the hardships I had endured so far.

“If you don’t mind, can you tell me what you saw?” Templar Bahamut asked.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

“That’s…”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel comfortable,” Templar Bahamut added.

“Well…” I trailed off.

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing, Mr. Bahamut,” I said.

“...”

“I can’t tell you right now…” I told him.

“...”

“But you must stay away from power,” I warned him.

boom!

There was an explosion as soon as my words fell, and the explosion enveloped me.

However, I wasn’t worried because Templar Bahamut was here to protect me. The explosion created flames similar to flames that one could only find in hell. It was a pitch-black fire that gave off an ominous air.

The nauseating flames looked as if it was going to devour everything in its path.

“

Ah!

”

“Watch out!”

It was…

[Hellfire Bomb Potion - Semi-Mythic]

An item created by an unknown black mage who had been hiding in the underground world all this while.