Chapter 148: Kalosia (2)

“Have you calmed down?” Ketal asked Shadranes. “Ah, yes...,” she replied with some difficulty. It took her a long while to collect herself. She had been so flustered at first that she couldn’t even form a proper sentence, and she needed almost an hour just to settle down. “So, Kalosia wants to see me in person?” Ketal asked her once more. “Yes,” she said, gulping nervously. “They wish to speak with you directly.” “Does that happen often?” “No,” she answered without hesitation. Gods reside high in the celestial realm, and ever since the ancient war against the demons, it has been exceedingly rare for them to intervene directly in the mortal realm. Every believer dreamt at least once in their life of standing face-to-face with their god, but the vast majority never managed to fulfill that dream. “I’ve only had the chance once,” Shadranes continued. That single encounter occurred back when she was chosen to serve as the Saintess. Since then, she had only heard Kalosia’s voice but never actually met them in person again. Even as a Saintess, being in the very presence of her god was so rare that she had experienced it only once. Now, the fact that someone who wasn’t even a believer was being offered such an opportunity seemed almost unthinkable. Shadranes spoke cautiously. “If you want to refuse, there is no problem at all. Kalosia also said that you can choose to meet them or not.” For followers, a summons from the god would be the highest honor. An outsider, however, might not see it that way. In fact, it could be a dangerous endeavor. There are countless stories of people who offended a deity and were punished for their disrespect. It wouldn’t have been strange at all if Ketal decided to turn down such a risky invitation, and Shadranes had expected him to show some reluctance. “Refuse? Why would I do that?” Ketal exclaimed, sounding thrilled. He had no trace of fear on his face. On the contrary, his eyes gleamed with excitement, and his voice brimmed with anticipation. A meeting with a god! Ketal thought. He saw no reason to pass up such an extraordinary chance. His enthusiastic response caught Shadranes off guard. “A-are you sure about this?” she asked him, startled by his eagerness. “I’m completely sure! Why would I miss such a good opportunity?” he said. “Is that so...?” “So, what do I have to do?” he continued. “Do I pray or something?” “Y-you need to calm down!” she urged, placing a hand on his arm as if to steady him. After a few moments, Ketal managed to settle his excitement. “So sorry, I got carried away,” Ketal apologized. “No, it’s fine...,” Shadranes answered, still puzzled. Why on earth is he so happy about this? she wondered. Ketal let out a warm laugh. “So, is there some preparation needed? How long do I have to wait?” “You can see them right now if you want. Just follow me.” “Oh!” His eyes lit up, and the two left the lodging together. Shadranes guided him deep into the holy land, stopping at a small church tucked away from the main area. “This church is where we bid farewell to Kalosia when they departed the mortal realm. It’s also where I speak with them, and it’s the place where I was chosen as Saintess.” “Interesting,” Ketal murmured, taking in the interior. The walls, floorboards, and ornaments all showed signs of great age, but they were impressively well-maintained. It was clear the followers held this place in the highest regard. “I’m assuming we are meeting Kalosia here?” Ketal asked, scanning the space. “Do I go to them myself?” “N-no, not exactly,” Shadranes said hastily. “You won’t be seeing Kalosia’s true form.” Encountering a god’s true form could drive an ordinary human mad, their minds unable to bear the presence of such a transcendent being. Even Shadranes had never laid eyes on Kalosia’s full manifestation. “Instead, Kalosia will descend into my body,” she continued quietly. “I see. So they will be possessing you,” Ketal noted. “Yes. So please—please—observe proper manners,” Shadranes implored, looking genuinely anxious. Ketal let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t worry. I’m not just some savage.” She still looked uncertain, casting him a wary glance. Is this really going to be okay? she wondered, but there was nothing to be done. Kalosia wished to speak with Ketal, and he had accepted. All she could do was pray that things went smoothly, which made her smile ironically for a moment. “What’s so funny?” Ketal asked her. “Ah, nothing,” Shadranes said quickly, shaking her head. Then she took a calming breath. “Let’s begin. Please stay still for a moment.” Shadranes closed her eyes and sat in the center of the church, arms spread wide. “O brilliant light. Hidden within the shadows is deception—an illusion that stands with us.” This was a hymn to honor her god: words exalting the god’s presence and concept. “The Great One who rules over all falsehood and subterfuge, the One who watches over us from beyond.” A faint vibration began to fill the empty air. It was invisible, but the presence was undeniably there. “Their name is Kalosia.” A shimmering glow began to form at the top of the church. Outside, the followers paused in their work, drawn to the spectacle. They turned toward the small church with awe. “Uh...?” “What’s that?” Their eyes went wide. Naflas, who had been working diligently on the restoration of the holy land, could only stare in shock. “Kalosia... is here?” he whispered. “Wow,” Ketal murmured, astonished. It was as though an enormous gateway had opened before him. The sheer scope of this presence threatened to stifle those who lacked courage. This was a celestial being descending upon the mortal realm. Shadranes spoke the final words of her prayer. “Please, take my body as your vessel and descend upon this place.” At that moment, an impact pulsed through the air, although nothing was visibly shaking and no sound was truly heard. Shadranes’s arms fell limp. Her head slumped forward, and for a few seconds, she looked as though she had passed out. Then her body jolted, and she slowly raised her head. Her eyes drifted open, revealing pupils that sparkled like stars. “So, you’re the one.” It was Shadranes’s body, yet clearly no longer Shadranes. “I am the God of Lies and Deception: Kalosia. Their voice overlapped like dozens of voices speaking in unison. It sounded at once like an old man, a woman, a warrior, a sickly patient, and even a child. The layered tone made it impossible to determine their true identity. Those star-like eyes focused intently on Ketal. “I’ve been looking forward to this... You, from the Inside.” *** Oh, wow, Ketal thought. He felt genuine awe. A living god from this fantasy world was here, speaking to him while inhabiting Shadranes’s body. The situation was so extraordinary that it seemed like a dream. He trembled with excitement, and he had to fight to remain calm. Should I speak to them formally? Ketal wondered. He bore the name Ketal, and by his tribe’s laws, no one on earth could stand above him. It was a vow he had made, a promise that he would serve no mortal. However, the being before him was not of this earth, but a divine entity from the heavens. Showing respect to a god wouldn’t violate his oath, Ketal hesitated for a moment. Seeing his dilemma, Kalosia spoke in a detached tone. “Do as you please. I never expected you to speak reverently to me in the first place.” “Ah, thank you,” Ketal said with a small smile. He looked straight ahead and said politely, “It’s good to meet you. I am Ketal, the barbarian.” He spoke casually, using informal language. The church’s followers would have been horrified to see anyone address their god without the utmost formality, and they might have attacked him for blasphemy. However, Kalosia showed no sign of displeasure—if anything, they seemed more surprised by Ketal’s polite greeting than his lack of reverence. “First, let me offer my gratitude,” Kalosia said after a moment. “Thank you for protecting my children. Had they fallen into evil’s hands, it would have pained me greatly. Because of you, my followers are still able to remain in this world.” It was only natural for a god to thank someone who safeguarded his followers. The holy land had been preserved thanks to Ketal, and so Kalosia expressed sincere appreciation. Still, Ketal’s expression remained slightly uneasy. “So that’s how you feel,” Ketal said, voice noncommittal. “You sound uncertain. Are you holding back a question?” Kalosia asked him. “I am. I’m just not sure if I should ask,” Ketal admitted. “Ask whatever you like,” Kalosia said without hesitation. “Alright.” Ketal nodded. He paused, then looked the deity in the eye. “Do you truly cherish the followers of Kalosia?” It was a daring question, almost sacrilegious, but Kalosia simply smiled. “Why do you doubt it?” “There’s something about it that feels odd,” Ketal replied. “Could you elaborate?” “Well, I heard your church was once extremely powerful. They spread their influence across the entire continent, championing falsehood and deception. In doing so, they became the enemy of the entire land.” Because of that infamy, the name Kalosia was dragged through the mud. The believers eventually realized their wrongdoing and reformed, choosing to devote themselves to virtue in hopes of earning forgiveness. That was what the church believed. However, Ketal had his own perspective. “Didn’t you abandon them because they gave up on all the lies and deception?” Kalosia’s expression shifted with subtle intrigue. “Why do you think so?” They sounded as though testing Ketal, who responded with a casual shrug. “It’s simple. You must not have cared whether your followers were rampaging across the continent in your name. Good or evil is a human concept, after all, not something that necessarily matters to a god.” If Kalosia had wanted to stop the church’s atrocities, they could have done so. Yet, Kalosia did nothing, even though the followers’ misdeeds tarnished the god’s name. Kalosia only seemed to break ties with them after the followers gave up on the lies and deception. Ketal believed the followers were mistaken in thinking their god had abandoned them over their past evil deeds. “The reason only the Saintess can use the holy scripture is probably because she still hides behind a mask,” Ketal added. “When I asked her about it, she showed just the tiniest reaction. She’s wearing a disguise of some kind—perhaps a form of lies and deceit. That must be what allows her to access it.” “You are sharper than I expected,” Kalosia murmured in a tone of fascinated curiosity. “I guessed as much,” Ketal said with a pleased grin. His hunch that the god did not abandon the church because of their cruelty had been right. “Let me clarify one point, though. I do care about these people. They devote themselves to me and treasure my name above their own lives. They are indeed precious to me,” Kalosia continued, sounding like a master fondly speaking of a beloved pet. “However, I am a God of Lies and Deception. That is my value, and it is all that matters to me. Whether my name is soiled by mortal hands, or my followers commit atrocities, none of that holds any true importance. What matters is that they do not reject or deny my domain. Yet, these followers have done exactly that—denying the worth of lies and deception. That is a direct insult to me.” Though calm, Kalosia’s voice held an undertone of regret. “I have no reason to bestow my power on children who deny my domain.” Ketal’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And if that means they perish?” “That would be a great tragedy,” Kalosia answered in a faintly sorrowful yet detached tone. “But there would be no helping it.”