Chapter 34
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth nods, saying it must have been the Apostle of Courage.]
The Goddess leaned against the wall with her arms crossed and hand on her chin, trying to look cool in her own way.
-Courage... you mean that Courage who's one of the 7 Great Heroes?
I packed up my empty bag and left the lecture hall after class ended. Though "packing up" is generous since all I had was one empty bag.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth says she's certain based on the aura she sensed.]
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth confidently states she can't be mistaken since she's interacted with that Courage fellow several times lately while playing games together.]
-The God of Courage plays my game too?
I knew the Goddess of Sacrifice played [Akashic Archive]. After all, that's how we ended up meeting in the first place.
But I had no idea other gods played it too.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth explains that he really enjoys difficult trials and challenges, seeking out opportunities to test himself.]
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth snickers, saying just yesterday he was attempting the Weekly Boss with only 1 HP remaining, no equipment, and bare-handed basic attacks.]
Ah.
So that's why he likes it.
Attempting the Weekly Boss with just 1 HP and no equipment...
...Is the God of Courage a masochist?
-But even if they're an Apostle of one of the 7 Great Heroes, can they really get away with assaulting another god's Apostle like that?
After the "then die" incident, the battered Apostle of Wisdom was carried away.
The female student snorted and returned to her seat. Though class proceeded normally once the professor entered, I wondered if it was really okay to commit violence against a god's Apostle in front of so many witnesses.
Surely the "Courage" that forms that god's Divinity isn't about having the courage to face the judgment and consequences after causing trouble...
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth says there won't be any issues, and suggests they're probably quite satisfied right now.]
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth asks how many times do you think the Apostles of Wisdom get beaten up normally?]
"Well..."
Thinking about his way of speaking that somehow managed to be logical yet irritating.
Given that male student's manner of speech, he probably gets beaten up quite frequently.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth explains that the God of Wisdom and their Apostles enjoy getting beaten up during debates.]
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth adds that it's because they see it as the opponent's admission of defeat and acknowledgment that their logic has prevailed.]
-...That's masochistic in a different way.
I really don't want to get involved with either side.
Whether I like it or not, both students are our valued customers.
The Apostle of Wisdom had praised our game's story (though that wasn't my intention),
And the Apostle of Courage preciously held unofficial merchandise of our game characters close to their chest (though that definitely wasn't my intention either).
Either way, our game doing well is a good thing.
It means we can rake in more money.
This was especially important now as the launch hype was dying down and sales were decreasing.
After leaving the Academy grounds, I picked up a bunch of desserts including macarons that I had pre-ordered from a nearby bakery.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth swallows hard, noting those are the famous Nubalez Macarons.]
-Yes, they are. I'm getting them for Lady Constellation since she loves them.
Lady Constellation used to barely have enough to eat with no believers before our game succeeded.
Perhaps because her words and actions are so childlike, despite being a Constellation, she gives off a little sister vibe that makes me want to take care of her even more.
That's why I often prepare and bring her foods that she likes.
-Don't look at them like that. These are for my Lady Constellation.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth puffs up her cheeks with a sullen expression.]
Why is she acting like this when she already has a thriving religion and can eat whatever she wants?
The First Apostle of the Sacrifice Sect is famous for their devotion - they'd bring any food she asked for right away.
Carrying all the packaged food, I headed toward our Lady Constellation's temple located on the outskirts of the Academy City.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth asks why the temple was built in such a remote location.]
-I wanted to build it on a main street in the busiest area too, but...
Normally a temple's size and location directly reflects that god's authority.
It's only natural that the more grand and magnificent the temple, the more respect and awe it inspires for that god.
Since a god's power is directly tied to faith in them, Constellations and their Apostles generally try to make their temples as impressive as possible.
Just look at the Central Temple of this Goddess of Sacrifice beside me, built prominently in the Royal Alliance's busiest district.
Now that I've made plenty of money, I wanted to buy expensive land and build a temple, but Lady Constellation stopped me.
She said she didn't want to draw attention.
As an Apostle it was hard to understand, but I couldn't disobey Lady Constellation's orders.
So I had no choice but to build a small temple on the outskirts.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth tilts her head, saying she doesn't understand well since she stays locked in her room, but it seems odd.]
I know, right?
Is she not planning to take on any other Apostles or believers?
Why hide the temple in a place like this?
I started to agree with Goddess Ren but stopped myself.
Lady Constellation might be watching.
Let's not gossip about Lady Constellation.
If she catches me... ugh.
The memory of trying to placate her after making a joking comment before was still horrifyingly fresh.
Shaking my head, I entered the small temple hidden deep in the forest.
"...so..."
A voice coming from inside.
...What's this?
No one knows this temple's identity or location.
Even fewer know about my Lady Constellation.
There's no way anyone could find this place.
...A temple robber?
How dare they try to rob my Lady Constellation's wealth when they couldn't find anywhere else to rob! The nerve!
I wrapped Dream Power around my arms and slowly approached the source of the sound.
The offering altar to our Lady Constellation.
The altar that should have been simple and clean with nothing placed on it yet was cluttered with hundreds of candles. It looked like some kind of memorial service.
The last time I came was 3 days ago - how did it get so messy in that time?
I scanned the area around a figure kneeling in prayer at the center.
Fortunately there was no one else besides that single intruder.
One person means no variables.
-I'll handle this.
I crept slowly toward the intruder who was muttering while crouched down.
If I show them a fear-inducing illusion with Dream Power, I should be able to subdue them easily.
As I got closer to the intruder, I could better see what they had done to the altar.
When I took in the full scene, I was shocked.
[The Sacrifice That Overcame Sloth asks if that's not the Supervisor from [Archive].]
The decoration of countless candles centered around the altar.
In the middle was a black and white drawing of the Supervisor from [Archive], a character based on my past life.
As if solemnly commemorating his death.
If it had been any other character, I might have been able to contain my shock.
"...What the."
But a funeral service using my face?
I unconsciously let out a voice.
"...!"
The intruder immediately spun around at my voice.
Then lunged toward me.
I instantly unleashed my power at the intruder.
Dream Power enveloping the surroundings.
The Mental World originating from within me wrapped around the intruder and myself.
*
Central Temple of [Wisdom]
Before the massive altar intricately engraved with various jewels, a woman in priest's robes knelt gracefully on one knee.
"Command me."
A heavy atmosphere descended.
Sparkle- Sparkle-
As divine light poured down, the altar began to glow.
[Lewd Wisdom impatiently urges to quickly bring ~~~.]
The woman pushed up her glasses as the Constellation's Divine Speech filled her mind.
"As you wish. All according to your will."
An Apostle's only mission is to carry out their god's commands and fulfill their desires.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Even if those commands might not be to their liking.