Surviving without God

Meanwhile, the Luthien side was also searching for a way to deal with the failure in the Labyrinth.

—Brother... will we be alright?

—...Unlikely.

They stood before the mansion of the Diocese Head. Two silhouettes—one grotesquely swollen, the other sickly thin. They looked nothing alike, yet shared one trait: both trembled from time to time.

The Diocese Head. That was the title given to the bishop overseeing all cult activities within Border City.

Decades ago, when the Society of Forgotten Books had stirred the city with calls to resurrect ancient gods, an unspoken rule was established: the position of Diocese Head must be held by someone of overwhelming power. That tradition had only strengthened recently, as the secret organization known as Night Raven rapidly expanded its influence. Last year, the second-in-command of the Cult of Abundance had been personally appointed to this post.

Albino Lacreta.

He was considered the finest sacrificer within the cult. The number of offerings he had personally presented to Jean Daet numbered in the thousands. As a reward, Albino had been granted the Authority of “Summoning.” It was an unprecedented and special power—one that allowed him to pull beings from the world where their god resided into the manifested world.

Even the “Table Companions,” high-ranking figures of the cult, were forced to bow their heads before him.

—How did we end up like this...

—Tsk. We’re going in.

Clang—

The enormous front doors opened on their own, though no one had touched them. The Elder and the Youngest stepped inside reluctantly.

Tap—

A radiant gallery unfolded before their eyes. The walls were covered in massive paintings: above, figures filled with rapture; below, humans crushed by suffering. It was iconography embodying the core doctrine of Luthien: the “World of Light” and the “World of Shadows.”

Just as they stood mesmerized, a voice descended from the second floor.

—Come up. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

They obediently ascended and soon entered the Diocese Head’s chamber.

Even within his own residence, the Diocese Head wore full ceremonial attire. A green cassock embroidered with golden grains. Gloves of woven golden thread resembling leaf veins. A necklace bearing an emblem shaped like the roots of Jean Daet. And atop his head rested the Crown of Abundance—twisted sheaves of wheat woven together.

—You’ve come.

The elderly voice echoed again. Yet Albino’s gaze was not fixed on them, but on a corner of the room.

—...Diocese Head? —the Elder narrowed his eyes.

Another guest was present. Someone who had arrived before them. His face was unfamiliar, but the medals on his uniform gleamed even in the dimness, revealing his status.

“What is an officer of the Public Security Bureau doing here...?”

But that was not the strangest part. The guest seemed utterly oblivious to their presence, absorbed in some grotesque act.

Scrape— Scrape—

He clawed at his entire body with his nails like a diseased beast. Most frantically at the back of his neck and head. The sound pierced the stillness of the room, cold sweat running down the backs of the two newcomers. The Elder, gathering courage, spoke:

—Forgive me... but why is an officer of the Public Security Bureau here... in such a state?

—There is not one reason, but many, —Albino laughed dryly. —He was born in this rotten city and never found faith. Chose the worthless profession of a policeman, nurtured empty stubbornness, and ultimately rejected our grace. That is why he is here in such a condition.

...Which meant he had refused a bribe.

Just as the Elder attempted to get a better look at his face—

Thud—

—Hm?

Without warning, the officer’s head fell off and hit the floor. His body toppled sideways shortly after. Strangely, the sound was hollow, as though an empty shell had fallen.

And then—

—What is that...

Something began writhing out from the severed neck.

Splat—

With a wet sound, a massive larva dropped onto the floor, splashing viscous slime. Even the Elder and the Youngest, hardened by countless horrors, instinctively stepped back.

Slurp— Slurp—

The larva wriggled along the marble, then twisted violently. In an instant, it transformed into a perfect copy of the dead officer.

—......

Standing naked, expression vacant, the creature began stripping the corpse and dressing itself. Albino approached with a wide smile.

—Who are you?

—I, I, I—I am Lieutenant Colonel Ridel Vain, commander of the First Response Group... of the Fourth Mobile Special Unit, Public Security Bureau.

By the end of the sentence, the stutter had vanished. The voice was perfectly human.

Albino watched in delight.

—Good, good. Excellent ingestion. Digestion is beyond reproach. Though this poor fellow was not difficult to digest.

He turned toward the Table Companions with a smile.

—You must be curious what this is.

—Y-Yes...

—Do you know the name of the god born in the World of Light after feeding on Jean Daet’s essence for 666,666 days?

The question was sudden, but any believer familiar with doctrine could answer.

—...The Lord of Imitations, Morphesia.

—Good. At least you didn’t sleep through theology. This insect is a manifestation-level brood host containing a fragment of His essence. I barely... barely managed to complete the summoning.

—M-Manifestation level?

The two exchanged uneasy glances.

That was strange. A manifestation-level brood host should radiate suffocating pressure simply by existing.

“I can see it has copying abilities... but manifestation level... it doesn’t feel like it...”

They sensed none of the divine majesty that always emanated from gods or their avatars.

Their doubts did not last long.

Rustle—

In the darkened chamber, the sound of dozens—hundreds—of thin legs intertwining filled the air. From cracks in the floor, from fissures in the walls, even from gaps in the ceiling—they poured forth like a tide. The darkness ceased to be mere darkness.

Surrounded by the sound of living, writhing bodies, the Elder and the Youngest froze.

Albino spread his arms wide and smiled gently.

—It is a swarm-type brood host. There are very... very many. Later, they will become one.

Only then did they understand.

This spectacle was a warning. If things went wrong again, they would meet the same fate.

—F-Forgive us!

Both slammed their foreheads against the cold marble floor without hesitation.

Albino looked down at them coldly.

—Hm. This was a mission personally and persistently requested by the Archbishop. And you were given more than sufficient support. Soldiers, supplies, even an Arcane Runner from Pendrox. Was something lacking?

They had no answer.

Their power had far exceeded that of the heretics.

—And yet you failed to eliminate even one of them. The target was snatched from beneath your noses. No evidence against the remnants of the Society of Forgotten Books. You merely disturbed adventurers and stirred up the Public Security Bureau. How... how is such a perfect failure even possible?

They had asked themselves the same question.

It wasn’t merely failure. It felt as though from the very beginning the situation had been rigged in favor of the enemy. Nothing had gone according to plan. Every choice was a trap. Every step a cliff.

Total defeat.

“No matter how you look at it, such a rout shouldn’t be possible... How did this happen...”

One image surfaced in their minds.

A mask.

A black, faceless mask that had mocked them.

—I will be direct. Bring me that staff. Turn everything upside down—whether the Society of Forgotten Books or Night Raven. If you cannot retrieve the staff, bring something of equal value. For example... the heads of those involved. One week will suffice.

At the impossible order, their faces gradually drained of color.

Albino produced several sheets of paper and tossed them before them.

—This is collected intelligence on the Society of Forgotten Books and Night Raven. It includes data from the Upper City. Study it carefully.

—T-Thank you...

As they scanned the documents, their expressions shifted. Like drowning men grasping at driftwood, they felt the faintest breath of air within despair.

Albino gazed down and recited coldly:

—Remember... remember. The world that exists is but a shadow and a fleeting phantom. This place was granted by Luthien to test mankind. Only through offerings and merit may one reach the true Light.

When his gaze sharpened, they hurriedly recited the next verse.

—The World of Light is our true home, the abode of Luthien and His brethren. Only those who accumulate merit earn rebirth there. The lazy and the faithless shall be cast once more into shadow.

Albino’s gaze warmed slightly.

—Very well. Take this.

From a safe, he retrieved a glass vessel and picked up one of the insects from the floor. It was notably plump.

—...This specimen has grown especially large even among brood hosts. It contains a dense concentration of Authority. I trust you will use it wisely.

Skreeech—

A sharp grinding sound echoed.

—W-We accept it with gratitude.

The Elder received the “brood fragment” with trembling ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ hands. A human-devouring insect that assumed its victim’s form. Their eyes—filled with reverence and horror—never left the larva inside the cylinder.

Albino spoke one final time.

—If you do not wish to remain forever in this filthy World of Shadows, suffering in the shackles of existence... then this time, do not fail.

One week.

The Table Companions hurried from the mansion toward the Middle City... determined to accomplish the mission at any cost.

***

Gunther and his old comrades exchanged brief updates.

—Lately, all I hear are stories about you.

—Exactly. If Dad’s shoulder pops out, it’ll be Gunther’s fault. He brags everywhere that he was the one who unearthed you.

—...I can’t deny it. But as a former headhunter, how could I not be proud that the last person I recruited was you?

Kalian Ladenbach, having stepped down as guild head, looked more relaxed than Gunther remembered. He explained that he now used his years of managing the merchant guild to assist with logistics and administration within Nest.

The same applied to Yor. With their identities exposed to Luthien and needing to lie low, this was ideal work.

—I’m glad you’re both doing well.

Gunther spoke not only of himself, but also of Eddie and Ryan. Kalian was shocked.

—What? Eddie under your command? My goodness... hard to believe, but for the best. He’s rough and thick-headed, but as a subordinate, he’s reliable.

Guilt and gratitude mixed in Kalian’s eyes—concern for guild members he had been unable to protect when forced into hiding.

—Thank you for taking in even the caravan guards. You did what I could not.

—No need for thanks. They help me a great deal as well.

—...Yor, marry him immediately.

—I wouldn’t mind at all.

[Affinity with Kalian Ladenbach and Yor Ladenbach has significantly increased!]

The joyful reunion concluded. Promising to meet again, father and daughter returned to work. Gunther gently touched the shoulder of the mute girl about to follow them.

—Wait. May I ask you something?

He spoke clearly, exaggerating his mouth movements. The girl’s eyes widened briefly before she smiled. She quickly wrote in the notebook hanging from her neck:

[Yes, gladly]