Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 652: An Order Of Missionaries

Note: I failed to account for Eid(yesterday), thatʼs why there was no chapter yesterday. Anyways, regular schedule continues from tomorrow onwards(i.e minimum a chapter per day and usually two chapters per day).

The high priestess of Athenia had just returned from the hells, and while her body still reeked of sulfur, sheʼd gathered a handful of her congregants in the high-church. Some of them were trusted and the most faithful of Athenia, while the others were volunteers from Asmarethʼs city whoʼd accepted their new lord readily.

Erikaʼs show of power was more than enough to strike fear into their hearts, but more than anything, it made them ask the question while being rescued from the hells.

ʼWhy did our lord not rescue us himself? Why does this goddess of unknown origin turn our tyrant into our saviour?ʼ The answer was simple and yet too complex for the rattled souls. Athenia was cruel when it was required of her, but even she knew that damning these souls to the hells served them not in the least.

”You all must be wondering why Iʼve gathered you here, isnʼt that right?” Erika asked, standing at the podium.

Everyoneʼs gaze was transfixed on her, for some viewed her as the closest person to their goddess, and the others saw her as the radiant angel that had pulled them out of the clutches of hell. Of course, not everyone whoʼd been condemned to the hells by her was present–only those whoʼd reflected on the fact that if a human could save them from those flames, then why didnʼt their radiant lord do the same?

The question lingered in their minds even as Erika revealed why they were all present there.

”Youʼre going to serve our lady of radiant and dark as her apostle.” With a slam of her staff, she turned around to face the idol of Athenia. Raising her staff once more, she added. ”At least some of you will. I will choose which one of you is worthy to wander this plane and spread the word of her boundless blessings. In doing so, youʼll grow close to her as I have and earn blessings beyond your wildest imaginations!”

A rustle of noises erupted behind Erika. The gathered congregants were confused–a mix of thrilled and befuddlement. Was Erika speaking the truth, or was this something else entirely, perhaps a trick for whatever reason. Even so, the offer was tempting, especially for the cityʼs residents. To gain Atheniaʼs blessing and spread her word, there couldʼve been no greater blessing but…

”What if someone attacks us? Someone that serves another god–a false god!” Rising from the bench, a young woman asked.

Turning around to face her, Erika smiled.

”Then your faith will be tested, and if you persist, then our goddessʼs blessings will protect you from any harm.”

”B-But arenʼt gods not meant to meddle in mortal affairs?”

”That is true, but miracles are permitted, and Iʼm sure our goddess would look after you when that time comes.”

Getting up next to the curious girl, this time, a man popped a question.

”And what if she doesnʼt help? What if weʼre dead before she can do anything?!”

Instantly pointing to the citizens that sheʼd rescued from the hell, Erika shut the man in an instant.

”Then this humble servant of hers will rescue you no matter where you end up.”

Heavy silence loomed throughout the church, only broken by the marching steps of a few soldiers holding high with their arms, a radiant flag made of silver threads and darkened metal. Marching up the stage from both sides, they planted the flags on the wooden floor and took a step back.

Glancing back at the men and women, Erika gently bowed to the soldiers that sheʼd led into war by herself. They were amongst the most trusted devotees of Athenia, and that drew the high priestessʼ respect.

”Youʼll carry these flags with you,” walking closer to the planted flags that weighed an absolute ton, Erika wrapped her fingers around their silver poles and glanced up at the likeness of her goddessʼs true form woven into the metal fabric. As heavy as the flag itself was, it never stopped fluttering. After all, imbued with Atheniaʼs own magic–the items were blessed with her blessings.

With a longing look, Erika stared at the flags. For as long as the men held them, no harm could come to the worshippers of her goddess. No mortal weapon was too strong to pierce her protection, and no amount of magic could so much as shake oneʼs resolve to hold it. Even so, there lies one problem…

”As long as you hold these flags, no harm will come to you–but…” Turning around, Erika looked at the congregants. ”As her apostles, you can do no harm either. You must simply spread her word to the faithless and the blind, for even I had to repent for what I had done to the folks of that false godʼs city.”

Having been reprimanded by Athenia herself for the sacrifice of the innocent, Erika knew that spreading her goddessʼs gospel would be better for someone else to perform, as her faith was too strong to stand idle while the faithless abhorred her goddess. Besides, she could serve the goddess better by standing tall on the frontlines.

”Now answer this call, your fate beckons thee to serve fertility! Spread her word and spread her blessing. Turn the harshest of deserts into an oasis, one that births life instead of taking it!” And to the call, many answered readily. Some took their time feeling reluctant, but eventually, they too fell in line and joined the ranks of the soldiers that would soon wander this world and spread Atheniaʼs gospel.

As her task was done in the church, however, Erika decided to take her leave and visit the under-city orphanage. There, a new batch of nuns had to be appointed before she left for another deployment against the horrors. Rowen and Ray were already supposed to be shortlisting names, and the child left in their care had possibly joined the rest of the orphans staying there.

ʼBetter for him to be amongst kids his age and grow up with a healthy social environment than be raised by two men perpetually.ʼ Hoping to finally put Tanyaʼs child into capable hands, along with assigning trustworthy nuns to the orphanage, Erika wished for things to be better for these kids, at least better than they had it being raised by arrogant nuns who didnʼt really care about the kids. ʼWho cares about them now, theyʼre all dead anyway.ʼ

Pushing that thought to the back of her head, she tried to make her way to the orphanage; however, while passing through the streets in her carriage, she noticed another carriage heading for their mansion, and without fail, she realized who was in there.

”Raven? Heʼs back from Elenaris?” She said to herself, and in the meantime, the warlord decided to stop beside her as well.

There was much for them to discuss, especially this new holy order that Erika was allegedly building all by herself.