Forsaken Priest of the Hero's Party-Chapter 16: The Secret of the Ancient Gods

Many scholars wondered about how this world was born.

The Trinity Church’s answer to such a question was this -

By Nemi's command, the earth was created.

With Elysia's shout, Light was manifested.

And Hillai's grace brought forth life.

However, this was merely a lie fabricated by the Church. Simply a myth created long ago, that had become established in people’s lives.

But sometimes, certain lies cannot be carelessly called out as falsehoods. Only those from within the Trinity Church itself could deny this creation myth they had crafted.

“The Ancient Gods were the first deities born when the universe was formed. We may call them Gods, but their nature is far from the Divine we know of. They are entities completely different from the Goddesses, in every possible way.”

As Renheim unfolded his tale, the Hero’s party looked at it, soaking his very words with rapturous attention.

Myths are always fascinating. Stories of Gods have stimulated human interest since time immemorial.

“In other words, the Ancient Gods are the axis and pillars of the universe. Incomprehensible entities, who were there at the dawn of creation, and will be there during the twilight of existence.”

The Ancient Gods are in fact, the Laws of the universe given form.

Each one of them represents a higher Law, and thus, is eternal and immortal as long as the universe exists. Such entities don’t have the concepts of life and death, they simply are.

“Do such beings truly exist in reality?”

Aridel was startled. She had thought legends of the Ancient Gods were merely that - legends. Not once had she considered that they might actually be real.

Because no one ever spoke of hearing the Ancient Gods’ voices even once. Meanwhile, the Goddesses occasionally bless humans with visions or revelations. Nemi even appeared before Aridel, in a vision once.

But the Ancient Gods are merely handed down as characters in stories.

“Imagine a person.”

Renheim smiled as he continued.

“Beyond the heavens, where the stars reside, lies this infinite space we call the Universe. Now, what if this person cried out to the cosmos? What if he said - I’m Here! Talk to me!”

Would a reply then come from the universe?

That shout becomes a hollow echo ringing through the air, never reaching the universe. The Ancient Gods are beings so immense that even if humans scream until their throats burst, that sound won’t reach them.

That’s why it’s okay if the people don’t know about them.

Even if they know about such beings, it won’t change anything.

Ancient Gods. They existed since the dawn of creation. And will continue to exist till the end of times. Simple humans can’t even comprehend beings like that. Whether one wanted or not, they simply can’t.

The status is simply too different. The hierarchy differs. The Origins aren’t the same. And above all, the Laws that govern the cosmos, are in the end, just laws.

“Saint, the universe is merely indifferent. It isn’t swayed by emotions like humans. The laws of the universe are also immutable and merely exist, so Ancient Gods usually lack a self. Even if a sense of self sprouts by chance, it ultimately collapses, unable to overcome its own existence.”

Just how vast is this universe? How immense is the concept of universal laws?

It’s not a burden beings with personalities can bear. You’d feel your very self scattered across the cosmos, but humans cannot even imagine such a sensation due to our innate limitations.

One thing is certain. Ancient Gods are entirely different from deities.

It’s not a matter of hierarchy; they’re simply different entities. Unlike normal Gods who possess clear will, have personalities like humans, sometimes grow angry, and sometimes show benevolence, Ancient Gods can never be masters of history.

They don’t steer fate as they please.

They are merely the backdrop, the universe’s backdrop, its pillars.

Naturally, they are beings who could care less about worship from mere humans. Even with or without such faith, their power neither increases nor decreases. To begin with, they likely lack a self to receive that worship.

“But in this world, there are always exceptions.”

However, if,

just if,

An Ancient god awakens to a sense of self by some chance and also takes a liking to humans and bestows them power...

That person would have to start as a saint, surpassing the usual ranks in religious orders.

Because Ancient Gods truly don’t grant power if they dislike someone.

Even if they awaken to a self, that self will soon crumble, unable to overcome their own existence, but that ‘soon’ is only by their standards. By human standards, it’s time for several generations to pass.

“Such occurrences are never common, with few cases even in humanity’s long history. But if someone gains the favor of an Ancient god, what they could achieve would be beyond imagination. Because it’s akin to this universe, even if just a part of it, answering one person’s prayer.”

The universe may not grant your wishes no matter how desperately you pray, but what if it really did?

What if the axis and pillar of this universe moved just for you?

History would be overturned, and the rise or fall of civilizations would be determined.

This isn’t just empty talk. There is already a precedent. A race that should have perished, surviving because of a single existence.

“The sacred tree of the elves, the World Tree, is also a tree born from the blessings of the Ancient Gods. Thanks to the power of that tree, the elves of Elven Forest, Alfheim are always able to enjoy peace, free from the wars of the land.”

From Renheim’s perspective, this was simply an old tale. One where it wouldn’t change a thing if people knew or not. But the Saint listened with exclamations of admiration to the knowledge shared.

The goddesses are nothing compared to the Ancient Gods? So what?

The Ancient Gods are the universe itself, so it can’t be helped. It felt so unreal that it didn’t even matter. The Ancient Gods were that vague of an existence.

“That’s a really interesting story.”

“There’s nothing about this in the Western Archives...”

And they were that useless of an existence.

Gods who have no reason to communicate with people, lend their power or even punish them.

How are such Gods any different from the air people breathe? No one takes them seriously.

The World Tree is a tree that germinated thousands of years ago. Even the last person to become a Priest of an Ancient God is long gone. It’s no wonder the hero party was indifferent.

The Trinity Church, which thought the Ancient Gods could threaten the authority of the goddesses, tried to thoroughly hide this fact, but upon careful thought, it was just an overreaction.

Faith in this world is thoroughly for blessings.

There must be something that comes for something that goes. People worship the Trinity because they bestow blessings and divine power.

The hero party didn’t take the Ancient Gods seriously either, as they couldn’t even provide some help or blessings. As long as they exist as laws rather than Gods, it will continue to be so.

But they say you should listen to people’s words until the end...

“Well, anyway, because they are such beings, the Ancient Gods do not require our faith. Unlike the goddesses who gain power from people’s beliefs, they are beings born together with the universe.”

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

But...Renheim’s words reminded Yurinel of something she heard many times before,

Of a priest who served a God...Who didn’t need his faith.

The eyes of the three party members widened simultaneously.

“You mean it doesn’t matter if there’s not a single believer?”

“That’s right, Saint. Whether there are none or just one, it makes no difference to them and their power doesn’t change. The Ancient Gods simply exist, and our human beliefs cannot influence their existence or composition.”

“Wow, that’s kind of a scary story. Usually, even if it’s a minor god not worthy of being called a god, they say it requires faith at the village or hamlet level to maintain its status as a god.”

The saint smiled brightly, oblivious, driving the point home.

Unlike the Ancient Gods, normal Gods are sustained by belief. And of course, the faith of a single person is far from enough to even the weakest divinity.

At the very least, an entire village must join hands and wholeheartedly worship it to barely be called a god. Even then, it’s common for them to fall to the level of spirit at the slightest misstep.

Even then, the deities usually worshiped by these small villages are more pathetic than one would think.

“Saint, there’s... one thing I’d like to ask,”

“Ah, yes! Please feel free to speak, Lucia!”

“A god worshipped by a single person... cannot exist, right?”

“Of course, it can’t exist. If it were that easy, anyone could become a god...”

Whether a mortal tries to achieve apotheosis, or a God tries to maintain their status...The faith of a single person is far from enough.

That’s why all gods try to gain more followers. Even a mere cult or minor religion has the fundamental purpose of increasing believers. If a god cannot receive divinity, they weaken over time and become mere spirits.

That’s the sole reason they share divine power with believers, and have priests to bestow blessings.

To see the number of believers and their influence grow!

But if a being doesn’t need faith from the beginning, there’s no need to distribute their power to many, and having just one believer is enough.

The three realized this fact almost simultaneously. Lucia Western sighed and whispered.

“Hey, Yurinel...I think we’re fucked.”

Of course, they couldn’t smile like the saint. Parnell also approached and tugged at Yurinel’s sleeves, muttering...

“Could the god he worships possibly be an ancient god?!”

“I don’t know that either. No, he probably didn’t know himself.”

Yurinel looked conflicted.

If what Renheim said is true, it explains why the saint seemed to be so lacking.

It’s not that she was weak.

It’s not that she was useless.

It’s just that Kyle worships a God far superior to Nemi.

Grabbing her head, Yurinel blurted out,

“This is driving me crazy.”

It was too late to bring Kyle back now. Besides, they didn’t even know where he was.

The Party members had changed, and it would be impossible to replace them again. There was no choice but to continue as it is.

One couldn’t change the past.