Beatrice grumbled.

【You said you'd learn my holy spells, so when exactly are you planning to learn them?】

"You seem eager to teach them."

【No, I'm not! It's just about repaying a favor...】

Leaving the grumbling Beatrice behind, I immersed myself in the darkness. Shadow holy spells.

As I invoked Naga's holy power, my presence vanished in an instant.

Beatrice shuddered.

【To dare use the serpent's spells in Ra's Sanctuary! I was foolish to think highly of you even for a moment!】

"I do it because it's necessary."

I slipped between the shadows. It was already night, a very late night.

The relic I was after was located in the 3rd prayer room. A huge cathedral. A place where the moonlight touched numerous stained glass windows.

"Huh?"

A priest patrolling the corridor suddenly spun around.

"Is someone... there?"

"......."

"Did I hear wrong?"

I slowly emerged from the darkness after she left. As expected of the Cult Headquarters, everyone here is quite skilled.

They say that even when a rich family falls, it lasts three generations; the Cult Headquarters has that exact feel.

But it didn't matter. I had reached my desired destination. All I needed was to retrieve the relic.

【Th... this place...】

Beatrice flinched.

【Surely you... do you know about the Fountain of Eternity?】

"You are more perceptive than I thought."

【B-but then why is this place...】

She tilted her head on my shoulder, as if she couldn't understand.

【Why is there no protection here?】

"They forgot."

【...Forgot about the place where the Fountain of Eternity is?】

【Does that make any sense? That precious relic? It's practically the symbol of the Cult of Ra!】

"It's different from the era you lived in. It's been hundreds of years since your passing; there are more lost relics than those that have been preserved. You can tell just by looking at Brunach, can’t you?"

【Even so, this is... forgetting the Fountain of Eternity...】

Beatrice glanced back at me.

【Aren't they fools?】

Hey, you guys got called fools by your own Saint.

"Shall we go ahead and take everything?"

【How do you even know about this?! Didn't you say everyone else forgotten everything?!】

"I am Ra's most cherished and beautiful child, after all."

【That's my title?!】

"In this era, it belongs to me."

I pressed myself against the wall and turned my hand inside the secret compartment.

A low rumble reverberated as the small vibration started.

A trapdoor-like opening suddenly appeared on the floor. I quickly jumped through it before it started to close again.

It felt like I was falling into a seemingly endless underground. I cloaked myself in divine power. Taking a short breath, I invoked a holy spell.

[Activating Holy Fire.]

Come to think of it, how were my specs right now? I hadn't properly checked them, it seems.

[Jahad Balton] [Level: 54]

[Race: ???] [Class: ???]

[Class Unique Skills]

Love of the Sun God: Sun God-related skills rapidly grow.

Grace of the Sun God: Divine power rapidly recovers.

Blessing of the Sun God: Sun God's relics can be handled without risk.

Prayer of the Sun God: Immune to mental corruption.

[Class Unique Skills]

Love of the Serpent God: Serpent God-related skills rapidly grow.

Grace of the Serpent God: Divine power rapidly recovers.

Blessing of the Serpent God: Serpent God's relics can be handled without risk.

Prayer of the Serpent God: Immune to status ailments.

[Apostle]

Mixed Stigmata (A): Repels all evil. Can grant stigmas to others.The followers' priests mix together, and some physical distortions might occur. (5/20)

Mixed Divinity (A): Two divinities have been merged. Its usage has become more intricate and cannot be detected by standard divine power detectors.

Healing (B): Combines healing and combat abilities. Commonly referred to as the "battle of the immortal" by the public.

Blessing (B): Greatly increases resistance to status ailments and maintains composure except in special situations. Physical abilities significantly increase, and divine power temporarily surges.

[Cult of Ra]

Holy Fire (A): Creates divine flames. Purifies evil and burns some things that are normally unburnable. The size and limits of the flame are proportional to divine power. The efficiency has greatly increased, and precise forms can be set.

Prayer of Fire (B): A prayer that maintains body temperature for a long period. Greatly enhances physical abilities.

Holy Water Making (C): Imbues water with divine power. Activates the body's healing abilities and increases resistance to magic.

Holy Wall (B): Can block certain areas. It can be applied thinly on the skin to be engulfed in flame. It possesses the power equivalent to armor, offsetting impacts below a certain threshold.

Whisper of Fire (B): Enhances the performance of weapons. Flames settle on them, and it can also be bestowed upon the weapons of others. Resists disruption.

Purification (C): Dispels curses and purifies contaminated elements.

Sword of Condemnation (A): A fundamental sword technique of the Sun God Religion, derived from the 'Song of Fire.' It has been streamlined, removing unnecessary elements. The Inquisitors' swords have long been famed for their mercilessness. Sharpened by numerous close encounters, the sword judges enemies.

Crown of Ashes (EX): Offers tributes to enhance skills related to the Sun God.

[Cult of Naga]

Shadow Creation (C): Creates a quiet shadow. Can blend into darkness and move silently.

Prayer of Scales (C): Upon praying, one's presence disappears for a set time, and physical abilities are enhanced.

Poison Generation (C): Produces a toxin within the body that causes abdominal pain.

Whisper of the Serpent (C): Partially conceals an object's appearance in shadows. Applies only to items being held, making them easier to hide.

Erosion (C): Infuses subconscious suggestions into another's mind by seeping into their psyche.

Black Scales (B): A fundamental sword technique of the Snake Cult, derived from 'Song of Shadows.' It has been refined to exclude unnecessary parts, making those who master it renowned for thriving within darkness.

[Common Skills]

Meat Cooking Recipe (C): Skillfully grills meat to enhance its flavor.

Seafood Recipe (B): Can make even normally inedible seafood delicious.

Beverage Making Recipe (C): Can create flavorful drinks.

It seems I might just touch the ranks of the upper-middle class in this world.

It hasn't been long since I arrived here, yet it seems I've come this far already.

I whistled. I might be looking at a level beyond a Bishop, perhaps even approaching an Archbishop.

At this rate, bam! I'll crush them all! Dwayne! You're done for!

【The end is in sight.】

Beatrice was right. I surrounded my body with holy power in preparation for the impact.

[The Holy Wall (B) wraps around your body.]

[Mitigates shocks above a certain level.]

Boom!

Dust was pushed out in all directions. I brushed off my clothes. I had fallen quite a distance. Fortunately, there was an escape route; otherwise, I might have been in serious trouble climbing back up.

Let's see.

I illuminated my surroundings with the Holy Fire.

Inside the spacious clearing, there was a single door. Simple letters were inscribed above it.

‘Prove your worth... Ra.’

Simple enough.

"Beatrice, Lady Saint. Could I borrow a weapon?"

【Aah?!】

The spirit sitting on my shoulder trembled violently, briefly gasping.

【Th-This unpleasant holy power... Impure... it's impure!】

"Should I sprinkle more?"

【What did you say?!】

"I misspoke. I meant I should pour more."

【You pervert! Creep! Degenerate! Sadist!】

"Hup."

【Huh?!】

The earring shifted, transforming into a spear in an instant, and settled into my hand.

The Spear of Light, Brunach. I tapped the door with it.

Creak.

The door opened. Beatrice seemed to melt and dissolve.

【It's... it's even more tainted...】

She's quite like Surtr in a way. There's a peculiar pleasure in teasing her.

I carefully inspected the inside of the door. It was filled with massive statues.

Those who cannot prove their worth, or if they sense an unfamiliar power, the statues would immediately activate. Created during the Golden Age, each one was almost at the level of a Bishop. If they all attacked at once, death was certain.

However, the statues merely twitched and did not move significantly. They rolled their eyes, fixed in stone, staring intently at me.

One statue nudged another.

They seemed to communicate with their eyes as if confused.

"Whoa, whoa! I'm truly a servant of Lord Ra! Look, see!"

I conjured the Holy Fire in my hand. The statues, which had been hesitating and twitching, quieted down. I nearly ended up as a pin-cushioned bloom.

[You have entered Ra's Sanctuary.]

[Damaged flesh is rapidly healing.]

[Your entire being is filled with sacred energy.]

[A small miracle descends upon you.]

In the distance, I faintly heard the sound of water. I followed it slowly.

A red carpet.

As soon as I lightly stepped on it, the world turned upside down. At the end of a seemingly endless luxurious corridor was a faint scent of flowers.

A garden.

Everywhere the eye could see was covered in beautiful flowers. It transformed into such a grand place, one where noble ladies might sip tea, unimaginable in the gloomy underground.

This is Ra's garden and sanctuary.

It was a place she personally decorated with divine grace.

I was filled with a sense of nostalgia when I saw its true form, hidden by illusions. I remember gasping when I first discovered this place in the game.

A crimson bird chirped. It perched on my shoulder. Beatrice let out a small gasp.

"Lamatnix! It's been a while!"

I gently stroked the crimson bird. Its fiery plumage rustled.

This is one of Ra's sacred relics. However, this relic cannot be taken outside from here.

It's practically Ra's pet. The Firebird Lamatnix, descending to this world, acts as Ra's messenger.

Like an angel delivering revelations, you might say.

The firebird placed a piece of paper onto my palm. I unfolded it as it was.

It will take a bit more time.

【"Is this a revelation?! What does it mean?】

"It seems to be quite literal."

Is she still investigating the twisted stigmata?

I crumpled the paper and tossed it behind me. Beatrice became furious.

【"How dare you throw Ra's divine revelation behind you!】

"I already read it. It'll just burn up soon anyway."

【Even so, you should treat it with care!】

"Yeah, yeah."

I moved towards the sound of water. The garden was vast. Everything overflowing here was more or less an elixir.

I would like to take some now, but I have to restrain myself. Without Ra's permission, I can't touch it. And since I can't communicate with her right now, I can't get permission either.

Besides, this isn't my real target.

"...Found it."

The source of the water sound. A fountain ridiculously small compared to the scale of the garden.

A purple liquid flowed continuously.

Beatrice murmured as if lost in thought.

【The drink of the gods... Nectar... It's been a long time.】

[You have discovered the 'Fountain of Eternity.']

[You have discovered Nectar.]

[Your faith grows stronger.]

[You are intoxicated by the fragrance.]

[The 'Prayer of the Sun God' helps you overcome it.]

For a moment, my consciousness drifted away, but then it returned. As expected, it's powerful. It truly lives up to its name as Nectar.

It's the drink of the gods. While there's no detailed description, its effects are undeniably potent.

If drunk raw, it melts the internal organs, and the human body itself explodes. There's a story about the priest who first discovered this bursting apart alive, shocking Ra's priests into thinking it was poison.

However, provided one can 'accept' it, its benefits are recognized as a supreme elixir. That is, if diluted and sold, it would surpass holy water or potions in value.

And this Fountain of Eternity continually exudes such Nectar. It's no wonder it is called a sacred relic.

【You must not drink it raw. It should only be consumed after being diluted to reveal its true value. Even an Apostle would die if consumed raw.】

"Are you worried about me?"

【N-no! It's just that since I haven’t repaid my debt yet, you shouldn’t die!】

I brushed off Beatrice's grumbling. I filled a canteen with the Nectar I'd brought with me.

Its fragrance was so intense that it made my head dizzy for a moment. If one isn't immune to mental corruption, they might greedily drink it and risk their brain exploding, as it's essentially a holy liquid.

I'll have to be cautious even when diluting it later.

Even though I filled one canteen, something felt lacking. I couldn't bring too many containers while sneaking in, but it doesn't feel like enough reward to just leave it at this.

Then, I suddenly remembered.

Come to think of it... didn't I pick up something strange near Beatrice's body?

I rummaged through my belongings and took out the 'Distorted Holy Grail.' Beatrice visibly flinched.

【Where did you get that?!】

"I picked it up next to the saint's body."

【T-throw that away!】

【It's a cursed artifact that I've been carrying because I can't get rid of it! The 'Distorted Holy Grail' turns any liquid it touches into a deadly poison that can't be cured, and I confiscated it from the Snake Cult!】

['Distorted Holy Grail' reacts to the Nectar.]

['Fountain of Eternity' resonates with its lost other half.]

A humming sound began.

Nectar erupted from the Fountain of Eternity, and I quickly submerged the grail I was holding into the Nectar.

"What on earth is this?"

【The Nectar is going to be contaminated! Nooooo!!】

"I don't think that's happening."

The agitated surface gradually calmed. In the silence, a quiet plop sent tiny ripples.

The flow of Nectar from the Fountain of Eternity stopped. The Nectar pooled on the fountain also began to slowly vanish.

['Fountain of Eternity' regains its true form.]

The goblet and the beverage.

As these two merged, the true artifact emerged at the top of the Fountain of Eternity.

It seemed like the distorted grail from earlier, but...

Its shape had changed. The crumpled appearance was gone, replaced by a long cylindrical container.

['Goblet of Eternity' awaits your decision.]

...Goblet of Eternity?

Is there a hidden element I didn't know about?

【W-where did the Fountain of Eternity go...and why is it so tiny?】

As Beatrice questioned, I held up the container. Inside the so-called 'Goblet of Eternity,' the Nectar swirled.

[The Goblet of Eternity]

A priest, filled with envy for Ra's glory and divinity, stole her goblet and fled. Yet, no one realized that it was only half of the whole.

As time passed, the Fountain of Eternity retained its color, but the goblet, having lost the beverage it was meant to contain, lost its divine aura.

What seeped into the emptiness was resentment towards the one who had separated them.

Thus, the Distorted Holy Grail was born, cursed to turn everything it contained into deadly poison. However, now, the Distorted Holy Grail has reclaimed its true form.

The Fountain of Eternity will never again let go of its other half. Even though its divinity and grandeur may not be the same as before, it has sworn to be with her counterpart eternally.

The Goblet of Eternity expresses its gratitude to you.

The Goblet of Eternity produces 100ml of Nectar per day.

The maximum amount the Goblet of Eternity can store is 100ml.

At the owner's request, it can spray any desired amount of Nectar.

Upon first consumption of Nectar, the vessel expands.

Upon first consumption of Nectar, the soul expands.

When Nectar is first consumed, the Stigmata deepens.

Nectar induces a powerful hypnotic effect.

Nectar induces a potent aphrodisiac effect.

Nectar induces a strong healing effect.

Nectar induces a significant stimulating effect.

Nectar induces a strong anti-demonic effect.

Nectar induces a strong doping effect.

Overconsumption of Nectar can lead to death.

Using 10ml of Nectar per day may alert higher beings to its presence.

Using Nectar causes nearby demons to sense its presence.

Extreme caution is advised when using Nectar.

"...This is insane."

A portable Fountain of Eternity?!

What an unexpected gift!

I placed a bottle filled with 9ml of Nectar in front of Isabelle. She carefully opened the lid.

"...Whoa!"

Her pupils dilated. Her weakened grip caused the bottle to fall from her hand.

I quickly caught it and closed the lid again.

"How is it?"

"This, this really... was in your business proposal..."

"It's Nectar."

"The drink of the gods... according to records... just diluting it to 1/1000 is enough to create a supreme high potion!"

Isabelle took a deep breath, seemingly unable to escape her excited state as she rapidly processed everything in her mind.

"With this amount, it's possible to produce 90 high potions... the manufacturing process... it can't be done with a simple potion factory... materials fitting for high potions are required... the capital..."

"We'll have to secure the capital from now on."

"No, it's not necessary."

Drool dripped from her gaping mouth.

"I can do it. I have money saved up."

"That should be enough. Hoo... hoo... good... good... So, Jahad. Want to team up with me?"

"Calm down."

"Ahh... my body... my body's heating up..."

I placed a hand on her shoulder. I couldn't let myself seduce a business partner.

[Activating Purification (C).]

[The effect of Nectar diminishes.]

"What, what was I saying..."

"So, what do you think?"

"......"

Isabelle frowned.

"First of all… It's a problem to make this, but I can manage somehow. I know several alchemists. They're reliable as long as you pay them."

"You're not planning to just throw it into the auction house, right?"

"No. I'm going to organize a list based on customers who buy expensive items at the auction. That's easy. It's not that difficult. But..."

"But?"

"I need an organization to launder the money once, so the source of the drug doesn't get exposed. A trustworthy organization. It has to be big. Strong enough that we don't have to worry about being chased."

"An organization, huh."

I leaned back in the chair and spun it around, rubbing my hands together.

"There happens to be a good group for this."

Please support the series on NovelUpdates