In this world, the term "god" referred only to the two pillars: the Supreme God Pyutos and the Demon God Deusgort. However, to publicly profess faith in the Demon God Deusgort was to be branded a member of the Demon Race.
Consequently, whenever someone spoke of their faith in God, they were almost always referring to the Supreme God Pyutos.
Those who made a living through such faith were called priests, and the organization they belonged to was known as the Pyutos Association.
"Now then, I would like to hear the details."
After being escorted to a guest room, I was offered a seat in an expensive-looking armchair. High Priest Sierotia sat directly across from me in a similarly luxurious chair.
"Even if you ask for details, I don't know anything beyond the content of the prophecy..."
I worried that admitting this would make me seem useless, but I knew she would likely see through any lies. I decided to be honest.
"I see."
She gave a simple nod of acknowledgment and sipped the tea placed before her.
"Please, have some."
I looked up to see Priestess Eliese placing a teacup in front of me. Judging by the tightness of her expression, she still didn't trust me in the slightest.
"Um... why did you decide to believe my story?"
Unable to endure the heavy silence, I searched for a topic and voiced the first thing that came to mind.
"It isn't that I have placed my absolute trust in you. I simply couldn't think of a reason for you to lie. Therefore, I thought it best to hear what you had to say."
She explained this with a perfectly composed face.
Her lack of expression maintained a lingering sense of tension in the room. I had no idea what she was thinking. Because of that, I couldn't tell if I should be optimistic about my current situation or not.
"Excuse me."
A knock sounded at the door, and a priest entered the room. He handed a stack of papers to High Priest Sierotia.
The pages were covered in writing, and she began to read through them immediately. I waited in silence.
"Your name is Kiska, is it not? It seems you committed a crime recently and were exiled to the Dungeon Depths."
The moment she looked up, those were the first words out of her mouth.
"Information regarding you was recorded here," she added, sensing my shock.
It seemed High Priest Sierotia had already ordered her subordinates to investigate my background.
"A criminal?! We cannot allow a criminal to remain here! We must throw him out at once!"
"Eliese, be quiet."
"Yes... my apologies!"
Priestess Eliese had been standing nearby, her voice rising in outrage, but she fell silent the moment the High Priest rebuked her.
"It was a false accusation," I said. "I didn't do anything. The people of the village framed me."
"Do you have proof?"
"I don't have proof, but if you look into the details, you'll see I'm not the culprit. I had no reason to kill Namia."
"I see. However, I am far more interested in the fact that you are here at all. How is it that you, who were exiled to the Dungeon Depths, are now walking free?"
It was a valid question. I had been sent to the depths of the 【Kataroff Dungeon】 via a Teleportation Circle. Normally, there was no coming back from that.
"Because I conquered the Dungeon."
"…Oh?"
For a fleeting second, I thought I saw her smile. When I looked again, her face had returned to its usual mask of composure, making me wonder if I had imagined it.
"Are you aware that the Hero and the Demon King fought within the 【Kataroff Dungeon】 a hundred years ago?"
"Yes, I know the story."
"Then have you heard the rumor? The one that claims a Hero is currently sealed within the 【Kataroff Dungeon】."
"A Hero…?"
Something about that sparked a reaction in me. I felt as though I should know something about this, but my memories were obscured, as if a thick mist had settled over my mind.
"Did you happen to know something about it?"
"No… this is the first I've heard of it."
"But as someone who conquered the 【Kataroff Dungeon】, did you not see anything that resembled such a thing?"
"…No, nothing in particular."
"I see."
I tried to recall the events inside the 【Kataroff Dungeon】 once more. I had no memory of anything regarding a Hero’s seal. Yet, I was acutely aware that I was forgetting something. I likely had known the truth about the seal, but the memory had been stripped away.
"Um, Lady High Priest Sierotia," Eliese interjected. "With all due respect, the legends say that Lord Hero Eligion escaped the 【Kataroff Dungeon】 after the Demon King Subjugation and returned to the kingdom. Therefore, it's impossible for a Hero to be sealed there."
Eliese was right. The rumor the High Priest mentioned directly contradicted the legend of Lord Hero Eligion.
"Indeed. That is why it is considered a groundless rumor with no credibility. If a Hero were truly sealed inside that Dungeon, it would mean there was another Hero besides Lord Hero Eligion—or that Lord Hero Eligion himself is a fake hero."
I caught my breath. To suggest that the Hero Eligion was a fake was a statement so bold it bordered on sacrilege.
"High Priest, even if it is just a rumor, I believe those words go too far. You might be misunderstood."
"My apologies, Eliese."
After finishing that brief exchange, High Priest Sierotia turned her attention back to me.
"Now then, regarding the matter of your service. I have decided to officially hire you as a guard."
"Wait, really? Is that okay?"
The answer caught me off guard. I had been certain she would refuse.
"Yes. Given that you have the strength to conquer the 【Kataroff Dungeon】, I can think of no one better suited for the task. For the duration of the festival, you will serve as my private bodyguard. I will, of course, provide compensation befitting the role. Will you accept?"
"I was actually going to ask you for the job. I’ll gladly take it."
We exchanged slight bows. With this, I would be in a position to protect her.
"Is this truly wise, my Lady? Appointing an Alcusian as your guard?"
"Prejudice is unbecoming, Eliese."
"But he is a criminal! To have such a man as your protector…"
"He claims the charges were a false accusation."
"Do you actually intend to believe him?!"
I listened to their argument with a sense of nervous uncertainty. From an objective perspective, Eliese’s concerns were perfectly reasonable. I couldn't fathom why High Priest Sierotia was taking my side.
"Yes, I believe his words," she declared in a flat, certain tone.
In that moment, I felt a strange tug at my heart. When I had tried to maintain my innocence before, not a single person in the village had listened.
And yet, this woman believed me.
"B-But why?" Eliese asked, her expression pained.
"I can tell whether a person is lying simply by looking at them. He is telling the truth."
"I never knew you possessed such a power, High Priest."
"I generally keep it hidden. Now, Eliese, do you still doubt my judgment when I say I trust him?"
"…No. If you go that far, I have nothing more to say."
The matter was finally settled. I had been braced for her to retract the offer, but it seemed she truly placed her faith in me.
"However, it will be troublesome if everyone you encounter reacts the same way Eliese does."
Sierotia’s gaze shifted to my hair. My silver hair was far too conspicuous. I didn't even want to imagine the villagers' reaction if they realized an Alcusian was guarding the High Priest.
"Therefore, I suggest we dye your hair a different color."
"You can do that?"
"It is possible if one has the right materials. It isn't common in this kingdom, but in other lands, it’s quite a widespread practice among commoners."
I hadn't known such a thing existed. To be honest, I had never liked my hair color. For as long as I could remember, I had wanted to change it.
"I happen to have the ingredients for hair dye with me. What do you say?"
"Please. I'd appreciate it."
I nodded without a second thought.
A few hours later, after washing the dye away, my silver hair had been transformed into blonde hair.
"It is the same shade as mine," Sierotia noted as she stood beside me. "This should keep you from drawing unwanted attention."
She was right; her hair was a brilliant gold. Now, I could perform my duties as her guard without being recognized.