Chapter 150. Blessing (2)
Among the methods of practice, the most conventional and orthodox one was Tacheon (他薦).
It wasn’t as if Anagin had never considered this method.
To receive a blessing from a god and become a god…
From a common-sense perspective, it was the method with the highest likelihood.
However, he never seriously considered it.
Because it was completely different from the direction Anagin pursued.
No matter how he thought about it, even if he became a god by receiving a god’s blessing, it would be far too different from the kind of god Anagin envisioned.
After all, even if he became a god through a god’s blessing, wouldn’t he still end up beneath them?
The reason Anagin wanted to become a god was neither immortality nor glory, but to shake off the humiliation he had felt during the plague. To ensure he would never experience something like that again. And yet, to place himself under someone?
It was absurd.
For this reason, when he learned that Orpheus was a practitioner seeking to become a god through blessings, the interest that had once surged within him quickly cooled.
Their fundamental values diverged too greatly at the most crucial point.
Anagin now told everyone that fact.
“Then, do you wish to place the gods beneath you?”
Orpheus asked a question that was exceedingly sacrilegious within a temple.
As if to reflect the weight of that question, Thyreos and Lynceus glanced around to check if anyone was listening, while Sphinx also tensed up.
Amidst all that, Anagin calmly opened his mouth. As if stating his true thoughts.
“Not really.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, I’m not interested in playing leader or anything like that.”
Anagin did not cross the line, but nevertheless, he still spoke words that were incredibly sacrilegious.
It was as if he were saying that, if he wished, he could place even the gods beneath him.
Even so, Orpheus did not take issue with it.
As if he wanted to hear more.
Anagin willingly went along.
“The reason I want to become a god is simple. It’s just so I never have to go through that helpless, disgusting experience again.”
“Hmm, does that have something to do with that… rather shitty thing you went through?”
“Oh, your pronunciation’s good. Yeah, that’s right. So…”
Anagin trailed off for a moment to emphasize what he was about to say.
Then, after a few seconds, he continued.
“…I have no intention of placing myself under anyone.”
Orpheus nodded, as if he finally understood.
The kind of god Anagin pursued was one with no one above him—a being who could do anything alone, like a supreme existence above all.
It was arrogant, and naturally seemed impossible. And dangerous as well.
However, Orpheus did not point that out. Instead, he spoke in defense of the New Argonaut Expedition Team.
“I see what you mean. That must be why you’re irritated with those two.”
“You’re pretty perceptive.”
“Even so, don’t be too harsh on them. They only think highly of you. Highly enough that they would want to accept you as a new member of the New Argonaut Expedition Team.”
“…?”
Anagin tilted his head in confusion and looked at Thyreos and Lynceus.
Judging by their guilty expressions, it seemed Orpheus was telling the truth.
He couldn’t understand it.
Why would they want to include him in the New Argonaut Expedition Team?
“Because we saw your performance in the Kingdom of Arcadia. Irida also received a lot of help.”
Thyreos finally spoke, shouldering his spear.
Including what Anagin had shown in the Kingdom of Arcadia, everything he had demonstrated so far was the image of a hero who would greatly benefit Hellas.
That was why they had joined the delivery of the Coins of Greed, arranged for him to meet the Oracle, and explained blessings to him.
To properly persuade Anagin and have him receive the gods’ blessings.
To turn him into a proper practitioner.
From a common-sense standpoint, this was the safest and most correct method.
To pursue order, to pursue stability for all, and in the process, achieve one’s own goals.
However, from Anagin’s perspective, it was something he couldn’t agree with at all. No matter how nice it sounded, it was at a level where it wouldn’t be strange to mistake it for exploitation.
At that, Thyreos denied it, and Anagin chose to believe him—for now.
He didn’t sense any scheming, after all.
“Fine, I’ll believe you.”
“Thank you.”
“But it still leaves a bad taste. I don’t want that kind of goodwill at all.”
“…I know.”
Thyreos nodded weakly, as if disappointed.
He had properly understood that the path Anagin walked was completely different from theirs.
“I’m not interested in being a hero, and I don’t really care about saving Hellas or its people either.”
“I know.”
“Then that’s enough. Don’t bring this up again.”
* * *
A conversation that ended vaguely.
However, through this, Thyreos and Lynceus, members of the New Argonaut Expedition Team, came to clearly understand that Anagin could never become the same kind of practitioner as them.
Almost immediately after the conversation ended, Tramachus returned, and the priest called the next person.
“Thyreos. Follow me.”
Thyreos left, following the priest.
Tramachus, who had entered the waiting room, seemed to notice the slightly changed atmosphere and asked Lynceus what had happened.
Naturally, Lynceus answered…
“I see.”
Tramachus nodded, showing a hint of disappointment.
‘Hah, being too popular is a problem too.’
As Anagin thought to himself while looking at the disappointed Tramachus, the latter approached him.
For a moment, Anagin wondered if he was going to try some pointless persuasion, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“What?”
“I’ll explain the process of receiving a blessing from the Oracle.”
“Ah.”
Anagin let out an involuntary exclamation.
He had stayed to hear that, but he hadn’t expected Tramachus to bring it up first.
It made him realize anew how long he had been with these guys.
Back when they first fought the Forest Brotherhood, they had been distant from each other, but now, they had reached the point where they could roughly understand each other’s thoughts just by reading the atmosphere.
It didn’t seem like entirely good news.
“Hmm… where should I start?”
Tramachus only hesitated briefly before beginning his explanation.
The content itself wasn’t anything special.
He said he told the Oracle about the most memorable events he had experienced recently.
Going under Chiron’s lead to subjugate the Forest Brotherhood, getting thoroughly beaten by Periphetes, freezing in fear upon meeting Erysichthon, failing to help Kori and Pais at the Chiron Tower and instead taking part in oppressing them, and failing to help Irida during the Groom Tournament.
Interestingly, Tramachus focused more on his mistakes than his achievements, and spoke honestly about the shameful and humiliating emotions he had felt.
For example, freezing up after encountering Erysichthon, or being unable to help even when he knew it was wrong when Pais was imprisoned…
It was somewhat admirable. Most people would try to forget such things, or at least pretend to.
“I also said I envied you.”
“It’s not strange to envy a handsome face like mine. If you die and get reborn—”
“That’s not what I meant, you crazy bastard.”
He had been speaking seriously, but Anagin’s nonsense finally made Tramachus snap and curse. He had no regrets.
“Whew… I meant that foul personality of yours, doing whatever you want, wherever you are.”
“What are you talking about? I’m very polite. I was raised well.”
“Stop talking nonsense. You're a thoroughly foul fellow."
“That’s harsh.”
“But in a way, I envy you. You can say no when something doesn’t feel right.”
Anagin narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sudden praise like this naturally made him suspicious.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like there was any ulterior motive, so he asked honestly.
“Why the sudden compliment?”
“Because we’ll be parting ways soon. Won’t we?”
That was true.
They had been together because of delivering the Coins of Greed—otherwise, they would have parted long ago.
Like when he retrieved his magical tools left at the Chiron Tower.
Moreover, Anagin had begun to feel more strongly that he needed to separate from them soon.
Perhaps because they had been together for too long, he felt he had grown too lax.
He didn’t want to forget the reason he had left his hometown and come here in the first place. He hadn’t come out just to play at being a practitioner.
Coming out of his thoughts, Anagin asked Tramachus:
“Yeah. We should part ways. So let me ask you one thing.”
“What is it?”
“What kind of blessing did you get?”
Naturally, Tramachus did not answer.
Practitioners did not reveal their blessings to others.
At most, an exception might be made for comrades.
Unfortunately, Anagin and Tramachus were not quite at that level.
They had fought together a few times, but they would soon part ways.
After some time had passed, Thyreos returned, and naturally, Lynceus followed the priest.
Thyreos explained to Anagin the conversation he had with the Oracle.
It wasn’t much different from Tramachus’s, except that he didn’t focus as much on his shortcomings.
By the time Thyreos finished explaining, Lynceus returned, and then Orpheus followed the priest.
Ah, for reference, he wasn’t going to receive a blessing.
The blessings were only granted to those who had brought the Coins of Greed.
The Oracle had called Orpheus separately because there was something to discuss. What it was, no one knew.
“It would be nice if we could all go down together. Please wait for me.”
Orpheus said before leaving.
There was no particular reason to refuse, so everyone agreed.
After Orpheus left, Lynceus, like the others before him, spoke about his conversation with the Oracle.
Like the previous two, he said that by the time the conversation ended, he could feel a new power, a blessing, settling within him, and instinctively understood how to use it.
Like a crawling child learning to stand on its own.
Of course, mastering it would take time.
“He’s back.”
“Whoa, that startled me.”
As soon as Orpheus returned, Anagin exclaimed in surprise.
Compared to the New Argonaut trio, it had been far too short a time.
But in a way, it made sense.
The New Argonaut Expedition Team had taken time because they were receiving blessings, but Orpheus wasn’t.
If it was just a brief exchange, it wasn’t strange for it to end so quickly.
The question was what that exchange had been.
Anagin considered probing him—if it wasn’t anything important, he might answer, and if it was, he wouldn’t. Even that alone would be useful.
Just as he made up his mind to ask—
“Anagin, follow me.”
The priest called Anagin next.
“Hmm? I said I wouldn’t receive a blessing, though?”
“That is not the matter. The Oracle has called for you.”
Born with a contrary nature, Anagin felt the urge to retort, ‘If she calls, do I have to go?’ but decided to go anyway.
After all, he was the one who had come here with a purpose, and he was curious about why he had been called.
Like the others, Anagin stood up alone and followed the priest.
Left in the waiting room were the New Argonaut trio, Orpheus, and Sphinx.
Somehow, the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
Well, Sphinx was a monster, while the others were practitioners.
Perhaps because of that, Orpheus plucked his lyre with a ting! to draw everyone’s attention, then spoke.
“Shall we have a conversation among ourselves for a moment?”
* * *
“Looks like that guy isn’t coming today.”
“Thaaat’s a bit of a shame.”
Below the Temple of Delphi, on the outskirts of the Festival Village.
Members of the Pebble Traveling Troupe were chatting. And quite cheerfully, at that.
Ironically, the reason was Anagin.
A practitioner they had the worst first meeting with.
He had suddenly interrogated them about whether they belonged to the mage organization Magno, and even threatened to destroy everything if necessary, so calling it the worst was no exaggeration.
But amusingly, as a few days passed, that atmosphere gradually began to change.
It wasn’t that they liked Anagin… but it was no longer an atmosphere of outright dislike either.
After all, he frequently visited the Pebble Traveling Troupe, which constantly struggled with deficits due to a lack of customers, and paid a decent amount in admission fees. In a way, it was only natural.
Occasionally, he even sent them delicious food through a guide.
“Whether he’s doing it knowingly or just by instinct… anyway, he seems to have a knack for winning people over.”
Inside the leader’s tent of the Pebble Traveling Troupe, which had recently become a bit more financially comfortable.
Uma, the troupe leader, spoke to someone.
However, there was no one around her.
The only thing present was the ‘Freedom’s Thread’ spread out on the table.
The moment Uma spoke, letters inscribed themselves onto the thread.
A kind of magic.
After a short while, a reply came.
[He’s annoying, but that’s part of his charm.]
The one on the other side of the Freedom’s Thread wrote back.
The username was ‘Donkey King.’
“Will it be alright?”
[What do you mean?]
“Whatever the case, the ability of the Temple of Delphi’s Oracle is the real deal. Your disciple has gone there; can he remain safe?”
Uma still hadn't fully grasped the character of Anagin.
She only knew that he had a quick temper and seemed hot-blooded, yet strangely possessed sharp observation and judgment.
But that didn’t matter much.
The fact that he was the disciple of the man she was currently speaking with was enough to make him someone worth watching.
[I’d like to say you worry too much… but honestly, I am a little worried myself.]
Uma paused.
A man who seemed like he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed—saying he was worried.
It could only be interpreted as him having some ulterior motive rather than genuine concern.
Fortunately, Uma soon found out what that motive was.
[That is why I am heading there now.]
“…Where exactly?”
[The Festival Village. To check whether my disciple is doing well.]
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(T/N): I’m getting excited with their reunion haha