Chapter 1682 Using Traps As Stepping Stones

"I am sorry for all the trouble you went through because of us, young man."

Jivem expressed his regret after Eren was done explaining to him all the hurdles he was forced to go through because of Ishgaar's Templars.

Of course, the reason Jivem was able to trust Eren's narration of the event right away was because he had done some investigation of his own during the last few days. He could confirm some of the things Eren had included in his narration.

Plus, Eren seemingly had no reason to lie to Jivem.

"And I am sorry for all the unjust deaths of Ishgaar's Templars as well," Eren responded in a regretful tone. "Those witches were really vicious. They had threatened to chop off my penis and offer it to some arch demon as a tribute. If it wasn't for Ishgaar's Templars, I really don't know what would have happened to me," he said with a fair bit of fear in his voice.

Jivem raised his eyebrows in surprise when he heard Eren's words. "They were planning to summon an archdemon in Kizamgaar's ruins? Hm. It is somewhat possible considering their choice of location to hold the ritual."

Jivem got up from his chair and approached the half open window behind him as he continued.

"Kizamgaar's ruins also hold a special place for those of us from the Ishgaar's Temple, Grand Knight Eren. It is a place where one of our own had fallen to the demonic side. They say that God Ishgaar had to send one of his incarnations to get rid of the evil that was in Kizamgaar.

God Ishgaar's incarnation died that day after slaying the city lord of Kizamgaar, Arzain Kizamgaar. Their battle was what turned the city of Kizamgaar into Kizamgaar's ruins. They say that Kizamgaar hailed from God Ishgaar's own lineage that existed before his accent to godhood. This was why it got all messy for Ishgaar's Templars at that time to handle the situation.

Anyway, before he took his last breath, Ishgaar's incarnation foretold that another evil would be born at Kizamgaar's ruins, one that could shake the very foundation of Labh Salem. Thus, the Ishgaar's Templars at that decided to settle not too far from the root of future evil, forever keeping watch over the ruins. And because of that, this city was born.

This is also why Ishgaar's Templars hunt down any group that tries to conduct demonic activities inside Kizamgaar's ruins. We belive it is our duty to act upon our god's intentions," Jivem said while looking at the quatern moons shining in the sky, displaying various distinct phases of their own.

'These damn gods and their prophecies. Even if they can't prohpesize about me anymore, it seems they have already done their prep work before I even entered the frey.'

Eren cursed God Ishgaar in his head. He had to say that he couldn't completely count on the facr that he had become a demigod. He certainly had the advantage of becoming one. But the gods had time on their side. They had been laying traps for the potential Interior of Elder Ichor even before he was born. This was something he couldn't counter no matter what he did.

'Hehe. Erni, why are you so confident that God Ishgaar's incarnation was talking about you when he made that prophecy? You can't be the only one here who can shake this world. You are just being overconfident if you assume that, don't you think?'

Reen's voice sounded in Eren's head. The latter smirked before responding.

'Reen darling, who else if it's not me? And it's not overconfidence if my abilities exceed God Ishgaar's wildest expectations. He had plans to intercept Inheritor of Elder Ichor. But he couldn't have imagined that I'll use his trap as a stepping stone,' Eren reaponded to Reen's taunt.

'Hmph. You have become prideful, Erni. It feels like another Witch of the Enderflames was born the day you defeated that witch,' Reen hit back.

Eren was about to say something to Reen in responce when Jivem's words caught his attention.

"Young man, it seems you were lost in thought. Is anything weighing on your mind?"

Jivem asked in a curious voice. Eren pondered a bit and nodded before speaking further.

"I… I couldn't help recalling the horrible experience, Archpriest Jivem. I have to thank you for providing me with the reason why Ishgaar's Templars fought with those evil women with so much conviction. It somehow helps me make sense with their deaths.

Those witches were really powerful with their strange demonic powers. I just hope that nobody else from Onianum continent should suffer the same fate as our fallen heroes," the butcher said and sighed, as if the weight of all that was good in Labh Salem resting on his shoulder.

"Strange indeed," Jivem turned around to look at Eren before adding further.

"A demonic Art that can allow someone ro erase Menaka's Blessings of their opponents. This…. a mere Skill can not do that. No wonder so many of Ishgaar's Templars died by those witches' hands.

Without Menaka's Blessing, the Templars were nothing but target practice for those harlots. It also explains why they couldn't contact us at the time of their deaths," Jivem spoke in a grim tone.

"If the witches are really capable of doing something like that, then this is indeed not good news for the whole continent of Onianum. This is also not something we from Ishgaar's Templars can fight on our own.

I'll have to have a word with priests of other gods as well. We might have our differences but when it comes to opposing the demonic faction, we stand united."

Jivem then looked at Eren before assuring him.

"Don't worry, Eren. You will get your due reward for assisting Ishgaar's Templars in your capacity.

I'll also arrange for you to get Menaka's Blessing back. You won't have to go through the usual hassle of getting it back at the city administration.

But let's not talk about that. You said you were originally from the neutral continent Jiren. Tell me young man, are you ready to devote yourself to our god and become one of us? Ishgaar's temple will gladly accept your faith and take you into it's fold if you say yes."