Author's Note:
Character Map:
"X" = Loid Orcus (protagonist)
"(X)" = Loid Orcus (strong inner thought)
°X° = Makina
•X• = Soul Goddess Aksa
^X^ = Sebastian (AI Assistant)
X>X = Chat Window/Panel in the Livestream
*X* = God and Goddess
#X# = Deities
?X?=Unknown Person
' X '= Extra (Maybe or maybe not one time character(for convenience, if their extra that more than one, i will put number('1 1') to the second extra and so on)
×X×=Monster/Enemy
Others:
[X] = Status Board/What is written on it/ Status Window (New)
--- = POV Change
|||| = Time Skip/Time Preview(New)
(X) = Explanation/author/ A.U.T.H.O.R.
([X]) = Sound effect
{X} = Buttons, or something that may cause a certain action
---
The guard's eyes widened slightly, clearly caught off guard by how it suddenly appeared in my hand. But after a few seconds, he regained his composure and leaned forward to inspect the item and then said.
'What's that?'
"•...What?•"
'I know that's supposed to be an insignia—but what is it for? What does it represent?'
"..."
"(Hey, you dunce goddess! What's this supposed to mean?! We're more suspicious than ordinary strangers now! How come this insignia isn't even recognized?)"
"(Just look at the guard—he's already gripping the sword on his belt! One more step and we're getting arrested!!!)"
•Hrgg... Shut up! Even I don't know why this believer doesn't recognize the insignia of my order!•
"(You shut up too! Obviously, these people aren't your believers!!!)"
While I was interacting with the city guard on the outside, inside my mind was a chaotic argument with the goddess. The longer we argued, the more I struggled to stall for time. My options were running dry—and the guard's suspicion was rising fast.
Just then, a hand landed on my shoulder.
I saw it coming—thanks to my 360-degree vision—but I let it happen, allowing it to look as natural and unsuspicious as possible. A man stepped into view from my right, dressed in standard adventurer gear that resembled the average equipment I'd observed around.
He spoke calmly.
'1 Excuse me, is there a problem here? Is this man unable to pay the toll? If so, I can cover it for him. 1'
The guard shook his head slightly, gesturing toward me.
'It's not about the toll. It's about his identification. Here—at his hand. Could you make him take a look?'
"Sure."
I raised my hand and showed the insignia again—the very same one meant to represent the religious order of Aksa, self-proclaimed goddess of souls.
•Hey!!!•
"(Oh, come on—maybe this guy can help us. So zip it for now. I'm trying not to mess my act up because of your taunts.)"
The man furrowed his brows in curiosity, eyes studying the insignia.
'Hmm... I've traveled quite a bit across the continent, but I've never seen this insignia or emblem before. Hey guys, any of you know what this is?'
He turned his head back and called out casually.
Behind him, four individuals stood gathered—clearly his party.
First, an elven woman holding a staff tipped with a green orb. Judging from my mana perception—a derivation from the skill ascertainment that allowed me to appraise magic power—she had the highest mana pool among them. A mage, no doubt.
Next to her stood a human woman. Although no longer white maybe because of adventure, she wore attire reminiscent of a cleric—something I'd seen in games. A some sort rosary hung around her neck, and her staff bore a religious symbol at its top, further hinting at her religion that I don't currently know what it is, I'm sure if I ask the goddess, I will know immediately
•The symbol on the rosary and staff—that's the insignia of the Earth Goddess, Terra. Or as we gods call her, Earth Terra. Although it's slightly distorted—either from age or poor craftsmanship—it's unmistakably her symbol. The square-like shapes represent land.•
"(Whoa... that's new info. Thanks for contributing to the database.)"
Continuing my observation of the group, the next figure was a male dwarf. He carried a shield about his size and wore what I could only describe as Viking-style full-body armor.
What gave it that vibe was the horned helmet—classic Viking. The rest of the armor was more medieval in style, though pelts draped over his shoulders added to the Norse aesthetic.
He was clearly the party's tank—judging by his heavy gear and build.
And finally, there was a male beastkin. Judging by the black fur, the pointed ears, and the swishing tail, I'd say he was a pantherkin... or maybe just a catkin with black fur.
Honestly, unless I asked, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Either way, his lean build, twin daggers, and bow slung behind his back screamed scout—or ranger, or whatever the local term is. But the role was obvious, especially considering beastkin typically have heightened senses compared to other races.
At that moment, the four individuals stepped closer to inspect the insignia in my hand.
The first to speak was the dwarf, his gruff voice carrying a tone of confidence.
'2 Hmph, never seen that one before. Sorry, lad. 2'
Next was the beastkin scout. He gave the insignia a quick glance before shrugging.
'3 Same here. No clue what that's supposed to be. 3'
Then the cleric leaned in, inspecting it carefully. Her eyes squinted slightly as she tilted her head.
'4 The symbol... it resembles something I've seen in old texts—perhaps related to the Soul Goddess? But it's too vague. I can't say anything definite. 4'
And finally, the elf—who had been silently observing—remained deep in thought, staring at the insignia as if trying to pull meaning from forgotten history.
The group fell into silence, waiting for her verdict.
After a long pause, she finally nodded and spoke:
'5 The Order of Paladins dedicated to the Soul Goddess Aksa. They were once known as the Soul Paladins—though widely remembered as the Soul Knights. Back during the Divine War—when gods still walked the world—they served as the martial arm of the Soul Church, executing the will of their goddess with unwavering resolve. They fought the fiends and monsters that sought to invade our world. '
"Whoa... someone actually remembered. Honestly, I was already preparing to ditch the insignia and just claim to be a traveler with no identification. But it seem I don't have to now."
'5 Of course I remember. I'm an elf. For us, the Divine War wasn't so long ago—only a few generations past. But that said…"
she sighed,
"I doubt that insignia will serve as valid identification here. Perhaps in an elven settlement, yes. But this is a human city. To most humans, the Divine War is considered little more than a myth now—a distant tale barely believed. 5'
She took a moment to glance at the guard, then back at me.
The then elf continued, her voice carrying the weight of history:
'5 After the war ended, the Soul Church and its paladins were said to have left the continent entirely. It's said they sailed across the sea to reach the Labyrinths of the Gods—believed to be the last sanctuary of the gods and goddess in this world. There's proof of other divine labyrinths too, mind you—like the Fire Church. They found theirs and built their central sanctuary there, where their god is said to still reside. 5'
'5 Most other churches followed suit and station their church near the labyrinth that been said where they god or goddess reside. But the Soul Church, the Death Church, and the Dark Church… they've all just been rumored to exist as it proven that the Labyrints of the Gods is indeed exist 5'
'5 It's whispered that the Death Church dwells within the Vampire Territories, and that the Dark Church lives somewhere in the Monster Domains. As for the Soul Church… it's only ever been rumored to exist beyond the sea, with no confirmation if it truly are. 5'
' 5With all that said...5'
The elf's gaze sharpened, her tone laced with suspicion.
'5 Are you saying the Labyrinth of the Soul Goddess truly exists? That it's no longer just rumor, but reality? Can you, so-called Paladin, testify to that truth? 5'
Her words struck with precision. The surrounding crowd grew quiet, ears perked and attention fixed. The city guard, too, waited silently, his hand resting cautiously on his sword.
In that moment, I accelerated my thoughts to maximum capacity—burning through data with Makina's assistance like a processor in overclock.
And there—hidden in the mission plans Makina uploaded—I found it. The foundation of what I must say.
I understood now. This wasn't just chance or bluffing anymore. This was deliberate. A planned move to shift perception, to plant seeds.
I drew a breath, straightened my back, and declared clearly:
"I, Loid B. Orcus, a Soul Paladin in service to the Goddess Aksa, testify—and speak only the truth."
"Yes, across the sea, our Order has discovered the Labyrinth of the Soul Goddess and made it our sanctuary."
"And by her divine command, I have returned to this continent to fulfill my mission and restore her name to the world."
The air stilled. Eyes widened. Even the skeptical elf paused in contemplation, her suspicion shifting into something more complex.
Not awe, not belief—but hesitation. Doubt clashing with curiosity.
Silence hung heavily in the air.
And in my head?
"(Shit… I thought this would just be a quick trip. Why does everything feel like the start of a political-religious campaign?)"