ALTANUS [11]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 974

Altanus (11)

"It's been a while since I've seen the Saintess loo so joyful. Of course, it's been a while since I've seen the Saintess at all... And suddenly you've entered, so I couldn't properly greet you... Are you and the Saintess quite well-acquainted, Priest? Perhaps you've said something about me..."

"...."

"I had a vague expectation of this, but it seems like she don't want to see the Saintess and me meet. By the way... this thing called the Hand Mirror... and now even the Saintess... What on earth is the Priest up to..."

"...."

"So, Saintess Altanus..."

"Yes, Altanus Saintess... By any chance..."

I couldn't hide the momentary look of astonishment on my face. Sure enough, Metel, who had opened her mouth to speak, was now avoiding my gaze.

Whether it was because my expression didn't look good, or whether she realized she had made a mistake, I wasn't sure, but she closed her mouth, which had been chatting just moments ago.

"Is it correct that the Saintess Altanus is the one who just entered the room?"

"That's..."

The question was asked, but the answer was not heard. In any case, I knew better than anyone else what the answer was.

'Bennigore was Altanus.'

"Benigore was Altanus..."

If I thought about it for a moment, the conclusion was easy to reach. After all, Altanus' appearance was sculpted at the entrance to the Mole Saintess' cozy dungeon. No other evidence could be more certain than that.

Distinctive behavior that stood out among the other Atentas was also apparent. No matter how unique the Underground Temple was, Atentas were clearly classified as the lowest rank within the temple.

It didn't fit to say that those who had lost their names under the pretext of serving a god were acting this way.

Rather, it was more like she was acting as Atentas. More artfully put, I was the one who seemed like a fool for not noticing.

'No, I'm not that oblivious.'

I might have realized it from the very first time I saw Benigore. Even if I hadn't, there must have been a point where I did realize it.

My thoughts and memories about the truth had been blocked by me. Like last time, this time too, I judged that I had erased my memories.

If it hadn't been Metel, my subconscious might have controlled me to the end to disrupt this side.

"Priest... Are you alright?"

"...."

"Priest?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Guardian Methel."

"...."

"More than that... would you like some coffee?"

"No, that's alright. I..."

"Have a cup. If you plan to study until late tonight."

"By any chance... did I make a mistake?"

"No, you haven't. It's not a big deal, so don't worry about it. Here, have a cup. If you have any questions, write them down. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Thank... you."

"I'll go to my room for a moment to organize. Guardian."

"Yes... yes."

Even the parts that were unclear and the somewhat hazy timeline were beginning to make sense, more or less.

Why Benigore couldn't remember her past in the current world, why the phrase "inheriting Altanus' will" had been used...

'The existence of Altanus has been erased.'

Altanus enters the Iron Maiden, and the story follows the path of the past continent's destruction...

The story after Lucifer, who manages the current continent, is overthrown. The story after the emergence of a new Church, new civilization, and new continent. It's a world story that Kim Hyun-sung knows very well.

'First Round.'

As a condition to bring Kim Hyun-sung back, Altanus replaced herself. Up until now, I had thought it meant complete annihilation, but it might not be the case.

No, it's definitely not the case. Although Altanus disappeared, Benigore, who inherited her will, remained.

Altanus's memories, personality, everything disappeared, but the continent's system left behind Benigore as a shell to handle her aftermath.

Of course, Benigore isn't just a simple shell. To be more precise, it's as if all the system's formatted hardware, the computer where everything previously stored had vanished.

There would be no discomfort. As Altanus's name was replaced by Benigore, Kim Hyun-sung wouldn't have felt any discomfort. And not just Kim Hyun-sung, but a high probability that some of the higher-ups also wouldn't have felt discomfort.

Even the doubt about that discomfort seems to be roughly resolved now.

'The system must have adjusted it.'

Even Benigore herself wouldn't have felt out of place.

Altanus's role ends right here. She enters the Iron Maiden, ascends upward, manages the continent, and sacrifices herself for Kim Hyun-sung. That's precisely her role. I would have known that fact. I might still be realizing that now.

Regardless of what happens, the future must follow the timeline I know. Probably, that's why there's a high probability of an unconscious obstruction to recalling the truth.

'Personal emotions must be completely erased.'

Might it be because of the possibility of feeling pity for Altanus's tragedy?

'No, I'm not honestly that good a guy.'

Altanus's tragic ending has nothing to do with it. It's because of the possibility that I might not equate Benigore with Altanus.

'No, it's better to say that I feel pity for Altanus's tragedy.'

That sounds more pleasant.

Regarding the summary of memories, here it is. God of Sacrifice and Resurrection Lee Ki-young felt pity for Altanus. He was sympathetic to her tragic and difficult fate that lay before her.

Separate from that, he knew that the future had to follow its course. Eventually, he chose a method to adjust his memories and subconscious. To prevent any changes to the future due to his pity, to ensure that the continent of today wouldn't change completely due to a small butterfly effect.

'The problem is that I discovered this.'

Even if I realized it, it wouldn't change anything.

'But this is also for Benigore.'

Altanus isn't my person.

'Just become a little more rational.'

Benigore is my people. It's different inside the shell.

By Altanus's disappearance, the current Benigore exists. For the current Benigore to exist as Benigore, Altanus must fulfill her mission.

'Not just that. What am I supposed to do now?'

Even if I tried to find another way, there's no time to change the route. The timeline was already flowing as I knew it, and there's no way to assemble the future and past to the timeline except by this method.

'The plan must continue.'

I feel the necessity of that more than anyone else.

Altanus isn't my tragic figure.

The necessity of the plan to continue is more deeply felt by me than anyone else. If Altanus wasn't equipped with the cheap setting of being Benigore's shadow maiden, then what I've summarized is the truth.

'Are there no other variables?'

When I looked at Benigore's status window with my mind's eyes...

'Altanus may have changed the information window that nullifies the mind's eye... Or I might have set up a joke.'

Sure, here's the text with spaces added within dialogues and paragraphs:

'The probability is low, but Lucifer might have used some sort of magic. It's a meaningless hypothesis, but if I assume that Lucifer wants what I desire, then this interpretation becomes possible. '

If Lucifer's downfall wasn't the actual cause, and instead, all of this is a process of succession, then if she wasn't driven away and impoverished, but rather, if she had always been the one painting this picture...

'Merely speculating, of course.'

Discarding the continent after having a good time and reaping the benefits, it's not impossible to consider the possibility that she cooperated with me.

If this pointless hypothesis is somewhat accurate...

Truly, this one is even more of a trash than Elune. This is the sort of pollutant that can't even be recycled properly; calling it a devil is more fitting than calling it a god.

As I quietly sit and organize other variables, I hear a voice from outside.

"Priest? This is Templar Jenny."

'I'm busy. Damn.'

"Yes. I'll be out quick. Temple Knight Jenny."

As I step outside, I see Temple Knight Jenny and Guardian Metel exchanging awkward glances.

Naturally, I had to greet them with a smile and open my mouth.

"Has Metel recovered?"

"As you can see..."

It seems that Metel isn't quite comfortable with this, and as I gesture for her to come inside, she slightly bows and enters with a slight bend of her waist.

"You've gone through a lot on my behalf. Temple Knight Jenny."

"Not at all, Priest. I apologize for only being able to assist in this way. I was quite preoccupied myself... I hope I've properly completed the task you assigned me, Your Excellency..."

The task I assigned to Temple Knight Jenny was to handle the affairs of the Church.

After I disappeared from the position of Church President, we needed someone to fill the void here.

It involves tasks like receiving letters or passing on messages. Even though it's likely that the higher-ups would convey their words through Archbishop Dractarius, the Archbishop is not our servant.

Besides, there are stories I would rather share without going through him... and more importantly, Dractarius would have been even busier than I, so he wouldn't have had time to care for me.

"I'm curious about the state of the Church's affairs. Perhaps... I've inconvenienced many people?"

"Not at all, Priest In fact, the voices praising priest's sanctity and virtues have grown even louder."

'Is that so? That was to be expected.'

"So many people wished to converse with You Priest that we had to compile a separate list of individuals who will spend time with you at the Church tomorrow. There are, of course, appointments with the Princess and other Archbishops to consider..."

'It's such a natural response.'

If there hadn't been a reaction like this, I might have been disappointed.

"I'm afraid time will be short, so I couldn't provide definite answers for some individuals... It might be best for Priest to personally see and decide...'

"I see..."

"...."

"I feel a bit overwhelmed by the attention. I'm not that remarkable, really..."

"No, Priest. I've heard stories from other priests... they say that Your Excellency might be a saint chosen by the goddess... that you are a great blessing to the Underground Temple..."

'I'm not particularly thrilled about that.'

Aside from that, a different thought was emerging in my mind. I was inadvertently having an odd thought from the term 'a saint chosen by the goddess.'

It's strange how such thoughts arise without my intention. A way to assemble both the future and the past perfectly to fit the timeline.

'Why was I summoned here?'

It's a method more certain than Plan A for assembling a future that aligns with the timeline. Perhaps...

'Is there a possibility that I am Altanus?'

It was an absurd hypothesis.