The Artist Who Paints Dungeon Chapter 61

Episode 61

Long ago, there were two mermaids who called each other family.

The sister wanted to analyze human limitations, and the younger brother wanted to learn about human culture.

Among them, the younger brother, Isser, wished that one day there would be a world where humans and mermaids could live together. It was a truly vain wish in an era where the two races were full of fear and contempt for each other. The mermaids knew it too.

“It is a world where the sky and the sea come together, what a wonderful wish.”

The person who said that was the first human Isser had ever met.

Long blond hair that flowed like waves. Blue eyes full of wisdom. A man who always liked to wear white clothes. He said he was a priest and a doctor.

“It’s a story that makes me feel good just hearing it.”

“… … .”

He was born with a color that any mermaid could not help but follow with their eyes.

The mermaid adored the white man.

“… Humans are lovely but fickle creatures. Is it difficult to wait for that day to come?

“I won’t say it will be easy. There are just so many differences between humans and mermaids.”

He gave practical advice.

“Even humans hate each other because they don’t understand each other. How much worse is the conflict between humans and mermaids?”

Then he added some affectionate words.

“But if there are more people who think like Mr. Isser, that day will come someday.”

“… … .”

“Ultimately, it’s a matter of perception. I think that hatred is something that can be overcome if you understand the other person.”

“… It makes me very happy that you said that.”

It was a dreamlike story.

“I love the sun. I think it’s as wonderful as the humans who live their short lives, each with their own unique colors.”

“I know that mermaids serve the god of the sea. But Mr. Isser says that they love the sun.”

“Yes, of course I worship the god of the deep sea… but the sunlight is warm and gentle. It has a different majesty from the deep sea.”

“I know what you’re saying. Sometimes it feels really good to sleep in the sun.”

“It’s hard work at sea.”

Isser longed for the land.

“That’s why I want to capture human life with my own eyes even more.”

“As a son of the sun, I affirm your courage, Isser.”

“Thank you for not denying the children of the deep sea.”

The mermaid siblings pretend to be human with the help of a human named Giovanni, and the older sister dreams of becoming a doctor, while the younger brother dreams of becoming a priest.

“You serve the god of the deep sea, yet you still want to be a priest of the sun?”

“I am not an apostle of the deep sea, so I am not abandoning my duty. Above all, wouldn’t unity be faster if we serve both gods?”

“It’s a simple but good idea. May the sun see your heart, accept you as family, and grant you divine power.”

Giovanni was the only one who did not criticize Isser’s vain dreams.

He was kind and affectionate, a bit mischievous and would often joke with Isser and his sister, and he was also capable as a priest and doctor, saving many people through the night.

Sometimes I say things that are nonsense, and sometimes I become shameless to the point of being ridiculous… .

“I want to be like Geo.”

“Then shouldn’t I study medicine hard as well?”

“That’s not what I meant. I don’t want to see blood.”

Giovanni was a respectable man.

Even in an age of conflict and criticism, he was always calm, cheerful, and gentle.

“There is blood that flows in peace and mercy, Isser.”

“… … .”

In a time of upheaval, only Giovanni remained in his place.

“Teacher, will you stay here forever?”

“That can’t be.”

The only thing the siblings worried about was Giovanni’s lifespan.

“I am human, so I will die sooner than you mermaids.”

“I already know that.”

“So I can’t tell you for sure that I’ll always be by your side.”

“… … .”

“But I promise you that everything else will be the same. The conflicts and sufferings of the times will not change the people of this country.”

“…Teacher, you are a human, not a mermaid, so how can you do that?”

“I am sure that even when I die one day, when you think of me, I will always be the same.”

Parting with him would have been a very sad thing, but even this brief conversation was enough to comfort Isser.

“Can you promise me that even if your body returns to dust, you will still be the same human being you are now?”

“Don’t worry, Isser. You are my special student, so how could I disappoint you?”

“Thank you for putting my stupid worries to rest. I guess my heart aches when I see people leaving and changing over and over again.”

“I understand your feelings. I, too, am a human being and feel bitter about the flow of the world.”

“I’m so glad it’s not just me. I’m not alone….”

He hoped that Giovanni would not be easily corrupted or broken like other humans.

But soon Isser regretted it.

“… … .”

“Run away.”

Why did I make that promise?

Maybe things would have been better if he had made selfish choices like other humans.

“Hey, Giovanni… .”

“Don’t ever come back here again, okay? This is neither home nor school anymore.”

“Geo, just a moment.”

“Don’t even think about saving me. You are young and have no reason to suffer with the flow of the times.”

“…teacher….”

“Promise me.”

Because you have become selfish.

“There’s a guy hiding a mermaid here! A traitor is here!!”

Because I couldn’t overcome the fear of a future where pain and death were expected.

“Over here, set fire to this place! Burn it down with those horrible mermaids!!”

“Bring that traitor out right now!! Raising a mermaid is horrible…!”

“Why on earth did you hide the mermaids, you who have saved countless humans!”

So how much better would this wicked heart have felt if he had abandoned us, run away, or betrayed us?

“They have not committed any sins that deserve your wrath. They are only children.”

“He must be crazy, calling a monster like a mermaid a child. He is a traitor to humanity!!”

“If that will end the nightmare in this town, then so be it.”

“This hypocrite…! That guy pretends to do good deeds with a nice face, but behind the scenes, he’s raising a mermaid!!”

“I hope that someday this painful relationship will come to a peaceful end.”

Giovanni remained noble to the end.

“… … .”

I am trapped in that narrow fishbowl created by human cruelty.

Unable to overcome the terrible hunger that was enough to melt my organs, I sunk my sharp fangs into that rotten and decayed flesh.

You were affectionate.

“… … .”

Why is it so cold?

* * *

“… … .”

“are you okay?”

A human child asked me.

Only when the young face came into view did the mermaid realize that she had woken up from a bad dream.

“Your expression was really bad.”

“…I think I had a nightmare.”

“Really? Should I tell the priest?”

“It’s not that big of a problem.”

He refused kindness with a smiling face.

‘I don’t want to seek human help right after having a dream like this.’

Why did I suddenly dream of Giovanni?

‘Because I’m in the arms of the sun god…? Or is it because of that Sergio I saw yesterday?’

The mermaid rolled her pearl-colored eyes and thought of the man she had seen at the event. The man, who was covered entirely in a black cloak, certainly had a striking aura.

The man’s surroundings were as quiet as if all life had died. Mana shrank as if she was examining the emperor’s mood, and the air flowed in a somewhat timid and muffled manner.

Perhaps the man is a hunter so strong that he can no longer be called human.

‘Why does the name have to be Geo…?’

No, actually, it might not be a problem with names or anything like that.

“… … .”

It was unpleasant.

In such a capricious and selfish human being, I was reminded of the image of a noble teacher.

Now, I am even more disgusted with myself for pretending to be human and participating in my sister’s massacre… .

“… … .”

“Galaxy, does your head hurt?”

“…little.”

Don’t be so kind.

“But it’ll be okay now.”

Please, don’t be so horrible.

‘There is no reason now to show mercy to humans.’

No matter what he did, Isser hated humans.

I hated selfish people because they reminded me of the horrible nightmare I had that day, and I hated selfless people because they seemed to be imitating my teacher and saying that what was mine was nothing.

The mermaid’s anger was not something that could be erased even after a lifetime.

‘In the end, a mere creature that will writhe like a bug in the face of pain and death.’

The mere fact that a mermaid was talking to me was disgusting enough.

“… … .”

Still, he smiled.

That was the greatest good deed this wicked mermaid could do.

“I’m sorry, did you wake up because of me?”

“No? That’s not it, I’m just not used to sleeping there… .”

“Then we can sleep together now.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“There’s nothing to be thankful for.”

Even though I was sick of myself for blindly hating a race and participating in the slaughter of my sister, I couldn’t stop.

Isser twisted his lips as he looked at the human child lying comfortably next to him.

“… … .”

As much as my grace.

‘Just that much.’

I hope they all die horribly.

Me too, you too.

* * *

The main meal day.

“uh?”

The procession of priests began.

“Is that it?”

“That’s it, the procession of priests.”

“Looking at how young everyone is, I guess it’s an initiation ceremony… ”

“It’s almost time to have an initiation ceremony in the Sun God Church.”

“Wow, look how cute the kids are.”

8 p.m. The event was held around the time when most office workers were leaving work, so there were a lot of onlookers. In order to get the attention of the gods, initiation ceremonies are usually held in the late afternoon.

“Even though they are young, they are all priests, so they have a different kind of sacredness.”

“Just looking at it makes me feel purified. Is it because it’s a solar temple? It’s also warm.”

“Should I call some others too? You never know who will be chosen today.”

Although the existence of God had become more familiar than before the Great Calamity, the divine majesty remained. People were excited to see if one of these young priests would be embraced by God through a miracle.

In fact, even without such calculated intentions, the procession of priests was enough to attract people’s attention. The incense burners swayed like bells and the symbols of the sun held in the hands of the priests of the sun religion.

“Ah, it’s warm… .”

“As expected from the Sun God Church.”

On such a cold winter day, the gentle and majestic procession of the sun evoked a special feeling.

“… Hey… .”

“… … .”

It was the same for Yoo Seong-un and Geo and their friends.

“I haven’t seen the initiation ceremony often so I didn’t get a feel for it, but this is what it feels like.”

“Haven’t you seen it often?”

“There isn’t always an initiation ceremony… I have to consider the date and all.”

Among the weaker churches, there were some that held the event only once every ten years.

“Especially, it takes a lot of capital to prepare a splendid initiation ceremony like the one you see now. Initiation ceremonies for religions without money or influence aren’t as grand as this. It’s more like praying at a temple or something.”

So, this kind of event was a pretty good spectacle. It was also a very special event for the citizens living in the city.

“We’re slowly entering the temple. We’ve already reserved our seats, so let’s go in first.”

Yoo Seong-un looked back at Geo.

“As time goes by, there will be so many onlookers that it will be difficult to find a seat.”

“All right.”

“Aren’t you tired of all the people? I don’t think you enjoyed the noise the last time you came out.”

Even though the last tour had ended safely, Yoo Seong-un still didn’t know much about ‘Portrait of Geo’.

I had no idea that some random part would trigger an aggressive reaction.

‘The guild leader may not care much about the casualties, but he may be happy that he has something to watch… but the country needs to be careful.’

Bisabul was not only kind to my collection, but he was also not a good person objectively. Even Yoo Seong-woon himself thought so, but he was bitter about people dying.

The work said at that time.

“I’m a little tired, but not enough to worry about.”

“… Okay, that’s good.”

As expected, it was a work that required a lot of patience.

‘But you still have to be careful.’

As the procession gradually entered the temple and the people began to settle down, the priest standing at the very front placed the incense he was holding on the altar and stopped the steps of the prospective priests.

He gestured to the young priests and organized them as if he were the conductor of a choir.

“…Goddess who illuminates the heavens and the earth with gentle light, please send down fire here today where your servants have gathered. These young priests are like sprouts that have grown following your light…”

The priest, Kang Seo-dam, who recited the prayer announcing the initiation ceremony, soon concluded.

“Receive a little light.”

“Receive a little light.”

After reciting the last prayer of the Solar Church, Kang Seo-dam bowed his head to the altar, then turned around and bowed his head once again to the prospective priests who were each standing in their respective seats and holding the symbol of the sun.

Kang Seo-dam opened his mouth after seeing the prospective priests bowing their heads.

“This is the temple of the sun, but the sun is not forced upon the novice priests. You will learn how to treat the gods and become their servants with the help of the sun goddess. I hope that today’s initiation ceremony will be an opportunity for you to gain another parent.”

Daughter―.

Kang Seo-dam continued speaking, ringing the silver bell.

“Before preparing the mind and body to welcome new parents, the catechumens will take the time to express their gratitude for their earthly connection. Before the closing ceremony begins, the catechumens will exchange greetings.”

The initiation ceremony is divided into two parts, with a break in between to allow time for family. Not all religions are like this, but the initiation ceremony of the Sun Church was like this.

Thanks to the prior training, all the prospective priests moved to their respective positions.

“Mom, Mom…!!”

“Brother, I am a priest now!”

“These clothes are cool!”

Some people disappeared into the distance to spend time with their families, while others moved to the waiting room to rest.

“… … .”

He too was about to move to take a break.

“… … ?”

In Kang Seo-dam’s eyes, a prospective priest appeared, wandering around without being able to go anywhere for some reason.

‘… It was definitely a child named Eunha.’

For some reason, he was an impressive child with blue hair that reminded one of the sea. In reality, he had a strong, cool aura, perhaps because he wanted to be in that lineage.

‘I know you don’t have any family to talk to since you’re from Carnation Eye, so why are you just sitting there?’

I couldn’t let even one of the priests under my jurisdiction be careless. Kang Seodam looked around.

‘Who are you looking at now?’

Following the child’s gaze, I saw a black-haired prospective priest being embraced by his family.

‘That kid….’

I think the name was probably Chaisol.

“…ah.”

Black Cloak was also among them.

‘You’re the person I saw last time.’

Kang Seo-dam remembered that he had been unfaithful and had only observed the event and left cleanly.

‘The initiation ceremony itself was quite long, so if they showed up today, is it to accept new believers?’

As I looked around with questioning eyes, I could see that the gaze of the galaxy was on the black cloak.

“… … .”

Maybe you want to fit in with those guys.

‘Well, they’re particularly crowded over there, so if you’re a carnation kid, you might be jealous.’

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Chae Sol dragged Eunha away. She was quick-witted, so she naturally introduced my partner to her family.

I watched carefully to see if that consideration might have hurt her pride, but Eunha’s mood of being dragged along like that didn’t seem too bad.

“… It’ll be okay now.”

Since the black cloak also seemed like a god with a high level of understanding of humans, there shouldn’t be a big problem.

Only then did Kang Seo-dam take a step to rest.