Hero of Darkness - Chapter 1233: Forgive Me Father

One Month Later…

After the whole fiasco, Morpheus went underground as per his captain’s orders and lay low.

He was finally brought back into the gang after the whole investigation about the hunter’s death had died down.

The fact that there were no witnesses and their casino didn’t use security cameras during those hours… helped hide Morpheus’ involvement in the case.

And he was also given a demotion. Soon, he would have to start again in the organization from scratch and serve in a different division under a different captain.

This was a standard procedure in criminal organizations throughout history. Once a key member made a mess, they were either killed or sent into hiding.

Since Morpheus had offered all of his equipment as compensation, he was given a second chance to serve them again, just under different management.

However… during his confinement, Morpheus had a lot of time to think through his future as a hunter.

But even now…. Morpheus was feeling conflicted.

To clear his mind, he went to one place where he often found solace and guidance…

The Church of Goddess Vasudhara.

******************

After the sermon ended and all the attendees eventually left, Morpheus met Father Joseph Constantine.

“It’s been a while, Morpheus. Are you here for another confession?” asked the priest in maroon red and golden robes while wearing a spherical wooden talisman over his neck.

Morpheus nodded quietly and entered the confession booth.

[He seems colder than usual.] thought Father Joseph and entered his side as he began the confession.

“Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.”

Following those words… Morpheus recounted the events from that night and revealed how he accidentally killed a man while mentioning that he was a hunter.

The priest was shocked, but what made him widen his eyes in befuddlement were the next words…

“I’m afraid that I will have to kill again.”

During confessions, the church priests had taken an oath. They could not divulge previous murders of the one confiding.

But they could warn the authorities if the person informed them about committing even more.

At this point, Morpheus was basically admitting to his crimes and wanted Father Joseph to call the cops.

After thinking about it for over a month… Morpheus was afraid of becoming a monster, just like the people who had captured him nearly 20 years ago.

He divulged how he awakened a class and how it needed him to kill other hunters.

To Morpheus, Father Joseph had been a linchpin of moral compass over the decades. And he felt that he was in no position to make the right choice at this moment in his life.

But instead… the priest cited something in return.

“30 years ago, I was without a purpose to live after the first monster invasion took the lives of my family.

I was a simple carpenter who lived in a small town, and the only reason my life felt fulfilling was because of my wife and son.

I still dread the day when the monsters from this world attacked, and I was out of town.

To this day, I ask myself…

What if I had died that day with my family… would I have peace?”

Instead of talking about Morpheus, Father Joseph shifted the narrative towards his own life.

“I gave up on living, but couldn’t bring myself to take my own life. Because my wife and child would not want me to.

But after I came to this city as a refugee back then… I found Goddess Vasudhara.” he iterated slowly with a nostalgic expression.

“When my life had no purpose, no meaning, and no direction… the Goddess saved me,” he spoke with a compassionate tone.

Father Joseph then kissed the spherical talisman with the insignia of the church of the goddess on his hand.

“She showed me that even if I could not bring back my loved ones… I could spread kindness and love among others. And guide the lost souls to salvation just like I was.

I have been doing it for so long that I have nothing else left to live for,” he cited and then suddenly…

His tone changed.

“I have cancer, Morpheus. I am already beyond help,” he revealed.

Morpheus was shocked as his body froze.

“Why did you not say anything? I’m sure the church council and many of the church attendees would have helped with your treatment.

You have helped thousands of people over the years, Father Joseph. People would be more willing to spend the money they don’t need to help you, the man who saved them in their darkest times,” he responded.

“That may be true. But I do not wish to live any longer.” responded the priest from his side of the booth.

“Why?” queried Morpheus with keen eyes.

“Because I have witnessed lies and deception in the house of the Goddess.

I have tried again and again but failed to stop this sin.

I feel like I have failed to live by her doctrine and committed treachery by keeping silent.

In the end… I’m just a helpless old man who could not make a difference in this world.” stated the old priest as his body slouched with regret.

“The church used to be a place of retreat and worship for those who were lost and had nothing to hold as an anchor in their lives.

But in the past couple of decades, it has become a den of monsters that exists solely to absolve the sins of the most heinous criminals.

Anyone who commits an unforgivable sin now confesses to their crimes and asks for an Exemption of Repentance in the name of Goddess Vasudhara.” iterated the priest with a regretful tone.

Their planet, Volos, was named after the son of the Goddess Vasudhara.

And the Goddess was as real as Morpheus was because it was she who granted humanity the power as Hunters to help them fight against the monsters from other worlds.

It was the universal fact known to everyone. And due to that fact, the churches held a lot of weight in the power dynamic in every country.

Because by using the name of the Goddess Vasudhara, the church could call Hunters for help, and even lead a campaign in the past.

Although in modern times, with the advancement of technology and hunters becoming an integral part of society as well as commerce, they no longer acted like a theocracy.

But their influence was still monumental as the faith was well ingrained in the general population across the entire world.

Not even the strongest hunter in the world could speak a word against the Goddess or the Church unless he wanted to disappear from the world itself.

And in the modern age, just like medieval times, the Church could grant a pardon.

The Exemption of Repentance absolved the people of any crimes and sins they had committed.

Although it cost a lot of money even by the standards of the city Morpheus lived in… there were still thousands of people wealthy enough to buy them in the capitals of all the countries.

Even the Law and Order did not dare to mess with the authority of the church and only punished the people in courts via the judicial system, who could not afford to buy an exemption that cost a fortune.

This was something many people had objected to over the decades, but their voices were always snuffed out one way or another.

The rich billionaires of the elitist society often used them as a means to get away scot-free instead of wasting time in court hearings.

“Over the years, the Church has become a playground for evil. People have been openly committing sins and then come to the church to buy an exemption.

I have appealed to the Pope and the council, but not even once have I received a proper response.

I should have been an Archbishop of the Church already after decades of my service, but I’m still a Priest.

Why do you think it is so?” he explained what was happening.

“Because they don’t want to give you any more authority to stop their corruption.” replied Morpheus.

This was the side of the church he had only heard about as rumors. But directly hearing from Father Joseph left a deeper impact on his mind.

“Yes. And now that I’m dying… I have no will to keep watching this sin unfolding in front of my eyes.

I’m choosing to die, Morpheus,” he spoke with a regretful tone.

But then, his tone firmed, and he responded with a stern voice…

“As for your crimes…” he spoke and took a pause.

“By the powers ordained within me by the Goddess Vasudhara…

I absolve you of all the crimes that you have committed… and the ones you are about to commit.

But promise me, Morpheus, that you will only punish the sinners and the guilty. And not a single innocent soul in your endeavors.” he spoke.

This was, in every way, against his oath. But for some reason, Morpheus understood why Father Joseph had done so.

Morpheus steeled his resolve and took an oath that day.

******************

One Week Later… Father Joseph passed away.

A grand funeral was held in his name, and thousands of people across the capital mourned.

The people grieving came from all parts of society, and he was mourned by the populace far more than any cardinal ever was in their capital. Morpheus, too, attended the funeral and watched from afar among the crowd.

Father Joseph had left an imprint on society despite his helplessness.

That very evening, Morpheus made a plan and went to the Hunter Association headquarters for his registration.

The people tested him as a mere F-rank hunter.

And after his registration form was filled, a female receptionist asked Morpheus…

“Do you wish to use an Alias as your Hunter name?”

“Yes, I do.” responded Morpheus with a calm but stern tone.

“And what name would you like to be known as?” she asked again.

And finally, Morpheus spoke his chosen hunter name, which would define his life and actions ahead…

“Constantine.”