Finally arriving in a dimly lit cave, located in the outskirts of the slums. One wouldn't find it with ease. Unless they attentively paid attention to small details, but even then they wouldn't be able to enter. Witch cultists stationed around to guard, in case of an intruder foolishly entering.

Yeah, there is a reason why I have a bad feeling about them. They would've probably murdered me the moment I stepped in if it wasn't for the 'scent of the witch' and being accompanied by Petelgeuse.

When entering the cultists showed respect to both Petelgeuse and him. Which made him ponder, can they really smell the witch's scent? While in deep thought, he silently walked.

Does anyone with this scent get recruited? No, don't you need to have the scent and the Gospel? He did say it was proof of love. That's if he's not rambling which he might as well have been doing.

"Now, then." Petelgeuse suddenly turned around which startled the young man.

I don't know if I'll ever get used to his behavior.

"We shall begin preparations to test your compatibility with Pride's witch factor." He spread his arms wide as if making a presentation.

Damn, that sounds ominous. Since he's talking about compatibility, what will happen if I'm not compatible with this witch factor? Wait, how did they even get a witch factor? They hand it out or what? Too many questions and too little answers.

"Ahhh, surely with this, we'll be able to repay the witch's love." Petelgeuse dragged his hands down his face, stretching it in the process.

The people around started clapping, acting like it was a special moment that would be written in history.

Ah, hell no! I'm not about to consume or inject something when I have no clue about the consequences! The downsides might be too much for what I may get in return. I don't know what it even does!

I never understood why people drug themselves without knowing what would happen to them. Then they complain about it when they're the one who bought it in the first place! Don't you now start bitching about it!

"W-wait!" He semi shouted, gathering their attention.

"I never agreed in the first place."

"What?" Petelgeuse's eyes narrowed, offended.

"Let me explain." He frowned, stepping forward.

"Assuming I'm compatible with this 'witch factor', that will mean I'll be the Sin Archbishop of Pride, yes?" He asked, to which Petelgeuse nodded.

"Does that mean that I'll get that position with no effort? The only thing I need is to absorb the witch factor properly?" He grimaced, spitting on the ground.

For a few seconds, the cave was entirely silent. Until the sound of someone putting their hands on their cheeks echoed.

"You are exactly right." Petelgeuse said in horror and realization.

It was as something he said resonated with Petelgeuse. Taking this as something positive, he continued.

Looks like it's going well. I'm willing to do anything as long as I can delay the inevitable. I mean I can run away whenever I feel like it. That depends on the circumstances. Can't instantly make a choice without knowing the other options.

"I must achieve the level of worthiness to be an Sin Archbishop. If not, how would the witch respond? To diligently strive for such a position is the opportunity I've been granted."

"You understand my sentiment, don't you? You diligently waited for Pride, so waiting a bit more won't hurt at all." He directed this part to Petelgeuse, who was busy standing in shock.

"How wondrous, extraordinary your faith is!"

"To not realize such a thing! To easily obtain something hard to get without working for it is the very definition of sloth! Please forgive my slothfulness! Forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me! Forgive me!" Petelgeuse went to the nearest wall and rapidly began hitting his head against it.

I'm not one to talk about not self harming but this is too extreme…uh is someone going to stop him? He's bleeding all over his head. That sounded like he cracked his skull, am I the only one seeing this? Anybody, someone, somebody, any of you stop this lunatic. Isn't this guy your leader?

The cultists nearby followed his behavior, doing the exact same as the madman.

They're following his example…

I guess that's normal…for them…

That's disturbing…

There were many emotions that somebody could have felt when witnessing this. For the main character it wasn't shocking or anything along those lines.

It was acceptance.

These were irredeemable scum.

There was a fragment, a tiny, tiny, bit of hope that…

But that hope got crushed as he observed them.

"Calm down." The young man suggested, worried.

"Ah…but…but…I have no way to atone for my sloth and foolishness but by punishment."

"That's where I disagree. The witch wouldn't want to see their most diligent and beloved believer in pain. Rather she would be happier to see us repay her goodwill. Weren't those your very same words?" He slightly smiled.

"Your words have opened my eyes." Petelgeuse suddenly went near him, pulling him closer.

"—!"

"Thank you! Thank you!" He spoke words filled with gratitude.

"While I appreciate it, aren't you a bit too close? I like my personal space."

Listening to him, the insane man gave him enough space to stretch his arms forward without touching the Sin Archbishop.

"You truly are Pride." A grin formed onto his face as he gleefully spoke, convinced of something.

What's that supposed to mean?

In return the newest member of the witch cult just stared at him in puzzlement. To understand why his words seemed prideful, you need to analyze his words.

While his reasoning was meant to appeal to Petelgeuse, which it did, some of the points were indeed something a prideful would say.

Getting the position of Pride this easily, would definitely hurt his pride. In fact, he would rather have achievements in the witch cult before becoming a Sin Archbishop. After all, there are many forms to interpret the sin. Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction from one's own achievements is also included.

However, this is the conclusion that Petelgeuse came to. There was an underlying motive for not immediately accepting.

If the rest of the Sin Archbishop's are this crazy or equally mentally ill, then I don't want to meet them anytime soon. Their personalities will definitely be problematic to the least. We're talking about a cult of all things. There could be a person who likes to talk about his rights—never mind. Haven't I learned my lesson not too long ago?

Nevertheless, there still is something that's bothering me. According to Petelgeuse, he's the Sin Archbishop of Sloth but the way he acts is the complete opposite. Praising diligence is peculiar for someone who supposedly represents Sloth. Not that I'm denying it, just that there's something gravely wrong with this witch factor.

What bothers me more is that I can't confirm any of these suspicions! I'm so ignorant about this world and don't know anything. I hate how helpless I am!

I must be prepared unless I want to die. Well, people need to start from somewhere.

"Hey, I know how I spoke confidently but the truth is, I'm illiterate." He awkwardly spoke, scratching his cheek.

It's not like I can't read or write because I neglected it. I can't since it's my second day here, nearing third. In addition, I need to be able to if I want to read this Gospel. Why couldn't I be able to write and read like how I can easily talk to these people. No use crying about it, I'll learn it from scratch. Yes, it'll take a long time but it's better than nothing.

"Before you jump into conclusions, I would like to say that I can write and read but not this language."

"Due to this problem being necessary to discuss with you, I felt like there was no need to hide it. If it's possible for someone to teach me then please do so. It's fine if there's no since I can attempt to learn it by myself."

Well, it really depends on both the teacher and student how fast they learn something. Perhaps not entirely 50/50 but close to it. Regardless, I should try my hardest to learn, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see if there's a way to go back.

Although he still thought about going back, he subconsciously knew he would never go back, as much as it pained him to realize. Instead he should focus his hardest in the limited time he has. Otherwise he'll regret it for the rest of his life.

If one positive thing about this situation is that he knows someone else got summoned before or after him. He is clearly aware of the fact that he isn't the only one who got summoned.

He isn't special.

And never will.

He knows this, quite well. There is no way that he's the only one. They might be dead or might be summoned when he is already dead but there will be someone in his exact same predicament, no, for some it might be called a blessing, escaping from the harsh reality of earth and into a fantasy world is what many people dream of. It won't be an easy journey but definitely better than earth, maybe?

You may never know, sometimes life on earth will be a million times better than some random fantasy world where you can easily die. The chances are much higher because you're really vulnerable.

There is no guarantee that you will be able to use magic or any sort of power. The only thing going for them is their knowledge of the previous world. But there is always the possibility of someone being summoned way back and doing everything you could have done.

That's just how things are. People may see all these harem protagonists having an easy time but fail to understand how that's why it's wish fulfillment. No, they know. They refuse to see what would happen if an actual ordinary person with a personality would be summoned. The struggles they would face, all of it. That's exactly why it's wish fulfillment.

Pulling himself from these thoughts, he shook his head and put his attention towards the current conversation.

"By the way, I come from a country in the west." He revealed, pointing his fingers towards the west, just in case.

Hopefully, the country I'm currently in isn't the furthest country in the west or I messed up. There's no way I can explain if it isn't. Or maybe I'll tell him I'm from another world! Haha, as if…

I will be alone for now, it seems. I want to go—

"I expected the common accent…nevertheless! That indeed explains your appearance. You've never failed to impress me." Petelgeuse nodded to himself.

He once again distracted himself from the most damaging conclusions. He would have to face it one day, though not now. If he keeps worrying about the future, the present will become the future, then the past as the cycle continues. He can't afford to use his time like that when he barely has time to do anything.

There we go, my bluff succeeded. Even though it's true that I am from a country located in the west, that doesn't mean it's from this world! Hahaha, no lie detectors can stop me if I use half truths. Send me a person with an ability to figure out lies and they'll be so confident in that same ability, that they won't notice my semi truths! Nobody can stop me.

Cheering himself up, he managed to pick up the last sentence. Bewildered, he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"To travel from Kararagi to Lugnica with absolutely zero belongings with the exception of a weapon. All this to meet us! What great resolve, determination, resolution!"

It appears that this place called Kararagi perhaps has people who look like me. With this we should be in Lugnica according to Petelgeuse. So there's the names of two countries.

Wait a minute…

"You've been watching me?!" Surprised, he nearly screamed.

At first, there's nothing wrong with that statement, okay more than one but we're not going to mention it. Anyways, the detail that stood out was the fact that they knew he had a weapon. Quite, obviously you may say. Nonetheless, nobody should have known he had a weapon since he bought it not too long ago. The only ones who did know were the merchant, who guided him to the store, and the mugger, who the main character used his dagger on.

It didn't help that, he stayed in the outbuilding as if waiting for someone. Confidently going back, checking the building once in a while like there was something that would with no exception happen. As if he was following a certain book.

Though all of these are just secularism. If Petelgeuse denied it—

"Ah, yes." Petelgeuse answered with no over the top actions.

"…"

Dismissing the young man's gaze, Petelgeuse kept going about what he was saying previously. Left with the insane madams ramblings, the only thing he could do is sighed in frustration.

Since when? I highly doubt it was when I got summoned. Wait? Was my body already there or I popped into existence out of nowhere? Off topic. Anyways, I talked to a lot of people and any of those could have been a witch cultist. Was it the dude who tried to rob me or the merchant? Or both? I'll have to ask him later.

"Which reminds me, I haven't introduced myself, have I? I had no intention to be impolite, I just didn't find the correct time to do so. Up until now that is."

"My name is Álvaro Juárez-Montero. You may call me Varo, if you like. Hope we can get along, Geuse."


A/N

Now after four chapters we finally get to know the original characters name! If your wondering if there's any behind his name, there sort of is? His first name is very similar to a certain protagonist of re zero.

Most of it will be explained in his monologue or thoughts. I would actually like for him to be character not some self insert. Aside from his race, everything else is different compared to myself.

Plus I just wanted him to have two last names since it fits with his background.

By the way, I'll be writing his name without the '. For example Álvaro will be written as Alvaro, Juárez as Juarez because I don't feel like pressing the letter and waiting to pick the correct one, sorry.

Anyways, back to responding to reviews.

Yes, he will definitely meet the other sin archbishops. However, not yet. It still is a bit too early in my opinion.

I already have some of the story planned out but I am brainstorming new ideas to add. So suggested are welcomed!

Thanks for reading!