140. Faith and delusion (5)
“Don’t back down! The use of second-level holy magic is permitted!”
Holy magic can be used at will by anyone who has been given the mark.
However, for higher grades, the commander’s permission was required.
Higher power magic consumes more mana stored in the goddess statue, reducing the amount sent to the capital.
With the commander’s shout, the interrogators widened their distance and repositioned themselves.
And they all shouted in the same voice.
“Goddess, mother of all earths.”
“Give us the power to destroy evil.”
“Power to destroy evil!”
Holy magic is given according to the grace of God, regardless of whether the circuit is activated or not.
Unlike opponents who can’t use circuits, this one can exert power equivalent to that.
“Evil warlock and apostate. Your evil deeds end here.”
The commander smiled in conversion.
The rest was like twisting a child’s wrist.
“… … ?”
But as time passed, nothing happened.
The pure white light did not dwell in their mace or armor.
“What is this… .”
The commander reflexively looked up at the statue. And the moment I confirmed the benevolent smile of the goddess.
Aww!
Silverfang’s sharp fangs were lodged in the nape of his neck, which was exposed under the helmet.
Wow!
His fangs moved and his neck and shoulders were ripped apart.
The commander’s eyes unfocused.
The last scene of the world in his eyes was his own blood dripping everywhere.
Blood gushed out of his torn neck, creating a red puddle.
The gray wolves that arrived afterward also leaped towards the inquisitors in the same running posture.
“Great!”
“Why are the beasts here—!”
It clings to it, biting its neck, kicking the opponent’s body, and avoiding the flying mace.
There were only four ashen wolves, but they were enough to stir up the battlefield.
The physical ability of a beast man far surpassed that of a human being, so if the circuit could not be used, humans could never be a match for the beast man.
“It arrived a little late. To even deal with the remnants of Leica.”
“No, it arrived just in time.”
Cain answered, pulling his sword from among the enemy’s armor.
I could see the inquisitors still trying to memorize prayers and use divine magic.
“You are looking for God even in this situation. Humans do not know.”
“It may be that we are looking for God in this situation.”
In any case, there was no way the goddess would answer their prayers.
‘The statues are installed at regular intervals. Each one is supposed to respond to a mark within a certain radius.’
All the mana stored in the giant goddess has been lost.
At least in this area, he would not be able to use holy magic.
Until you leave the battlefield and fall within the range of another goddess statue.
‘But they won’t know how. Those who know the secret of the goddess statue are very few within the denomination.’
Cain said to Silverfang, looking at the inquisitors whose status had changed from slayer to slaughter.
“Take care of it. So that not a single one of them will come back alive.”
* * *
“Fifty one. It matches the number you said.”
“Five squads per commander. If you think that way, no one will ever get away.”
Cain reached out towards the piles of corpses of the Inquisitors.
The colorful mana circled in the air and sucked into the palm of his hand.
[circuit level: 3]
[Mana 6,731 / 8,157]
The increase is about 1,000.
Considering the amount obtained in one battle, it was not a bad number.
“By the way, I think these people are deeply misunderstood.”
Estelle looked around and said.
The red sunset and the crows sitting on the corpses.
Those who survived the horrendous landscape were approaching the surrounding area and prostrated themselves on the ground.
“The devil, ooh, saved us.”
“Go, thank you. thank you.”
The reason I can’t get out of my seat is probably because of fear other than awe.
When they saw Cain draining mana a while ago, they trembled even more than before.
“… … .”
Cain’s gaze stopped at a figure who had fallen to the floor as he circled around.
As Cain strode towards it, the crowd of cultists swerved aside like the sea splitting.
At the end there was a teacher.
One shoulder and chest are constricted, and blood is spitting out.
“Chief, Principal! You cannot go on like this!”
“Without you, we… .”
The wound was already serious and no one was able to provide first aid.
Or they didn’t even know that there was no one with such expertise.
‘Still, it must have been a fight without running away.’
Below the fist on the healthy side, where the finger was not cut, the staff split in half fell.
The teacher, seeing Cain, struggled to open his mouth.
“Party… God… Cool!”
The vomited blood covered the teacher’s face as it was.
Cain created a fist-sized gravitational field in front of the headmaster’s face, sucking all the blood from his nose and mouth.
and threw it to the ground.
iron puck!
“thanks… cow.”
“I told my followers to destroy the statue of the goddess. I wonder how much you know.”
It’s just laughter that goes back and forth in your mind. As expected, the desired answer did not come.
“I… I was originally… I was a salesperson.”
He vomited out the story of his life that he didn’t ask.
Do your best while panting.
As if to repent of their past life and to leave their final mark on the world.
The sentences did not flow smoothly, but with the words in the middle, the outline of the story was understandable.
My father was a devout member of the denomination and disappeared one day.
Lost in grief, he finds a diary in his father’s attic and realizes that his father had been killed while digging up the truth of the church.
he draws a conclusion
Based on the data left by his father and additional research that made use of his major knowledge in geography and theology.
“The reason the devastated land is not restored is because of the goddess statue. Also, if you connect the goddess statues from all continents with lines, a certain shape will appear.”
After discovering that Elder Utahs’ necklace is the key to the basement of the giant statue, he plans to increase his power by absorbing all the mana stored there.
Just to destroy the church.
‘It’s pretty good. Digging all the way there with very small clues. The plan to absorb mana is absurd.’
The mana stored in the goddess statue could not be used to strengthen the circuit itself, unless it was the mana of the same nature as the blue spring of the ruins.
The headmaster squeezed his last strength and said he was sorry to the members.
“mi… I don’t… . me… Is… Party… the gods… just use… Cool!”
Cain’s eyes widened as he looked down at the headmaster.
‘Very useful.’
Such a thin atonement, Cain didn’t care.
It was the teacher’s reasoning and tenacity that moved his interest.
Ogi endured until the moment all his fingers were cut off.
The charisma and rhetoric that dominated the church.
He also possessed some magical talent.
I saw a good piece of equipment that was dropped on the road and there is no reason not to pick it up.
I don’t know if the owner exists, but even if it was, I would have robbed it by force if it was this high-quality item.
“Everyone in the world has one or two people they want to kill.”
And even the desire for revenge for the church.
It didn’t matter if it was broken.
If something is broken, you can fix it and use it.
“I will help you get your revenge. There seems to be some areas of mutual interest.”
Black mana radiated out of Cain’s hand.
‘There is no need to increase the purification step to the maximum. There is no need to heal me by hurting my body.’
A thread made of mana permeated the teacher’s body, emitting a black and bright light.
It was a serious injury, but if he poured mana, he could put out the fire.
If you leave it to Freud for surgery, you will be able to fully recover.
“Devil? no. Come on, saint… ?”
The amazing sight of the wounds being healed. A moan escaped from the mouth of someone who was watching.
Among the cults, there were members of the existing denominations, and what came to mind was the doctrine of the previous religion.
“I will send my apostle to heal your sick bodies and spirits; believe in him and follow him.”
It was confusing at the same time.
What flowed out of the man’s hand in front of him was not pure white light, but jet black light.
But the miracle in front of me is definitely-.
dump.
One of the cultists knelt down on the floor.
dump. dump.
Starting with that, the bodies of others also fell.
The numbers kept increasing.
Those who had been hiding somewhere saw the light and approached them and fell down as if possessed.
dump. dump.
That number is now close to a hundred.
A reverent and solemn atmosphere.
No one raised their head or opened their mouth.
its center.
Estelle and Silverfang were very nervous about what the cultists would do, but they couldn’t help but be amazed.
“… This.”
“Shh, be quiet.”
I just held my breath and watched the scene.
Kugugugu-
And behind their backs, a huge statue of the goddess supported by mana was falling down.
* * *
A dark room with little sunlight.
tap. tap. widely.
The man’s fingers in deep thought tapped the desk slowly.
“… … .”
There was a man alone in the room.
He was reluctant to reveal his identity, so he did not create direct subordinates in this world.
If anyone could do that, Jaina was there, but now she’s lost contact.
as well as Leica.
The finger that was knocking on the desk moved sideways and grabbed the file holder with the symbol of the National Police Agency.
He opened the document and checked it again, but the contents of the report were not his own.
“Area 47. The CEO of Supreme Security seems to have a clue as to the identity of the Blue Serpent boss.”
He knew that Cain had changed his face and was active in various identities.
Not all identities were identified.
But one of them is for sure.
A security company called Supreme Security.
representative there.
After the war with Parter ended, it was clear that the group was formed by absorbing the mercenaries of Putilland.
Let’s take a look at the before and after process.
‘You know my identity.’
It was correct to view it as information that Cain intentionally leaked.
As far as I know, the police chief of District 47 was not smart enough to capture this information and report it on his own.
It is a declaration of war and a threat.
However, from a probabilistic point of view, it is highly likely to be a false statement.
It’s because he’s never been trampled by his tail while working in this world.
nevertheless.
I couldn’t get rid of the embarrassment.
What if Cain really knew my true identity?
‘Considering the ability he has shown, it is impossible to completely deny the possibility.’
I never underestimated Cain.
Based on the abilities he showed, he estimated his maximum power, but judged that it was not as good as that of Leica.
A thorough analysis of the plate was followed by the next number. And that number was horribly shattered.
‘Are you hiding your power? It’s an unexpected variable.’
In fact, there was no big problem even if I took my hands off Cain and organized the organization.
That was right.
rationally.
And if we think rationally.
He made more money than he had invested through Blue Serpent.
‘It’s a pity I can’t prepare more money by the day of the appointment.’
The man rubbed his chin and fell into anguish.
To analyze the situation and make the best choice for yourself.
* * *
Supreme Security’s headquarters.
Two men armed with guns and suits were guarding the front door.
Security in Area 47 was largely stable.
In some cases, the patrols were systematic, but in others, thanksgiving from the residents instilled a greater sense of duty in the hearts of the crew.
“Thank you very much. Thank you for saving me.”
“thank you. It’s not great, but try this!”
A sincere thanks that I had never heard of when I was a wandering mercenary.
The crew were very satisfied with their current life.
“It would be nice if the CEO could pass by once while we were working.”
And from their point of view, the CEO was nothing less than a benefactor who helped them find the meaning of life out of the wandering life.
“You are very busy, so it’s hard to see you these days. I switched jobs to buy alcohol, but it’s a pity.”
That’s why office security is so popular.
Loyalty to the representative.
And pride in protecting the office building.
At that moment, an old man with an ordinary appearance approached from afar.
He wasn’t supposed to be an invited guest.
Customers visiting for business are usually dressed in suits or office uniforms.
“Old man. Have you come by any chance?”
Anyway, the crew politely asked questions.
“… uh?”
“… … !?”
The old man was heading into the building, passing the crew in the blink of an eye.
“Mom, the body… !”
As if paralyzed in a standing posture, his body did not move.
He felt a burning sensation in the back of his neck, as if something was being pressed, and his voice did not come out properly.
The old man slid into the building. Looking at the sign on the wall, I got on the elevator and went around the hallway.
No staff stood in the way of the old man’s dignified and natural gait.
The moment I stood in front of the huge and luxurious door, I heard a voice from inside.
—Come in.
The old man grinned.
It was as if he had been waiting for this to come.
cringe-
The door opened and a man was seen sitting at the desk.
The dazzling sunlight pouring in from the window behind you.
A rapier was in the hand of the old man who entered and came out.
fault.
In an instant, the old man’s new form disappeared, and the sharp tip of the sword flew towards the neck of the man sitting at the desk.