185. Divine Corruption (5)
lived a very long time
… … A man so old and infirm that one could tell at a glance greeted Belle with a benevolent face, lighting a scented candle.
“welcome. Candidate Saint.”
Venezio Adragones.
This man, who has a record of preaching the gospel of God as a priest hundreds of years ago, is the current pope.
The dark spots on his bent back and all over his skin suggested that he was old and weak enough to not be surprised if he died tomorrow.
Belle gulped and looked into the Pope’s eyes.
You can read a person’s mind by looking into their eyes.
Whether the other person is hostile to me, looks favorably on me, or intends to kill me. It was a way of life that Bell, who grew up on the street, learned to survive.
Smoke and notice are Belle’s weapons of survival.
That’s why Bell believed that she was quite confident in reading other people’s thoughts. I was sure. Until you see the Pope in front of you.
‘what?’
Was he originally such an emotionless and unread person?
Obviously this isn’t the first time we’ve encountered it.
She had met Sue Byrne since the nomination ceremony for the saintess. At that time, he was just a benevolent and virtuous pope. The head of the priests who are so faithful that even doubting them is a sin.
It took less than a second for the image to disintegrate.
can’t read thoughts I don’t even feel emotions It wasn’t just hiding thoughts. If so, at least you can find out that you are hiding it.
The Pope really literally had no thoughts or feelings.
I even felt afraid as if I was facing something transcendent.
‘It’s a big deal.’
Bell’s body was wet with sweat. Any pressure she faced would be child’s play compared to now.
“Sit down. Your legs must hurt.”
With a leisurely motion, the Pope pointed to the chair across from him. Bell sat down on the chair, not even thinking about running away. It feels like the place is full of spider webs.
Hands are hidden under the table. Belle’s hand was shaking like an aspen now.
“Candidate Saint.”
“… … Yes.”
The pope smiled benevolently and raised his wrinkled hands to the table. It was an old man’s hand, showing signs of age.
If the person in front hadn’t been the pope, a hand so ugly that it would look pitiful.
“To grow old is to become ugly like me.”
Then, all of a sudden, it started making strange noises. Belle stared at the back of his wrinkled, limp hands. I had no idea what the hell you were talking about.
“Death is something no one can escape. Even someone who has risen to the throne like me. Even the saintess candidate will not be able to escape the demon of time.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Bell answered, barely holding back the chill.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
Suddenly, the pope opened his pupils to contain the bell.
“Even if you’re afraid, you can’t help it.”
Bell answered. Somehow the atmosphere around the pope seems to have changed. It feels a little more lively.
“Yes. you’re right. It’s unavoidable. Like Sister Olivia, whom the candidate for sainthood cherished.”
“… … !”
He swallowed Bell’s empty breath.
Why is this old man talking about Sister Olivia? Whatever the intention, it was deeply distasteful. I wanted to spit out harsh curse words right away.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
I expected to talk about the three princes, but I couldn’t even imagine a conversation like this.
Belle was afraid of the Pope and could not bear to look at him, only staring at his hand.
… … Is it because of my mood that my wrinkles are gone?
“Candidate Saint. Would you believe in a being who promises eternity?”
“Yes… … ?”
Belle raised her head in exasperation. This conversation flow is obviously dangerous.
When I looked up, I saw something unbelievable. Bell’s eyes widened.
“Who, who?”
“Look straight ahead. That’s me.”
The pope had become a middle-aged man before he knew it. Although rejuvenated, the features of the pope were evidently retained.
Belle, startled by his sudden change, pulled back her chair and stood up.
“what… … ! who are you!?”
“Keep your voice down. Candidate saint. Aren’t you taught that you should always keep your body line?”
The pope’s toneless voice was to the point of getting tired of it. Even at this moment, I couldn’t read any thoughts in his eyes.
I didn’t feel any malice or good intentions in saying such strange things.
“bell. Bell Irushi. Don’t you want to see Sister Olivia again?”
Every time an ominous word flowed from the pope’s mouth, he was getting younger every minute.
Before long, he held out his hand to her in the form of a bell-year-old. It was bizarre and sinister.
“If you take my hand, I will give you everything the candidate saint wants.”
The pope smiled benevolently. Really, it was a smile so pure that I wanted to hold her hand.
Bell experienced goosebumps and her limbs stiffened.
‘Die… … !’
If I held that hand, I would surely experience something wrong. Bell’s instinct warned him.
Belle masked her excitement and fear with remarkable self-control.
“Hmmmm. I must be very tired. I see vain. I’ll just go back and rest.”
And then I became the one who couldn’t see anything.
Covering it up for now and remaining neutral was the only way she could survive.
“… … Rest in peace. It is late at night.”
The pope, as usual, was back in the form of an old man.
That figure was truly a spiritual creature waiting for death by conforming to the laws of nature.
“… … Yes.”
It was to the point where I doubted that I had really seen something in vain. Belle left the tent, remaining calm.
As soon as he left the tent, Bell grabbed his leg and sat down.
‘in action… … . Please move.’
The body weighed down by fear did not move as well as intended.
* * *
There are phenomena that are difficult to understand even the reason behind what happened.
Cooing, cooing… … .
Making a disgusting noise, the Holy Sword Purifier is changing.
The Holy Sword is stuck in the ground.
However, a puddle of demonic energy was formed at the place where the sword was embedded, emitting dark red light.
‘Corruption.’
What crazy thing have I done?
By the time you realize it, it’s already too late.
I corrupted the Holy Sword.
[Holy Sword Purifier Corruption 12% in progress.]
The status bar message reminded me of my madness again.
Only like this, you can’t see the face of the first family head.
It is a famous sword among famous swords that has been reborn as a holy sword by drinking and purifying the blood of countless monsters.
But to corrupt that sacred sword overnight. I really felt like I wouldn’t go to a good place even if I died.
But I didn’t have a choice either.
Should I live first? The price of Blackfire is about to end here!
Wouldn’t it be more filial to the first family head to inherit the family rather than the holy sword? I take comfort in myself.
‘There’s nothing more to think about.’
It’s already spilled water.
For now, let’s focus all our attention on surviving. Even at this moment, the blood whips are rapidly approaching. At this distance, you will reach me in two minutes.
“Huh-!”
I pulled out a large horn on my forehead. I immediately returned to human form from the hemp state.
“Come out. Paramelapa.”
He then summoned a high-ranking dark spirit.
I had to buy time somehow until the corruption of the Holy Sword was over. I couldn’t fight myself, so I needed someone to fight instead.
“Did you call? master.”
“… … yes.”
Master of Gnome, Master!
It sounds crazy because of the title, but if it’s a dark spirit with 2nd grade disease, it will be able to buy time against the bloody whippers.
“The blood whips are trying to kill me. Give me a little time.”
“I don’t know what they are doing, but can’t we just wipe them all out?”
The Dark Spirit confidently raised his voice.
“I wish that was the case. It’s because the opponent isn’t easy.”
One of the strongest knights in the kingdom. Even if it’s a high-ranking dark spirit, it’s unknown if you can defeat them all.
Moreover, although they are the bloody whips that play an active role in darkness, they are also people who believe in the god of light. The basic compatibility was not good with ‘darkness’. Paramela waves are surprisingly easy to break.
“huh! Let me show you.”
Paramelapa, as if offended by my words, increased the size of the darkness.
A huge dark curtain hung over them. It was a darkness that seemed to swallow even the light.
“okay. request.”
The Dark Spirit was trustworthy, but he couldn’t be relieved.
I can’t fight with a sword right now, so I have to mobilize all I can.
‘… … 1 minute ahead. It arrives in less than a minute.’
[Holy Sword Purifier Corruption 25% in progress.]
It will take more time for the depravity to complete. Absolutely need to take more time.
Fish-!
He took out a dagger and cut his hand.
And then I splattered my blood all over the place.
At least to keep the Bloodlash from getting around the Purifier.
‘Right now, this is the best.’
I wanted to prepare more black magic, but I didn’t have enough time.
From now on, you must believe in Paramelapa, Black Fire, black magic, and the shadows and fight.
.
.
.
.
.
-Shoot it.
A bleak wind blows.
The weeds in the field swayed to and fro in the wind.
After a moment of confrontation, the bloody whips started running across the grass.
Longswords and maces, flails and more. All kinds of hideous weapons were aimed at killing one person.
moonlight shines It is a darker light than you think.
The longsword drew a cool trajectory toward Aren’s neck.
Aren didn’t blink an eye even at the moment of desperation. The sword stopped right in front of his nose.
“!?”
The Knight of the Whip of Blood felt the intense resistance felt at the tip of the sword. He didn’t even move as if he was blocked by an iron wall.
“Huh!”
Push the longsword with force. no use.
Before long, the other four crusaders rushed in and struck Aren with their respective weapons.
―――!
The Blood Scourge consists of only the most outstanding of the crusaders.
Of course, the fighting power of each individual is beyond imagination. It hunts quite a few monsters without a single wound.
Also, their sheer strength without the use of magic surpassed even the Orc Warriors. It means that it is a being that far transcends the scope of human power.
They are definitely such people… … .
“It’s strange.”
Even though the five monstrous humans attacked at once, they were blocked.
It wasn’t like barrier magic.
I was just blocked by ‘something’. Is it magic outside the cognitive range? If it was Blackfire, it wouldn’t be strange no matter what eccentricities he performed.
The leader of the Whiplash of Blood sensed the danger and stepped back. The other members followed him and widened their distance. Then, as they trained, they surrounded Aren.
The identity of an unknown power that is revealed before long.
Darkness falls. Only then do you realize why the brightness was frustrating even when the moonlight was shining through.
“Darkness, is it a spirit?”
You cannot see the expression underneath the silver mask. However, as much as being surprised is certain.
Anyone who has ever seen a high-ranking Dark Spirit is extremely rare, even if you look through history.
It was Paramelapa’s ‘Dark Curtain’ that blocked the attack.
The more you consume the elemental magician’s magic, the greater the defense power of the dark curtain goes beyond your imagination.
“come. Harm!”
As Paramelappa lifted her huge fist, the Blood Whip quickly moved away from Aren.
Even so, the formation was maintained. Unless you are highly trained, this is a difficult tactic to use.
――!
The fist of darkness swept the area. It was not a physical force. Literally, a power that only the Dark Spirit can use.
Absorbs the magical power of everything it touches.
One of the crusaders who couldn’t avoid it all screamed and grabbed his arm.
“Report.”
Even if a subordinate is injured, he does not go to look after him. Calmly listen to his physical condition to see through the enemy’s skills.
“My arm doesn’t move. It seems to have lost all of its magic power.”
A voice echoed beneath the silver mask. It wasn’t a voice of fear or pain.
Without emotion, he thoroughly grasps his condition and reports it to his superiors.
“Do not touch the darkness. Hemoseongryul is permitted.”
The captain nodded. Then he grabbed the longsword in reverse.
Push-!
What followed was truly bizarre. He stabbed himself in the thigh with a longsword.
The rest of the Blood Scourge did the same.
He swung the flail behind his back, drawing blood from his back. He stabbed himself in the chest with a mace, causing a wound.
The Blood Whipmen cut themselves. Blood started flowing.
‘That’s… … .’
Aren immediately grasped what their actions were.
An act that only the most ardent followers of the Church of Light do, showing their faith with blood.
It was a fighting method worthy of the name ‘Blood Whip’.
Their blood is divinity, and it becomes faith.
Divinity burned in their shed blood. Enormous divinity filled the area and began to drive away the darkness of Paramelapa.
Because it was twisted, the faith itself far surpassed that of ordinary believers. The moment they believed that God was with them, they had nothing to fear.
Big, big, big!
“Paramellapa!”
Also, the fit wasn’t good. The divinity was so intense that there was no darkness for Paramelapa to exist. The light drove out the darkness.
“No, Master. I will not lose!”
Paramelapa soon came to his senses and launched a counterattack.
He absorbed Aren’s mana again and increased the size of the darkness.
Beneath the field, light and darkness collided.
“The God of Light is with you. don’t back down I give my life.”
The leader of the Blood Whip began to pray. The other five followed him and began to recite prayers.
Aren was disgusted. It was because they knew the identity of the prayer they recited.
‘I give my life to the god of light.’
It was a prayer that could only be used by lunatic followers who would spend a portion of their lives to draw in the divine.
They felt no hesitation in giving their lives.
It is a divinity created at the cost of five lives. No matter how ancient the Dark Spirit was, the compatibility was not very good. Those who have nothing to lose are the scariest.
aaa!
Paramelapa tried to unleash all his powers in order not to lose to them.
“Oh, no! Master no! I can fight more! Aww!”
But Aren didn’t let it go. Aren immediately cut off the magic supply and sent him back to the abyss.
If they fought to the end, no matter what the outcome would be, Paramelapa would have been annihilated.
‘They’re much crazier than I thought.’
They are the ones who don’t care about fighting with blood and sacrificing their lives.
In front of real madness, Aren stuck out his tongue.
They have narrowed the siege again. Even the high-ranking spirit to stop Aren was gone, so there was nothing to hesitate about anymore.
“Hit it.”
The four spur the ground as soon as an order is given.
Aren’s neck was exposed in an instant at the action like a flash war.
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Kakang–!
However, Aren’s neck did not run away.
He was able to dodge their blows because he used his shadow and his agility stat surpassed those of them.
Aren quickly rolled forward and snapped his fingers. And then memorize the true name of the ancient dragon.
――Hwareuk!
Black salt soared violently.
Aren’s blood sprinkled all over the field turned into black fire, turning everything in sight into ashes.
“Kwaaak!”
The Crusaders touched by the flames vomited in pain.
Even if they were trained to endure any kind of torture and pain, they could not withstand the fire that burned their souls.
It didn’t last long for the four crusaders to writhe in pain. Before the body could burn up, the soul was destroyed first.
The smell of soot spread thickly. The black fire disappeared in an instant according to Aren’s will.
“… … black fire. It is disrespectful, as you have heard.”
The leader of the Blood Whip did not even glance at the corpses of his subordinates.
He was only focusing on Aren, the target of assassination. He was also conscious of the strange scene behind Aren. A change was taking place in the sword stuck in the demonic puddle.
I don’t know, but it was absolutely not a sacred act.
“I can’t let you live.”
As the leader of the Whip of Blood raised his sword, a vicious killing spree spread.
It couldn’t even be compared to before. From now on, he really intended to fight.
Aren didn’t answer anything he said.
His eyes focused only on the status window and he was rolling his head.
[Holy Sword Purifier Corruption 92% in progress.]
‘One more minute.’
It’s time to survive against opponents comparable to Deckard Abella until the holy sword corruption is over.