Chapter 99 – Muriel’s Ruins (1)
The sudden sound of a notification from a smartphone.
“wait for a sec.”
Xian turned his back on Arya for a moment.
And I took out my smartphone from my arms and checked it.
I could see the quest floating on the screen.
『[Story Sudden Quest] – ‘The truth hidden in the truth’』
‘Story Sudden Quest?’
It was a completely different type from the quests I had seen before.
Xian confirmed the details by touching the screen.
Hold on.
『[Story Sudden Quest] – ‘The truth hidden in the truth’
▶You who came to Muriel’s ruins in search of the truth Kyle faced!
Although there was a lot of hardship and adversity at the end.
You finally got the clue!
Now, dig up Muriel’s ruins.
You just have to reveal the secrets inside and get the loot…
What is it…?
Things are going a little strange…?
Want something for a while!
oh my god!! on horseback!!
It is said that a plague is spreading in Muriel’s ruins!!
Besides, the place where the source of the plague is located is Muriel’s ruins?!
What happened to this!!!
A thousand years ago, Kyle suddenly left after facing a certain truth.
But not long after.
Kyle visits Muriel.
Kyle leaves again after a long conversation with Muriel.
Muriel has hidden something related to the secret in the ruins.
And the secret is not known to the world.
As Muriel approaches his death.
He returned to the ruins and buried his own death as well.
What on earth did Muriel have to hide?
Now that a thousand years have passed.
What does it have to do with the plague that spread in the South?
And what the hell did Kyle say to Muriel?
The truth hidden in the truth.
Check it out right now at Muriel’s ruins!』
＜Reward: ???＞
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‘A plague broke out in Muriel’s ruins?’
Xian shouted inwardly.
Muriel was a saint from a thousand years ago.
It was Arnaise who saved the world from demons.
Although now Arya is called Muriel’s reincarnation.
In fact, there was a vast difference that could not even be compared.
It goes without saying that he possesses divine power.
Even the ability to use that divine power.
No matter what I pushed, I couldn’t touch Muriel.
If all the saints of the past were gathered together, would it be possible to compare them?
The existence that reached the realm of Exceed was such an existence.
And it seemed that Muriel’s ruins were Muriel’s tomb.
By the time Muriel reaches the end of her lifespan.
To say that he returned to the ruins and ended his life.
However, a plague broke out in such a place…?
It made no sense.
In the first place, the plague itself had to be untouchable.
The plague couldn’t come close to Arya right now.
What more can I say about Muriel?
No matter how many thousand years passed, it was impossible.
‘But what…’
Xian couldn’t understand what had happened.
Xian was lost in thought for a moment.
So little time passed.
Xian put the smartphone back into his arms.
Then, with a stride, he moved on.
“Where are you going all of a sudden?”
Arya asked from behind.
Sian slightly turned his head and said.
Maybe.
“To Cardinal Rachel.”
I felt like I should go to Muriel’s ruins right now.
#
Xian went to find Rachel that way.
Rachel was overjoyed and immediately got ready.
Gestak village located in the southern center of the arrival.
Is it because there is definitely a source of plague nearby?
It felt energetic and the condition of the village was more miserable than any other village.
There were even quite a few patients dying from the plague.
Before Xian finds Muriel’s remains and the source of the plague.
He healed all the people of Gestak Village.
“Really…really true?”
“I don’t think the word saint came out of nowhere.”
All of the sacred knights, including Rachel, also opened their eyes in surprise.
Usually rumors are added by exaggeration.
“next! next! next!”
Isn’t it reduced now?
Xi’an drove out the plague in Gestak Village in an instant.
Xian calmly looked around.
“Oh, Mom…!”
“Ahhh···! Oh God! thank you···!”
The villagers who were all healed and became a sea of tears.
It must have been a natural reaction since he came back to life after waiting for the day he would die.
I’ve seen it a lot, but it’s still a moving scene.
Sian averted his gaze.
“by the way···.”
Then he said to Arya, who was standing beside him.
“Why did you have to follow me?”
When Sian says he will head to Muriel’s ruins with Rachel.
Arya also came here with Xian.
Most of the plague in the South has been taken.
There was also Rachel, the cardinal.
Arya didn’t have to follow.
“What kind of plan is this? I will have to see it with my own eyes.”
Even so, it was an aria that was stubborn.
That’s why Xian didn’t bother.
Because Xian was also a little suspicious.
Xian shrugged once and said.
“By the way… Why is there a village in a place like this?”
I honestly did.
Here, the village of Gestak was completely uninhabitable.
Forests and desolate areas draped around.
From what I heard, it seemed that the monsters also occasionally appeared.
With a bit of exaggeration, it was no different from the old Ruben.
So, why is there a village like this?
“These are not subjects.”
The people of the gestal village are not subjects.
At those words, Xian understood the situation at once.
I’ve seen situations like this many times while wandering around the South.
In a word, slash-and-burn people.
It must be that the poor and powerless live in hiding.
“You can’t be a citizen just because you didn’t pay the money. These are all doctrines established by the Twilight Cults.”
Arya gritted and chewed her teeth, expressing her anger.
Seeing Aria like that, Xian suddenly became curious.
“I’ve been curious about it before. What the hell is a pope doing?”
If you think about it, isn’t it?
The faction of the church is divided and the two forces are in conflict.
The pope, who is called the head of the church, had nothing to do.
In a way, it is the same position as the emperor of the Charlotte Empire.
Even now, I can see that the sects of twilight set their own doctrines.
It didn’t look like the pope was there.
Even the support from the South this time is the same.
“It’s because His Holiness doesn’t have much interest in the Church’s affairs…”
You say you have no interest in church affairs?
Who is the Pope?
“What do you mean?”
“So this is… you will understand at once when you see the denomination meeting. His Holiness does not express his opinion. I just listen silently to the opinions that come out.”
So Arya and the priests of Dawn came forward to express their opinions instead.
The reverse is also true.
The Pope just quietly listens.
So, the cardinals below, the archbishops, etc.
Only the high-ranking priests are arguing.
It’s like the Pope approves the final opinion that was coordinated at the end.
“I’d rather you make a firm decision like your emperor.”
Emperor of the Charlotte Empire and Pope of the Holy Empire.
The status of the bar was similar, but there was a fundamental difference.
The emperor is the one who reigns over everyone.
The pope is the closest person to God.
“If I express my opinion, they will think it is God’s will or something.”
“hmm···.”
A statement that can be seen as arrogant in some ways.
Actually, the Pope’s thoughts were not incomprehensible.
In fact, if you look back at the history of the Holy Empire, there was no dictatorship of the pope in that way.
And if you think about it, it’s just that the pope doesn’t just express his opinion.
In the end, it was an opinion that was decided by the debate between the two forces.
So it could be said that it was the result of everyone’s compromise.
But in a good roundabout way, it means this.
To put it bluntly.
“Aren’t you interested in church affairs?”
“Honestly, I’m so frustrated that I’m on the verge of bursting into a tantrum. Sometimes I just want to hit one.”
“Can you say that?”
“Because what’s right is right.”
Arya let out a deep sigh.
Right then.
“I’m about to start soon… how are you feeling?”
Another voice came from the other side.
Rachel was standing there.
For an instant, Arya’s eyes sharpened.
Showing hostility without filtering.
‘He’s really…’
Sian shook his head.
“Let’s go right away.”
Xian immediately moved on.
#
A dense forest was revealed in the open field of view.
The tree that stretched out to the sky without knowing it covered the sky.
Even though it was broad daylight with even the sun covered, the inside of the forest was no different from an early evening scene.
Also, low trees and nameless grasses are also luxuriant.
There was no empty bush anywhere in sight.
It is like a landscape facing the sea made of wood.
If only demons could be felt, wouldn’t it be the forest of darkness…? It was a landscape that even gave me an illusion.
It wasn’t just the scenery.
“Ke-kwak…?!”
“Querreuk!”
Monsters were residing in the forest.
The ecosystem of the forest was an area that conceived numerous lives.
A place where green animals and plants grow and play.
Naturally, predators who covet them gather.
In addition, predators who covet them gather to form one huge ecosystem.
So it wasn’t that strange that there were monsters in that forest area.
however···. The appearance was bizarre.
From nob le mt l. co m
Judging by the shape, you can tell it’s a goblin.
However, the face was grotesquely distorted, as if it had been blown up by water.
There were round spots all over the body.
From nob le mt l. co m
Just looking at it makes me frown.
“Damn old…!”
“Quack rock weep!”
Because of that, I couldn’t even make a proper sound.
There are screams that are difficult to even pronounce.
The monsters must also have been caught in the plague.
According to Rachel, the source of the plague is inside this forest.
According to Arya, there is Muriel’s remains in the forest.
And according to the mobile lord’s words, the source of the plague lies in Muriel’s ruins.
So, the monsters living in this forest were also afflicted with the plague.
However, unlike humans, it was not a goal.
Rather, only that tyrannical instinct is amplified even more.
It’s like that.
‘Over Drive…?’
Isn’t it like a demonic beast residing in a dark forest?
Although the level was incomparable to the forest of darkness.
It was obviously a similar type of berserk.
“Line maintenance!”
“Get in line!”
In the meantime, the procession of the Holy Knights continued.
The light of the divine power bursting out broke through the pure white armor and shimmered.
With the footsteps of the distance, the Holy Knights moderately adjusted their ranks.
“Shield forward!”
A holy knight raised his hand.
Along with him, the holy knights holding shields moved forward as one body.
Whoaaah
The surroundings of the shield were filled with divine light.
It created a huge shield of light.
Caan-!
Tung-!
The goblins’ attacks couldn’t pierce the shield.
“Booting sword!”
With the ensuing shouts, the following holy knights raised their swords.
Divine light that dwells.
Kwajak-!
Perseus-!
A group of goblins were swept away at once.
Even though they were goblins, it was a battle that allowed them to guess their level.
And just then.
thump, thump.
The ground roared loudly.
thump, thump, thump.
Ringing at regular intervals belonged to living organisms.
Something huge was coming.
Eventually, with a crackling sound, the tree at the entrance to one side fell.
And something huge appeared.
“Oh, it’s an ogre!”
someone shouted.
It is the existence that lives at the top of the food chain of monsters.
Arguably the strongest predator on earth, Ogre.
And the appearance of the ogre was also bizarre.
However, the size is huge, so everything that looks like it is big.
It seemed like seeing a monster that shouldn’t exist in the world.
K-we-we-we-we-we-!!
A distorted monstrosity erupted.
The ogre caught any goblins nearby, put them in its mouth, and munched and chewed them.
But I wonder if the goblins weren’t satisfied?
Kwe-!!!
The red-hot instinct turned this way.
The ogre’s gigantic body jumped out.
Truly a chilling landscape.
Before long, the giant ogre’s fist collided with the shield of light.
Kwak-!
riotous noise.
“Keuugh…!”
“Suck…!”
The holy knights let out a painful groan.
The shield of light didn’t break, but the impact seemed pretty good.
The ogre, on the other hand, was fine.
It was only a deep anger at the human figure that was not crushed.
The ogre raises his fist again.
I felt more ferocious power in my fist than before.
“Don’t break the ranks!”
In the meantime, a holy knight grabbed a sword and jumped up.
Brilliant divine light burst out between the swords.
The knight grabbed the ogre from the back like a thunderbolt and cut off the log-like calf.
Kwajak-!
Blood and pus splattered between the cut ankles.
Kweee—!!!
The ogre let out a scream of pain.
But that didn’t last too long either.
I’m sorry-!
Along with that sound, the ogre’s groan suddenly cut off.
Finally, cooing! Kung!, the ground trembled twice.
The ogre’s lower body and upper body, which had been cut in two in one blow, collapsed separately.
The ogre was dealt with in an instant.
“How are you?”
“Incredible.”
At Rachel’s question from the side, Xian nodded her head obediently.
Ogre was a monster called the strongest predator on earth.
Even if only one pops up, it will literally turn a village or two into a mess.
Indeed, it was nothing short of a natural disaster.
The ogre, encroached by berserk fire in the dark forest, resisted even Leah’s thoughts and fled.
What more can I say about that strength.
However, I cut the ogre in two with one blow.
Even ogres ravaged by plague.
There was no doubt about his ability.
Xian’s gaze turned to the holy knight who had cut the ogre in two.
After that, Rachel’s words came back.
“Sir Garrett is a Holy Knight who competes for the highest rank in our Twilight Church.”
“Are you saying that is Sir Garrett?”
Garrett, leader of the Sacred Knights of the Cardinal Order.
Xian had also heard of the name.
There was no other reason.
When discussing who is the second sword of the continent.
He was one of those people who always sticks out.
And now I am facing that level myself.
I could see why it was said that way.
“I heard that there is a knight called Master in the Charlotte Empire. I think Lord Garrett is on par with that level.”
Rachel gave a small smile.
Holy knights do not discuss the realm of ordinary knights.
It was because the power they dealt with was divine, not Aura.
However, it was difficult to make comparisons between the regions.
Garrett’s level could be said to be comparable to Master’s.
“Maybe at the level of Master or higher.”
But Xian’s thoughts were very different.
Divine power and aura.
Because these two are completely different concepts.
Specifically, water and oil.
To be more precise, it could be called an exclusionary relationship.
Those who were endowed with divinity could not awaken the aura.
In fact, knights dealing with auras may or may not exist in this world.
Wizards who understand phenomena and deal with laws.
They never understood the articles dealing with Auras.
Even so, bring things that go against the status quo.
It descends into reality as if it were the law of the world.
In the process, you defy all the strict laws of the world.
That was Auror.
Numerous wizards have studied Aurors.
It was a force that shouldn’t exist.
And the logic of the knights was always like this.
did it just work?
In the eyes of wizards, they are crazy people.
I was really mad and couldn’t help but jump.
Therefore, the magic swordsman could not exist.
magic and aura.
Because these two couldn’t coexist.
The reason was simple.
Auroran knights do.
Ignoring the laws of the world and phenomena.
It was an unbelievable force.
But the wizards already understood.
That the strict laws of phenomena cannot be twisted.
that it is impossible.
I already understood with that brilliant head.
That’s why you can’t use Aura.
In a similar way, the divine power is also the same.
I have seen holy power since I was born.
It would soon prove that ‘God’ exists.
The miraculous power he performs is borrowed from God.
Since it exists before our eyes, its faith is also firm.
However, Auror twists the laws of phenomena.
A miracle that only humans can do.
However, a god who works miracles already exists.
How could a human being be able to wield that miraculous power?
Those who were born with divine power had no choice but to deny the phenomenon of Aura.
So priests and holy knights couldn’t handle the power of Aura.
‘······· said Elodie.’
Arnaise from a thousand years ago, Archmage Elodie.
It’s just a reminder to remember.
Xian already felt like his head was pounding.
So it was just knowledge in my head.
And I didn’t even try to understand it in detail.
In the first place, knights were such a family.
And now, it wasn’t even that important.
It was literally just a headache.
Still, the reason Xian recalled this knowledge was simple.
‘Isn’t it divinity?’
Because he wasn’t divine.
The leader of the Holy Knights, Garrett.
The power Garrett used was not divine.
looks like a divinity
It was very similar to the power of Auror.
Of course, not all members of all denominations used divine power.
Divine power is innate, so not all members could use it.
Therefore, among the paladins, there were many articles using Aura.
However, the Holy Knight was different.
Holy Knights are knights who represent the Order.
All of them were those who dealt with divine power.
However, the power Garrett used now is an aura.
that means that.
Garrett meant he didn’t believe in God.
“Let’s go.”
At that moment, Rachel spoke up.
Before I knew it, the holy knights had sorted out all the monsters.
Xian nodded and moved slowly.
Then, suddenly, through the reflection, I saw the body of an ogre strewn about.
The carcass of an ogre that has been neatly cut into pieces.
Shall Xi’an disband in an instant…? I wanted to.
Even so, it didn’t look like that lump of pus was going to sell.
#
Xian moved forward under the protection of the holy knights.
how far did it go
“stop.”
The preceding holy knights suddenly stopped walking.
At the same time the entire procession stopped moving.
Xian raised his head and looked straight ahead.
and the scenery seen.
It was a landscape of polluted forests.
Even the densely packed trees were severely distorted, as if they had been infected with the plague.
Even the air is filled with the aura of plague.
A dark green aura rose up.
Literally the source of plague.
I could understand at once why Rachel couldn’t approach her.
The reason why the holy knights stopped was because they couldn’t get any closer.
“This···.”
Aria, who was next to her, also opened her eyes in surprise.
He was a bit taken aback by the scenery in front of him.
Apparently, Arya didn’t seem to be able to say anything easily either.
And if Arya can’t be sure.
No one else on this continent can do it. Bom was right.
but.
Turbuck.
Xian moved into the scenery without hesitation.
“Uh, over there…?”
“Ah, no…”
“Um, what is that…”
Rachel and the holy knights were greatly taken aback by Xian’s sudden action.
“hey!!”
Arya’s panicked cry came from behind.
That would be the scene right now.
Isn’t there a terrible plague that can be seen with the naked eye?
No one in the world would ever come back alive.
but.
‘Progress rate!’
In Xian’s eyes, it just looked like a jar of honey.