Inheriting the Novel

Obedience (服從)(2)

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〈Chapters 182~185, "City of Fanatics"〉

Overview: The Holy Kingdom of Setram.

A nation that subjugated and controlled its people in the name of God—surprisingly, that very place was the sixth calamity, "Calamity of Obedience."

Fabian realized that Pontiff Violette was preparing for war on a massive scale together with the many countries that worshipped Setram.

To prevent war, he infiltrated Setram's capital, Ilishad...

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This was the very first episode entangled with Ilishad.

And it was also an episode containing the information I wanted most.

[Most of this is what you already expected, isn't it?]

'Still, verifying something for sure feels different, doesn't it?'

I gazed at the episode, lost in thought.

'And...'

[And?]

'There was also something about your remains.'

[Really?]

One reason I hurried to check the synopsis was to confirm the information I possessed, but I also wanted to figure out why the Pontiff took Grancesia's remains.

'The Pontiff tried to descend Altair into your body.'

[W-what?! Altair, into my body?!]

Naturally, Grancesia was utterly shocked.

It was only natural—no one would like to have their body usurped by a god they weren't fond of.

[So, what happens in the original story?]

'It succeeds.'

[...!]

She seemed at a loss for words now.

'But it's not a complete success. Pilla Ganest interferes midway, so Altair can't descend with all his divine power.'

Because of that, the incompletely descended Altair first went into hiding in order to recover his original strength.

Fabian tried to chase after Altair right away, but because the demonkin invaded the ground at that moment, he had to leave the pursuit to Pilla.

That was the episode that led directly to the calamity of the gods.

[Seems like things get really tangled up.]

'In the original story, that is.'

Of course, I had no intention of letting things play out as Violette intended. The situation would never go according to his plan.

However, there was one troublesome point.

'The problem is, I can't deal with both issues at the same time...'

Violette's goals were twofold.

To start a war.

And to descend Altair into Grancesia's body.

The problem was, handling both at the same time would be too much.

I couldn't exactly go to war with Setram while holding onto Grancesia's remains.

'In that case...'

Only one method came to mind.

* * *

On a dark night, someone climbed over the white city walls.

An ordinary person would've been caught by the magical barrier deployed on the wall, but for this person, it was as if nothing affected him—he entered naturally.

Of course, this was only natural.

He had once been the foremost guardian of Ilishad.

'I never thought I'd come back here again.'

A man with long white hair and blue eyes.

Originally, a subtle light would shine from his body, but for now, he kept it hidden.

There was nothing good about drawing the attention of any other "angel."

Rustle.

"...!"

Just as he was lowering his hood, Pilla spun around in alarm at a presence behind him.

'I made sure to come in quietly so no one would notice!'

Moreover, the spot he was in was out of sight, a corner of Ilishad where not even angels, soldiers, or citizens ventured.

He never expected anyone else to be here.

"It's me, sir Pilla Ganest."

"You...?"

From the darkness, a familiar figure emerged.

Clay Vanhart.

The one now widely known as one of the new Seven Heroes, master of the Seven Swords Under Heaven.

And the man who succeeded the "Heaven-Slaying Arms" that Pilla himself had created.

"How are you here? No, it's not just you, is it?"

Pilla's gaze moved to the three figures standing behind Clay. Two of them he already recognized.

Kisea and Mersaya.

And when he saw the last one, Michelle, Pilla narrowed his eyes.

"That one seems like a follower of Altair."

"He's a descendant of the Saintess. The heir of the Atell Family."

"Atell Family?"

Surprised, Pilla watched as Michelle shrank back and quickly bowed.

"I—I never thought I would meet the legendary Inquisitor, sir Pilla Ganest. My name is Michelle Atell."

"A legendary Inquisitor... that's no compliment."

He smiled bitterly and nodded.

Apparently, knowing that Michelle was an heir of the Atell Family was reason enough not to be suspicious.

"Either way, I don't understand... To think you'd all gather here just as if you were waiting."

"We were waiting for you."

"What?"

"And I believe it's for the same reason that you're here, sir Pilla."

"... You mean you know why I came?"

Clay nodded slowly.

"Aren't you here to retrieve the Saintess Grancesia's remains?"

"Impressive. Your insight is truly astounding."

He looked genuinely impressed, but for Clay, who knew the "original story," it was obvious.

Normally, anyone would be suspicious, but Pilla took my words at face value. Likely, it was because of the ring I wore on my hand.

"So, did the Eye of Shimosha tell you this as well?"

"Something like that."

"I see. Well, as it involves the true owner, the Saintess, it makes sense."

Someone possessing the Saintess's relic coming to retrieve her remains—nothing strange about that.

Clay waited patiently for him to organize his thoughts, then spoke calmly.

"The Eye of Shimosha told me that if we don't quickly retrieve the Saintess's remains, something terrible will happen."

"That's correct."

Pilla nodded, sharing what he had learned.

It seemed he wanted to share some important information, though unfortunately, most of it was what I had already learned from the synopsis.

"Just as Clay told us, then."

Kisea responded to Pilla's words with a flat expression. After all, Clay had already explained the reasons for coming here.

"... The Eye of Shimosha really is extraordinary. To simply reveal what I struggled so hard to uncover."

"What matters more is how we use that information, rather than how we obtained it."

"Hmm, true. What does it matter how one learned it?"

He nodded magnanimously.

He looked as if he didn't care anymore.

"So, bringing someone from the Atell Family means you know about what's under Ilishad."

"Yes. Since both Priest Michelle and Sir Pilla are here, you shouldn't lose your way in the facility below."

"Indeed."

The facility beneath Ilishad.

The Gray Paradise.

A ten-story underground structure, at the very bottom of which Grancesia's remains lay.

'Pilla has probably memorized most of the routes, but the information he knows is from decades ago.'

There must be some differences.

And Michelle would be able to fill in those gaps.

"Clay, that's not the only important thing, is it?"

"Right."

Clay nodded at Kisea's cautious question.

Finding the way was just the first step; the bigger question was how to get past the tight security of the Gray Paradise.

Of course, I already had a plan for that.

"It's a little reckless, though."

"... What? R-reckless?"

Kisea asked anxiously at Clay's quiet murmur.

He called it "a little reckless," but Clay's idea would surely be quite different from what she imagined.

* * *

"Michelle Atell has escaped?"

"Yes, yes! A man named Ray appeared, killed an angel, and escaped!"

At the name Ray, pontiff Violette felt a surge of irritation.

How many times had he crossed paths with that man now?

Truly, the most bothersome thorn in one's side.

"... Are the other members of the Atell Family still in place?"

"Yes. Only Priest Michelle escaped with him."

His brow furrowed instinctively.

'Is there really a reason to take that man?'

Michelle Atell, as the Saintess's descendant, was indeed an outstanding priest.

But that was all. An excellent priest, nothing more or less.

Still, he couldn't let this incident slide easily. Escaping with Michelle was a problem, but an angel being killed was even bigger.

"B-but do you really think that man killed an angel? Even if he's the Saintess's heir who mastered Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art... killing an angel is..."

"The angel stationed at the Atell Family's domain wasn't that strong."

"But—he was still an angel, Your Holiness."

It was an annoying reply, but it was true.

No matter how lacking, an angel is still an angel.

Unless one has reached the limits of a great mage or Swordmaster, it's unthinkable to even fight one.

'Could it be that man is as strong as the Seven Heroes?'

He didn't want to think it, but there was no other explanation. Otherwise, there was no way he could defeat an angel so easily.

"Tsk. We need to track him down immediately."

It was almost time now.

All the preparations were complete.

But at times like this, even the smallest variables needed to be considered.

When they didn't even know where the owner of the sword was, and now the heir of Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art was on the loose...

"There's no need for Your Holiness to act personally about this."

"Hmm?"

Just then, cardinal Kaedillen entered the audience hall, bowing deeply.

"What do you mean by that?"

"He has appeared here."

"... What?"

For a moment, violette couldn't comprehend Kaedillen's words.

At this point, there could only be one person whom he would call "that man."

"Ray is breaking through the entrance to Ilishad and heading this way as we speak."

* * *

[Why bother going back outside just to come back in?]

As I kicked away an attacking Holy Knight, Grancesia asked, puzzled.

'I would really rather not, but if I didn't, they'd start thinking there's another traitor or accomplice inside.'

[Ah, I see. So you want all attention focused solely on you?]

'Right.'

I clicked my tongue, watching as more and more Holy Knights gathered.

Perhaps because they were preparing for war, armed soldiers and Holy Knights swarmed everywhere.

'I hope everything's going all right.'

The rest, without me, had gone to the Gray Paradise to retrieve Grancesia's remains.

With a Swordmaster, a dragon, and a legendary Inquisitor moving together, things should go smoothly, but I couldn't help but worry.

'I need to draw even the angels' attention to myself.'

I had to make sure all forces were focused on me, so the security at the Gray Paradise would be as weak as possible.

'Now, come at me...'

Simply put, I was the bait.

An irresistible bait, at that.

From Pontiff Violette's perspective, he would do anything to capture or kill me.

Since they wanted to use Grancesia's body as a vessel for Altair, the existence of "Ray," the Saintess's descendant, would be even more of a thorn in their side.

In fact, compared to Clay Vanhart, the owner of the sword, I was even more likely to draw their attention.

[They're coming. Be careful!]

With Grancesia's shout, the ground began to hum.

Crack!

Immediately, the floor split open, and a white radiance began to pour out from within.

'Just how many are there?'

Seeing the overwhelming holy power surging up through the cracks, I couldn't help but let out a wry laugh.