Chapter 85
Chapter 85: Scorched Earth (2)
"Let go, let go, I said! Get rid of this filthy black magic!!!"
A black pillar erected in the heart of the Demon Realm, in the Eastern Great Forest.
Makia's eyes narrowed as she gazed down at the Saint from the top floor.
Her pupils clearly fixed on the Saint of the Lu-Solace Church.
The Saint thrashed disgracefully on the contaminated ground of the Demon Realm.
"Hehehet. How disgusting."
There was a gentle smile in her deep eyes, but it unmistakably conveyed anger.
'Still eyes as innocent as a child.'
The Saint, who had lived well over a hundred years despite her appearance.
However, her actions and manner of speech were no different from a child's.
'She branded me a sinner simply because I have no religion, with that childish face?'
In other words, Makia's entire life as a Punishment Soldier had been because this Saint stubbornly insisted on it like a child.
Crack!
A black shadow whipped through the air like a lash.
The Saint's head split in two.
And the torn-off head rolled to the ground, but instantly, holy flames surged up, restoring the Saint's face.
The torn-off face lay on the ground, while a new head sprouted on top—it was grotesquely unsettling.
"How much more can she recover……."
Thomas, standing at a distance watching the Saint, muttered in astonishment.
'What exactly is that body?'
They had sent an almost infinite Monster using Sargon's power.
Black Mages had also deployed [Isolation] spells and scattered all manner of curses and calamity-grade diseases.
No matter how much they boasted about being a child of God, there was no answer against sheer numbers.
Eventually, power always runs out, and no matter how great one's Divine Power, it takes time to recover depleted strength.
"Even with Divine Power exhausted, regeneration like that……."
Yet that body, favored by Lu-Solace, showed no signs of death.
A body that regenerates eternally even without power.
"Don't be surprised, Thomas. I'm only happier because I have a body that doesn't die easily."
Makia removed her veil and smiled contentedly. It was an enigmatic smile mixing anger and exhilaration.
Her pure white face and crimson lips captivated Thomas.
Thomas felt his heart would burst.
'Ugh!'
It looked like it actually might.
He instinctively lowered his head.
Beneath his lowered face, a pure white hand descended.
Pat.
As Thomas trembled with a thrill, Makia let out a gasp.
"Aah!"
When Thomas looked up, Makia's Black Magic Power was torturing the Saint.
"Finally!!!"
Makia too was engulfed in intense exhilaration.
The process of tearing apart the Saint with Black Magic Power as if toying with her granted her a kind of sense of liberation.
'The helplessness from back then is finally being resolved!'
Though her days as a Punishment Soldier dragged across battlefields happened decades ago, the hardships of childhood clung stubbornly to her mind.
Perhaps they would be remembered eternally.
[Black Mage Group Leadership Office]
Makia's gaze swept across the nameplate in the room.
Pride settled on her pure white face.
'My past no longer frightens me now.'
It was a position she had earned by overcoming childhood hardship and adversity.
The terrible memories that seemed eternal became a sense of liberation upon capturing the Saint.
The sense of achievement from overcoming past pain made her position all the more secure.
'I have become a face representing all Black Mages.'
A sense of responsibility to lead many people in the future drove her.
With that, Makia made the decision to end this petty revenge drama.
"Thomas, it's about time we brought this to an end, don't you think?"
Her pure white hand slowly withdrew.
Thomas felt disappointment and lifted his head.
Murky and turbid black eyes looked at him.
Faced with that upright gaze, Thomas regained his composure and stood straight.
"Do you mean to offer the Saint as a sacrifice?"
"That's right. If we use power of that level as sustenance……. wouldn't the dreams of Possessors become clearer?"
Thomas bowed his head, indicating he would follow the command.
'To end her revenge in just a single day…….'
Below the floor-to-ceiling window of the top executive office of the Black Tower, Makia could see the Saint, now transformed into a lump of flesh.
The Saint was wrapped in flames, finding her original form, and in Makia's eyes watching her, there was a hint of regret.
However, her actions were different.
Watching her set aside her desires for the greater good, Thomas felt deep admiration.
"Shareholders."
It was the moment when Makia, from atop the distant Black Tower, was about to tell the shareholders she would offer the Saint as a sacrifice.
Flash.
A red eye floating above the tower rolled.
Creak.
At the same time, the door to the executive office opened on its own, and an armored Black Knight entered.
A golden ring gleamed clearly on the Black Knight's finger.
"The Religious Order has moved."
It was a voice evoking the darkness of the Demon Realm.
He spoke.
"The Holy Spear."
***
Kiiiing!
A clear resonance rang out from all directions.
Led by Holy War Knight Commander Julius, every knight member grasped a Holy Spear.
Their spear tips aimed at the Eastern Great Forest filled with darkness.
Kkeeyeeeek!
The darkness of the forest rippled as countless Monsters poured out.
Goblins, Trolls, Orcs, Ogres exceeding ten meters, and even Dragon-type creatures.
Monsters from the Labyrinth nestled in the Demon Realm shrieked and charged toward the Astia Religious Order.
It was like a massive black wave.
It was an overwhelming and incomprehensible natural disaster.
"Paladins, face the Monsters!"
Toward those terrible things.
The Paladins of the Astia Religious Order unsheathed their swords without hesitation.
"Buy time for the Holy Spears to be launched!"
A spear blade refined and refined with Holy Power.
Compressed within it was the supreme power of God.
Ordinary Paladins could only manage to carry it.
Thus it was the duty of ordinary Paladins to protect those tasked with spear throwing.
The creatures flowing from the Labyrinth into the Demon Realm were each massive and powerful beings.
However, the Paladins of the Religious Order felt no fear.
"—May the Father establish holiness upon this land. Let light shine before us."
Intense Holy Power filled with grace surged up.
It was the Pope's power.
Kusususung!
A pillar of holiness rose above the ground facing the black forest.
That power enveloped the Paladins of the Religious Order.
Before them was abundant darkness, yet believing in the sanctity behind their backs, they swung their swords.
Whoosh!
Monsters beyond comprehension wielded overwhelming power.
The arm of a giant Ogre struck the Paladins in the front line.
It was like a mountain swinging.
Thud. Creak!
Against such a giant Ogre, the sword thrust forward was small and thin.
The Paladins' swords created gashes on the Ogre's arm, and the swung Ogre's fist tore off the Paladin's arm along with the hand holding the sword.
"May the Father protect us."
The Pope's Prayer was recited.
The severed arms of the knights regenerated.
The terrible pain of having an arm torn off was soothed by the warmth of Astia God.
"Astia stands with us!"
The knights repeated being struck, bitten, and torn.
Yet they swung their swords without pause.
When arms were torn, they used legs and teeth.
Those feeble movements created small wounds on the Ogre's arm.
Merely grazes, yet they accumulated, ultimately severing the giant Ogre's arm.
Kussung!
The giant Ogre's arms and legs fell.
The massive Monster shrieked and collapsed to the ground.
The Paladins climbed the Ogre's body and tore out its throat.
Glug!
Spitting blood, the Ogre's breath ceased.
The carcass of the giant Monster remained, functioning as a barrier.
However, behind the knights, the Religious Order's choir chanted the melody of purification.
Aaa!!!
The heavenly Father opens the way.
According to His will, the Monster's carcass dissipated in pale smoke.
"Advance one step!"
The Paladins advancing against the Monsters pouring from the vast forest.
It was like watching small gold dots drawn on black paper.
Yet those dots were advancing steadily.
Thanks to that single small step, Holy War Knight Commander Julius completed his spear lift.
Kussung.
A heavy sound of air being torn, and Julius's body tilted backward.
Kkeuddeuk!
Every muscle in his body screamed. He twisted his waist for the throw and pulled one arm far back.
Then.
Kueureureung!
Thunder-like roar erupted and a small golden light shot like an arrow toward the black forest.
'He's controlling all the Monsters.'
Looking at the golden light being shot, Erik's eyes narrowed.
As if anticipated, giant Dragon-type Monsters threw themselves toward the spear.
Kweeeeeeeak!
However, it was shot by the Holy Spear.
Even the powerful Monsters in the Labyrinth were annihilated by its overwhelming mass and sanctity.
Dozen-meter-long Dragon types burst with holes pierced through them.
Kusureung!
As a result, the first spear was embedded in the Eastern Great Forest.
A subtle vibration and a single beam of light pierced the darkness.
Silence descended.
It was a small spear compared to the forest.
Yet what it contained was the power of the supreme God.
Therefore.
Kowaang!!!
That power burst out, and a hole opened in the vast Great Forest.
An overwhelming mass pushed the land and forest entirely away. Within that, the sanctity spread, scattering golden light through the darkness.
The entire forest screamed at that light.
"Lift the spears!"
In the meantime, other Holy War Knights completed their spear preparations.
Like Julius, they pulled their spear-holding hands back and took throwing stance.
"Launch!"
Kweeeeeak!
Hundred knights began launching ten thousand Holy Spears.
Kowaang! Kowaang! Kwang!!!
Golden light spread through the black forest.
It was a Demon Realm where no sun shone through.
As if a sun had risen in that Demon Realm, the entire world sparkled.
"Quite the insane power."
"Du-sik has great stamina."
At the front line were Jang Du-sik and Janson.
Jang Du-sik swung his magic cudgel, beating Monsters to death, and Janson wielded his aura, slicing Monsters down.
Splurt!
Suddenly Janson's arm burst.
"That priest is prancing about again……."
"Kkeuu, this much is nothing."
Janson calmly scratched the place that had been scarred.
In the meantime, the severed arm sprouted anew.
They too were under the influence of the Pope's sanctity.
"Kkeuu, what a sight! Spears pouring endlessly."
At the front line fighting alongside the Paladins, Jang Du-sik and Janson.
Whoosh!
Above their heads, golden light trails were drawn consecutively.
Watching the shot golden afterimages, Janson's mind recalled an intuitive example of the spear-throwing tactic.
'Carpet bombing…….'
Like the American military's war he had seen in data on Earth.
The spears shot by the Religious Order created wastelands.
The forest disappeared and the ground was gouged, in what was truly the power to create barren wilderness.
That appearance felt like everything was disappearing.
Not only Possessor Janson felt that way.
"To experience spear throwing again in my lifetime."
Watching that magnificent sight, Julius wiped the bridge of his nose.
He looked at Erik beside him and asked.
"Saint Erik, are you ready yet?"
The darkness of the Demon Realm was illuminated by the Holy Spears, and Erik's eyes found the main base of the enemies within that darkness.
The Demon Realm without light was dark.
Moreover, whether the Black Mage Group had made preparations, even Erik's eyes struggled to find the exact location.
'I've burned half of it, yet it's not visible—.'
When Julius launched his tenth Holy Spear.
And so, at the point when about half the forest had become wasteland, Erik's eyes sparkled.
"Found it."
He discovered a tall black tower.
It was a fleeting moment when the aftermath of the Holy Spear made the darkness ripple.
With red eyes visible above the tower, it was certain this was the new headquarters the Black Mage Group had moved to.
[Holy Spear Lu-Solace's Wedge: 200,000,000 Gold]
Erik used 200 million Gold to draw out Lu-Solace's Holy Spear.
Diing!
With sparkling resonance, a long spear engraved with the symbol of the sun settled in Erik's hand.
Julius was momentarily startled by this, but Erik continued matter-of-factly.
"They say the master of this spear is over there."
The kidnapping of the Saint, Ray Solace.
The Pope's eyes read this flow clearly.
Thus, the Religious Order's members also knew of it.
Yet faced with Erik suddenly wielding another Religious Order's sacred object, Julius felt puzzlement.
'The Saint of the Astia Religious Order saving the Saint of the sun god Lu-Solace.'
However, considering these were Saints' matters, there must be something, and he convinced himself and moved on.
Kooyuk!
Erik gripped the spear firmly.
The spear tip aimed at the center of the dark tower.
[The sun is a power that burns.]
Golden patterns rose along the pure white spear shaft.
It was a meaningful passage.
Whoosh!
Following the patterns, flames arose, and Erik's body was engulfed in fire.
It was the power of fire with intense heat rather than what could be called Holy Fire.
The heat was intense, yet the flames seemed to regard Erik as their master, actually lending him power.
Six wings surged from Erik's back following the flames.
Kweeeeek!
Erik felt the omnipotent power of flames amplified by his wings' strength and launched the spear.
***
The three Possessors brought here without understanding what was happening stood dazedly at the very rear, watching this battlefield.
Park Chang-ho's eyes widened to bursting.
'What is that…….'
The black forest pouring out terrible Monsters seemed frightening at first, but as time passed, different emotions bloomed in the Possessors.
"What is that?"
The sight before their eyes was truly magnificent itself.
'Not white phosphorus bombing or anything…….'
The black forest was grotesque, but the power changing it to wasteland was even more terrifying.
Unlike Park Chang-ho, who admired the spear bombardment, Kang Pung-ho watched the front line Paladins.
"An immortal army……."
Kang Pung-ho gulped.
Even when their bodies were severed, the infinitely regenerating Paladins were monstrous.
This wasn't even necromancy.
Infinitely regenerating Paladins spewing brilliant golden light?
"Why are they showing us this?"
"To warn us not to get any ideas."
The sight of a single spear erasing an entire forest created an indescribable sense of shock.
Park Chang-ho, Kang Pung-ho, Nishida Ryo.
All three stood with gaping mouths, witnessing this spectacle.
"Finally, they move!"
It was then.
Nishida Ryo, who had maintained silence throughout, shouted.
At the end of his gaze was a giant and magnificent Paladin, Erik.
"A burning spear?"
Since Erik was the one with most connection to the three, naturally the Possessors' eyes turned toward Erik.
Erik was their god, so the three carefully watched his movements.
Flash!
Erik, holding the burning spear, had suddenly launched it.
It was at a speed impossible to perceive with the naked eye.
They didn't know the process, but the result was clear enough.
Kowaang!!!
The three Possessors were beside the Religious Order's choir.
Easily several kilometers away.
Yet the shock from where the spear landed shook their entire bodies.
"Ughhh!"
The spear launched by Erik illuminated the inside of the Demon Realm brightly as day, and cleanly broke the giant black tower in half.
Somehow, the Eastern Great Forest now had far more white wasteland than black.
"Euh……. That."
At that sight, Nishida Ryo gulped.
After his disciplinary punishment, the words he had been holding back finally escaped Nishida's mouth.
"Buster Call!"