Ch.123Chapter 123. Battle for the Saint (9)

Chapter 123. Battle for the Holy Maiden (9)

The previous pope made a pact with a high-ranking demon and hurriedly took the position of pope… That’s definitely what was said.

…A pact, huh.

Before I could react, the pope continued speaking.

“Among sacrifices, the most valuable is the human soul. And not just any ordinary soul—if one offers the soul of someone as significant as a pope, even a high-ranking demon would gain considerable power.”

– Holland.

I struggled to recall the pope’s name and called out to him. Are you planning to sacrifice yourself?

You’re going to offer your soul?

“Hahaha…”

The pope laughed weakly and slowly gathered his power. A white light flashed in his eyes.

[You were the pope? The Goddess Church lacks talent.]

Charon seemed to have thought Pope Holland was just a moderately strong follower of the Goddess Church.

[What foolishness. Offering your soul means giving up reincarnation. Even after death, you’ll belong to Ishtania. You’ll become a mindless plaything.]

Yet he was still trying to guard against him, so he must be somewhat afraid.

Look. The half-human half-demon’s eyes are fixed on the pope. He must have sensed the pope’s determination and transformation.

“Thanks for the explanation. Still better than being used until my body bursts as the corpse of a senile evil spirit.”

The pope merely smirked at Charon’s words.

Seizing the opportunity, Lakye grabbed the half-human half-demon’s waist. She nimbly climbed up the thrashing demon’s body and grabbed its neck.

Even after slashing it multiple times with the meteor sword to no effect, she was now trying to kill it by cutting off its head.

Whoosh-!

I’m not sure if cutting off its head would kill it, but thanks to Lakye holding the half-human half-demon firmly, all the arrows it shot at the pope missed.

I also used all the blessings at my disposal to interfere with Charon and the zombie.

Though that was just the healing totem and Malak’s domain.

The pope’s sacrifice… I couldn’t be purely happy about it. I accepted it only because I couldn’t think of any other solution.

I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t learn offensive techniques like the previous pope. At best, I can emit divine power. For ordinary demons, just releasing divine power would cause significant damage. Since that demon has become a zombie under a necromancer’s control, it might not be as effective, but…”

– Bestow the divine power on Lakye.

I can’t explain it logically, but I strongly feel this will work.

Lakye is half-god half-human. Due to her “Potential Explosion,” she’s gained some ability to handle divine powers, so she might be able to accept divine power.

I have to believe that for now. It’s do or die anyway.

If the divine power from the Goddess Church follower has poor compatibility with Lakye, well, there’s nothing we can do.

The pope, whose body had turned hazy, looks at Lakye.

“I will infuse you with divine power.”

White light flowing from the pope’s body is absorbed by Lakye. The yellow energy that faintly enveloped her fists spreads throughout her body.

[You!]

The half-human half-demon began rapid-firing, but it couldn’t hit the pope who had already become indistinct.

“How dreadful. To think we must defeat dozens more creatures like this.”

The pope’s eyes, which had been watching the half-human half-demon, slowly closed.

High-ranking demons. There were over seventy of them, wasn’t that what was said? According to MeleeSpy, that was the case.

Ha. We still have a long way to go. But I believe it will be much easier once we obtain divine manifestation.

“Perhaps it’s a good time to depart. Despite some issues in my later years, I’ve been devoted all this time, so the Goddess shouldn’t view me too harshly, right? Hahaha.”

The pope’s physical form had disappeared, leaving only his voice. His voice sounded like an echo from a distant place.

Perhaps his soul remained briefly.

“I’ve struggled a lot, sitting in a position beyond my capabilities. Lord Malak, I leave the rest to you.”

His voice gradually grew fainter.

Saying things like ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I’m ashamed’ would only cause anxiety. And saying ‘I will definitely save the world’ sounds too much like an overzealous teenager.

– Pope Holland. You’ve worked hard. Rest well.

I could only speak in a reassuring and quiet manner.

“…Yes.”

Holland’s presence completely vanished.

Thank you, I won’t forget you, Holland.

I forced myself to shake off the sadness and focus on the situation. Let’s postpone grieving for later.

Now, I should only think about victory.

[It’s useless. Even if she’s half-god half-human, she can’t easily accept divine power. She’ll self-destruct.]

The half-human half-demon controlled by Charon twisted its body and shook off Lakye.

Self-destruct? This guy just can’t shut up.

[Lakye’s blessing ‘Totem Guardian’ evolves into ‘Guardian of the Storm God’!]

[Lakye’s blessing ‘Potential Explosion’ evolves into ‘Potential Attainment’!]

Lakye has undergone a 2nd class advancement.

Round 2 begins.

Did you enjoy beating us? Now it’s our turn.

Lakye, who had accepted the pope’s divine power, landed smoothly and gathered her energy.

“Necromancer, you should prepare yourself.”

Lakye, now emitting golden light from her entire body, drew her meteor sword with a confident expression.

The blade of the meteor sword and Lakye’s eyes were glowing with golden light, reminiscent of a legendary warrior from a comic book.

“Ha!”

Lakye’s body moved like the wind.

The half-human half-demon tried to dodge with its incredible reaction speed like before, but this time Lakye was faster.

Lakye charged forward powerfully, and her meteor sword cut off the half-human half-demon’s left arm.

Charon’s red energy, his magical power, moved stealthily to restore the zombie’s arm.

However, it seemed to struggle because of Lakye’s golden energy that had subtly coated the severed area.

Screech-!

It’s trying to regenerate but can’t. Good, we can win like this.

[You were just lucky. With my help, it can shoot arrows even with one hand.]

I’m sure you can. This bastard knows he’s embarrassed so he has to add one more comment.

– You always seem to have bad luck.

[Malak…!]

Charon, you were so arrogant with your explanations. I remember everything.

Summoning a high-ranking demon with great sacrifice and whatnot. You thought you’d won and eagerly spread information? Loose-lipped guys like you always get turned around.

Bang!

The rematch began between the half-god half-human supported by the Storm God and the half-human half-demon supported by the necromancer.

The half-human half-demon rapidly fired arrows trying to maintain distance, while Lakye charged threateningly to close the gap.

After an intense battle between beast and hunter, one side gained the upper hand.

“Ugh…!”

The recovered Asha grabbed the half-human half-demon’s feet and clung on. It wasn’t that Asha woke up at the perfect timing.

While pretending to focus on the battle using my other blessings, I kept giving orders to Asha. When I ordered her to come out immediately if she had recovered enough to stand, she slowly crawled out.

[Kuk…!]

Charon frantically tried to gain control over Asha, but it was a meaningless struggle.

Charon couldn’t take control of Asha even if he tried. Since it was an avatar’s body, I, as a Roa, had higher affinity(?) than Charon, an evil spirit.

This is Charon’s defeat, distracted by focusing only on Lakye and me.

Having maintained long-range combat while summoning and supporting a high-ranking demon zombie, his concentration must have wavered.

Slash!

The head of the demon once called the hunting god spins through the air. It has the face of an ordinary human woman that somehow looks benevolent.

I don’t know why, but it was unusually a demon in human form. I’ve often seen ape-like forms, but this is my first time seeing a human form.

Was it like Lakye, half-god half-human who obtained divinity and ascended? Looking at the beast-like lower body and human upper body, it could be a hybrid.

Well, that’s not important right now.

[Don’t think you’ve won. My army remains intact. Moreover, I am the Roa’s…]

– Didn’t I tell you before, there’s no need to rush.

I cut off his words as he tried to pretend to be calm.

[…]

– Have you gone senile from living too long for a human?

[Malak!]

This son of a bitch caused the pope’s death. I can’t let him go just like that. I want to at least curse him properly.

– If you had waited quietly, I would have come to you eventually… You’re the one who ruined things, Charon.

[You dare lecture me?!]

– Just wash your neck clean. I’ll be coming for you soon.

Having taken significant damage this time, he’ll probably be holed up in Dubenheim for a while.

We just need to obtain divine manifestation before he gathers strength again. Or… I could use other methods. Look forward to it.

[Fine, I’ll be waiting. Anytime… Aaaaargh…!]

With Charon’s painful scream, the half-human half-demon’s body turned to ashes and disappeared.

Being reverse-summoned seems quite painful. Serves him right.

“Lord Malak. We’ve won.”

Lakye shook her hair, wet with sweat and blood, and smiled at Totem #3.

The golden energy surrounding her body gradually dispersed.

– Well done.

I forcibly swallowed the words ‘It would have been difficult without the pope’s sacrifice.’ Lakye is happy.

Let’s not ruin the mood.

– Let’s go check on the Holy Maiden.

…I’ll have to tell her about the pope too. How should I phrase it?