Ch.291Episode 12 – The Strongest Mage in History

As the priests who had been subdued by the paladins were nearly fainting, Veronica’s bizarre experiment finally concluded.

The bone broth (as she called it) extracted from the cathedral’s sacred relics and saints’ remains was thus created.

“There, the holy water is finally complete.”

In truth, the holy water Veronica created wasn’t made from ordinary water like other holy waters.

It was holy water from a rock split in two by the Magi’s staff, into which she had dropped sacred relics and holy remains before personally consecrating it. In a way, this might be something special that transcended the category of holy water as I knew it.

Then again, it would be strange if holy water made by boiling saints’ bones wasn’t special….

Without bothering to clean up the thoroughly disheveled kitchen, Veronica hugged the jar to her chest and hummed a tune.

“Now let’s prepare to hunt demons in earnest.”

Episode 12 – The World’s Most Powerful Magician

Humanity’s struggle to deal with supernatural beings and phenomena boasts a longer history than one might think.

Ancient magicians who fought supernatural threats with primitive forms of magic and curses like voodoo, and the national institutions that sprang up like mushrooms shortly after magic became an academic discipline.

But there was something with an even deeper history than magic and state authority—religion.

“Religion is the traditional means humans chose to survive disasters that couldn’t be understood or dealt with through shallow knowledge. The Church, Al-Yabd, Nirvana…”

The Church’s 58th Saint, Veronica, wagged her finger mockingly.

“Well, there are many other miscellaneous religions too, but they’re not important so let’s skip them. Anyway, among existing religions, there are four powerful groups including the Church.”

Veronica strode across the cathedral corridor.

Inquisition paladins were positioned meticulously wherever her footsteps led.

“And the Church’s Inquisition is the foremost organization for responding to and researching supernatural phenomena and mysteries. They’re excellent at catching both demons and people! Though they’ve certainly been criticized for catching plenty of innocent people.”

Several clergy members passing by lowered their heads and sighed deeply at the saint’s blatant criticism of the Inquisition.

Their faces seemed vaguely familiar, as if I’d seen them a few times in passing. They were probably Inquisition personnel dispatched for the joint investigation.

Despite openly insulting them to their faces, Veronica maintained her bright smile. Her attitude suggested they couldn’t do anything about it anyway.

“Come to think of it, your country has a similar agency, doesn’t it, Major? The Special Investigation Bureau?”

“Yes.”

The Abas Kingdom Special Investigation Bureau. An investigative agency under the Abas Ministry of Justice.

Its name and duties might remind one of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but unlike the police or prosecutors, the Special Investigation Bureau primarily deals with supernatural phenomena and incidents.

“I saw them on the news a few times when Abas was in turmoil over black magic terrorism. I heard they work with foreign organizations like the Imperial Magic Department and the Inquisition. Your company too, of course.”

“It’s counter-terrorism work. So how are we going to catch the demon? Do you have a good method?”

“First, we need to consecrate the weapons you have. While ghosts might be manageable, demons are difficult to handle through conventional methods.”

Veronica decided to consecrate my firearms. The special holy water she had created from sacred relics, holy remains (wrist bones), and the cathedral’s holy water was necessary for this consecration process.

Thud! With a heavy sound, Veronica set down the jar and wiped sweat from her brow.

“Could you disassemble your pistol for a moment?”

“Sure.”

While I was disassembling the pistol, Veronica brought over a silver bowl filled with water.

Trickle, trickle. Pure holy water without a single impurity filled the silver bowl. After looking at the immaculately maintained silver bowl in which her face was reflected, Veronica tossed the disassembled pistol into the holy water.

So this is the consecration I’ve heard about?

As I watched the submerged pistol with curious eyes, Veronica rolled up her sleeves and approached.

“Though it’s a temporary measure, this should be sufficient for dealing with a demon. While it won’t kill it, at least it won’t be able to blatantly ignore your gunfire like before.”

“Is that so? That’s a relief.”

“Since we’re consecrating anyway, let’s do the bullets too. Give me all the bullets you have.”

I took out the magazine from my inner pocket and handed it over. The magazine full of bullets sank into the holy water along with the disassembled pistol.

“Will this work?”

“It may look unimpressive, but it’s quite effective. This is how I caught my first demon too. Even though I used a hunting shotgun for pigeons rather than a military or police gun like this, I was still able to kill the demon.”

Veronica proudly beat her chest as she spoke.

“If you can’t trust the holy water, then trust me.”

“…It’s not the holy water I find untrustworthy.”

“Come on, have some faith. At least you’ve never been disappointed by trusting me, right?”

That’s true.

I’ve never been disappointed because I’ve never trusted her in the first place.

I sighed deeply as I looked at the gun submerged in water. How am I supposed to kill a demon with that?

“Don’t worry.”

Veronica patted my drooping shoulders with a bright smile. Then she added some warm words of comfort.

“What’s the worst that could happen? You’ll just die!”

“Wow, that’s really helpful…”

“Oh, come on. Between us, there’s no need to thank me for such things!”

“……”

I wasn’t thankful at all.

*

After confirming the necromancer’s existence, the Imperial government declared a state of emergency throughout the northern region.

The Magic Department shared the investigation findings with various departments in cooperation with the Inquisition. The Military Government Command began supporting the Inquisition under the Defense Ministry’s orders.

Though small in scale, personnel were dispatched to the rear to assist the Inquisition. Information collected by the Military Government and supplies from central headquarters gradually began to arrive. According to an Imperial Army executive who attended the meeting presided over by Military Governor Mikhail, both the command and the military were closely monitoring the situation. The generals seemed quite displeased by the sudden appearance of unwelcome visitors.

“Now, brothers and sisters. Everyone, pay attention.”

The Inquisition forces, having received substantial support, followed Veronica’s orders, which were authorized by the State Council.

With my help, she secured cooperation from Military Governor Mikhail and dispatched personnel throughout the north to search for missing persons and track any traces the demon might have left if it had fled.

“Do we have enough talismans in stock?”

“Yes, Saint.”

“Then install talismans throughout the city according to the soldiers’ guidance. For areas outside the city like plains, mountains, and rivers that are difficult to cover with talismans, use other methods of surveillance.”

Sacred objects and holy relics. The Church spared no resources.

Although Saint Balthasar’s remains, which Veronica had boiled despite the cathedral priests’ vehement objections, were not used in the investigation, it was decided that they would be used again after thorough examination confirmed no issues with the holy relics.

“Hmm. You say the demon fled? A cunning creature indeed.”

“Archbishop. I won’t waste words. Tell me everything that comes to mind right now.”

“If that is your wish, Saint. I shall certainly tell you.”

Archbishop Theodosius, a former exorcist and theology professor serving as an advisor to the investigation, assessed that the demon had likely fled somewhere. However, he added that it probably couldn’t have gone far due to its injuries.

While the search for missing persons and tracking investigations were underway, Veronica decided to reinstate Lucia, who had been under disciplinary action, back to duty.

This was praised as a strong expression of determination to finally eradicate the demon, but in reality, she simply felt sorry for her sister who was cooped up in seclusion.

She hugged Lucia tightly like a family reunion, saying “My poor sister, have you been through a lot? There, there,” and I still vividly remember Lucia struggling to breathe with her face buried in Veronica’s chest.

“Are you conscious?”

“Ah, uh, ah.”

“She’s lost her mind. What should we do, Veronica?”

“Major, go fetch a bucket of cold water. One splash and she’ll jump right up.”

Anyway.

With this, the Church had roughly completed its preparations to defeat the demon. Inquisitors and paladins, two saints, clergy and monks ready to transport and treat the wounded if necessary. Similarly, the Empire had begun preparations. The Defense Ministry, Magic Department, and police were planning to dispatch personnel to the north.

Additionally, the Military Government Command deployed large forces to excavate the collapsed underground cavern. They seemed intent on confirming the deaths of the necromancer and demon, investigating the scene to devise more definitive countermeasures.

In particular, their quick response upon receiving information about how Muspel was “summoned” suggested they were wary of undead or hellish monsters emerging in densely populated areas. Given that previously unknown Military Government Command executives were contacting me at the cathedral, it seemed the situation had become urgent.

However, amid all the bustling preparations for the coming conflict in the north, there were those who remained silent without any particular reaction.

They were the wizards of the Magic Tower.