Ch.344344. Blasphemy (4)

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‘Bending’ is actually a very simple action when explained in words.

A strike using a line. Bisecting whatever lies in its trajectory.

A swordsman’s skill is about how far one can push this concept to its limits.

By that measure.

Gideon’s strike, though it might be disrespectful to say this about the Sword Saint outside…

Truly deserved the title of a sword saint.

-…

-…!!

Everything caught between point and point is torn away.

I already knew that attacks delivered by humans who had reached sainthood were conceptual in their power, but this still makes me dizzy.

All traces of his previously relaxed attitude gone, I see the Pope hurriedly grabbing his ritual tool and raising holy power.

An immense holy power, like a rising tidal wave, quickly forms a golden shield.

Sacred Domain. One of the highest-tier priest skills usable in the game. As befitting its status, its power is straightforward.

Invincibility for a certain period. It blocks everything.

Physical, magical, holy, elemental—it stops everything. A completely broken skill.

As if that weren’t enough, the other acolytes nearby throw themselves forward, volunteering as human shields.

Of course, each of these guys, handpicked by the Pope, has enough skill to protect themselves. Dozens of fairly powerful holy shields, though not as strong as the Pope’s, rise to the front.

And all of them.

-…!

Are torn apart by the slash.

Smoothly. Lightly, as if resistance didn’t even exist.

‘-Insane.’

Even as an observer, I’m breaking out in a cold sweat at such power.

This is no joke—I’d die if I got hit by that too.

Previously, Elnore had shown several instances of incredible sword strikes with pure physical specs, but those relied heavily on her physical capabilities.

That power came from the physical enhancement provided by hosting the Grey Demon, an anomalous existence—not necessarily from sword technique itself.

But Gideon is…

Fundamentally, an ordinary human.

Of course, as the current head of a renowned swordsmanship family, he must have various methods to strengthen his body, but he’s a human who has never been entangled with anomalous existences like demons.

And yet.

To reach such extremes through pure technique, producing attacks like this…

“…”

It’s awe-inspiring.

I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of effort it took to reach this level.

“…Wow.”

I notice Yuria letting out a quiet exclamation of admiration.

Despite being the Vessel of the White Demon and using the Severer, she clearly has never seen a sword strike like this before.

The slash cut through everything in its path, split the Pope in two, and continued on, leaving a long aftermath that cleared out the building behind—enough to make anyone’s jaw drop.

-…

And a heavy silence fell inside the bunker where that slash had passed through.

The Pope’s acolytes were completely bisected, and even the Pope’s body, which had stubbornly survived until now, was lying quietly on the floor.

“Is… is it over?”

Just as the Holy Maiden said that, I panicked and smacked the back of Lucien’s head.

“…”

Lucien turned to look at me with a dumbfounded expression, tears welling up in his eyes, looking utterly pitiful.

But it was already too late.

-…

A bright light leaks from the Pope’s severed body. And simultaneously, the sacred body being “cultivated” in the back begins to twitch.

Then, the same type of light that’s coming from the Pope’s body starts leaking from it as well.

As if resonating with the Pope’s dead body, the light from the sacred body and the light from the severed body intertwine chaotically.

Seeing this, I shout in frustration:

“…Just like a Holy Maiden, casting a resurrection spell!”

“What on earth are you talking about?!”

That’s a thing!

[…But he doesn’t seem particularly surprised for someone who’s been resurrected?]

‘To be honest, I didn’t think we could finish him in one go.’

I was thinking it would be a bit disappointing if he went down this easily.

In the game, he’s originally a 5-phase boss fight. He’s the closest thing to a final boss.

But even I’ve never seen this pattern where he combines with the sacred body.

[…You knew that and still hit the Holy Maiden on the back of the head?]

‘We can sort out the trivial stuff later!’

Cutting off that side conversation, I focus on the scene before me.

The Pope’s body, completely transformed into light particles, slowly flows into the sacred body.

-…

Eventually.

-…!

As if powered by it, the sacred body begins to twitch and move.

It didn’t take long for it to break out of the “cocoon” where it was being cultivated.

-!!

Then, as an ear-splitting scream erupts from the sacred body, I can’t help but furrow my brow intensely.

It’s, how should I put it…

“Delusion” would be the most fitting description.

It has the form of a newborn baby.

It could have been called that if not for the stretched skin, limbs that haven’t properly formed, and chunks of flesh hanging all over its body.

It’s a horrific sight, making it ridiculous that anyone would call this a sacred body.

[This body… will never… die-!]

“…Ugh…”

I notice Lucien barely managing to stop himself from retching by covering his mouth. Yuria too is watching with a face turned deathly pale.

Probably because, according to the Pope’s original plan, Yuria and Lucien would have been used as power sources for “that thing.” They can’t help but feel instinctive disgust and revulsion.

So…

“Holy Maiden. Do you remember the promise I made before?”

I should try to boost their morale a bit here.

“…What are you suddenly bringing up in this situation…?”

Lucien responded with a bewildered voice, but I felt like if I didn’t say it now, I wouldn’t get another chance.

“I promised to free you from the Pope’s grasp and let you live a human life. Didn’t I promise that from the beginning?”

“…”

“I intend to keep that promise. Now it’s your turn to claim it with your own hands.”

As I say this to the Holy

“…You’re in no position to act cool right now.”

“I prefer to deliver retribution personally. But you’re right, this is a bit awkward.”

I’ve heard that dealing with people is always about praise and rewards.

So let me offer an appropriate reward here.

“If we successfully defeat this creature, I’ll promise you up to two.”

“…What?”

“I’m saying I’ll have up to two children with either you or Yuria.”

“…”

“For any more than that, I’ll need to consult with the others.”

“…”

I can feel Lucien and Yuria looking at me with contemptuous gazes, as if they’ve heard something they shouldn’t have.

“…How did I ever fall for someone like this?”

“I have no solution for that either, sister.”

Hmm.

I heard them muttering something about me, but I’ll let it slide.

They seem much less tense than before, so this should be enough.

[This body… will never die…!]

“That’s something we’ll have to test.”

I set my watch.

I definitely told Bogart to go eat something before we came to kill the Pope. I said I’d kill him and be back before he finished eating.

To keep that promise accurately, I probably need to…

“Finish this in 5 minutes.”

Pope strategy, phase 2.

Kill him within 300 seconds, starting now.

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“…So.”

Elia said, sweating profusely.

Though they hadn’t fought even once yet, just restraining Elnore as Darwood had instructed was proving to be an enormous task.

Even now, she was tightly hugging Elnore’s waist, trying to calm her down as she kept attempting to rush out.

“The teacher told us to wait here, you insufferable human…!”

“Just a moment, just a very brief moment to check the situation. Hmm? I’m not saying I’ll cause trouble.”

“Anyone can see you’re about to cause trouble…!”

Who would believe someone with a face possessed by evil spirits saying they just want to do some “reconnaissance”?

“We don’t know how the enemy will appear, so please stay put! If you go berserk in some strange place without the teacher’s instructions—”

Elia’s sentence was abruptly cut off.

Probably because she detected another “presence” nearby.

Very similar to what she handles.

“-Hup!”

Still embracing Elnore’s waist, she quickly rolled to the side.

Simultaneously, a sword, still in its scabbard, swung through the space where they had just been.

Though it was just a probing attack, the “purity” contained within it made even Elia catch her breath for a moment.

“-Hmm.”

And.

The person who had suddenly launched that attack—the Luminary—stroked the sword he had just swung with a sigh.

“I’ve still got it. Even a rotten croaker is still a croaker. You dodged that?”

“…”

Elia narrowed her eyes and looked in that direction.

‘…The teacher didn’t mention that they might move first?’

Something strange is happening.

Even Elnore, who had been causing a commotion until just now, seems to have calmed down at the sight of the opponent.

At least, she’s not foolish enough to cause chaos with an enemy right in front of her.

“…Student Council President.”

“Mm.”

“…I really don’t want to say this, but shall we cooperate for a moment?”

“I really don’t want to agree either, but.”

Elnore replied curtly.

“Let’s try to get along just this once.”

As soon as she gave that answer.

The Luminary raised a strange smile on his face.

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