Ch.345345. Blasphemy (5)

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Basically, Sera is a multi-route game, so there are many variables determining what the final boss will be.

In other words, there are several candidates for that position.

The Sacred Body is final boss-level on its own, and the Pope is also final boss-level on his own. The destructive power of the two combined would be beyond words.

“…The Holy Empire worshipped this thing as a savior?”

Gideon, who had tossed aside his robe as if it were cumbersome, asked with a puzzled expression.

It wasn’t just that its appearance was grotesque.

Anyone could see at a glance that beyond its appearance, there was something strange about attaching the title of “savior” to it.

“It seems like its purpose is solely focused on… ‘killing’ things.”

“Well, they created it with the purpose of purifying the earth and whatnot.”

True to those words, the waves periodically emanating from the Sacred Body are extraordinary. They contain a dense energy that pulverizes everything in their path.

It somewhat resembles the blue demonic energy that Riru disperses, but unlike Riru who clearly uses it as an ability, this thing seems to be constantly and widely scattering it around without effort.

Not something that requires any effort on its part, more like a passive ability that comes standard.

What’s even more frightening is.

“…That thing hasn’t even fully revived yet.”

“…”

At my words, I heard someone gulping.

Anyone would have a similar reaction upon hearing that something casually emitting power comparable to demonic energy wasn’t even at full strength yet.

“Then shouldn’t we kill the… ‘power source’ over there before it fully revives?”

Gideon said, glaring at the Pope embedded in the center of the Sacred Body.

With his severed body positioned at the center of the Sacred Body, surrounded by a “membrane,” he clearly resembles a vital organ like a heart.

However, I have to stop him first.

“That solution isn’t as simple as it seems.”

“…What do you mean?”

“That thing is probably in a state of interaction with the Sacred Body right now.”

In other words, attacking them separately won’t result in the Pope dying separately and the Sacred Body dying separately—they likely share the same HP value.

Simply killing just the Pope as a strategy is nonsensical. A direct approach is the only answer.

[And you’re going to do that in 5 minutes?]

‘When a person makes a promise, they should keep it.’

[…]

I said I’d finish it while eating. So I need to end it within that time.

[No, how are you going to defeat something that obviously won’t die easily in 5 minutes using a direct approach?]

‘I said a direct approach is the only method, but I never said I’d use a direct approach.’

[…Are you playing word games with me now?]

‘No, if something doesn’t work, you have to make it work.’

[…]

To me, that Pope embedded in the body feels more like a malignant tumor than a heart.

And malignant tumors are meant to be removed.

“I’ve prepared for this situation.”

“…Is there anything you haven’t prepared for?”

Ignoring Lucien’s muttering, I rummage through my pockets.

Despite his words, he looks expectant since I’ve never failed to provide solutions to problems so far.

“…What is that?”

But that expectation turned to bewilderment as soon as he saw what I pulled out.

In my hand are short sticks.

They’re slightly different in length, but the sticks themselves have no special abilities.

I arrange them in my hand so they appear to be of similar height, and hold them out to the humans nearby.

“Please draw one each.”

“…”

“The person who draws the shortest one wins.”

“What’s the point of this…?”

“It’s a drawing of lots.”

Suddenly, what’s with this drawing of lots?

Has this guy finally lost his mind?

Such gazes converged on me, but I ignored them and expressed irritation.

“Come on, hurry up.”

If we waste time, the Pope and the Sacred Body will completely fuse, making things more troublesome.

At my urging, Gideon, Lucien, and Yuria reluctantly approached and each took one of the sticks I had prepared.

The winner is.

“…Hmm.”

Gideon stroked his chin as he examined the stick that was clearly shorter than the others.

“So, what exactly do I need to do?”

How should I explain this?

“It’s like, you know, when you’re removing a tumor, you need to, um, inject substances to accurately identify its location…”

“…I’d appreciate if you could explain in a way I can understand.”

Gideon calmly said this as I struggled to explain, but in truth, this is extremely difficult to explain.

The task itself is simple. But getting this person to accept it is…

“…You don’t need to overthink it.”

Gideon spoke calmly, seeing me clearly struggling to find the right words.

“I’m already prepared to do whatever it takes to kill that thing.”

Hmm.

If he puts it that way.

Sighing, I tell Gideon exactly what he needs to do.

“…You want me to actually do that?”

“…”

Come on.

You just said you could do anything.

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I feel omnipotent power.

I feel the voice of God, the will of angels. Power more than sufficient to fulfill his purpose of eliminating the impurities filling the world and reestablishing it with only the pure and innocent!

As he felt the density of supernatural power flowing into him through the Sacred Body, the Pope’s mind was filled with exaltation.

But separate from that.

Another part of his mind was boiling with rage.

‘This body shouldn’t have been awakened like this…!’

If he had used the Homunculus sisters as fuel and devoured all the Demonic Vessels to maximize its output, he would have been several times, dozens of times stronger than this imperfect fusion.

He must make them pay for this!

Perhaps that’s why he’s moving much more aggressively than before.

-…

While it couldn’t be said that its movements were fast due to the incomplete body, the overwhelming power imbued in that body moved with heavy thuds.

In response, attacks came from the opposing side. The combination that had cut him in half with a single blow despite his desperate efforts had formed again.

Holy power, demonic energy, and a slash containing unfathomable power.

But.

‘-How foolish!’

Although it was the attack that had torn him to shreds before, he sneered and faced it head-on.

The part of the Sacred Body that formed the “face” opened its mouth. And it casually “devoured” the attack.

“…?!”

“What…?!”

The Pope inwardly smiled with satisfaction as he heard the shocked voices from his opponents.

It seems even they couldn’t have imagined this outcome.

Far from taking damage, the attack they created was absorbed directly into the Sacred Body, actually increasing its power.

It’s understandable that their morale would be crushed upon seeing this.

All supernatural power flowing in this world is merely prey for this Sacred Body, and simply by making contact, it is “purified” and converted into energy that increases the Sacred Body’s power.

The very act of “attacking” only serves to increase our power. It’s not just a matter of offense and defense becoming one—it’s an ability that renders the very act of combat meaningless!

[Why don’t you try fighting a little harder?]

Though it would only benefit us.

The Pope sneered and moved the Sacred Body again.

What followed was just the same pattern of battle.

The opponent attacks. The Sacred Body receives it and absorbs it as its own energy.

It’s almost embarrassingly one-sided. This is nothing more than him toying with them.

It’s impossible to approach closely due to the waves constantly emanating, and all attacks from a distance are absorbed.

Seeing the opponent’s expression as they’re pushed into a defensive position is almost thrilling.

“…?”

Of course, he never imagined they would do something like this despite being on the defensive.

‘…What is this intention?’

The Pope thought as he watched Gideon, who had drawn his sword and was approaching.

Has he given up in the face of this hopeless situation? It looks like he’s trying to close the distance to deliver some decisive blow, even at the cost of his body being partially torn apart.

Such arrogance will only lead to consequences.

The Pope moved the Sacred Body with a sinister smile. The mouth part of the face opened again, this time moving directly toward Gideon rather than absorbing an attack.

Not just supernatural power—the Sacred Body can easily convert “organisms” into energy as well.

A human of this caliber would make quite useful nourishment.

Whatever attack he launches, ignore it and devour him whole—

“…?”

The Pope, about to continue that thought, stared with a dumbfounded expression at Gideon charging toward him.

That’s right.

“…I’ll make you pay for this later, son-in-law-!”

Gideon.

This human with monstrous swordsmanship.

Anyone would have the same reaction seeing him being swallowed into the Sacred Body without any resistance.

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