Ch.45I don’t know about priests these days.

# 1. Eclipse

Eclipse.

Those who willingly swore to become shadows to obscure the Empire’s sun.

Because they hated the Emperor,

Because they loved slaughter too much,

Because they were shadows from the beginning, and so on.

Among those who became Eclipse for their own reasons, only seven became executives.

The selection criterion was solely power.

Seven beings, ranked based on survival of the fittest, sat around the round table.

The first to speak was the second-ranked among the Seven Calamities, “The Calamity of December.”

“It was excessive.”

A deep, gravelly voice.

“Even if it was Gardner’s domain, even if all the Light was staying there, releasing all the ‘Hounds’ was excessive.”

The ‘Hounds’ December referred to were assassins raised by Eclipse. It seemed he was displeased that all of them had been deployed for this “Usurpation of the Celestial Shield” operation.

As if to counter his words, a husky voice came from the fourth seat.

“Why, are you upset because you personally raised them?”

“…Of course not.”

“Right? No matter how carefully you nurture them, not all become beautiful flowers.”

Looking at the second seat, the woman in the fourth seat, “The Calamity of Blooming Flowers,” smirked and added:

“The Hounds are trash. Good if they succeed, and if not, perfect for blaming the Emperor—disposable garbage.”

Twitch.

The Calamity of December unconsciously furrowed his brow and turned toward the fourth seat.

“I agree. The weak are trash. Especially those who only criticize their inferiors while cowering before their superiors.”

“Hmm? Strange, why do you feel so targeted?”

Crack,

Crack crack.

Even with this brief exchange, the chamber shook and stone dust fell from above.

“A weak dog is barking.”

“I didn’t know you had such tastes.”

BOOM!

From the collision of their energies, the corner of the round table was sliced off and bounced against the wall.

As if that wasn’t enough, when the table itself was about to split in half—

“Aaaah, stop it!”

With a clear voice filled with fear, the table was neatly repaired.

“It’s started, you know!”

It was the sixth seat, the Calamity of False Belief.

Clap!

The boy who clapped his hands together spread them wide, and a screen appeared in midair.

It showed the Gardner Count’s mansion.

-Kyaaaah!!

-In-intruders are attacking!!

-What!? Could it be those Black Wolf bastards!!?

-…Oh shit.

The scene showed one hundred Hounds attacking the mansion, entangled with people.

The front line caused chaos, while the rear line had circled around and climbed the mansion.

Watching their systematic movements, the Calamity of Blooming Flowers in the fourth seat snorted.

“They’re useful, aren’t they?”

It was exactly as she said.

Despite the presence of the hero party—the Light, Gardner’s warriors and mercenaries, and exceptional knights and mages among the attendees.

-Entering.

CRASH!

The leader of the Hounds had broken into the lord’s office in one breath and was unlocking the safe containing the “Celestial Shield.”

“Impressive, isn’t it? I heard you were a Grand Master in the Eastern Empire—seems that was true.”

“……”

“Seeing you silent, I guess you’re feeling better. While we’re at it, why don’t you teach me something too? Grand Master of the East, December.”

“Me too! I want to learn too!”

Just as the Seven Calamities were starting to chatter in the now-relaxed atmosphere—

-…Damn it.

A curse was heard from the screen.

The reason being that the “Celestial Shield” they had targeted was gone.

In the suddenly chilled atmosphere, Blooming Flowers unconsciously muttered:

“…We’re in trouble.”

Immediately after.

RUMBLE…!!!

An overwhelming pressure, incomparable to the previous impact, erupted from the highest seat.

CRACK!

SHATTER!

CRUNCH, SNAP!

The round table split, the ceiling collapsed, and the six Calamities crumbled beneath it.

Under the pressure that barely kept them from dying, a man standing alone spoke briefly:

“Find the Saint and kill her.”

A clean abandonment.

And the simultaneous start of the next plan.

The six Calamities, bowing their heads to Destruction in the first seat, quickly fled the place.

Left alone, Destruction continued to stare at the screen for a long time before muttering:

“…Black Wolf.”

Could it be your doing again?

If so,

“【Failed children, you too are seeds of calamity.】”

We’ll meet soon enough.

On the screen, the Calamities began to rampage.

# 2.

It’s unfair.

I had just recovered after accidentally taking Hestia’s knife when she fell, and that was just moments ago.

“Kyaaaah!!”

“In-intruders are attacking!!”

“What!? Could it be those Black Wolf bastards!!?”

Before I could even change my blood-stained clothes, Eclipse’s attack began.

And that’s not all.

After I pretended to be fine and comforted her like a broad-minded priest—

“This way, miss!!”

“Ah! W-wait!! That person, that person too!!”

“If they are indeed Black Wolf, your safety takes priority, miss!!”

“Let go, Uncle Rohan!! Priest!! Prieeeeest…!!”

They took Hestia to safety while leaving me all alone.

“…Oh shit.”

Yeah, I understand.

If these attackers are Black Wolf responding to provocation, they’ll target those related to Gardner first, so I understand prioritizing Hestia.

Especially since she can’t even walk, and she’s the girl who protected you all from Black Wolf, so I understand the attachment.

But still…

“…?”

“……”

You could have cleared at least one out of my way.

Then again, I couldn’t introduce myself as a benefactor, and with these shabby clothes, it’s natural I’d be pushed to the back of the line.

“…A priest? A free priest?”

“Is that important in this situation?”

“Of course. Priests are burned to death, while free priests are torn to pieces.”

“Whoa. You’re passionate… No, I should say you’re forceful with me.”

“So you’re a free priest.”

This is going too far.

Nahan pondered.

‘What can I do?’

Right now, I’m Ian Red.

According to my setting, I have a weak power that only allows me to determine life or death by touching someone’s possessions.

So I can’t use the powers of Black Wolf or Yellow Dragon.

Of course, if there was no surveillance, I could use them secretly and then turn them off, but—

‘I heard in the carriage. Hero Selena is monitoring the entire Gardner County.’

I didn’t ask for details, so I’m not sure to what extent, but given that things have been quiet so far, it seems she can’t detect disguise artifacts.

But if I use my power?

‘I’d obviously be discovered.’

My heart was racing so much from her piercing gaze in the carriage.

So back to square one.

‘So what can I do?’

Despite various efforts due to his weak bestowed power, “Ian Red,” who had fallen away from the church to become a free priest—

What can he really do?

As survival instinct gradually surged through his body—

“Are you afraid? Afraid of being torn to pieces?”

“……”

“Hehehe, yes, you must be afraid.”

Lick.

The ruffian who licked the blade of his longsword approached Nahan with a sneer.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tear out your screaming tongue last.”

Oh, how kind.

Thanks to that, Nahan, whose tongue was spared, pretended to be tense, swallowed, and casually asked:

“Are you people Black Wolf?”

“……”

“What’s your purpose! What purpose do you have for attacking, I’m asking!”

“……”

Nothing but silence.

Despite his stupid-sounding voice, he seemed well-trained.

Still, it wasn’t without gain. While retreating slowly as he questioned the man, Nahan checked his status window.

【Name: Kilson】

-Alias: Kilkilson.

-Rank: C+ (Aura user)

-Information: A low-ranking member of the “Hounds” under the second seat of the Seven Calamities, “The Calamity of December.” He was the leader of the E-rank mercenary group Kilson Mercenaries before being recruited by Eclipse. He favors longswords and has a habit of licking blood.

*Occasionally cuts his tongue.

A C+ rank former mercenary.

Sword Expert Beginner – Mastery level, and he uses aura too.

Both Black Wolf and Yellow Dragon are Ex-rank, and most of the artifacts I’m wearing are transcendent class.

Though I can’t use most of them because of Selena’s surveillance, I can preserve my life if I’m willing to erase the persona of “Ian Red.”

Black Wolf’s skills,

Yellow Dragon’s skills,

The regenerative power of Iaso’s ring.

None of these match “Ian Red’s” abilities, and even Vulcanus’s ring only increases magic resistance, so it’s useless.

Using the Celestial Shield would also risk being discovered by the Gardner family, so essentially I have no option but hand-to-hand combat.

Even that would mean facing a C-rank swordsman as an ordinary person.

‘…Escape?’

Obviously impossible.

Since he uses aura, the difference between us would be like that between a child and an adult.

In such a situation,

…Thud.

His retreating footsteps stopped at a recessed part of the mansion that resembled an alley.

“Oh dear, nowhere left to run?”

Kilson smirked and shrugged.

He had known all along.

That Nahan’s retreat would end at this place surrounded on three sides.

“Hehehe, how should I kill you?”

The vile smile of a predator facing cornered prey.

But he didn’t know.

“Try hard.”

“…What?”

“I said try hard to kill me.”

It was Nahan, not him, who had chosen this place with its fortress-like structure surrounded on three sides, free from outside view.

-Your talent is survival instinct.

The talent that the Black Dragon faction’s big brother had discovered in Nahan was survival instinct, but before that—

-Not fighting?

-…That’s also correct.

It was definitely fighting.

Come to think of it, Nahan had never lost a fight in his previous life.

The reason being,

【<Demon Sword Necklace (A+)> activates.】

【”Covet it! Then it shall be mine!”】

【<Kilson (C+)>’s aura is given <Restriction> instead of <Plunder>!】

【The target’s aura is sealed for 10 minutes!】

If his opponent was a human on equal footing with him,

“I’m always stronger.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kilson’s aura was restricted, and he stopped abruptly and asked:

“You…!! What the hell did you do!?”

“If you’re curious, come closer and put your ear here.”

So I can bite it off.

Nahan vs. Kilson match.

“I’ll ask after I kill you!!!”

“Go ahead.”

Battle begins.

# 3.

SWOOSH!

The sound of wind splitting at high speed tore around Tehelan Gardner.

His destination was the back garden.

Although the Light and warriors were dealing with the attackers, it was somewhat strange for the head of the family to head to the back garden rather than the front yard where the battle was raging.

But he had no choice.

-Please!! If it weren’t for Ian Red, I would have died!!

He had heard that the benefactor who saved his daughter had been left alone.

Swish.

Even while running hard, Tehelan surveyed his surroundings.

Most of the attackers were Sword Expert Advanced, meaning A-rank skilled individuals.

They specialized in assassination and combat against humans, not something a priest—especially a free priest with weak bestowed powers—could face alone.

Hestia’s abduction,

Two attacks,

The loss of the Celestial Shield.

On top of all that, if “Ian Red” died and he failed to repay his debt—

‘How far will Gardner fall?’

As Tehelan, growing increasingly anxious, arrived at the back garden—

SMACK!

THWACK!!

A gruesome sound of flesh being beaten drew him in.

“Damn it!!”

How terrible that these people with custom weapons were trying to beat someone to death!

Grip.

His hands tightened around his massive shield and short hand axe.

‘I’ll kill you with one blow.’

The moment his target came into view, the hand axe that had been with him his entire life would split the bastard’s head.

As he made this resolution and the obscured area came into view, Tehelan involuntarily blurted out:

“…Huh?”

And for good reason,

“You! Fucking! Bastard! Why! Do! You! Keep! Giggling!! Like that!!!”

“……”

“Laugh!! Again!! You, fucking!! Bastard!!!”

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

The man with all the characteristics his daughter had described was, in fact, beating what was clearly one of the attackers, again and again.

“…I don’t understand priests these days.”

Had combat priests become a thing?

But his observation didn’t last long.

-【Failed children, you too are seeds of calamity.】

An ominous energy began to erupt from various parts of the Gardner Count’s mansion.