Ch.52The Heretic and the Apostate – 1

Following the droplets of blood, a distorted circle formed on the roadside. The blood was flowing from the hands of a dark silhouette.

More precisely, it was flowing from something held in both hands.

With the sunset burning orange behind it, the silhouette’s falling blood droplets took on an even more grotesque hue.

A sound like something being dragged across the ground could be heard. The source was obvious—the kind of noise made by whatever was in Christine’s grasp scraping against the ground.

The massive magic circle that had been glowing brightly vanished in an instant, scattering like dust. It seemed to have detected murderous intent or hostility.

Considering that it was a magic circle Charlotte had personally laid down, there was no need to confirm who the approaching silhouette was.

Christine.

The sound of Charlotte grinding her teeth could be heard. With Christine’s arrival, Charlotte’s options were extremely limited, so her frustration was understandable.

She could either escape through teleportation magic or stand far away watching Serena and Christine fight.

Either choice was unacceptable to the proud Charlotte.

Serena stepped forward.

Though she couldn’t surround herself with mana, couldn’t use physical enhancement, and wasn’t wearing the royal knights’ armor, Serena was the only one who could somewhat match Christine.

Serena herself probably knew this well. That’s why she voluntarily stepped forward.

Whether the emotion Serena was feeling now was superiority over Charlotte or anger toward Christine was unclear.

As Christine’s figure drew closer, the identity of what was being dragged along the ground became clear.

It was a human spine, the blood not yet fully congealed. Christine was gripping the tail end of the spine while dragging the head portion toward us.

Blood dripped ceaselessly from the jagged protrusions of the spine. The scalp being dragged along the ground had been torn completely, leaving a long trail of blood behind it.

Judging by its condition, the victim hadn’t been dead for long.

From the blood-soaked garter belt that was originally white, the red blood flowing from brown hair, and the nun’s habit damp with unidentifiable fluids, it wasn’t difficult to deduce what Christine had done.

At the very least, it was clear she had committed this act in this city.

The distance between Christine and me grew shorter. Now I could even see what expression she wore.

Ecstasy. That was all. Her purpose was now clear. Whatever she had done—whether killing a thousand people somewhere or something else—it was ultimately to meet me.

Suddenly, our eyes met. Realizing I was looking at her, Christine’s lips spread into a smile that seemed about to tear.

Seeing that smile, Serena assumed a combat stance. Charlotte also seemed about to draw a magic circle, but apparently blocked by mana nullification again, she bit her lower lip with a frustrated expression.

Christine abruptly fell to her knees.

“Ah, my God! My Lord! This lost lamb dares to approach before you!”

Her booming voice echoed across the plaza. Serena and Charlotte immediately frowned. It was the reaction of people who had heard something they shouldn’t have. Christine continued regardless.

“Though I am unworthy, I bring an offering to my God! Please guide this little lamb! Lead me! Illuminate your brilliant light before me, drive away the darkness with your bright dawn—this is what this little lamb earnestly desires and wishes!”

With those words, Christine bowed her head deeply and extended both hands forward. The spine she had been holding was presented.

The head was a mess, and the skin that had been dragged along the ground was completely torn and frayed, exposing bone.

The expression, frozen in agony, indicated that the sacrifice had been alive until the spine was pulled out.

Where the eyes should have been were empty sockets. Traces of blood that had flowed like tears could be seen in the reddish hollow cavities.

The acrid smell of blood spread across the central plaza. Christine remained motionless in her posture of offering the sacrifice to me.

The blade of the World Eater trembled despite not being infused with mana. It seemed that Serena and Christine would clash soon, whether I intervened or not.

“Christine.”

“Speak, my Lord.”

“Why are you here?”

“I have come to see your divine countenance and have words to deliver.”

“You came because you have something to say to me? Not because you killed another thousand people?”

“That is correct, my Lord. Though my abilities are trivial and insignificant, and I could not offer a thousand sacrifices to you, I have prepared this small and humble offering instead. Please accept it.”

Where did the idea come from that, unable to bring offerings, she would pull out a human spine and bring that instead?

Even I couldn’t understand Christine’s mental world. No, the moment one tries to understand Christine, any ordinary person would go mad along with her.

“That offering—”

“Do not concern yourself.”

Christine spoke as if she had been waiting for me to express such concern.

“I have merely killed a human who deserved death. Every hair, every fingernail—all of them looked upon me, the instrument of God, with lustful eyes. I plucked out those eyes and crushed them, giving them a chance for forgiveness as an offering to God. So, this lamb humbly asks that you set aside your concerns.”

With her head still bowed, I couldn’t see what expression Christine was making.

But I could guess. She was probably smiling brightly, sincerely believing that through her actions, two souls had been saved.

Serena spoke as if she had seen enough.

“My lord. That woman is nothing but a madwoman. There’s no need to listen further.”

“Though I dislike you just as much, I must agree with that crude opinion this time. I feel the same, my lord. What need is there to listen further to that madwoman’s words?”

The unprecedented sight of Serena and Charlotte agreeing with each other was unfolding before my eyes.

I looked at Christine, who had accomplished this remarkable feat, with bitter eyes. I had hoped they would stop fighting, but not like this.

However, I still hadn’t heard Christine’s purpose for coming here.

Christine said she came not because she had offered a thousand sacrifices, but because she had something to say, so hearing that was the priority.

Just as I was about to ask what this message was—

“However, my Lord.”

Christine’s voice turned cold.

Slowly, her head lifted and her eyes faced forward. Those eyes, which until now had been full of ecstasy and praise for me, now contained deep darkness.

“Why do I see infidels beside my God, trying to seduce you with their rotten tongues, shaking their foul bodies and spreading pus everywhere?”

“…What?”

“Why is the divine halo of God, which should shine brighter than the sun in the sky, defiled by these filthy creatures?”

“Are you planning to fight here—”

“Ah, yes. Of course, that must be it.”

Christine rose unsteadily. She wasn’t listening to me at all.

“Since you are faultless, perfect and immortal. Why would my God be beside such filthy things? Your little lamb, this Christine, has clearly understood.”

“Christine, calm down and listen—”

“Please, please wait just a moment.”

Christine gently set down the dripping spine as if it were a treasure.

Her eyes, like deep abysses, faced directly this way. They weren’t looking at me, but were filled with hatred toward Serena and Charlotte beside me.

Serena spread her legs slightly wider than shoulder width. It was a clear signal for combat. The tip of the World Eater was pointed at Christine.

Simultaneously, the ground beneath Charlotte and me glowed blue. It was a teleportation magic circle.

Charlotte ground her teeth with an unwilling expression, but she had no other choice.

Magical attacks would never work on Christine, so all she could do was try to escape with me like this.

Christine began walking with staggering steps, filled with terrible hatred and bottomless darkness.

“After dealing with those filthy infidels and heretics, I will come before God and bow my head.”