Chapter 22. Prayer and Salvation (8)

I galloped across the green plains, or rather, the once-green plains, with the flag in one hand and the horse.

It’s a romantic scene, if you consider it romantic. In fact, I felt a little exhilarated.

The view swaying up and down was a bit dizzying, but the sound of hooves pounding the ground… was different from the sound of wheels rolling.

Don Quixote. Yes. Suddenly, I felt like Don Quixote from the story.

Far away, I saw a giant with four arms. It had no head. I couldn’t even tell where its eyes were.

Don Quixote’s opponent was ultimately a windmill, but surely Don Quixote must have seen such a sight.

He’s an amazing person.

Regardless of what others said, he ran to follow his own definition. Well, Cervantes might have created him to mock such a person.

And then, the rain began to pour.

The sound of cannons wasn’t a pleasant sound like those heard in movies.

It was an unpleasant sound, as if the sky was being torn apart. Even I, running to the sound of hooves, could feel it – the sound of the air vibrating.

Soon, I heard a white explosion from afar. That sound was different from the tearing sound, a bit smaller.

It’s not a simple explosion. I heard it was a projectile that used some kind of repulsive force, a combination of magic power and holy power.

The projectile, exploding in mid-air, didn’t scatter fragments like other projectiles. Of course, fragments would fly, but by themselves, they couldn’t completely defeat the demonic creatures swarming from below like a broken dam.

The true power of the projectile came from that white light.

The projectile fell slowly. Leaving behind a dazzlingly bright illumination-

But that’s not just illumination.

Soon, screams were heard. Cries of agony like those of souls suffering in hellfire.

The area beneath the small sun was burning.

It would be difficult for demonic creatures to survive under that light made of holy power.

“You-!”

I heard a shout from afar.

It was a very ugly… a monster too difficult to describe in words. It had four legs, and its body was swollen and fat.

Such a thing was shouting at me.

And I knew that it wasn’t a ‘demonic creature’.

“Ria.”

“Got it.”

Ria replied, then drew her sword.

As she raised her sword high into the sky, its light shot upwards like a blade.

Ria thrust the sword forward, like a knight charging with a lance in a jousting match. A white lance made of holy power shot out in front of the white horse.

“All troops, charge!”

Verena shouted. The knights’ response was heard.

The formation narrowed. Ria, I, and a few other knights moved forward, forming a wedge-like shape.

It’s a formation that defies common sense. Normally, a ‘hammer’ needs an ‘anvil’, doesn’t it?

But this time, we had to become the anvil itself. A moving anvil. Because we couldn’t go around them.

White light burst from the sky again. A hole was created among the demonic creatures, which were already swarming like the tide without formation. If that dense mass was a formation, the hole in between would be fatal. The enemy would become like a sponge, and would be cut off as they were pushed into our attack.

Some demonic creatures passed us by entirely. It seemed the demons were trying to control them somehow, but the white-burning lights seemed to have cut off even their communication.

“—-!”

The monster roared. The demons who had passed by us turned back. Most of them had already passed, so they couldn’t keep up with the powerfully running horses.

Several demonic creatures began to charge towards us.

I raised the flag high.

It didn’t burst white like the flares floating in the sky. However, holy power enveloped us from the flag.

At least, it was enough power to cover our entire vanguard.

As the demonic creatures burned, they writhed. The fallen demonic creatures were trampled by the hooves of the following horses and turned to ash.

Screams. Screams were heard. Even the instinct-driven demonic creatures now knew what kind of beings we were approaching.

As the formation, riddled with holes like a sponge, collapsed, the demonic creatures retreated.

“—–!”

Some demonic creatures turned back at the monster’s cry. It wasn’t just fear; the demonic creatures stiffened as if being controlled by something and turned back by force.

I see.

Before I could accurately know the role of that monster.

The horse neighed, “Hee-haw.”

Thump!

The sound of something colliding.

For the first time, a demonic creature that charged at us reached the horse. The horse didn’t fall. Was it because of the holy power that enveloped us?

It might have been because of the sword Ria held like a lance. That demonic creature was already half-cut by the tip of the white lance.

The body that fell to the ground rolled and disappeared into ash again, trampled by hooves.

Only where we ran, the greenness of the plains gradually revived.

The wind and rain pouring from the sky did not reach us.

“What are you!”

I heard a demon shout. I saw demonic creatures charging at us-

Something like a white lance pierced their bodies. Not just Ria’s lance, but the swords of other knights too.

Black blood splattered in all directions.

Hee-haw! The horse twisted its body and tried to stop in place. The demon didn’t seem to disappear just by colliding.

I reached out and grabbed Ria’s arm with my hand, not holding the flag.

My blood stained Ria’s body. Ria’s sword blazed even whiter.

“Kuaa!?”

The demon, being pushed back slightly while impaled by Ria’s sword, shouted. Its eyes were wide open.

“What is it, damn it!? I heard that-“

“It must have changed since then.”

Ria said indifferently.

Twisting the sword sideways, she pulled it out as if cutting the monster’s upper and lower body. The demon’s body bent awkwardly to the side and rolled on the ground. The knights steered their horses slightly to the side-

“I won’t let you go easily…!”

A shout was heard.

“Saint-nim.”

Verena, who had approached our side unnoticed, said.

“We will cover your rear.”

Instead of answering, I touched Verena’s shoulder with my hand.

“Saint-nim!?”

As white-burning blood stained her body, Verena’s eyes widened.

“Because you’ll need it.”

I said only that.

From around us, giants were seen lifting their bodies among the demonic creatures, one by one.

Every single knight was precious. It wasn’t just about the value of human life.

…Ah, I hate myself for thinking this- but to protect our rear and distract the enemy. Yes. We need to last longer, even by one person.

And we had to scatter everywhere. Into the heart of the enemy.

Flares were constantly falling from the sky, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to deal with so many demons.

“Saint-nim.”

As if seeing my expression, Verena called me.

We were both running. I heard the sound of demons getting up again and following behind us. I heard something pouring onto the ground, and shouts.

The giants turning their heads towards us. Those demons were small. These… are much larger.

Were they waiting with bated breath until the first other demon appeared?

I was worried about their appearance, which didn’t even turn their heads under the white-burning holy power.

“Saint-nim.”

Verena called me again. Although we were shaking up and down, her expression was resolute.

“We will succeed, I promise.”

Towards Verena, who said that, I unintentionally asked.

“Why can you believe in me so much?”

“Of course.”

But the answer that came back was without a hint of hesitation.

I only knew her face, and her fanatical gaze when she looked at me made me uncomfortable, so I didn’t have deep conversations.

She probably sensed my attitude. Yet, this person was running beside me here and now.

“Because I was saved thanks to you, Saint-nim.”

“I-“

“No, not thanks to Sister Anna.”

Verena smiled.

“I was saved thanks to the first Saint. Back then… I was seven years old. I remember it clearly, even though I was young.”

“…….”

“I remember that light. Yes, perhaps many won’t believe it. Perhaps even the Saint in front of me now.”

“I…”

“But, I decided my path then. I wanted to become that light.” Verena’s body glowed slightly as she said that.

Holy power can be used by anyone. If they believe.

And that light is white.

Not different from the holy power I use.

Anyone.

Could become that light.

“Your light, Saint-nim, is no different from the light I saw back then. I think everyone thinks so too. Because everyone is drawn to that light and wants to become that light.”

“…….”

I looked back. I could see countless knights following me.

They were all looking forward. At me and my light.

To believe in something without any basis is fanaticism.

I thought I saw fanaticism in their eyes.

But, but.

What if, in a world like this?

If they were just people who, like pure children, were drawn to the light that saved someone- and wanted to become the same person.

Wasn’t I misunderstanding them?

On my own accord.

……Even if I am a saint, I shouldn’t have that right.

I lowered the flag.

And I stained the face and body embroidered there with my blood.

Then I handed the flag to Verena.

“You must not die. If it seems like you will, retreat without hesitation and go to the fortress. This is…”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“An order.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

Verena smiled, her face looking at something shining.

Verena’s hand grasped the blood-stained flagpole.

The knight, with my blood on one arm like an epaulet, raised the shining flag high.

“Form a detachment! We will cut down the demons from behind to ensure the Saint’s safety!”

Cheers were heard.

Some knights voluntarily joined.

“…….”

I clung tightly to Ria’s back.

“You did well.”

Ria said.

“Do you think so?”

I couldn’t tell if she was being sincere or comforting me.