I Ask in Your Eyes-2

“Ugh… Ugh….”

Maria writhed in agony, crawling on the ground.

Lumen lifted her leg and kicked Maria in the stomach, sending her rolling across the ground several more times.

Maria didn’t feel the pain in her abdomen.

The pain of losing her eyes overshadowed all subsequent pain.

“The Saint must die.”

Lumen declared.

“Only when he dies will order be restored.”

Lumen asserted.

The woman in silver armor slowly approached Maria.

“Ugh… Ugh….”

Having somewhat adjusted to the pain, Maria used her sword as a crutch to stand.

Her hand holding the sword trembled pitifully.

Maria gripped the sword with her left hand and used her right hand to stem the blood flowing from her eyes.

“You dare to attack again in that state?”

For the first time, a hint of pity flickered across Lumen’s face.

“……..”

“Your will is admirable. It would have been better if you had shown that will to God.”

Lumen’s body shot forward again. Maria wielded her sword with one hand.

Normally, the weight of the sword would have made her stagger, but her posture remained unwavering.

Lumen ducked under the horizontally swung sword and raised her axe from below.

Maria stumbled backward, and the axe’s sharp blade grazed her shoulder.

“Kugh!”

Maria groaned at the piercing sensation.

“The Saint must die. You cannot stop it.”

Lumen switched her grip and brought the raised axe down.

Maria struggled to grab the axe handle.

The descending weapon of Lumen halted abruptly.

“You still had strength left?”

Lumen’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes… thankfully.”

Maria smiled, blood streaming from her eyes.

“Then, repent further.”

Strength surged into the hand gripping the axe.

Slowly, slowly, the axe blade descended towards Maria’s shoulder.

The pain of the blade gradually digging into her flesh ran down her spine.

Maria thought.

Why is the Saint a Saint?

Maria stepped forward, pushing Lumen with her shoulder.

It was a small movement, but Lumen’s posture faltered slightly.

There is no proof in the world that the Saint is a Saint.

Lumen’s kick struck her stomach.

Nothing in the world proves that he is the Saint.

Maria grabbed Lumen’s leg.

Dropping her greatsword, she slammed her fist into Lumen’s knee with her bare hand.

But I remember.

Even as she let out a small groan, Lumen swung the axe.

His voice.

Ducking, dodging the axe, she punched again.

His eyes.

Releasing her leg, she pushed her away, picking up the greatsword that had fallen to the ground.

His smile.

She raised the greatsword high. Suddenly, she felt pain in her side.

His warmth.

The axe, swung unnoticed, was slowly gnawing at her side.

His scent.

Nevertheless, she brought the greatsword down.

With a crash that crushed armor, one of Lumen’s shoulders twisted grotesquely.

“The Saint is a Saint.”

Maria asserted, retrieving her greatsword.

“There is no evidence to guarantee it.”

With her legs spread appropriately and her sword raised high,

Maria believed that the Saint was standing behind her.

She firmly believed that he was firmly holding her trembling arms and supporting her legs, which were about to collapse weakly.

Just like that time in the training grounds….

“But I have it. The Saint’s voice, eyes, smile, warmth, scent….”

Maria raised her sword high.

“Inquisitor.”

She gathered her remaining strength and focused it on her arm.

“I believe that the Saint is the Saint. Since I have decided to believe it, I need no proof.”

She stared with one eye into Lumen’s eyes, which were looking up at her.

“Therefore, I question everything that persecutes the Saint.”

She questioned everything that existed.

“All the doctrines of the world.”

She brought down the greatsword. Lumen’s twisted shoulder tore apart.

“All the rules of the world.”

She brought down the greatsword again. Lumen’s dangling shoulder flew off.

“All the testimonies of the world.”

She brought down the greatsword again. This time, the other shoulder tore apart.

“All the people of the world.”

She brought down the greatsword again. The last remaining arm flew off.

“This world that persecutes the Saint is all heresy.”

With Maria’s words, Lumen’s knees fell to the ground.

“That’s… your answer, then.”

Lumen said calmly.

As if understanding everything, as if expecting it.

“But, the Saint must die. That is the Divine Doctor’s will.”

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Lumen shook her head.

Maria lowered her sword.

“Then, I will cut down even that God.”

Maria swung her sword.

Lumen’s head flew off, rolling towards the main gate of Solarucia.

“……”

Silence suddenly fell on the noisy place.

Far beyond the main gate of Solarucia, people with torches could be seen rushing in.

“Don’t let her get away!!!”

Leaving the swarming people behind, Maria fled into the thicket.

Noon the next day, the plaza.

Despite the commotion in Solarucia, the execution proceeded as scheduled.

The criminal, Kang In-ho, was once again on the execution platform in the plaza where he had first arrived.

Tied tightly with ropes, he offered no resistance, simply standing calmly on the execution platform.

The execution was unusually carried out by the Holy Knight Commander.

This was because the Inquisitor had died, but it also contained some of the Holy Knight Commander’s personal resentment.

As the execution of the Saint impersonator, the devil, many people gathered in the plaza.

Everyone threw stones at the demon who had eerily imitated the Saint’s appearance, which they had never seen up close.

Most of the stones didn’t even reach the execution platform, but a few struck Kang In-ho’s body and head.

Thanks to this, he was already covered in blood before the execution even began.

Amidst the enraged crowd, there was a woman who had completely covered her body with a robe.

With a nervous expression, she looked around, searching for the Saint’s helpers who were hiding.

They were so well hidden that Maria couldn’t see them at all, but Maria was relieved by that.

At least, she thought, they had hidden themselves well.

The Holy Knight Commander recited the Saint’s crimes.

Maria looked around.

‘They should be moving by now?’

The jeering of the enraged crowd could be heard.

Maria looked around.

‘Where are they? Why aren’t they moving?’

The Holy Knight Commander drew his sword.

Maria looked around.

‘They really need to move now. Where are they!’

The Holy Knight Commander swung his sword.

The Saint’s head was cut off and flew into the sky.

“Ah…?”

Maria saw that the Saint’s eyes, as they flew through the air, were staring straight at her.