episode_0010

A massive war unfolds, each side fighting for their beliefs.

The grand Holy War.

The Cult of Evil and the Cult of Heaven.

Pope Afrancis, Archbishop Julius, Saint Rebecca, and the many acolytes and priests supporting them.

On this side, from High Elves to Half-Dragons, Saints and Holy Maidens, the world’s greatest alchemists, empresses, and others.

Come to think of it, our forces are quite overwhelming.

Except for the Sacred Empire, everyone else is under the rule of the Cult of Evil.

It is indeed an overwhelming force.

“First, let us subdue all nobles, kingdoms, and empires who supported the Cult of Heaven underwater.”

As I mentioned before, there are three Empires.

Considering prayers are still being answered, Beatrice probably didn’t betray us. It must be the Astria Empire where Caesar and the others were sent before.

They went on a mission with the Archbishop leading the way, although they didn’t find him but discovered traces.

And we did meet the Archbishop.

At the Vatican.

So, right after sending that report, the Archbishop must have returned to the Sacred Empire.

“Caesar, continue sending missions. We must firmly grasp the Emperor of the Astria Empire.”

“What would be the best way to tighten the noose…”

“Use the life of his beloved concubine, and threaten the neck of the Crown Prince who will succeed him.”

“Very well.”

“And next, Mari, we need your power.”

Mari, a woman who corrupted the World Tree, paradoxically both a key figure in its corruption and its caretaker.

She asked with a sly smile, “What does our Saint need?”

“…If you complete this mission cleanly, I will keep your past deeds secret. So, please make sure to do it decisively.”

“You’re going to hide that? How unlike you~ What are you planning to make me do?”

“We’ve heard rumors that Elves are hiding in the Ifrit Kingdom. Eliminate them all.”

“Hmm… Alright.”

Seems like what Caesar mentioned about underwater operations is happening now.

I didn’t expect Mari to be involved, not just regular priests.

Curiosity about the purpose and the nature of their work arose, but I decided not to dwell on it.

I heard that delving deeper into such matters distances one from adolescence.

Though telling a High Elf to kill Elves seems odd, she’s a woman who has already killed her kin countless times.

So, she’ll handle it nonchalantly.

“Alright, everyone else, gather tomorrow without fail. Let’s end today’s meeting here. Enjoy your dinner.”

Yesterday, we briefly discussed the war, but today we concluded our discussions perfectly.

The cooking skills here are improving day by day.

“Cooking gets tastier as time goes by.”

“I’ve executed all cooks whose skills didn’t improve for my father’s sake. This cook suits his taste, so I’ll leave him be.”

No wonder there was such a drastic improvement in skills.

Conversely, those whose skills didn’t improve were all killed.

As dinner ended and I lay in bed, the next day arrived faster than expected.

Everyone dressed properly today.

Unlike the white and gold-trimmed robes of the Sacred Empire, we wore black robes with red embroidery.

It seems like the first time the kids wore their priestly robes correctly.

Since the Cult of Evil allows more freedom in attire.

“Alright, the day of war has dawned.”

Abel shouted loudly, holding a black spear and wearing a crimson priestly robe.

“The day has come when disgusting hypocrites can breathe their last.”

The sun was just rising.

“Since Father has come down to this land for us, we must also show Father that we will ultimately triumph over the hypocrites.”

He originally died in the novel.

Neither the devil nor Lucia appeared.

Everyone here in such a world had died.

But now, things were different.

The protagonist of the original work, the prince, died, and we… Other key characters were alive and well.

The original had changed, history had twisted.

…Come to think of it, I should read that document once.

“Well, Father. Say a word for the priests.”

You’re passing this on to me?

Abella, what are you talking about?

This much is fine if you do it.

“Ahem, well… Greetings, children. Some may have seen me here, while others may not have.”

I also wore priestly robes.

But the pope had that distinctive hat that looked like a long loaf of bread.

Yes, I wore that.

Thus, anyone could clearly see that I was the pope of this devilish religion.

“Children, Lucia. That goddess may bestow blessings, but she did not descend herself. I believe that you, whom I love and who are loved, will not fall prey to those disgusting hypocrites.”

First, exploit Lucia’s name appropriately.

Then, since the priests of this religion dislike the term hypocrisy and call the priests of the celestial religion hypocrites, mix in the term hypocrite.

Add the adjective “disgusting,” and a sentence is complete.

“Children, I will protect you, show those detestable hypocrites how righteous you are.”

Everyone applauds.

Don’t show such a reaction.

I feel so embarrassed I could die right now.

“Father, Mari and Caesar moved first for separate missions. Let us also depart now.”

“Very well, let’s proceed.”

Normally in such wars, they would display a declaration of war, exchange letters, write cryptic messages, engage in information warfare, and so on.

We had none of that.

It was simply survival of the fittest, where the victor takes all.

Surprise attacks were not shameful; they were common sense in that world.

Marching was swift and rough. Magic users like Teresia floated in the sky using magic.

I envy that a bit.

“Up ahead is the outskirts of the Holy Empire, where the execution of Cardinal Aures will take place. Let’s begin.”

Children laden with bombs leaped straight towards the castle walls.

What’s the point of saying this? The devil’s religion. They’re truly insane.

I’m crazy too for not feeling an ounce of sympathy for those kids.

“Everyone, charge in! We will offer the enemy’s heads to our great Father!”

“Intruders! The devil’s religion has launched a terror attack!”

“To the temple, to the temple!”

With loud shouts and cries, the war began.

Magic and arrows filled the sky, aiming at each other’s enemies.

The undead rising from the ground caught their attention.

“Throw the supplied bombs! Those vile dark sorcerers, they had this coming.”

Of course, we also spread the word, sending only expendable undead.

This would reassure the enemy that no critical information leaked, and although we suddenly disappeared, they would be confident we did not betray them.

It was Teresia’s plan.

To deceive the cardinals, archbishops, the saint, and even the pope.

“Well then, teacher. Let’s finish our tasks.”

Here, instead of needlessly engaging in combat, more efficiently utilizing surplus rear personnel, Teresia and I were assigned different missions.

The saint knows our appearance and needs us desperately.

It was to go triumphantly.

“Teacher, isn’t this moment too joyful right now?”

“Well, let’s go triumphantly first.”

She tore the scroll she had prepared and moved triumphantly at once.

Come to think of it, I always take out scrolls in the void, but strangely there was no scroll when I returned to the demon sect.

Are there times when I don’t put the scroll in the void?

“Your Majesty, I heard news that war has broken out? No, this won’t do. I heard the information too quickly. It’s a bit awkward to intrude suddenly…”

“Teacher, let’s not steal someone’s house here. You can stay hidden in that house and come out when it gets noisy.”

They stole a fairly large house near the triumph.

They cast a mind control spell on the homeowner, locking themselves in the basement until they died.

And we had a quiet breakfast in this house.

“If you wait here, it will soon get noisy. News of the war will spread quickly, and we who lived here will run outside and luckily meet the messenger spreading the news.”

“If we meet a high-ranking priest like the Xiphos high priest we met at Matop, it should be enough.”

“Yes, so please make a scroll so we can control the high priest one more time this time.”

I quickly made a scroll, and she suddenly disappeared, only to return shortly after.

“When he hears the rumors and rushes outside, we will also go outside and luckily meet him again and naturally enter triumphantly. Teacher, isn’t it thrilling?”

That means we are at the center of this temple.

She said that, but the emotion I felt was not that.

Something huge was approaching.

The divine power, the throbbing in my head was getting worse.

The world spun for a moment, and my vision and consciousness gradually faded.

“Se…Teacher? Teacher!”

She called my name loudly.

When the feeling of floating in the air dominated my body.

Eventually, consciousness completely disappeared.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a white space.

“I gained quite a bit of time, an hour, but…with this, you can’t create even a speck of dust in your plan, Damian.”

With a cold demeanor, down to the flowing ethereal attire reminiscent of Greek goddesses in white.

My intuition rang sharply.

“Creator God, Lucia.”

“Damian, we only have an hour, so let’s talk quickly.”

I was abruptly dragged into the Creator God’s room.