episode_0161

The unknown beings that appeared near the barracks in Zone 0, where the Guild Master, Master, and Knight Commander were present, were quickly repelled.

However.

“They disappear when defeated, so we can’t research them, just what could these things be…?”

Normally, when unknown beings appear, time would be needed to research them.

Unfortunately, this was impossible because they vanished the moment they were killed.

“Information unknown to me, the Imperial Crown Prince, this is truly surprising. With this, who could have predicted the Arielian Church would act so wildly?”

The Crown Prince smiled as if slightly amused, but his eyes were filled with anger.

Seeming bewildered by the unexpected situation.

“The Arielian Church’s hidden trump card, such a thing wouldn’t be known unless you were at least the Pope or a Saintess.”

At the Guild Master’s words, a face suddenly came to mind.

If I could summon her, wouldn’t it help in understanding this unknown situation?

“I have a way to find out.”

“Really? Let’s see you do it.”

I immediately took out my deck and designated a Joker card.

The card to designate is [God’s Proxy].

After quickly designating it, I draw cards.

[Grace of Protection] [Heal] [Divine Favor] [Defense] + [God’s Proxy]

Unfortunately, a card that fills energy wasn’t drawn.

It’s impossible right now.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Alright. That much is fine.”

While I was preparing a method, news from other places kept pouring in.

“All zones of the Labyrinth City have been attacked? What’s the origin point?!”

News coming in to the Guild Master and Knight Commander.

As expected, it seems that phenomenon occurred not only in Zone 0 but throughout the entire Labyrinth City.

That means.

“I’ll be going to the Magic Tower for a moment.”

Master also had no choice but to return to Zone 11. Given the sensitive situation due to the previous attack, he must be trying to calm things down himself.

Around 3 minutes later, a card providing energy was finally drawn.

After immediately announcing that I was ready, I used the cards in succession.

[Penance]

[God’s Proxy]

I was already tired, but I became even more fatigued, and at the same time, a powerful beam of light poured down on me.

And immediately, 5 God’s Proxies appeared.

“……”

Starting with the Guild Master, who was stroking his chin as if surprised.

The Crown Prince’s expression, slightly unsettled.

And even the Knight Commander, who had his mouth wide open.

The finishing touch was her.

“Wow, that guy really pulled this out?”

A commoner’s way of speaking, completely different from how she spoke before.

But even so, it didn’t feel awkward at all.

Because it suited her shabby and dirty appearance so well.

However, her appearance was still extraordinary, contrasting with that of a fugitive.

Everyone was flustered by that imbalance, but they soon realized who she was.

“Our Apostle, you were curious about this? Ah, this wasn’t actually something I was hiding, right?”

“It doesn’t matter now.”

“Well, if you say so.”

As if she failed to tease me, the Saintess smiled sulkily and then began speaking again.

“Anyway, there’s only 1 minute, so I’ll speak quickly. If I just disappear, you’ll scold me again, won’t you?”

The Saintess soon dropped her playful expression and returned to a slightly serious one.

“Those are Holy Spirits. They are soldiers created by the Church quite a long time ago. I don’t know how they were made, but only a very small fraction of people know. The reason they are excellent is, above all, their obedience to the caster’s commands. For example, that sly Pope who just cast me aside, you know?”

The Saintess began furiously cursing the Pope with a venomous face.

“That old man, when he said we should stick together as a team, and then just cast me aside because things got unfavorable! No, is that something a person would do?!”

Seeming to have complaints about being cut off.

It definitely seems the life of a hunted fugitive isn’t easy, seeing as her dark circles nearly reached her nose.

No matter how strong she is. There’s a limit to how much one can endure.

The Saintess, having poured out a bowlful of curses like that.

As if 1 minute had passed and it was time, she began to fade little by little.

“…Hey, Apostle.”

“What is it?”

“Try not summoning me for a while.”

“……?”

“Then, farewell.”

*Swoosh.*

Not long after the Saintess disappeared, the remaining 4 proxies who were healing the surrounding people also vanished.

Simultaneously, the Guild Master began disseminating the information he obtained through a magic tool, and the Crown Prince fell deep into thought.

However, unlike those who already knew my identity somewhat clearly.

The rest of the people, who had only received the information that I was not an ordinary person.

Could only stare, unable to close their mouths.

*

Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the appearance of the hostile beings called Holy Spirits.

The Labyrinth City was still continuously being attacked.

“The places where the beings called Holy Spirits appear are the Church buildings in each zone! Furthermore, entry is impossible due to the deployed barrier.”

“Contact with most of the Arielian Church members is impossible. It seems Zone 1 has blocked communications with a certain type of magic.”

Amidst all sorts of reports pouring in, the Crown Prince naturally began to take command of everyone.

That’s a given.

The ones with the highest influence in the Labyrinth City are the knights and the guild.

Currently, the Guild Master has entrusted full authority to the Crown Prince and left for the field, and most of the knights in the Labyrinth City are Imperial knights.

And among the high-ranking officials, the Crown Prince, who is the only one lacking combat ability, taking this position can be called a truly justified appointment.

The adventurers who had returned to Zone 0 mostly either went back to their respective zones or remained here.

Except for those with severe injuries, everyone else returned to their respective zones.

A small number of priests who were inside the labyrinth and were not called by the Church are treating many adventurers, but even so, thanks to potion supplies from the Guild, things have become quite stable now.

It will cost a lot of money, but when else would one spend money if not during such an emergency situation?

Our party decided to stay here for now.

It’s partly because having Master here means I don’t worry about Zone 11, and given that it’s confirmed they are targeting me and Noah, there’s no place as safe as Zone 0 right now.

But I had stayed up all night, and was so accumulated with fatigue, I found a spot in a suitable barrack and rested.

Although it was noisy outside, I was so incredibly tired that I fell into a deep sleep without realizing it.

Although I woke up after sleeping for about 4 hours, waking up after even a little sleep made me feel like the accumulated fatigue had vanished.

After finishing preparations once again, I went outside with everyone, but the Labyrinth City was still in chaos.

The Crown Prince’s face was even more contorted than 4 hours ago.

“Ah, Ivan, you seem to have recovered your color after sleeping.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness the Crown Prince. What is the current situation?”

“It’s the worst. The worst part is that we can’t inflict any damage on them while we are being attacked.”

“You still haven’t been able to enter Zone 1?”

“…Yes. Furthermore, those called Holy Spirits keep appearing even if you defeat them. For high-level adventurers, they are manageable opponents, but from mid-level onwards, you have to seriously contend with them, and low-level adventurers are defeated; they possess such power.”

“Especially since the Labyrinth is in turmoil right now, most adventurers are not in good condition.”

“And one more thing, recently the Church put out personal requests to adventurers who hadn’t entered the Labyrinth. We should have predicted this sooner.”

“They are trying to create a situation where the Labyrinth City is most lacking in military strength and wage a civil war.”

“So, adventurers who went on requests are returning, and various countries are sending soldiers. And a deep-level adventurer, Laze of Light Speed, just entered the Labyrinth.”

“Is the help of a deep-level adventurer also needed?”

“…In the worst case. For now, we must hope it doesn’t come to that.”

At that moment, a soldier suddenly entered the barrack.

“Reporting!! News just came in that the Church has launched an invasion into Zone 2 and Zone 12!!”

“…Understood. You may withdraw.”

Seeing that the Crown Prince wasn’t surprised, he must have already known.

“As expected, there have been a few things while you were resting. The priests, clergymen, and paladins who were called by the Church are all being controlled.”

“…What?”

Control, was there such a thing among the Arielian Church’s divine magic?

No, considering that the suicide magic carved in the mouths of dark mages was a magic created by the Arielian Church, it is a credible statement.

“Their consciousness is even intact. They can also speak. But their bodies move on their own.”

“Isn’t that even worse?”

“Yes. Unlike Holy Spirits, you can’t kill them, and they are innocent. As you know, between killing and capturing, capturing is overwhelmingly difficult. So the front line is being pushed back little by little now.”

“Then Zone 0…”

“They haven’t come this way yet, though.”

Hearing the Crown Prince’s words, something seemed strange.

No matter how much military power is concentrated in Zone 0 right now, wouldn’t it be better to just attack Zone 0 if they have something like that brainwashing? Especially considering how important it is to seize the center in a battlefield.

Brainwashing, suicide magic.

Perhaps I might be able to release it.

“…I will try to release that brainwashing.”

“Can you do it?”

“…Yes.”

“Then go to Zone 11. Since the Magic Tower Master is there, you’ll be able to do it better.”

“Shouldn’t I go to Zone 12 or Zone 2?”

“We’ve already evacuated most people.”

“But Zone 2 has all sorts of resources and facilities, doesn’t it?”

“That’s why we shouldn’t fight there. We don’t know the Arielian Church’s objective, but if their ambition is to swallow up the Labyrinth City, they wouldn’t want that place to be destroyed either.”

“Objective… Do you have any guesses?”

“No. Rather, I’d like to hear. What are they thinking, to commit such an act at this critical time?”

“On the contrary, that’s precisely why I think we should go to Zone 2. I believe the Arielian Church is likely aiming for the destruction of the Labyrinth City.”

“…There’s some logic to that statement too. I will attach a knight squad to you. Ivan Arcana, you will defend against the enemies’ attacks in Zone 2 with them, assist with evacuation, and, depending on the situation, I authorize engagement.”

“Thank you.”

As I bowed my head, thanking the Crown Prince for his consideration, the Crown Prince gestured as if telling me to hurry, and I immediately set off towards Zone 2 with the knight squad.

The second floor, which we quickly arrived at, was utter chaos.

Proving that the Arielian Church’s goal was not a civil war for power, but simply the destruction of the Labyrinth City,

They were simply breaking and destroying everything in sight.

They didn’t even pay much attention to the evacuating citizens.

“Reinforcements!!!!”

We immediately arrived and tried to defend, but the Arielian Church members seemed uninterested in fighting us, simply fleeing and carrying out destruction.

But their expressions showed how extremely reluctant they were, and there were even some shedding tears and wailing.

“Stop!!! Stop it!!!!”

“Oh God… why give me such a trial…”

“I’m sorry. How dare I do such a thing…”

Seeing them clearly not moving according to their own will, even the ordinary citizens wore piteous expressions.

“Uwaaaaaa!!!!!”

There were even people who were biting their tongues or contorting their bodies, as if desperately unwilling to give up control of their bodies.

I reached one of them.

“…You are?”

“Do you know me?”

“Aren’t you the Magic Tower Master’s disciple? Please withdraw quickly!! The Church is about to use an absurd divine magic in Zone 2!!!”

A paladin whose body was being controlled, yet resisted to the end and thought only of others rather than his own worries.

I cannot let such a person be moved by the Pope’s hand.

“Please hold on for a moment. I will somehow manage it.”

At my words, the party members nearby prepared for battle, and paladins began running over.

Meanwhile.

A status window appeared in the corner of my vision.

*Ding!!*

『Save the Cult Members.』

『0/100』