episode_0162

『Save the Followers.』

『0/100』

A status window that suddenly appeared.

Furthermore, unlike before, it hadn’t entered a combat situation either.

It was stuck in a corner without much importance, like a side quest.

A mission was given as if it didn’t necessarily need to be done.

If this is based on the personality of the Main God that I’ve roughly grasped, this is a sign asking for it to be done no matter what.

It’s certain because something like this has never been given even once before.

Even so, it seems the Main God feels regrettable about its followers.

『Killing intent has been detected. Draw 4 cards.』

『Energy 5/5』

『Joker Card – Additionally draw 1 designated card on the first turn.』

[Baptism(1)] [Meditation(0)] [God’s Shield(1)] [Heal(1)] + [Eternal Light(4)]

Immediately used 3 cards simultaneously and walked forward.

[Baptism]

[Meditation]

[Eternal Light]

First, the target of [Baptism] is me.

As the blessing descended upon me, my movements became faster as if I had used [Body Enhancement].

And straight away both hands come together.

The effect of [Meditation] is a blessing and shield that permanently strengthens each time it’s used, and continuous healing.

Although it’s an overpowered card with all sorts of effects. Even though I’ve used it intermittently like that, it’s still only noticeable to a slight degree.

But still, it’s better than nothing.

Immediately, orbs of light appeared and were evenly distributed among the surrounding knights, party members, and the soldiers who were originally defending against enemies here.

“……That power?!”

Paladins approaching me began to feel confused.

Naturally, if they were the Archmage’s disciple, they would be a mage. But suddenly they’re using the power of a paladin.

Actually, until now, I only used the Paladin deck when there were only trustworthy people present. I also implicitly asked for silence, and it’s not easy to accurately recognize if this is divine power for anyone other than priests.

But even in that confusion, the controlled paladins keep moving.

And not just that, but other things are also running towards this place.

Holy Spirits.

But there’s no time to pay attention to them.

“Block them.”

“Yes!!!!”

Immediately, the party members charged towards the Holy Spirits.

I pushed through everything and headed towards the paladins.

The distance was already just over 5m.

This distance is enough for manipulation.

It would be good if I could release them without having to specifically bind them.

A rapidly unfolding sensation.

Simultaneously, I discovered the brands etched onto all the paladins.

An extremely foreign gray brand.

Moreover, not just divine power, but something else was slightly mixed in.

But it didn’t really matter.

Because its proportion wasn’t high, and the basic framework was divine magic.

“D-Dodge!!!”

A paladin who had approached before I knew it and was swinging his sword at me.

Light flickers on his dull-edged sword, but I quickly release it.

Thereupon, the dull sword strikes my body.

Thud.

A paladin’s sword, which has no edge, cannot wound a human body.

It’s not like I stepped forward and approached for no reason.

The paladin still swings the dull sword.

But my enhanced body could easily deflect the paladin’s attacks.

If worst comes to worst, by injecting mana into the defensive magic on the staff the Prince gave me, I would deflect it, and around the time I would chew, tear, taste, and enjoy the brand etched on the paladin’s body.

“…Found it.”

The structure perfectly grasped. And into the gap in that structure, I pierce with the staff overlaid with divine power, mana.

Cling!!

Although the staff was blocked by the paladin’s armor.

The mana overlaid there passed straight through and reached the paladin’s brand.

Snap-

Simultaneously with the sound of something breaking, heard only faintly short enough for my ears to barely catch it.

As the shield around the paladin whose brand had broken instantly shattered like glass.

The paladin collapses.

…Did I fail?

But then, upon seeing the status window in the corner of my vision, I knew it wasn’t a failure.

『Save the Followers.』

『1/100』

Simultaneously with the count rising, the paladin bestows a blessing upon himself and gets up.

“H-How did you do that? It’s something neither ordinary mages nor priests could do….”

“More importantly, are you okay?”

“What else would a paladin have besides a sturdy body?”

“…I’ve created a magic that can save everyone.”

“Ohh!! As expected of the Archmage’s disciple, your skill is outstanding.”

It felt like I was deceiving them, but this would cause much less confusion than stepping forward and proclaiming ‘I am the Main God’s Apostle.’

People are gradually starting to suspect, but it’s different from me saying it myself.

Immediately, the knights who had defeated the Holy Spirits from behind were running up.

They were wary of the paladin in front of me, but upon seeing that he had returned to normal, they looked at me with an expression of disbelief.

With this, it was proven that I could release the brainwashing or control of the Ariel Church’s followers.

“Please subdue the paladins and priests.”

““Yes!!!””

Watching the knights shout loudly and rush out, I also continued to run forward.

*

The work proceeded in an instant.

First, I began subduing and releasing the paladins and priests I met.

And naturally, there were also followers who had already been subdued before we arrived.

From the point when the news spread that I could completely release the paladins, I began releasing the followers who had already been subdued.

As I did that, before I knew it.

『Save the Followers.』

『78/100』

Although I saved quite a large number, it’s still nowhere near enough.

Moreover, from a certain point, the count didn’t go up well.

That’s because the enemy isn’t stupid either.

“Now they’re not easily visible. Only Holy Spirits are appearing.”

“…Indeed.”

At a certain point, the followers, including paladins, in Sector 2 began to disappear from sight, and the enemies pushing the front line were only Holy Spirits.

It would be stranger if I didn’t get the feeling they were clearly avoiding me.

That’s because Holy Spirits are unfortunately beings that I can’t do anything to yet.

Moreover, their numbers began to swarm more than expected. The front line was gradually being pushed back.

And soon, a message from the Prince.

“It’s an order to abandon Sector 2 and retreat.”

It’s a natural choice. The evacuation of ordinary citizens is already finished. And the front line is gradually being pushed back.

Their goal isn’t to kill humans, but to destroy the Labyrinth City.

Right now, the Holy Spirits’ priority is setting fires and destroying the surroundings, not attacking us.

Burning shops, among which was also the bookstore I went to with Grace.

“How long will it take for all of this to return to normal?”

“Well, we should think about it after we survive first. Everything ends if we die.”

Immediately began to leave Sector 2.

The Holy Spirits seemed uninterested in us who were fleeing, and were only setting fire to the surroundings.

“But, weren’t they originally targeting Mr. Ivan?”

“Maybe they can’t issue complex orders to the Holy Spirits like ‘capture one person.’ Maybe it’s just ‘attack somewhere.’ Or ‘burn the surroundings.’ Something like that.”

“That makes sense. Divine magic that summons such absurd troops… I’ve never heard of it even in books.”

“That’s probably not all there is. The Prince, knowing that, is likely dealing with it as cautiously as possible.”

With the Labyrinth City’s current forces, which have already taken a heavy blow, it’s difficult to face the Church.

Moreover, it seems they still have hidden moves remaining.

In the end, holding out until external support is received is the winning strategy.

We are losing Sector 2 now, but we will reclaim it someday.

Returning to Sector 0.

But the situation here wasn’t easy either.

A situation where half the buildings had already been attacked by the Holy Spirits and collapsed.

But even so, Sector 0 cannot be abandoned.

Unlike Sector 2, which is just one sector, Sector 0 is the center of the Labyrinth City and a crossroads leading to all other sectors.

Because even if all other sectors are surrendered, Sector 0 must be defended.

That’s why a large number of troops were gathered here.

Amidst accumulating injuries and potions gradually running out.

There were only a few priests capable of healing, so they began to be pushed back in the war of attrition.

But when I returned there, bringing back a large number of followers capable of healing.

The Prince’s lips couldn’t help but curl up all the way to his ears.

“As expected, Ivan!! I was counting on you!!!”

“Are there no more captured paladins?”

“Is that the first thing you think of? I’ll guide you right away.”

Immediately heading towards the place the Prince told me about, I could find bound paladins and priests.

The number was quite large.

To the extent that the number was on a completely different level from what I saw in Sector 2.

That’s because ever since I appeared, they had only sent Holy Spirits.

“Unfortunately, perhaps because of what you did, from a certain point, the enemy has been attacking only with Holy Spirits, excluding the Pope’s direct Paladin Order. Well, thanks to that, the front line has been maintained somewhat.”

“That’s fortunate.”

I immediately released the brands of all the followers who were there.

『Save the Followers.』

『100/100』

I filled it for now, but there’s no reaction yet.

Will something happen if I wait? For now, I turned off my attention and returned to the barracks again.

“Phew…. The core of this civil war is you. Thanks to you, an asymmetric force, the Ariel Church is experiencing difficulties in deploying troops.”

“However, my movements are continuously being read.”

“That’s only natural. According to the new information we’ve learned, the Ariel Church is seeing every scene the Holy Spirits have seen. In other words, countless observers are watching your location.”

“I see.”

“However, since they are concentrating their forces elsewhere, avoiding you, an enormous force has gathered in Sector 12 right now. And even the news that they will soon move to Sector 11.”

Was Sector 12 already completely wiped out?

I’ve never been there, but it still feels somewhat bitter.

Had I become this attached to the Labyrinth City without realizing it?

“First, soldiers from various countries are coming here now. Given that the mid and high-level explorers have sustained considerable damage, it will be difficult without their help.”

“…Has the Empire also sent troops?”

“Yes. They are trustworthy people nonetheless. At least, we called mainly those who have not yet been tainted by the evil god.”

“Then what about the Empire itself? If they attack aiming for this gap right now….”

“Naturally, I thought about that too. It will probably be fine. The Empire is a strong country. Since we only dispatched as many as other countries are sending, the rest should be sufficient.”

“In that case, that’s fortunate.”

The Prince immediately went to the map spread out on the table.

A map showing the entire Labyrinth City.

Sectors 1, 2, and 12 were marked with X’s.

“At this speed, the entire Labyrinth City will be taken before reinforcements arrive. For now, Raise the Speed of Light has gone to call the deep-level explorers, but we don’t know if they can come out right away.”

“Is it a race against time?”

Whether to collapse the Labyrinth City before reinforcements arrive, or to defend the Labyrinth City.

The Labyrinth City has a massive wall on its outskirts, so entry and exit from the outside are very difficult.

Therefore, if all sectors are taken, at that moment, the game is over.

“Those guys are sending Holy Spirits without rest. The potions given by the Guild are being consumed faster than they are brought in. At least you freed the controlled followers, so we can catch our breath. But since the enemies are now starting to avoid you, is there no method?”

“…There is.”

“What? You really have a method?”

The current problem is that they are reducing troop numbers only where I go and concentrating elsewhere.

This means I just need to be able to appear anywhere they don’t expect at any time, doesn’t it?

If so, there is already an excellent method.

Click-

『Deck has been switched.』

『Current Deck: Thief’s Deck』