episode_0688

After receiving the report of the third demon’s resurrection, John headed to the chapel in the Holy Land.

All the priests working in the Holy Land gathered there and prayed to heaven.

They do not possess the warm divinity that the apostles and saints did.

However, that does not make what they possess any less divine, nor does it make their beliefs false.

Those who willingly remain in the most dangerous places are those who have decided to sacrifice themselves for God and the world.

Their fervent prayers become one wish and leave their meaning on the sacred object in the center.

“How is the progress?”

“The divinity is almost fully concentrated. If only the saintess could come, it could be activated immediately.”

“Not much time is left. It has been confirmed that even the evil spirit of destruction has descended upon this land.”

“…Is that so?”

Cardinal Lazarus did not look particularly surprised after hearing John’s words.

“Did you guess?”

“Everyone would be like that. Every time an evil spirit descends into this world, the air changes.”

The other priests quietly agree with the cardinal’s words.

It is not a difference that can be expressed precisely. It is impossible to describe what has changed and how it has changed.

However, with the advent of the evil spirit, the world has clearly changed. And in a direction that is hostile to humans.

“The few gods that originally remained on the earth were released from their seals, and yet this is how it is. What will happen when the age of the gods returns?”

That is why those who stand here now know how dangerous what the former Pope is trying to do is.

The coming of the age of the gods is not simply a story of gods joining their fleet.

The rules of the world have changed, and under those rules, humans have become tools and must shed blood.

Until the moment when the victory or defeat of the gods is decided.

Maybe even until the world ends.

“Cardinal Lazarus. It is arrogant to think that only we felt the danger. Everyone knows him.”

That is why everyone will be praying. To the great Lord in heaven. Hoping that he will save them.

“Now is probably the time when faith in God is higher than ever.”

“That’s why it’s dangerous.”

The voice suddenly heard from behind was all too familiar to John, and it was something he should never have heard in this place.

Before he could even turn his head, Johan noticed him and took out a dagger from his bosom and immediately swung it backwards.

Hot blood pours down onto John’s hand, along with a sensation of it digging into his flesh.

The white priestly vestments, unstained by any dust, are dyed red.

“You haven’t rusted at all. It’s proof that you haven’t neglected your training even in the midst of the Cardinal’s hard work. Cardinal John. That’s really like you.”

The man who had been the dignity of the church until recently, smiled with his neck pierced and patted John on the shoulder.

“That’s why I really liked you.”

John did not answer, but grabbed the Pope’s face and infused it with divinity.

Abuse of recovery magic. Physical breakdown through over-recovery. A technique that Johan, who once took on even dirty work, can handle.

However, John was not overconfident.

Because the man in front of you is the one who devised and taught this.

He assumed that he would be met with a response, and John’s expectations were wrong.

The Pope’s head was shattered into pieces.

“Hmm. Good. It seems like your divinity is slowly becoming warmer.”

But even though the head is gone, the voice does not stop.

“Is it because the power of the Lord is growing stronger? Or is it because you have gained faithfulness?”

Even in his confusion, John tried to do what he had to do.

Until a sinister hand approached from behind and pulled him backwards, and a sword shot out from where he had been standing just a moment ago.

“Sir, I understand you want to claim that you’re still young, but let’s just do it. If you die, what will I become as your bodyguard?”

Sword Master. This is a title given to the best swordsman on the continent, and modern sword masters are considered exceptions among the many sword masters that have existed throughout history.

The fact that an adventurer from a commoner background beat out numerous competitors and rose to the position of swordsman despite not wanting to do so means that no one in the world can deny the sword she holds.

“Did your Apostle know that I was going to target this place?”

The Pope, seeing that all the power he had scattered had been wiped out, expressed his heartfelt admiration.

If it’s about unleashing one power, you can do it.

But how much skill would it take to cut down the scattered powers just before they are activated?

I understood why the Lord’s Apostle had placed this woman in the Holy Land.

If you grow up like this, you can protect it.

The Pope’s surprise, revealed on his face, made Geomseong click his tongue.

“Isn’t it strange that you can’t predict it? Where else can you find a place with this much common sense?”

“No. It’s normal to not be able to predict it.”

The corners of the Pope’s mouth go up.

Yes, it is correct to think of it as a black sword.

But the Lord knows my exceptionality. He has been aware of everything from the beginning.

Even when everyone else doubted and questioned my faith, He alone never doubted my faith.

He knew that my faith was stronger than anyone else’s, even though it was twisted and distorted!

So he knows what it means to me to raid the Holy Land.

And the reason why I kept putting it off until now, even though I knew that this was the most suitable place to resurrect the evil spirit.

The reason I clench my teeth is because I think that if I don’t do this, it won’t be a trial for him.

All of them.

“Hahahahahaha!”

That means, not doing your best here would be disrespecting His expectations.

“Okay! I understand! Apostle of the great Lord! This Pope will give everything for your will!”

“…What are you talking about? You crazy bastard.”

“Oh, my dear, do you know? I’ve been wandering the world for a very long time. Since ages that history can’t even record.”

“Ah. So?”

“And I have believed in the great Lord since then. Incidentally, I was the one who decided to make this place a holy place.”

“…Wait a minute.”

“So of course, we made a lot of devices here.”

From the moment long ago, when I became convinced that this world needed only one God.

“The church you gave us today will collapse. By a devil who wore the mask of the Pope.”

The moment the Pope raised his hand and smiled, the building shook.

“And then, amazingly and horribly, the devil resurrected the evil god Agra in the center of the church he had given.”

At the same time, the knights waiting behind the Pope appeared. Geomseong frowned slightly as he watched their posture.

“It’s annoying.”

Each one’s power is nothing special. Even when combined as a group, it’s not difficult to kill them.

But those guys are the ones who never die, no matter how much they die.

“Inspiration.”

“Please speak.”

“Can you all survive and protect that on your own?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

A new voice chimes in from behind again.

The large man in armor held a church shield in one hand and a thick mace in the other.

An item that looks exactly like the one the knights who saved the world in the mythical age of the distant past had.

“I will protect everyone.”

“Ah. Then I feel relieved. Legendary Paladin.”

“A doll that only imitates that person.”

“No. No. Didn’t I say you can call me that right now? It’s better not to be so picky.”

Geomseong grumbled as usual and reached for the sword on his waist.

The knights who saw him raised their shields to brace themselves for the shock that was coming their way.

That was pointless.

“Disregarding the approval of others means ignoring others.”

Because the moment the sword was swung, everything in front of Geomsung was cut down.

The Pope. The knights. The gates. The walls. The buildings. The sky beyond them.

All of them.

“You know that too, right?”

“I know, but. Well, I’m not mature enough to say that name yet. So for now, I’d like to stay a doll.”

“If I continue living like that, I won’t be able to live out my life.”

“That’s better.”

“Ah. Really. I told you, it doesn’t suit me.”

Geomseong, who continued to swing his sword while grumbling, turned the debris that should have been raining down on his head into dust.

Those who keep trying to revive themselves have also been made into meat-making pledges.

“Is that so? I think you two look pretty good together.”

However, one person remained calm in the midst of the storm.

Even though he was crushed and turned to dust, Disaster, who still had a calm voice, appeared on top of the rubble with a smile.

“Judging from the fact that you showed interest in older men, isn’t it because you like older men?”

“Stop talking nonsense. You crazy, senile idiot. Do you want to date a principled person like that?”

“…It’s true that I follow the principles, but I don’t think it’s something that deserves to be criticized to that extent.”

“Ah. Sorry. But I got goosebumps just thinking about it.”

“It’s a good thing that person isn’t next to me.”

The knights rise again, following the Pope.

Ruel’s dolls and priests.

And the people of the church.

The swordsman in the lead raises his weapon.

“Okay. Everyone. Please do your best to stop me. As the Lord’s Apostle has prepared for me.”