episode_0013

The Pope sipped wine in his chambers.

While others hid in the shelter, he stayed in his office, enjoying some leisure time.

He knew.

His purpose was not Rich.

Rich’s target was Lyra.

He had been asked by the Emperor to assassinate Lyra on his behalf.

The reason was unknown. He could only speculate that it was because Lyra was ranked first in line for the imperial succession.

In the Empire, even a woman could become Emperor.

“Timing couldn’t be better. It’s time to clean up.”

The Pope sipped his wine and looked out the window.

A battle was raging between the undead summoned by Rich and the Holy Knights outside.

He took the chaos outside as entertainment.

Since becoming Pope, there had been too much noise.

The Ecclesiastical and Imperial powers should not encroach on each other.

Too many clergy were involved in greedy schemes.

They were spouting obvious nonsense in front of him.

“Foolish people. How much better would it be if we helped each other? You can’t live well just by sticking to principles.”

But to the Pope, it was all nonsense.

If he used underhanded methods, a bright future awaited him.

Just like when he became Pope.

“It’s going well. I can sweep away all the annoying pests in one go.”

Like the former Grand Master who was pushed out of politics and now talked back.

Or the perennial bishop who threatened his position whenever he could.

There were too many people getting on his nerves.

He planned to use this attack to get rid of them all at once.

“Erina said Eric will take care of her. Romulus made fake evidence, so we can cover it up after it’s done.”

The plan was perfect. The fabricated evidence and hired actors were all prepared perfectly.

He didn’t care about the people sacrificed for the plan.

“Shall we go out now?”

The final cleaning had reached its end.

By now, Lyra should have been taken care of.

The Pope stood up with his heavy body.

The protagonist always appears at the end.

He leisurely walked down the corridor.

The undead passing by didn’t even look at him.

“Pope?”

A dying clergyman saw his figure.

A sharp blade came down.

He got rid of the only witness.

The Pope passed through the scene of the massacre and arrived at the shelter where only the nobles could reside.

Rich was already there.

But the situation he had hoped for was not there.

Lyra, who should have been dead, was alive and fighting with Decard against Rich.

“Erina? She’s alive?”

The one who must be killed was alive.

If she was alive, it would mess up his future plans.

“Eric, you pathetic fool. Can’t you handle that one thing properly?”

The Pope bit his lip.

It was Eric’s operation.

He sent Necromancers to force the door open.

When Erina was exhausted from fighting the Necromancers alone, he sent a Death Knight.

Even at full strength, Erina couldn’t guarantee victory against a Death Knight.

There was a 100% chance that Erina would die at the hands of the Death Knight.

It was a perfect plan, but the stupid apprentice messed it up.

The Pope was in distress.

The Emperor’s promise must be kept.

If the promise is not kept, he must vomit up twice or three times what he received.

“It must not happen. I’ll go bankrupt if that happens.”

The Pope pondered.

How much had he received from this job, and if he vomited it all up, he would go bankrupt.

“Ah, yes, change of plans. Lyra died in a fierce battle. I’ll join forces with Rich.”

His mind quickly came up with an answer.

He would engage in a battle with Rich. During the fierce fight, Lyra would lose her life.

It was the best solution he could think of.

He was ready to put his plan into action.

Rich’s magic caused everyone except Decard to lose consciousness and collapse.

If he quietly kills him, his crime won’t be exposed.

“Pontiff! I’ve been waiting for you!”

However, a change occurred in his plan.

‘Who is this guy?’

He looked at the figure approaching him.

It was a student with a mischievous face wearing white clothes.

He was a rookie hero candidate who had just entered the academy.

‘How is he able to move when everyone else has lost consciousness and collapsed?’

The Pontiff frowned.

Even the respected teacher had fallen victim to the magic and collapsed.

He felt it was strange that a mere student was able to maintain his composure.

“Drop your weapon!”

But before he could act, the student moved first.

“Let go of this…”

A chill ran down his spine.

His instincts were warning him.

Getting close to the student would not end well.

But before he could react, the student grabbed his leg.

“I understand…”

His vision narrowed. His strength left his body.

“What… is happening…”

“I will accept the command.”

The student replied on his own accord.

He had not given any orders.

“Everyone, the Pontiff has sacrificed himself!”

A bright light descended from the heavens.

A divine light.

It was a sight that brought back a forgotten sense of faith in his heart.

“This light! Witness this power! The Pontiff has sacrificed himself!”

The voice faded away.

‘What is happening…’

The Pontiff did not realize he was dying until the very end.

His breath ceased.

*

“Oh God, I have fulfilled my promise.”

He quietly spoke to God.

The time had come to fulfill his promise.

That was the only way to gain the power to kill Rich.

He had to kill Rich to save the other students.

‘Fulfill the promise.’

A dark object fell from the sky.

It was a unique gauntlet emitting a black aura.

Click.

He equipped the gauntlet.

It fit perfectly in his hand as if it had always been a part of him.

“I will not let the Pontiff’s death be in vain.”

In truth, he had killed him.

But by his death, he had avoided being exposed as the doomed hero.

It was selfish. He admitted it. But that’s how the world worked.

Pushing others into the jaws of death for a single piece of bread was human.

[… Foolish…]

Rich spoke.

A sense of unease was palpable.

[You really died. How? Was this part of the original plan?]

An incredulous response came.

He was terrified by the light bestowed by God.

Thinking so, he put all his strength into striking the ground.

He closed the distance with Rich in an instant.

‘Faster.’

Fast. Like a divine punishment descending from the sky, he shot towards Rich.

‘With this, I can win.’

“Die! Twisted bones! You shall suffer eternally at the bottom of hell!”

With newfound confidence, he yelled.

He taunted Rich.

[… My true power has reached the 13th rank. I am stronger than any mage in history. Do you think you can defeat me?]

‘Wait, I heard he was at the 9th rank?’

The information he had was different.

Rich was at the 9th rank.

In human history, the 12th rank was the limit.

That was the level reached by his comrades in the hero party.

The rank one step higher than human history seemed distant.

[I acknowledge you. I don’t know what power you possess, but it seems you have a hidden card.]

[So I will kill you with the power I have.]

[Come out, True Dragon.]

Roar!!!

The space was cramped.

The True Dragon’s head was the only thing visible.

But even with just its head, it was enough to unleash its breath.

Huff.

The air rushed in.

A massive amount of mana entered the mouth of the original dragon.

Kwaaaah.

A breath was expelled.

A huge surge of energy swept through the surroundings.

“I will block it.”

Tore up the floorboards.

Reaper Power Gauntlet. RPG, in short, gave me the power of strength.

Blocked the way with the torn-up floor.

The rocks crumbled into dust under the immense energy.

It was limited by the power of the original dragon.

Since only the head was visible, the breath’s power was greatly weakened.

If a full breath had been shot, I would have already been dead.

“I expected you to block it.”

The Lich said with anticipation.

Beyond the broken rocks, the Death Knight was approaching.

The giant two-handed sword aimed for my head.

Clang.

Swung my fist to deflect it from the side.

An empty chest. I ran towards the chest.

“Ah…”

I placed my hand on the Death Knight’s body and used the Guide of Death.

The soul that was inside the Death Knight ascended to the afterlife in an instant.

“It’s strange. I don’t feel any holy power, but how can you control the Death Knight in one blow?”

The Lich questioned.

“Five Death Knights?”

Too many. Even if it was me, I couldn’t guarantee victory against five Death Knights.

“Kkulkkul, you must not forget about me.”

Dekard blocked my path.

He faced the five Death Knights alone.

I passed by Dekard and ran towards the Lich.

“There’s only one way to survive here.”

Kill the Lich. That was the only way for everyone to survive.

I ran towards the Lich with all my strength.

Threw my body. With enhanced physical abilities, the distance closed quickly.

“I’ve reached you.”

My hand touched the Lich’s body.

“Ah, I understand. Your power.”

“You are truly…”

“Just die!”

The Lich realized that I was the Hero of Destruction.

Indeed, the Lich. Among the monsters that had lived for an unknown period of time, it was truly a monster among monsters.

Before the Lich could utter the word “destruction,” I had to kill the Lich.

I used the Guide of Death to send the Lich’s soul to the afterlife.

Whoosh.

The undead horde summoned by the Lich lost their strength and fell.

“I have sent one soul to the Lord.”

I spoke to the heavens.

The Lich’s soul is precious.

Equivalent to killing the Pope.

If there is any conscience, they should at least acknowledge it.

“….”

But there was no response from the heavens.

I made a sullen expression.