Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Episode 10.
Marthicoras.
One of the predators inhabiting the demonic realm.
A demon with black wings sprouting from its bull-like torso that soared into the sky, harvesting lives below with its elongated tail.
At times, it stood on two legs, gruesomely chewing on humans.
What made it even more unsettling was the human face embedded in its own.
The reason Aiden had anticipated Marthicoras as the demon the Demon Cult would summon was simple.
The Demon Cult's full-scale activities had begun immediately after summoning that monstrosity.
Marthicoras was a calamity. It could claim thousands of lives.
Aiden knew the timeline had accelerated, but he hadn't expected it to arrive this soon.
Truthfully, he hadn't planned to intervene. Marthicoras' manifestation was inevitable.
Even if they stopped the summoning ritual at the tomb, the Demon Cult would simply choose another location.
Whatever the case. If Tegain's words held truth, his achievement was remarkable. Pinpointing the location alone would help minimize casualties.
Perhaps they could even weaken Marthicoras.
"I can't find any traces of manipulation."
After meticulously reviewing the dense stack of documents, Zeras reached his conclusion. The Archbishop's innocence was all but confirmed.
Aiden reflected on his conversation with the Archbishop. 'Could you join my investigation team to stop the summoning?' Tegain believed organizing an official extermination force for this matter was unwise.
Aiden fully agreed.
Given the Demon Cult's intelligence network, they'd detect the Church mobilizing its forces. That would render everything futile.
The Demon Cult would abandon the tomb and find another summoning site.
As Zeras carefully scanned through the documents, he muttered under his breath.
"A storm of blood will sweep through the Church."
"Indeed. The moment the expedition falls through, His Eminence will begin a large-scale purge."
The documents Tegain had sent detailed every priest guilty of corruption and heresy.
Some were figures Aiden recognized, while others, like Forel, were new faces.
Tegain had been hiding his claws. With the intent to excise the Church's rotten core.
The Archbishop's actions greatly satisfied Aiden.
Because capable individuals like Zeras were gradually emerging—people who could be of use.
"Why do you think His Eminence handed over this information? Merely to prove his innocence?"
"It sounds like an invitation to share a common purpose."
"Indeed. An offer to wallow together in the mud."
In the game, Zeras despised politicians. He viewed their power struggles as utterly corrupt.
"The political arena is a quagmire. It slowly drowns one's convictions and ideals, leaving only an empty shell. No one escapes unscathed."
Aiden intended to respect Zeras' opinion. Moreover, he himself had no plans to delve deeply into politics.
"I understand your stance, Master. Please act according to your principles."
Likely, Zeras would participate in purging the heretics. Tegain's interests and Zeras' faith aligned. Though whether they'd continue working together afterward remained uncertain.
"Don't worry about me. More importantly, what about you? Now that the Archbishop's innocence is confirmed, you'll be departing soon, won't you?"
"Correct. I'll stop by the main office, then likely leave by today."
"I see. Take care. Remember the Gods watch over you. I wish you divine fortune."
Aiden nodded and left the residence.*"I apologize for my earlier discourtesy."
Tegain shook his head.
"I was pleased by your actions. They confirmed I could trust you. No apology needed. If anything, I might be the one seeking forgiveness. Hahaha!"
Tegain had initially intended to test Aiden.
He wondered if Aiden had concealed the incident not for the sake of justice—preventing the expedition's failure—but to leverage a connection with him for personal gain, using his name mentioned by Forel as pretext.
Aiden was well aware of Tegain's intentions.
"I fully understand. I hold no ill will either."
"From our meeting days ago, I sensed you're not merely a skilled fighter."
Tegain chuckled as he handed Aiden a rolled parchment.
"This is an interior map of the Grandel Tomb. Additionally, I've included a detailed analysis of the Demon Cult's forces. Study it during your journey."
His laughter faded, replaced by a grave expression.
"Let me reiterate—your primary objective is to stop the summoning. Avoid reckless combat. Focus solely on destroying the summoning medium."
This was the one point Aiden couldn't agree with. It was better for the demon to be summoned within the tomb.
So they could weaken and slay it there.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Good."
Tegain handed Aiden a small insignia.
"As of now, I appoint you acting captain of the Archbishop's Special Task Force. Lead the team and accomplish the mission. If you have any requests, I'll accommodate them as much as possible."
Aiden responded immediately.
"I need one vial of Divine Tear. Non-negotiable."
Divine Tear referred to the supreme-grade holy water that occasionally welled from the sacred grail enshrined in the Holy Temple.
An invaluable substance. As a high-ranking Archbishop of the Holy Race, Tegain had no reason to refuse.
"...Divine Tear. May I ask why?"
"It's essential for stopping the summoning."
After brief contemplation, Tegain nodded.
"Understood. I'll have it delivered by messenger. Anything else?"
"Nothing."
"Good. I'll pray for your safe return and mission success. I await favorable results."
Aiden headed straight for the city where the task force awaited.*The Empire's western region. A vast desert where life struggled to survive, home to a colossal underground tomb.
The endless sands and desolate winds gnawed at existence, eventually withering it away.
At the heart of this land of death stood the Grand Tomb.
Imperial citizens believed the souls buried here were suffering divine punishment.
They saw it as retribution for serving false gods in life and daring to oppose the Empire.
For two hundred years, the barbarians had been trapped in scorching torment—or so the Church proclaimed.
Aiden couldn't verify the claim, but he could empathize with how dreadful it must be to be interred here.
The mission was top-secret. Despite removing his holy armor due to the climate, the heat remained unbearable.
"Sir Aiden! I've found the Juriël Inn!"
Yuron came running toward Aiden, who sat sweating in the plaza.
Though it seemed odd for such a barren region to have plazas and inns, the city of Serengal thrived in stark contrast to its hellish surroundings.
The sole hub connecting the western frontier states and the Empire.
Every merchant caravan and diplomatic envoy bound for the Empire had to pass through. Additionally, adventurers scouring the ruins kept the city bustling.
The Archbishop's Special Task Force awaited Aiden at Serengal's most luxurious high-class inn.
"Let's go inside! It should be cool!"
Strangely energetic, Yuron's enthusiasm was hard for Aiden—who suffered in the heat—to match.
Silently, Aiden followed his lead.
Soon, a towering stone structure came into view.
The Juriël Inn. The name was inscribed above the entrance.
"Third floor."
The interior was marginally more bearable. Upon opening the door to their room, the pungent stench of alcohol hit them.
A bottle rolled across the floor, clinking against Aiden's boot.
"Ah, my apologies."
A tall man lounged limply on the sofa, eyeing Aiden with a drowsy expression.
"But who might you be?"
Hearing the noise, a girl darted out from the adjacent room. She glared at the man, visibly flustered.
"Brother! Are you insane? Did you forget who was coming today?"
The girl appeared around ten years old.
The man theatrically clapped his hands as if suddenly remembering.
"Ah, the holy knight, milord."
He sprang up and approached Aiden. Though slender, he matched Aiden in height.
"A lowly man such as myself lacks manners. Please forgive me generously."
His breath reeked of tobacco and alcohol.
For Aiden, whose senses were acutely sensitive, the stench was unbearable—worse still in the oppressive heat.
"Consider brushing your teeth."
"Is that an order? Then I'll do so at once."
His tone bordered on sarcasm. Deliberately provocative, he took another step closer with a sly grin.
The girl paled and yanked him back.
"S-sorry. My brother's had too much to drink... I'll scold him properly."
Aiden crouched to meet the girl's eye level.
"What's your name?"
"...Sain. My name is Sain, Sir Paladin."
"Alright, Sain. Could you wait in your room for a bit?"
"But... my brother drank too much—"
"Nothing will happen. I swear to the Gods."
Yuron scooped the girl up.
"Up we go, little princess! No need to worry. Sir Aiden doesn't break his oaths."
A female knight and priest emerged from the adjacent room.
"I've heard much of your fame. I'm Knight Sistina. It's an honor to meet you, Sir Aiden."
"Likewise. Priest Bandel from the Western Diocese."
Aiden acknowledged them with a nod.
Then he turned his attention back to the man.
"You seem full of grievances."
"Grievances? How dare I? Just... reasonable doubts, shall we say? How do I know you're truly a paladin? Frankly, I've no clue about your skills either. I don't put stock in rumors."
In short, he refused to acknowledge Aiden's authority. Regardless of his attitude, his skepticism was valid.
"We'll be fighting for our lives in enemy territory. If someone just goes 'I'm the captain, follow me,' well, sure, I'll follow. But it's problematic. That's all."
Aiden nodded.
"A demon hunter? Given your attitude, you must have some skill to have survived this long."
Some nobles wouldn't tolerate such behavior. In a world where a misspoken word could cost one's head, the man was either incredibly lucky or undeniably skilled.
Or perhaps both.
"Well, I make ends meet. They call me the demon hunter's apprentice. Everyone around here knows me."
Aiden removed his gauntlet—to avoid seriously injuring the man.
"I'll humor you. If you're convinced, mind your manners."
"I know how to lick a strong man's ass just right."