Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Episode 38.
Yuriel could think of no other alternative.
The premise that a paladin who fights directly could trust in divine blessings and be certain of victory had now vanished.
From this moment onward, it was a gamble.
And that went against Yuriel's very principles.
No matter how slim the chances were of defeating Elpis without blessings, she couldn't stake countless lives on it.
Though she found the situation vexing and Aiden irritating, Yuriel quickly made her decision based on conviction.
She fixed Aiden with a resolute gaze.
"Promise me one thing."
"Name it."
"Never use it on me."
"Understood."
"I won't forgive you if you do."
Aiden nodded. He'd never intended to pry into Yuriel's thoughts anyway.
Even if she broke, she wasn't the type to fall into villainy. The original story was proof enough.
Aiden pointed to the stone slab.
"Just place your palm against it."
"Anything else you'd like to say?"
"Not particularly."
Yuriel stared intently at Aiden's face before sharply turning toward the slab.
She felt foolish for expecting even a word of gratitude from this blunt man.
Both reached for the stone simultaneously.
Blue light flowed from the inscriptions, enveloping Aiden and Yuriel.
A faint haze extended toward their wrists and eyes where their respective powers resided.
Aiden spoke impassively.
"I'll use it for good. Thank you."
These were the last truths Yuriel would verify.
"See that you do."
Yuriel's lips curved in a bittersweet smile.
The Eyes of Truth were leaving her. Though parting with a power that had been with her all her life left regret, there was also undeniable relief.
The Eyes had taught her much, but the wounds they'd caused ran equally deep.
Placed on a scale, they might balance out.
Thus Yuriel believed she held no romantic notions about humanity.
Recently, that belief had shifted slightly.
She realized she could still be disappointed by people—and still hope for them.
It wasn't an entirely unpleasant feeling.
She studied Aiden. The only person even the Eyes couldn't decipher.
A man who lied as easily as breathing, wounded others without hesitation, and sometimes seemed to view people as tools.
Yet the endings he crafted were always just.
Countless had found salvation through him.
Was it supreme wickedness or supreme hypocrisy? Yuriel couldn't decide.
She only wondered what world he would see through the Eyes now.
Those cold, sunken eyes clearly bore some burden—one whose nature she longed to uncover.
She wanted to hear the story he would write.
Beyond that, she believed—no, needed to believe—she felt nothing more.
"It's done."
Her thoughts severed abruptly as the blue haze dissipated.
Yuriel strained her eyes. The Eyes no longer responded.
They say those who lose a body part feel profoundly awkward afterward. Yuriel understood completely—the absence of something once present felt utterly foreign.
Meanwhile, an unusual glow swirled in Aiden's pupils. He nodded approvingly and looked at Yuriel.
"We'll need to test it outside."
"I repeat—don't even dream of using it on me."
"I'll keep my word."
Out of habit, Yuriel activated her power. Nothing manifested.
She sighed resignedly. Aiden retrieved the holy sword lying discarded on the floor.
"First, let's finish here."
Dark miasma was coalescing in one spot, twisting and intertwining to take form.
Aiden grimaced at the stench of rot and foul energy currents.
"Bless me when I give the signal."
No matter how many times one could return, death remained terrifying—yet the paladin showed no trace of fear.
Yuriel found him utterly incomprehensible.
Of course, Aiden had his reasons.
This wasn't a body that died easily.
Unlike games with save points, this was stark reality where death meant finality.
Thus Aiden had invested heavily in survival-related attributes.
In some ways, this wasn't a human body. That's how he'd survived the blessing's recoil earlier.
He would have recovered eventually even without Yuriel's healing—though Elpis might have killed him first.
For many reasons, Aiden felt grateful. He intended to repay the debt.
Aiden gripped his sword tightly. First priority was slaughtering the demon before them.
The scattered chunks of Elpis' flesh began floating upward as dark energy ravenously consumed them.
A form took shape—a woman's naked body with one rotted breast dangling putridly. Foul skin exuded stench.
The lustrous black hair she'd flaunted in human form now clung greasily to her decaying flesh.
Empty eye sockets wept black tears where she'd gouged out her own eyes.
Dark energy transformed into tainted paladin armor encasing her corrupted form.
Finally, an obsidian greatsword clattered down from the void.
Elpis slowly retrieved it. Surveying the ceiling, she spoke, filling the hall with sour decay.
"...Paladin Elpis Ballerhard. I shall complete unfinished business."
Before the words faded, crushing pressure filled the chamber. The ground split as atmosphere trembled.
Yuriel instantly erected a holy barrier. A moment later would have ruptured her organs.
Even Aiden felt his breath constrict.
As Elpis' new form shot upward, Aiden blasted off the ground.
She couldn't reach the surface.
"Elpis—!"
Earless, she didn't hear—but sensed the holiness and turned.
Jealousy for lost power and hatred toward the church became a piercing shriek.
Aiden's chest swelled with bloodlust. He longed to cleave this abomination, to paint his blade with her ichor.
He soared, closing the distance instantly, swinging down at Elpis' head from above. The demon raised one arm.
CLANG! The collision of holy swords quaked the earth, sending shockwaves.
Holy and dark energies tangled skyward, the recoil screaming through air.
Elpis struck Aiden's abdomen with her free hand. CRACK! His breastplate shattered as his body hurtled upward.
Smashing through a chandelier, he cratered into the ceiling, vomiting blood downward.
"Cough—Hurk—"
The Archdemon overwhelmed him easily. The Demon Slayer writhed madly for blood, but rage couldn't bridge the gap.
Acknowledging his weakness objectively—the road remained long.
He viscerally understood needing blessings to oppose such power.
One chance. One second. He'd have to strike decisively at the perfect moment.
That's why he didn't dodge.
SHUNK! A crimson greatsword pinned his shoulder to the ceiling.
Elpis' empty sockets stared. Rot assaulted his nostrils.
Aiden gripped her blade—preventing withdrawal.
"Yuriel—!"
The informal address slipped out unbidden.
Yuriel recited scripture, blood streaming from her eyes, nose and mouth as she grimaced in agony.
Even for her, casting supreme blessings twice daily took its toll.
Yet she continued chanting.
Elpis pummeled Aiden's face with her festering fist. CRUNCH! Nasal bones collapsed, cheekbones cratered, jaw shattered.
Still Aiden held fast.
As consciousness faded, light motes drifting through the hall began glowing.
Then lightning shot toward Aiden.
The sensation returned—the world froze save for him. Elpis' fist inched forward.
Yuriel opened her eyes toward the ceiling.
Elpis' head flew—bisected, then disintegrated midair.
The headless body exploded against the ceiling, raining black blood.
The demon was no more.
In that instant, Yuriel couldn't begin to comprehend Aiden's level.
Even master swordsmen or paladins would have tensed witnessing it.
Aiden plummeted. Yuriel rushed over, rolling up her empowered sleeve.
She thought him dead.
Usage came instinctively. As her hand touched his chest, Aiden gasped.
Yuriel's face froze in shock.
"H-how...?"
Drenched in blood, with half his shoulder sheared off and face pulped—yet he lived. She'd felt it healing him after the flames too—his vitality defied reason.
Yuriel channeled holy energy into her palm.
Survival alone wasn't enough—he needed mobility.
Placing her forehead against his, she recited prayers.
Channeling every drop of holiness into him.
The recoil brought dizziness, but she pushed harder, wringing out the last reserves.
Her sorrowful gaze lingered on Aiden's ruined face.
His mangled shoulder drew pained sympathy.
Though wounds gradually closed, her vision blurred.
Soul-draining exhaustion. As she swayed, Aiden's massive arm caught her.
Gritting teeth, he sat up to study Yuriel.
Her half-lidded eyes struggled to reach for his face—more work remained.
Aiden suppressed pain to speak.
"This much is sufficient."
"But your face..."
"It doesn't matter."
He hoisted her over his shoulder and stood.
His entire body screamed protests, begging never to be blessed again.
BOOOOM—!
The demonic ruins roared. With Elpis' lingering hatred gone, the palace couldn't withstand time.
They needed to gather essentials and leave swiftly.
Aiden walked between the pillars that had bound the demon, tearing up the floor beneath.
A hidden compartment revealed a small chest someone had placed there. Tucking it under his arm, he exited immediately.
CRACK— The meaningless barrier collapsed under water pressure.
Aiden inhaled deeply, determined to claim every remaining breath.
His lungs expanded. With Yona's power possibly ending, preparation was crucial.
Slumped against him, Yuriel mimicked his actions.
Though she needn't have bothered.
Aiden's lungs could store enough oxygen for two.
He thrust his sword into the weakened barrier's base, forcing an opening before plunging into the abyss.