Chapter 439
Chapter 439
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 439
Chapter Title: Those Devilish Bastards
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Elise's fierce defense, I ended up not able to shout a single word.
I should've been prepared from the start, but I never imagined she'd show up, so she got the drop on me.
From now on, I need to stay on guard at all times.
No, seeing Elise and making a huge fuss is one of life's little joys. Blocking that feels like it twists my guts into knots.
"Your enthusiastic welcome always leaves me delighted yet utterly troubled."
"I'm troubled too, for real—"
"If you pretend to say that while gearing up to yell again, I'll confiscate that scream pouch of yours."
"—Gasp!"
That won't do.
Anyway, seeing Elise filled me with an extra-large dose of joy.
She's my true Divine Friend, after all. Her showing up like this probably means something sinister is involved in this imp mess, right?
"Alright, Elise. Anyway, I'm fucking thrilled to see you. You know how I feel, right? Normally I'd be screaming my head off with joy, but you're telling me not to, so I'm holding back."
"Of course I know. And I'm thrilled to see you too."
I extended my arm with resolute determination.
"No need for such a noisy display."
"—Your feelings have already come through loud and clear, something like that?"
Elise extended her arm too, forming the cross.
"Exactly."
The act itself was silent, but it was more than enough to convey our mutual joy and excitement. The emotions flowing from our touching arms were precisely that kind.
"For justice, to smite all evil that descends upon this world."
"To serve endlessly and bring forth paradise."
"This Kim Katt shall gladly throw himself into the fray."
"We shall crush every horde of evil we encounter."
"Divine."
"Friend."
Flash!
The emotions welling up inside weren't just joy and excitement.
Meeting Elise, a true devout believer of this era, stirred up a similar sense of justice and duty within me.
The Radiant Cross Society's doctrines aligned perfectly with the true teachings of Fusion Confucianism.
This was that resonance.
"Heh heh heh, so Elise, what's brought you here today?"
"That's exactly what I came to talk about. As you're keenly sensitive to evil matters, you already know: I've been assigned to investigate the mass imp outbreak and dispatched back to Isvant."
As expected, something wicked was involved in this incident. That's why the Radiant Cross Society sent Elise sniffing around.
"I see... I was just about to dive into something similar myself!"
"As expected of you, already prepared!"
Elise clasped her hands together, her eyes shining brilliantly.
Of course, I can't just let something like this slide.
"Who am I? I'm Kim Katt! I can't stand by while demonic heretics invade the human world!"
"H-How reverent!!! That's exactly it! You truly are a paragon of justice! Your unwavering demeanor is so pious!!"
"Yeah! Spot on! Anyway, had breakfast yet?"
"Not yet!"
I grabbed Elise and dragged her into a nearby eatery.
I had to hear the details anyway.
I was gonna pump Kobson for info originally, but now that Elise is here, whatever.
Teaming up with her means smoother investigations, smashing evil foes, and above all, a higher chance of scoring valuable loot.
Winia said it wouldn't pay, but nothing's more lucrative than upholding justice. Evil creatures' gear and body parts fetch top coin.
We ordered hearty meat-heavy dishes the moment we sat down and got to the point.
"Elise, what does the church predict as the cause of this imp surge? They must have some idea to send you out."
"Exactly. Your insight is as sharp as ever in piecing things together. But before I dive in, one question: Do you know what an imp is, exactly?"
Elise asked about imps.
I've seen 'em, killed plenty, but I don't know the nitty-gritty.
"Just monsters. Evil ones... from hell or the demon realm, or so they say. Sadly, that's all I got."
"That's the common view. But our order believes we've pinned down their origins to some extent."
Figures a specialist group like them researches evil monsters nonstop.
"Lay it on me."
Know your enemy to kill more of 'em.
Something rational like that vibe.
"It's not confirmed, though. This is from our order's direct studies, so don't take it as gospel."
"Not 100% accurate, got it?"
"Precisely."
"Makes sense for ongoing research."
With that disclaimer since it's their research, Elise began explaining imps.
"...Imps are beings that cross over from hell."
"W-What! Hell?!"
Hell!
In a world where gods exist, demons do too. Heaven, paradise, hell—all real, probably... but I don't know for sure.
Where do humans go after death?
To their god, oblivion, reincarnation—who knows? Can't revive the dead, so truth's elusive.
Believers say to their god's side.
Common belief in this polytheistic world.
Sinners go to hell, per doctrine. Not being religious, I can't comment.
"As you know, the confirmed hells—officially recognized by the Holy Kingdom from seventeen religions—are Pandemonium, Hell, the Abyss, and the Infernal realms."
No clue what that means, but Elise explained.
"Our order suspects imps leak from Pandemonium, one of those hells."
"R-Right. Those little shits look plenty evil; figured as much."
"Your pious mindset lets you see straight to the heart. Impressive."
I was just nodding along without knowing jack, but she misunderstood big time. This world's gods, religions, hells—too complicated for me.
All I know is Fusion Confucianism.
"Imps are minor demons from Pandemonium, but too weak to classify as true demons."
Yeah, total small fry.
But how do small fry cross from hell to here?
"How do weaklings like that get from hell to our world?"
"Not pinpointed, but likely they swarm through gates linking Pandemonium and reality."
"Gates!"
"Our records document such sightings, so it's safe to assume it's true."
I yelled in shock.
Demons crossing gates!
That's why evil overflows the world. Demons invading nonstop, sowing seeds of wickedness!
Reeling, I clutched my head for more explanation when our food arrived.
We ate while she continued.
"Gruesome as it is, such gates pop up sporadically worldwide."
"N-No way!"
"Demon summoners open them, or they open naturally, or demons force them. Invasions never stop."
Reality's harsher than we thought.
I nearly freaked out from the shock, but Elise calmed me.
"Rest easy. Each order sends expeditions to exterminate them constantly."
"Fuck, good to hear. But can you win?"
Even holy warriors and knights have limits as mortals.
Demons wouldn't be easy.
"Of course. If we lost, humanity would've ended in the Idol Wars. Invading demons can't use full power, so we crush them."
"I-I see. Didn't know... mind blown."
Demons invade weakened; holy knights everywhere slaughter them on sight.
This world isn't hell yet thanks to uncompromising devotion from those slightly psycho religious folks.
Aiming for world peace makes 'em seem off, but whatever.
Time to thank them.
"So, circling back—the imp surge means..."
"Maybe a gate to hell opened?"
"Not confirmed, but our order suspects as much."
Elise sipped her water seriously as I summed up.
TL;DR: Mass imps suggest a Pandemonium gate. Radiant Cross Society sent Elise to investigate.
If it's nothing, it's a fluke. If real, they send a purge squad.
Elise has her hands full.
Or send proper paladins for this, not her solo.
Part of that paladin training I mentioned?
"Elise, you came here to enlist my help for the investigation, right?"
"Exactly."
"No worries! For this world's peace, I'll roll up my sleeves! Let's team up and uncover the truth! Demons nearby? I won't stand for it!"
Helping her guarantees rewards every time.
Demon gate sounds risky, but if she says it's fine, no issue.
Plus, me and Elise can escape any pinch.
"O-Oh! Such radiant resolve! Thank you, truly! I never doubted you'd help!"
"I never doubted you'd dive into this."
Whoosh!
Meal done, we headed out.
Still morning.
Time to investigate.
"Imps scurrying around normally, though. Gates then too?"
"Likely survivors from prior outbreaks, blending into the wilds."
"Hmm... makes sense."
They pop out, spread everywhere. I headed east gate with Elise.