Chapter 487
Chapter 487
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 487
Chapter Title: Killing the Demon
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Indeed, people should live building trust and connections.
If I were just some broke adventurer with nothing to his name, this tip-off would've been dismissed as utter bullshit—no credibility whatsoever, and they'd have politely shown me the door.
No matter how fanatic these demon-slayers are, they can still tell shit from shinola. They know who to trust and who not to. No one buys crap from an idiot.
"Thank you for believing me!"
"It's only natural."
I grabbed the pastor uncle's hands and shook them vigorously, expressing my gratitude. A smile lit up his face too.
Perfect.
With Holy Knights on board, nothing could go wrong.
They lived for one purpose: smiting demons and heretics to safeguard world peace, enduring brutal training and physical and mental torment. True saints, every one of them.
They might seem a bit unhinged at times, but few were as devout and powerful. Religious warriors like these outclassed mere mercenaries any day.
Things were falling into place nicely.
Working with the church meant demon strength was irrelevant.
Besides, if there was a demon strong enough to overwhelm Holy Knights, that'd be a massive problem in itself. My intel's value would skyrocket, and so would the rewards.
Of course, confirming a fixed gate alone would net a hefty payout.
My only worry was if that bitch Hildegard had fed me a pack of red-hot lies and there was jack shit there... Losing the church's trust would suck.
But it was a risk worth taking.
"Just understand we can't spare a large force. We're short-handed as it is, and I can only pull so many on my own."
"No problem at all! We're honored by the church's aid!"
"Glad to hear it... Then let's settle on the scale and departure time."
And so we hashed out the search party's composition.
Couldn't muster many, he said.
Demons were popping up everywhere unexpectedly, casualties mounting, so they couldn't strip units bare. Still, he'd do his utmost.
The numbers didn't matter much anyway.
In this scenario, expect a small elite team.
We settled on meeting at the church three days later at dawn. His explanation: reporting up the chain, getting approval, assembling forces— it'd take about that long.
Pathfinding was on me, but everything else under the on-site Holy Knight commander's lead for safety. Made perfect sense—they're the pros.
"See you in three days, then!"
"Take care of yourself."
With specifics locked in, I left the church.
Great.
This was turning out fantastic.
If it went as planned, not just rewards, but major trust-building. Maybe even win over the whole church.
"Heh heh heh."
A bit of a gamble.
If it panned out, I could shelve my grudge against Hildegard.
With those thoughts, I headed home and filled in the wives.
"They're forming a search party. Depart in three days. Play it right, and we hit the jackpot."
"Three days... Darkie. You sure this is okay?"
"Trust the Holy Knights. It's just recon anyway. Gate or not, any demon traces mean profit."
"Well, with Holy Knights, it should be fine..."
Winia was the worrywart type. I had concerns too, but I'd seen their skills firsthand—had to trust that. I trusted my eyes and judgment.
"Katt, what do we do for three days?"
"Heh heh heh, Claudy. What you wanna do?"
"That's what I'm asking? You're such a tease, Katt."
Three days meant plenty of time to prep leisurely.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Whoa! Good to see you! Been too long!"
We prepped at dawn and arrived at the church with Claudy and Winia to find the faithful already geared up, welcoming us warmly.
Rough count: five Holy Knights, three priests, one nun. Nine in total for the search party.
Squad-sized, but their combat power would devour any average scum. Monster stamina, brute force, holy skills, heals—the ultimate special ops.
Above all, the Holy Knights wore gleaming brass plate armor.
Blessed steel-clad, they were human tanks.
Trust surged instinctively.
"That speech during the holy war? Epic!"
"Heh heh heh, you fought in the holy war? Comrades in arms! Great to see you, brother! How've you been?"
"Damn right! We're brothers! Doing great, comrade!"
The search party's lead Holy Knight, Barkrel, looked mid-30s, mild-mannered youth. Might just look young—could be older.
Karin was 30s but looked late teens.
Holy power or mana slowed aging, kept health prime. Anyway, he took a shine to me, arranging quick intros.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Priest Ilihan."
"Holy Knight Deirath. Honor, saint."
"Nun Rainy, servant of Lord Verde. Leave healing to me."
All seemed kind, upstanding folk. I shook hands, smiling. Goodness and holy aura radiated from their touch.
"Heh heh heh, honored by Brass Celestial Society aid. Name's Katt."
Party vibe was solid. They trusted me, chanting vows to purge the demon nest.
"Lead on, brother."
In that spirit, we set off.
I pulled out the map, consulting lead Holy Knight Barkrel. He was boss—my pathfinding, his commands to avoid friction.
"Map I marked during scouting. Intense evil aura around this circled spot. Hope it's nothing... but crisis mode, can't ignore."
He nodded, eyeing it with me.
"Can't overlook it. Gotta confirm... Honestly, I'd prefer a false alarm too."
"Don't you wanna smite demons?"
"Smashing evil to balance the scales is paramount. But no risks best."
Expected bloodlust, but nope. Real saints think that way.
We chatted logistics, then moved out.
"Could've just reported, but volunteering to guide... Rare breed of righteous man these days. Report alone would've gotten the team."
He warmed to me leading from the front.
"Demon crisis hits us all. Helping out's the least."
"Indeed... Trustworthy. Don't sweat demons—we'll handle 'em!"
"If demons show, I'll swing too!"
"Fine spirit! But duty to protect you. Stick close in fights—no straying. Can't face pastor if you're hurt."
"Got it."
Journey smooth.
Hildegard's spot: just over a day from city at max speed.
No sweat navigating.
Isbrandt area familiar; map got us there precise.
Hildegard marked walkable paths— considerate? No fly-straight bullshit through mountains. Easy trail-follow.
"Hmm, path looks legit."
Winia agreed.
"That succubus... Think we'll see her?"
"Better not."
Claudy whispered. Wanted a peek at Hildegard, but that cautious bitch wouldn't show near her.
"Halt!"
Barkrel called from rear. We fell back behind Holy Knights, readied for battle.
Agreed: his signal, form up. Follow command for smooth ops. Not our show—boss's call.
"Brother! What is it?!"
Demons already?
"Hold... Brothers! Sensing evil!"
Barkrel bellowed, sword drawn.
One day to target, but demons infested area. Could pop anywhere.
Grrrrowl...!
Dark shape rippled ahead.
Squawk!
Eyes locked, presumed demon bolted. Knew it was fucked—demons fear Holy Knights too.
"Deirath! Doralkhan! Pursue! One signature! No heroics—if can't catch or two-man kill, RTB!"
"Yes sir!"
"Affirmative!"
Lightning response.
Two Holy Knights dashed—flash. Brass glow. Holy-boosted bodies: tanks at cannon speed.
"Raaagh!!!"
My Heavenly Demon Supremacy dash speed?
Holy Knights caught up blink-fast.
"Lord Verde forever!!"
Hammers high, roars echoed. Savage cries. Saints inside, berserkers out—violence on evil their only outlet.
"We pursue now! Match my pace!"
Combat vet—quick pivot. Holy Knights, priests, nun in formation, hauling ass. We trailed. Guides only—no need or chance for small fry scraps.
Queeeek!!
Chasing party, done.
"Lord Verde!!"
"Purge the demon!!"
Two Holy Knights sealed its fate. I could 1v1 demons; two pros? Overkill.
"Krahak...! Filthy humans!!! Slaves to petty gods!!! Release me!!"
Lesser demon—chimp-human-demonic mashup—pinned, limbs shattered, spewing black blood.
"Good! Live capture—nice work!"
Clap clap clap!
Barkrel applauded.
"Execution time... Ah, right—brother tipped us last time. Rules changed post-that. Let's demonstrate."
"Huh? Show what?"
"Worth watching. Your doing, brother."
Barkrel clapped my shoulder, eyes manic. My speech sparked heretic stew, tweaked ROE? Fancy execution?
Shing!
Shing!
Sudden: priests, nun, Holy Knights drew daggers—same as mine. Church standard issue.
"Commence execution!"
Signal dropped, dagger-wielders stabbed pinned lesser demon like lunatics.
Stab!
Stab!
Stab!
"Keeheeheeek!!"
Nine stabs each: eighty-one total. Trained pros: under a second per trio.
Mad pirate roulette lasted near a minute.
What the hell...?