Chapter 236: It's a Ghost! (2)
Chapter 236: It's a Ghost! (2)
"Kyaaaaak!! It’s a ghost, Brother!!!"
Helena reflexively drew her mace, coating it with a generous amount of holy power.
Seriously, why is your first instinct to grab a weapon if you're that scared?
Of course, Clara’s residual thought was strictly contained within the medallion, and her current translucent form was merely an image projected by light.
Even if the mace hit her, it wouldn't cause any damage... but still, it’s only human nature to freak out when a mace comes flying at your face.
-W-wait, what?!
Wung!
The medallion vibrated, and the holy power stored inside formed a familiar defensive barrier.
Helena realized what was happening mid-swing and diverted the mace's trajectory, but because Clara had deployed such a sturdy barrier, a minor collision occurred at the very edge.
Kwang!
...Though calling it a "minor collision" was an understatement, considering the thunderous sound of the impact.
Wait. An impact sound?
I, Helena, Clara, and everyone else present jumped in surprise and stared at the defensive barrier.
"Was that you just now, Lady Clara?"
-Uh, yeah. I think...?
"What do you mean, 'you think'?"
Shaking my head, I cautiously placed my hand on the barrier Clara had manifested.
The surface felt soft, but it instantly hardened when I applied pressure. It felt like a manifestation of a firm will that refused to let anything pass.
There was no doubt about it. This was a physical manifestation of a divine art.
"Wow. This actually works."
As I marveled at the barrier and poked it, the others began to approach one by one to touch it.
"Hmm. How fascinating. Priests say they use holy power through faith, but in the end, isn't that also a form of will?"
"Yes. However, a residual thought shouldn't possess that much will. Just as one cannot exert great strength without their feet planted firmly on the ground, a fragmented mind without a body or soul shouldn't be able to produce such high output."
"Elisha is right. But you are overlooking one thing. Though I never spoke with her personally, I once saw Saintess Clara in battle from a distance. She was magnificent. Since she was such a great figure in life, perhaps this much is possible even now."
"I don't know, I don't know. I also think Lady Clara was amazing in life. A fully realized Apostle is a powerhouse on par with an Archmage or a Sword Master, right? But... even taking that into account, I believe there are limits to the power one can use in the form of a residual thought."
"...I am not a mage, so there is much I do not understand, but I do know one thing. Holy power is not something we 'use,' but something we 'borrow.' Of course, it is true that the firmer one's faith, the more readily the Righteous Light responds. To put it another way, as long as the Lord responds, I believe Lady Clara can exert sufficient power even as a residual thought."
"Hoho... Helena. You are right as well, but have you forgotten what the Righteous Light said earlier? Since the authority of the Cyclic Life is intertwined here, I suspect it is a more complex reason involving that power as well."
True to their nature as mages, the women immediately began satisfying their curiosity. Helena and Gilbert stood a step back, offering supplementary explanations.
Even Clara herself was just marveling at the phenomenon, not knowing how it was possible.
...Am I the only one concerned that Helena almost clobbered the former Saintess?
A former Saintess who isn't even sure where her own god is, and a current Saintess who accidentally swings a mace at her predecessor—what a harmonious Church.
Is this... really okay?
Watching this sudden scene of collective intelligence and Clara nodding along with a serious face, I let out a deep sigh and intervened.
"Let's leave it at that for now. I think everyone's right. Actually, before we applied the World Tree's First Dew, the medallion only vibrated a little. I don't know the exact mechanics, but since this happened after we used it, the power of the Cyclic Life definitely played a part. Of course, the fact that Lady Clara can handle divine arts so skillfully is because she's amazing."
At my words, everyone looked at each other and nodded.
"Right, right. Like Student Yandel said, let's discuss the details later... Shall we head back for now?"
As Iona lightly waved her arm, a massive magic circle rose beneath our feet.
While waiting for the magic to complete, Clara sheepishly raised her hand and spoke.
-Ah, I'll be heading back inside now. I'm feeling a bit tired....
With those words, Clara dissolved into the air and vanished. She hadn't flown off anywhere; she had simply stopped the projection.
Her essence remained in the medallion, which continued to emit a faint, soft glow.
This would make a great mood lamp.
While I was having that extravagant thought, my eyes met Helena's. She had her hands clasped in front of her chest, looking at me with yearning eyes.
She looked like a cat quietly waiting for a treat, so I chuckled and handed her the medallion.
Of course, I didn't forget to check the status window first.
Tring!
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【Roaring Lion Medallion+】
A large medallion carved in the shape of a roaring lion.
Though it has lost its original brilliance after being neglected for a long time, something still remains.
A warm heat that reassures those who touch it. And whose traces are those faint bloodstains?
Remember.
In their most desperate moments, people tend to cling to something.
...Even if it is a prayer that goes unanswered.
However, remember this as well.
That salvation comes to those who believe.
======================
The description had expanded slightly. The efficiency boost had doubled, and a new option for Divine Art correction had been added.
Most importantly, there was that ominous final option about borrowing the power of memories.
For something that just had a "plus" added to its name, it had been significantly strengthened.
It had gone from a weapon that was good for the early-to-mid game to one that would remain useful until the very end.
And above all...
"Even if she doesn't manifest like she did just now, you'll be able to talk to Lady Clara. She said she'd teach you all sorts of things as your senior Saintess, so make sure to learn well."
"...I shall. Since this is a bond you have forged for me, Brother, I will treasure it. And I will strive to be of even more help to your great cause."
Helena spoke with a determined expression. Then, she subtly leaned her head toward me.
Is she asking me to put it on her instead of just handing it over? Well, why not.
As if embracing her, I reached around the back of her neck and fastened the medallion.
The medallion was blinking rapidly as if asking what on earth was going on... but well, Helena would explain things to her.
I playfully tapped the nose of the lion carving on the medallion before stepping back.
Helena, who had been looking down with a soft smile, suddenly jumped in surprise. Her face turned beet red, and she began stammering toward the medallion.
I had no idea what they were talking about, but after watching Helena's complexion change by the second for a moment, Iona's magic was finally complete.
"Then, we're off!"
Fwaaaa—!
A dark red flash dyed my vision. When I closed and opened my eyes, the desert was gone, and the empty lot we had first departed from greeted us.
We had leaped that vast distance and returned in just a few minutes. Magic really is the best.
However, Iona seemed to have overexerted her mana, as she was slumped over and staggering.
"Are you alright, Professor?"
"Ugh... I think I'll feel better if I drink some of Student Yandel's blood...."
She had recovered through blood-sucking periodically, but conversely, it was because she could recover that she had fought without holding back her mana.
On top of that, teleportation was originally a tactical magic that required multiple mages to work together.
Thinking it was about time for her to drink, I pulled down my collar slightly. Even though she had been whining like a child, Iona lunged at me instantly.
The sun was bright, so there was no need to drink a potion. I turned to Iris, who was dusting the sand off her clothes, and asked.
"Iris, Iris."
"Hmm? What is it, Master?"
"Can't you do something like teleportation?"
"I can."
"Oh! Then let's take turns teleporting next time."
"...However, it takes about thirty minutes to prepare."
"...Iona took three minutes, though?"
"That is because Iona is the strange one."
Iris shook her head firmly with her cheeks puffed out. Well, she wasn't wrong.
Even when playing H&A, spamming teleportation was something only possible once you became an Archmage.
As I nodded, Iona, who had been listening to our conversation, briefly retracted her fangs.
"You know, you know! Actually, I just poured in more mana to force the time down! Since my mana recovers quickly as long as I drink blood anyway!"
"Ah."
While direct blood-sucking like this was the most efficient, even if it wasn't that, a blood transfusion pack was more effective for a vampire than most mana potions.
So she had just dumped mana into it, knowing she would recover.
Iris, who had the orthodox mindset of a mage who minimizes risk, stood there with her mouth agape.
Then, trembling, she began to say something strange.
"I-I could do it too if I sucked Master's mana!"
With those words, Iris grabbed one of my fingers and shoved it roughly into her mouth.
However, because of the slave imprint, she didn't dare bite to draw blood; she just started sucking on my finger.
I played with her tongue as it flickered desperately inside her mouth for a moment before Helena, who had been talking to Gilbert, approached.
"Then, we shall head to see the Pope first."
"Ah, right. You'll have a lot to report."
"Indeed. Would you like to come with us, Brother? If you are tired, you may go and rest. All the important information is right here anyway."
Helena smiled gently, shaking the medallion hanging from her neck.
True. Clara was right there, and if necessary, they could just call upon the Righteous Light through spirit mediumship, so there was no need for everyone to go.
"Then I'll take you up on that and go rest. If you need anything, feel free to find me."
"Yes. Then we shall see you at dinner."
"Sounds good."
After a brief farewell to Helena, I returned to the VIP room with Iris and Iona trailing behind me.
Since I'd been away for so long, it was time to give Fay her souvenirs.
Looking at the various types of Chimera corpses stored in my inventory, a satisfied smile naturally formed on my face.
...Actually, I was looking forward to seeing Fay's bust morphing as she hopped around in joy after receiving these.