Hellish Holy Nation (1): El Dorado Dispatches an Investigation Team to the Four Seasons Forest
The news that the hellish holy nation of El Dorado had assembled an investigation team and sent it into the Four Seasons Forest spread not just across El Dorado but throughout the entire world. Despite the sudden announcement, hardly anyone seemed surprised or flustered. It was taken as a given, like thugs doing thug things—"Of course the holy nation is acting like the holy nation."
Especially since there was a reason they could dispatch the team so quickly. The Four Seasons Forest lay right on the border of the holy nation, El Dorado. Comparable in size to a small country, the forest bordered several nations, El Dorado being one of them. That enabled them to carry out their so-called "dirty deeds" with ease.
Ever since El Dorado's roots began to rot from within, "disappearances" had spiked. And the Four Seasons Forest was a hell from which no one ever returned once they entered. Considering how many high-ranking officials were among the missing, suspicions only grew. El Dorado was just piling up more scapegoats. Uncover the truth. Why bury their own mistakes under the deaths of others? Those who claim to believe in God will one day face divine retribution. But the timing is too soon. It feels like they were already prepared...
What stood out most was how swiftly they went from preparation to action. The investigation team's dispatch proceeded smoothly, as if they'd been waiting for this very event. People whispered that it wasn't an investigation at all—just a public purge in broad daylight. If we don't respond quickly, we'll just invite more suspicion. We're acting boldly because we have nothing to hide. How dare you question God's proxy? All of this under the Pope's direct orders...
El Dorado's response was brutally simple: shameless denial. With the Pope—one of God's proxies—issuing the orders directly, other nations had no choice but to back off. Who was the Pope? If the Hero was El Dorado's pillar, the Pope was its pillar and roof. With the current Hero branded a traitor and on the run, the Pope wielded near-absolute power. His word was as good as El Dorado's will. And they doubled down with ironclad audacity.
No matter how rotten it had become, El Dorado was still one of the continent's longstanding military powerhouses. Even without a Hero, their baseline strength deterred rash accusations. Cardir's declaration wasn't a lie. El Dorado was desperate to cover it up. So what was this investigation team they assembled made of? Nothing less than...
Another purge had begun. Blood seeped out beneath a veil of holy light. Endless debates raged, but El Dorado had already sent the team off. It had been less than a week since the truth about the Immortal King came to light. That urgency could mean they were pressed for time—or more likely, it was just for show. "If we don't make a show of it, everyone will just keep badmouthing us—what do you want from me?" In the end, this brazenness doomed innocent holy knights and clergy.
"Fucking hell."
"Watch your language."
"If you were in my shoes, teacher, you wouldn't hold back either, right?"
A carriage rumbling toward the Four Seasons Forest. Inside, a man and woman traded banter. Square jaw, stern features, sunken eyes around the sockets. Neatly trimmed gray beard matching his short gray hair and blue eyes—a middle-aged man.
"No chit-chat. Think about what's ahead."
"Wow, you're really no fun, teacher! Do you even know where we're headed? The Four Seasons Forest. The Four Seasons Forest!"
The young woman across from him cried out in frustration. Short-cropped brown hair for practicality. Upturned eyes giving her a cynical air. Her husky voice sounded almost androgynous, but her beauty was undeniable.
"I know."
"And you're this calm about it?!"
"It's an order from above. Don't forget—we're holy knights, but also soldiers."
"Hah...!"
But the gray-haired man merely crossed his arms and replied in his measured tone. Fed up with his stonewalling, the young holy knight, Reina, let out a sigh. She followed up with her grievances, convinced this was all wrong no matter how she sliced it.
"Teacher, be real—this is just them shoving us off a cliff to die. Just because the higher-ups said so."
"..."
"Why the hell do we have to take this mission? Don't tell me it's because you're the Hero's mentor..."
"Quiet."
Ludwig van Errolt, the gray-haired holy knight, cut her off with a stern voice. Short and sharp, but heavy with authority—it sealed Reina's lips. Still, her expression didn't soften. If anything, defiance brewed, anger slowly rising.
"Orders from above. We obey. That's it."
"Teacher."
"From now on, don't call me teacher. Call me Captain. We're friends, but I'm still your superior."
"..."
His rigidness was suffocating, blocking even breath. Reina scowled but held her tongue. Complaining wouldn't change a damn thing.
"Reina."
"..."
"If you're scared, desert. I'll pretend I didn't see."
In the heavy silence, Ludwig spoke first. Reina blinked in shock at his suggestion of desertion, then frowned.
"What? I'm honestly more surprised you even opened your mouth."
"I can still tell right from wrong."
"Then why not go down swinging? Better than this."
"Better a slim hope than a dog's death."
"Yeah, right."
Reina laughed in disbelief. She wasn't stupid. She knew El Dorado's current state, why she'd been thrown onto this team. Knowing it all, only a hollow chuckle escaped her.
"Sucks to be smart enough to die for it."
"Sometimes you gotta play dumb."
"Then why raise the Hero, if you knew better?"
"It was the Goddess's mission."
"Sigh."
Reina shook her head. Ludwig had once trained the Hero in martial arts, renowned as a devout believer. One of El Dorado's most respected holy knights—until the incident shattered it all.
"Captain."
"Speak."
"Do you really think the Hero's a traitor?"
Rumors that Hero Asella was a traitor. That she'd fled because of it. A traitor was the worst—someone the Goddess Aris herself had branded a betrayer, El Dorado's ultimate enemy. The holy nation was hunting the fugitive Asella. The scandal had spread across the continent.
"By the prophecy, yes."
"What if the Pope's side rigged it?"
"No way to know. Only cardinals and above hear prophecies."
El Dorado had committed countless misdeeds, overt and covert, yet clung to its holy status thanks to prophecies. Delivered directly by the Goddess whenever the nation faced crisis. In ancient times, when humanity was weak, gods like Aris issued them. Now, with generational shifts, a new prophecy came each time a Hero was chosen.
As soon as Asella drew the holy sword Revolution, the Goddess prophesied: Asella would destroy the holy nation, El Dorado. Prophecies usually left room for interpretation, but this one was blunt and shocking.
"Even if they rigged it, Asella fled the moment she heard. Does that explain everything?"
"Why would the Goddess even..."
"Only She knows."
Hearing it, Asella stole Revolution and ran. With the Hero—who should rival the Pope—gone, no one could check him. That's why he moved freely now, purging eyesores in this "investigation team."
"So, you deserting?"
"Nah. We'd get chased down anyway."
"Better to roll in shit than die."
"Her noble grace will guide us, I'm sure."
Ludwig smirked at Reina's sarcasm. He couldn't hate her grumbling. But it pained him too—such talent wasted on a purge. He wanted to rebel, but lacked power and justification. A cruel, unjust reality. No one could change it. With even the Hero deemed a traitor, what hope was there?
"By the way, Captain."
"Speak."
"That guy in the Gallery who leaked the book's contents."
As Ludwig inwardly sighed, Reina brought up an intriguing topic. The root of it all, the culprit. Gallery matters rarely spilled into reality, but this shook a nation's foundation—they couldn't ignore it.
"Why bring him up?"
"You really think he's in the Four Seasons Forest?"
"I don't use the Gallery, so no idea. But his existence is proven, I hear."
"Sure, but realistically?"
Maybe because they were heading there soon. A natural question. Ludwig pondered, then asked casually,
"You use the Gallery too?"
"Just lurking."
"Lurking?"
"Wow... total dad vibes."
"Sorry for the smell."
"Kidding. Means I just browse. Like how you don't read every word of the newspaper."
"I do."
"..."
Reina grimaced. No wonder the Hero was so rigid. She sighed inwardly, skipping the small talk.
"Anyway, you think the leaker's really surviving in the Four Seasons Forest? Even with proof, it's hard to buy."
"We know next to nothing about it. Could be safe spots."
"If you say so... But can we survive there?"
"First time for me too. No clue."
"Sigh. Shouldn't have asked."
His rote reply killed the conversation. Reina killed time by browsing the Gallery instead. Ludwig, noticing her staring at empty air, asked quietly,
"Logged into the Gallery?"
"Yeah. Checking that guy's posts."
"What do they say?"
"Says if we make it to his place, he'll throw a huge welcome party. Begging us to come."
Reina giggled, clearly amused. Ludwig showed deeper interest, then asked,
"Anything else?"
"Kinda... If we prove we're the investigation team, he'll give us an awesome gift."
"...What?"
"A gift. Wanna ask what?"
Ludwig frowned briefly at the casual swear, then nodded indifferently. Reina stared into space for a bit, then tsked in disappointment.
"No dice. Authentication's a pain."
"What kind?"
"Tons of conditions. First, photo at the Four Seasons Forest entrance. Second, prove you're on the team. Third, get others to vouch."
"Thorough guy."
"Wouldn't take it anyway without knowing what it is."
As Reina grumbled to a close,
"How do you access the Gallery?"
"Pardon?"
"How do you access the Gallery?"
Ludwig, who'd been watching silently, asked about logging in. Caught off guard, Reina blinked.
"...For real?"
"Think of it as my last entertainment. Not telling?"
"No, I will... but..."
Reina taught Ludwig how. It was simple, and he connected easily. He stared into space intently.
"Reina."
"Yes, sir."
"Can I borrow a mirror?"
"?"
Odd request, but she handed one over. Ludwig checked his face from angles, then returned it. Back to browsing, focused. Reina watched, then logged in herself—curious what the stiff guy might post. Lurking only wouldn't cut it...
And there it was, smack in the concept posts list—top-recommended stuff. Ludwig van Errolt. His full name. Rare to match surname and middle. Half-doubting, Reina opened it.
Ludwig van Errolt
LudwigvanErrolt
(Mirror-reflected photo of Ludwig's face)
(Mirror-reflected photo of Ludwig's face)
(Mirror-reflected photo of Ludwig's face)
Holy Nation, El Dorado Investigation Captain Ludwig van Errolt. Verified.
└?
└?
└Wtf is this dude?
└Suddenly posting his own pic? Why?
└What do we even say? He's ugly?
└Hold up, investigation captain? For real?
└Why post something like that??
└Bragging he's hot?
└Hoping for Grill's gift?
└Total dad energy lol
"Hm. Strange. I verified, but..."
"..."
Even his first post reeked of lonely old-man vibes.