Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Priests of the Holy Kingdom (2)
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At the mention of demonic energy, the corps members stared at Kratos in surprise, their hands instinctively going to the hilts of their weapons. They didn’t know exactly what was happening, but they couldn’t just stand by while one of their own was being threatened.
“I’m the one who retrieved the list of black mage labs from the monster den. Couldn’t it just be some residual energy from that?”
“The scent of demonic energy is too strong for that. It’s enough to sting the nose. Simple contact doesn’t normally leave a scent this strong. The remnants of mere contact don’t last long, you see. They usually fade within a day.”
As if deeming the answer unsatisfactory, the sword at his throat pressed closer. Close enough to draw blood if he moved even slightly.
Their hatred for demonic energy was clearly no ordinary thing. They certainly didn't seem like the type of people who would be swayed by the Empire's schemes to do something foolish. I had put all but one of the stones away just in case, but to think they’d sniff it out like a bloodhound.
*Sigh.* I can’t easily trust anyone, can I?
Kratos tucked the mysterious stone into his pocket and pulled a wooden plaque from his coat, holding it out.
“Uh… what is that? Why do you have that?”
Seeing the Inquisitor’s mark carved into the plaque, Luciano’s eyes widened as he released his holy power to verify its authenticity.
That plaque wasn't something to be handed out lightly. In an Inquisitor's entire lifetime, one might use a dozen at most. No, even that would be considered a lot.
It was a plaque of trust, a testament that its bearer could be believed. To be able to gain someone's minimal trust without doing anything—wasn't that just absurd?
But this plaque made it possible.
“How can someone carrying demonic energy possess this plaque? If you killed someone and took it, this will only become a bigger problem.”
The expressions of the men around him grew colder.
“It’s nothing like that. I genuinely received this plaque. However, I don’t think this is the place to discuss it.”
Setting aside his bewilderment, Kratos gave Derek and Lando a meaningful glance before heading upstairs with Luciano and his retinue.
This was a matter that could only be discussed with those he trusted.
“You’ll need to explain this properly. The suspicions are only piling up.”
Once Derek, Lando, and the men from the Holy Kingdom entered the room, the space that had seemed quite large was suddenly full.
Derek activated an artifact to prevent any sound from leaking out.
Still, no one let down their guard as they stared at Kratos, waiting for him to speak.
“Try hitting me with your holy power one more time.”
After taking out the stone and sweeping away any residual demonic energy with his spiritual power, Kratos smiled faintly and spread his arms.
Luciano personally unleashed his holy power toward Kratos.
Just as it had in the capital, the holy power swirled around Kratos’s body, lingering for a long moment as if dancing. The priests could only make the sign of the cross, marveling at the sight.
“Oh, heavens. My God.”
“To have such a reaction. Who in the world are you…”
He was clearly a man worthy of possessing such a plaque. The only question that remained was the demonic energy. Everyone wore expressions of confusion, wondering why such a person would reek of it.
“I believe this might be the reason.”
It was the mysterious stone he had unearthed from all over the city of Lagaris. He had spent the entire day examining it while waiting for the men from the Holy Kingdom to arrive, and as a result, he had managed to separate the demonic energy from the other, unknown energy within.
What remained was a pure lump of demonic energy. The problem was, Kratos himself didn't know what specific type of demonic energy it was.
It wasn’t as if he’d had many opportunities to encounter it.
“What is this unholy…”
As the stone reacted violently to the holy power, the priests looked up at Kratos, their eyes demanding an explanation. Any suspicion they held toward him had long since vanished.
“These stones were planted all over Lagaris. At regular intervals. It seems they were dislodged and surfaced when the monsters attacked…”
He took out another stone, one from which he hadn't yet separated the energies, and demonstrated the process.
“I can’t be certain of its exact nature, but I suspect it might be related to the monster wave.”
Luciano carefully picked up the stone and examined its core.
“This! Damn those wretched seeds!”
A moment later, he flew into a rage, seething as if he had figured something out.
“Not all demonic energy is the same. Just as the Holy Kingdom is a composite of various religions, so too is demonic energy. The energy dwelling here appears to be that of Sloth. Though it’s not particularly strong.”
“The demonic energy of Sloth…”
He definitely remembered reading about it in the mythologies here. The Seven Deadly Sins were famous on Earth, too, weren't they?
Just like on Earth, as acts stemming from the seven sins became frequent, those thoughts manifested as the Seven Deadly Sins, which in turn led to the creation of the Demonic Realm. That was the story.
It all made sense now. Why the soldiers’ vigilance had waned in just over a week. If they were under the influence of the demonic energy of Sloth in a situation where they had something to rely on, it was entirely plausible.
That was the nature of demonic energy. It creeps into the depths of one’s heart without them even realizing it.
That led to a natural question. Who dared to plant stones imbued with demonic energy here?
And was this the only place?
It felt like his head was about to explode. Why were things so complicated? Things might get a little better once word came from the capital about rebuilding the intelligence network.
It was no easy task to paint the big picture without a single piece of information.
“It’s by no means easy for an ordinary person to distinguish between types of demonic energy.”
Luciano sighed, carefully picking up the stones Kratos had set down. He wrapped them in a cloth and handed them to another priest.
“We will take these to the Holy Kingdom. We’ll have to investigate the other towns as well. I offer my apologies for doubting you.”
“I understand completely. It’s demonic energy, after all. It’s a natural reaction.”
“We would be grateful if you would visit the Holy Kingdom someday. We cannot simply let such a significant discovery go unrewarded.”
This level of goodwill was more than enough. Having the Holy Kingdom's favor in a situation like this would undoubtedly make it easier for me and the White Mercenary Corps to operate.
And one more thing.
Presenting the wooden plaque out of the blue, versus showing it after being suspected of harboring demonic energy.
An extra step was added, but thanks to that single action, the Holy Kingdom priests' trust in Kratos was now far greater than it would have been with the former approach.
***
The nearest black mage laboratory. It was situated near a cave, so there were no civilians nearby. The priests seemed pleased as they prepared for battle.
“Maintain silence. Communication by hand signals only.”
“Heh heh. It’s fine. The amount of demonic energy I sense doesn't belong to a particularly strong foe.”
Luciano gave a pleased smile at the White Mercenary Corps’ cautious movements, then gestured to the priests in the rear.
As if they had been waiting for the signal, the priests unleashed a veritable flood of holy power toward the cave entrance, where the demonic energy was thickest.
“Wow…”
A carpet bombing. A festival of holy power. As if intending to annihilate everything, sharp projectiles of holy power rained down in every direction.
*Rumble—*
The bombardment continued for about ten minutes. When it finally ceased, Paladins led the way, followed by Inquisitors with holy power cloaking both hands, as they approached the collapsed cavern.
“It’s here.”
They reached the spot where the demonic energy had been strongest. Instead of digging, the Inquisitors blasted the ground with holy power, creating a crater.
“I don’t sense any demonic energy.”
“Find the body. Make sure. They’re like cockroaches.”
As if this were routine, the priests continued to dig into the earth by creating craters with their holy power.
After digging a crater about two meters deep, they found what appeared to be laboratory equipment and the corpse of a black mage, crushed by the landslide.
“Confirmed. It’s a black mage.”
“Incinerate it. Leave nothing behind. If even a single trace is missed and falls into civilian hands, how could we face Him!”
It was truly brutal. And destructive. Their creed seemed to be that when it came to demonic energy, even mercy was a luxury, as they reduced everything to nothingness.
Every time I saw the Holy Kingdom in action, I found that side of them quite appealing. Of course, they could be a bit single-minded when it came to anything related to demonic energy.
How damn cool is that?!
“Is it alright not to collect any evidence?”
“The evidence Brother Kratos provided is sufficient. Besides, black mages are like cockroaches; give them the slightest opening, and they will multiply endlessly. The curiosity of those who know nothing of black magic is also a problem. It’s best to just burn everything to ashes.”
“Ah…”
The fire ignited by holy power did not extinguish easily, burning deep into the earth and consuming everything in its path.
When the embers died down, the priests turned the earth over and set it ablaze once more, as if determined not to let a single speck of demonic energy escape.
“We move to the next location immediately!”
At Luciano’s shout, the priests ceased their endless torrent of holy power and caught their breath.
“Right away? Wouldn’t it be alright to rest for a bit?”
“Black mages are independent, but their laboratories are usually connected. If they realize contact with this location has been lost, the others might abandon their posts and flee.”
Truly, they had no mercy. Look at that determination to uproot them, even if it meant a forced march.
***
“We will be taking our leave now.”
One day. That was how long it took to utterly obliterate three black mage encampments.
“You’re leaving already?”
“The world is in chaos, and there are countless places that require God’s help. Still, thanks to the White Mercenary Corps, this was resolved easily and quickly, was it not?”
Luciano grasped Kratos’s hand, his expression now much gentler. His smile and actions were filled with sincerity.
In chaotic times like these, even the Holy Kingdom had to rely on outside help for matters that weren't of critical importance.
From that perspective, it was better for the Holy Kingdom to have as many friendly faces as possible, even if the reasons were purely political.
“Would you take out your wooden plaque?”
When he produced the plaque from his coat, Luciano carefully cupped it in his hands and infused it with holy power.
The holy power was pure, clear, and immense in quantity. While the power itself was astonishing, the wooden plaque that was absorbing it all was clearly no ordinary item either.
“Ah…”
“In these chaotic times, this will surely be of help. I trust that someone like you, Brother Kratos, will use it for a worthy cause.”
The holy power emanating from the wooden plaque felt significantly stronger. Moreover, new letters had been engraved upon it by the energy.
“And you will likely receive a message from the Holy Kingdom to the corps soon.”
“From the Holy Kingdom?”
“In difficult times, many helping hands are needed.”
For the record, the biggest clients in the mercenary business weren’t individuals or lords, but always nations. Be it for subjugation missions, wars, or anything else.
And among national requests, those from the Holy Kingdom were famous for what were commonly known as S-rank rewards. It wasn’t just about the payment, but even more so about the opportunity to form a connection with the Holy Kingdom.
The Holy Kingdom was the first place that came to mind for injuries like severed limbs.
In this world, there was no one who witnessed holy power and didn't believe in God.
***
“We’re finally home!”
“Hey, it’s not home, it’s headquarters. Is the headquarters your home?”
“Of course it is! We eat, sleep, and live here. If this isn’t home, what is?”
The long mission in Lagaris was finally over.
Without a moment's delay, the White Mercenary Corps quickly packed their belongings to return to their main base.
“Ah, my lobster tail sashimi…”
“What can you do? The monsters have spread to the sea, so they can’t go out to fish.”
At Reinhardt’s gloomy demeanor, the other members suppressed their laughter and patted his shoulder sympathetically.
If the monsters had only invaded inland, it would have been one thing, but they had encroached upon the coastal regions as well, preventing the fishing boats from even leaving the harbor.
“But why is the atmosphere like this?”
The atmosphere at the headquarters they arrived at was unusually chaotic. The members looked around, bewildered.
“Hey. What’s going on?”
They grabbed a passing corps member and threw questions at him. The man answered with a grim expression, gritting his teeth.
“They’re missing… an entire unit.”