Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Episode 88
The area around the Holy City was filled with countless undead and the sound of singing.
The priests poured out their divine arts to try to seal the gate to the Underworld that was beginning to open in the sky, and the undead from the Underworld, as if to counter them, squeezed and shoved their bodies to get out through the narrow opening.
"What will you do?"
Discreet Punisher, the head of Tenebris, who was hiding in a building and looking out the window, muttered quietly as he watched the conflicting scene.
-Hmm...
Then, an old man's sigh, as if in thought, came from the communication device set up in the middle of the room.
-What do you want to do, Minister?
"...I have always lived as Your Majesty's shadow, so I must follow Your Majesty's will this time as well."
-Still such a boring answer.
Discreet answered with the utmost politeness.
The being on the other side of the communication device was none other than the Emperor of the Helios Empire.
'Antares Von Helios.'
-You don't even show your emotions to your master, so what should I do with you?
"Emotions are unnecessary for a shadow, are they not?"
-Is that so? Heh heh. How about trying to be a little lighter?
Discreet knew that his friendly demeanor was a lie.
Even at this moment, he was testing Discreet's loyalty.
The Punisher family was shunned even within the Empire.
Just a few decades ago, it was impossible for someone from the Punisher family to hold a key position.
It was only because the current emperor, Antares, tended to hire talented individuals regardless of status or origin that Discreet was able to become the head of the intelligence agency, Tenebris.
But it was only status and origin that didn't matter. As much as he didn't care about those, the Emperor strictly checked abilities and ideologies.
It might seem unreasonable, but Discreet actually thought it was fortunate.
The very act of trying to confirm his loyalty meant he was still useful.
"Kyaaaaak!"
"Wh-what...?!"
"Monster... It's a monster!"
At that moment, the hymns coming from outside began to turn into screams.
Discreet felt a tingling sensation on his skin and waited for the Emperor's words.
Only a Hand could spread that much fear.
-As you said, a Hand seems to have appeared. Who do you think it is?
"...Judging by the unrestrained and ferocious cutting sound, it's highly likely to be the Death Knight, 'Sting Twilight'."
-A Death Knight? I know it's a high-ranking undead, but to this extent?
"Don't the knights of the Empire also have different skill levels?"
-I see... Then how would it compare to you, Minister? Do you think you could win if you fought?
In the Underworld, the flow of time was meaningless. Unless they were destroyed at some point, they wouldn't melt into the flow of time.
Therefore, if there was a swordsman who had survived hundreds of years by the [Death King]'s side, he would definitely be a master of the sword.
Even if he were mediocre, that would be the case. The flow of time would have tempered and strengthened him.
So the opponent had to be an undisputed monster.
"If I were to fight him, I would lose."
-Even within the sanctuary of the Holy City?
"Yes."
Discreet frankly admitted it.
Even if weakened, he couldn't defeat the opponent one-on-one.
The matchup between him and Sting Twilight was quite bad.
For Discreet, who had bridged the gap of talent through effort, it was impossible to defeat someone who had put in overwhelmingly more time and effort.
"But if the head of Tenebris fights, we can win."
-That's an answer I like.
However, that was only in a one-on-one situation. If he fought as a commander leading an army, Discreet was confident he could win, even if the opponent was a master of the sword.
The Emperor chuckled again at Discreet's confident words.
-Then what should we do...
Screams were still coming from outside, but the Emperor's decision was slow. Discreet broke out in a cold sweat.
He wanted to move immediately, but it was impossible.
As long as his superior, the Emperor, was there, he couldn't move without orders.
-What benefits do you think I can gain by helping them?
The Emperor suddenly asked Discreet with an indifferent attitude.
Discreet bowed his head even lower.
As the Emperor said, this would be a matter between nations.
-Will they say they support me? Those who follow only God, support me? That's impossible.
The Emperor analyzed the situation coolly. It was a natural value for the Emperor of the Empire to possess.
-Even if they support me, it's a problem. The moment they announce their support for me, the unique character of the Holy City disappears. Isn't that right?
"You are correct, Your Majesty."
-Of course, I can gain other benefits. It would be good if I could dispatch priests to the Empire. But isn't that all?
The cost-benefit analysis didn't add up.
The Emperor was calculating the benefits and risks of using the elite force, Tenebris.
Discreet cautiously spoke in response to the Emperor's attitude.
"...Wouldn't it depend on the negotiation?"
-If it were another country, perhaps. But would the Holy City accept that? They're shameless enough to live as an independent nation in the middle of the Empire, aren't they?
"...."
-Then how should we handle this to gain an advantage?
Discreet felt his heart turn cold.
He had a vague idea of what the Emperor was trying to say.
-We'll have to help them. The Holy City probably already knows that you ministers are there. If we remain silent, we'll be criticized by the public.
"Then are you saying you'll adjust the timing?"
-If necessary.
Adjust the timing.
That meant they would stand by and watch the priests of the Holy City die until the opportune moment.
-What benefits do you think we can gain by adjusting the timing?
"...The Holy City's defense capabilities will be significantly lowered."
-Yes, then wouldn't it be possible to station Imperial troops there under the pretext of protection?
"That's..."
Interfering in internal affairs.
But things probably wouldn't be that simple.
The Holy City wouldn't be unaware of something even Discreet could notice.
What the Emperor ultimately wanted wasn't interference in internal affairs, but to instill distrust in the Holy City itself.
He didn't know what benefit that would bring him, but countless lives hinged on the Emperor's decision.
Discreet spoke, suppressing his emotions as much as possible.
"Then I will issue a standby order to the members..."
-But you know.
"Yes...?"
The Emperor suddenly interrupted Discreet with a playful voice.
-If it's a Hand, wouldn't they have a pretty good sword?
"That... would be so?"
-The priests will prioritize attacking that raging fellow anyway. I rather fancy that sword.
The Emperor's authority. He had overwhelming power that allowed him to disregard all political issues.
"I will present it to Your Majesty."
-Then why aren't you moving quickly? What if someone else takes it?
Discreet clenched his fist. Only then did he realize.
The Emperor had been toying with him, who was trying to act nonchalantly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Whoosh!
A fingertip larger than my face passed right in front of my eyes.
Gigantes's attack could be a critical hit even if it just grazed me.
Oz in the original story bombarded him with advanced-level magic to keep him from approaching, but I couldn't do that.
My skills were lacking.
But it was fine. I could also do things Oz couldn't.
Advanced-Level Magic
[Pinaka]
Paaat!
An arrow of mana imbued with pale blue light pierced Gigantes's arm, leaving a small wound.
Only advanced-level magic could even inflict a wound on the opponent.
If I chipped away at him like this, I could definitely win, but...
"...This will take too long."
At this rate, I wouldn't be able to achieve the goal of destroying the sacred remains.
Moreover, it was hard to believe the opponent would be finished with just this.
That massive body and brute strength. That alone was threatening enough, but he surely had a hidden card.
[Erosion Rate 17%]
Despite the urgent battle situation, the [Erosion Rate] was still at rock bottom. If it were even 30%, I could deploy magic more easily, but I felt anxious.
"Huuuk..."
The opponent's attacks were powerful enough to tear my body apart with just a graze.
On the other hand, my attacks only left scratches.
Wasn't this like a boss battle from a hardcore game?
To make matters worse, I was out of breath.
I couldn't last long in this state. Then, rather...
『This is not a plea.』
Even if it made me more breathless, a short, decisive battle.
Divine Magic
[Another Savior]
I deployed divine magic.
[Another Savior], whose power was ultimately only mid-level.
"Grrrrr...?"
He let out a gurgling sound, frowned, and stopped.
He was wary of the unfamiliar magic. He looked unintelligent, but he was a monster that had lived for hundreds of years.
He must have seen countless spells during that time. That's why he was wary of this completely new system of magic.
His greatest weapons were his sturdy body and his even more impressive regenerative ability. He probably thought he could endure as long as he protected his vital spots.
That would have been the most perfect response for a creature that had lived for hundreds of years.
Divine Magic
[Another Savior]
While he frowned and remained wary, I deployed as many [Another Savior] spells as possible, connecting the mana threads.
With my current mental strength, I could simultaneously control 5 swords.
If the [Erosion Rate] was at its maximum, I could have managed 8, which was unfortunate.
"Hmph!"
I swung the 5 completed [Another Savior] swords, aiming for his openings.
My target was his ankles, to completely take away his mobility.
The point he misunderstood.
The point he hadn't considered.
The prejudice ingrained in his mind.
"Grrr?"
The fact that [Another Savior] wasn't simple magic.
The fact that his regenerative ability wouldn't be able to do its job.
The fact that he judged I wouldn't be able to exploit his weakness because I was a mage.
"Don't tell me... this is?!"
He looked at me quizzically for aiming at his ankles instead of his vital spots, but only for a moment.
As he tried to rise to shift from defense to offense, he finally noticed what had happened to his body.
"Now you won't be able to run around like a madman with that cumbersome body, will you?"
Magic imbued with the properties of divine power.
[Another Savior] had robbed his wounds of their regenerative ability.
At least while in the Holy City, he wouldn't be able to regenerate his wounds.
Advanced-Level Magic
[Hellfire]
The scene where Oz fought Gigantes Dusk in the original story overlapped.
The difference was that the firepower of the magic I used was a bit lower.
And the wounds on his ankles were more severe than in the original story.
But with this, it was a zero-sum game.
"Kuaaaak!!!"
Gigantes now began to show patterns from the game, like throwing rocks or smashing the ground.
Scenes that looked like desperate struggles.
The incoming rocks could be deflected sufficiently just by deploying [Parma Shield].
Since this was the Holy City, it was impossible to throw objects imbued with death energy.
For rocks accompanied only by simple physical force, deflecting their trajectory with a shield was enough.
"Just like this..."
A zero-sum state barely achieved.
This state must not be overturned. I knew the opponent. I remembered the carelessness that led to Oz's defeat in the original story.
I just needed to block his final desperate attack.
If I succeeded just once, this zero-sum game would end safely with my victory. I was different.
"If it just goes like this...!"
I could twist it. I could win.
Advanced-Level magic, including [Another Savior], began to gradually increase the wounds on his body.
Unlike Oz in the original story, I wouldn't be defeated and roll on the ground.
"Grrrrrrrrr!!!"
He let out another gurgling roar and threw a rock.
The response was the same as before.
Mid-Level Magic
[Parma Shield]
While blocking the incoming rock, I didn't take my eyes off Gigantes.
Even though his Achilles tendon was cut, it didn't mean he couldn't move.
Oz must have been defeated by that point.
As I was glaring at Gigantes beyond the incoming rocks...
"He disappeared...?!"
For a split second, when my vision was obscured by the rock, his figure vanished.
I missed him even though I was watching.
[Contemplation - Activate]
"Kuk!"
The moment I realized the result, I activated [Contemplation] to its current maximum.
My vision widened, and the world slowed down. A piercing headache began to race through my mind from the amount of information about the world imprinted in that short moment.
And in the expanded world...
"Found him..."
I finally found Gigantes.
He had used that single moment to leap into the sky.
He had thrown his massive body using those huge arms.
His arms were already tattered.
He must have overexerted himself, unable to understand the discrepancy between his current state and his usual self.
No, he was aiming for a single, desperate, fatal blow.
As such, his attack would undoubtedly be intense, something that couldn't normally be blocked by anything.
But fortunately, I had [Spatial Barrier].
A skill that could block any attack once.
I had been saving it for this very moment.
"I won."
I sensed victory.
If I could just block this technique, defeating the tattered Gigantes would be easy.
As I watched him begin to fall, allowing for no margin of error...
"Uh..."
In the expanding world, I found another person.
It was a young priest I had never seen before.
Whether he had fallen behind or something, the young priest was sitting alone.
"No..."
And above that young priest's head, one of the rocks Gigantes had thrown was flying.
"Kuaaaak?!"
Activating the output of [Contemplation] beyond its limit, I checked my surroundings.
I looked for someone who could save the child.
Arietta was nearby.
The Shield of Light members were there.
But they couldn't move. They were surrounded by countless undead, including what appeared to be a Hand.
Just looking at the situation, they were in a more dangerous state than I was. They couldn't possibly have the leeway to care about the child.
Then who?
Who could save that child?
"Ha..."
Then it had to be me.