Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Words of the Doctrine
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"The words of the doctrine were not wrong. Mothers are strong... and great beings, indeed."
All around us, everything burned red.
Acrid smoke blanketed the sky, making it impossible to tell day from night. It was a hellscape straight out of an apocalypse.
"Save me! Aaaagh!"
The crowds that had gathered to claim the Blood Cell were all wild-eyed with frenzy.
It wasn't just greed— the Blood Cell itself was fueling their madness.
The stone's toxic aura had burrowed straight into their brains.
Any normal person would have collapsed, legs giving out, or vomited from sheer terror at the sight.
'Not me, though.'
I knew it in my head. Objectively, this was a tragedy.
The problem was me.
'...I feel nothing.'
No sadness. No fear.
If anything, the sharp tang of blood and the stench of burning flesh brought a strange sense of calm.
It was enough to make my skin crawl, wondering if I was even human.
Kaboom!
An explosion rocked the distance.
"Focus fire! Don't let them clump up!"
Even in the chaotic melee, the Commander's group moved with perfect order.
They repelled enemies swarming from every direction.
Then, a chill killing intent prickled from behind.
"Mom! Behind you!"
"Esira, fall back."
I instinctively stepped in front of Esira. No way was I letting my girl get splattered in filthy blood.
No need to look. I swung my greatsword.
Bones and flesh shattered.
It split cleanly in two without even a scream, slamming into the ground.
Marigold was holding her own pretty well too. As expected from a top-tier fighter.
Crackle, hiss.
The Commander's voice came through my in-ear piece, static-laced.
[Asrania. Combat's intensifying at your position. Is Esira safe?]
"Stick right behind me. Not a scratch on her."
[Are you alright?]
I let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
Mountains of corpses in front of me, and he's asking about my well-being?
"Worry about your front line instead of me. These small fry aren't even a warm-up."
[Glad to hear it.]
I readjusted my grip on the greatsword and stared ahead.
In the heart of the battlefield, thick with the reek of blood.
The mercenary pack charging at me froze mid-stride as I took a single step forward.
"Wait, that woman..."
"Silver hair... and a greatsword as big as she is?"
"No way, is that Asrania? Why the hell is the calamity here?!"
"For the Blood Cell, obviously! Damn it!"
"Shit! That fucking bitch!"
Their hands trembled on their weapons, and without a word, they backpedaled.
"R-Run! That's no human!"
"Forget the stone—our lives come first! Scatter!"
The enemies turned tail and fled.
I didn't bother chasing.
No interest in backstabbing, and I wasn't leaving Esira behind to roam far.
'Boring.'
Right then.
"Mom, who's that?"
Esira pointed into the hazy smoke, where a metallic glint flashed.
"...A gun?"
I thumbed my in-ear immediately.
"Commander."
[Yes?]
"Looks like Batiuus sent some honored guests."
[That reclusive bunch showing up in this mess?]
For the first time, bewilderment crept into the Commander's voice.
"They're packing guns."
[Revolvers?]
In a world where even big shots like Marlboro treasured their six-shooters.
"No."
I narrowed my eyes, staring down the barrel aiming at me through the scope.
"Something way more annoying. Assault rifle, looks like. Full-auto."
Sacred Relics passed down through generations— symbols of wealth and power.
A single bullet cost more than rare materials, handled only by the elite few deemed worthy.
"Must really want that Blood Cell bad. Wasting pricey ammo like that."
I raised my greatsword to shield Esira.
[Hold position. I'll try talking them down.]
"Commander, you forget? How Exim and Batiuus get along."
Batiuus saw us as thorns in their side for meddling in their holy untouchables.
By their doctrine, we were arrogant heretics defying divine will.
Now their faithful planned to purge heretics with guns.
"Everything we do spits in the face of their dogma. Think those fanatic zealots will look kindly on me?"
I smirked.
[So what then?]
"What else? They die."
I gripped the hilt tight.
Distance didn't matter. They were in my range.
[Wait! Asrania, stand down!]
The Commander shouted urgently.
[I'll handle mediation myself...!]
"Too late."
I saw his index finger hook the trigger.
"They're firing."
I swung the greatsword from low to high.
A technique I'd picked up collaborating with the Commander last time.
Condense mana into the blade, slashing the space ahead itself.
A massive black wave erupted from the tip in a fan shape. The slash engulfed them.
"Wha...?"
The Batiuus member's eyes bulged. He froze mid-pull on the trigger.
Shing!
"M-My gun!"
"The Sacred Relic's been bisected?!"
The barrel cleaved neatly in two, clattering to the ground. The cut was mirror-smooth, like steel tofu.
"Helping you save those precious bullets."
I said casually to the Commander.
"I've bought time. Handle it quick."
[Understood.]
Having played the original, I knew better than to go full war with Batiuus here.
Killing them would be easy, but it'd make the cult go berserk.
With the Commander around, though.
Break their Sacred Relics, crush their spirit, and that silver-tongued guy would talk circles to turn it our way.
'Best to offload the hassle.'
"Y-You heretic bitch... daring to defile a Sacred Relic!"
Clutching the severed barrel, he trembled and reached for a sidearm at his waist.
Ungrateful for his life, faith came first.
I raised my sword again to teach him a real lesson.
That's when.
"Hold on, Asrania."
The Commander emerged from behind a crumbled wall, elite guards and Reina in tow.
"Batiuus priests. Sorry if my greeting was rough."
He raised both hands and flashed a friendly smile.
"You're the Commander, huh?"
"Yes, Commander Commander."
The Commander nodded politely.
Given his name, it was the most honest answer in the world.
The priest eyed him suspiciously, then turned to me.
"Fine, the Commander's here. But why's she here?"
"She's fighting alongside us right now. A reliable ally."
"...Alongside you?"
The priest glared at me in disbelief.
His gaze met Esira's beside me, and his expression twisted oddly.
"Ah...!"
He gasped as if realizing something.
"So the rumors are true."
"..."
"The Goddess teaches that motherhood, the nurturing of life, is the greatest power."
The killing glare softened instantly into awe.
"The calamity that calls blood... has become a mother."
The priest clicked his tongue but released his grip on the gun.
"The words of the doctrine were not wrong. Mothers are strong... and great beings, indeed."
I'm used to lines like that now. Almost wanted to compliment him back.
I am a mom, after all.
In their faith, mothers are exalted. Even their strict dogma couldn't deny I fit the bill perfectly.
"Mom."
"...Yeah?"
"I don't get what he's saying."
"Don't worry about it, sweetie."
No need to, really.
His vibe had shifted noticeably.
From holy war zeal to swayed by "mother" or the Commander's slick talk.
The Commander and the priest had a serious back-and-forth.
The Commander explained in his usual tone; the priest nodded, crossing himself or quoting scripture.
Things seemed settled, so I chimed in.
"Why'd Batiuus cross borders to march here? After the Blood Cell?"
"...Asrania."
The priest paused, then shook his head.
"We came to stop a greater calamity."
Esira tilted her head.
"Calamity?"
"It's coming from deep underground."
The Commander asked.
"This is Kitesh, a ruined city. What's down there?"
"An expert will explain. She's the authority on this."
His tone lacked conviction.
"Come out."
After a long wait, someone timidly emerged from the rubble.
A petite woman in a black robe, lugging a bag as big as herself.
"H-H... H-Hi... Hello..."
Stuttering like crazy.
She stared at the ground while walking, only lifting her head beside the priest.
Our eyes met.
What the hell are you doing here?}
"Black Purple, explain the situation."
"I-It’s... Th-There... In th-that place..."
She was terrified, soul nearly fleeing.
"...Huh?"
"Huh?"
"H-Hiiiik—!!"
Black Purple shrieked and plopped down.
"Wh-Why is A-Asrania hereee?!"
"..."
"I-I didn't betray youuu!"
Exim and Batiuus weren't on good terms.
Black Purple hanging with Batiuus priests?
Perfect setup for misunderstandings.
'Not that I cared.'
I'd just stared.
Apparently, my presence alone choked her.
Like a guilty thief, words poured out.
"I came to investigate mana waves, then ancient lifeform signals popped up boom! I couldn't handle it alone! So I desperately requested Batiuus backup! For real! No betrayal, I swear, please spare me!"
"..."
Her breathless rap-speed delivery had killer diction. Stuck right in your ears.
Damn, she could talk.
"Got it. Breathe. You'll pass out."
"Gasp! Khuh...!"
"So, what's this ancient lifeform? Must be big if it dragged in stuck-up Batiuus."
Terrified as she was, she met my eyes squarely now.
"The Abyss..."
