Chapter 180
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 184
Chapter Title: Church Troops Arrive
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Murel's incredibly anxious expression was so amusing that I was tempted to tease her a bit, but unfortunately, given the situation, I decided to act quickly.
In truth, this was practically an experiment.
If it worked, great; if not, oh well.
The authority of the Beast God Kubel that I'd gained was "manifesting the symbols and concepts of beasts as phenomena."
In other words, there was a high chance that common, universal perceptions of beastly ecology could also be amplified through this authority.
Splash splash splash splash splash!
"...Han-gil. Lady Sisili, Lady Vivian, and Lady Arpe look utterly bewildered."
"I clearly told them to look away. If they still peeked anyway, maybe it's because they're secretly lewd?"
"U-uh, lewd!? Sir Han-gil! You keep forgetting! I'm a saintess! Calling a saintess lewd will get you in big trouble!"
Following her shrill cry that echoed everywhere, I turned my head. Sisili, her face beet red and covered by both hands, peeked through her fingers and met my gaze.
"A-ah, I wasn't looking!"
"You've already seen everything, so what's with the excuses... Anyway, so lewd."
"I'm not lewd! And you really can't say things like that! Someone might actually misunderstand!"
Even as she protested vigorously, her worry for me made me chuckle. I abruptly cut off the overflowing stream of urine midway.
Oh, by the way, Vivian and Arpe were also blushing furiously, desperately turning their heads away.
Unlike Sisili, though, they didn't even have the composure to speak, their lips pressed tightly together.
"Phew, good. That's enough marking here... Hup!"
I admired the urine soaking Terabaon's outer walls with satisfaction, then used my authority to shape claws and carved massive claw marks into the stone.
"...Han-gil. May I ask what you're doing right now?"
"Can't you tell? I'm 'marking territory.'"
"Marking territory...?"
She tilted her head in confusion.
Not just her—the rest of the group who'd followed me were all wearing baffled expressions, unable to comprehend. I felt the need to explain.
"As you know, my authority comes from the Beast God Kubel, and Kubel's authority is 'manifesting the symbols and concepts of beasts as phenomena.' In simple terms, it's a power where the traits or ecology of beasts—as commonly perceived by many—manifest as absolute force."
"So that's why you're spraying urine and leaving claw marks."
"Exactly. I tried using this 'territory' against Rubias before, but the effect was weak and the range narrow. Even so, it managed to suppress a Demon King's authority. So if I leave more direct traces like this, I should be able to claim a larger area as my 'territory' and control it more powerfully. Probably."
"I see... Understood. It was a necessary process, then."
"Yep."
Gulp gulp gulp!
To produce more urine, I chugged straight from a bottle of liquor, then panted hot breaths as I looked at Murel.
"So, how's the gear? Like it?"
At my question, Murel beamed and glanced down at herself.
She'd swapped her maid outfit for sleek, muted gray light armor that radiated no presence or aura at all—making her seem all the more dangerous.
"Yes. It fits me perfectly. Plus, my movements feel lighter, power surges through me... and my shadow arts flow even more smoothly. It's the best condition I've ever felt in my life."
"Glad to hear it."
It was unique-grade assassin gear from the Duke's Family treasure vault, after all. Anything less would be a problem.
"What about the rest of you?"
I turned to the others.
Rebecca, Kachiora, Nemes... All of them were equipped with new custom gear, and the twitching corners of their grinning mouths showed just how thrilled they were.
"It's so incredible it's almost scary."
"I don't even know if I deserve gear like this."
"Master! I feel like I could beat anyone right now!"
Watching them chatter excitedly made me laugh involuntarily.
And why not? I'd finally equipped them with gear befitting their levels.
In terms of raw power, they wouldn't lose easily to even a Demon King in the divine realm now.
Of course, against demon realm foes, it'd be a different story.
"Alright. Let's move."
After that, I hurried along, diligently spraying urine and clawing marks on Terabaon's outer walls.
And the effects showed immediately.
"...Looks like a success."
Right after marking all eight directions, my authority writhed, and my senses began expanding endlessly.
It was an incredibly strange sensation.
Like I'd trapped all of Terabaon in my grasp, or as if my body were stretching out like spiderwebs, sharpening to razor points.
"I tried it just in case, but the effect is way better than expected...?"
It wasn't just sharper, expanded senses. The authority itself amplified and swelled, filling me with an omnipotent feeling.
"...Indeed, is this the most efficient way to use the Beast God Kubel's authority?"
Not a power for attacking or invading, but for delineating borders, defending, and protecting.
The moment I realized that was Kubel's essence, a part of my soul suddenly floated upward.
At the same time, a chilling clarity wrapped from the nape of my neck to my entire head, and a heavy sense of something within me solidifying weighed down my body. It felt like my existence had rooted more firmly, bringing an overwhelming stability and elation I couldn't contain.
"Sigh... haaa..."
Was this awakening too?
It differed from typical awakenings, hard to grasp... but more room to grow was always welcome.
"...Hm?"
Then, from Terabaon's inner castle—the Duke's estate outskirts—I sensed something alien. Simultaneously, a group of unfamiliar presences appeared as clearly as if right in front of me.
"Looks like the Church's reinforcements have arrived. As expected, they're quick when it comes to Demon Kings."
"Pardon?"
Murel, too far to sense anything, tilted her head. Amused, I strode forward with conviction.
As my senses indicated, a group clad in pristine white robes and armor stood in perfect formation at the Duke's castle entrance.
Ignoring the citizens' murmurs, the priests and holy knights stood ramrod straight, radiating unyielding resolve and grim determination.
"Hm? Oh! Long time no see!"
At that moment, a bald musclebound man overseeing the group spotted me and waved enthusiastically overhead.
"Starnassila Alzen! Kahaha! When we heard the Demon King was attacking, we came to—...?"
He bellowed as he approached, but froze upon seeing my face up close, his expression hardening.
"...Starnassila Alzen...? Is that really you?"
"Half right. Ferdio Hadim. Long time no see."
"Half...? Then the other half?"
I smirked as he reached for his weapon.
"Kang Han-gil."
"Huh!? Wha—!? Don't draw it!"
"Sir Han-gil?"
As I introduced myself, I pushed Sisili and Wendy forward. They stared at me in confusion.
"Too lazy to explain. You vouch for me."
"Ah... Got it."
"Y-yes...?"
Wendy nodded as if it were obvious, but Sisili looked up at me in bewilderment.
"...Lady Saintess. Could you explain what's going on?"
"Explain what?"
"Th-that... Starnassila Alzen looks different from the one I know."
"...Ah!? N-no! Archbishop Ferdio Hadim! He's no demon or evil being! It's the Starnassila Alzen we know!"
"But he said he's only half Starnassila Alzen..."
"W-well, you see... Actually, he's been Kang Han-gil from the start, not Alzen... And the one I introduced as the Goddess's champion was also Han-gil... so..."
"Wow, Sisili, you're terrible at explaining."
Teasing her as she stammered incoherently, she whipped her head away and glared fiercely.
I chuckled and ruffled her delicate blonde hair wildly.
"Anyway, Hadim. If their vouching isn't enough, there's the Third Imperial Princess's too."
I pushed Arpe forward. Hadim hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.
"Fine, I'll believe you're the Alzen I know for now. I'll need a full explanation separately... Ahem! Anyway! Per your request, I've brought troops to face the Demon King and high demons!"
I frowned at his unnecessarily booming voice echoing everywhere.
Not just because it hurt my ears—some citizens gawking at the priests and knights had overheard.
"D-did you hear that? Demon King...?"
"Must've misheard."
"I heard it clear! Troops to fight the Demon King and high demons!"
"No way Terabaon is under attack again...!?"
With the aftermath of High Demon Cambello's massive assault not fully recovered, the citizens whispered anxiously.
"...Hadim. On purpose?"
"Oops, my mistake... Got excited and..."
I sighed at him stroking his bald head sheepishly.
He was as hot-blooded as his looks, a lifelong inquisitor slaying dark mages and monsters. Expecting subtlety from him was asking too much.
"...Follow me for now. Details with my father."
"Ahem, got it. Sorry."
I shook my head at Ferdio Hadim leading his priests and knights after me, looking awkward.