Chapter 279
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 279
Chapter Title: Merdaine (3)
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Suddenly, mysterious assailants leaped out, unleashing deadly strikes with swords they had already drawn.
Swords and a chain scythe flew straight toward Jun, who was at the front, targeting his vital points with deadly precision.
These were no ordinary foes. They felt at least level 5, and the chain scythe wielder, who seemed to be the leader, was wrapped in aura, suggesting level 6.
But the path these people had walked to reach this point was far from easy, making such an ambush futile against them.
Ka-clang!
At the same moment as their ambush, Aiden surged forward as one with the wind, swinging his sword.
The elegant crescent arc of his blade sliced clean through the aura-wrapped chain scythe in a single stroke.
Clang-!
The other level 5's sword was pathetically deflected by a dagger Maya hurled.
"Ugh?!"
The ambush was blocked with inhuman speed, defying belief for human reflexes.
Jun spoke calmly.
"Don't kill them."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than gray aura bloomed along Maya's sword, severing both arms of one enemy in an instant.
The arms looked intact despite being clearly sliced.
But that lasted only a moment.
Maya slipped into the space created by her own slash and reappeared behind another foe, swinging Akandus's Fang once more.
[Myriad Spirits Rampage]
"Gaaahhhh-!!"
"Krahhh-!!"
Their skin turned pitch black in an instant.
They dropped their swords and collapsed, screaming in agony.
In that gap, Aiden fused with the wind spirit and dashed through the space. Having reached level 7, he could now fully unleash the spirit's power—his movements were so fast it was hard to track with the naked eye.
Another fell with severed tendons, and the last chain scythe wielder was brought down by Jun's magic.
"...Impressive."
Despite the sudden encounter, their teamwork showed no flaws.
Each member's individual skill was more than enough to covet a Paladin Captain's position.
Unlike the rumors, they all exuded the aura of seasoned level 7s.
"First, let's interrogate them..."
"Hold on, Captain."
At that moment, Eleanor unleashed golden holy power over the fallen enemies.
"Were you trying to take your own lives? Sorry to stop you."
"Well, even the gods wouldn't show mercy to scum like these."
They had tried to swallow poison hidden in their teeth, but Eleanor instantly neutralized the toxin, foiling their suicide attempt.
"Alright, let's go. You've got a fun time ahead of you."
Jun flashed a chilling smile as he cast [Sleep] on the subdued foes.
[Sleep]
The Saintess, who had watched the entire scene from behind, could only gape in stunned silence.
"First, allow me to express my gratitude."
A middle-aged woman bowed gracefully in thanks.
"No need. That was our mission from the start. You're too kind."
"Even so, the fact that we were oblivious to such an incident unfolding in Merdaine... I have no words."
"I feel the same."
The Saintess beside her closed her eyes in shared gratitude.
About half a day after the incident.
After transporting the captured enemies to the cathedral in a carriage, the Saintess immediately summoned paladins and ordered them interrogated.
"Did they reveal anything else?"
"Sigh... Yes, to some extent. But nothing groundbreaking."
Jun already knew the rough outline, but he asked for his comrades' sake.
And to check for any discrepancies from his game knowledge.
"First, their identities. They were people who had been helping with Merdaine's purification efforts for quite some time."
"Here for contribution points?"
"Yes. But a few months ago, they left without explanation."
"Were there many like that?"
"There were always some, but lately, it's been unusually high. Especially among those who'd built up significant contributions."
"Hmm..."
Jun relayed the info he'd received from Cloi up to that point.
"Before arriving, I obtained intel that many incidents were anticipated in Merdaine recently."
"Incidents?"
"Unexplained major losses, prompting more supplies from outside or outright exodus."
As Jun explained their movements per Cloi, the middle-aged woman and Saintess grew grave.
"To miss changes that big..."
"We have no excuses, Saintess."
The woman especially paled.
She was Bishop Entrias.
Someone once invited to Babern's praises, familiar to Jun and his party.
"No, Bishop Entrias. You've done your utmost. No need for guilt."
It might seem overblown.
One could say they were just competing for points among themselves.
But as the party had seen, the murdered became undead via dark magic—clearly tied to Merdaine's anomalies.
That's why the Bishop and Saintess reacted so sharply, insensitive to such shifts.
"Anything else besides their backgrounds?"
"Yes. To summarize:"
Major losses in Merdaine for unknown reasons led to near-bankruptcy, forcing their escape.
Then, a group approached with a covert offer.
"Kill various groups active in Merdaine's purification and sprinkle this powder on their bodies..."
Bishop Entrias placed a vial of deep purple powder on the table.
Purified dark magic into mana stone dust.
"Why accept such dangerous work...?"
Aiden asked, baffled.
It made sense.
Why would bankruptcy-fleeing cowards return to kill rivals?
"Two reasons. First, massive payments per incident cleared."
"Enough to avert bankruptcy, I see."
"Yes. And the other..."
"Revenge."
Aiden tilted his head at the Bishop's word.
"Did the attacked groups harm them?"
"So they claim... but it's just their assertion. Really, suspicion."
"No hard evidence, just hunches led to murder?"
"Exactly."
Lost purpose bred emptiness and rage; they clung to the rotten lifeline anyway.
"But they tried poison without hesitation..."
"We asked. They said it erases memories."
"Ah..."
"Analysis showed plain poison."
Ultimately, they were mere pawns.
Their guilt remained, of course.
No traces of the Heavenly Cult surfaced.
'Figures. They're too cunning.'
But this incident revealed truths unknown from the game.
Players got involved post-outbreak—during the lich's revival and Death God's manifestation. No fine details then.
'Game just called it Heavenly Cult agents. Didn't know these nuances.'
Explained why.
In-game, convincing Merdaine's NPCs for forces was tough.
Mutual distrust; slight support shortages sparked swords.
The Sun Church seemed aware.
Leak this, and distrust worsens.
Saintess and Bishop grew graver.
'How to turn this to our advantage...'
Jun pondered exploitation.
Inevitable anyway.
Hunting Heavenly Cult lackeys now? Too time-consuming.
But organize thoughts first.
"Anyway, you handled a major issue right away. On behalf of the Sun Church, thank you."
"Glad to hear it."
"Yes... Let's end here for today. Rest well."
Thus, Jun and his party returned to their cathedral quarters, wrapping the day.
Meanwhile, lying in bed staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, Jun pondered again.
'Not long until it erupts.'
More deduction than instinct.
Heavenly Cult wants imperial chaos.
But many options vanished lately.
They'd feel pressed, urgent.
'Like their recent moves.'
Events years away happening now.
Merdaine proved it.
'Death God separate from Heavenly Cult, but needs their aid to manifest.'
Today's incident confirmed involvement.
But one question: Why now?
'Emperor preps war in under 2 years.'
Heavenly Cult knows.
So sow chaos pre-war, prevent unity.
Death God's descent in Merdaine maximizes human fear.
'Divert attention, stir panic?'
Hard to predict next moves.
But certain: Death God's revival nears.
They'll strike before response.
'Won't go perfectly like game.'
Haste breeds gaps; Cloi already spotted clues.
Jun planned to exploit from here.
A few days later.
After exhaustive follow-up interrogations confirming no more intel, the Saintess summoned Jun and the party.
"Regrettably, nothing useful after day one."
Not trained assassins; they confessed all upon capture.
Only confirmed: Mysterious organization hindering purification.
"So, we commissioned an item from our church. Arrived at dawn."
"What item?"
"This."
The Saintess placed a box on the table.
Heavy seals evident.
She pricked her finger, dripping blood; tangled holy magic unraveled, revealing contents.
"Lich's finger bone. Sole remnant after its body disintegrated 50 years ago."
Its use? Simple.
Detect lich revival timing.
"If it emits dark magic and moves, revival is imminent."
As her words ended, the inner seal dissolved.
Rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle
The lich's finger bone shook violently, spewing dark magic.