Chapter 128: The Lord is With Us (49)
Chapter 128: The Lord is With Us (49)
When I came to, my sword was already lodged in the fiend's neck.
Blood trickled down. The thick liquid soaked the earth, giving off a pungent, fishy stench.
The fiend’s outstretched arm was long and threatening. Faced with such terrifying lethality, few could avoid the creeping dread of death.
I, too, was afraid. I was terrified. But in that final moment, I was finally able to cast myself aside.
It was a strange sensation.
As I felt myself becoming hollow, every single hair on my body became vividly sensitized. Time accelerated, and my body, synchronized with the flow, had already slipped into Guildford’s embrace.
The result of that moment now stood before my eyes.
The fiend coughed, spraying blood from its mouth. Despite the blade being buried halfway through its neck, it didn't die instantly. Its tenacity was grotesque.
However, even a fiend empowered by the Evil God had its limits. It could barely manage to open its mouth now, and even that would only last for a few minutes.
Clinging to the remnants of its life was pointless. It only served to prolong its agony.
Despite the situation, Guildford was smiling.
"P-perfect... cough, it was perfect."
"……Any last words?"
I asked, my voice coming in ragged gasps.
I was so heavily wounded that it wouldn't have been strange if I collapsed right then and there. I didn't have much time left to listen to the long-winded ramblings of something that used to be human.
The same applied to Guildford. Time was precious for him as well.
"C-can you... he-he, can you save them? Wheeze, the flesh seeds are about to be unleashed."
"Because I'm not you."
Gritting my teeth, I poured strength into the hand gripping the sword. A groan escaped the fiend's throat as more blood gushed out.
"If I can save them, I will. Huff... If that's the best I can do."
My heavy breathing interrupted my words, but I tried my best to act composed. Guildford wasn't fooled, but only then did he break into a serene smile.
The groaning stopped. His eyes turned hollow, a look reserved only for those facing death.
"……You are strong."
"Stronger than you."
He-he, Guildford let out a cracked laugh. The blade had cut into his vocal cords, causing blood to mix with his laughter.
"……You have good eyes. No hesitation even when you're about to kill. Those are the eyes of a magnificent murderer."
With that, the old man smiled.
It wasn't the hideous smirk of a fiend, but the characteristically benevolent smile he always wore.
"Well then, I shall be waiting for you in hell."
He left those final words, and I pushed the blade through with all my might.
That was the end.
With a shink, blood erupted from his severed neck like a waterfall. The fiend's head rolled across the ground, and I caught my breath while drenched in the crimson rain.
A metallic warmth soaked my entire body. Staggering, I steadied my posture.
My limbs were numb. From my abdomen to every inch of my body, there wasn't a spot that didn't ache.
I had to go back quickly. Just as I was about to take a step—
Thump. Something caught on my foot.
It was the fiend's head. Looking at the monkey face wearing that benevolent smile, I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle.
Crunch.
The fiend's skull burst under my heel like a piece of rotten fruit.
As brain matter and bone fragments scattered, only then did a bitter smile touch my lips.
"……Immanuel."
I hope you find peace in hell.
My swaying body stepped through the blood. These footprints would continue.
On and on.
Now, the battle had only its final stage remaining.
A mountain of corpses already piled up at the entrance of the orphanage.
Most were the remains of the monkey-like demonic beasts. Fortunately, it seemed the children had evacuated inside, and the rest of the group was outside, assessing the situation.
They must have been surprised by the sudden retreat of the monkey beasts.
When I reached the orphanage courtyard, the first person I encountered was the Saintess.
She was looking around with an anxious expression. Then, our eyes met, and her body froze.
Her pale pink eyes scanned my entire body. There was no need for a detailed inspection.
Even at a glance, I looked more like a walking corpse. Based on appearance alone, I was critically injured.
After standing dazed for a moment, the Saintess rushed toward me. Her trembling hands began to fumble over my injuries.
Naturally, it hurt.
"A-ah, ow... A-aaagh! That hurts!"
I had performed emergency first aid with a healing potion, but that was it.
Bruises and fractures still riddled my body. Even the slightest touch sent sharp jolts of pain through my mind like needles.
However, the Saintess paid no heed to my screams.
After examining my condition for a long time, she bit her lip and spoke.
"……What happened to you?"
Her pale pink eyes were sunken with gloom. It was a testament to how severe my injuries were.
I tried to lighten the heavy atmosphere with a joke.
"I killed the fiend. In exchange, I earned a few honorable medals of— GYAAAGH!"
Of course, it was a bluff that was immediately exposed the moment the Saintess gripped my arm.
The Saintess let out a long sigh as if she had expected this. Her face looked grave as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
"……Your injuries are too severe. We need to prepare to leave immediately. We have to get you to the temple for treatment."
I stared at her blankly without responding. I was asking her what she meant.
Frustrated, the Saintess beat her chest as she shouted. Her ample breasts bounced with the force of her outcry.
"Of course we have to leave! The monkey beasts have temporarily retreated. Yuren is creating an escape route while their perimeter is thin... If you want to live, we have to leave now."
I fell silent for a moment upon hearing those words.
It was just as Guildford had said. The monkey beasts had retreated after losing their leader, but they hadn't fled entirely; they seemed to be forming a loose encirclement over a wide area.
But the wider the perimeter, the more gaps there were bound to be. I didn't know what trick Yuren was using, but if he said he could secure an escape route, then he could.
Leaving the orphanage.
Arriving at the temple, receiving treatment, and waiting for the army to handle the remaining issues. That would be enough.
My body, having narrowly escaped death, was in critical condition. Even with immediate treatment, there might be lasting aftereffects. Besides, hadn't I already accomplished enough?
I had subjugated countless demonic beasts, defeated a fiend, and uncovered the Dark Cult's conspiracy.
At this point, it wouldn't be strange for the Holy Kingdom or the Empire to grant me a worthy reward. Then, I wouldn't have to worry about aftereffects.
Not to mention, the reputation of my companions and me would soar.
It was a happy ending that made all the hardship worthwhile.
Yes, for us, it was.
But what about the children left in the orphanage?
Suddenly, Guildford's words came to mind. The warning the fiend spat out along with his blood.
'The flesh seeds are about to be unleashed.'
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
The Saintess was watching me with a bewildered look. Her eyes were urging me, asking why I wasn't getting ready.
But I couldn't meet her expectations.
"You go on ahead."
"……What did you say?"
The Saintess's expression contorted as if she couldn't understand my words. Nevertheless, my resolve remained unchanged.
"The fiend held control over the flesh seeds. Now that he's dead, they'll be unleashed. Where do you think they'll head?"
"Ian, please……."
As I continued, the Saintess's face changed by the second.
First surprise, then contemplation, and now she was practically clinging to me in a pleading tone.
She spoke with a trembling voice.
"The flesh seeds will be unleashed? Have you forgotten how many of them were in that nest? That's all the more reason to leave! Look at the state of you... Do you think you're in any condition to fight?!"
Her eyes were desperate. She truly seemed unable to understand me.
But no matter how much I thought about it, there was only one answer. I continued in a surprisingly calm voice.
"If the flesh seeds swarm this place, the children are finished. In fact, the number of flesh seeds might multiply massively, and some might escape to build new nests elsewhere……."
"So what if those measly orphans are finished?"
I fell silent for a moment at the Saintess's sudden, emotional retort.
My eyes silently searched hers. Her shoulders were trembling slightly.
"Do you think I don't want to save them? But there's no hope! You're injured, and there are dozens of flesh seeds left! Running away is the best option... Are you too stupid to see that?"
As she spoke, a faint glint of moisture appeared in her upturned eyes.
"Ian, I understand how you feel, but we can't save everyone. Think about it—how many orphans are dying at this very moment? Can you save them all?"
"No."
My answer was immediate. The Saintess's face brightened for a moment.
If not for my next words, she would have happily dragged me away.
"……But I don't want to lose the children I can save. This isn't just stubbornness. We have to end it now. If the flesh nests spread, we might not be able to stop them in the future."
That was my honest feeling.
It was for the children, but the moment I saw the flesh nest, a certain scene came to mind.
The dream I had the day the second letter arrived.
Trees made of flesh covered the entire meadow. The voice of a woman, thick with despair and supplication, still seemed to ring in my ears.
I had to end it now. So it wouldn't spread any further.
The Saintess stared at me in silence, hearing the unwavering conviction in my voice. I had nothing more to say to her.
A long silence hung in the air. It was then that Yuren arrived.
"Sister, everything's ready... Oh, Ian! What the hell happened to you—!"
"……Even if you might die?"
Her voice was chilling. Her pale pink eyes were glaring at me. It was her final question, perhaps the last chance she was giving me.
There was no more time. The situation was too urgent to keep trying to persuade me.
Sensing the incredibly heavy atmosphere, Yuren immediately shut his mouth. He then quietly took a step back and began to watch the two of us warily.
I didn't bother paying attention to Yuren either. I simply nodded.
"Yes, I'm prepared for that."
The woman mumbled, trying to say something.
But no matter how she tried to organize her thoughts, the right words wouldn't come, and soon, groans began to escape her lips.
"……Ugh."
It was a groan of pure annoyance. The Saintess then stomped her feet, showing an even more vivid display of her emotions.
"Ugh, ughhh, ughhhhhhh!"
Gritting her teeth and barely swallowing her rage, the Saintess suddenly slammed her foot down.
The ground caved in. It was proof that she hadn't slacked in her training of the Holy Kingdom's secret martial arts. The shockwave was enough to make me momentarily lose my balance.
Waiting for me as I regained my center of gravity were the Saintess's pale pink eyes. Intense emotions were swirling within them.
"……You're so annoying!"
At her shout, accompanied by a pointing finger, I replied with a hollow laugh.
"Ha, as if I wasn't annoying before."
"But you're especially annoying today! Always making me so confused!"
That again. I shook my head and spoke.
"I'll say it again: I've always been the same. The only thing that's confused is your heart, Saintess……."
"……Shut up."
With that, she grabbed my upper body and yanked me toward her.
She had grabbed me by the collar. My eyes went blank for a moment as her sweet breath brushed against the tip of my nose.
My reflection was visible in her pale pink pupils. I looked dazed and ridiculous.
"I don't trust anyone... and that includes you. You're going to save the orphans? Risking your life? Do you really think you can win like that?"
"Whether you believe me or not, my mind is made up."
The Saintess gnashed her teeth. She glared at me for a long time, looked away, and finally let out a sigh of resignation.
Her sweet whisper soaked into my ear.
"……And this is a secret."
Then, she shoved me away. As I stumbled back, she pulled a small, blood-red bead from her robe.
I knew exactly what it was.
A 'Blood Essence.' A single one of those tiny spheres was worth more than a castle. Before I could stop her, she folded her hands and drew out the power of the Blood Essence.
A storm of divine power erupted.
A pure white radiance swept through the surroundings, enveloping my entire body. The pain felt like a red-hot iron poker piercing my nerves, but even that lasted only a moment.
Within seconds, the storm of divine power subsided. And standing in the center of it, I found myself completely healed.
It was a critical injury that could have left permanent damage. Yet, every sensation in my fingertips returned, and my body surged with vitality.
My eyes blankly drifted to the Saintess's hand. With a deep exhale, she opened her hands to reveal the Blood Essence, now reduced to half its original size.
My eyes widened. I remembered something like this happening before.
"No, even so, this has shrunk too much—!"
Then, a slender finger touched the tip of my nose.
It was the Saintess's index finger. She made a shushing sound and glanced behind her.
"……Yuren."
Yuren, who had been watching the two of us, gave a wry smile as if he couldn't help it. He shook his head.
Shrugging his shoulders, Yuren spoke.
"In the rush to escape and save our lives, it seems we dropped a Blood Essence. My goodness, the Saintess really should be more careful. Though, since nothing is more precious than the Saintess's life, I doubt the Cardinals will have much to say about it."
The Saintess wore a satisfied smile at Yuren's smooth excuse. She then shoved the remaining Blood Essence into my chest.
"You keep the rest. I'm only lending it to you, so don't forget to return it."
"That's not even yours to begin with……."
When the Saintess's fingers began to twitch, I immediately shut my mouth. If I kept talking, I'd probably get pinched in the side.
Instead, I carefully took the Blood Essence.
I think I understood what she meant. The Saintess said:
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of joining your gamble. My life is precious. I have ambitions and many things I must do. Are you disappointed that I'm such a selfish woman?"
"……No, I understand."
My voice in response was plain and simple. The Saintess gazed at me once more, then gently leaned her head against my chest.
My body stiffened for a moment, but the tension soon melted away.
Her warm breath was soaking into my heart. The Saintess whispered one last time.
"Come back alive, Ian."
I didn't bother seeing the Saintess off.
Leaving behind Reto, who wouldn't be helpful in a fight, the Saintess and Yuren departed. Now, only four remained.
Senior Delphine, Senior Elsie, Seria, and Celine.
I looked at Senior Delphine with a bit of surprise.
"You didn't leave."
"……You made a promise, didn't you?"
Senior Delphine avoided my gaze, speaking with a hint of bashfulness.
"You said you'd lead us to victory. So, show me."
I wore a faint smile upon hearing that.
No answer was needed. My eyes were fixed on the forest.
The servants of the Evil God were still there.
It was time to finish this.