Chapter 435: Proof of Existence (23)
Chapter 435: Proof of Existence (23)
The 'Masked Phantom.'
He was an individual presumed to be a member of the Dark Cult. He was known for appearing in a stark white mask, and those who caught even a glimpse of him would instantly lose consciousness.
My companions had encountered him three times already. However, this was the first time I was facing him personally.
The fourth encounter in total.
Naturally, it couldn't be a coincidence. Though I didn't know the reason behind it, I hoped this battle would provide a good opportunity to find out.
I thoroughly etched the image of the enemy I had finally met onto my retinas.
This was a powerhouse who had knocked out Sir Irene in a single blow. There was no guarantee that I wouldn't suffer the same fate. Therefore, I had to cram as much information into my mind as possible.
First of all, his atmosphere was peculiar.
Was it a man or a woman? I understood why there had been no mention of gender. His physique was impossible to pin down.
His slender waist was reminiscent of a woman, but his flat, hard muscles were characteristic of a man. Even his Adam's apple was swollen to an ambiguous degree.
Above all, there was the eerie aura the Masked Phantom exuded.
That vague sensation of being caught somewhere between human and monster kept pricking at my nerves.
It was as if my instincts were screaming at me to strike down this mongrel immediately.
Though it was a very brief moment, the impression of the phantom was deeply engraved in my heart.
It felt as if time had stopped. Amidst the serene silence where nothing moved, I detected a faint vibration in the air.
Something was coming.
The moment I realized that, my upper body tilted diagonally. I felt a long trajectory graze past my chest by a hair's breadth.
How?
It was a speed that made a proper reaction nearly impossible. If my senses hadn't evolved along with the recent growth of my Aura, I wouldn't have been able to respond at all.
Was it a sharp weapon or a blunt one?
Even that was unclear. Furthermore, the opponent was already supposed to be dealing with the hand axe I had thrown earlier.
The mystery was solved shortly after.
My hand axe, which had been traveling in a straight line, was struck by something and drifted through the air. Then, timed perfectly with the moment I would use the Secret of Stillness in Motion, several consecutive strikes followed.
It meant he knew my fighting style well.
I quickly bent my tilted torso and kicked off the ground, launching myself forward.
In the meantime, the Masked Phantom was slowly backing away, looking for an opportunity to escape. I wasn't about to let that happen.
"Where do you think you're going, you brat!"
In my haste, I threw my sword.
I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this desperate during a fight. My only thought was that I had to catch that 'Masked Phantom,' even if it meant throwing away both my primary and sub-weapons.
It was an act that carried risks for me as well.
Because of that, the opponent couldn't help but find my choice unexpected. The Masked Phantom, who had been about to turn his back and flee, hesitated for the first time.
A heavy pressure traveled through the soles of my feet as I kicked off the ground. It was proof that I was running at full strength.
Then, I felt that strange trembling again.
Immediately after, my body rolled across the ground as I moved forward. In the process, I made a new realization.
I couldn't hear anything.
As I focused my mind, I could only perceive a faint, high-pitched ringing. Since my hearing had been perfectly fine when I shouted just a moment ago, there were only two possibilities.
Either I had just gone deaf, or my hearing was being lost at specific intervals.
At the same time, I sensed fragments of wind grazing my back.
I hadn't noticed at first because I was flustered, but my clothes were fluttering. When I forced my head up, I saw the same was true for the Masked Phantom.
It wasn't that there were no omens.
It was simply too fast. That was why I couldn't capture it properly, and why it had felt like magic.
The Masked Phantom was a physical combatant.
While I scrambled back to my feet, the sword I had thrown hovered through the air several times in a pitiful display. I figured even buying that short amount of time was worth it.
Just then, the hand axe settled into my hand as if being sucked in. It was thanks to the fruits of my labor.
Aura wasn't the only field I had developed. My understanding of Secret Arts had also deepened, bolstered by the overall rise in my skills.
Naturally, the same applied to the Secret of Stillness in Motion.
The current me could add one or two more transformations than before.
The result of that was now in my hand.
Having closed the distance to the Masked Phantom, I swung my arm without hesitation.
Boom!
A shockwave erupted along with a thunderous explosion. It was a vibration so intense that even the tinnitus couldn't mask it. Unusually, I was gripping the hand axe with both hands.
If I didn't, I might have been overwhelmed in terms of strength.
A Fiend was not human. It was only right to assume that all their physical abilities were fundamentally superior.
And the fact that my choice wasn't wrong was proven immediately.
Neither side yielded an inch.
My hand axe was blocked by an invisible 'something' and could no longer move forward. Only then did I flash a rough smile.
"An invisible weapon? No, is it magic?"
Though I had already decided in my heart that he wasn't a mage, I couldn't rule out the possibility.
Of course, the masked man gave me no answer.
He only stared at me with hollow eyes. Or should I say, he seemed to be staring?
To begin with, the pure white mask didn't even have slits for eyes. It was an object that covered his entire face.
It must mean he had no need for sight.
It was a decision so typical of a Fiend.
Gritting my teeth, I applied more strength and pushed the Masked Phantom back. Judging by the faint groan, it seemed the phantom wasn't exactly in a relaxed situation either.
"Not going to answer? Well, whatever..."
The silver Aura dancing on the axe blade hardened.
"...It doesn't matter!"
The gathered Aura soon scattered like mist, and while the Masked Phantom hesitated at the anomaly, my axe parried the transparent weapon away.
It was Binding and Unbinding.
Despite this, no change occurred to the opponent's weapon. A faint silver light flickered and then vanished. In other words, it wasn't a phenomenon created by a temporary gathering of mana.
It's a physical weapon.
And a very precious one at that. The magic enveloping the weapon had almost been dispelled for a moment, but hadn't it been restored instantly?
Taking advantage of the momentum, I attempted to step forward and close the gap.
If the man hadn't withdrawn his weapon and retreated first, my hand axe might have slashed across his chest.
Expert judgment.
It was a blessing that could only be obtained by someone who had gone through countless real battles. As expected, there was information that could only be gleaned by clashing weapons directly.
If only Sir Irene had been a bit more competent.
A flash of regret crossed my mind for a second, but now was not the time to be lost in idle thoughts.
Just as I was about to continue my offensive.
The angle of the pure white mask shifted slightly.
It meant the direction of his gaze had changed. But since his eyes were completely covered, sight should have been meaningless.
I soon realized his intention.
The Masked Phantom was trying to look at Perry, who had collapsed and was bleeding out. To be precise, he wanted to give me that impression.
It was a sort of choice.
Would I keep fighting, or would I save that man's life?
The Saintess was staying at the orphanage. Although the wound looked deep, he was barely clinging to life. If I wanted to save him, I could.
But in exchange, the Masked Phantom would escape.
My head began to spin. I didn't know what choice to make.
Regardless of my internal struggle, a faint vibration reached my skin.
It's coming again.
Sensing this, I clenched my teeth as if they would shatter. In the end, I had only one choice.
"You... you son of a...!"
Throwing my body into it, my hand axe struck the phantom trajectory. With a thung sound, the axe was repelled, but the thing that was hit didn't escape unscathed either.
I felt through the trembling in my hands that its trajectory had been completely knocked off course.
Because I had shifted directions so abruptly, my posture was compromised. I couldn't fully absorb the rebound force.
Taking advantage of that opening, the Masked Phantom naturally chose to flee. Left behind, I had no choice but to give up the pursuit while gnashing my teeth.
First, I had to save Perry. Also, the speed of the fleeing phantom was beyond imagination.
Chasing him would have been pointless. I exhaled a sigh and looked at the fallen man and the girl who was trying to pick herself up with trembling legs.
After looking at Lia with eyes full of pity for a moment, my gaze moved to Perry.
He almost died. The Masked Phantom had truly intended to kill Perry.
Why on earth?
Hoping that the answer would lead to a decisive clue for the incident, I silently looked up at the sky.
The moon was bright. God was still offering no answers.
Just as it had always been.
After comforting and sending away the sobbing Lia, I leaned against the wall and waited for someone.
In the corner of the room, a pure white light repeatedly flared and vanished from the bed. After a while, a woman with a tired complexion turned around and looked at me.
It was the Saintess.
A question tumbled out of my mouth without preamble.
"How is he?"
"His life isn't in danger."
As if she had already expected my question, the Saintess's answer was immediate.
"He's lost consciousness, but he should wake up by tomorrow or the day after. He's not someone who treats his body as recklessly as you do."
"That's a relief."
Brushing off her words, which contained a subtle thorn, I glanced toward Perry.
His breathing was stable. Though traces of pain remained on his face, they too would disappear after a while.
Rather, my concern lay elsewhere.
"...Are you sure he's just unconscious?"
"Yes. Do you really think I wouldn't know that?"
Even so, I couldn't feel at ease, so I ended up taking the Saintess's hand and leading her outside. The Saintess looked like she didn't understand why I was acting this way.
It was time to get straight to the point.
"Did you happen to examine Perry's condition in detail?"
"Of course I did. I'm not lazy when it comes to caring for patients, at the very least."
The Saintess's expression soured slightly, as if my words were an insult. Since it was me, it only went this far; if anyone else had voiced such a suspicion, they likely would have regretted it.
Actually, I was a bit nervous too.
I was one of the people who knew the Saintess's temper better than anyone.
But I had to say what needed to be said. A much more cautious question followed.
"Is there perhaps a trace of magic, or..."
"Are you asking if he's being controlled by the Dark Cult? Things like that are always obvious. Don't worry too much."
The Saintess was indeed quick-witted.
She immediately realized what I was worried about and laid out a calm explanation.
However, I still had information that I hadn't shared with her.
"Could you... could you just check one more time? I've heard there are types of contract magic that are difficult to detect. The faceless assailants who attacked Lia at the Holy Kingdom's military camp last time..."
"Ian."
Her voice was low and firm.
Then, a persuasion filled with conviction followed.
"I understand what you're worried about. But... as a result of the investigation, the Shylock Merchant Guild doesn't have any particularly suspicious aspects. Their source of funding is clean. And even if the Shylock Merchant Guild were a hidden branch of the Dark Cult, they at least have no connection to this orphanage."
"Why is that?"
"Because this orphanage is operated by the Holy Kingdom."
I fell into a troubled silence. My gaze drifted to the side.
Part of me wanted to say I found it hard to believe.
However, how could I tell one of the figures representing a nation that I suspected her motherland as well?
The Saintess's claim also had its own basis.
"No matter how much the Shylock Merchant Guild might want to plot something, as long as they are taking children or goods from here, the Holy Kingdom's surveillance follows them."
"Isn't the person in charge here Archbishop Aindel? The one who is... on hostile terms with you, Saintess..."
"Archbishop Aindel is also a clergyman."
With that, the Saintess's slender index finger pointed upward. Soon, a pure white cluster of light began to bloom from its tip.
I could roughly guess what the Saintess was trying to say.
"He is an individual who has been granted the miracles bestowed by the Lord. He may have a few flaws, but he cannot betray our Lord in heaven."
Because the Heavenly God would never grant Divine Power to such a person.
The Saintess didn't explicitly add that, but I knew well enough that it was the core of her argument. I couldn't think of a proper rebuttal to that.
To be honest, religion was not a realm of reason and logic.
What could I say to someone who chose to believe like that? At this point, there was only one option left.
"Still, please check one more time."
"Ian..."
It was a request that bordered on being stubborn. The Saintess couldn't help but start feeling irritated.
Furthermore, she had just been woken up in the middle of her sleep.
It was only natural for her nerves to be frayed. A faint heat was exhaled from the Saintess's mouth.
"Are you sure? Are you saying you really can't trust my word?"
"No, it's not exactly that..."
"Fine."
Gritting her teeth, the Saintess directed a sharp gaze at me.
"I'll examine him properly again. Every single blood vessel and organ... and if nothing comes up even then, be prepared."
The Saintess's attitude was more resolute than I had ever seen before. I started to feel unnecessarily anxious.
But it was already too late.
Making her anger very clear, the Saintess walked into the room. Then, she placed her hand on Perry's chest and closed her eyes. Judging by how she was even breaking into a cold sweat, she seemed to be concentrating intensely.
I was in trouble. It seemed I would have to spend at least a few hours trying to appease the angry Saintess.
And a few hours later.
The Saintess, who opened her eyes while panting, had a dazed look in them.
"...Huh?"
My eyes, which had been dozing off for a moment, snapped open. Anyone could see the Saintess looked flustered, so I immediately realized one fact.
Something went wrong.
The moment I noticed this, I asked back with a triumphant attitude, as if I hadn't been worried at all.
"Are you prepared for the consequences?"
'Perry Quars.'
Deep inside his body, a contract with the Dark Cult was rooted.