Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Hero Party (4)
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Heinrich's heavy words echoing through the conference room made everyone freeze in unison.
Even setting aside the voice brimming with divine power that naturally inspired reverence, the implications of what he said carried just as much weight.
"The Main God... said so?"
"Heavens—."
The top leaders of the grand temple murmured in awe instead of erupting into chatter.
The existence of gods was a fact acknowledged by everyone in Outerica, but the vast gap in their statuses meant mortals had limits to how much they could sense divine will.
And that held true even for the clergy.
The stronger one's faith grew, the clearer the connection became and the more vividly one could feel Their presence—but to grasp even a fraction of the divine will required at least the level of a Saintess.
So when Heinrich now claimed to have received a direct revelation from the Main God, they couldn't help but be stunned.
Some swallowed dryly with tense expressions, others pulled out handkerchiefs to wipe their sweat, and still others clasped their hands in prayer as they gazed at him...
Everyone straightened their posture and mindset, waiting for his next words.
'It's working well... Though it's a bit burdensome.'
Heinrich ignored the Saintess's sparkling eyes fixed intently on him and slowly opened his mouth.
"Didn't you all find it strange? The contradictory actions the Immortal King Hannibal Strauss has shown so far."
It might have seemed a bit out of left field, but they focused intently on the topic the Saint had raised without complaint.
Naturally, everyone had noticed it.
It was simply that the opponent was a being beyond common sense, so analyzing his thought patterns hadn't yielded much.
"This generation's Immortal King is markedly different from his predecessors. He's not bound by any obsession to drown the continent in death."
"We did sense that, but..."
"What drives him is purely his own interests. Even when he invaded the grand temple last time, he withdrew obediently once Harris of the Elven Kingdom satisfied that curiosity. ...If I had to add one more thing, it would be drawing the public's attention."
He began by reminding them of Hans's peculiarities.
"...That does make sense. When we were dispatched to investigate the Door of the Abyss, the Immortal King could have easily killed us but didn't. It was almost as if he wanted witnesses to his deeds."
A paladin who had been sent to the southern wasteland in the past cautiously agreed with Heinrich.
"Thinking back, it wasn't just once or twice. The Immortal King has brought great harm to the continent, yet the damage in places where he personally appeared was surprisingly minimal. The recent raid on Tobea City in the Empire was the same."
"He shows signs of trying to destroy the continent overall, but where he himself is present, personal interests take priority...?"
"Exactly! And we can exploit that point."
"How so?"
He forcibly fitted past events to bolster the credibility of his current claim.
Moreover, with the authority of the Main God backing him—lending persuasiveness to whatever nonsense he spouted—convincing them wasn't difficult.
"He has a great interest in me. It started when I pierced his heart and repelled him, and it grew even more once I became the Saint."
That was a fact well-known to the others.
The Immortal King had often shown awareness of him, and during the council raid, he had acknowledged only Heinrich as a conversation partner.
Except for the end, when Harris shot an arrow at him.
"I plan to propose one bet... that can pique his interest."
"A bet...?"
The moment those words left his mouth, he felt the audience's reactions turn subtly wary.
'What you need in times like this is shamelessness.'
He nodded seriously, infusing his voice with conviction as he continued.
"The Immortal King sees the very process of conquering the continent as a game. So we play along, provide more entertainment, and in exchange, add one 'rule'."
"...That rule being no invasion of the Rohan Kingdom region?"
Those listening intently began furrowing their brows and tilting their heads one by one.
It was a perfectly reasonable doubt—things wouldn't fall into place so neatly—but...
"Of course, there could be additional changes depending on his demands, but that's the basic framework."
"...Would the Immortal King accept such a condition?"
"He will."
If he set his mind to it, he'd make it happen.
'Even if it means being a bit forceful—there's no other way.'
Right now, he was banking solely on the Main God's prestige.
"Negotiating with the Immortal King..."
The Heresy Inquisitor General muttered softly with an uncomfortable expression, but even with his authority, he couldn't challenge the Saint chosen by the god.
Especially not when the groundwork had already been laid by invoking the Main God's name.
"But what if the undead start marching south right now? If we don't prepare immediately, not only the kingdom but the Empire could be in danger."
"It's fine. The undead army won't move."
"And what makes you so certain?"
"...The Main God told me."
Running out of logical arguments to persuade them, he just pushed forward boldly.
It was an unfounded assertion, but what could they do when the Saint said so?
'Whatever, just accept it as truth.'
At his firm declaration, the church leaders merely blinked in response.
The Saintess, who had been quietly watching him all along, finally clapped her sparkling eyes and exclaimed in admiration.
Clap clap clap!
"As expected of the Saint! The Main God knows everything, but we lacking ones can't fully comprehend Their will. I only vaguely sense fragments myself—you're truly amazing!"
"Hahaha. No need for such praise..."
Ignoring pangs of conscience, he let out a shameless laugh.
Her attunement to the Main God was probably higher than his.
He used most of the spiritual vein connecting him to the god solely for divine power supply, and the only emotion he'd felt from the Main God so far was 'interest'.
And that held true even now.
But as the Saintess fawned over him with apparent sincere admiration, the atmosphere shifted, and the others gradually warmed up as well.
No one even considered the possibility that Saint Heinrich might be lying.
"Then let's proceed on the premise of what the Saint has said. The Empire isn't foolish, so it won't be easy, but we'll buy as much time as possible."
For an organization among the continent's top ranks, it was an absurdly hasty decision—but it proved just how much they trusted Saint Heinrich.
The moment the Saint invoked the Main God's name directly, it became an absolute decree within the church.
'Lately, I've been acting like humanity's representative against the Immortal King, but...'
At their core, they were a religious order, and everyone present was a top leader whose faith had reached its pinnacle.
'In simple terms, everyone here except me is a fanatic.'
And to fanatics, the word of god was truth—such reactions were only natural.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Blocking the Empire's retreat won't take long. They'll soon follow our lead anyway."
"Pardon? Did the Main God reveal that too...?"
To that question, Heinrich simply closed his eyes slowly and nodded.
Doing this so often made it feel like a real revelation had just descended.
'Hannibal Strauss... You're aiming for the Empire next, but as long as I'm here, Heinrich, it won't go your way!'
The conference room swirled with firm resolve and pious faith.
Deeply immersed in his role, the hero clenched his fist, burning with determination.
And those in the chamber gazed at him with trustworthy eyes.
His conscience, worn out from overuse, had finally gone numb—no more pangs of guilt.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While Heinrich was busy scamming everyone by invoking the Main God's name...
Harley, having finished his spar, was reuniting with welcome old connections.
"Hello, Sir Harley. It hasn't been long since we parted, but you've grown even bigger."
"Uhahaha! Long time no see, miss! Your face is all glowy—looks like you've been doing well!"
"It's all thanks to you, Sir Harley. I'm a high elf now too, you know?"
Cecily Granwood greeted him warmly.
"It's been a while. Hm... No, never mind."
Rapori Granwood, sensing something about Harley's changes, showed a subtle reaction.
"Long time no see, Harley."
"Ahh—great to see you, Harris! Hahaha!"
And Harris, set up as an old friend.
"Su-such is the Ion Continent. I thought it was more ordinary than expected... but it's exactly as I imagined..."
Overwhelmed by his imposing figure, Sharion slipped behind Harris and muttered softly—but since she was always odd, he easily ignored it.
"Sir Harley, I promised you last time, didn't I? That when I fully awakened as a high elf, I'd properly bless you again. ...I'm not sure how much it will help the current you, but it's still better than nothing."
Cecily smiled brightly, meeting his eyes.
This time, he didn't need to squat like before.
A gentle wind rose naturally from beneath Cecily, lifting her body softly until their eyes were level in an instant.
Whoosh—
Her lips touched his forehead, and just like before, a warm energy began to settle into his body.
And... because Harris, now qualified as a high elf, was present, he could clearly discern the nature of that energy this time.
'This isn't just natural power—it's similar to divine power in quality? High elves can directly draw world tree energy through themselves as a medium. Fitting for a priestess of the World Tree Church.'
After a moment, once it fully settled into Harley's body—
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Due to 「Great Nature's Blessing」, the entity's attribute affinity and resistance greatly increase. Unlike before, a message appeared before Harley's eyes this time.
No special skill was granted, but for the system to announce it outright meant the effect was greater than expected.
'Harris will be able to use it himself once he becomes a high elf too. I wonder how many times she can do this? Let's see... She saved mine for later, and obviously not for Hans.'
Such thoughts flowing naturally was only to be expected.
And her gift didn't end there—it was an accessory made from part of the branch the World Tree had bestowed upon her.
"I got advice from Lady Rapori and made it to suit your tastes."
At Cecily's words, Rapori, standing quietly behind, nodded heavily.
True to her word, the carved ornament—suitable for a necklace or belt—captured a ferocious beast's head so viciously lifelike it seemed ready to leap out.
Perfectly to Harley's taste.
"Uhahaha! I really like this. You didn't have to go this far!"
Of course, he said that while the accessory—which granted all resistances plus extra defense—was already firmly fastened to his waist.
It probably wouldn't come off that spot anytime soon.
"By the way, I didn't expect to see you here, Sir Harley. To grow this strong in such a short time..."
Once things with Cecily wrapped up, Rapori, who had been watching him quietly, spoke softly.
True to her long-lived high elf nature, she seemed to see through him somewhat, her tone laced with concern—but...
"...Well, you must have your reasons, Sir Harley. The Main God Church hasn't said anything, so I'm in no position to comment. But since you've come this far, does that mean you've decided to join the suicide squad?"
He shrugged lightly and swiftly changed the subject.
Having the Main God Church's Saint as his ultimate backer made things this convenient.
"Hm? Ahh—! That..."
To that question, Harley scratched the back of his head and slowly opened his mouth.