Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Heinrich (3)
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A sword came flying at me.
I thrust out the shield in my left hand to deflect it...
But...
Kagak!
'Too shallow!'
The blade merely scraped lightly off the shield before bending downward to slice at my legs.
I hurriedly swung the longsword in my right hand to knock away the attack, but my opponent's assault didn't end there.
Chaeng! Cha chaeng! Chwaaang—
I blocked the relentless barrage with the sword and shield in both hands.
Thanks to my sharply honed instincts, countless hours of training, and a body tempered to its limits, I barely managed to react.
Then, at one point...
'Now's my chance!'
A momentary gap exposed by my opponent as they swung their sword.
It wasn't a perfect opening. Aiming for it would mean taking significant damage myself.
But if I was willing to sacrifice some bone, I could carve off some flesh!
I swung my sword without hesitation...
And...
Pukeok—
The impact from the shield shoved me tumbling backward.
"Kuhk..."
"Hah, hah, huah... That scared me. Are you insane?"
My staggering opponent shook his head while dusting off one leg.
At the last second, he'd halted his swing and kicked my shield to create distance.
He must have strained himself in the process, as he grimaced and kept shaking out his body.
"Hey, let's call it here. Who charges like their life depends on it in a spar? Even if we don't fear wounds, that's too much."
The senior Holy Warrior acting as my instructor grumbled.
The onlookers around us then approached, replaying the fight and chattering in discussion.
"Heinrich's recovery is top-notch. Considering that, isn't it a solid strategy?"
"Even so, if you take a bad hit and drop dead in one go, recovery won't help."
"If he can control that aspect, it looks pretty good. Accept some damage, quickly finish the enemy, then recover..."
"Well, with enough divine power, it might work. And that guy's divine power... everyone acknowledges it. He'll climb so high we'll barely recognize him later."
As they said, two months after my baptism, my divine power was nearly at the High Priest level.
A High Priest was the head of a temple in a small city—not a low position by any means.
'Right above them is the bishop overseeing this Talia Temple. Though the gap is huge, of course.'
The higher you went, the wider the gaps became, in any field.
More pressingly, my divine power growth had recently plateaued, which worried me.
'Feels like I've hit a wall. To grow further, I need to break through, but I haven't grasped how yet.'
That must be what separated Holy Warriors from Holy Knights.
For now, all I could do was redouble my training.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The entity has gained enlightenment through repeated training. Acquired skill 「Holy Warrior Combat Technique」. ⚔ STATUS ⚔ Entity Name: Heinrich Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Persona」, 「Super Recovery」, 「Clear Mirror Still Water」 Entity Traits: 「Holy Baptism」, 「Martial Prowess」, 「Holy Warrior Combat Technique」 Special Notes: Connected to the Main God of Outerica via spirit vein; body's mana has been replaced by divine power. Can wield divine power for various beneficial effects. Physical abilities are growing dramatically due to training beyond limits. I approached the senior Holy Warrior who'd sparred with me and bowed my head in thanks.
"Thank you for the match!"
"Yeah, sure. Good work. You've improved a ton, really. At first, you were just a wild kid relying on raw physical power, and now, after a few months... Is this what talent looks like...?"
"Exactly. He already had superior physical abilities, and now his combat skills are polished too. He can't even spar with most people anymore, so he's training with the instructors."
A flood of praise poured in.
I just smiled awkwardly and repeated my thanks.
"By the way, you said you aspire to be a Holy Knight, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Good, I've seen some Holy Knights who drop by the training grounds eyeing you. Keep it up, and good news will come soon."
"Hahaha, I hope so."
Holy Knights trained separately, but they occasionally held joint sessions to coordinate for real combat.
Having drawn attention since the baptism ritual, I got plenty of notice in training—and even from the 'higher-ups.'
To become a Holy Knight, one needed to stand out among Holy Warriors, so it was welcome news.
And a few days later, I quickly learned his words weren't empty.
"Pardon? To the Roselia Grand Temple?"
The Roselia Grand Temple.
The holy site of the Church of the Main God, located at the heart of the 'Ion Continent' where we now stood—one of its central cathedrals.
The largest among the few grand temples in Outerica, home to the Pope and Saintess, the very heart of the Church.
I'd been offered a chance to go there with them.
"Yeah, if they're calling you to headquarters, the top brass must really like you. Looks like they plan to raise you properly."
The Holy Warrior Captain delivering the message scratched the back of his head.
As he said, this was a huge opportunity.
A chance to leave the remote Talia Kingdom for a bigger stage.
"They told me to ask your opinion first. Since you're leaving your hometown and all. It's not close to headquarters, and you won't easily return."
It didn't matter to me, since this wasn't even my real hometown.
Of course, I couldn't admit to faking my origins.
"It's fine. I have no family left here anyway. And a holy site! As a servant of the Main God, it's a dream come true. I'd love to go!"
"Good choice. It's a real opportunity. I'll report that. Get ready."
The Holy Warrior Captain then grumbled about how envious it was, how he wanted to visit someday but family held him back, before leaving to report.
'The holy site... and the Roselia Grand Temple...'
A place far from this western frontier of the continent.
My heart raced at the prospect of seeing Outerica's wider world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Immortal King Subjugation Force had disbanded.
They'd fought more vampires and black mages than the Immortal King's descendants, but their months of effort couldn't be dismissed.
After a simple farewell party, they returned to their posts.
Archbishop Latius, the overall commander, and his aide, Paladin Tuskin.
Seven combat priests at High Priest level, led by one bishop.
A dozen or so from Tuskin's Silver Wing Holy Knights.
And one Holy Warrior among them.
The group departing Talia Kingdom.
"Ho... You're that Heinrich Holy Warrior? Indeed, a faithful young man."
"Aspiring Holy Knight? Ever thought of becoming a priest?"
"Nonsense! His divine power is impressive, but his frame is excellent. A bit more polish, and he'll make a fine Holy Knight."
"I hear you have great endurance and talent from training. Could be Paladin material."
I waited in the temple's inner sanctum with the twenty-plus members, politely responding to their interest.
Every priest and Holy Knight here was effectively high-ranking.
Divine power came from faith in the god, and the stronger it was, the higher the rank.
High ranks required strong faith, so corruption was impossible—and the Church never worried about spies.
That was why Heinrich had joined so easily.
Any ulterior motives or corruption would weaken faith and divine power noticeably.
The reason the Church of the Main God became the de facto sole religion.
'I'm a total exception. Well, since the Main God knows and allows it, it's fine, right?'
Thus, Holy Knights and combat priests had some freedom, to spread the god's will across the world.
One reason I aimed for Holy Knight.
As we talked, a door opened, and Archbishop Latius and Sir Tuskin entered.
"Everyone ready? Transfer prep is done—let's move."
At Tuskin's words, we headed deeper into the temple.
I'd packed light as instructed and simply followed.
And we arrived at the expected place.
'From the continent's western edge to the center... By land, it'd take months given local travel. I figured as much when they said a small elite force.'
A massive chamber held a white marble archway gate.
The pristine stone was adorned with beautiful gold leaf, and golden waves from the gate spread across the floor, softly illuminating the surroundings.
-......Thus the shepherd decreed: Grant strength to the servants who spread His word, and bestow grace upon them. One step over mountains, two steps across seas......
-......He commanded to spread His will to all corners, and so the earth folded, allowing travel anywhere desired. Eyes see ten thousand li, feet stride a thousand li......
No—upon closer look, it was densely inscribed prayers in gold leaf.
All about miracles defying distance and space.
"Then let's begin."
After eye greetings with the guarding priests as the group entered, they encircled the gate and began chanting prayers.
Matching them, the golden prayers lit up from outside in, flowing to the central arch.
'Spectacular...'
Golden halo enveloping the arch, a blue vortex swirling at its center.
Beyond Heinrich's novice sacred spell knowledge.
Even Hans's 「Black Magic」 or Heinz's 「Blood Magic」 couldn't grasp this new power.
Wooong—
With a low hum, the central blue vortex expanded, filling the arch.
The illuminating gold faded.
A silently vibrating blue gate.
"Then let's go."
At the archbishop's word, they moved casually to the gate.
'Makes sense—they came this way too. Only I'm new.'
After final goodbyes with Talia's Bishop Crombil, they vanished through one by one.
Soon my turn...
I stepped into the blue vortex without hesitation.
'Farewell, Talia Kingdom! Off to new lands!'
Beyond this gate awaited the continent's heart—the holy site!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I crossed the gate with bold ambition, but no holy site awaited.
The temple in the Sharoti Kingdom, northeast of Talia.
They explained crossing half the continent at once was extremely taxing.
"No rush to return now, so we'll take stable relay jumps."
"Ah, I see."
Thus, with days of rest to tour stops, I explored the city with the youngest Holy Knight, who volunteered as my guide out of consideration for my first trip outside Talia.
A few days like that.
"This is the last one. Straighten up before entering the holy site."
""Yes!""
Wooong—
Through the blue vortex.
And finally, we arrived at the Roselia Grand Temple in the holy site.
First sight: a transfer chamber like any other temple.
And a group of priests gathered to one side.
"Welcome. You've all worked hard."
A girl stepped forward from among them with a smile and greeting.
Bright silver hair scattering light, sparkling golden eyes.
Her mere presence brightened the surroundings.
'No, not just a feeling?! That's a halo!'
My first meeting with the Church of the Main God's Saintess, Riesta Saint Hatiarus.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Heinrich has laid a stable foundation for growth—now he just needs time."
Even reflecting now, going to the holy site was fortunate.
I could even visit the relay cities.
Once grown, I'd travel the continent freely under the guise of missionary work.
'As a respected Holy Knight!'
How frustrating for Hans, unable to show his face, and Heinz 2nd, skulking in shadows.
No more of that life.
"That's settled—time to offload these."
I proudly surveyed the warehouse interior.
Piles of gold bars and jewels in the corner.
Rewards for all my hard work and sweat.
Sruruk—
Heinz appeared silently, stowing some jewels in his bracelet sub-space magic tool.
Found among vampire mansion treasures, its capacity was bag-sized but handy enough for frequent use.
'Sub-space tools are rare.'
Heinz headed to the window with the loot.
It was past 10 PM—prime time for activity.
He opened the window and vanished into the night.
I'd already decided how to dispose of them.
I hadn't idled while Heinrich trained hard.
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