Chapter 312
Chapter 312
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 312
Chapter Title: Enemy of the World (4)
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In the dark cave.
[Looks like things have wrapped up for now. No need for me to step in.]
A pair of massive golden eyes emerged from deep within, gleaming with an eerie light.
Sharp reptilian pupils split vertically down the center.
They were the eyes of a dragon—the most powerful and colossal being in this world.
The Gold Dragon Shurihartgen, who had manifested in his true form to observe the flow of energy across the entire continent, slowly closed his eyes once more.
He had been ready to intervene at a moment's notice at Horus's request, should any emergency arise, but thankfully, it didn't seem necessary.
[...It's not completely resolved, though.]
Observing from such a distance naturally had its limits in terms of precision, but he had grasped the general situation well enough.
The Apostle of the Outer God's energy had indeed vanished from this world, but immediately after, something had changed in the Immortal King's aura.
'Could this have been the plan from the start? Using him as a sacrifice to bolster his own power?'
If that were true, then the Apostle of the Outer God had been used from beginning to end by the Immortal King.
One threat had receded, but the Immortal King—the continent's greatest affliction—remained very much alive and well. It was impossible to relax.
[Still, the Church's losses don't seem too severe. That's a relief.]
Even with every preparation made, the battle's scale had been immense, and the enemy's power overwhelming, so some casualties were inevitable.
A significant number of those maintaining the holy barrier had died or been wounded, and the Paladins who had burned their lifespans to stand at the forefront would need extended recovery.
Yet considering the enemy's sheer dominance, this level of damage was practically miraculous.
Without prior preparation, it could have been a catastrophe!
'At this rate... we've averted the worst. With their current strength, they could even hold their own against the Immortal King...'
The exploits of the heroes, led by the Church of the Main God's champion, had been particularly impressive.
The continent's latent power had grown to such heights—he could scarcely believe it.
He had worried that dragons couldn't assist in this Immortal King invasion, but the sacrifices of past generations hadn't been in vain. What a relief.
As Shurihartgen slowly nodded in approval—
[Ahem...! Cough—! Gah—!]
A fit of harsh coughing wracked him, and blackened blood surged back up, pouring from his massive golden maw like a waterfall.
Splatters and splashes echoed as the discolored dead blood pooled on the ground, filling the cave with a fishy stench.
[...Hoo, it's really not long now. Time to prepare for the end.]
Gazing briefly at the blood pooling on the floor, he casually cast a spell to clean it away.
At least he could spend his final moments by his successor's side—a small mercy.
He had been prepared to burn his remaining life today if needed, but had that happened, he couldn't have left a final gift for Horus.
'May that child become our clan's hope.'
The old dragon narrowed his eyes as if peering into the distance, then closed them to rest.
He needed to maximize his condition before the end came.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the Saint himself publicly declared that the "Apostle of the Outer God" had been banished from this world—
The chaos engulfing the holy site from that massive battle began to settle swiftly.
Church members bustled about, recovering the bodies of the fallen and transporting the wounded for healing.
It was right around then that Saintess Riesta and the champion's party arrived at the Roselia Grand Temple.
"Phew, looks like we're late after all. Spatial transfer magic has so many limitations..."
"Nonsense. We owe our swift arrival entirely to Lady Isea. You must be exhausted—please rest for a bit."
Saintess Riesta rolled up her sleeves and joined in treating the on-site wounded, leaving Isea—who sighed from the fatigue of back-to-back long-distance transfers and battles—behind.
The emergency measures post-battle had already stabilized most cases, so few were on the brink of death, but many still needed her aid.
"Hmm, more wounded than I expected."
"This is fortunate enough, Saintess. Without you and the Saint's group, the losses would have been far greater."
"Ah, true... It felt even worse than the Immortal King..."
"...Had the Saint not foreseen this and prepared us, it would have been dire. And the vampire lord too—if he hadn't accepted him earlier, we wouldn't have his help now."
Their conversation naturally led to fresh praise for Heinrich's foresight.
He had ordered the Church's preparations in advance, and he had led the charge in this crisis—it was only natural.
Moreover, he had delivered the final blow that expelled the Apostle from the holy site.
And above all...
"Ooh! May the Main God's grace be with you!"
"Ho ho ho, a second Grand Blessing! What a blessing this is!"
"Ahh—that beautiful moment when those wings of light unfurled is still vivid in my mind. To think I'd witness such a sight with my own eyes! Oh, Main God!"
Heinrich's "Wings of Glory," displayed before tens of thousands of fervent believers, had moved countless souls.
The Main God's Grand Blessing descending as he plunged his holy sword into the Apostle's chest—that horrific power incarnate—followed by the radiant wings blooming gloriously!
A scene straight out of legend!
'A story to boast about for life!'
'The Main God's guidance indeed.'
'Must record every detail—not just in my journal, but sketches too if possible...!'
Church-affiliated artists were already secluded, capturing that moment on canvas.
Once prepared, it would become murals passed down through Church history for generations.
For the fanatics, witnessing it firsthand was pure glory.
"...Ah! Speaking of which, where's the Saint now? He isn't hurt, is he?"
"No, Saintess. After tending the urgent cases, he entered the chapel to recover from bestowing the new blessing. He seemed to need some time."
In the heat of battle, he had poured out power hastily; to wield it efficiently required precise calibration and limits-testing.
Especially since this wasn't an ordinary blessing, but a Grand Blessing elevating his tier!
'Perfect—truly superb. Versatile for any situation.'
In the Roselia Grand Temple's private chapel, Heinrich—hands clasped in prayer, new wings fully spread—let out an inner sigh of satisfaction.
The Grand Blessing: Wings of Glory encompassed a vast array of functions.
High-speed flight, holy power amplification, and sacred skill enhancement were basics; it excelled in offense, defense, and buffs alike.
And best of all...
'They look insanely cool! A Holy Knight with wings of light—whoa!'
Perhaps the Main God had noticed his secret envy of the Pantheon Lord's wings and granted this?
Heinrich stroked the rippling, glorious wings and nodded slowly.
Nor was he the only one reaping rewards.
Heinz 2nd had slipped away post-battle, gaining holy power resistance via the Pantheon Lord's blood, while Hari—having munched part of a wing—acquired decent genetic data.
...Not everyone profited from this massive event, though—
"Mr. Harris? What are you doing here...? Weren't you on the Enameled Continent?"
"Ahaha... All thanks to the World Tree's grace, no? Glad I could lend a hand."
As High Elf Lydia—dispatched with the champion's party—voiced her confusion, Harris, summoned across the sea, gave an awkward smile.
All he could say was praise the World Tree unconditionally.
"Well, true enough. This was a huge deal—a follower of an evil god from beyond the world."
No one would buy that excuse outright, but since he hadn't done anything wrong, she let it slide.
Besides, among current High Elves, he was the only transcendent; whatever he did was par for the course.
"Haha... Indeed. Anyway, the surrounding area's wrecked—how about we help restore it? Good for everyone."
"Ah, excellent idea! We could even expand the forest while we're at it. Truth be told, it always feels a bit cramped here..."
Harris smoothly shifted topics, leading Lydia away.
The devastation was total; they needed to act fast for proper repairs.
As those gathered at the holy site busied themselves with event-related tasks for their own reasons—
"Move it! Hey, crank that furnace higher! What're you gonna do with that lukewarm fire?!"
"Ch-Chef! More meat!"
"Slice it quick! This is war! We're the vital supply line—slackers get drilled later!"
"“Yes, Chef!”"
The Roselia Grand Temple's third central cafeteria buzzed for an entirely different reason.
"Kaa~ Now that's the stuff! As expected of the Grand Temple—top-shelf meat. I crave this taste more than I'd admit! Pa-haha!"
Hari, striding in like it was his local haunt, boldly ordered heaps of meat and claimed a table—sparking the frenzy.
Post-battle cleanup or chaos management? Irrelevant to this tough guy.
He'd worked up a sweat with solid exercise; chowing nutrient-packed, delicious meat was routine.
He'd hustled hard this time—earned it. Guzzling meat like water, he mentally wrapped up the Pantheon Lord incident.
'Kicked out the intruder. Good enough closure.'
Curious what happened to the vanished Pantheon Lord in outerica, but no way to know.
That flashy finale suggested he wasn't unscathed.
Probably venting on Earth right now?
Satisfying, but no complacency after one win.
'Just a single hit landed. This is only the start.'
This skirmish succeeded via home advantage, intel edge, and exploiting the constrained foe's weakness—a sneak attack unusable on Earth.
'No—Earth's his home turf. Even worse.'
To topple him there demanded overwhelming power.
Power ignoring unfair conditions, harsh environments, crippling penalties!
'...It's fine. I'm doing well. Just keep at it like always.'
In that sense, this event—avatars growing, enemy weakened—was hugely encouraging.
No guarantee of another chance, but confidence surged for future success.
'Yeah—like always.'
As contemplative Hari polished off the table's meat in seconds, smacking his lips in satisfaction—
A server approached, cart laden with fresh-cooked meat.
"...Um, Mr. Hari?"
She hesitantly called, voice tinged with distress.
"Hm?"
"N-No matter how tasty, you can't eat the plates..."
At her embarrassed plea, Hari blankly looked down.
At the spotless table—meat and one plate gone.
"Ah."
No wonder it got chewy midway.
Too lost in thought, it seemed.