Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Grand Cathedral Assault Incident (1)
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Things progressed swiftly and smoothly.
"How are the preparations coming along? Do we have enough forces ready to move out immediately?"
"No need to worry. We've already made some prior arrangements, so we have plenty of reserves. We're only dispatching the absolute elites this time anyway."
The energy signature had been detected at the far western edge of the continent.
Given the distance, there were limits to how many personnel they could send in the shortest possible time.
If the Church caught wind that they'd sniffed it out, who knew when or where the target might flee again? They couldn't afford to rally a full Immortal King subjugation force from Talia Kingdom like last time.
Forces below a certain caliber wouldn't be of much help anyway, so the Talia Cathedral would only provide support from the Holy Knights and combat priests of High Priest rank or above.
"We'll have four Paladins participating in the operation, and three Archbishops including myself. The Heresy Inquisitors will join as well."
The plan was to gather every available powerhouse in one place right away.
Three Paladins and two Archbishops stationed at Roselika Grand Cathedral would participate, while one Paladin and one Archbishop dispatched to the west would link up on-site.
The top elites selected from each Holy Knight Order and among the combat priests would also be dispatched alongside them.
"And... Cardinal Pirey from the Jiron Grand Cathedral of the Empire has also declared his intention to join us."
One of the rare Grand Cathedrals on the continent, and even its highest authority, a Cardinal, had volunteered in person.
"Hmm... Well, he's always been particularly bellicose. Being a former Holy Knight and all. I heard he was quite regretful about missing the first subjugation."
"Looks like his schedule cleared up this time. Perfect, since we need a small elite force."
Roselika Grand Cathedral had two Cardinals as well, but they had left all Immortal King-related matters to the Saintess and focused solely on managing the Grand Cathedral and the Church as a whole.
"Ahem... In that case, I should..."
"No, Saintess. You must stay."
Archbishop Latius cut her off firmly before she could finish.
"With the Pope bedridden from old age, you are the symbol of the Church of the Main God. You must hold the fort now more than ever."
"But the Cardinals are here..."
"The Grand Cathedral's forces are already stretched thin with so many deploying outward. Please safeguard this place for us, Saintess. Even if it's a covert operation, we can't rule out contingencies."
"Haa... Very well."
And the ripples from that conversation reached Heinrich as well.
"Hmm... Sir Heinrich Landgard, it would be best if you stayed behind to guard the Grand Cathedral with the Saintess this time."
"Me as well?"
Heinrich's eyes widened in surprise. Having been deeply involved up to now, he'd naturally assumed he'd be going.
Archbishop Latius led him to a quiet spot and spoke gravely.
"The Saintess seems quite disheartened, so I'd appreciate it if you stayed by her side to comfort her. And..."
The Archbishop paused briefly before sighing.
"This will be an extremely dangerous operation. With a Cardinal joining, the target won't escape as easily as before. Expect fierce combat."
Given their past failure to capture Hans despite erecting barriers, they'd prepare even more thoroughly this time, with a Cardinal in tow.
"Many will likely die or be injured in the fray. There's no guarantee I won't be among them."
And Heinrich was too valuable to sacrifice on such a battlefield.
He was certainly skilled enough to participate, on par with the selected Holy Knights.
But the Archbishop judged his true worth lay after his growth fully matured.
A hero-in-the-making with meteoric rise and the attention of the Main God and Saintess.
Contingencies required preparation.
"We must consider the possibility of failure. Even total annihilation."
They'd assembled more than enough forces already, but the future was unknowable.
If that moment came, the Saintess and Heinrich could become the Church's hope.
"...Understood. I'll follow your will, Archbishop."
"Thank you for understanding. You must have been steeling yourself all this time."
Faced with Archbishop Latius's resolute expression, Heinrich could only manage an awkward smile.
'Hmm, well... It's good to see such dedication.'
The transfers via Gate were handled sequentially by the Saintess and all priests not participating in the operation.
Even with only a select elite few—numbering dozens—it still took a full day to send everyone to the Talia Cathedral.
"It's a distance that can't be crossed in a day or two anyway, so no need to rush. They won't abruptly relocate from a hiding spot they've held this long."
Archbishop Latius steadily orchestrated the Roselika Grand Cathedral contingent's departure.
Wuuung—
As the final group waited, the Gate hummed and reactivated.
The Archbishop among them turned to gaze at those seeing them off.
He met the eyes of the Saintess, Heinrich, and the others steadily, nodded with conviction, then turned toward the Gate.
His resolute departing figure carried an air of 'If the worst happens, I leave the rest to you.'
'...Just take a nice stroll out there and come back.'
Heinrich watched him vanish beyond the Gate with a subtle smile.
Wuuung—
The Gate's swirling blue vortex thrummed.
Thus, all personnel had relocated to the Talia Cathedral in the continent's west.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Hmm... How long until those gathered at Talia Cathedral arrive here? All elites, so it shouldn't take too long.]
From Talia Kingdom's capital to the deep Monster Forest.
Even at top speed, it'd normally take over a month, but who knew what blessings they might have? Too soon to say.
Heinrich himself possessed Blessing: Leap, after all.
They'd want to minimize travel time.
They'd likely mobilize every means immediately upon linking up at Talia Cathedral.
[Time to get ready.]
Hans slowly exited the cave.
Hwarrrk—
Hellfire erupted with each step, melting everything left behind in the cave.
From experimental waste to traces of all the barriers within.
[No need to leave any info for them. Keh...]
The barriers collapsed accordingly, but multiple layers of concealment fields already hid the Fragment's presence on his body.
'Now, what's the best timing to start?'
This was when Roselika Grand Cathedral's defenses were at their weakest.
It had dispatched the most forces to capture him, after all.
'Plus, the priests are fatigued from overworking the Gate.'
Judging by the seal around the Fragment, breaking it wouldn't be easy.
It'd take considerable time to claim it.
To prepare, he needed to draw out as many forces as possible.
Perfect timing with the High Elf's detection underway.
He could've baited them deliberately, but that might arouse suspicion.
So he'd prepared everything and simply waited to be "discovered" naturally.
'Otherworld Teleportation Circle cooldown aligned perfectly.'
He could act anytime now, but Hans stood in place until nightfall.
Ensuring late-arriving pursuers couldn't intervene.
[Kuhuhu... Let it begin.]
Midnight, with the moon high.
Moonlight cast shadows over the forest...
But Hans's shadow was nowhere to be found.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Transfer to the Outerica Dimension has been completed. The first thing he saw was light.
Overwhelming radiance pouring from all directions, enough to blind.
[Kuh, I expected it, but this is impressive.]
His concealment field burned away in the light, while surrounding black mana clashed with holy power.
'This isn't good.'
The entire space was hostile to Hans.
If it stayed like this, he couldn't recover the Fragment intact.
He'd hoped to finish peacefully and leave, but no choice now.
Hans raised his staff high.
[Kuhahaha! Shatter, all of you!]
Black mana surged from him, concentrating at one point...
Black flames rising from the skull staff's tip ballooned in size instantly.
Holy power kept gnawing at his black magic even then, but Hans was beyond such interference now.
Hwarrrk— Kwagwang!
The massive hellfire split into branches, exploding against the walls inscribed with glowing golden runes.
Thud thud thud—
Runes peeled and melted from the walls, weakening the suppressive force on his black mana.
'Much better.'
These seals were made to suppress impure energy within, after all.
Less prepared for direct impacts.
'Once more!'
Swoosh— Papap!
The ground around Hans blackened and spread, shadow blades erupting to shred everything.
The damaged runes' glow faded, and the crushing holy power eased.
[Keh, finally refreshing.]
Of course, only direct assaults lessened; he was far from peak condition.
'No idea how many holy barriers are layered here.'
Upon his intrusion, every barrier in the Grand Cathedral activated simultaneously.
'Gotta hurry. But the complex entryways mean it'll take the Church time to reach here—good.'
Satisfied, he smirked and headed to the central altar.
'And this stays pristine amid it all.'
Despite his black magic ravaging the surroundings, the altar and sealing pillar bore no marks.
Pajijik—!
White sparks and flames erupted as his hand touched the chains binding the Fragment, engulfing his arm.
[Hmm, yes. Wouldn't be that easy.]
Hans shook off the flames with black mana and muttered calmly.
[Now it's a race against time.]
He had to break the seal and retrieve the Fragment before external interference.
He reached for it again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The incident occurred in the dead of night.
Hwaaak—
Ornate runes etched throughout the Grand Cathedral—long thought mere decorations—glowed in unison...
"What?!"
"What's this all of a sudden?!"
On night watch, the Holy Knights cried out in shock.
Holy runes manifested on floors, walls, and ceilings without exception.
Barriers severing space, suppressing evil within, and amplifying holy power bearers' strength.
In that moment, Roselika Grand Cathedral was an impregnable fortress.
'Though we've already let an intruder in.'
His fellow Holy Knight panicked, but Heinrich calmly surveyed his surroundings inwardly.
He was on night watch in the passage leading to the seal room.
Assigned to guard the Cathedral, he'd naturally resumed duties with the Radiant Guardians Holy Knight Order.
Not joining the subjugation force, he'd volunteered for this unpopular night watch to contribute elsewhere—plus make up for prior absences.
'Being here lets me grasp the situation. While Hans breaks the seal...'
That instant.
⚙ EMERGENCY ALERT ⚙ [Emergency—!] ⚙ EMERGENCY ALERT ⚙ [Emergency situation! All forces to battle stations! Assemble at your posts as soon as preparations are ready!] [Holy Knight Orders, move under your Captain's command!] A holy power rang thunderously in their minds from deep within the Grand Cathedral.
The voice booming in their heads belonged to a Cardinal they'd rarely even glimpsed.
Things were escalating rapidly.
Whiiiish—!
Then, about twenty figures in dark garb rushed toward them from one side.
Leading them was the Heresy Inquisitor Chief, glimpsed once before.
'Never seen his face directly, but...'
His face was hooded like the others, but the insignia marked him clearly.
And that was as good as a pass for this sector.
Heinrich and his fellow Holy Knight hurriedly stepped aside, and the group vanished inward like the wind.
"...This doesn't look ordinary."
His comrade muttered quietly in a stiff voice.
As he'd said.
The first internal breach in Roselika Grand Cathedral's history had only just begun.