Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Subjugation Force (1)
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When people heard the name of the Holy Church, the first things that came to mind were three: fanaticism, divine power, and holy armaments.
The Church wasn't a religion just for humans. It accepted other races as believers as long as they had faith.
The first non-humans to join the Church were the dwarves.
Dwarves were a race renowned for their craftsmanship, said to be descendants of the God of Forging.
The dwarves who joined the Church shared their skills and knowledge without reservation. Thanks to them, the Church's forging techniques advanced rapidly.
The holy armaments issued to soldiers were of exceptionally high quality.
The ones specially made for Holy Knights were beyond even the praise of being masterpieces.
Among the highly renowned holy armaments of the Holy Church, there was one that stood out even more.
The holy sword.
A weapon completed by infusing divine power into dwarven secret techniques, countless rare metals, and the efforts of priests over several years.
The holy sword lived up to its complex creation process with equally extraordinary abilities.
“……Is this really a holy sword?”
Even Demian felt his heart race like a child's. That was how incredible a holy sword was.
“Why would I lie? Ah, of course, it's not top-grade. If we're being precise, it's bottom-grade.”
There was no way they'd give a high-grade holy sword to Demian, who wasn't even a Holy Knight.
That didn't mean he should feel shortchanged. Even a low-grade holy sword was a masterwork among masterworks.
Demian unwrapped the cloth. There, sheathed in a simple wooden scabbard, was the holy sword.
There were no special decorations. The pommel was round, and the straight crossguard was plain.
But the moment he drew the holy sword, any thoughts of it being unremarkable vanished from his mind.
The hexagonal blade gleamed with a smooth luster, as if forged from molten silver.
Its balance was perfect, feeling like an extension of his own body.
Most astonishing of all was the divine power flowing through the hilt into him.
The divine power seeping into his body washed away his training fatigue like it was nothing.
True to its name, the sword emanated divine power on its own.
“……It's incredible.”
Demian said sincerely.
As a Death Knight, he had clashed with the Church's Five Great Saints and seen their top-grade holy swords firsthand.
They were terrifying weapons that could annihilate tens of thousands of undead with a casual swing, making one wonder if a god had descended.
Compared to those, the power of the holy sword Demian received was but a speck of dust.
But that was only in comparison to those holy swords.
No sword of this caliber could be found anywhere in the world.
Even the Thousand-Li Sword he used as his main weapon seemed like a toy by comparison.
“You should thank Agnes. The headquarters had no intention of handing over a holy sword at first. She argued relentlessly to get it.”
“Master, don't say unnecessary things.”
“Hey, you have to brag about good deeds far and wide. Otherwise, no one knows?”
Agnes glared at Margata with fierce eyes. Only then did Margata back off with an “I understand.”
“Lady Agnes, thank you.”
Demian said sincerely. Agnes cleared her throat awkwardly in response.
“I wanted to get holy armor too, but headquarters flat-out refused…….”
At the mention of holy armor, Demian paled.
Holy armor was another treasure of the Church, born from a process as complex as that of holy swords.
Only a select few Holy Knights whose skills and faith were recognized received it.
Accepting it might force him to become a Holy Knight.
“I don't need holy armor.”
“You don't need to feel burdened. I will definitely get holy armor for you, Sir Demian…….”
“Really, I don't need it.”
Agnes's shoulders slumped slightly at Demian's firm refusal.
***
“The Dungeon of Corpseplay is in the southern Nofri Mountains.”
As they traveled by carriage, Margata explained the situation to Demian.
“The local lord near the Nofri Mountains often traded herbs with the mountain folk there. But one day, contact just cut off.”
Demian listened to Margata from his seat in the carriage.
“While the lord was suspicious, one mountain folk came down from the mountains. At first, they couldn't recognize him. No matter how you looked at it, it wasn't human. It was a body patched together from beast parts with just a human head attached.”
Margata grimaced slightly, as if the image alone was gruesome.
“The mountain folk said there was a 'Corpseplay' in the mountains and died on the spot. The lord reported it to headquarters, and that's how they pinpointed the location of Corpseplay's dungeon.”
Margata finished and looked at Demian.
“So, what do you think?”
“It's suspicious.”
Demian answered immediately.
“Corpseplay wouldn't let an experimental subject escape that easily. If they had, their tail would have been exposed long ago.”
Corpseplay had only revealed themselves to the world once.
When they turned an entire village into an undead den to make their name known.
After that, Corpseplay hadn't left a single trace.
For such a Corpseplay to let a mountain folk escape? It didn't make sense.
“You're right. Headquarters suspects it might be a trap too.”
“But you're still sending a subjugation force?”
“Black mages are sinners who disrupt the world's order and blaspheme the gods. We who serve the gods can't run from scum like them out of fear, can we?”
Margata grinned ferociously.
Her boisterous exterior hid the fanaticism befitting a Holy Knight.
“Above all, Corpseplay is a black mage headquarters considers dangerous. They see potential for it to grow into an archmage.”
That judgment from the Church was spot on.
In fact, Corpseplay became an archmage and a reliable asset for Dorgo.
“Even if it's a trap, headquarters believes they need to enter the dungeon. Best case, they eliminate Corpseplay. Worst case, they find clues to track it.”
With such a rare trace finally appearing, the Church couldn't afford to let it slip.
“Headquarters isn't sending the subjugation force blindly. Assuming it's a trap, they've bolstered the force's strength. Three sects have gathered for this dungeon.”
Any believer of the god could use divine power.
A tiny fraction awakened new abilities.
The 'blue flames' Agnes used were one such example.
Groups formed by those who awakened such new abilities were called sects.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say the sects were the core that led the Church.
“Which sects?”
“Us 'Incinerators,' 'Tangled Blizzard,' and 'Dazzling Pain' are joining forces.”
“Three of the Five Great Saints' sects.”
There were countless sects.
Not all sects were equal in status. Their sizes and influences varied.
The Five Great Saints were the five strongest Holy Knights in the Church, and their sects wielded immense power and influence.
“It's not just random Holy Knights from the sects. They've dispatched disciples of the Five Great Saints. Like me and Agnes.”
With even the participants being disciples of the Five Great Saints, their strength went without saying.
“But why ask for my help? That seems more than enough for a subjugation force.”
Margata scratched her cheek awkwardly at Demian's question.
“This subjugation was decided so suddenly that our 'Incinerators' couldn't gather full strength. It's just me and Agnes.”
Sects were the Church's core forces.
Holy Knights who awakened abilities were far stronger than those who hadn't.
Thus, they had far more duties. It made sense they'd suffer from manpower shortages.
“Originally, Master didn't want to send us on this subjugation. Said it was too dangerous with just two. We were going to let another sect handle it, but…….”
“I insisted to Master that I absolutely had to participate.”
Agnes took over the explanation.
“As I told you, Sir Demian, I've been pursuing Corpseplay. I couldn't miss this chance.”
“So Master set a condition. Bolster the force with an outsider if needed. That's why Agnes came to you.”
Margata said with her arms crossed.
“If you hadn't accepted, I wouldn't have allowed Agnes to join either.”
“Thanks to you, Sir Demian, I have a chance to kill Corpseplay.”
Agnes bowed her head once more, expressing thanks again.
“I'm grateful too. Thanks to you, I get to smash some heretics.”
Margata grinned wickedly.
“Show us that skill you used to kill Yulan's executive again, without holding back.”
* * *
The carriage raced on until they reached the Nofri Mountains.
At the foot of the range, the Church had already established a camp.
There weren't many soldiers, but they all had sharp eyes and muscular builds.
Likely elite troops specially trained by the Church.
Numerous Holy Knights were also visible. Ordinary ones who hadn't awakened abilities.
Even ordinary Holy Knights matched low-class knights in skill.
You could feel the Church's determination in preparing for this subjugation.
“Let me see. The command tent is inside, right?”
Margata led Demian and Agnes deeper into the camp.
“Ah, found it.”
In the center of the camp stood an open-sided tent.
A large table sat in the middle, surrounded by people.
“Everyone's gathered here? Nice to see you all after so long.”
Margata said as she took a remaining seat.
“Margata, late again.”
A irritable-looking man spoke up. His tone was deeply displeased.
“Stopped by somewhere on the way. Won't happen next time.”
“Every time I see you, I hear that. Makes me doubt if you intend to keep your word.”
“Gamal, your constant irritability is the problem. Keep frowning like that, and you'll get wrinkles.”
“Instead of apologizing when you should, you're spouting nonsense. Typical 'Incinerators' behavior. Utterly barbaric.”
Margata's eyebrow twitched at the man, Gamal's words.
“Gamal, watch your mouth. Insult me all you want, but don't badmouth my sect.”
“Did I say anything wrong? If your sect's teachings were proper, you wouldn't act like this.”
The smile vanished from Margata's face.
“Picking fights right away? Even if Black Snow got beaten half to death by our master, isn't this too petty?”
“……When did our master get beaten half to death?!”
Gamal shouted indignantly.
“Huh? Or was it just one hit and admitting defeat? Either way, Black Snow lost to our master. Fact.”
“Our master was exhausted from completing a major mission at the time.”
Gamal glared at Margata murderously. A fight seemed imminent.
“Who's that man?”
Demian whispered to Agnes. She replied softly.
“Gamal, disciple of Black Snow and Rank-2 Holy Knight of 'Tangled Blizzard.'”
‘Tangled Blizzard.’
One of Five Great Saint Black Snow's sects, specializing in ice-attribute divine power.
Demian had fought 'Black Snow' himself as a Death Knight.
It had the insane ability to turn a midsummer sea into a frozen wasteland.
“The sects don't seem to get along.”
“It's not mutual. 'Tangled Blizzard' is the one always picking fights.”
Agnes said firmly.
Sects differed not just in divine power attributes but also in doctrines and ideologies.
Rival sects were common.
“A while ago, Black Snow lost to our master.”
But the conflict between Incinerators and Tangled Blizzard seemed like a simple pride clash.
“Everyone~ Don't fight~”
A woman sitting between Margata and Gamal spoke in a slow drawl.
“Don't waste your anger now~ Save it to tear apart the filthy black mages hiding in that dungeon~.”
Her gentle face contrasted sharply with her vicious words.
“Disciple of Radiance and Rank-2 Holy Knight of 'Dazzling Pain,' Sanus.”
Agnes added the explanation beforehand.
The ominous aura made sense. She was a Rank-2 Holy Knight too.
Demian had fought Five Great Saint 'Radiance' before.
The 'Dazzling Pain' sect could enhance various things with divine power.
'Radiance' fought by buffing itself with hundreds of miracles.
A walking fortress described perfectly.
“Sanus, stay out of it. I need to teach Margata some manners today.”
“You think a scrawny weakling like you can handle me? What if you get beaten instead?”
The two growled at each other.
Sanus looked flustered between them.
Demian observed the three.
He recalled what a Holy Knight who survived the dungeon in his previous life had said.
‘If there's a traitor, it's one of these three.’
In his previous life, the subjugation force was wiped out due to betrayal.
Even so, for a force this size to leave no survivors was odd.
Holy Knights were famous for their survivability thanks to divine power.
The betrayal's impact must have been massive, and only these three fit the bill.
‘It might not happen. This subjugation is earlier than in my previous life.’
Of course, the timing change could mean different members and no betrayal.
But he couldn't be optimistic.
The previous annihilation caused huge losses to the Church, leading to defeat in the war against Dorgo.
He had to prepare for all possibilities.
‘Either way, my job is the same.’
Kill Corpseplay.
Prevent the subjugation force's annihilation.
Even if there was a traitor, it didn't matter. He'd stop them.
“But who's that guy? Doesn't look like a Holy Knight.”
Then, Gamal looked at Demian and asked. Margata said proudly.
“Demian Haksen.”
“What? The knight who took down Yulan's executive?”
“The Demian Haksen who slew two black mages at once?”
Gamal and Sanus stared at Demian in shock.
“Impressive, right? Our Agnes personally recruited him. Thought she was shy, but she's got skills seducing men.”
“…….”
Agnes glared at Margata with murderous eyes. But Margata didn't flinch.
“Lady Margata, hold on.”
Then, a young man sitting next to Gamal stood up.
He still had a boyish face.
“Are you saying you're adding an outsider to the subjugation force?”
“Not an outsider. Sir Demian has many merits at headquarters and is designated as a collaborator.”
“Still an outsider.”
The youth said with an unconvinced face.
“Be wary, prepared, and suspicious even of family. Anyone can become a heretic. Isn't that headquarters' teaching?”
“Sir Dionysio, are you suspecting Sir Demian now?”
Agnes said sharply.
“Sister Agnes, I'm just pointing out the risk.”
“Sir Dionysio, this is an official meeting.”
“……Lady Agnes, I'm just pointing out the risk.”
Gamal nodded at Dionysio's words.
“My disciple has a point. We can't casually accept outsiders for something this important.”
“Gamal, why are you stirring trouble again?”
“It's not 'again.' Many at headquarters suspect Demian Haksen. Looking at his record, he killed Agito shortly after starting sword training. It's suspicious.”
Agito.
Yulan's executive who cursed Viscount Haksen's family on Black Snake's orders and died by Demian's hand.
“You haven't forgotten who Agito was? A curse mage who evaded Church pursuit and killed two Rank-3 Holy Knights. And a novice knight killed him?”
Gamal continued, staring at Demian.
“That's not all. The recent incident with two black mages is suspicious too. The site had traces of large-scale black magic. Too much for a low-class knight.”
“……That was estimated to be the black mages enhancing their magic for some reason.”
Agnes defended Demian. But Gamal's attitude didn't change.
“Still, they used high-powered black magic, right? I can't believe a normal knight faced two of them at once.”
Margata said irritably.
“So what are you saying?”
“That Sir Demian Haksen might have ulterior motives. There have been cases of black mages staging dramas to plant spies.”
“Watch your mouth. You're crossing the line.”
Margata growled. Gamal glared back undaunted.
“Sanus! You don't think the same, do you?”
Margata turned to Sanus. She smiled awkwardly.
“I kinda agree with Gamal…… Adding unverified forces is risky.”
Margata's brow furrowed deeper.
“Displeasing.”
Someone spoke up then.
All eyes turned to Demian Haksen.
“The Church's policy of suspicion, fine. But your suspicion stems from doubting my skill?”
Agnes panicked greatly as Demian stepped forward.
“Sir Demian…….”
Agnes tried to stop him. But Demian ignored her for the moment.
He had to join this subjugation. He couldn't be blocked by petty power struggles.
“Yes. No matter how I think about it, I can't accept a normal low-class knight—not a Holy Knight—killing Yulan's executive and slaying two black mages…….”
“That's because your sect's Holy Knights are all mediocre.”
Demian said, looking at Dionysio.
“I guarantee you, even if several Rank-3 Holy Knights from your sect ganged up, they couldn't beat me.”
Thud.
At that moment, Dionysio slammed the table with his fist and stood.
“Get outside right now!”
Dionysio glared at Demian murderously.
“I'll cut off both your arms so you never hold a sword again!”