Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: Omen of War (2)
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Walls of pure white, slabs of pure white, a ceiling of pure white, and arks of pure white.
It was a space plastered in eye-searing whiteness, enough to feel the designer's obsession. The silence was so profound that even the wind had stilled, with faint white glows drifting ethereally, creating an atmosphere utterly divorced from the mortal world. In truth, across the entire continent, the number of people granted entry here could be counted on one hand, making it no exaggeration to call this the most otherworldly place in the present realm.
The imperial holy city of Lucaon, the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Elga Church where countless holy relics were enshrined.
Atop one of those arks sat an elderly man with white hair, clad in pristine white bishop's robes.
Using a reliquary chest as a chair was blasphemy so grave that discovery would warrant immediate execution. Yet the radiant halo glowing behind him and his infinitely benevolent expression made the old man seem like a saint blessed by Elga herself.
Thus, Erensko, the Elga Church's Second Seat Archbishop, continued to sit upon the ark, waiting for someone.
"......"
The archbishop was not one to wait for others. Rather, he was the one who made all others wait.
From imperial royals begging for divine blessings, to high nobles frantic for even scraps of those blessings, to holy knights seeking powerful divine armaments, to devotees whose sole wish was to touch the hem of his robe... If the line of those seeking an audience with him were to form, it would circle the holy city several times over.
For such an archbishop to wait for someone was exceedingly rare. And this was no brief wait. Erensko had been waiting desperately for this person for a very long time.
For five full years.
Clang, clang—
With the sound of iron striking stone slabs, the five-year vigil finally came to an end.
"Yes...... at last, at long last, you've come."
A figure cloaked in pitch black intruded upon the pure white Sanctum.
A helmet adorned with black cloaks, black plate armor etched with a decagonal star emblem, and an enormous greatsword slung across his back... The hulking warrior, shrouded head to toe in darkness, cast the entire area into shadow. Every piece of his gear was forged from the supremely unbreakable metal, black iron.
The black iron knight showed no apology or courtesy upon seeing the archbishop who had arrived first. The archbishop, in turn, smiled gently, accepting the insolence without objection.
Not that he refrained entirely from rebuking the tardiness.
"Did the archbishop who serves Elga most closely make a fool of you?"
"......"
"I clearly instructed you to return immediately from the 'Demon Realm' after handling urgent matters. Have those festering demonic energies rotted even your skull after spending years in that infested land?"
A chilling glint shone from beneath softly arched brows. Yet the black iron knight offered no excuses. He merely sliced lightly at the empty air with his hand.
Vwooom—
Space tore open in a black rift. A grotesque corpse—body only—thudded to the floor, followed by a cascade of unidentified fragments scattering across the ground.
Even decapitated and decayed, identifying the corpse was no challenge. The four horns among the fallen pieces made it unmistakable.
"[This is the flesh of the great demon that descended upon the Demon Realm three hundred years ago, the one you've sought so desperately. I couldn't retrieve the head—someone blew it to bits—but the horns alone should suffice as proof of a great demon.]"
A voice like an echo from a deep cavern emanated from behind the black visor. The sharp glint beneath white brows dimmed instantly.
"Oh dear, if you'd only said you were delayed fulfilling your duty, I nearly made the grave mistake of misunderstanding your absence as idleness."
"[......]"
"You've endured great hardships all this time. Now, leave this flesh to me, and for you, a new mission..."
In that instant, a guillotine-like slash severed the conversation.
―――――――― Kwang!!!
The air quivered, and the earth trembled.
Rumble—the entire Sanctum, protected by grand divine spells, shook perilously as if on the verge of collapse. A hellish sword mark scarred the slabs, and the great demon's flesh at the center was pulverized beyond recognition.
The culprit was the black iron knight's greatsword, Judgment of Elga.
"What...... in the world......"
Erensko's pupils contracted to pinpricks.
That mangled corpse rendered their plan impossible. The plan to fake the great demon's resurrection, expand the church's influence, depose the other archbishops, ascend to the throne of the church's first Holy Emperor, exact bloody vengeance on the ghost who killed Linton, and eradicate all unbelievers across the continent. The archbishop, ever hiding his true intentions behind a mask of benevolence, could not suppress his agitation this time.
The knight remained utterly composed despite ruining a lifetime's scheme. He sheathed the pitch-black greatsword—heavy as an iron ingot—with one hand and growled.
"[It's not even a true great demon—just some useless husk. What grand achievement did you think to accomplish with that? A so-called archbishop groveling over corpses like a carrion worm? Pathetic.]"
"You bastard...... how dare you...... presume to know......"
"[Shut your mouth and behold this. From the Demon Realm, I retrieved a treasure beyond comparison to that trash.]"
His hand sliced the air again, space splitting once more.
Vwooom—
Clink, clink, clack—metallic fragments rained down in sequence, and the archbishop's eyes flew wide open.
They appeared mere scraps of broken metal at a glance. Yet they shook the Sanctum more violently than the knight's slash. Malignant auras spread, blackening the space's very color, and the relics within the arks began writhing in seizure-like frenzy.
Thud, thud, thud—!!
A demonic treasure of such extremity that even the archbishop, who had schemed intrigues his whole life as naturally as breathing, struggled to endure. As Erensko gazed with turbid, faltering eyes, the black iron knight spoke with glowing crimson eyes.
"[Rise, Erensko. The time has come to stand at Elga's feet, survey all creation from on high, and seize everything you desire with your own hands.]"
Decagram's Second Seat, the 'Star that Swallows Darkness', extended a hand to the archbishop like a beast dragging prey into the abyss.
*
A secret conclave was held within the Lucaonia Empire's imperial palace, the Palace of Radiance.
Only three participants, yet hardly a minor affair. They were none other than Decagram's Arch Paladin, the First Seat Archbishop, and the Emperor himself. Gathering figures who could sway the empire single-handedly, the agenda was precisely this:
Concerning the actions of Second Seat Archbishop Erensko.
That archbishop, harboring venom like a thousand serpents, had until last year concealed his ambitions while quietly building power. But since the death of his nephew, a promising new holy knight, his behavior was like unleashing every serpent within—no exaggeration.
All had felt the need to check him, perhaps even depose him.
But the secret conclave ended in catastrophe.
The worst possible way.
By the very subject of the discussion.
Rumble......
A pristine white figure tore through the staunch barriers and entered the chamber.
"Even flawed creations may one day bear the light and ascend to the heavens. As expected, you're all gathered here."
"......Archbishop Erensko?"
"What in the......"
"Most noble guardian of the Light's edicts, rightful sovereign of the Lucaonia Empire, pivot of radiant glory driving back eternal darkness—Your Imperial Majesty, forgive my intrusion."
Barging uninvited into the emperor's private audience was a capital crime warranting execution and the extermination of all involved. Yet Erensko behaved as if strolling into his own courtyard.
The emperor on his jade throne and the First Seat Archbishop froze in shock, speechless. Only the aged Arch Paladin sensed the ominous killing intent and swiftly moved to intercept.
"Halt there, Archbishop. What is that you're hiding in your hand?"
"Ah, this?"
Erensko drew a dagger with feigned surprise, as if unaware he carried it. Its pure white blade gleamed wickedly, widening the eyes of all present.
"The Punisher of Unbelievers. As you know, this sacred relic mercilessly judges any speck of doubt toward Elga."
"Isn't that...... the possession of Archbishop Malpion, who leads the Heresy Inquisition? Why do you have it......?"
"Archbishop Malpion was just judged. By this relic."
"“......!!”"
Lightning struck the chamber. Erensko continued calmly after declaring he'd personally slain the Third Seat Archbishop.
"How paradoxical, isn't it? The Grand Inquisitor of the Heresy Inquisition, who feigned utmost piety toward Elga and hunted unbelievers more fervently than any—harboring a thread of doubt deep within."
"......"
"Worry not. Such a vital post can't remain vacant, so I've taken up his mantle. Surely, Malpion, repenting in hell, would wish the same."
The Second Seat Archbishop's rampage had finally crossed the line. Killing one of the three archbishops made the next target obvious. The Arch Paladin immediately drew his divine armament, Lucaon's Shooting Star, aiming at Erensko.
But he couldn't unleash the exploding white spear.
"Interfere, and your disciples die to the last, Lord Hendark."
"......!"
Decagram's Third Seat, the 'Star that Pierces Truth' Hendark, sharply inhaled.
The threat was no bluff. His stigmata pierced the truth without fail. As the sole obstacle froze like a statue, Erensko smoothly reached the First Seat Archbishop and slit his throat.
Slash—spurt!
"Gahk, guhhek......"
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
Blood fountained, soaking everywhere. The First Seat belatedly gathered holy power, but it couldn't heal the relic's fatal wound. As the emperor toppled from his throne in horror, Erensko sheathed the dagger and regretfully traced a holy sign.
"Oh dear, even the esteemed First Seat Archbishop...... harbored a sliver of doubt within."
Splurt—!
Unbearable, Hendark fired Lucaon's Shooting Star, resigning to his disciples' sacrifice. Yet the beam of destruction vanished into a void midway.
Kwadududuk—!!
Sucked into an empty rift.
Hendark shuddered. He instantly knew who summoned that hole—the technique of the church's sole superior holy knight, stronger even than himself.
Decagram's Second Seat, the 'Star that Swallows Darkness'.
"Lord Cassius......"
Vwooom—
The rift widened, and a black iron knight exuding overwhelming pressure emerged. His crow-claw grip had rendered Hendark's full-powered throw futile.
"Heh, Lord Hendark....... Ugh, s-save me......"
"......"
Hendark stood bare before the emperor, shielding him. Erensko chuckled as if at a yapping pup defending its master.
"I have no intent to test His Majesty's faith, so rest easy. Your disciples... well, that's another matter."
"......Didn't I warn you that if even a hair on my disciples is harmed, I'd erase your existence from the world?"
"And didn't I say I 'for now' won't? Until the 'Star that Swallows Darkness', who can crush your prowess, returns."
"......"
"I'll show mercy this once, but refrain from meddling henceforth, Lord Hendark. If you wish to protect His great Majesty and your beloved future stars."
His scarred face twisted savagely, righteous fury blazing in his eyes. Hendark demanded through gnashing teeth.
"You bastard...... what is the purpose of this outrage......?"
"......"
"Don't tell me...... you're doing this for revenge against that squire who aped a holy knight......?"
Silent mockery. The archbishop's pious reply followed.
"To exterminate all unbelievers and heretics across the continent, and exalt Elga's supreme glory."
With that, Erensko plunged the Punisher of Unbelievers—slayer of two archbishops—into his own throat.
Wooong......
The dagger passed through like an illusion, no wound inflicted.
Irrefutable proof of not a speck of doubt toward Elga within him. The onlookers froze, souls fled from their faces.
"......As an apostle chosen by supreme Elga, I command."
Erensko's lips tore to his ears in ecstatic fury, his aged eyes flickering with fanatic zeal and blind devotion.
"From this moment, I declare the launch of the 'Holy War' to eradicate all unbelievers breathing upon this land......"
*
The Elga Church's training grounds for rearing holy knights.
Where disciples' shouts should have echoed boisterously, an eerie silence now prevailed. Hendark scanned the empty hall in dismay.
No Rohen, mature beyond his years with many younger siblings. No Briden, jubilant at first summoning his divine armament. No Lenia, aspiring to follow her sister as an exceptional knight; no Miledos, awaiting his squire ordination; no Yorben, sketching and cherishing drawings of desired armor; no Merrill, often spacing out from her crush...
All gone.
Only polished training swords lay scattered, awaiting masters who would never return.
"......"
Hendark roughly rubbed his scarred face. Less the supreme holy knight who could raze a city alone, more a broken old man bereft of life's hope.
How long did he linger in despair?
Rustle—he unfolded a scrap of paper from his bosom.
'......The depletion stems from an ancient grand spell. Suspected to open rifts to another world. Departing for the Great Forest to ascertain details......'
A note left by an Atalan warrior he'd dealt with in southern Vesta. Barely recovered via a spy embedded in the alliance.
With his disciples as hostages, he could do nothing. If he and all Decagram—including the 'Star that Swallows Darkness'—mobilized... The sacrifices would be astronomical, and the alliance doomed.
As far as he knew, the alliance's sole hope against the empire's asymmetric might was this warrior who left the note.
Whiiiish—!
Hendark summoned his steed of light, mounted, turned toward the Great Forest, and spurred fiercely.