The Missing Fragment of the Anvil of the Absolute
The Missing Fragment of the Anvil of the Absolute
The original members of the Salvation Holy Knights who had entered the Divinum Cathedral headed to the plaza, looking around curiously. They seemed to be searching for something, but since they were just wandering about and talking among themselves without explaining anything to me, I had no clue.
I jabbed Alon in the side.
"That thing those guys are looking for—does it really exist?"
"Who knows. Conspiracy theorists are all the same, right? Sounds plausible, but there's never actually anything there."
"Hey, they must have some reason to believe it if they're coming all this way."
Alon clasped his hands together in prayer.
"Faith's the same way. Sounds good, but there's no real substance to it."
I glared at him, eyes narrowing.
"Anyway, keep looking a bit longer, and if there's nothing, you take charge and get us out of here quick. Don't waste my time."
"Got it."
Just then, Alfredo Monk approached us. He glanced warily at me before grabbing Alon's wrist and pulling him toward the group.
"Sir Alon, there's a passage in the Book of Death that reads: 'In the depths of a dark cave, eight women welcome you, and the path to the origin of all annihilation lies there.'"
Alon shrugged.
"Problem is, we don't know where that is."
"I do."
"What?"
"This way."
Alfredo gathered everyone so I couldn't see, then placed a geometric observation device on the ground.
I leaned forward, peering through their legs at the strange contraption. It resembled a sundial; aligning the shadow of the central rod with the red arrow on the circular dial pointed a black arrow toward the northeast.
Despite their shabby appearance, they carried some pretty sophisticated gear.
Soon, Alfredo's fingertip pointed northeast as well.
"That way."
Alon eyed the device as Alfredo picked it up.
"What's that thing, anyway?"
"Certain passages in the Book of Death contain specific words. Interpreting the phrasing and sequence creates this observation tool. The sequence represents specific angles, and the words form the logical blueprint for the device."
"Oh, really? That's fascinating."
"Yes. Shall we go, then?"
"Sure."
The original Salvation Holy Knights hurried off somewhere en masse. I tried to follow, but they shot me wary glances, so I had to trail discreetly from a distance.
What the hell are those guys up to? Is there really something here?
After seeing that intriguing device, it started to seem plausible. I'd encountered plenty of conspiracy nuts before, but these were the first with such detailed preparations. Most just talked big without any real action.
***
After trekking for a while, we reached a hilly area. In the distance, at the center of the hill, was a cave. Asking the Purity Knights guarding the wide barrier gate, they said it housed the first sanctuary created in this world by Saint Prosia and the Seven Great Saintesses.
"Ah, so this is the Primordial Sanctuary?"
"Yes."
"What's inside?"
The Purity Knight answered promptly.
"Ancient, weathered statues."
"What kind?"
"Statues honoring Saint Prosia and the seven Great Saintesses."
At the knight's response, my eyelids twitched.
Prosia plus seven Great Saintesses made eight—and earlier, Alfredo had mentioned eight women before coming here. If they weren't tricking us with prior knowledge, things were lining up nicely.
Even if it was a scam, I had to check it out closely. My curiosity wouldn't let me back off now.
"Got it. Mind if I take a peek inside?"
"No entry. The Primordial Sanctuary is a vital relic—no unauthorized access."
As the knight blocked the way, I fixed him with a piercing stare.
"Hey, I just need a quick look for something important. Let me through for a sec."
"Then get a permit from the Church."
As if I'd have one. Dragging rural monks into humanity's first sanctuary ruin—who'd hand out a permit easily?
Sure, Sir Izenberg could get one, but I didn't want to. If there really was a fragment of the Anvil of the Absolute as Alfredo claimed, the Church would claim it. If it was fake, I'd look like a gullible conspiracy chaser.
Either way, no good.
I shot the knight a sharp glare.
"I'm just going in and out real quick."
The knight glanced awkwardly between me and the Salvation Holy Knights.
"Sir Baekmyeon, this is problematic."
"It's urgent research."
"What research?"
"You know that heretic group caught recently?"
"Yes."
"Related to that incident. Looks like they tampered with this site."
"What does that have to do with the Primordial Sanctuary?"
"You don't wanna know. Don't ask."
I barked at the knight forcefully. No better excuse, so intimidation it was.
The knight looked displeased.
"Still doesn't seem right."
"Why?"
"Two years ago, someone broke in. It got buried under the Depraved Grand Prince scandal, but security's been tightened since."
My eyes lit up. Perfect excuse handed to me.
"Good you know. That's the incident—their doing. I'm here to investigate."
"Oh, really?"
"Anyway, keep quiet. If word gets out heretics infiltrated the Primordial Sanctuary and plotted something, it won't end well for anyone."
"Ah, yes."
"So, can I go in?"
"Just for a moment."
"Got it."
As I led the Salvation Holy Knights inside, the knight blocked briefly.
"But they're going in too?"
"Yeah, investigators. Specially brought from afar. Why?"
"Their appearance is a bit..."
"Means deep faith. Not widely known, but rare devotion and holy magic prowess."
"Oh? How skilled?"
I winked exaggeratedly at Alfredo Monk. He stepped forward.
"8-Cycle holy mage level."
"Whoa, really? Impressive."
"Nothing special. Ahem."
I squeezed my eyes shut in dizziness. Bluff if you must, but 8-Cycle? What the hell?
An 8-Cycle holy mage—only two in the world. With that power, high clergy anytime, and with connections, even Pope.
"Please, go ahead."
Lucky. My bullshit credit worked; the knight bought it. But how to handle this? Rumors spread, Central Church would recruit him aggressively. What excuse then?
I jabbed Alon's side.
"Alon, soon as we hit the provinces, drill everyone on world knowledge details. Even secluded monks know 8-Cycle ain't a joke."
"He is a holy mage, though."
Now Alon was in on the lie.
Holy mages use mana. If Alfredo truly was one, I'd have sensed extraordinary aura. But his was utterly ordinary.
If true, either he hid mana like me, or—impossibly—a never-before-seen 9-Cycle holy mage.
"Wanna die? Bluffing where?"
"For real. I saw him use holy magic."
"Illusion."
"It's legit..."
Alfredo, ahead, glanced back.
"Sir Alon, hurry. Much to do."
I shoved him; he ran.
"Yes, sir."
Soon, we reached the Primordial Sanctuary.
It was a modest dirt cave, barely room for one to stand. Entrance floor clean from care, but walls bore age's stains.
Alfredo approached me.
"Thank you for your help. You may leave now, Sir Baekmyeon."
Polite, but clear dismissal. No way—I'd lose sleep from curiosity.
Sloppy but plausibly conspiracy-like.
"Nope. Vital relic—I must oversee."
"But..."
"If not, we all leave now. Head back? Or proceed?"
Alfredo sighed, troubled.
"Fine. But no further?"
I scanned the shallow cave, nodded. Visible enough.
"Got it. Do your thing inside."
"Yes."
Alfredo entered.
Inside, eight ancient statues as described. Central Prosia-like woman knelt, arms raised to sunlight-pierced ceiling; seven Great Saintesses surrounded in varied poses.
The knights unpacked mirrors, placing them in statue hands and laps.
What the hell are they doing?
Couldn't fathom. Here for an item, yet ignoring it for nonsense.
Alfredo's voice echoed.
"Noon approaches. Wait reverently."
"Yes."
I eyed the distant central bell tower. At noon, its bell roared through Divinum Cathedral.
My stomach growled; simultaneously, the tower rang.
Light faction nobles before Holy Hall lined up at a lead priest's command; clergy poured from buildings toward dining.
Rumble, rumble.
Sudden cave noise—heavy stone shifting. Peeking, I gaped.
Noon's sunbeam through ceiling hole bounced off mirrors in statue hands/laps, hitting wall. Wall glowed intensely, sank, revealing new passage.
"Ah, found it."
"Quick, inside. Check the fragment."
"Yes."
Murmuring, Salvation Holy Knights entered new passage. Soon, screams.
"The f-fragment! It's gone! What happened?!"
"Losing that vital legacy—how?!"
I rushed in. Promised not to, but their screams excused me.
In the passage end, kneeling, sobbing members. I shouted.
"What happened?!"
Pale Alfredo staggered to me, trembling.
"S-Sir Baekmyeon. Disaster. The Anvil of the Absolute fragment is gone."
"Huh?"
"It should be here. If Great Saintess Sabondia, its owner, took it—world may end soon."
"End?"
"Heavenly gods descend, open Dimensional Rift. Dawn of annihilation."
My eyelids twitched. Somehow, they knew future events.
"R-Really?"
"Yes. Anvil blocks world's end—hidden by Sabondia."
Sabondia: Death Valkyrie, sister's runaway friend; Book of Death author; Evelyn's master.
I eyed massive stone shelf at passage end. Traces of something placed; now just faded dust.
Approaching, inspected closely.
Handprint?
Dust-covered shelf bore clear woman's handprint. Beside, four small dots—last two sharp drags, like twin daggers.
Evelyn took it?
Evelyn dual-wielded daggers; recently mentioned sneaking into Divinum two years ago—my scandal time—taking something.
Their words matched my intel.
Alfredo neared.
"Sir Baekmyeon, take us to Kara."
"Why?"
"Euroa Temple in Kara hides another fragment."
Right—Evelyn raided Euroa Cathedral too.
I eyed them shakily. Maybe not originals, but true Salvation Holy Knights—apocalypse psycho tormentors. People different, group same?
They knew Sabondia/Evelyn targets; Chronos hunted Sabondia. Flip them to Chronos side, predict her moves.
"Fine. I'll take you."
"Thank you."
"Out now. Today's events—silent till death. Got it?"
"Yes."
They exited; I followed, glaring sharply.
Might need to kill them all. Handed to Chronos, Sabondia endangered. Ally to humanity—can't let Chronos have her.
The Missing Fragment of the Anvil of the Absolute
End of chapter.