Chapter 14
Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Humility
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When the protagonist Hero arrives at the Empire, the first news he hears is that the Saintess's party, excluding the Saintess herself and her direct Holy Knights, has gone entirely missing.
The quest given to the protagonist is to find those who vanished within the Empire.
But as he pursues their trail, everyone around him suddenly attacks him, sparking a battle.
The true culprit gnawing away at the Empire is the named Black Mage 'Devouring Parasite', who had already implanted parasites in all the knight orders before the protagonist even arrived. Even some of the people walking the streets had fallen victim to the parasites.
After twists and turns, when the protagonist finally encounters Devouring Parasite, he unleashes his hidden card: the missing Holy Knights and the Empire's knight orders to attack.
This is phase one.
Once all those knights are defeated, as a last resort, he releases Gu Poison—a massive centipede-like parasite. This triggers an unavoidable defeat event, so the protagonist loses, and Devouring Parasite reappears later even stronger, manipulating the people around the protagonist once more.
The reason I'm explaining all this is that Gu Poison is Devouring Parasite's ultimate trump card.
The one that forces the protagonist to lose without fail.
And yet, that Gu Poison right now...
"Kirrrrk..."
Black liquid dribbling from its mouth, it's looming over me.
"...Everyone, fall back! That monster is beyond what we can handle!"
I urgently shove Ariana behind me, gripping my shotel tighter.
I had planned to reunite with the Seven Virtues Holy Knights I sent ahead in advance and deal with Devouring Parasite then.
"Damn it, why so fast...!"
Judging by the knights' conditions, sending the Seven Virtues Holy Knights had worked.
Somehow, those two must have stopped the knights from being parasitized.
But because of that, the knight I just killed was the final host for the parasites, allowing Devouring Parasite to pinpoint my location and unleash Gu Poison to kill me.
My miscalculation.
"Kirrrrk!"
No time to despair—the black liquid spilling from Gu Poison's mouth begins wriggling like worms.
It multiplies into dozens, hundreds, and only then do the knights and Holy Knights behind me sense the danger and retreat swiftly.
But me, right at the front?
"Nngh...! You think I'll let you through?!"
To keep the parasites from breaking past me, I channel Holy Power just like I did in my duel with Adel.
"Is!"
Ariana, who hadn't retreated, shows worry as I use the technique again, but sadly, if I don't use it now, we'll all end up as puppets.
Thankfully, the Holy Knights drag her away, letting me refocus and ignite my Holy Power once more.
⚡ HOLY POWER ACTIVATED ⚡ Golden flames of divine might Burning the parasites' path
My golden-glowing Holy Power morphs into flames that incinerate the parasites, and as my body grows heavier, I spread my arms wide.
-Roar!
A technique twisted from past to present, one only I can use.
Holy Power blazes fiercely, blocking the parasites trying to climb the walls.
"Kirrrk..."
Gu Poison's gaze fixes on me, threatening with a sound between beast and insect.
"Gu Poison! Pierce his Holy Power and inject the parasites! No matter how strong his Holy Power is, keep firing them and it'll break through!"
At Devouring Parasite's shout, Gu Poison crouches, gathering the black liquid in its gaping maw.
Then.
-Pew!
"Guh?!"
A bullet-like parasite grazes my earlobe, chipping away at my Holy Power in an instant. I flinch involuntarily.
Seeing that, Gu Poison unleashes a barrage of parasites, and eventually...
-Puk!
"Nngh...!"
One pierces straight through my gauntlet into my left hand.
I'd raised it to protect my ear.
'At least I didn't get parasitized...'
As I try to force a smirk through cold sweat.
-Sssshhh...
The parasite in my hand smokes and goes limp.
'Burned to death by Holy Power, huh?'
I yank it out and fling it aside.
Gu Poison trembles in rage.
I try to brace myself, but unfortunately, time's up.
"Nngh..."
Just like in my duel with Adel, I feel like collapsing any second.
'My fault for not accounting for the variable...'
I grit my teeth, struggling to stay conscious.
But as if the goddess decrees this is as far as I'm allowed, my eyes droop, and one knee hits the ground.
-Thud!
"Uhahaha! Yes! Even you, who killed my parasites, can't beat Gu Poison! Well done, Gu Poison!"
Devouring Parasite praises Gu Poison effusively before approaching me, flaunting the parasites in his hand.
"Now, you'll become my limb through one of these. With your Holy Power gone, you're just another host! The entire Empire! And beyond—even the goddess in the heavens!"
"Arrogant."
"What?"
A gentle elderly voice from above startles Devouring Parasite into looking up.
Ah, you came.
Devouring Parasite tenses warily, not knowing who it is, but to me, it's a reassuring voice. I let out a sigh of relief.
"Perfect timing... thank you for coming..."
I murmur with a smile, and the voice responds from the sky once more.
"No, I'm sorry it feels too late. This is my failing for not anticipating the Black Mage would confront you all. I must apologize to my brother for this."
"Wh-who are you?!"
At the calm voice conversing leisurely amid this crisis, Devouring Parasite grows uneasy, huddling by Gu Poison. The voice kindly answers.
"If you demand my identity, I am but a mere swordsman blessed undeservedly with the title of Holy Knight by the goddess's grace. In other words, an old man wielding a blade with this frail body to protect the rising stars."
"What wordplay is this...? Ah, wait. No way...!"
As expected of a named Black Mage.
Devouring Parasite seems to realize whose voice it is, and the moment she appears, I close my eyes with a smile.
Jeanne d'Arc Itilimu, Holy Knight of Humility among the Seven Virtues.
She descends before Devouring Parasite.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Snow-white hair and wrinkles etched across her face.
Yet her armor gleams as brightly as ever, proof that time cannot diminish her status as a Holy Knight.
Despite her age nearing ninety, she descends from the sky to stand before Is, a sight that terrifies Devouring Parasite.
"There can only be one elderly woman among the Holy Knights! N-no way...!"
Before "Humility" can even be spoken, Devouring Parasite's mouth snaps shut.
Not by force, but because his body freezes solid.
"Ah... Aah...!"
She reveals her full Holy Power wordlessly, making even a somewhat renowned Black Mage like Devouring Parasite stagger back.
"Wh-what in the..."
Devouring Parasite's mind races, and upon reaching a conclusion, he slams his head to the ground.
"I won't show myself again! Never before your eyes, so please have merccccyyyyy!"
His desperate plea cuts off as Holy Power strangles his throat.
"Utterly arrogant."
"Keh... Kehk...!"
Watching Devouring Parasite's face turn red, Jeanne d'Arc clasps her hands and continues.
"The goddess did not permit your existence. Yet how dare you grant life-and-death power to me, who is not even worthy of her pinky finger? Your fate is decided not by me, but by the goddess. Therefore—"
Pray.
At Jeanne d'Arc's final words, Devouring Parasite flails his arms before managing to clasp his hands, praying desperately in his mind.
'Sp-spare me...!'
-Crack.
Devouring Parasite's neck snaps, his head rolling across the ground.
"Arrogant. To pray to the goddess requires a reverent heart, yet you dare pray with a Black Mage's wicked intent."
Jeanne d'Arc hoists Devouring Parasite's corpse and glances at Gu Poison, who bows its head in terror before her.
She speaks to Gu Poison as well.
"Have you ever harmed a human?"
-Shake shake.
Jeanne d'Arc nods, understanding Gu Poison's innocence, and hands over the corpse.
"The truth indeed. Neither indirectly nor directly have you committed sin."
Gu Poison nods vigorously.
In truth, this was Gu Poison's first time emerging into the world.
And even then, Is had blocked it, leaving no chance to kill anyone.
Gu Poison sends a grateful look to Is, who endured so long, and Jeanne d'Arc carefully lifts him in a princess carry.
"You held out well. Without you, I'd have arrived too late to see only stars turned puppets. Thank you, uniquely shining star."
Jeanne d'Arc carries Is out of the alley, where Saintess Ariana appears before her.
"J-Jeanne d'Arc?! Is he..."
Her gaze falls to Is in Jeanne d'Arc's arms, and she sighs in relief, patting her chest.
Jeanne d'Arc smiles warmly at Ariana's demeanor, like that of a close friend.