Chapter 215: I Ask Your Eyes-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 215: I Ask Your Eyes-2
"Aaaagh... ugh...."
Maria writhed in agony, crawling across the floor.
Lumen raised her leg and kicked her in the stomach, sending Maria rolling several more times across the dirt.
Maria couldn't even feel the pain in her abdomen. The agony of losing her eye eclipsed every sensation that followed.
"The Saint must die," Lumen declared.
"Order will only be restored once he is dead," she asserted.
The woman in silver armor slowly approached Maria.
"Ugh... huff...."
Having adjusted to the pain somewhat, Maria used her sword as a staff to push herself up. The hand gripping the hilt trembled so violently it was pitiful to behold.
Maria held the sword with her left hand and used her right to stem the flow of blood from her eye.
"You intend to challenge me again in that state?"
For the first time, a flicker of pity appeared on Lumen’s face.
"......."
"Your will is certainly impressive. It’s a pity you didn't show such devotion to God."
Lumen lunged forward again. Maria gripped her sword with one hand and swung. Normally, the weight of the blade would have sent her staggering, but her posture remained unshakable.
Lumen ducked under the horizontal slash and swung her axe upward. Maria stumbled back, the razor-sharp blade grazing her shoulder.
"Urgh!"
Maria groaned at the stinging sensation of sliced flesh.
"The Saint must die. You cannot stop it."
Lumen shifted her grip and brought the raised axe crashing down. Maria desperately caught the handle of the axe.
The downward momentum of Lumen’s weapon came to a dead stop.
"You still have strength left?" Lumen’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes... thankfully," Maria replied, smiling even as blood streamed from her eye.
"Then, continue your repentance."
Lumen poured strength into her hands. Slowly, agonizingly, the axe blade descended toward Maria’s shoulder. The pain of the edge sinking into her skin sent shivers down her spine.
Maria thought to herself.
Why is the Saint the Saint?
Maria planted her feet and shoved Lumen with her shoulder. It was a small movement, but it was enough to break Lumen’s stance.
There is no proof in this world that the Saint is the Saint.
Lumen’s kick slammed into her stomach.
Nothing in this world can prove his divinity.
Maria grabbed Lumen’s leg. Dropping her greatsword, she drove her bare fist into the woman's knee.
But I remember.
Letting out a small groan, Lumen swung her axe.
His voice.
Ducking low, Maria dodged the axe and threw another punch.
The look in his eyes.
She let go of the leg, shoved Lumen back, and snatched her greatsword from the ground.
His smile.
She raised the greatsword high. Suddenly, a sharp pain flared in her waist.
His warmth.
The axe had swung around, biting into her side.
His scent.
Despite the wound, she brought the greatsword down.
CRUNCH.
With the sound of crushing armor, one of Lumen’s shoulders was bent into a grotesque angle.
"The Saint is the Saint," Maria declared, pulling back her sword.
"There is no evidence to guarantee that!" Lumen spat.
Maria stood with her legs braced, sword held high. She believed the Saint was standing right behind her. She firmly believed he was steadying her trembling arms and supporting her failing legs.
Just as he had once done at the training grounds....
"But I still have it within me. The Saint’s voice, his gaze, his smile, his warmth, his scent...."
Maria raised her sword even higher.
"Chief Inquisitor."
She gathered her remaining strength and focused it into her arms.
"I believe the Saint is the Saint. Since I have chosen to believe, I require no other proof."
With her one remaining eye, she stared into Lumen’s eyes as the woman looked up at her.
"Therefore, I question everything that persecutes the Saint."
She questioned everything that existed.
"Every doctrine in the world."
The greatsword swung down. Lumen’s mangled shoulder was torn open.
"Every rule in the world."
The sword fell again. Lumen’s dangling shoulder was severed completely.
"Every testimony in the world."
The sword fell once more. This time, the opposite shoulder was torn apart.
"Every person in the world."
The sword fell a final time. The last remaining arm was sent flying.
"This entire world that persecutes the Saint is the true heresy."
As Maria finished her sentence, Lumen fell to her knees.
"So... that is your answer," Lumen said calmly.
She spoke as if she understood, as if she had expected nothing less.
"But the Saint must die. That is God’s will."
Lumen shook her head, coughing up a spray of blood.
Maria adjusted her grip on the sword.
"Then I shall cut down even that God."
Maria swung.
Lumen’s head flew off, rolling toward the main gate of Solaruchia.
"......"
Silence suddenly descended upon the once-chaotic scene. In the distance, beyond the gates of Solaruchia, Maria saw a swarm of people approaching with torches.
"Don't let her get away!"
Leaving the shouting crowd behind, Maria vanished into the thicket.
*
The following day at noon, in the plaza.
Despite the commotion at Solaruchia, the execution proceeded as planned. The sinner, Kang In-ho, stood once again on the execution platform in the same plaza where he had first arrived in this world.
Bound tightly with ropes, he offered no resistance, standing calmly upon the stage.
In an unusual turn of events, the Commander of the Holy Knights acted as the executioner. This was partly because the Chief Inquisitor was dead, and partly because the Commander harbored a personal grudge.
A massive crowd gathered to witness the execution of the devil who had impersonated the Saint. Everyone threw stones at the demon who had so chillingly mimicked the likeness of a Saint they had never even seen up close.
Most of the stones fell short of the platform, but a few struck Kang In-ho’s body and head. By the time the execution was set to begin, he was already covered in blood.
Amidst the furious mob stood a woman, her body completely concealed by a robe. With a tense expression, she scanned the surroundings, searching for the Saint’s hidden allies.
They were hidden so well that Maria couldn't spot them at all, which actually brought her a sense of relief. It meant they had successfully infiltrated the area.
The Commander of the Holy Knights began reciting the Saint’s crimes.
Maria looked around.
They should be moving by now.
The jeers of the angry crowd filled the air.
Maria looked around again.
Where are they? Why aren't they moving?
The Commander drew his sword.
Maria’s eyes darted through the crowd.
They really have to move now. Where are they!
The Commander swung his blade.
The Saint’s head was severed, soaring into the sky.
"Ah...?"
Maria saw it. The eyes of the flying head were staring directly at her.