The Serpent and the Sun (6)
The Serpent and the Sun (6)
"I'll borrow him for a moment."
Estelle was utterly high-handed. But Dimona only bit her lip hard and could not say a word.
Apostle and Divine Judge.
They say even a dog has home-field advantage, but the gap between them was simply too vast. Dimona sent me off with a smile that looked close to tears. She even whispered for me not to switch sides and promised to double my salary.
But what could I do.
What I earned in a month was several times more.
Well, I had no intention of switching sides anyway. I had already built my foundation in the Church of Ra, so there was no reason to go over there.
I stared blankly at the person in front of me. A small child sitting in the cafe, swinging her legs gently as she waited for the ice cream she had ordered.
An adult, of course. Older than me, even. Her body was small and cute, but she was not purely cute either.
She was skilled in intrigue and strictly distinguished enemy from ally. And the moment she judged an ally was no longer useful to her, she discarded them immediately.
A thorough rationalist. And for her, the only ally throughout most of the scenario was Isabella. They were from the same orphanage, weren't they?
Surprisingly, Estelle was the older sister.
"...Nom."
Estelle put ice cream into her mouth right in front of me. The way she chewed was extremely cute.
She even ate messily, getting it around her mouth. I handed her a tissue and gently wiped her lips. She pursed her lips slightly, as if accustomed to it.
"But I'm not going to switch over to the Serpent Church, you know?"
"I know."
"......? Then why did you come find me?"
"Because I was curious what kind of person you were."
"Your impression?"
"...You. You suit the Serpent Church."
"In a good way, right?"
"In a bad way."
Estelle polished off the ice cream that had been stacked high like a three-story stone pagoda.
"Why did you approach Isabella?"
"I just happened to run into her by chance."
"Were you after the Snow Demon from the start?"
"Our merchant company got robbed, and I ran into her while chasing them down?"
"Why did you blow the whistle?"
"Out of a righteous heart that could not tolerate injustice."
"Really?"
"Really."
Estelle's delicate brow twisted slightly as she continued questioning me.
"A person who is neither villain nor saint. Someone in between."
"Who is ever completely one thing or the other? It changes with the situation and depends on the perspective."
"You're right. So I'll ask."
Estelle licked the remaining ice cream off her spoon.
"If Isabella were cast out of the Serpent Church, what would you do?"
"...Cast out?"
My blue-chip stock?!
"Hypothetically. I want an answer."
"I'd probably just help her out as best I could?"
"Would you bring her into the Church of Ra?"
"No way. Come on. That's not even possible."
"How many times a month would you go see her?"
"...Three times or so?"
"I'd go thirty-one times. I win."
Her smugness was pretty funny. The fact that she acted irrationally for only one person was part of her charm.
I sipped the coffee that had arrived.
"So? Did that satisfy your curiosity?"
"I did, and there's also something I need to hand over."
"Something to hand over?"
...No way.
-I, I said I prepared a gift...Zahard has been overworking his body so much...so I thought I should at least take care of him...
What a sweetheart!
"What is it?!"
"Before that, there's one thing I want to confirm first."
"...Confirm what?"
"Your level."
She rose from her seat. Thud. She grabbed me by the collar.
"I'm curious where you stand right now."
. . .
Checking my level.
In other words, it was close to one-sided violence.
"Ugh?!"
'Darkness-Slamming Weight - Stomp' shattered. Every Holy Art wrapped around my body was smashed to pieces and scattered across the floor.
Shadow Sacred Power fell from Estelle's body. She swung her sword and shook off the lingering Sacred Power.
"...Impressive."
A hint of surprise settled into her emotionless tone.
"You're stronger than Isabella made you sound."
"You beat me black and blue and still say that."
The depleted Sacred Power began to refill, but this was my limit now. I had fought for over half a day, and there was not an ounce of strength left in my body.
If not for the Sacred Barrier Estelle had set up, the fight would certainly have reached Dwayne's ears.
I sprawled out on my back. I gasped for breath.
I thought I had built up experience and specs, but...I still can't match an Apostle.
Estelle was also a veteran who had rolled through battlefields, so it was a natural result.
"So?"
Estelle poked my nose lightly.
"Pass."
"Pass for what?"
"Be Isabella's shield when things get urgent. Then I'll give you the gift."
"Well...I'll look after her anyway...but does Isabella have that many enemies?"
"She does. Inside Naga's bosom, most people see her as incompetent. The problem is her subordinates more than her."
Estelle frowned.
"I've told her to discard them many times, but she won't listen. I can't break Isabella's stubbornness."
"So the worst case is she could be cast out of the church?"
"That won't happen. I'll prevent it. You're insurance."
Estelle slipped a hand into her bosom. She rummaged around and pulled something out.
[Shadow Jewel]
An elixir in ingestible form.
In legend, the longest-lived serpent carried a single orb. But the serpent, robbed of it by a wicked beast, poured all its strength into creating a similar orb.
A failure born of that process. But it was a failure only from the god's perspective; from a human's standpoint, it was no different from a treasure.
It can only be made in the darkest, gloomiest cave, and only one orb can be produced every hundred years. At present, among the Serpent Churches, both the location of the cave and the very existence of the Shadow Jewel are unclear.
When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, abnormal phenomena may occur. It is recommended to take it with someone trustworthy.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, an intense hallucinogenic effect occurs.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, a powerful rampage effect occurs.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, the body's limits are forcibly expanded.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, the limits of Sacred Power are forcibly expanded.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, the circulation of Sacred Power becomes smoother.
-When ingesting the Shadow Jewel, you acquire 'Black Swamp - Favela (A).'
Oh shit!
I suddenly get this?! My shadow Holy Arts have been especially lacking, and this is a chance to make up for it! It's practically the same as gaining another trump card!
"I have something to ask."
"Wh-what is it?!"
"Why didn't you use Naga's Holy Arts when fighting me?"
"Well...because my proficiency in shadow Holy Arts is terrible?"
"You have to use them to improve. Use what Isabella taught you. If you don't use them, they won't grow."
"Even so...I'm an inquisitor of Ra, as you can see...using them openly would be awkward..."
"So you just need to be able to hide your Sacred Power?"
She lifted her sword, still sheathed.
"Get some sleep first."
"Huh?"
Wham.
I got hit in the head.
. . .
"Wake up."
"Gah?!"
I bolted upright. Estelle was standing in front of me. The sun that had been sinking low had completely vanished before I knew it, and the moon had risen.
"Who hits someone on the head without warning?"
"But thanks to that, everything's done."
Done?
I roused my Sacred Power. In the Sacred Flame blazing at my fingertips, the last traces of shadow Sacred Power—traces only I and people stronger than me could have detected—had vanished completely.
"...What the. How did you do it?"
"I changed it. The passage of your Sacred Power."
"You changed it without asking?!"
"Any problems?"
"No problems, but..."
"Then it's fine."
"You're impossible! Really!"
I knew she did things at her own pace, but she's worse than me?!
I opened my Status Window first. I had to check my body's condition. Good grief.
[Zahard Balton] [Level: 58]
[Race: ???] [Class: ???]
[Class Unique Skills]
-Sun God's Love: Sun-God-related skills you possess grow rapidly.
-Sun God's Grace: Your Sacred Power recovers rapidly.
-Sun God's Blessing: You can handle the Sun God's Sacred Relics without risk.
-Sun God's Prayer: You are immune to mental corruption.
[Class Unique Skills]
-Serpent God's Love: Serpent-God-related skills you possess grow rapidly.
-Serpent God's Grace: Your Sacred Power recovers rapidly.
-Serpent God's Blessing: You can handle the Serpent God's Sacred Relics without risk.
-Serpent God's Prayer: You are immune to status ailments.
[Apostle]
-Mixed Sacred Mark (A): Repels all Demonic Force. Can grant Sacred Marks to others. Subordinate priests become mixed, and some body parts may twist. (5/20)
-Mixed Divinity (A): Two divinities have mixed. Usage has become more difficult, and it is not detected by ordinary Sacred Power detectors. You can freely switch between the two divinities and change the nature of your Sacred Power as desired.
-Healing (B): Can perform healing and combat simultaneously. The world calls this 'Immortal's Battle.'
-Blessing (B): Status effect resistance greatly increases, and you can maintain composure except in special situations. Physical abilities greatly increase, and Sacred Power temporarily increases greatly.
[Church of Ra]
-Sacred Flame (A): Produces sacred flames. Purifies evil and can burn some things that cannot be burned. The size and limits of the flame are proportional to Sacred Power. Efficiency has greatly increased, and detailed shapes can be set.
-Prayer of Fire (B): Praying maintains body temperature for a long time. Physical abilities greatly improve.
-Holy Water Production (C): Infuses water with Sacred Power. Activates the body's healing power and raises resistance to Demonic Force.
-Sacred Wall (B): Can block off certain areas. Can be applied thinly over the skin and wreathed in fire. Exhibits power comparable to armor and negates impacts below a threshold.
-Whisper of Fire (B): Enhances weapon performance. Flames settle upon it, and it can be granted to others' weapons as well. Grants resistance to Demonic Force.
-Purification (C): Expels curses and purifies the corrupted.
-Cliff-Burning Fire - Guillotine (A): The paladins of the Golden Age delighted in gouging out demons' brains with the edge of their axes. Smashes enemies head-on, and explosive flames coil around the axe's edge. Because the conditions were not met, destructive power is somewhat reduced compared to the original.
-Light-Devouring Fire - Luin (A): The paladins of the Golden Age delighted in riddling demons' bodies with holes. Its wondrous transformation is exquisite, and the compressed flames can pierce even thick iron walls. Because the conditions were not met, destructive power is somewhat reduced compared to the original.
-Darkness-Slamming Weight - Stomp (S): Call, and it shall answer. Ainswalter spoke, saying the number of demons burst apart by Ra's trampling reached sixty-two.
-Crown of Ash (EX): Offering tribute raises the grade of Sun-God-related skills.
[Church of Naga]
-Yeongryeon (C): Creates a quiet shadow. Can seep into darkness and move without sound.
-Prayer of Scales (C): Praying erases your presence for a set duration. Physical abilities improve.
-Venom Production (C): Can produce venom within the body that causes stomach pain.
-Serpent's Whisper (C): Part of an object's appearance seeps into darkness. Can hide objects, and only applies to objects being held.
-Erosion (C): Seeps into the mind and plants suggestions in another's mind.
-Black Scales (B): Derived from the Serpent Church's foundational swordsmanship, 'Song of Shadows.' Unnecessary elements were trimmed away, and those who master the sword are famous for living in darkness.
-Black Swamp - Favela (A): The essence of dagger arts said to be learnable only by some of Naga's direct followers. It was buried in secrecy and passed down only to a chosen few. It is also called the Serpent's Fang.
[Shared Skills]
-Meat Cooking (C): Grills meat deliciously.
-Seafood Cooking (B): Can make even seafood that cannot be cooked delicious.
-Beverage Making (C): Can make delicious beverages.
Something changed.
Not only was a Serpent Church skill added, but the wording of one skill itself had changed.
[Mixed Divinity (A): Two divinities have mixed. Usage has become more demanding, and it is not detected by others' eyes. Can freely switch between the two divinities, and can exchange the nature of Sacred Power for the desired one.]
"...Oh-ho."
So now I don't have to worry about being found out? On top of that, the shadow Sacred Power and sun Sacred Power that had been vaguely divided were now merged into one. The red flame blazing at my fingertips was suddenly shrouded in black.
The conversion of Sacred Power was also free. The shadow flame soon went out. Estelle spoke.
"Try to learn to mix them."
"...Is that possible?"
"Since they're mixed, it should be possible. The difficulty is extreme. It's trickier than the Shape Transformation you used. But it will definitely make you stronger. You'll complete a Holy Art that only you—chosen by both Ra and Naga—can use."
I never saw that in the game either?
If I complete that too...just how strong will I become...?
"Even I am afraid of myself..."
"Are you insane?"
"Thank you, Estelle. I've become even stronger thanks to you."
Estelle dusted off her hands. Looking again, beads of sweat had formed on her small face.
"I kept all of Naga's revelations."
-Estelle...good child...even her cute nape has a fragrant scent...haah...haah...
I ignored Naga's voice.
"Is your business finished now?"
"One more thing remains."
"What now?"
"You..."
She turned her back to the moonlight.
"Do you really have no intention of coming to the Serpent Church?"
"No. I don't?"
"An immediate answer. You could at least think about it."
"Looks like you want me too, Estelle. My, my..."
"Want to die?"
"J-just kidding."
Estelle let out a sigh. She pulled me to my feet and brushed the dust off me.
"Don't forget your promise to protect Isabella."
"Don't worry. But is that really the end of the recruitment?"
"Disappointed?"
"No. It's just that from what Isabella said, it felt like you'd bring me over no matter what."
"Even if you had said yes, I would have brought you over later. Not now. Ra's bosom is safer than Naga's right now. I'll make a proper recruitment offer once I'm established."
So she hasn't given up.
Well, it doesn't matter. I wasn't going to join anyway.
"Anyway, thank you for your help, Estelle. If that one-in-a-million moment comes, I'll protect Isabella."
"...Hm."
Estelle turned her back.
"In return for your promise, I'll make you a promise too."
"What is it?"
"Just once. If it's something within my power, I'll grant any wish of yours."
She looked back at me. Her violet eyes mingled with the moonlight and shone mysteriously.
"A promise from the Apostle of the Serpent Church. It's a weighty promise, so use it carefully."
. . .
The Serpent Church members departed. Isabella was disappointed, but she quickly recovered her spirits.
"I'll be satisfied just not crossing swords with you next time we meet."
"Wow. Amazing. You've really grown up, Big Sis Isabella."
"D-don't treat me like a child..."
With Estelle, it ended with a single exchange of glances. It probably meant not to forget the promise.
The once-bustling Inquisition Office grew quiet. Among the Group 1 inquisitors, those who had become friendly with the Serpent Church paladins were sad to part.
"That bastard...he really was good at poker."
"He cleaned everyone out before leaving."
"Fucking bastards..."
They had fought back-to-back once, so they must have quickly gotten past the awkwardness. Amid the commotion that had passed, a change came for me as well.
Something I had thought would come someday.
"...An order has come down from the Holy See."
Dimona's face went pale.
"A search mission in the ruined city of Paramer... your name and Rosemary's are on the participant list, Zahard."
The Paramer search mission. A mission to search for missing imperial citizens.
The important thing was...
It was notorious: every year the Empire regularly sent a small group, and not a single person had ever returned.