The Apostle and the Angel (1)
The Apostle and the Angel (1)
At the sudden appearance of the Apostle, the campsite fell into chaos. Screams and cries echoed from all over the ridge.
Taking advantage of the pandemonium, Johan and Gaf moved toward their objective.
At the very center of the campsite, in a wide-open space. Alone on the barren ground stood a single pure white coffin.
The fragment of the Great Saint’s corpse would surely be stored within that coffin.
There were no guards. From the perspective of the Order, even deploying dozens of sentries would not be a waste, yet not even a single ant could be seen nearby.
Gaf spoke in a tone of puzzlement.
“It seems even the guards who were protecting the coffin have been deployed for battle. Well, it is the appearance of an Apostle, so I understand, but to think they would leave not even the minimum number of personnel.”
The Pilgrimage Group’s primary objective was to safely transport the fragment of the Great Saint’s corpse to the Holy See.
No matter how the Apostle had manifested, someone should have been left to guard the coffin.
Gaf opened his mouth.
“Well, whatever it is, it makes our job easier. Once we take that coffin, all this mess is over, isn’t it?”
Just as he took a step forward, Johan spoke.
“Stop. Cross that line and you will die.”
Gaf spun around to look at Johan.
“What did you say?”
“Look carefully at your feet.”
Faint lines were etched into the ochre ground. So fine that one would never notice unless looking closely.
Gaf stared intently at the ground.
Thin lines encircled the coffin in a ring.
Johan spoke.
“It’s a Holy Boundary Formation. A barrier magic capable of replacing hundreds of guards.”
In the original, a sixth-tier holy spell was protecting the Great Saint’s coffin.
The trigger for the formation was the approach of unauthorized persons. If Gaf had crossed the line just now, his body would have turned to dust in an instant.
Gaf cleared his throat and took several steps back.
“……Is there a way through?”
“In truth, the formation itself is not a problem.”
Using a holy relic taken from the Forbidden Archive, the formation could be easily neutralized.
The problem came after that.
“The real issue is opening the coffin……”
Blue chains were tightly wrapped around the white coffin.
Commonly known as Wolsaeah (Moon Lock). A tier-5 holy relic, which could only be dealt with if one had relevant knowledge or could use unlocking magic.
For Johan, who had neither, the Wolsaeah was a troublesome obstacle.
‘I have a backup plan, but it will mess up the operation.’
He could steal the coffin itself and slowly research a way to unlock it later.
It was not the best option.
If the coffin disappeared, the Holy See would turn the entire South upside down looking for it, and their reach might eventually extend to the Miyatro Territory.
For Johan, as a half-demon, such a development was quite burdensome.
‘If only I could open the coffin, there would be nothing to worry about.’
The best option was to remove only the corpse fragment and close the coffin again.
As long as the coffin remained in place, the Order would not even realize they had lost the corpse fragment.
There was a way to do that.
Johan clicked his tongue.
‘If I can’t open the coffin, it’s nothing but a futile fantasy.’
For now, he had no choice but to use the backup plan.
Even if it meant taking on additional risks.
‘There’s no helping it. Let’s take the coffin and run.’
Johan took out a luxurious box adorned with jewels from his bag.
Then he rummaged through the contents.
A rather plain grayish-white key, unimpressive compared to the box, was held in Johan’s hand.
“Gaf, step back from the formation.”
Johan held the key up toward the air.
At the same time, white lines spread out in all directions, centered on the key.
The hidden barrier was revealed.
The bizarre formulas began to writhe madly.
The barrier was breaking.
The key Johan held was a treasure that controlled all holy barriers of tier-6 and below, easily neutralizing even sixth-tier holy formations.
Before the sight unfolding before him, Gaf could not help but feel overwhelmed.
Magic and spells of tier-6 or higher existed beyond human cognition, inspiring awe in ordinary humans.
As the barrier and the key clashed, nature itself shook.
A violent wind howled, and the earth trembled.
Scattered holy power poured down like rain.
The shattered formations scattered into the darkness.
Johan, like Gaf, was briefly distracted by the spectacle, but he did not show any sign of agitation.
Observing the phenomenon with a calm expression, he spoke.
“It’s done.”
Before they knew it, the quaking nature fell silent.
In the place where the barrier had disappeared, only the pure white coffin remained, sitting alone.
“Don’t just stand there, let’s move.”
Gaf, regaining his senses, hesitated as he tried to take a step forward.
Johan let out a small laugh.
“You’re called the Lion of the East, yet you’re acting more like a deer.”
Then he moved first.
As expected, nothing stood in Johan’s way.
The two of them safely reached the coffin.
Gaf spoke.
“How do you plan to transport this to the territory? It’s quite large.”
Johan shrugged.
“We’ll have to tie it to the horse and drag it, what else can we do?”
“……The flesh of the Great Saint, you say?”
“What’s this to a demon’s partner?”
Gaf drew the sign of the cross with a conflicted expression.
“Please do not forgive this blasphemer. I will repay it in hell.”
Johan clicked his tongue and took out a large black cloth.
It would be troublesome if people saw it, so they planned to cover the coffin before moving it.
Just as Johan was about to cover the coffin with the cloth, a familiar voice came from the air.
“My, you’re truly fearless. You’ve caused quite the commotion.”
Gaf and Johan looked up at the night sky.
A silver-haired girl was sitting on a broom, looking down at them.
Startled, Gaf shouted.
“Illea!”
“Yes, Father. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Have you been well?”
Since the incident at the inn, the two had been awkward around each other. From that day, an uncomfortable air had existed between father and daughter.
Gaf spoke.
“I’m always the same. More importantly, what are you doing here?”
Illea turned her gaze toward Johan.
“I came to help Johan.”
Johan spoke with a blank expression.
“Didn’t you refuse, saying it was reckless?”
“I still think it’s reckless. However, I’ve come to understand that it’s something Johan absolutely needs to do. I heard you made a contract with Young Master Raguel? To return his eyesight.”
“……Do you think the holy relic in that coffin is the Great Saint’s eyes?”
“Am I wrong?”
Johan looked at her silently. After a moment’s pause, he spoke.
“No, your guess is correct.”
“Yet you didn’t tell me the situation. Even though I never really had a choice.”
If Johan failed to uphold the contract with Raguel, he would die.
The moment he died, Illea would not be able to survive either.
The two were bound by a protection contract.
Johan spoke.
“It’s because I didn’t need your help badly enough to force you in.”
If he continued to use Illea by leveraging the protection contract, she would eventually resist strongly.
She was still a witch. Though he had placed a leash on her, he could not be complacent.
If she ever wished to break the contract with Johan, she would eventually find a way.
The fundamental stance in dealing with Illea needed to be one of cooperation, not coercion.
“I understand well.”
She added with a playful smile.
“Then you don’t need my help right now.”
Johan cleared his throat lightly.
“Well, since you’re here, I’d like to borrow your hand.”
Illea pretended to think for a moment before clapping her hands.
“Alright. But I have a condition.”
It seemed she was proposing a deal. This made it easier for Johan to accept.
“As long as it’s reasonable.”
“I want to study your body later.”
Johan slightly furrowed his brow.
“My body, you say?”
“Yes, that’s right. As you know, Johan, you are quite unique in many ways. Everything about you is shrouded in mystery, from your birth to your current circumstances. You are overflowing with material that stirs curiosity.”
Indeed, for a witch, Johan was an excellent research subject. Anyone who sought to explore the unknown would be intrigued by him.
“Let’s uncover Johan’s secrets together.”
It was somewhat unsettling for Johan. To let a witch handle his body. He could end up being dissected, with his entire body taken apart.
As Johan remained silent, Illea chuckled softly.
“I promise. I will never do anything harmful to you. I won’t even cause you pain. And I will share everything I learn with you. I truly believe there will be benefits for you as well.”
To be honest, it was not a bad proposal. Even Johan did not know his own true nature. One day, he would need to find out. If a witch helped investigate, it would be a great advantage.
After pondering for a while, Johan spoke.
“I accept your proposal. However, promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“I will always have control over the research. If I wish to stop, you will immediately take your hands off my body, without question. Do you agree?”
There would certainly be secrets uncovered during the investigation that he could not share with Illea.
That was why he was drawing a line in advance.
“It’s a bit of a concerning condition……, but fine. I agree.”
With that, Illea lightly jumped off the broom.
Her body floated as if defying gravity in the night breeze before landing softly on the ground.
“So, what would you like me to help with?”
Her gaze was already fixed on the chains wrapped around the coffin.
Johan spoke.
“Open the coffin. You should be able to do it.”
Illea carefully examined the chains before speaking with a doubtful expression.
“It’s Wolsaeah. A top-tier binding treasure. Honestly, it’s quite difficult to release it immediately here.”
Johan handed the box he had taken the key from to Illea.
“Is it possible now?”
A look of interest appeared on Illea’s face as she checked the contents.
“This must be something from the Forbidden Archive.”
“It is.”
“Can you take me there someday too?”
“One day.”
Illea slowly nodded.
“I can open the coffin. Thirty minutes will be enough.”
Johan cheered inwardly.
Now he could leave the coffin here and steal only the Great Saint’s eyes.
Thanks to Illea’s appearance, the best option was now possible.
The unexpected stroke of luck put him in a very good mood.
“I will wait quietly.”
But just as he was enjoying the happiness, a strange pressure began to press down on the entire space.
“D-Damn it! Again!”
Gaf cursed as he fell to his knees.
Johan, who had been sitting and waiting, jumped to his feet.
Illea looked toward the forest path with an uncharacteristically tense expression.
A dark figure was slowly approaching.
Johan swallowed.
“……Already finished, has he?”
The intruder’s form was fully revealed.
A grotesque being wearing a gray robe. The Apostle of the End, Beris, was staring at Johan.
Illea whispered softly.
“You do have a way to control him, right?”
From the beginning, Illea had realized that Beris’s appearance was Johan’s doing.
Johan spoke in a low voice.
“Well, I don’t exactly not have one.”
Illea’s expression crumpled slightly.
“What’s with that vague answer?”
At the same time, a grotesque voice stabbed the three of them like an awl.
“Under whose authority do you dare to whisper? Kneel immediately and receive the Apostle!”
As Gaf coughed up blood and writhed, murderous intent filled Illea’s gaze.
“……Father.”
However, even a witch could not resist an Apostle.
Standing on her two feet was all she could manage.
Johan spoke.
“I am not your vassal yet. I have no reason to kneel. Have you already forgotten the contract?”
Beris’s small mouth split to his ears as he burst into mad laughter.
“Keehahahaha! Are you speaking of that red-haired wench? She has long been dead!”
“Is she truly erased?”
Beris suddenly stopped laughing and roared in anger.
“What are you asking! That wench was torn apart before omnipotence! Her upper body was ripped away!”
“Is that all?”
“What?”
Johan lifted the corner of his mouth.
“I ordered the complete erasure of Shaferia. Yet you merely split her in half.”
“What nonsense are you speaking……,”
“For an Apostle to be unable to uphold a contract with a mere mortal. Are you not afraid of the price you will pay?”
The moment Johan finished speaking, a blue flash surged up from the cliff beyond the forest path.
The surroundings brightened as if dawn had arrived.
The rising radiance climbed to the sky, eventually touching the full moon.
Beris’s pupils trembled violently.
“T-This is!”
Johan immediately spread his wings.
“Good luck with round two. If you lose, you will pay dearly for breaking the contract.”
He then took hold of Illea and Gaf under each arm and took off.
Beris let out a tremendous roar.
“Mortal─────!!!!!!!!!!!”
Immediately after, the blue flash fell like lightning from the full moon.
The falling radiance slashed across Beris’s body in an instant.
Black blood sprayed like a fountain.
Beris, with half of his face torn off, stumbled back in shock.
His pupils were shaking uncontrollably.
“……An angel.”
Standing before the Apostle, was the herald of the Great Saint.
A Valkyrie wielding a massive execution sword, her four pairs of wings fluttering as she was surrounded by moonlight. The angel declared:
“Holy War Knight, Shaferia. I sentence the Apostle of the End to death.”