At the words of the Overdeer, Noah leapt forward in a hurry.
"No! This is all my responsibility. So you must not hold them accountable! I sought their help, and they stepped in without knowing anything!"
In his urgency, he shouted without considering whether his words made sense.
Even though victory seemed within reach, a single arrow could still kill him, yet he showed no fear.
Encrid turned his body at an angle to block any incoming arrows and thought.
'Wasn't I too proactive to claim I stepped in without knowing anything?'
Though Noah pointed to him and claimed ignorance, it was unlikely anyone would believe those words.
At some point, Noah stumbled as if he had twisted his ankle, spread his arms wide, and stood between Overdeer, the leader of the Cult Extermination Order, and Encrid.
Encrid quietly looked at the two, their arms drooping while holding their swords.
Would he lose if he fought them both at the same time? He wasn’t sure. If he had to handle them alone, it seemed possible. But with allies here, he didn’t think they were at a disadvantage.
"I still have a spring wind I haven't shown. Don't worry."
"I’ve been holding back my strength while spectating."
From behind Encrid, Sinar and Luagarne spoke in turn.
He didn’t know what ‘spring wind’ meant, but it seemed to imply the Fairy had energy to spare.
"Even if he worshipped a demon, that is his personal issue."
Noah cried out, veins bulging in his neck. His impassioned but potentially futile words spread throughout the gathering.
In the current continent, how many would truly listen to the powerless?
But what if such a voice was not alone?
Someone stepped forward. They stood beside Noah. Then more followed, one by one.
Monks who had been watching Noah cry out joined in. They were priests from the monastery.
Some were priests unable to wield Divine Powers, while others were martial monks who had changed their ways after the Seiki incident.
One man with a shaved head and trembling legs stood beside Noah. He must have been terrified.
As more gathered, a group of about ten people had formed behind Noah. They were the ones who had helped run the monastery alongside him.
Among them, some pushed back young monks who were eager to step forward.
A middle-aged woman who had pushed a young monk’s chest surveyed the remaining children.
If she could save them by sacrificing herself, wouldn’t that be an honor?
Then she would become a martyr.
Even if they were cursed as demon worshippers, if it saved the children, she would endure it. The woman stepped forward and said.
"How could this be the fault of one person? If there is responsibility, it lies with us all."
"The children and those people are not to blame. This is our doing."
"Abbot Noah, why do you step forward alone?"
Their words added strength to his. The way to amplify a voice is to stand beside it.
What does a king need to exist as a king?
He needs people who acknowledge him as king and stand by his side.
Now, Noah had those who lent strength to his words.
"Why are you stepping forward?"
Noah did not show gratitude toward them. He looked slightly startled, took a breath, and only then did the urgency leave his expression.
He spoke again, this time with a calm tone that was completely different from before.
His tone, demeanor, and attitude held a power to draw people's attention in a way unlike Krang.
"I do not wield Divine Power. The Lord has not granted it to me. So I cannot stop you by force."
Noah continued speaking.
"I can only pray. The responsibility is mine."
Everyone naturally listened to him. His gentle yet penetrating tone commanded attention.
"This is not a matter for the hero from the Border Guard or the young children here. Is it not?"
Divine Power is said to be light.
But failing to emit that light did not mean one could not be a priest.
Noah was a priest and a protector.
Even if these were his last words alive, if there was no reason to avoid it, he would not.
He was someone who could protect everyone with the shield of his convictions.
These people had done nothing. They were not demon worshippers. Encrid knew this.
So if Overdeer or the others spouted nonsense about them being demons, his course of action was clear.
Encrid thought.
Becoming an enemy of the Holy Nation? He would endure it.
Becoming an enemy of the fanatical and battle-hardened Cult Extermination Order?
That, too, he would endure.
If the entire continent pointed fingers at him? He would endure that as well.
Hearing praise and cheers was delightful, but he did not live for it, nor would he abandon himself for it.
This was the pride and conviction of someone who lived only for today, always hoping for tomorrow.
Amidst the cold air, an anonymous crusader who had joined earlier stepped forward. He felt the need to step in to resolve the situation.
"Did you come because the monastery worships demons?"
Demon worship is synonymous with heresy.
Does the name Cult of the Demon Realm Sanctuary not signify that? The existence of the Cult Extermination Order was to eradicate heresy, as their name suggested. Perhaps they came to annihilate this monastery.
"Or did you come to punish me for desertion?"
The crusader sought to give them a reason. Perhaps it was a subtle proposal to avoid unnecessary conflict by taking only his life.
The leader was a Knight. A part of the Holy Nation’s power, leading the Cult Extermination Order.
His scarred face made it difficult to read his expression.
Only the steadfast patience typical of those who had endured long years of suffering was visible.
And Overdeer, who had earlier yelled about foolishness, seemed captivated by Noah’s passionate speech and stepped forward after reflecting on it.
A prophet who knew how to seize an opportunity saw this as one.
An opportunity to decide where he stood.
"If you came for that reason, I believe I have made my decision."
Overdeer stepped to Encrid’s side and shifted his gaze.
He clarified whose side he was on.
"The fool I mentioned was that Apostle of Abundance."
Audin chuckled at the remark. He had finally defeated Azratic, leaving him half-crippled.
Azratic had lost an arm and an ankle.
Even a human with Divine Power couldn’t regrow a severed limb. Unless one was a Frog, regeneration was impossible.
So abandoning a severed limb was the right choice. The ankle was in a similar state.
Although not severed, it was crushed and shattered by Divine Power. This was irreparable. Even with Divine Power, he would limp for life.
It wasn’t intentional. The opponent was simply too formidable to face lightly.
The scarred leader of the Cult Extermination Order silently observed Encrid. He didn’t seem to have heard his crusader’s words.
The blue eyes glowing with light met dull brown ones.
After a brief silence, the leader spoke.
"No one here is foolish enough to accuse an entire monastery of being demon pawns."
He was courteous.
He continued.
"Your words are correct. Thank you, brother."
The Cult Extermination Order was a unique group.
They followed the Pope’s commands but could wage war at the leader’s discretion when necessary. They lived solely to annihilate heresy.
It was originally formed by gathering such individuals.
Those who had lost family to heresy, those who had lost lovers, and those who had lost everything.
They were a collective of avengers and martyrs who fought and risked death knowingly.
Thus, their battles were always fierce, harsh, and brutal.
Although he led such a military group, he bowed his head too easily.
"If I had seen the monastery burning, I would have regretted it for life."
This was directed at his brother.
"Weren’t you here to punish my wrongdoings?"
"Brother who walked the righteous path alone, I came to thank you for enlightening me."
The anonymous crusader stared silently at his leader for a moment. He, too, had come here to save the monastery.
"Then when this is over, return."
"If you’ll accept me."
The specifics were unknown, but the conversation suggested much. The anonymous crusader hadn’t come with permission.
He had half-forced his way here, yet the leader spoke of reflection rather than punishment.
It was admirable. Encrid thought this as he watched him, and at that moment, the leader also looked at Encrid.
"I must also express my gratitude to you. Encrid of the Border Guard, had it not been for you, I would have been too late."
"Since you moved despite being late, I don’t think you were truly late."
"Is that so?"
"That’s how I see it."
"Will you let us clean up the mess we made?"
"By all means."
Encrid retrieved his sword and stepped aside. The blade Eitri had given him was undamaged, unlike before.
His intention was aligned with that of the entire Mad Knights.
"What? Now I just watch?"
Rem approached, and even Ragna, who had been implementing fear, trudged back.
"Did you see my wall?"
His first words to Encrid ignored everyone else's attention.
"Yes. It was crude."
Rem answered instead.
"I wasn’t asking you, you lucky barbarian."
"Who’s lucky here? Huh?"
Their bickering wasn’t serious enough to warrant interference.
"Jaxon."
Calling Jaxon seemed more important.
Jaxon, who had been moving unnoticed, returned from behind where Overdeer had stood to Encrid’s side.
It seemed he had been prepared to slit one of their throats if necessary, with Overdeer being the easier target.
All were seasoned enough with willpower to read Jaxon’s intent. That made his stealth all the more impressive.
Until Encrid called him, no one had realized he was there.
"My spring wind will have to wait for next time."
Sinar remarked, as did Lawford and Pel, returning with Teresa, their weapons dripping blood. Most of it was, of course, the enemy’s.
"Two under Lawford’s command, mission complete."
Lawford announced upon his return.
"Probably Pel’s two rejects."
Pel countered.
"A lady greater than you remains at our side."
Teresa added.
Judging by their banter, none seemed seriously injured.
Esther had returned to her panther form by then.
"Why does it feel like everyone’s ignoring me?"
Overdeer commented, observing the situation. Audin chuckled and replied.
"Sharp-witted despite your age, brother, do your part."
"Indeed, that’s why I’m here."
Overdeer had already decided after seeing Encrid that if he couldn’t recruit him, he would stand beside him. Therefore, he had no hesitation now.
Even without Encrid, the monastery would have been defended.
Seeing this, he found it convincing. It was surprising, honestly.
Overdeer was calculating and pragmatic. He had considered sacrificing the monastery if necessary.
"I almost regretted it."
He had already recognized Encrid’s caliber. There was no need to be surprised again. He looked at someone else with sparkling eyes.
One priest, unable to emit Divine Power, stood precariously, letting out a sigh of relief.
He was called Noah. Overdeer noted that those standing by Noah were not inherently brave.
He had discovered Noah’s monastery while rescuing Seiki and had already completed his investigations.
His investigations delved into the past of everyone there.
It enabled him to predict their behavior patterns to some extent.
This trait suited his nickname, Prophet. He investigated, understood, and predicted.
In his view, those standing beside Noah should have retreated after gauging the situation. Yet they stood their ground.
They sought to protect. Who caused this change? The Iron Wall Knight, a foreign ally?
No.
"Was his name Noah?"
"Ah, Sir Overdeer."
"Yes, let’s talk after this is over."
"If you’re here to threaten, I’ll stay beside him."
Encrid interjected from behind.
"Do I look like someone who makes threats?"
Overdeer tilted his head.
"Weren’t you?"
Encrid retorted.
"What do you think of me, huh? Tsk."
Overdeer clicked his tongue with a laugh and turned away. He had work to do.
He had to carve out the rot from his carefully cultivated apple tree.
Though it couldn’t be completely removed, it was a start.
"Now it’s a matter of time."
Muel, observing the situation, realized his miscalculation.
"Damn it. Overdeer, was it you? Did you set this up on purpose?"
Overdeer was a master tactician. Muel knew this, which is why he asked.
Overdeer was wrongly accused this time. He had come to clean up Muel’s mess, not his own.
It was impossible to predict Encrid’s actions. The Iron Wall Knight was always unpredictable.
"He's not someone you can reason with. If you resist to the end, everyone will be sent to God. Kneel and press your foreheads to the ground. Then accept the punishment God gives you. That’s your last mercy."
Overdeer wasn’t lenient with enemies. The same applied to the Cult Extermination Order.
"If they resist, kill them all."
The simple command was even more threatening. Especially since the leader himself issued it.
If Overdeer’s nickname was Prophet, the leader’s was Berserker.
An extreme name for a Holy Nation leader, but fitting for him.
A mad fighter. His Cult Extermination Order was the same.
"Should the Demon Realm truly be eradicated? What is the purpose of Divine Power? Should this continent remain divided, or should it unite? Why doesn’t the Empire act?"
Muel’s final act was to voice endless questions. Where did the power of gray originate? Having delved deeply, he must have known its source.
The gray aura he emitted was tainted, tied to the demon gods said to dwell in the Demon Realm.
Not that it necessarily involved demons.
Encrid didn’t delve that far.
This was their problem to solve now.
Without Overdeer and the leader, protecting the monastery might have been impossible.
From Noah’s actions, it seemed he was prepared to die to save others.
Well, all Encrid could do was watch the chaotic situation unfold.
Muel couldn’t chant his fanatical spell. The priests accompanying Overdeer didn’t allow it.
One by one, they knelt, and those who resisted were killed. It wasn’t much of a battle.
By then, the sun began to set.
As night fell, the air wasn’t cold but rather comforting, like a velvet robe wrapping around everyone.
"Lord."
Kneeling to pray, Noah spoke.
Even before Overdeer noticed, Encrid had long known that Noah was not someone who would remain confined to a single monastery.
The feeling had always been there, and it had now materialized.
Overdeer wouldn’t leave him alone.
No comments yet. Be the first to leave a review!