Chapter 25: Chapter 214

✠

Dash!

Balkus Odrek charged toward me at incredible speed. Bound to a cross, my agility was at an all-time low, so I had to take his attack head-on since I'd be too slow to dodge it. I couldn't help but gasp the moment our swords struck. The old man's force was incredible. I'd twisted my wrists to parry, yet the force of his blow still sent shockwaves up my arms. Regardless, it didn't matter.

"I may not look it, but I'm pretty strong myself!"

"What are you say— Huh?!"

The Force of a Queen was only restricted against carrying the cross, so it worked perfectly when fighting Balkus Odrek.

"But how?!"

Balkus was clearly shocked by how much stronger I was. I didn't hold back, mercilessly swinging Serpens toward Balkus Odrek's neck as the light of the aura trailed my sword in the air.

"Argh!"

He managed to block the move with his sword, but still, our strength was on two completely different levels. As his feet skidded across the ground, he shouted, "Where is this ridiculous strength coming from?"

"Thank you for your compliment!"

I didn't stop as I showered him with attacks, and when Balkus' face was covered in a cold sweat, I concentrated all of the force into my swing. The ligaments in my arms began to twitch as an explosive force that was powerful enough to strain the body surged out of me, all of which I directed at Balkus.

Boom!

"Gahhh!"

His mountain of a body was hurled into the air. The expression he wore was completely baffled, as if he had never imagined the possibility that someday someone might toss him around like a ragdoll. Regardless, as the experienced knight that he was, he managed to make a safe landing quite a distance away.

"Whew..."

"Ha..."

The two of us stared at each other as we caught our breath. Unfortunately, it was clear that my stamina was worse than his, and he instantly picked up on how labored my breathing was.

"It seems you're already tired, heretic saintess."

I supposed there was no point in hiding something so obvious. Still panting, I pointed with my thumb over my shoulder and said, "Do you see that... giant cross behind me? I had to... drag that thing all the way here."

"Who is to blame for the weight of your sin as a heretic? Take this opportunity to repent and convert to Order and Goodness."

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World glares with rage.⟭

Sometimes you had to fight fire with fire.

"You shouldn't preach about a religion that is destined to collapse."

He frowned sourly but didn't reply. I suspected he held his tongue because he couldn't deny the truth in my words. Instead, he quietly adjusted the holy sword in his hand, infusing aura into it as he shouted, "Then I will eradicate your cult!"

No swords appeared in the air, which told me that even Balkus Odrek couldn't reach the boundaries of an aura master. That meant I just needed to match his level.

"I will end you with this move, heretic saintess!"

"Sure. Come and get me, Ilion's grandfather!"

I held up the Serpens and welcomed him, which became the signal for Balkus to kick off from the ground. He pointed his glowing holy sword at me as he charged. He stabbed me in the exact location he'd intended to, but his attack didn't have the desired effect.

"What?!"

What tore open was only my fur cloak that had already been separated from my body. Now, it was my turn. There were other ways of using aura besides infusing it into a sword, and it just happened to be that my hands were attached to some metal.

Clatter!

The chains that were restraining my left hand danced like a living creature and wrapped around Balkus' neck.

"Ugh!"

I tugged the chains with immense force, which dragged his body toward me helplessly. It was already too late to change the trajectory, so I concentrated aura into Serpens as I kept it pointed in his direction.

Now, come!

Balkus, who had his eyes wide open with horror, approached closer and closer as I waited for the right time to strike. And finally...

Slash!

I used my right arm to draw a long, diagonal line with the tip of my sword. With my senses at their peak, I could feel the progress of the cut through the tips of my fingers. Balkus and I froze as if time had stopped for a moment. Ten seconds passed, and then Balkus finally broke the brutal silence.

"How infuriating that I could not eliminate a heretic."

Whoosh!

Balkus Odrek's spirit instantly turned into smoke after he uttered his useless final words. Ultimately, the victory was mine.

"Whew..." I sighed, then returned the Serpens to its sheath. The battle wasn't all that nerve-racking. I didn't even have to use divine power, but I was a little bit annoyed. "I didn't expect the gatekeeper to be a saint. So I guess this is how it's going to be all the way to the end, right?"

It didn't feel entirely nice to know that I was going to be called a heretic throughout this entire journey.

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World clears their throat and remarks that all of the gatekeepers were originally adorable slime creatures except for the final one, but they changed when the difficulty level was switched to Hell Mode.⟭

⟬The Critic for Balance is suspicious as to whether the saints of Order and Goodness were purposely used to punish them.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World shouts that they are not that sick of a god.⟭

Oh... So this wasn't Lord Voice's plan after all. I could finally understand why the gatekeeper attacked me with the intent to kill.

I pondered for a moment, then asked, "What happens to the spirits that I defeat?"

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World advises that they must return to the Hall of Saints and stay there while they recover.⟭

"Oh, so Balkus will be replenishing his spiritual body there. I hope it takes a long time."

At this point, Balkus' spirit was completely gone, and so it was only my breath that clouded the cold air. That was when a system message popped up.

⟬«System» Congratulations. You have acquired the right to pass the first gate of [The Pilgrim's Path]. Would you like to collect your reward?⟭

A reward? I was quite surprised because I didn't expect to be rewarded each time I accessed a gate.

"Aw, Lord Voice!"

I was genuinely touched. After all, did they not exchange their divinity for plausibility, just to save me?

"Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too much? You used a lot of divinity already."

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World proudly advises that this is nothing for a god at their level.⟭

⟬The Scale that Judges Souls asks why they didn't use more divine power to save the main lead as well if they want to act like a generous god.⟭

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World flinches and decides to remain silent.⟭

I didn't feel like resenting Lord Voice's level of involvement because, at the end of the day, Tesilid and I were still both alive. Moreover, there was a good reason for why Lord Voice could only use a limited amount of divinity, which the head of operations kindly described in detail.

⟬The Executive of Creative Economy explains that the aftermath would've been difficult to handle had they gotten involved more.⟭

"The aftermath?"

⟬The Executive of Creative Economy explains that The Voice that Shapes the World could've been sealed for some time and their divine power could've been reduced.⟭

"What?!"

Those were some difficult penalties to manage, all right. That meant my wish could've possibly gotten Lord Voice sealed.

Yet they still responded. A feeling of regret and gratitude both surged within me at the same time.

I also suddenly realized how cold I was, so I sniffled and remarked, "Please wait, Lord Voice. I will evangelize Voiceism and recover your divinity for you in no time."

⟬The Voice that Shapes the World says that they trust you.⟭

"Thank you!" I replied enthusiastically, then turned my attention to the system window again to collect my reward. Soon, an old piece of paper fell into my hand.

⟬«MISC» [Bandit Hideout Distribution Map

A map that shows the hideouts of the bandits that dominate the Hegelix mountain range. Strip them of their illegal assets to assist your daily needs.

Note: The bigger the accumulated wealth, the bigger the mark on the hideout.⟭

My eyes glistened happily. They gave me this item, specifically to help me make more money!

⟬The Executive of Creative Economy thinks The Voice that Shapes the World used a trick because cash prizes are forbidden.⟭

In other words, they used a loophole. I could instantly understand the purpose of this dungeon—it was to help me purchase a Genre Change Voucher by providing me with the means to accumulate a lot of cash.

"Whew..."

Lord Voice's grace was boundless. Perhaps this was how followers became radicalized.

"I'll do my best!" I exclaimed with determination and passion, then began to drag the cross along the Pilgrim's Path once again.

✠

Around the same time, on the highest floor of the Mage Tower, Tesilid and Reed faced each other grimly. The holy knight with hair that shone like moonlight and the dark mage knight shrouded in a veil of black strands stared at each other, just ten steps apart. Reed scanned Tesilid, his red eyes taking him in coldly.

Ever since he accepted Chaos and Evil, his presence alone was oppressive. His power could dominate all forms of life and press down on one's chest so hard that they'd be at risk of passing out, yet the silver-haired Tesilid in front of him right now was staring into his eyes unflinchingly. He seemed fearless, even without Ailette Rodeline by his side.

Reed could appreciate the courage of this insect, though he was a pest nonetheless. In fact, he'd been experiencing a strange feeling of discomfort when it came to this man. Having sensed the same thing again, Reed was determined to test his theory. Dark aura blades appeared on all sides of him and flew toward Tesilid as if he were a shooting target.

Bang! Boom!

In the blink of an eye, the same number of aura blades he'd sent toward Tesilid had formed around the other man, flying through the air to attack Reed in return. A gush of wind created by the explosion at the center swallowed the entire room, sending the old texts flying and wedging them into the walls and bookshelves.

When the intense wind subsided, Reed murmured, "An aura master, huh?" He spoke with a languid voice, as if he was tasting the meaning hidden inside the truth he'd just discovered.

Swish!

The two of them withdrew their aura blades as if they had wordlessly agreed to a truce, then stood across from each other in a stance that demonstrated the absence of any intention to attack or fight back. It was Reed who broke the silence again in this bizarre moment that almost seemed like they were ready to reach an understanding.

"I thought something was strange from the moment I met you..." he started. "You're not from Loop Seventeen."