Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Joint Combat Practicum 2 (13)

Upon opening the entrance of the cathedral and heading straight inside, the sanctuary immediately comes into view. Claris walked down the cathedrals corridor, escorted by two knights. She had decided to split up from Edwa. Having been so busy dealing with numerous matters, she hadnt paid much attention, but now that she was separated from Edwa, an unfounded anxiety seemed to wash over her.

I need to stay focused.

However, Claris quickly shook her head, stiffening her neck. Perhaps the whole truth of the matter unfolded within the walls of this seminary cathedral. This time she needed to move quicker than ever, surging through to penetrate the interior of the cathedrala clear departure from the cycles of the past she had repeatedly experienced.

Saintess?

Reaching the entrance to the corridor, Tadarek, the Third Seat Apostle of Telos, blocked her path. Claris, beloved by the current Telos sect and said to be graced by the gods from exchanging mere words, clearly bore the marks of the blessed Saintess despite her fatigued and scratched appearance.

Werent you waiting at the Tricks Pavilion? How did you?

Step aside, Tadarek.

Saintess Claris, at times kind and lively, now commanded Tadarek with a cold gaze as if she were an adult who had endured every hardship. There was no surprise or concern visible in her demeanoreven her aura had shifted so much that it was hard to believe she was the saintess they had known in the Holy City. It was unavoidable. Shes a human who has witnessed the death of hundreds, thousands of people, over several cycles.

But, Saintess the Sovereign ordered

Ill discuss it with the Sovereign myself, move.

With that, Claris briskly walked past Tadarek. He extended his arm to say something, but Claris swiftly grasped his wrist, gazed at him briefly, and then releasing his hand, went on her way. The knights serving as her guards exchanged glances before slowly following her into the sanctuary.

Bang!

Entering through the door, the entirety of the sanctuary was revealed at a glance. The first thing in view was the massive pulpit, and behind it lay the enormous stained glass window, shimmering in colors as it caught the sunlight and boasted its beauty. The picture of a grand angel with wings spread wide handing out bread to the people was etched upon it.

Running along the outer wall behind the pulpit was an imposing pipe organ, and in front were wooden pews prepared for the praying congregation. Not a single layperson was inside, but instead, there were plenty of elite followerslike Sovereign Eldein, Archbishop Verdio, and other apostles of Telos.

Seeing this, Saintess Claris felt overwhelmed. The origin of the crisis she had been seeking, the culprits behind all this, were all gathered here in this place. How many times had she wandered to get here? How many times did she witness Ed Rosetails death, the academys demise, and cling to the fragments of her deteriorating mind without losing it?

Her jaw clenched, but she did not show her emotions. Instead, she spoke quietly, so as to let her voice spread throughout the hall.

What are you doing here?

Above the pulpit, the sealed artifact, Belparoks Molar Necklace, was resonating with light. It was crafted by the ancient Sword Saint Ruden from the shattered tooth of Belparok, enhancing the wearers magical sensitivity and granting tremendous resistance to all physical attacks. Yet, it was not only for these purposes.

It also awoke the survival instinct of Belparok sealed beneath the Sea of Acenseum, prompting the weakened barrier to shatter and break free.

Saintess Claris?

Archbishop Verdio, who was inspecting the apostles in front of the pulpit, caught her eye. Sovereign Eldein was also seated nearby.

Archbishop Verdio.

Archbishop Verdio, akin to a mentor to Saintess Claris, had guided her in her early days as a saintess so she could maintain dignity.

He was always a sincere figure, receiving reverence from everyone in the Holy City as a devout believer. But was this reputation a testament to true piety or the result of meticulous statesmanship that could make even traders weep?

She couldnt judge in this moment, but she knew that now was not the time to simply stand by.

Stop what youre doing right now.

His hair showed streaks of gray from the passage of time. He was not yet stooped or weakened by age, but soon he might need to worry about declining physical ability.

Nevertheless, Verdio stood upright, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke leisurely to Claris, whom he hadnt seen in months.

I didnt expect the Saintess to arrive at the cathedral first

I wont repeat myself.

Claris scanned her surroundings. How long was left before the Ascendant Dragon Belparok revived? It was hard to grasp at this very moment.

Do you know what I am trying to do?

Youre trying to resurrect the Ascendant Dragon.

Indeed, Verdio chuckled, a smile profoundly different from the solemn and benevolent one seen in the Holy City.

How he knew was not a matter for current concern. Whether there was a turncoat or an informant within, if the saintess knew the truth, it would only take moments to complicate matters.

Archbishop Verdio, I thought of you as a faithful devotee concerned only with the Holy City.

Thats correct. I live only to serve the Holy City.

Verdio let out a breath, looking up at the ceiling where the stained glass was glowing vibrantly with sunlight.

Expanding the churchs influence is part of business. Faith means trust. The Holy God always presides in heaven, but the lowly folk wont believe unless they see something tangible.

So you plan to kill the Ascendant Dragon and spread its grace far and wide?

It wont take long.

Arent you considering the possibility of failure?

With that, a chilling thought crossed her mind.

As Claris looked down, she saw a grand sacrificial array drawn out below. It was a setup using the Saintesss unique divine power to suppress Belparok.

While Claris waited at the Tricks Pavilion, the Sovereign and the Archbishop had been making preparations in the seminary cathedral.

Clariss eyes turned cold as ice as she looked towards the pulpit.

So insurance was my life.

Was that denial or affirmation?

While she would have preferred outright denial.

Insurance is just thata fallback plan in case things dont work out.

The expression on Archbishop Verdio, as frosty as Clariss gaze, was that of a true zealot.

Claris had seen heretics before, when she visited a village that had suffered at the hands of the Aine tribe in the northern steppes.

The madness of fanatics who had lost their reason was almost too much to call sane. Those who abandoned ethics and morality in the name of blind faith are the ones who stray from civilization.

Having seen such scenes, the fanatics in Clariss mind were nothing more than bizarre variants that couldnt be reasoned with or engaged in regular conversation.

However, that perception was narrow-minded.

Its possible to possess reason, maintain dignity, engage in conversation, always exhibit formality, and yet be steeped in zealous fervor.

Ultimately, it comes down to what is sacrificed in the name of faith.

While devotion brings the power to save ones spirit, one must never stop considering its limits.

Sovereign. Do you truly believe this will suffice?

Clariss gaze shifted to Sovereign Eldein, seated behind the pulpit.

The series of plans led by Archbishop Verdio could not have proceeded without the support of the final arbiter, Eldein.

Then what will we do?

Thats right. Ill create the path, and you have only one task.

Upon reaching the back door of the cathedral, Ed sat Adel down on a nearby bench, looked into her eyes, and spoke.

Remember.

Make sure you remember what he does and come find me. Ill probably be standing around clueless. But thats alright. As quickly as I can, Ill grasp the situation and consider the whole matter Trust me once and come to the terrace bench in front of the Glockt building. Youll find Yenica and me sitting side by side.

Adel leaned back on the bench, her strength ebbing.

But Im almost out of strength explaining will be difficult

Clarisse the saintess can explain in your place, so stop worrying needlessly. Its not just your memories we have. We just need more eyes.

You said you wanted to live?

Ed threw off his coat beside Adel on the bench and rolled up his shirt sleeves.

Sitting around wont save you. Even if you cling to your clothes disgustingly and flounder in the filthy mud, its uncertain whether youll live

Adels pupils dilated.

She remembered not crying as a child when her father left, not begging to stay because she was alone and afraid.

Surviving is always a desperate and ugly struggle. Did you forget all that while being revered as a saintess in the Holy Majesty?

Survival.

Perhaps it was her only life goal, yet always out of reach.

To Ed, this was no distant tale.

Every moment of his life at the academy was a struggle just to survive.

You already know all that.

But The Apostles of Telos arent a force we can simply overcome

Force? Force itself isnt much of a problem. As I said, the real issue is blocking all the other escape routes the rat would have surely hidden.

Force isnt a problem?

Did he truly understand who The Apostles of Telos were?

She wanted to respond, but there was no hint of uncertainty on Eds face.

* * *

Crash.

Kaboom!

It happened in an instant.

As The Apostles of Telos swooped in to subdue the saintess, a large part of the grand stained glass behind the pulpit shattered, the fragments tumbling down. The glass shattered against the marble floor with a piercing sound.

The human shadow that invaded the center of the chapel in the confusion had grabbed two of the apostles in mid-flight and pinned them to the central pulpit with indiscernible speed.

The impact from the landing was so powerful that the surrounding people were knocked over. The wooden pews for the congregation were thrown asunder, and the area was soon occupied by bodies flying like scraps of paper.

As the dust settled, the identity of the shadow became clear.

Apostle number five, Pelver, lay trampled on the ground, while number seven, Havres, hung in the air, gripped by the neck.

One hand held down a witchs hat threatened by the wind, the other hand was raised with an apostle several times her own size in its grasp.

The shock from the impact caused her white, split-ended hair to flutter slightly, and her cold gaze betrayed no intense emotion.

Lucy Mayrill.

She then flung the captured man toward the wall.

Bang!

Kreee-ang!

He crashed into the pipes of the massive organ along the wall and tumbled down toward the keys.

An ominous sound resonated from the organ pipes that covered the outer walls of the cathedral. The haunting echoes as though heralding impending doom.

The clergymen on the floor looked up at the pulpit, swallowing their breaths.

Only half of the shattered stained glass remained. The benevolent engravings of angel wings behind Lucy were broken.

Her gaze was icy cold as ever.

You What have you done just now!

I dont believe in gods.

The light filtering through the broken stained glass haloed Lucys diminutive form.

While stepping on an apostle, she looked down emotionlessly at the clergymen below.

But the saying that one must be punished for their sins, I think thats correct. Not everything you prayer-folk say is wrong.

What What do you mean Sins What exactly

Barely managing to stand up, Archbishop Verdio gritted his teeth at Lucy, who stood unmoved on the pulpit.

Lucy, with no change in her tone, calmly spoke.

Its all written in your holy scriptures and relics.

Humanitys Seven Deadly Sins are listed on the first page of the Sects holy scriptures. Lucy, not believing in gods, didnt bother to memorize them all, but she did know some.

Her gaze fell.

The tooth of Belvbroc, the sacrificial magic circle, the Apostles who were so sure of themselves just moments ago. She saw it all but imparted no meaning.

The atheist, Lucy Mayrill.

She simply pronounced the verdict in a dull voice.

Pride.

Before them stood one for whom even eight Apostles gathered could barely fend off, a legendary archmage. And only six Apostles had arrived, two of whom were immediately defeated.

The rising magic power filled the chapel.