Chapter 86

Chapter 86

A training ground in the Grand Temple of Rosellia.

"Haap!"

Clang!

Now retired, the former Paladin Luthus marveled inwardly at the young man swinging his sword in front of him.

'His growth speed has increased.'

He had already been paying attention to him as a talent with potential enough to receive special treatment from the order, but his growth had accelerated even more recently.

To an extent that his limits were unpredictable.

'Heinrich Landguard...'

Although Luthus didn't show it outwardly, he was inwardly displeased with the situation of the church's upper echelon and even the saintess personally supporting Heinrich.

He acknowledged his potential and possibilities, but thought it was too much of a burden for a fledgling who had just become a paladin.

'A paladin is not all about divine power.'

Of course, the proof of faith is highly respected, and the more, the better, but...

Separately, for a paladin who must stand at the forefront, not protected from behind like a priest, personal martial prowess was even more crucial.

'I thought so, but...'

From the beginning, Heinrich's martial prowess was not lacking.

He was not quite a commander, but he was at the level of a superior paladin.

"Ss!"

His sword twisted in an excessive direction and stabbed towards Luthus's solar plexus.

It was a method that put tremendous strain on the wrist, but Heinrich didn't care.

Clang!

The defense that followed effortlessly deflected the sword, using the recoil to immediately slash at the legs in a semicircle.

Luthus easily blocked even that attack, but...

'It feels light?'

He did not feel the weight in the attack.

The moment he felt it, he stepped back.

Whoosh!

A metallic mass swept fiercely through the spot where his ankle had been, like a club.

It was Heinrich's leg, encased in armor.

Though Luthus's eyes sparkled at the attack, Heinrich merely clicked his tongue in disappointment.

'I tried using what I had suffered from, but it didn't work. Is the opponent not good enough?'

It was likely due to the weight of being heavily armored.

The technique first used by Brokolak's Prisia was fast and light in every movement, so it was natural for there to be a difference in their fighting style.

However, Luthus, who was in charge of Heinrich's swordsmanship training, nodded at his excellent sense, which was better than expected.

'Definitely not ordinary. He could match a veteran knight right now. At this rate, he might reach senior Paladin in a few years.'

He inwardly acknowledged Heinrich while keeping a stern expression outwardly, not to inflate the ego of a talent who was doing well.

"Let's end today's training here."

"Thank you! Instructor!"

After several hours of training, Luthus left the training ground with a pleased expression.

'After all, physical strength is the source of all power. Indeed, his potential is extraordinary from the start.'

Being able to fill the training time fully and intensively with Heinrich's overwhelming physical strength, for Luthus, who took pleasure in nurturing juniors, it was nothing but satisfying.

Left alone after Luthus had departed, Heinrich slowly stretched and tidied up the training ground.

It had been a few days since he heard about the holy sword from the saintess, but all he had done during that time was just train.

All kinds of combat techniques, sacred law training, and personal conditioning.

'It's nice to be able to focus solely on getting stronger comfortably.'

Thanks to the enhanced growth speed from strengthening his unique skills, he could now see his daily progress, and the immediate results naturally made training enjoyable.

One day, about a fortnight after he had been diligently training in this satisfying environment, Saint Liesta called for Heinrich.

Knock knock

"Lady Saintess, it's Heinrich. You called for me."

"Yes! Please come in!"

The Saintess's office was simple, filled with bookshelves of books and decorative items carved with the symbols of the order, but nothing else special.

The moment he glanced around the modest office...

The Saintess sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

To become the owner of the holy sword, one must pass through various difficult trials, and if the same person attempts multiple times, each attempt requires a higher level of challenge.

Therefore, the best method was to gain the recognition of the holy sword on the first try.

But how can you be sure that I will succeed immediately?

Sir Heinrich is the destined adversary to defeat the Immortal King!

There wasnt a hint of doubt in the Saintess's words as she answered with sparkling eyes.

Feeling a twinge of conscience from her unwavering faith, Heinrich averted his gaze slightly.

Understood. Then, when should I head over there?

Right now!

Pardon?

Ive already informed the gate! If you go now, you can immediately move to the Pikaol Grand Temple.

The Saintess answered without a moment's hesitation, her expression proud as she shrugged her shoulders.

It was a gesture that seemed quite pleased with her quick handling of the matter.

As he looked at her with a bemused expression, she tilted her head innocently and blinked.

Well, I dont really have anything to prepare, so its not a problem to go right away.

Heinrich chuckled and stood up from his seat.

Of course, he didnt forget to leave a word for the Saintess as he did so.

Then, I will head out right now. I hope you can finish up the rest of your work well, Lady Saintess.

Oh! Ah...

The Saintesss expression wilted as if she suddenly remembered the task she had forgotten.

Seeing her react so dramatically, it must have been a particularly troublesome issue.

Thus, having left the Saintess's office, Heinrich immediately headed to the gate room.

To move to the Pikaol Grand Temple in the western part of the continent.

To obtain the holy sword that would slay the Immortal King!

***

Whirring

[Hmm... it seems everything is more or less sorted out now.]

Atop a high-rise building in the middle of the night.

A being surrounded by darkness, overlooking the city below, existed.

Korea's dark hero, the criminal hunter, the unofficial strongest.

And also the disaster of the other world, Outerica, death that came from the abyss.

It was the Immortal King, Hans.

'Certainly, with the organization's power added, things are much easier. There's a limit to what Hans can do alone.'

There are times when a reasonably competent many can be more helpful than one absolute powerhouse.

With the blood alliance, including Heterosis, working together, the efficiency of their operations greatly increased.

'First of all, the difference starts with the ability to gather

information.'

Hans was limited to targeting only those criminals caught in his detection network.

It was possible for extremely wicked criminals to luckily escape his grasp.

But now, the situation was different.

Through the blood alliance, which was expanding nationwide, they gathered information, and Heterosis, now much stronger thanks to the "Refined Blood Essence," hunted them down.

And those who were too much for them to handle were taken care of by Hans.

It was a perfect division of labor.

[Now, it seems there aren't any big fish left to worry about.]

Hans checked for incoming information while operating Heinz II's work burner phone.

But having been busy these past few days, there appeared to be no cases requiring his direct intervention.

[Hmm... really none? ...Then, should I head back now? Kukukuk.]

He wasn't talking about going home.

If anything, it was closer to going back to his homeland.

'Especially since the Saintess's words were bothering me. Maybe I should look into that too.'

Thus, the terror of the continent, the Immortal King, headed back to Outerica.