Chapter 444
Chapter 444: The Real and the Fake
Here comes Zilbagias, charging into the Holy Church’s knockoff squad.
“Death to the Empire’s enemies! Let the divine intent be made known here!”
“I’ll display your head at the triumphal arch!”
“Long live the Empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
The fanatics, with bloodshot eyes, shouted insults while rushing forward with an eerie level of coordination.
Damn, what a foul-mouthed bunch!
“Don’t think any of you will make it back alive!! I’ll massacre every last one of you!!”
I shouted back just as fiercely!!
‘No need to compete with them there.’
Not liking to be on the receiving end of that…
Impact.
I thrust my spear into the chest of one of the silver-clad armed group at the front. I intended to pierce through the shield too, but it was harder than expected.
This is not only reinforced by magic, but the quality of their armor is pretty high. I suspect at least Dwarf Blacksmith-level materials are involved. The moment the Adamas tip made contact, an intense force unlike anything I felt so far surged through.
So…
“Haah!”
I pushed harder, channeling more magic into it!
The Light Blade Cultist who took my thrust looked momentarily triumphant, but then his eyes widened in shock as my blade pierced through his shield and arm—”What!?”—and he was skewered. The armor was broken, his sternum shattered, and his spinal cord severed. Instant death, his body going limp.
But due to the tight formation, the momentum continued unabated, and my blade protruded through the poor soul behind him. Then another behind him, a total of three gut-pierced deaths. The length of my blade stopped there, but the surrounding Light Blade Cultists pressed on relentlessly.
As a result, they ended up surrounding me while bearing down.
“Uohhh!”
“Dieee!”
“Long live the Empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“‘[Come, O Holy Radiance!!]’”
Zealots swung their swords down from all directions. The protection spells clanged noisily as they met my blade.
“‘[Withered arms!]’”
I somehow pulled the Adamas from the trio of impaled bodies and scattered curses. Dark waves spread around me as if black paint was splattered—however, it slipped past the shimmering silver auras of the fanatics and was repelled.
“Fuahaha! Such curses are futile!”
“The divine will is with us!”
“Long live the Empire! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“‘[Come, O Holy Radiance!!]’”
They further ramped up their offense, hurling swords at me with renewed fervor.
I see.
There are roughly a hundred of them. They’re utilizing what the Holy Church considers heroes as a unit, much like the previous heavy infantry. By merging their powers, they’ve raised their magical resistance and layered on the Holy Silver Curses—
…What an extravagant use of combat strength. The Holy Church’s strategy was to strengthen 30-50 common soldiers with a single hero, broadly amplifying their overall power, whereas the Light Blade Church operates under entirely different principles.
The Holy Church bolsters a few strong ones to make all somewhat strong.
The Light Blade Church gathers the relatively strong to create fiercely powerful ones, leaving the ordinary as mere pawns.
While the Holy Church might deploy dozens of heroes or priests as elite units to tackle formidable foes, the Light Blade Church does this to a much more extreme degree.
Facing an exceptional individual like me requires effective tactics. The Light Blade Cultists certainly possess a resilience that doesn’t seem human, and their body enhancement is formidable. As foot soldiers, their effectiveness might be among the best in the alliance territories.
I think I understand why the Empire feels overconfident. To them, these guys might seem invincible. After all, they can repel my curse fit for a high noble.
‘So, are they quite promising for the future, then?’
Hmm.
Their strategy seems to be to hold off with generic soldiers while striking key points with the Light Blade Cultists, but…
The regular troops are too defenseless; they’ll literally get wiped out before they can even hold them off.
I don’t know how many Light Blade Cultists are left, but I don’t expect they can battle the Demon Lord’s Army effectively. After all, three just died when they collided with me.
“…Hah!”
I forced my spear through, pushing aside the grappling Light Blade Cultists, and with each twist of my spear, one or two more died.
Yeah, this is hopeless!
They seriously are tough for humans!!
But even tougher are a comparable number of demon races all clustered together!!!
To make matters worse, these morons only chant the same phrases over and over and have no other magic!? Something like… [Chains of Restraint], [Greater Blessing], or the battle-ready [Holy Armor of Heroes]!!
“Damn, how annoying!!!”
I swung my spear wildly, shaking off the clingy Light Blade Cultists and took a moment to distance myself.
“Hey, you lot! All you’ve been doing is reciting the same incantations and swinging swords like idiots! Don’t you have anything else!? The Holy Church uses various spells!”
When I questioned them, the Light Blade Cultists exchanged glances.
“I don’t know about the Holy Church!”
“I have no interest in the tricks of the greedy!”
“We have our own way!”
Oh, really…?
“Then show me; what’s this method of yours from the Light Blade Church!”
“No need for you to tell us that!”
“Prepare yourself, Demon Lord’s Prince!”
“We will show you our secret technique!”
“‘[Come, O Holy Radiance!!]’”
Once again, the Light Blade Cultists recited their incantation and collectively held their swords high toward the sky.
“‘[We, the devout Light Blade Cultists!]’”
“‘[Servants of the Light Gods, and the honorable sword of His Majesty the Emperor!]’”
“‘[O ancestral hero of the Empire, Hero Kaizan, witness our might!]’”
They bunched their magic together and then—
“‘[Let there be light!!]’”
…Huh!?
They swung their swords down together, unleashing a silver light.
It was like a giant sword of light. I enveloped myself in dark magical power to defend against the searing blade of the Holy Silver.
—This is just a collective ‘Let there be light,’ isn’t it?!
Sure, it’s definitely transformed from the ‘Let there be light’ I typically use! The output is substantial, so if I were caught off guard and didn’t manage to form a barrier with my dark magic in time, I could take serious damage!
…Well, still, for a preliminary test, it wasn’t half bad.
“Wha… What?!”
“No way… it’s unscathed!?”
“The [Light Sword of the Holy Emperor]…!?”
What’s with that reaction?
Could that truly be their trump card?!
“Hey, wasn’t it supposed to be showcasing a secret technique? I have no interest in mere magic tricks.”
As I flaunted my unscathed condition, the Light Blade Cultists looked even more aghast.
“Th-that’s not enough! We didn’t have enough spirit!”
“Once more! Let’s do it again!”
“‘[We, the devout Light Blade Church—’”
Oh, these guys…
“Is there anyone foolish enough to wait for such a leisurely incantation!?”
I surged with magic power throughout my body and cut down without mercy. This isn’t a ritual; we’re in a battle!! My blade embedded into one, causing a clink as my hand stopped. Damn, they are seriously hard!
“Ohhh—!”
At the moment of impact, I concentrated magic power onto the blade. Their firepower is pathetic, so it’s fine to redirect the magic usually reserved for defense to offense. Thus, the shields and armor of the Light Blade Cultists are starting to be sliced apart regularly.
“Stop, stop! What’s the matter!?”
While I can’t slaughter them all in one swing like a mob, each swing guarantees a couple of deaths.
Chipping away at them—!
So, what’s the plan, Light Blade Church?
“‘[We, the servants of the Light Gods, and the honorable Emperor— Gagagh!]”
“It’s not working!! At this rate—!!”
“Defense formation—!!”
“‘[Blessing!]’”
They all plunged their shields forward, cloaked in the shining light of Holy Silver spells.
Hmm… Basic defensive magie, indeed. My attack was blunted. My blade did sink into their shields, but it didn’t cut through like before. The Light Blade Cultists were sweating profusely as they continuously released magic. …Is this a formation to temporarily withstand an adversary’s strong onslaught? But can’t attack while focusing solely on defense?
Hahhh—
It’s like a tortoise retreating into its shell…
Sure, it’s hard, but…
If that’s all they can do, they have no future. Turtles that retract into their shells can’t escape when larger predators come bearing down; they can only be toying with them…
“I am Zilbagias!”
I too enveloped myself once more in dark aura.
“I am the one who delivers trials upon you!”
—Now, true worth is being put to the test.
“[Despair now!!]”
I stepped in and struck down with all my might.
Concentrating magic power into the blade, I flowed in a dense dark curse.
The shimmering silver barrier of the zealots began to erode under the pitch-black curse. Fiery sparks of silver and black scattered like lightning, cracking at an incredible speed, and then—
With a sound akin to a scream of pain, the barrier shattered into smithereens.
“……!!”
The Light Blade Cultists widened their eyes in shock.
The one at the forefront who absorbed my strike flipped over like his body couldn’t withstand the blade embedded into him, exploding apart in a dreadful manner. Blood and innards sprayed forth, painting the faces of his surrounding companions red, tinged with despair.
“Hiiii…!”
“Wah, waaa!”
“Aaaaahhhhhh!”
Ah, this is reminding me of how I died in my previous life.
‘This is what happens when you flow in more magic than your capacity can handle.’
Could you not make it sound like it’s based on firsthand experience!
Still, I’ve found a new territory.
Let’s call it a cursed shot. Not only does it enhance power from concentrated magic, but it also corrodes the opponent’s magical resistance, rendering them defenseless. It’s the utmost blasphemy to the laws of nature…
“—What happened to that bravado from just a moment ago! Light Blade Church!!”
Gathering my composure, I decided to provoke them.
“B-bastard monster!”
“That’s right, monster. You’re the Demon Lord’s Army that you all boasted about! So go on; slay me, why don’t you? What’s wrong? Running out of tricks?”
I spread my arms like a gladiator, taunting them to “come at me,” but the lunatics merely stared back, pale-faced, saying nothing. Oh come on… Is this a subconscious reaction? They’re retreating! There’s a Human enemy right before them, and they’re backing down—it’s unacceptable…!
Even if they’re sworn to the silver light of vanquishing evil.
With such a state, it’s unforgivable…!!
“You lot! You Light Blade Cultists are utterly useless! Those heroes from the Holy Church were leagues harder! To me, that was mere child’s play! Yet, their repertoire of magic was rich and quite entertaining! …And what are you doing? Continuously repeating basic techniques learned by apprentices of the Holy Church with no innovation… so boring!!”
I spat it out disdainfully.
“But… it’d be a waste to just kill you here. It seems you have a solid foundation. You could grow stronger with training. If you become tougher prey, the Demon Races will enjoy the conflict even more…!”
Can you stop making faces like “What is this guy saying?” I’m on the verge of losing my composure here.
“I have a proposal for you all.”
I made an effort to embody the model of a demon lord prince.
“—Would you not consider joining the Holy Church?”
I raised my hands as if beckoning the Light Blade Cultists, announcing.
“‘…Huh?’”
“Seek guidance from the Holy Church. I’m not asking you to completely convert, but for the sake of fighting the enemies of humanity, they would gladly impart their skills and knowledge. You lack the adaptability. If you could compensate for that—by absorbing the techniques cultivated by the Holy Church, you will surely become stronger than you are now. …What do you say?”
Honestly, I feel potential in them. The Empire’s army might be garbage, but these Light Blade Cultists could perform well on the Demon Lord’s Army frontlines. With training, they might even stand toe to toe against the forces of decent clans.
Those fighting the “enemies of humanity” must certainly have a fixed response, right!?
“‘—Don’t be ridiculous!!’”
Yet, the fanatics roared, seemingly having forgotten their fear of me.
“Are you trying to desecrate our teachings!”
“Finding the true God’s message through the corrupted Holy Church is what the Light Blade Church represents!”
“If we associate with those outdated degenerates, we will also be defiled!”
Mmmmmm?!
“You could grow stronger. You’d gain the power to fight the foe. What matters more, the form of your faith or actual power?”
“That’s a given!!”
“Faith!!”
All in unison.
Ah, so that’s it.
I’ve had my suspicions. To promote the Light Blade Church, they’ve been rigorously differentiating themselves from the Holy Church. And to make the Light Blade Church a convenient force for the Empire, they’ve been disparaging the Holy Church to psychologically separate themselves, while their doctrines have grown more radical…
But wow, it’s this extreme.
Antendeixis.
‘Indeed.’
—Not a single one must escape.
‘Understood. [Escape is forbidden.]’
A sudden swell of unusual magical pressure descended upon the battlefield.
“[Collaboration is forbidden.]”
I too invoked additional curses to disrupt the zealots’ —or rather, blind believers’ —cooperation, further decreasing their magical resistance while enhancing the effect of Antendeixis’ curse.
“I understand your thoughts well. Now, then, devote yourselves to those teachings.”
I took a long, prolonged breath, activating my magic.
I sensed the Light Blade Cultists holding their breath. The magic I used now diverged from the dark aura display; it was body strengthening of the bare minimum required. They must have sensed an atmosphere different from my previous displays of magic use.
In fact, I transitioned.
From dance to combat.
To pure murderous technique.
“[Despair now.]”
—I swung at a nearby Light Blade Cultist and slashed him down. Let’s practice that cursed shot too.
The body that took my blade burst apart in a shower of blood.
“[Despair now.]”
Without delay, I struck another.
“[Despair now.]”
Once more another.
“[Despair now.]” “[Despair now.]” “[Despair now.]” “[Despair now.]”—
Red flowers blossomed in the battlefield of darkness.
“Uwaaa! Uwaaaahhhh!”
“H-h-help!! Help meee!”
“Your Majesty—! Oh God—!”
Calmly, yet robustly, I began swinging my blades, causing the Light Blade Cultists to plunge into hysteria, frantically attempting to escape in all directions—
But thanks to Antendeixis’s [Taboo], they found themselves nearly immobile.
“Hiii, H-hold on, my legs! What’s happening!!”
Oh, trying to flee forcibly made their legs cramp up, and they fell. I don’t really need to use my cursed shot on the ones rolling around.
I lightly swung my blade, brushing the neck of one for a clean head roll!
‘You sure got guts, weren’t you worried you’d regret this?’
Sure, I did think it was a waste.
But it’s too late for those fools.
‘They’ve prioritized their “mission” to “fight the enemies of humanity” over useless “faith.” And rather than maintaining a façade of the Holy Church, they’ve utterly twisted their doctrines to suit their needs.’
More important than “faith” is clearly “the power to fight the enemies of humanity,” right?
They’ve forsaken their roles as protectors of humanity.
Naturally, they have no right to embody the silver light.
And the Holy Silver Curse is a power stemming from the collective consciousness of humanity. While it’s rare to find bearers of the Holy Silver Spirit, it’s also a finite power.
Thus, instead of wasting it on these fools, it should be distributed to other heroes or new users that might arise in the future.
‘These Light Blade Cultists may have their own powers as well. Given their unnecessary solid foundation and high output, it might indeed be better to slay them.’
So it goes.
“Help… Help me…!”
“I don’t wanna die here!”
“Oh God… please help me, oh God…!!”
Ahhh.
The aftermath of the cursed shot is causing my sanity to fray, and this sight is unbearable…
Those crying, begging for their lives, devoutly praying—under Antendeixis’s [Taboo], their bodies froze up, yet some wriggled like worms, desperately trying to escape.
It’s frankly pitiful to witness.
I’ve decided to kill them, but the aftertaste is rather unpleasant…
But… still, they’re just hopeless. No, the Light Blade Church is hopeless.
They lack the most basic knowledge that apprentices learn first in the Holy Church.
‘Oh? What’s that, again?’
Once someone manifests the Holy Silver Curse and enters the teaching institution, it’s what’s hammered into them first.
“You must never give up.”
“No matter how dire the situation seems, you must never abandon the fight.”
“If the sword breaks, like a beastman, scratch and bite—to leave a mark. If need be, hide like a forest elf, throw yourself into the fire like a dwarf, strike fiercely like a dragon, and cunningly like a demon; exchange your life to take down the enemy.”
“And even if you can’t vanquish the foe and die trying, your courageous actions will never be in vain because the next hero will surely down that wounded enemy.”
“So, you must never give in to despair.”
“Even if your heart breaks, slay the enemy.”
—That’s the “basic” taught to the heroes and priest candidates in the Holy Church.
These fools are lacking that. I casually thrust my blade into one of the Light Blade Cultists trying to crawl away.
‘So that’s it. In the end, they’re simply a cheap imitation.’
Antendeixis remarked with a hint of admiration.
‘The Holy Church truly consists of the genuine fanatics.’
Huh? What’s that mean?
‘That’s exactly what I’m talking about.’
――――――――――――――――
The image of recruitment Zil is like, “Why not join me and become a demon?”
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