#62
Assault on the Shrine (1)
Things proceeded at breakneck speed.
“How is the preparation going? Is there enough force ready to move right now?”
“Don’t worry. We had planned ahead, so we have plenty of reserve forces. After all, we intended to send only the elite this time.”
The place where the energy was detected was at the western edge of the continent.
Given the distance, there was a limit to how many personnel could be sent in the shortest time possible.
If we hinted that the church caught a whiff of what was going on, who knows when those guys would escape again? We couldn’t assemble the Undead King hunting squad from the Talia Kingdom like before.
Since personnel below a certain level wouldn’t be of much help, we decided to only receive support from the Paladin Order and combat priests above the rank of high priest from the Talia Shrine.
“There will be four Paladins participating in the operation, and I make three Archbishops. The Inquisition Officer is also planning to take part.”
A plan that gathers all the strong ones ready to act in one place.
Three Paladins stationed at the Rosellia Shrine and one Paladin and one Archbishop dispatched to the west would join the operation on-site.
Also, top-tier talents selected from each Paladin Order and combat priests were scheduled to be dispatched.
“And… Cardinal Pirey from the Empire’s Jeron Shrine has also expressed his intention to join us.”
Even the Cardinal, the highest authority of one of the few shrines on the continent, declared his participation directly.
“Hmm… That makes sense. He has always been particularly warlike. I heard he was quite disappointed about not participating in the first hunt.”
“It seems he finally has the time. It’s perfect since we need a small elite force.”
Although there were two Cardinals at the Rosellia Shrine, they completely left anything related to the Undead King to the Saint and focused on managing the shrine and the entire order.
“Hmm… Since this is the case, I too…”
“Saint, you cannot.”
Before she could finish her sentence, Archbishop Latinus firmly cut her off.
“With His Holiness bedridden due to illness, you are the symbol of the Holy Church Order. Especially in times like these, you must hold your position.”
“But, there are Cardinals present…”
“Considering that many forces are already being pulled out from the shrine, I ask that you stay here to protect it. No matter how secretly the operation is conducted, unexpected situations can occur.”
“Sigh… I understand.”
And the repercussions of that conversation echoed back to Heinrich.
“Hmph… Sir Heinrich Landguard should also stay with the Saint to guard the shrine this time.”
“Me too?”
Heinrich’s eyes widened, thinking he would definitely be involved given his deep participation so far.
Archbishop Latinus took him aside and spoke with a serious face.
“It seems the Saint is very distressed, so I want you to keep her company and provide some comfort. And…”
After a brief pause, the Archbishop sighed.
“This is going to be a very dangerous operation. With the Cardinal also going, that monster won’t be able to escape as easily as last time. There will likely be a fierce battle.”
Given the past failure of letting Hans escape even after erecting a barrier, this time, with the Cardinal joining in, they would prepare even more thoroughly.
“Amidst that, many will die or be injured. I too might not escape unscathed.”
And Heinrich was someone valuable enough not to be sacrificed on a battlefield.
He had enough capability to participate in the operation right now, but that would only put him at a level similar to the selected Paladins.
The Archbishop believed his true value lay after he completed his growth.
An extraordinary talent getting the attention of the Holy God and the Saint.
There was a need to prepare for any contingency.
“We must also consider the possibility of mission failure. The possibility that we might all be wiped out.”
Although they had prepared an excessive amount of force, no one could predict what lay ahead.
And if that time came, both the Saint and Heinrich could become the hope of the order.
“…Understood. I will follow your wishes, Archbishop.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I know you’ve been bracing yourself until now.”
Seeing Archbishop Latinus’s resolute expression, Heinrich could only make an awkward face.
‘Hmm, well… It’s nice to see you so eager.’
The transmission through the gate was carried out sequentially by the priests, including the Saint, and those who wouldn’t participate directly in the operation.
Though only a select few elites would be dispatched, considering the numbers, it would take at least another day to send them all over to the Talia Shrine.
“There’s no need to rush, it’s a distance that cannot be covered in a day or two anyway. Those hiding in their current location won’t hurry to move elsewhere.”
Archbishop Latinus carefully guided the dispatched personnel from the Rosellia Shrine and proceeded steadily.
Wooong—
While the last transmission personnel were waiting, the gate began to vibrate and operate again.
The Archbishop turned his head to look at the ones here to see them off.
As he gazed intently at the party that included the Saint and Heinrich, he nodded with a belief-filled expression before turning towards the gate.
The somber aura surrounding his back seemed to convey, “If anything happens, I’ll leave it to you.”
‘…Please take your time enjoying the breeze outside.’
Heinrich observed with a subtle smile as he watched him vanish beyond the gate.
Wooong—
The vibrating blue whirlpool of the gate.
Thus, all personnel completed their movement to the Talia Shrine in the western continent.
*
[Hmm… I wonder how long it will take for those gathered at the Talia Shrine to arrive here? They’re all elites, so it shouldn’t take that long.]
From the capital of the Talia Kingdom to deep within the Forest of Monsters.
Generally speaking, even if they rushed, it could take over a month, but who knows what kind of Blessing they might possess, so it was premature to conclude.
Right now, Heinrich also had “Blessing: Leap,” didn’t he?
They would probably want to minimize the travel time as much as possible.
As soon as they joined the Talia Shrine, they would likely mobilize all means available for an immediate departure.
[Shall I start preparing soon?]
Hans slowly left the cave.
Whoosh—
With each of his steps, flames of Hell ignited, melting everything left in the cave.
Starting from the waste generated during the experiment to the traces of various barriers left within.
[No need to provide any other information. Hehe…]
As the barriers crumbled under his influence, countless layers of concealment to mask the presence of the fragments enveloped his body.
‘So, when would be the best time to start?’
Now was the most vulnerable moment for the defenses of the Rosellia Shrine.
That place had drawn the most power to capture Hans.
‘Besides, the priests must be exhausted from forcing the gate into operation.’
At the rate of the seals spread around the fragments, breaking through would be quite challenging.
It would probably take considerable time to obtain the fragments.
To prepare for that, they needed to draw as much power from the shrine as possible.
Just as the High Elf’s search had begun, the timing was just right.
I could deliberately show my strength to lure them in, but that might raise suspicion within the order.
So, I did nothing, just prepared, to be naturally discovered.
‘The cooldown for the Dimensional Teleportation Circle has also been timed accordingly.’
I could start anytime, but Hans chose to stand there and wait until nightfall.
So that the dispatched personnel could not do anything even if they received late contact.
Hehehe… Now it begins.
As the moon rose high at midnight.
Under the moonlight casting shadows over the forest…
Hans’s shadow was no longer present.
*
《Transmission to the Dimension of Auterica has been completed.》
The first thing that appeared was light.
An overwhelming amount of light pouring in from all directions as if to blind him.
Hehe, I expected as much, but it’s more impressive than I thought.
The concealment covering his body was instantly incinerated by the light, and the black magic swirling nearby began to clash with the holy power.
‘This isn’t good.’
All around him was a hostile space toward Hans.
If this continued, he wouldn’t be able to secure the fragments properly.
He had intended to complete his work peacefully and leave, but now there was no choice.
Hans lifted his staff skyward.
Haha! Break them all!
The black magic emanating from him concentrated in one spot…
The black flames rising from the tip of the skull staff rapidly swelled in size.
Even while the holy power continued to gnaw at the black magic, Hans was no longer shaken by such trivial interference.
Whoosh—BOOM!
The enormous hellfire instinctively split into several branches and exploded against the golden-emblazoned walls surrounding him.
Crash—
The emblem on the wall peeled away and melted, causing the energy suppressing the black magic to weaken.
‘This is much better.’
The seal had originally been created to suppress the unclean energy inside.
There was bound to be less preparation for direct impact.
‘Once more!’
Whoosh—BANG!
The ground surrounding Hans turned black and spread outward, and the shadowy blades sprang forth, slashing in all directions.
The light from the damaged emblem gradually dimmed, and the holy power that pressed down on him weakened.
Hehe, now I feel a bit more refreshed.
Of course, even with that, he wasn’t in the same condition as usual.
‘How many holy barriers are layered and activated, I wonder?’
Once Hans invaded, all types of barriers installed throughout the shrine activated simultaneously.
‘I must hurry. Even so, the complexity of the entryway means it will take time for the order to arrive here.’
He smiled satisfactorily as he headed for the central altar.
‘But this place remains intact even amidst all that.’
Even though Hans wielded his black magic and turned the surroundings upside down, neither the altar nor the pillars sealing it bore a single scratch.
Crackle—!
As his hand touched the chains entwined around the fragments, white sparks erupted, engulfing his arm.
‘Hmph, right. It wouldn’t be easy.’
Shaking off the flames clinging to his hand, Hans muttered calmly.
‘From now on, it’s a race against time.’
He needed to release the seal and collect the fragments before external disturbances arrived.
He reached out again toward the fragments.
*
The incident occurred in the dead of night.
Whoosh—
The symbols inscribed all around the shrine, previously thought to be mere decorations, began to glow simultaneously…
“What?!”
“What the hell is this!”
The paladins on guard gasped in shock.
Symbols containing holy power rose from the floor, walls, and ceiling.
Types of holy barriers that cut off space, suppressed unclean energy inside, and enhanced the power of those with holy attributes.
At that moment, the Rosellia Shrine was nothing less than an impregnable fortress.
‘Though I already allowed the intrusion.’
The paladin on guard with Heinrich looked visibly flustered, but Heinrich calmly surveyed his surroundings, sharing his inner thoughts.
He was currently stationed at the pathway leading to the seals, having naturally resumed his duties with the Radiant Vanguard Paladin Order since he was to guard the shrine.
Not participating in the hunting squad, he had volunteered for this path patrol, wanting to contribute in some way.
Moreover, given his absence from duties, he now stood here as if to make up for it, choosing the night watch everyone was reluctant for.
‘If I stay here, I might grasp the flow of situations overall. While Hans releases the seal…’
At that moment.
Emergency—!
A wave of holy power erupted within the shrine, resonating in their minds.
Emergency situation! All forces to combat readiness! Assemble at your respective positions as soon as preparations are complete!
The Paladin Order will move under the Commander’s lead!
The voice thundered in their heads.
It was the voice of a Cardinal he had seen only a few times.
The situation was unfolding in urgency.
Whoosh—!
At that moment, a group of about twenty figures clad in black rushed toward them.
Leading them was the Inquisition Officer he had seen once before.
‘I don’t think I’ve seen his face directly.’
Even though he was masked like the others, it was unmistakable due to the badge that signified the officer.
And it was like a pass for this area.
As Heinrich and his fellow paladin hurriedly stepped aside, they vanished inside like the wind.
“…This doesn’t seem like an ordinary situation.”
The paladin beside him murmured in a solemn voice.
As he said.
The first-ever incident of allowing internal intrusion in the history of the Rosellia Shrine had only just begun.
