425 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 425 "Your Holiness, the Pope." "Welcome, Sir Harmon." As Harmon knelt with a formal greeting, Ilia watched him quietly, tilting her head slightly. "Only halfway there? That's unexpected." "Pardon?" Though he had an inkling of what she meant, Harmon feigned ignorance, asking with innocence. The saintess quickly shifted the conversation. "No, never mind. I received a report through communication, but I'd like to hear it directly from you. It's somewhat different from the rumors..." Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Harmon smoothly delivered the prepared report. "My sword pierced his heart. Rumors say he's in a critical condition, but he won't come out of this unscathed." At that false report, the saintess smiled. "Hmm. Well done, Captain Harmon. It couldn't have been to your taste." "Not at all. How could there be hesitation in following the will of God?" Despite the countless repetitions of these words in his mind, they flowed out with such natural ease. Perhaps it was the lifelong habit speaking for him. The saintess, seemingly satisfied, nodded. "Thanks to you, we've saved some trouble." "Pardon?" "You must have heard about the appearance of demonic beasts in MacLaine?" "Oh, yes. I've heard about it..." Harmon, who had been focusing intently on discerning the Apostle's status, was caught off guard by the sudden question. The unexpected words from the saintess left him puzzled. "They say the creature Logan MacLaine controls isn't a divine beast but a demon beast. If things had gone awry, I intended to declare a holy war for that reason, but fortunately, we can postpone it." "Postpone... you say?" Not cancel? Harmon couldn't help but express his surprise in his voice. The saintess, noticing his confusion, studied him intently for a moment, then chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Clearly, Aria's intentions haven't fully reached you yet, Captain." "I apologize. It seems I am still lacking..." "I understand, you must have been busy. Yet, now that you're back, I hope you devote yourself more to prayer." Devote yourself to prayer. Though he knew those words were nothing short of a dismissal, Harmon couldn't retreat. He needed to verify the ominous words he just heard. Moreover, he had yet to fully assess the saintess's—or rather, the Apostle's—combat prowess. He needed more time. "Of course, Your Holiness. Yet, must there truly be a holy war?" At this question, Ilia's eyebrows knitted slightly. Her expression was one of slight annoyance, but fortunately, she was quick to answer. "Have you heard of 'the forsaken ones,' Captain?" "...Oh, yes. I believe I've heard some stories. Occasionally, individuals appear who are immune to divine power..." "Such anomalies occur sometimes, akin to defective products. However, the current situation in that kingdom is different." The word 'defective' caused Harmon's lips to twitch momentarily. Perhaps it was because mistrust was already deeply embedded within him, but that single word made it abundantly clear how the gods viewed humans. Unknowingly, Ilia continued speaking with composure. "In MacLaine, the forsaken are appearing en masse." "What!?" "And it's all because of Logan MacLaine, that devil's spawn." "Pardon?" "They call him a changer of fate. This time, being a descendant of Jibric Kessel, the variables have multiplied..." With a troubled look, the Apostle's expressions changed back to neutral as she delivered shocking news. "This has occurred occasionally throughout antiquity. Each time, the apostle who descended at that time waged a holy war to eradicate the forsaken, to correct their twisted fate." "!!?" His eyes widened and his mouth fell open involuntarily. The revelation was too shocking to maintain composure. 'True, records of holy wars coincide with the appearance of an apostle, but...' Who would've thought it meant this. A chill ran down his spine. Whether Ilia noticed Harmon's expression or simply didn't care, she calmly continued. "So this time, too, a holy war must take place—without fail." For your own benefit, you mean. Harmon barely managed to swallow the truth rising up his throat. Silently, he intended to agree and move past it, but the bubbling emotion inside forced out a question. "...Wouldn't there be great sacrifices among innocents?" Damn it. He felt his heart sink the moment he heard his own words. 'This is a time to curry favor.' Feeling the piercing gaze of Ilia, no—the Apostle, Harmon bit his lips in silent self-reproach. After a brief silence, she unexpectedly shifted the topic. "Long, long ago, there was someone known as the Berserker God. He, too, was a changer of fate." "What?" "To address the remnants of Jibric, the gods chose to observe him." "What..." What in the world was she talking about now? Harmon couldn't comprehend it at all, but she continued undeterred. "It was a grave miscalculation. The cost 'we' bore to erase him and correct his fate, handling his descendants... You do not yet know." You do not yet know. 'Nor do I wish to, damn you.' He had spoken of innocent sacrifices, yet she spouted unrelated nonsense. It meant that sacrifices meant nothing to the Apostles, nor to the gods. Feeling an increasing sense of betrayal towards them, Harmon gritted his teeth inwardly. Outwardly, he maintained his composure with difficulty. Seeing him, the Apostle chuckled softly. "You might not understand my words now, but you will, eventually. So, pray diligently." "Yes, I will." Never again will I offer prayers to you. Harmon gave a response contrary to his true feelings and bowed his head. Unexpectedly, she spoke once more. "Oh, and please prepare for a pilgrimage." "Pardon?" "Even though we've confirmed the elimination of Jibric's avatar, other foes remain. We'll need to search for the holy artifacts outside and offer prayers to God." At this, Harmon's expression stiffened. Of all times? Now? Understanding the likely motives, Harmon feigned a surprised expression. "The, the holy artifacts, Your Holiness?" He felt his eyes twitch and his lips stiffen—his attempt at maintaining composure had failed. Though Harmon gritted his teeth internally, the saintess didn't seem to find his reaction unusual. "Hmm. It might be confusing for you. I, too, understand the reasons why the Nine Gods' artifacts are scattered across various temples. But now, we need their power." For your purposes, of course. "It is time for the renowned priests on the continent to wield the artifacts and fulfill the will of the Gods." So you intend to multiply your Apostles? As expected, but why now? Harmon quickly diverted the conversation. "…I understand there are still two artifacts left in Nobians." Three artifacts maintained the Heavenly Barrier. One of them, Licentia, was in his possession. The remaining two... "On the day you departed for MacLaine, Captain, Flamma was given to former Pope Austin, and Terra to Priest Zile." "What!?" "I understand your surprise, but if individuals like you and others can fully harness the power of the artifacts, it will be greater than the Heavenly Barrier." "I see..." The artifact belonging to Anima, the God of Fire and Prosperity, went to Austin, while the artifact associated with Ader, the God of Earth and Death, was given to Zile. Sententia, famous for its role as the Pope's adjudicator, originally belonged to Amund, the God of the Sea and Change. Harmon was the highest priest of Aria, the God of Sky and Freedom. Having vaguely suspected the minimum condition for the descent of an Apostle, he finally felt certain. Although this realization didn’t solve the current predicament. 'Surely they haven’t produced three Apostles already?' Advertisements Hopefully not. It couldn't be. Harmon bit his lip to hide his anxious thoughts. "Are you planning to return the other artifacts to their rightful owners as well?" "It is necessary. We must eradicate the descendants of the Great Devil Jibric Kessel once and for all. This is the will of the Gods." With such a resolute declaration, Harmon found himself unable to say more. "Thus, please prepare for the pilgrimage. Former Pope Austin and Priest Zile will accompany us." "…Yes, Your Holiness." I must act faster than anticipated. With this thought, Harmon quickly left the audience chamber, and after a few more steps outside the door, a crucial realization struck him. 'I failed to read her.' Though engrossed in their unexpected conversation, there had been ample time. Yet, he was unable to discern the aura of the soul that the saintess possessed. Was it because it was a divine avatar? Or was it because even the avatar's status was above his own? 'If it’s the latter...' It's the worst-case scenario. Time was already scarce. The Pope's pilgrimage required extensive preparations, including escorts by many holy knights and priests, followed by an enormous procession. 'I must deal with the Apostle before that.' Harmon pressed his lips hard and quickened his steps. Unexpectedly, there were now two more people he needed to verify. * * * "Fortunately, neither Austin nor Priest Zile have been overtaken yet. Tomorrow night, I plan to use the pretext of inspecting the artifacts temporarily to retrieve them. Join me, and we can initiate the plan immediately. Once we disappear with the artifacts from Nobians, our mission will be complete." Listening to Harmon, Victor exhaled softly, opening his previously closed eyes. The progression was swifter than anticipated. There was another concern as well. "Will they easily hand over the artifacts?" "I plan to say I wish to research them alongside Licentia. Priest Zile might refuse, but Austin will most likely comply. And if he doesn’t, I'll apply enough pressure to ensure he does." In the current setup, Harmon's influence exceeded that of a mere Captain of the Holy Knights. His words were entirely feasible. "I see. What about Evelin and Cassandra? Will they manage in this short span?" Originally, the plan allowed for a week. Though two days or a week both felt rushed, the perceived difference was significant. "…Evelin and Cassandra appear to be settling in well. They are quick-witted and sociable. Once they are introduced formally to the saintess tomorrow and officially assigned duties, issuing the orders the following day should pose no problem." "It still feels a bit hasty..." "We have no choice. With the official orders for the pilgrimage already issued, we have barely three days at most." Realizing that Harmon's suggestion was their best option, Victor nodded in agreement. But he realized they'd missed discussing something crucial. Advertisements "Do you have any estimate on the saintess's combat prowess?" "That's... the problem." Seeing Harmon's face darken instantly, Victor sighed once more. "Given she’s a divine avatar, it's likely I couldn't sense it. There's no need to worry excessively." A statement rooted in baseless optimism. Yet Victor nodded slowly, not because he believed Harmon... – Sir Victor, when you come, I will... ...but because he trusted the last words left by someone he deeply respected and cherished. 'I will rescue you soon, Saintess.' Amidst tightly shut eyes, countless tears fell once more. And the time of two days slipped by in the blink of an eye.