The Paladin Owns the Relic

Chapter 96

96 – Midnight Shaman (5)

“Work…”

Archbishop Dwayne frowned. The poker face is broken.

“Why did things turn out this way?”

I thought it was going smoothly. But that was just the beginning anyway.

Everything I did came back a mess. Now it makes me want to do it again.

“Why did things turn out this way? Bishop Brody.”

“……”

Bishop Brody. The father of the apprentice priest Beverick who went to the penal servitude.

I thought he was the least useful subordinate out of the stone-headed bishops…

Was it a mistake?

Dwayne stared blankly at him.

Starting with sending Zahard, who was like a thorn in Paramer, the pressure on the 5th Inquisition.

Putting Bishop Brody at the forefront, the plan is to use the Paladins received from the Serpent Church to gradually reduce the rebellious forces within the school.

Accidental death.

Sudden death.

Natural History.

Soldiers and so on.

The various accidents that began to increase inside the church were all operations that came from Bishop Brody’s head. Expanding Dwayne’s own powers after inactivating his external powers.

He insisted that, unlike himself, who would have liked to be a little more relaxed, Bishop Brody could have done it a day faster. He listened confidently to those words, but…

Things went in vain.

On the contrary, it has become a form of increasing the power of the enemy. The day to devour the church as a whole was farther away.

“Contrary to what you said would be fine, everything is messed up.”

Ashwal Haltz intervened in the Church.

The Heretic Questioner Zahard, who was thought to be dead, has returned.

Dimona, the Heretic Inquisitor, who ran away at will, became a hero who saved Paramer under the recognition of Ashwal Haltz.

Rising awareness.

Public opinion overturned by a heroic act that put his men first.

There is even talk that heresy judge Dimona should be elevated to the rank of archbishop. The situation was the worst possible outcome.

“Bishop Brody.”

“…Yes.”

“I said that if things went well, I could get Beverick’s apprentice priest out of the prison, but…”

Dwayne closed the papers.

“Now that things have come this far, I will have to tell a story that never happened.”

“Ha, but Your Excellency!”

Brody hit his head on the ground.

“It was just a slight error! We can solve it even now!”

“…Really?”

“Yes! Leave the Dimona heresy judge, and Zahad … Can’t you solve the dog’s bastard?

“How to solve it?”

“The assassins received from the Serpent Church have not yet been discovered within the Church. Even the dead victims are disguised as natural or accidental deaths. Couldn’t we use the unknowns to assassinate Inquisitor Zahard and then warn Inquisitor Dimona?”

The Paladins of the Serpent Church…

Dwayne tapped the desk lightly. Professional assassins obtained as a reward for negotiating with the Serpent Church. The Paladins of the Serpent Order are strong. In particular, he was adept at fighting by surprise attacking others in the dark.

The Paladins of the Church of Ra, which were an eyesore, were also removed without difficulty. That makes sense.

In addition, he contacted only through the bishops under his command, so that he could be discarded at any time. A good hand to use and a good cut.

I think there were about six people under Bishop Brody. Dwayne thought briefly.

“Hmm…”

“Leave it to me! Dismissal! We will make everything right! And in the first place, Ashwal Haltz is an imperial nobleman who will one day leave this city! You don’t have to pay attention to that part!”

Zahard The Heretic Questioner.

Not bad if you can get rid of him.

What was just an apprentice priest just a few months ago has now become like Dimona’s closest aide.

He heard that the level of force was also very high. I heard that he’s too much to be called an ordinary Heretic Inquisitor.

But even so, the Heretic Questioner Zahard…

“……”

How the hell did he survive? I’ve heard that Paramer is definitely a mess.

“…That’s strange. Strange.”

I worry. But Dwayne soon stopped worrying.

Nothing has changed just by sitting still and thinking. Now that things have turned out this way, it’s the right thing to do.

In any case, he has little time left to become the next cardinal. Arpina has lost her voice, and her base of support is gradually fading.

If only Dimona and the Inquisitor can be held in check, there will be no variables. I don’t know how much power Zahard Inquisitor possesses…

It is clear that the Paladins of the Serpent Church cannot win. Even if there is a chance of defeat if you fight head-on, the Paladins of the Serpent Order are literally like snakes born for assassination.

The Assassins who turned their backs on darkness have never failed. Dimona, who is said to have excellent abilities, is also a force that cannot help but be hurt by her.

“Good. Bishop Brody.”

Dwayne nodded.

“Let’s try to believe one more time.”

“May the light of Ra be honored!”

Dwayne glanced through the window. The faint sunset was shining.

Anyway, the light shines on itself. It just slows it down a bit.

The rest of the lights are just sparks that will disappear even if they twinkle for a moment.

Originally, I had planned to kill Inquisitor Zahard more painfully. He intended to make you feel all the pain he could show you, in return for daring him.

But death by the Serpent Cult…

“…That wouldn’t be bad either.”

The swords of the Paladins of the Serpent Order are coated with poison. A heinous drug that is said to be produced by the body through s*xual methods.

Whoever gets cut by it will suffer. Vomits blood until it dies.

That alone would be a terrible punishment. Well, should I be satisfied with this level?

“Your arrogance drove you to death. Zahard Inquisitor.”

Dwayne closed his eyes. He drew in his mind.

He watched his confident face contort in pain.

. . .

“…That’s why.”

It was something I knew. But I spit out the words to clear things up.

“His Highness, Cardinal Alpina, was injured while fighting a road-class vampire called Jinjo…”

“Yes.”

“The wound has become a curse and I am trying to turn you into a vampire… But are you forcibly blocking it with your holy power? But you’re saying that’s the limit now, right?”

“…That’s right.”

“There is no way to solve it.”

“Everything is true.”

I crossed my arms.

“Then what do you ask me to do?”

“That, that’s not different…”

Arpina hesitated. He glanced up at me.

“Vampires, as you know, are a type of undead that eat away at the human body. It’s so evil, they say it’s a power that’s completely opposite to holy power.”

“So what?”

“Even I couldn’t break the curse of the Jinjo-class vampire. Rather, I just barely caught on. The reason why this situation is maintained is because the true ancestors suffered by me also suffered greatly.”

“…Hmm. So?”

“But lately, the curse has gotten more crazy and started to rampage. Perhaps… the true ancestor who cursed me is recovering.”

Arpina wiggled her fingers.

“I am dying right now. When the day comes when vampirization is fully in progress, you will die completely. As a priest, you cannot become undead.”

“It is a matter of life and death.”

“But fortunately, there is a way. It’s a very difficult thing, but…”

“What is that?”

“…To kill the true ancestor who made my body like this.”

As expected.

You’re giving away another S-class quest. This is why I didn’t want to come.

From noble mtl dot com.

“Am I the only one who can ask for that?”

“If my physical condition is discovered, I’m sure Archbishop Dwayne will move. It’s as if I had a cause to get rid of me, who was like a thorn in my eye. But that doesn’t mean I can’t move the shrine maidens during the day. When a large animal moves, it makes a sound… Besides, they are the personal guard of the Holy Father, so they can’t leave the church recklessly.”

“So I can only do it?”

“Heretic Questioner Zahard is the only person who has the power, but is low enough to move. Boo, please help. I’ll do anything for the case… Please, Jinjo…”

“Isn’t there a way Jinjo can be alone?”

“No, of course, but…if you lend me the holy relic I have, you will be able to break through without difficulty.”

A golden cross swayed in Arpina’s hand.

Oh my god.

That’s…

[Holy Sword Ascalon (EX)]

The greatest weapon possessed by the Church of Ra, and a holy relic that can only be used by Cardinal Arpina.

One of the nine divine weapons that have been judged out of grade in the game.

The holy sword, Ascalon. Hey I want to have it. I have to be greedy.

【A rotten stench somewhere…!】

Shh. Be quite.

I ignored Surt’s voice coming through the pocket. Want to have. It’s easier to handle than Surt, and it’s a real new weapon with more holy effects.

The world would have been easier if I had started with that. You must have heard the sound of Munchkin properly.

Unfortunately, however, it is a piece of cake. As long as the owner doesn’t change, the god will not be able to exert its power.

The only way to completely monopolize it is to give it to the previous owner wholeheartedly or kill the previous owner.

Killing Alpina was risky. There’s nothing to be gained by killing it. Your reputation will drop to the bottom and your relationship with all the people you’ve dated may suffer.

Besides that, it’s like the symbol of Ra. Even if I accept Arpina’s request, I will not hand over ownership of that Ascalon.

It is a holy relic that is the same as the voice of the church and the symbol of the cardinals.

If you overturn everything later, it might be worth aiming for…

Then let’s see.

Can I catch Scarlet Hellsing, the wounded ancestor?

…It’s too much. It’s impossible. No. I don’t know if it breaks through 80. It’s a bit vague now. It’s a gamble where you have to risk your life, and even Scarlett is one of the hidden bosses.

A guy who even blows up a suicide bomber when he dies. I’d rather go to Paramer one more time. If you get swept away by that self-destruction, even those in their late 80s will be on the verge of death.

Mmm!

A quest that should never be accepted!

“Your Highness, Cardinal Arpina. Do you really think I can kill Jinjo?”

“You must have been hurt, if it’s you…”

“Isn’t that too reckless? Do you know what Jinjo prepared?”

“……”

“You know what it means, right? It’s the same as saying walk on a limb. Jinjo is not a strong fool. Of course, there must have been a plan.”

“Ha, but…”

Arpina grabbed the golden cross. Her tears were dripping.

“Ah, at this rate, I’m going to die… I want to put my hopes on something… But… No… I’m just thinking garbage again. I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I must have been excited again because I had hope for a while…”

“…..”

“I’m trash. I tried to live my life with the life of a completely trash man. I’m going to die right now, through the window…”

Dead eyes glanced at the window. I blew her balm on her forehead before she got up.

“Ah…?”

“Calm down. Your Highness Cardinal Arpina. Let’s change our minds.”

I didn’t know things would turn out like this, but it’s not without a breakthrough.

It just got a little tricky. There was a way to heal her without having to hold her Scarlett.

I’ll have to go with you to pay off the debt Ashbal put on me. Thinking about rolling again for a while, her head was complicated, but…

I can’t help it.

I pretended to think. But I already had a conclusion.

“Do you know that it is a fairy forest?”

“…Yes? I know… I know…”

“There is a world tree that protects the entire fairy forest. And there is a saying that the flesh grown there heals any curse or wound.”

“D, I’ve heard of it. But…”

Arpina hesitated.

“It’s not like I didn’t think of it either. But the world tree is now rotting. I heard that I can’t keep my condition. There are young seedlings left, but…They only say that they can’t grow properly because they don’t have enough nutrients…”

“What if that’s not the case?”

“…Yes?”

It must have been that way not too long ago. But now it’s different.

Someone carried the Tears of Yggdrasil. Nutrients that will make the World Tree grow bigger again!

Of course, there are problems here and there, but…

If she could get Arpina’s support, she would have to endure that much. It’s like getting the biggest background within the Church of Ra!

“Not too long ago, the elves brought nutrients for the seedlings. If the sapling of the World Tree is properly rooted in the ground, it will bear fruit right away.”

“Really?!”

Arpina, who was very happy, quickly withered away.

“Ha, but I heard that the road to the fairy forest is very rough. In addition, there is a record that the fruit begins to wither as soon as it is picked… It is too much for me to go there myself as I am in this condition…”

“Can’t you go with me?”

“…Really?”

Arpina opened her mouth. The gaze she looked up at me was filled with her doubts.

“Ha, but why so much…”

I smiled broadly.

“It is the priest’s duty to help others in need. As someone who believes in Ra, isn’t that a natural thing to do?”

Yes. Gourada.

Perhaps not. If you help me, I’ll throw all of Ascalon at you! Even if it’s a different holy object, it’s great if you give me a chin!

And if you carry the fully recovered Alpina on your back…

Isn’t it the same as putting all the guys under here!

. . .

It was getting dark. One by one the lights went out.

Everyone fell asleep except for some priests patrolling the area. The time when the sun loses its light and darkness fills the void.

The Paladin of the Church of the Serpent checked the time in the dark.

It is early morning when everyone must have fallen asleep. Also, make sure that the lights in the room are turned off.

“…It moves.”

The snake paladins secured the target under the window. After sending a hand signal, the door was also sealed.

All you have to do is attack it like this. Did you say the target’s name was Zahard?

He may have unexpected power, but the Serpent Paladin was confident. They are specialists in assassination.

If you take advantage of the darkness of the night, you can defeat even the archbishop level. Darkness was always on the Serpent’s side, and the Sun Paladins were not accustomed to the night.

“…Do you enter?”

“Wait.”

The paladin tried to send a signal, but squeezed his hand again. Popularity is better. Aren’t you asleep yet?

The window opened. The cute child with her face sticking out above his head gave a light yawn.

“Huh.”

The child I heard that Heretic Questioner Zahard brought.

The Paladins held their breath just in case. But for some reason, the child did not close the window even after he stopped yawning.

I muttered again.

“…Night guest.”

I was caught.

How?

Putting the doubt behind, the paladin immediately sent a signal.