Chapter 129 : Chapter 129

Chapter 129

The Bellium Holy Knight Order, an organization directly under the Papal Office that served God Bellium of the Authority of War.

Though not large in number, it was an elite order whose individual members possessed outstanding martial prowess.

Its Vice-commander, Minolta de Bellium, had just received a shocking report.

‘Something unbelievable is happening.’

At the Papal Office they were protecting, the number one in the Holy Nation's hierarchy, Pope Claudio de Cronis, had been the target of an assassination attempt.

It was an undeniable fact, testified by Saintess Lan and numerous Cardinals.

This put the Bellium Holy Knight Order and the Tutella Holy Knight Order, stationed at the Papal Office, in a difficult position.

‘For now, I have no choice but to follow orders.’

The orders came from the Cardinals, acting in place of the unconscious Pope.

He had the mission to deal with the envoy from Eurasia in place of the Commander, who was investigating the truth.

His opponents were two 4-star knights, one 6-star mage.

And the most threatening one, a 7-star knight.

It was an unusually powerful force for a typical envoy, but it was still only four people.

He had judged that he could subdue them without difficulty even by himself.

But.

‘This one is strong.’

The Fourth Prince, Killian Eurasia.

The sword of Eurasia, said to have been raised with the utmost care by the 8-star knight, Simon Eurasia.

He knew that Killian had played an active role in the Brussels war and that the Chief Priest of the Pantera Temple had belatedly defended him.

However, Minolta had not thought the mission would be difficult.

He too had faced numerous Superhumans called geniuses.

It was a miscalculation.

Rumble. Rumble.

The sound created by the clash of two Hakis shook the area.

“……”

Even without a sword, he was effortlessly defending against the Haki I was using as a threat.

“You should have brought the Commander, not the Vice-commander.”

Killian said as he strengthened his Haki.

‘I did some basic research before visiting the Holy Nation.’

I knew that among the two Holy Knight Orders stationed at the Papal Office, there were four Superhumans, and only two I needed to be wary of.

Minolta de Bellium, who had identified himself as the Vice-commander.

‘It’s not this one.’

Ruuuuuumble.

Killian pressed down on his opponent with an even stronger Haki.

The twenty Holy Knights endured the Haki while chanting incantations.

‘Is that a Divine Formula?’

Bellium’s Authority was ‘war.’ It was not hard to deduce that the Divine Formulas of the Holy Knights who served him were also related to waging war.

If a many-on-one battle broke out, even I would be pushed back.

‘It’s a shame I can’t draw Aether right now.’

To use Total Solar Eclipse, I would need to synchronize with Sharle again like before.

“……”

Killian met eyes with Sharle, who was checking on Julian and Hector’s condition.

She slowly shook her head.

It meant their reflux was severe.

‘There was Divine Power mixed in the Haki. Even if I shake these guys off, escaping will be impossible.’

It was clear that we had fallen into a trap.

If I could not escape on my own, the only future that awaited was sinking into a swamp and waiting for the end.

‘I have to negotiate.’

I needed to seize the initiative in this situation.

“Sir Killian, at this rate……”

“You focus on calming their reflux. It seems we need to de-escalate the situation first.”

Sssk.

A sword condensed from Mana was gripped in Killian’s hand.

“For someone who came charging in so bravely, you’re not much to look at, are you?”

A provocation that pricked the pride of the man who was the Vice-commander of a Holy Knight Order.

It was a statement meant to incite the opponent to make a foolish choice.

“The moment you drew your sword, it’s as good as admitting your guilt.”

“You’re the ones who suddenly framed me as an attempted murderer.”

“Use Divine Formula, Gang!”

At the Vice-commander's command, the Holy Knights chanted the incantation in unison.

The light enveloping their bodies grew stronger, and they seemed to endure the Haki more easily.

“Use Divine Formula, Pa.”

Grrrrrrr.

The twenty Holy Knights spread out materialized Divine Power.

The Mana that came into contact with the Divine Power was devoured without even a chance to put up a fight.

‘He wasn't an idiot.’

I had wanted a scenario where the Vice-commander would charge in alone to protect his pride, but instead, he gave appropriate commands and pressed forward.

At this rate, I had no choice but to approach and clash swords directly.

“Use Divine Formula, Ap!”

Rumble.

“……!!”

Killian’s face contorted under the crushing pressure.

The Haki mimicked using the Divine Formula was no less than his own.

‘I’ll endure it.’

Killian lowered his stance, offsetting the Divine Formula by releasing his Haki.

Then, he aimed his sword at Minolta, who was blocking his path.

He held onto the Mana that was wavering in the Divine Power and focused it on his sword.

Eurasia Style, Explosive Flash.

Boom!

Minolta was pushed back one step at a time while blocking the sword, but.

“With just this……”

“Just this?”

Eurasia Style, Meteor Flash.

Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang.

He showed the strength to parry them all without dodging until the end.

Every time Killian took a step, the Divine Power from the Holy Knights’ Divine Formulas surrounded him to limit his range of movement.

Eurasia Style, Wave.

Roooar.

The spreading blue Mana clashed with the Divine Power, blocking its approach.

But even that was just a simple way to buy time.

The Mana and stamina consumed to buy that brief moment were not insignificant.

“You bastard.”

Whoosh.

Minolta, who had been keeping his distance, quickly closed the gap.

He intended to hold me down directly so I could no longer use Ke and Shik.

‘He’s finally showing a reaction.’

Watching the movement of the thrusting sword, I cloaked the sword made of Mana with Haki.

Eurasia Style, Yaswae.

Clang!

Killian’s sword, which had deflected the Holy Knight’s sword in a single strike.

Tap.

Finally touched the Vice-commander’s neck.

Crimson blood flowed down his neck.

“……!!”

As if in disbelief, Minolta looked down at his sword, which was rolling on the ground.

“You underestimated the sword of Eurasia.”

If I had been holding Aether, I would have shattered the sword along with it, but I did not bother to say that.

“Have your knights stand down.”

“Nonsense.”

“A broken Hollyheart isn’t easy to recover, is it?”

At this distance, it was not impossible to stir up his insides with Haki.

It was a threat made with that thought, but.

“Use Divine Formula, Ap!!”

Minolta shouted, unconcerned.

“V-Vice-commander……”

“If we do that, the Vice-commander too……”

The flustered Holy Knights murmured amongst themselves.

“Subduing him is the priority! Chant the incantation!!”

The Holy Knights reluctantly began to chant the incantation they had stopped.

The condensed Divine Power began to form a massive formula.

“He’s a madman.”

“There are no negotiations with a regicide.”

Minolta glared at Killian with a firm gaze.

I could feel his determination to capture Killian, even at the cost of damaging his Hollyheart.

‘Just what you’d expect from a cultist.’

As the formula was completed, the crushing pressure intensified.

“Kuh……”

“……”

Minolta let out a groan.

‘Is there no other way?’

Carpe Illusion.

Violet Magic Tower.

I had to break through, even if it meant overexerting myself.

Just as I was thinking that and about to release my Mana.

“That’s enough.”

The Old Priest walked out from among the Holy Knights.

He looked at the captured Minolta and Killian and gave a faint smile.

“Oh my. The situation doesn’t look good.”

“Priest Bergo.”

“Sir Killian, this is the Papal Office where His Holiness the Pope resides.”

“We have done nothing.”

“Besides, as you can see, this is an urgent situation. Please submit to the investigation.”

“You’re playing with words, which is unlike you.”

“It seems the Holy Knights took Sir’s martial prowess too lightly, which led to this mess. I will guarantee the safety of your party. I will also provide treatment.”

It was a recommendation to surrender peacefully.

Killian felt a sense of unease in Bergo’s words.

“A first-class Priest, not the Commander of the Holy Knights, nor the Saintess, nor a Chief Priest.”

“……”

“Your promise doesn’t hold that much power.”

“Ah, I forgot to mention.”

Bergo held up his hand.

A golden ring sparkled on his pale, gaunt index finger.

“Though my body is lacking, I have come to serve as a Cardinal.”

The Old Priest shouted in a confident voice.

“I promise you in the name of the God Pantera.”

If anyone were to break the promise.

“I will personally punish them in the name of the God.”

It was an oath sworn on the honor of a God and the rank of a Cardinal.

As if to prove that fact, the Divine Power leaking from his body enveloped the surroundings.

Its power was no less than Pierre’s.

“Sharle.”

“Yes.”

Sharle, who had gotten up, stood next to Killian.

“It seems we’ve been caught up in something troublesome.”

“It is something I was prepared for.”

It was then.

Clank.

Suddenly, one of the Holy Knights jumped out and put handcuffs on them.

‘I can’t feel… my Mana?’

“Don't try any funny business. They’re made of Bongsinseok.”

The stones used in rituals for the Gods contained Divine Power and possessed special powers, which were antagonistic to Mana.

The Holy Knight kindly explained.

Bergo approached and patted Killian’s shoulder.

“I’m glad you’ll be staying in the Holy Nation a little longer. I will guide you for the rest of your journey.”

“Go to hell.”

“Hahahaha.”

With Bergo’s laughter behind them, Killian and his party were taken away.

***

Perhaps due to the effect of the Bongsinseok, they were moved to solitary confinement, feeling as if Divine Power was rummaging through their bodies.

A solitary cell where one could not even tell the rising and setting of the sun.

They spent a considerable amount of time there.

“Has it been another two days?”

During that time, there was no interrogation, no visits from others.

It was a dull response for someone accused of attempting to murder the Pope.

“At this rate, I’m like a princess locked in a tower.”

It was impossible to hope for help from Eurasia and Cornelia.

‘I have to think.’

The reason why I was suddenly caught up in this situation.

I tried to piece together the puzzle in my head.

Was the Pope assassinated?

‘No.’

Is the Pope currently conscious?

‘I can’t know.’

What does Bergo, who became a Cardinal, want from me?

‘Support for a coup. Or someone’s orders.’

If there was anything suspicious, it was Bergo's attitude from before.

He had hinted as if he wanted to diminish the Pope’s authority and restore the king's.

Around the same time, the Imperial envoy arrived, and the Pope’s assassination attempt occurred.

Who benefits the most?

“……”

One wrong move and I could be framed for everything and executed.

“The negotiations have already fallen through, and now I’m caught up in this troublesome mess.”

The only one who might be able to help was Lan, but given the current situation, she probably would not be allowed to approach me.

“The more I piece together the puzzle, the more I realize how bleak the situation is.”

“You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

I turned around at the suddenly heard voice.

There stood Lan, wrapped in a brown cloak.

“The Hermit's Cloak. It’s a Divine Object of Lady Styx.”

Lan said nonchalantly as she sat on the sofa in the room.

It seemed not all the Divine Objects had been used in the reaction experiment.

“A meeting between a suspect in the Pope's assassination attempt and the Saintess. A picture that could be misunderstood by anyone who sees it.”

“Tsk tsk. So cynical.”

Lan, who had clicked her tongue, tilted her chin.

“Sit down. His Holiness the Pope has lost consciousness.”

Killian sat opposite her.

“Is the Empire involved?”

“……”

Lan took out a tobacco from her bosom and put it in her mouth.

Flicker.

A Holy Flame that flared up from her index finger lit the tobacco, and she took a long drag.

“Hooo.”

She let out a deep breath.

“Yes, the Cardinals who have joined hands with the Empire are trying to frame you as the assassin.”

“It’s unfair, especially since the negotiations have already broken down.”

“I’d like to clear your name, but we’re having a coup over here.”

In the Pope’s absence, the decision-making authority goes to the College of Cardinals.

But a significant number of the Cardinals had joined hands with the Empire and designated Killian’s party as the enemy.

Lan explained that her right to speak could not overturn the Cardinals’ words, and the Pope was unconscious.

“Can’t you prove my innocence?”

“Impossible. My position requires me to remain neutral.”

“What an incompetent position.”

“You have a cute way of saying you want to die.”

“It seems I’ll die even if I do nothing.”

“That’s right. If you do nothing, you will meet your end as one of the most notorious criminals in the history of the Holy Nation.”

‘This crazy woman…….’

“I figured as much, so I came up with a way. Be grateful for my generosity that goes beyond consideration.”

“……?”

The twitching corner of her mouth created a strange sense of unease.

Sure enough.

“You’ll deal with the traitorous College of Cardinals yourself.”

She said, making a throat-slitting gesture with her hand.

“While you’re at it, it would be good to cut down the Imperial envoy too.”

She poured out the raw plan.

As I thought.

‘This woman is not in her right mind.’

Therefore.

‘I can turn the tables.’

If I succeeded, I could change this unreasonable stage into a favorable situation for Eurasia.

“Killian of Eurasia, will you accept my proposal?”

“One thing.”

“One thing?”

“There’s a part I’d like to amend.”

“Speak.”

Lan nodded as if she would accept any suggestion.

Since her own proposal was unreasonable to begin with.

“I want to install a large-sized Warp Gate in Eurasia.”

Killian was only demanding an equivalent price.

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