Chapter 10

“I heard there are about fifty kingdom soldiers inside the facility. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t take more than five minutes.”

As he headed toward the back entrance of the west wing, the handsome demon with bat-like wings, “Gigi Ganda,” said this.

“Lord Agito alone can change the tide of battle on a scale of tens of thousands; he’s one of the top powerhouses in the demon kingdom. Unless we’re ambushed by the kingdom’s greatest fighting force, the ‘Hero Squad,’ no one can stop him.”

I understood that Agito was an incredibly strong individual, but it seemed he was also among the top tier across the demon kingdom.

I wanted to say, “Of course,” but something was bothering me.

“So, the failure in the demon territory of Elden was caused by that ‘Hero Squad’?”

“Yes. That was a terrible battle.”

Following Gigi’s words, the balding Forte spoke in a low voice.

“It was a surprise attack without a declaration of war. The unfamiliar ‘destructive weapons’ blew the border defenses away in the blink of an eye. In the chaos, the priests flooded into Elden and established a ‘magic sealing barrier’ on a scale that enveloped the town.”

“The magic sealing barrier… that weakens beings with magical power, right?”

“Yes, including Lord Agito. In such a condition, we couldn’t fight properly. However, we needed those willing to put their bodies on the line to help the people of Elden escape.”

“So that’s why Lord Agito and you all stayed behind.”

“It wasn’t just us. Many comrades remained and fought. However, the ‘Hero Squad’ was far too formidable in front of our weakened selves!”

The “Hero” — a title given to the strongest swordsman chosen by the “Holy Sword,” passed down through generations in the human kingdom.

Although firearms have become more common in the kingdom lately, the power of the Holy Sword seems to be immense.

Indeed, the hero still holds an important position within the kingdom’s army, allowed to act independently, gather elite forces, and freely organize their own unit.

That is the ‘Hero Squad.’

“If only the walls of Elden hadn’t fallen at that time, we…”

Gigi fell silent, full of regret.

Forte let out a heavy sigh.

“It’s no use saying that now. The civilization level of the kingdom’s army far exceeded our expectations. I never imagined they would develop such weapons.”

“Such weapons” — they were likely referring to the “Nova Cannon.”

A large long-range cannon developed in recent years in the kingdom, measuring several dozen meters in length.

It can launch gigantic explosive shells toward targets like a meteor from several kilometers away.

…

During the several hundred years of diplomatic isolation between the demon kingdom and the kingdom, it seems the level of civilization in the kingdom has far surpassed that of the demon kingdom.

As I pondered this, a voice called out.

“Hey, they’re coming! Kingdom soldiers!”

From around the corner at the end of the corridor, a shadow armed with a rifle leaped out.

The muzzle sparked, and the sound of an explosion rang out, like bursting a paper balloon.

“Kiwi, stay behind us!”

Gigi and the others stepped forward to shield me.

The two enhanced their bodies with magic, deflecting the bullets with their arms and wings.

“Haa—!”

When Forte spread his wings, his tough feathers flew at high speed, piercing the necks of the kingdom soldiers.

The soldiers helplessly dropped their rifles and crumpled to the ground.

“Hmph, it’s a hundred years too early to challenge us with ranged weapons.”

However, as they said this, blood flowed from Forte and the others’ arms, which had been defending against the bullets.

I immediately channeled magic into those arms and cast Dark Heal.

“This is nothing… or at least I want to say that, but thank you.”

“No, you protected us.”

“Such a diligent guy, Kiwi—”

──It was then.

“‘Sanctuary Designated’”

That hoarse voice echoed through the corridor.

At the same moment, golden light spread around.

“Ugh…!”

“What is this…?!”

Gigi and Forte knelt down on the spot.

Both of them were breathing heavily as if they were being tormented by intense heat.

“What on earth is happening…?”

“── Three bodies. If that’s all there is, I alone am enough.”

From the corner where the kingdom soldier with the rifle had just appeared, a frail old priest in white ceremonial robes emerged, his footsteps echoing softly.

But it was clear from the decorations he wore.

“You are a high-ranking priest…!”

The priesthood, which can gain an advantage over all forms of “magic,” bestows the title of high-ranking priest upon those who are particularly outstanding and have achieved high accomplishments.

“Honestly, I came to adjust the holy arts and found that the sinful ones are piling up their sins even more. However, since I have arrived, that will not do. The time for divine punishment has come for you.”

“…Come to think of it…”

On the day I came here, Colonel Schwaizen had said that the restraints binding Agito and the others were infused with holy arts by a high-ranking priest.

…But it seems coincidentally that today, he came to adjust them.

“I see, what a stroke of misfortune.”

“Misfortune? No, this is not mere coincidence. This is fate, you sinful ones.”

The old man grinned.

“I am ‘Lucius Satania,’ the twelfth seat of the Kingdom Church. You will announce my name at the Last Judgment, and one of my virtues will be accumulated.”

“…Hmm?”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

“It seems there is some misunderstanding between me and you… Lord Lucius.”

As I moved my tongue, I reached into my white coat and approached Lucius, stepping onto the golden ground.

“Hmph, not a chance.”

Lucius’s hand glowed with a golden light.

It was a powerful light.

“It seems you are not affected by the influence of this ‘sanctuary’ I have created because the evil aspect you were born with is weak. However, this ‘God’s Word Bullet’ is a high-level holy art that judges and repels even the slightest evil!”

“Oh, is that so?”

“A being of magic should never think they can defeat a pious holy one! Be blown away, evil! Bahaa!!”

With a delighted expression, Lucius launched a golden light bullet toward me.

It struck directly at the center of my chest──

──and immediately vanished.

Of course, I was not blown away at all.

In fact, there wasn’t even a hint of pain.

“…Feh?!”

Lucius let out a voice like someone who had just lost their dentures.

It seemed there truly was a misunderstanding between us.

“Lord Lucius, it appears you are mistaken… I am not a demon; I am just a ‘human.'”

Holy arts only affect beings born with an evil aspect, such as demons and spirits.

Even if I am a Dark Healer, I have no effect as I was born human.

“That’s why I said earlier, ‘What a misfortune.’ To you, Lord Lucius.”

…Even if he is a high-ranking priest, surely at his age, he wouldn’t be strong in hand-to-hand combat, would he?