By moving as quietly as possible through the alleys hidden in the shadows of buildings, we managed to avoid unnecessary combat and arrived at our destination.
About fifty meters ahead, just around the corner of the alley, was the person we were looking for.
“──I’ll cast Saint Heal on the area! Enrique, Wise, Melchior, and Michael, gather closer to the center!”
The voice belonged to a priestess, her figure enveloped in a massive halo of white holy power. She called out to the injured soldiers of the hero unit as her spell took effect.
This Saint Heal of hers appeared to be an exceptional form of holy magic. The wounds on the soldiers rapidly disappeared, and even a soldier who had been limping on what was likely a broken leg seemed to make a full recovery in moments.
As expected, my guess that she’d be stationed in the rear to handle healing was right on the mark.
Still, even so…
“So that’s the rumored holy magic recorded in the True Codex, huh? Fascinating…”
A recovery spell that targeted an entire area instead of individuals was something I had never seen before.
It seemed that this rare form of holy magic was only passed down through a parchment—the True Codex—available exclusively to high-ranking clergy. It wasn’t something that circulated among the general populace.
According to rumors, the True Codex could only be used by those deemed “virtuous,” but I found that claim highly questionable.
…Virtuous? What does that even mean?
If there were a concrete explanation—such as only those with specific physical traits or a certain DNA structure could use it—I might be inclined to accept it (of course, with proper verification).
But “virtuous”? That’s far too abstract, isn’t it? Wouldn’t the criteria vary drastically depending on culture and ideology?
…Well, I suppose this is just nitpicking. At the end of the day, I see the True Codex as no more than a convenient tool, much like the scriptures.
The Kingdom Church likely withholds the True Codex to enhance the political value of high-ranking clergy.
Still, the idea of forbidden holy magic being inscribed in it does intrigue me. If possible, I’d like to “borrow” it for myself.
“…This is no good. Such distractions are unbefitting on the battlefield.”
I lightly slapped my cheek to bring myself back to focus.
It was time to fulfill my role properly.
Now then, as for this presumed saintly priestess stationed at the rear to serve as the healer… her defenses are, unsurprisingly, quite formidable.
The defenses could be likened to a mille-feuille.
Surrounding the saint in a wide circular formation were four close-combat warriors from the hero unit.
At her side stood two male priests. Next to them floated two human-sized “Guardian” constructs, likely summoned by holy magic, each wielding radiant protective swords, hovering in the air.
…A formation clearly designed to protect the saint at its center, regardless of where the enemy attacks from. Humans, as a species, truly are both intelligent and troublesome.
That said, the flip side is that puzzles constructed with intellect can also be unraveled by intellect. This makes them far easier to predict than mindless foes.
“Now, Shes. Begin your assault with the Zombie Soldier.”
I gave this command to Shes just as the hero unit members who had likely been fighting Agito on the front lines left the saint’s side and returned to the battlefield.
This ensured that, for a while, no new soldiers would be coming to reinforce the saint.
“──Enemy attack!”
The shout came from the warriors guarding the saint.
Two zombies revealed themselves, leaping down from the rooftop of the building directly in front of their formation.
One was a Zombie Soldier with a powerful physique, charging at the warriors with the weight and force of a tank.
The other was Shes, wielding a rusty holy sword, moving swiftly to close the distance to the saint.
“This isn’t just any foe! Tighten the defense!”
As expected, the warriors of the hero unit were highly capable.
Three of them effectively blocked the two zombies, ensuring that the saint remained out of reach. The fourth warrior stayed near the saint, maintaining vigilance for any follow-up attacks.
Meanwhile, the two priests sent one of their summoned Guardians to intercept the zombies while keeping the other Guardian and themselves stationed close to the saint for additional protection.
“Well-coordinated. Their teamwork is excellent.”
I released the “brakes” I had metaphorically kept pressed and stepped out from the alley’s corner, “steering” my path toward them. Then I “floored the accelerator.”
“I’m not particularly confident in my driving skills, but I can at least drive straight.”
I drove one of the kingdom’s military vehicles directly toward the saint.
A few such vehicles, conveniently with keys, had been parked in the camp.
The sound of the approaching vehicle’s engine caught the attention of the saint and her group, momentarily halting their movements.
A faint look of expectation crossed their faces.
…Did I make them think reinforcements had arrived? My apologies.
“I’m an enemy. Yes, an enemy. That’s me.”
The warriors were the first to notice something was off about the military vehicle that showed no sign of slowing down.
In a brave move, one of them pushed the saint out of the way, placing themselves directly in front of the oncoming vehicle.
…But how unfortunate. My target was you, the warrior, all along.
I didn’t brake. With a loud crash, the warrior was sent flying as the front of the vehicle crumpled. They hit the ground and rolled before going still.
“…Sorry about that. You’re not dead, are you? Get the army medics to patch you up later.”
Exiting the now-useless vehicle, I noticed the saint glaring at me with a fiery intensity.
“Kiwi Alaya──!”
Her expression made it seem like she was about to lunge at me, but the two male priests restrained her.
The remaining Guardian launched itself toward me, raising its radiant sword of light.
…A poor choice.
“Did you not recognize the white robes?”
As the Guardian’s glowing sword came down, I raised my right hand to meet it, stopping the attack.
“I am a Dark Healer.”
The Guardian, a protector of light, touched my hand, which radiated a dark, tainted glow. Its form twisted and unraveled, spiraling into black dust before vanishing entirely.
