Chapter 150
The top tier of bishops.
One of the four bishops, Blurans.
His abilities are quite tricky.
The Blessing of Transparency used by the goddess church’s low-ranking member, Ocell Lampit Borg, whom I referred to as a pig, originally belongs to him.
The blessing used by Borg was a diluted version of Blurans’ power.
Blurans’ transparency doesn’t just make one invisible; it silences any sound and odor, and even grants the power of ‘permeation.’
Having such a guy learn spear techniques is quite the nuisance. There’s a reason Liam struggled against Blurans during the tragedy at the Academia in the original work.
“Kahaha! Things are getting really interesting… I wasn’t planning to show myself until ‘they’ arrived.”
Blurans’ strange and rough voice called out to the bishops of the Goddess Church, just like him.
The three other top-tier bishops, who wouldn’t normally be able to step foot here under normal means, are invading the Academia.
First, Francesca summoned the soul of the Ancient Dragon, creating a critical gap in the Academia’s defense system.
In that brief moment while Chancellor Gulemashia was trying to restore things…
The bishops made their appearance in the Academia.
The ones Blurans refers to are the top-tier entities, but in fact, a few bishops who don’t quite measure up also show up.
In other words, there are bishops among them showcasing their power, and those who are trying to sneak into the Archbishop’s position.
I said to the chuckling Blurans, “Beled’s abilities are quite convenient. As long as he prepares in advance, space poses no restrictions.”
Upon mentioning the name ‘Beled,’ the gleam in Blurans’ eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a mix of pleasure and discomfort.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“…You even know that person’s name?”
“I briefly met Cardinal Beled during the end-of-first-semester exams.”
Beled muttered, “That crazy guy.”
During the end-of-first-semester exams, he had tried to protect the dying Archbishop Zagan. He was able to stage this event in the Academia using his power over space.
“But… no matter how powerful he is, entities with a certain threshold of strength can’t come this time.”
The brief gap in the Academia’s defense system.
Only those with enough strength to pass through it can invade.
If it weren’t, the selection of the Archbishop would have already brought him in personally.
Therefore, those arriving at the Academia this time are entities that haven’t reached the level of an Archbishop… except for one exception.
Chancellor Gulemashia extends a spear tip crackling with the fierce energy of lightning.
With a slightly skewed gaze, he mutters casually.
“Looks like you can’t just be killed. You know too much. I’ll have to take you in half-dead.”
I shrug lightly and pull out a vial of perfume from inside my clothes.
A top-tier relic, the Essence of Life.
After using it once before, I hadn’t had a chance to recharge it, and it was nearly empty.
But now, it’s sloshing around fully charged.
I smile, lifting the corners of my mouth.
“So the mass of the soul of the Ancient Dragon is quite considerable. Even with this perfume filled to the brim, the soul still sways around.”
The effect of the perfume doubles my mana output for six hours. This means that even with the restrictions I’m under, I can temporarily unleash my full power.
Though it might take a little time to gather it all, I can receive it through the Supplier, so my current state is practically…
“I’ll know where I stand in the Goddess Church after this.”
It’s just like before I imposed the restrictions for my Unique Spell.
No wonder I was so thrilled to get that perfume.
A scam item with no side effects.
It’s no surprise the original user’s Hero Ranking skyrocketed.
⎯Spritz.
I sprayed it on my neck.
One spritz evaporated a third of the perfume, but it pulled the surrounding souls in and filled back up to its original state.
My body reacts to the relic.
Feeling the second wave of sensations.
The heavy chains that had been restraining me fall away, and I’m filled with a sense of liberation and omnipotence.
Blurans notices my change and, once again, stretches a smile that could be considered unpleasantly long. The flames of ambition flicker in his eyes.
“Yeah… yeah…! Now we’re talking!”
He twirls the spear he’s holding and assumes his stance. His body vanishes after just a single blink.
His “Power” activates.
*
A blue lightning bolt shoots toward Vargan.
Blurans uses the fact that his body and technique are invisible to compress and fire off high voltage.
Having roamed with considerable freedom even inside the Academia, he held a certain pride in his power.
What would happen when facing Chancellor Gulemashia is unknown, but the other professors remained oblivious to his presence.
Other than that, it was an unperceived strike.
The absolute power of the Goddess.
That overwhelming ability surged forward, reflecting his confidence.
However.
Crackle⎯.
Just before the lightning strikes, Vargan ‘evades’ it.
…Coincidence?
No way, could that even be possible?
To avoid such speed without even noticing?
Avoided by pure coincidence without a scratch?
Blurans collects and fires off several more lightning bolts to confirm his suspicion. The spear of lightning, heightened in power and speed.
He could hear the furious wail of the spear.
But Vargan, standing still without moving an inch, once again.
Just before the spear reaches him,
Successfully dodges it.
He definitely senses the presence of the spear.
Blurans can’t believe what’s happening but doesn’t stop moving.
If long-range attacks aren’t working…
Then it’s time for some close combat.
Originally, the true power of spear techniques is unleashed during close encounters.
This applies to Blurans’ style as well, utilizing blue electricity.
In a single fluid motion, Blurans reaches Vargan’s vicinity.
With no wasted movements.
Minimizing the loss of strength.
He thrusts the long spear forward.
And in that moment.
And at that moment.
An unusual phenomenon reflected in Blurans’ retina.
He captured the fleeting moment accurately.
Vargan dodged his spear once again, by a hair’s breadth.
Instead, he reached out with a hand imbued with the magic of decay.
“Kaha-haha-ha—!”
Blurans let out a laughter that only he could hear in this world. With just a narrow margin, he twisted his body to evade the crisis.
Blurans kicked off the ground to widen the distance.
Adjusting his powers to ensure only his voice could be heard, he let out an overly excited tone for the world to hear.
“Indeed, the total amount of mana has transcended its limits! How intriguing!”
The phenomenon faced by Blurans.
It was something only a high-level Martial Artist could reproduce originally.
“He’s cloaked in aura all over… using it to protect his body while substituting his vision.”
The technique currently used by Vargan was a mimicry of Leon, that flamboyant young man.
Martial Artist Leon wraps precise mana around his body, using it both as a shield and as a weapon.
Vargan, taking a page from this, was defending his body with aura. However, he was not a Martial Artist, and due to his lesser achievements, the density of his mana was weak.
To make up for that, he utilized his strength—the abundant mana akin to the sea.
“The efficiency is terrible, but… if I reach the rank of transcendence, I guess it won’t matter. There’s no essence. That’s not even martial arts.”
Contrary to his words,
Blurans grinned.
“But, that’s why I like it.”
As the voice of the satisfied bishop echoed, Vargan quietly opened the mouth he had kept shut.
His indifferent eyes turned towards the one who couldn’t be seen.
“You sure talk a lot.”
Although he was grateful for the elaborate explanations on my behalf… Vargan continued with his sarcasm.
“Your polar opposite personality, Pertigle, would surely hate such noise, yet you stick together like it’s a miracle.”
Vargan spoke as if he were addressing the other regular students.
It didn’t matter who the opponent was.
“That noisy personality must feel disgraceful having to hide away to fight.”
“…Should I take that as a provocation?”
Blurans’ voice was notably subdued.
Vargan chuckled upon hearing this.
“Seems it was effective enough to be taken as a provocation.”
The magic of decay blazed black from Vargan’s hand. Like blowing air into embers, it grew in size, showcasing a definite presence without transmitting any heat.
“I have a new technique I want to try out, you know. Since it’s quite dangerous… I’ve seldom had the chance to demonstrate it.”
Ten mana orbs floated around Vargan.
Focal points to fire the Magic Cannon.
Since mana consumption was severe, this was typically a technique used by those of Archbishop level or higher in the Goddess Church.
Not stopping there, Vargan snapped his fingers.
Then,
“What do you think, Blurans? Isn’t it quite beautiful?”
The ten mana orbs became imbued with properties.
It was like a blazing black flame.
A mana orb containing the magic of decay that corrupts all things, collapsing forms.
“To skim past the complacent Helion’s body would require twelve… but for you…”
Vargan mocked him.
“Ten should be more than enough to strip the bones clean.”
*
In the auditorium guarded by Alicia and Diphelia.
Like other places, this one was also invaded by Skeleton Soldiers, making it the second most populated point after the central plaza.
“Ugh… They keep coming endlessly. No matter how much I break, they just won’t stop.”
Professor Paula, who is protecting people alongside the students.
As the situation escalates, the professors left in the Academia are also working hard to protect the people.
The Skeleton Soldiers had long outnumbered what Francesca could summon.
In the past, under the power of the Ancient Dragon, who was a Divine Beast, Francesca’s strength had been squeezed beyond its limits.
Alicia, wielding Naias by Paula’s side, said to her,
“But things are gradually stabilizing. If it continues like this, we might soon be able to join forces with others.”
With so many gathered in the Auditorium, the number of students protecting that location was also greater compared to others.
Although waves of Skeleton Soldiers were continually invading, the situation was becoming more organized.
Saint Diphelia, who was defending against outsiders with thick wood, nodded in agreement to Alicia’s words.
“Yes, those who couldn’t overcome their fear are gradually finding hope too. The current signs are positive.”
As the Saint said, the expressions of the students, as well as those being protected, were slowly losing their anxiety.
It was an unprecedented situation, but everyone believed they could survive and return…
⎯⎯⎯!
It wasn’t someone shouting.
It wasn’t an order given.
But at that moment, every student and professor there.
Their eyes all turned simultaneously to one spot.
Their skin prickled with a sense of urgency.
The first to shout was the keen-eyed Alicia.
“Duck⎯!”
Alicia shouted toward that location.
The expressions of the people there hardened.
They wanted to scream, they wanted to run away.
But it felt like it was already too late.
Such were their faces, filled with fear.
What everyone here was so afraid of.
The unprecedented sense of crisis stemmed from.
A small sprout that had poked its head up to become a tiny flower in the center of the scene.
The young sprout that had broken through the floor of the Auditorium, where not a speck of soil was present.
Swish⎯!
Before the students could even react, it quickly grew.
Its roots pierced the bodies of those around, continually spreading wider.
Alicia was the first to rush out.
Like fish strung up on a line, the students who had been penetrated remained dangling.
In an instant, they became mummified forms, stripped of all moisture. A plant that seemed to drain the life out of them.
It grew to a thickness like the ancient tree used by Diphelia.
When Alicia finally arrived at the forefront.
It bore elegant, pale pink buds.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Alicia swung her weapon with all her might.
Her sword, infused with the power of Naias, which absorbed the Judgment Weapon, radiated her deep aura established with the element of wind.
And finally, the flower bud bloomed wide open.
It became a single flower.
“Ta-da~! Here I am! The most beautiful being in the world has arrived⎯⎯!”
The woman who sprang from the flower was clearly from the Goddess Church.
Not just an ordinary Bishop, mind you.
Not even the strongest among the Bishops.
“Wait… were you expecting a Bishop? How lovely! I’m far superior to those pathetic beings!”
She was adorned in flowers from head to toe.
With ease, she caught Alicia’s sword that was aimed with all her power using both hands.
The force of Alicia and the pressure she created spread out.
“Introducing the cute and charming Archbishop ‘Veris’!”
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