Johan headed toward the Prayer Hall of the Holy Land after receiving news that the third Evil God had been resurrected.
There, all the priests working in the Holy Land had gathered to offer prayers to Heaven.
They didn’t possess the warm Divinity like the Apostle or Saintess once did.
However, just because what they possessed isn’t Divinity doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, nor does their faith turn false.
Those who willingly remained in the most dangerous place had decided to dedicate themselves to God and the world.
Their earnest prayers became a single wish, leaving a will on the holy object in the center.
“How is the progress?”
“Divinity is almost concentrated. Just the Saintess arriving would trigger it immediately.”
“It won’t be long now. We’ve confirmed that even the Evil God of Destruction has descended upon this land.”
“…Is that so?”
Even after hearing Johan’s words, Cardinal Lazarus didn’t seem too surprised.
“Did you suspect it?”
“Everyone probably does. Every time an Evil God comes down to this world, the atmosphere shifts.”
The other priests quietly nodded in agreement with the Cardinal’s words.
It’s not a difference that can be accurately expressed. It’s impossible to describe what has changed and how it has changed.
However, the world has certainly changed with the descent of the Evil Gods. And it was obviously in a direction hostile to humans.
“Even though a few of the original gods remaining on this land were merely released from their seals, it’s already this much. I wonder what will happen when the Age of Gods returns.”
Because of that, those present realized how perilous the actions the former Pope wished to initiate were.
The return of the Age of Gods doesn’t simply mean that the gods will stand by their side.
It means that the rules of the world will change and that under these new rules, humanity will become a tool and have to spill blood.
Until the moment the victory and defeat of the gods are decided.
Perhaps even until the world perishes.
“Cardinal Lazarus, to think we alone felt the danger is arrogant. Everyone must be aware of it.”
That’s why everyone must be praying. Towards the great Lord Jushin above. Hoping for their salvation.
“Right now is probably a time when faith towards God is higher than ever.”
“That’s precisely why it’s dangerous.”
A sudden voice from behind was infinitely familiar to Johan and certainly shouldn’t be heard in this place.
Without even turning his head, Johan sensed it and immediately swung a dagger from his robes behind him.
With a sensation piercing his flesh, hot blood poured onto Johan’s hand.
The pristine white priest’s robe stained with blood.
“You haven’t rusted at all. This is proof that you haven’t neglected your training even amidst the Cardinal’s heavy work. Cardinal Johan, you truly are yourself.”
The man, once the dignity of Jushin Church, smiled at Johan while being impaled through the neck.
“That’s why I really liked you.”
Johan didn’t respond and injected Divinity into the Pope’s face.
The abuse of Recovery Magic. The collapse of the body through excessive recovery. It was a technique Johan could handle, having once taken on even the filthiest tasks.
However, Johan didn’t overestimate himself.
The one who devised and taught him was the man right before his eyes.
He thought naturally that he would counter it, and Johan’s expectations were off.
The Pope’s head shattered into fragments.
“Hmm. Nice. It seems a bit of warmth is seeping into your Divinity.”
Yet even though his head had disappeared, the voice didn’t cease.
“Is it because the Lord Jushin’s power is growing stronger? Or because you have attained faith?”
Despite the confusion, Johan tried to do what he needed to do.
Rough hands pulling him back from behind and just before a sword emerged from the spot where he stood moments ago.
“Old man. I know you want to claim you’re still young, but let’s take it easy. What happens if you die? What’ll become of me, your guard?”
Sword Saint. A title given to the one who wields a sword best on the continent, and the current Sword Saint is seen as an exception among many historical Sword Saints.
For a commoner adventurer to have risen to the rank of Sword Saint after defeating countless competitors means that no one can deny the sword she possesses.
“Did the Apostle know I would aim for this place?”
The Pope, realizing all his scattered powers had been cut down, sincerely expressed admiration.
He could cut down a single power.
However, how much skill would it require to cut down dozens of scattered powers just before activation?
He understood why the Lord Jushin’s Apostle had placed this woman in the Holy Land.
If it’s her, she can protect it.
The Pope’s astonishment revealed on his face as the Sword Saint clicked his tongue.
“Isn’t it strange not to predict that? Where else is such a reasonable place?”
“No. Typically, it’s normal not to predict the ordinary.”
The corners of the Pope’s mouth rose.
Right. It’s proper to think like the Sword Saint.
However, the Lord Jushin’s Apostle knows of my exceptions.
From the very beginning, he understood everything.
Even when everyone else questioned my faith, he never doubted it.
He knows my faith is rock-solid, twisted and tangled as it may be!
Thus, he understands the meaning of my storming this Holy Land.
He knows that this place is most suitable for resurrecting the Evil God, and why I’ve been postponing it for so long.
All of it.
“Hahahahahaha!”
In other words, not giving my best in this place would mean disregarding his expectations.
“Alright! Understood! Oh great Apostle of Lord Jushin! I, the Pope, will devote everything to your will!”
“…What’s he rambling about? Crazy bastard.”
“Sword Saint. Are you aware? I’ve been wandering the world for a ve~ry long time. Since a time history can’t even record, indeed a very long time.”
“Oh. So?”
“And I’ve been faithful to the great Lord Jushin since that time. By the way, I’m the one who decided on this place as the Holy Land.”
“…Wait a minute.”
“Thus, I naturally created quite a few mechanisms here.”
From the very moment he was certain that only one god was needed in this world long ago.
“Today, the Jushin Church will collapse. By a demon wearing the mask of a Pope.”
The moment the Pope grinned and raised his hand, the building shook.
“And that demon devastatingly resurrected the Evil God Agra from the very heart of Jushin Church.”
Simultaneously, the Holy Knights waiting behind the Pope revealed themselves. The Sword Saint furrowed her brows as she watched their stances.
“Things just got bothersome.”
Each one’s power isn’t anything special. Even if combined, they’d be easy to slay.
However, those bastards wouldn’t die even if they did.
“Old man.”
“Speak.”
“Can everyone manage to survive and keep that in check?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
From behind, another new voice interrupted.
A hulking man clad in armor raised a church shield in one hand and a thick mace in the other.
An object identical to what the Holy Knight who once saved the world in the Age of Myth possessed.
“I will protect everyone.”
“Oh. That puts my mind at ease. Legendary Holy Knight!”
“I’m just a doll imitating him.”
“No. No. You said you were allowed to call yourself whatever you want? You shouldn’t be so picky.”
The Sword Saint, as usual, grumbled while bringing his hand to the sword at his waist.
The knights raised their shields in preparation for the shock that was about to hit them.
But it was meaningless.
“Disregarding others’ recognition becomes the same as disregarding others.”
The moment the sword swung, everything in front of the Sword Saint was cut down.
The Pope. The knights. The door. The walls. The building. Even the sky beyond.
All of it.
“You know, don’t you?”
“I know, but. Hmm. I still can’t claim I’m mature enough to name it. So I prefer to remain a doll for a while longer.”
“That won’t allow you to live life to the fullest.”
“That’s better.”
“Ah, seriously. I just don’t fit with you.”
Even while grumbling, the Sword Saint continued to swing the sword, turning the debris that was supposed to fall onto him to dust.
Also turning to ground those who kept trying to resurrect themselves.
“Is that so? I think you two suit each other quite well.”
Yet, one person remained calm amidst the storm.
The Disaster, who remained composed even if it turned to dust, smiled and emerged from the debris.
“From the way you showed interest in Allen, it wasn’t your preference for big men, was it?”
“Cut the crap. You loony psychopath. Who’d want to date a principled prick like this?”
“…It is true I follow principles, but I don’t believe it deserves to be slandered like that.”
“Ah. Sorry. But just imagining it gives me goosebumps.”
“I’m glad that person isn’t here.”
The knights behind the Pope stood up again.
Ruel’s doll and the clergy.
And the people of the church.
The Sword Saint leading them raised his weapon.
“Now, everyone. Please do your best to stop me, as is fitting for the trial prepared for me by the Apostle of Jushin.”
