The hero party knows better than anyone the Pope’s troublesome nature.
In the lead of the war, the Pope and they were always at the forefront, so with the immortal Pope and the hero party repeating miracles, the number of clashes must have totaled into the hundreds.
As such, the party was aware of just how troublesome the Pope’s authority was and could only guess how remarkable the purification authority that countered it was.
However, they couldn’t marvel at it comfortably because the purification authority was conducted in a somewhat undignified and crude manner.
“…Is authority used like that?”
“I remember it feeling more solemn.”
“It’s normal for our memories to differ. The ones we saw and the Apostle of God are not the same.”
The one who answered their questions was Erginius, who was about the size of a small doll.
“What is this?”
Garad frowned in disgust, and Erginius clicked his tongue.
“The main body is currently subduing the Void Evil God.”
“But is there even time for that?”
“It’s almost over.”
“…Already?”
“There’s no need to say ‘already.’ The Void Evil God simply bowed its head without doing anything after all was prepared.”
There was nothing remarkable.
No threat to life, no unease that could turn everything upside down, no fear of carrying many lives—it was only the dullness of performing a familiar task.
“Other places are probably similar. Lucy Allen said I’m the most troublesome exception. If it was somewhere predicted, there’s no point in mentioning it.”
Even he, who said it was ambiguous how far he could go and that there were the most variables, seemed so relaxed. What of those who had asserted there were no variables?
“However, despite such a favorable situation, worrying is due to knowing that guy.”
The Pope was an exceptionally troublesome opponent.
One might wonder if the cunning of Evil God Agra stems from him.
Could he really not have anticipated this situation?
Lucy Allen had shown her abnormality until now, so it’s nonsense to think he couldn’t speculate on it.
I know.
Even though I know, I haven’t taken any action.
Because there’s some intent behind it.
“I’m anxious too, but let’s go back to what we were just talking about. What’s the difference between that kid and those we know?”
“The ones we saw in the past were not chosen by the authority. They received authority from the God they serve.”
The authority that a God possesses is not really the God’s own ability.
It is a phenomenon that could be called the authority of God, one that confirms and follows their will in a way that deviates from common sense, derived from the concept of choosing someone as a God.
Thus, there must be restrictions on those who have received authority.
They can handle authority only as far as the God permits.
Authority doesn’t love them, so it can’t perform acts that break common sense, just as the God didn’t.
“Then what about that kid?”
“For some reason, the Apostle of God is loved by authority.”
Because Erginius, who obtained the power of darkness, knows that Lucy is different from the other humans on the ground.
The reason she can handle authority is not simply that she was permitted, but that the authority has directly bestowed power upon her.
“Then it should be fine even if the Pope, who stole Agra’s authority, is the opponent.”
“But still, there’s a difference in proficiency, right?”
At Garad’s worried remark, Ruel shook his head with a smile.
“That much can be narrowed down. That bastard Pope trusts no one but himself, but Lucy has allies.”
The embarrassing words gathered the heroes’ gazes, and a slight flush appeared on Ruel’s face.
“Can’t say it’s entirely wrong.”
The hero, who had been silently looking at the screen, propped his chin and chuckled.
“Please let there be miracles for them.”
*
Joy watched Lucy, who was emitting a gentle light, from behind.
The divine energy flowing from her body transformed into wings on her back, and a halo of light appeared above her flowing hair, with fairies flying around her, embodying the warmth that Lucy possessed, stripped of mischief.
If Phoebe were here, she would surely say this: the Apostle of God has received the glory of God.
“You truly are someone who holds the will of God.”
“Don’t compare me with some sloppy God!♡ It makes me super upset~♡”
Even Joy, who had unwittingly admired her, chuckled upon hearing Lucy’s tone.
No matter how great the power she possessed was, Lucy is still Lucy. My friend.
Then what I must do is clear.
While the Pope and the knights were distracted by Lucy’s appearance, Joy quietly prepared the magic circle.
“Ah! I’m so proud that you are my trial.”
“I am too. I’m so proud that Lucy is my friend.”
And the moment she cast the spell, darkness spread beneath the Pope and the others.
The Pope reacted naturally, but the knights did not.
Being so entranced by Lucy, they lost awareness of their surroundings and fell into the darkness where the King had been trapped.
Unlike the King, who had lost all power, they still retained all their strength, so they wouldn’t wander in darkness forever, but for a while, they couldn’t escape.
“So I want to be someone who suits my friend.”
“Hoho. You are indeed Erginius’s disciple.”
Considering their subordinates had all disappeared, the Pope’s face was filled with laughter.
“But, magician, just know that even darkness has an end.”
Perhaps due to the strengthened energy of the Evil God, the Pope did not show any signs and used the authority of the Evil God as if it were nothing.
In a situation where even Frey and the Sword Saint could only stare blankly, darkness opened up from the ground, and knights crawled out.
“Let’s go, shoddies.”
“Let’s go, everyone.”
Their powers collided.
Frey’s drawn sword was received by one knight with his body.
Joy stole the divine magic used by another knight.
As she was targeted by a sword aimed at Joy, Arthur blocked it. While the Sword Saint and the doll restrained the Pope’s movements, Lucy struck down with her mace.
To respond, the Pope intended to use his authority, which Lucy intercepted with purification authority.
A battle of back and forth.
A great confrontation where no side could be said to be in an advantageous or disadvantageous position.
A battle between those who take life lightly and those who value life.
The only commonality among them was one.
That they awaited the resurrection of the Evil God.
Amidst a fierce yet not too fierce battle, suddenly, a man appeared in the middle.
A young man in a black suit dominated the space by his mere presence.
No one opened their mouth, but everyone sensed the young man’s identity.
Only one person could create a chill down your spine by just appearing, instill fear into human hearts just by existing, and even cause hesitation in the resolute Lucy before any situation.
Evil God Agra.
A being with the authority of the end, a demon who intends to pronounce the end of this world.
A machine that carries out solely what its power commands without even a thought about good or evil.
He lazily looked around and raised a finger.
Just that caused those around to momentarily forget to breathe.
For some reason, a choking sensation occurred from the ground.
As one by one, people knelt, standing on the ground were only two.
The Apostle of Evil God and the Apostle of God.
“Hmm. I had thought to take authority, but it seems I can’t.”
“I told you. Now even the authority of the end follows me.”
As the Pope reached out and grasped Agra’s neck, his body began to dissolve from below.
“Remember this, my Apostle. The end you desire shall crumble amidst countless disturbances.”
“It’s alright. Whether it’s success or failure, it’s a glorious act for me.”
“Then I shall fervently wish for my failure.”
With those words of curse, the physical form of the Evil God completely crumbled, and all the energy residing within him flowed into the Pope.
Thick and dark darkness surrounded the Pope, shifting into a fog before dissipating, revealing the Apostle of the Evil God from the age of mythology, instead of the kindly-looking grandfather.
To fulfill his own will, not that of others.
*
While the Pope absorbed Evil God Agra, I spread the purification authority around to help my friends.
Barely shaking off the overwhelming pressure, my friends glared at the Pope, catching their breath.
Good. This part was as expected.
The Pope would seize the power of the Evil God and summon his army beneath the holy land.
To fulfill a plan he had been preparing for a long time.
And I had been waiting for this moment.
“Young Lady!”
Feeling Agra’s presence, Phoebe arrived with a fragment of the holy relic.
“I’m sorry for being late!”
“Is the preparation done properly? Shoddy Phoebe.”
“Of course! I will never disappoint you, Young Lady!”
“Good.”
Having received the relic from Phoebe, I felt the divinity of countless people within it.
“Assist me.”
“Lead the way.”
I placed the relic on Phoebe’s hand and infused it with purification authority.
One of the many relics within the Arteia family.
Its characteristic was amplifying the energy contained within.
If this item, which countless priests had sanctified over several days, was here, surely.
“Apostle, do you think I would quietly watch that?”
The Pope, who had appeared before me, reached for the relic.
As soon as I saw him, I tossed the relic into my inventory and pulled Phoebe in to retreat.
“Uggh!”
The pain I felt in my back let out a scream from my mouth.
Ah, damn it.
Just like before, if I just act sloppy, will I get hurt?
