I pulled the Holy Sword of Light (S).
A holy sword obtained from the General Goods Gacha.
It was even marked as S-rank.
“What the heck, is this for real…?”
At first, I doubted my eyes.
Was I seeing things wrong, or was there an error on the screen?
I checked the screen multiple times and even rubbed it with my finger.
“Th-this isn’t…?”
My heart started beating faster. There was only one Holy Sword of Light that I knew of.
It was a legendary weapon, one of the holy relics revered by the White Church.
“Why did it come out from here?”
In truth, I had never seen the actual item.
The Holy Sword of Light was a holy relic whose appearance the White Church kept thoroughly hidden.
Only the top brass, like the Pope and cardinals, knew its storage location. Regular paladins and inquisitors only used mass-produced holy swords, a weaker version.
‘I wonder if the Saintess knows too?’
I couldn’t know that for sure, but it was a fact that an absolute holy relic had just popped out of the General Goods Gacha.
‘…Is this really okay?’
A holy sword is a holy relic that the White Church guards with extreme vigilance.
Even when I was in the White Church, I only heard stories about it; I didn’t know its true form.
Could it really be the holy sword the Church possesses?
‘Perhaps it’s a different holy sword with the same name.’
I wasn’t sure exactly which holy sword it was, but one thing was for sure.
‘If I were to use this on the El Dorado Continent, it would cause a stir!’
Just the name alone was the Holy Sword of Light.
I had a feeling I might get caught by the Church for trivial reasons if I wasn’t careful.
Even if not, they might accuse me of blasphemy with a ridiculous excuse like attempting to replicate a holy sword.
Knowing the Church, they were capable of that and more.
“There’s no other way.”
I pressed the holy sword to check its effects.
“What on earth is so amazing that they had to hide it like this?”
The holy sword’s description appeared.
【Holy Sword of Light (S)】
– Rank: S-rank
[Traits]
– Blessing of the Goddess (S): Once a day, unleashes a powerful explosion of holy energy, dealing holy damage to all nearby enemies.
– Holy Judgment (A+): Deals 500% additional damage to Undead/Demon type monsters.
– Guardian of Light (A+): Reduces damage dealt by all allies within 30m by 50% and increases healing by 200%.
– Divine Protection of Light (A): Increases the owner’s Vitality, Defense, and Holy Power stats by one stage each.
“……”
This time, I was speechless.
‘Isn’t this better than a demonic sword?’
The only downside was that I still couldn’t offer it as a sacrifice.
Items obtained from the General Goods Gacha could only be used by monsters.
“If I had to choose, I’d rather use it myself, but there’s no helping it.”
I didn’t need to ponder over who to give the holy sword to this time.
“Naturally, it’s Maru.”
It would be fitting to give the holy sword to Maru, the Skeleton Paladin.
I immediately decided to give the holy sword to Maru.
– The Holy Sword of Light (S) is gifted to Skeleton Paladin Maru.
A sword dropped from thin air in front of Maru.
While it looked like an ordinary shimmering sword on screen, the actual holy sword that appeared was entirely different in its magnificence.
Its silver-white blade emitted a divine aura, and the golden jewel on its hilt pulsed as if alive.
“Maru, try holding it.”
“Clank!”
As Maru’s boney hand approached the holy sword, the divine aura seemed to welcome him, softly enveloping him. The dignity and holiness, which could never be felt on screen, filled the space. And after a moment, a change occurred.
The holy sword held by Maru began to emit a white light.
– Skeleton Paladin Maru has acquired both the Holy Sword and the Demonic Sword.
– Skeleton Paladin ‘Maru’ (★★★★★) transcends to Skeleton Priest ‘Maru’ (★★★★★★).
A change occurred.
Maru, who was 5-star, evolved to 6-star.
“Skeleton Priest?”
I looked at Maru next to me.
“He doesn’t look physically different?”
I touched the screen.
– Rank: ★★★★★★
– Race: Skeleton Priest
[Traits]
– Wielder of Holy Sword and Demonic Sword (SS)
– Flexible Body Movement (F+)
[Basic Information]
Vitality: A+ ( +1 stage bonus from Holy Sword)
Attack Power: S ( +1 stage bonus from Demonic Sword)
Defense: A ( +1 stage bonus from Holy Sword)
Magic Power: B
Holy Power: S ( +1 stage bonus from Holy Sword)
[Skills]
– Loyalty to Master (SS): Kanghyeon Lee (Active)
– Judgment of Light (A)
Instead, Maru’s status window had changed.
His Vitality, Defense, and Holy Power had each increased by one stage thanks to the Holy Sword.
Furthermore, a new trait called “Wielder of Holy Sword and Demonic Sword” with SS rank had appeared.
– Wielder of Holy Sword and Demonic Sword (SS): Allows the free use of abilities from both the Holy Sword and the Demonic Sword.
It wasn’t just the traits and stats that had changed.
“His skills have changed too?”
The skill “Loyalty as a Paladin” which was S+ rank, had changed to “Loyalty to Master” which was SS rank.
“Oh.”
This changes things.
The fact that Maru had become stronger meant that I could act more proactively.
“Alright, shall we go to the monster gacha as is?”
***
The door to the White Church’s highest council room burst open noisily.
The high-ranking clerics seated around the table all turned their heads simultaneously.
There, the three cardinals, Saintess Helisa, and the High Vicar Aurel were present.
High Vicar Aurel slammed a thick bundle of documents onto the table.
His face was contorted with anger, and his white robe adorned with silver decorations billowed with his violent movement.
“This is unacceptable! How on earth could the Holy Sword disappear!”
Aurel’s anger stemmed from the theft of the Holy Sword.
In response to his outburst, Florent, who oversaw the Inspection Department, scowled and leaned forward.
“We’ve investigated all underground access logs from that time… The only recent access was by seven paladins on guard duty.”
“Where are those seven people now?”
Emil, the representative of administration, asked in a calm voice.
A cynical chill spread across Florent’s lips.
“They are currently in the underground interrogation chamber. However, they will soon be dealt with for their negligence in guarding.”
*Bang-*
Mabelo, the representative of the military, slammed his fist, heavy as a hammer, onto the table.
“Have you found any evidence? The Church’s holy relic, the Holy Sword, has disappeared, so what are we going to do about it!”
“That’s the problem.”
Florent lowered his voice.
“Everyone is testifying that the Holy Sword suddenly disappeared. They are stubbornly insisting on their innocence.”
A heavy silence fell upon the council room.
The brief silence was broken by Eleno, the representative of legislation.
Eleno quietly shook his head.
“According to Article 6 of the Church Law, the loss of a holy relic is one of the gravest sins of the Church. We must find the person responsible.”
Even though he said so, there was no sign of the situation being resolved.
The Holy Sword had, in effect, vanished.
It was impossible for seven paladins to smuggle it away in such a short time, and they truly seemed innocent.
But someone had to take responsibility for this incident.
“……”
Amidst the ongoing meeting, there was one person who hadn’t uttered a word.
It was the Saintess, Helisa.
She was seated at the very end of the room, near the window.
Although her pale face was unreadable, her small hands trembled within her robe.
High Vicar Aurel suddenly turned his head towards her.
“Saintess, has the Goddess given any revelation regarding this situation? Have you received any oracle concerning the whereabouts of the Holy Sword?”
All eyes turned to Helisa.
However, she slowly shook her head.
“God’s will is always difficult for us to comprehend, High Vicar. I have not received any direct revelations.”
Sighs erupted from various parts of the room.
If there had been some sort of oracle, it might have helped, but as it stood, there was no way to find the Holy Sword.
Aurel’s eyes narrowed upon hearing Helisa’s words.
“This is truly strange. The Church’s most important holy relic has disappeared, yet the Goddess remains silent.”
This was clear suspicion.
It was a fundamental doubt about whether Helisa, even before any oracles, was truly capable as a Saintess.
Helisa’s anger boiled internally, but she maintained a calm expression.
Ever since Queen Irena of the Sail Kingdom began to be revered as the new Saintess, her own position had been steadily threatened.
And now, Aurel was openly questioning her abilities.
Helisa took a breath and spoke.
“The Goddess’s will is beyond our presumptuous conjecture. Perhaps this is a test of our faith.”
Aurel scoffed.
“Saintess, we need practical help rather than vague words. The Holy Sword was our Church’s most powerful weapon. The crusade towards the Free City Alliance is about to depart, and for the Holy Sword to disappear at such a time…”
Florent of the Inspection Department continued Aurel’s words.
“It is highly likely to be someone’s scheme. Perhaps the work of heretics.”
“Or perhaps…”
Aurel spoke slowly.
“A traitor from within.”
Silence fell upon the room once more.
Emil, the representative of administration, cautiously opened her mouth.
“We must report this situation to His Holiness the Pope.”
“His Holiness has been in prayer since approving the Sail Kingdom’s request to form a crusade.”
However, one of the cardinals cut in firmly.
“We must not disturb him. We must find a solution first!”
Helisa looked out the window, lost in thought.
Nothing was going right.
‘These sons of bitches!’
She cursed inwardly.
Now, even in these meetings, not a single person treated her, the Saintess, with kindness.
The Church was facing its greatest difficulty, yet no oracle was coming, leading to doubts about the Saintess’s qualifications.
‘This is all because of that bastard Kanghyeon Lee.’
Ever since sending Kanghyeon Lee back to Earth, nothing had gone right.
So, she tried to summon him back to the El Dorado Continent out of spite, but that wasn’t something she could do at will.
Still, she hadn’t given up.
Someday, she would find a way to summon him again and repay all this humiliation to him.
While Helisa was thinking, the meeting continued.
“Investigate all remaining personnel within the Church immediately!”
Aurel commanded.
“If necessary, we will deploy inquisitors. The Holy Sword must be found!”
As the meeting drew to a close, Aurel warned everyone.
“This matter must absolutely not leak outside. If the fact that the Holy Sword has disappeared becomes known… our Church’s authority will be severely damaged.”
Helisa quietly left the conference room. She stopped for a moment in the hallway and took a deep breath.
The suppressed anger flashed across her face for a moment.
‘I’m the Saintess… yet I’m treated like this.’
She quietly returned to her room. As soon as she closed the door, she knelt and began to pray. But it was not a prayer to the Goddess.
‘Someday… I must reclaim it with my own power. All of this.’
It was an oath of revenge.
At that moment, the church bells began to ring.
Simultaneously, determination flickered in Helisa’s eyes.
***
– Pulled Skeleton Soldier (★).
– Pulled Skeleton Magic Trainee (★).
– Pulled Goblin Shaman (★★).
…
…
After a long session of monster gacha.
– Pulled Wyvern (★★★★★).
“…Unbelievable.”
A jackpot.
