Published: July 4, 2025
The four in Room 10 withdrew from the estate of Count Padawan.
It was currently three in the morning.
The castle gates of the Holy Capital were open twenty-four hours a day.
It seemed that there were no doors closed to the faithful...
However, even if one could freely enter and exit, there were guards at the gates, and golems were stationed as well.
Passing through the gates of the Holy Capital at such a late hour, or rather just before dawn, was indeed conspicuous.
It was best to avoid actions that could raise suspicion.
After all, they were carrying the Holy Sword they had recovered.
Because of this, the four took a break in a spot slightly off the main road.
“Eto, was what you said earlier true?”
Nils asked Eto.
Of course, this question was one shared not only by Nils but also by Amon and Ryo.
“About Elena’s baby? There is definitely a baby, and it seems Elena is aware of it too since she was only drinking water, right?”
“I see.”
Ryo nodded at Eto’s explanation.
Now that he mentioned it, the drink she had during the conversation was indeed water and not alcohol.
“Well, whether Tomazo is the baby’s father is honestly uncertain, but he’s probably the one, right?”
Eto said with a slight smile.
At that moment.
“[Ice Wall Level 20 Package]”
Ryo shouted without even having time to stand up.
Almost simultaneously, the four were enveloped by a wall of ice, and countless earth spears attacked.
“What!?”
From the gaps between the attacking earth spears, Nils looked around.
There was no change in the surroundings.
While there was no visible change, even Nils, who was a swordsman, could sense that something dangerous was nearby.
Eto, the priest who could feel the flow of magical power, sensed an even greater threat than Nils.
“What is this... an unusual flow of magical power. I’ve never experienced anything like this before... No, since that blazing flame mage? Could it be someone of that caliber? No, there aren’t that many people like that, right?”
It was the first experience since being exposed to the magical power of the blazing flame mage Oscar in Whitnash.
Cold sweat wouldn't stop.
Amon was also trembling.
However, it was a tremble caused by fear, battle readiness... and also joy.
The joy of being able to face a strong opponent...
Though the figure was still unseen, they understood that an incredibly strong presence was there.
“[Layered Ice Wall Level 20 Package]”
Ryo recast the package for full-area defense with a layered ice wall.
The ice wall thickened automatically from the center outwards.
The assault from the earth spears was so fierce that it necessitated such actions.
Where the earth spears collided with the ice wall, light from annihilation danced.
In other words, each spear had equivalent power to a twenty-layer thick ice wall.
To put it bluntly, it was impossible.
The thousands of dancing lights continued for a solid three minutes.
After the rain of earth spears stopped, a voice echoed.
“Leave the Holy Sword behind.”
The figure that appeared along with that voice was clad in white robes...
“Eh…”
“No way…”
“Could it be the Pope…”
Amon was speechless, Nils was astonished, and Eto blurted out the identity.
It was the current Pope, who was due to have a ceremony in a few days.
“Leave the Holy Sword behind.”
Once again, the Pope opened their mouth.
Words devoid of emotion.
“I see. There were those who said they didn’t seem human, but they might really not be…”
Ryo murmured.
However, the notion of being a golem also felt somewhat off...
Nevertheless, in any case, the overflowing magical power was genuine.
The Pope, whom they had seen from a distance when the delegation arrived, felt completely different from the empty shell they had observed.
The appearance was the same, but the essence... that overflowing magical power...
Despite having rained down so many earth spears, the magical power was abundant.
In magical combat, the amount of magical power is justice.
“Leave the Holy Sword behind.”
The Pope’s third call.