116 – Fork in the Road (1)

A Necessary Sacrifice.

A must-have sacrifice for the great cause!

The Paladins gnashed their teeth. He raised his sword and shouted.

The flame melted the snow. White steam escaped from under the black mask he wore.

“All…!”

A large-scale massacre to draw out the personnel of the Penal Execution Center.

“Kill everyone!!!!”

The paladins who had been scouring the outskirts of Tantalus under Dwayne’s orders moved toward the city of Philamon.

The horses’ hooves came together and thundered. Those unable to mount jumped on their feet and pounced on the civilians.

“Kyaaa

The hat that was running away rolled on the floor. Crushed by the horseshoe

“That, stop… stop…”

The man with his stomach pierced begged. The drawn sword blew off his neck.

“Oh, no… No… Please… Please…”

The back of the young man who was holding on to his pants crotch and begging was set on fire. The lungs burned and the air leaked out into the air.

Hell too.

Hell too. However, this is also a necessary process.

The young paladin caught his breath. A complex light burst from his stigma. The same sentence as his brainwashing continued in his head.

All for Cardinal Dwayne’s sake.

Layeo. Watch over me I will fly higher

“Kill it!!!!”

200 Paladins led by young paladins.

And Dwayne’s hidden crew following him, 5000 fanatics.

The warhorses trampled the city. Mad believers took this.

The fleeing refugees were swept away by the human wave.

“Dae, evacuate…!”

“That way…!”

“aaa!!! Bar, Feet!! Feet!!!!!”

The guards who shouted in fear were trampled on. The imperial army stationed there was crushed under the feet of the warhorse.

The flame of Ra burned the remaining evidence.

The paladins slaughtered humans with the gods on their backs.

The young paladin’s eyes burned red. She seemed to be in an uncontrollable frenzy, and her words became harsh.

“Tear off the flesh! Kill them all! Offering! Make a sacrifice!”

The paladins who ate the blood shone in their eyes.

“A sacrifice for a new era!”

“He will descend!”

“Kill everyone!”

Screams and shouts.

Pain and slaughter.

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The swords of the Paladins burn with holy power. The hand that should save people kills them.

The Aspect of Ra falls to the floor. The burning fire turns bluish.

The more innocent people are killed, the more dirty the flames become. Dull color.

“…Ah…Ah…”

The child hiding behind the crumbling wall trembled. Hugged his brother and crawled back.

I covered her mouth to avoid being seen. She covered her mouth to somehow stop her brother from crying.

Her mother died before her eyes. Her father’s hair blown off her curls.

You have to survive.

Ha, but how…How…

Raise your eyes and look forward. People die Her right arm is cut off.

Everything that jumps into the air is blood. A hell where flesh rolls around and buildings covered in fire collapse.

The neighing of the warhorse sounded harsh again. The child opened her eyes wide.

The sound is close.

Getting closer.

“All…All…This is a necessary sacrifice…”

As if brainwashed, the rumination voice draws closer. Human screams are heard nearby.

The child opened his eyes wide. She held her breath as she hugged her brother.

But the voice suddenly jumped out. An unbearable howl escaped between her fingers.

The voice stopped.

The sword squeezed through the crack in the burning door.

“…Found it.”

The young paladin smashed the door. He moved his sword and brought it to the boy’s throat.

The child shuddered. She hugged her sister and prayed fervently.

“Ah, mister… Help me… Help me… I was wrong… I was wrong…”

“…….”

My eyes flickered for an instant. However, as soon as the stigma shone, the young paladin’s eyes caught fire again.

A flame that is dyed in a terrible green color because it is not blue.

A growl leaked out of her mouth. A muttered voice that was so muffled that it was difficult to understand any more.

“In his will, oh oh oh…”

Saliva dripped from his trembling mouth. Her hesitant hand swung up.

“Necessary…Sacrifice…Sacrifice…All…Obey…Submit…”

The unhesitating sword fell from the air.

The child closed her eyes. She turned her sister, who was holding her, back.

Kaaang!

A metallic sound rang out.

“…Uh…”

Her child opened her eyes, which had been closed for a moment. The flames raged. The tail of fire that wrapped around her began to heal the burn wounds.

“You’re a little late.”

A heavy voice fell. The heavy sword fell to the floor. The gaze that looked back was terrifying like that of a bear.

But his outstretched hand did not choke the child. On the contrary, she just caressed and stroked it.

“…Sorry.”

“Uh…Uh…”

“You saved her brother. Brave boy Leave this to me.”

Sparks raged from her heavy sword. The ‘real’ paladin turned his heavy face and took a step forward.

Sparks start to explode. Everywhere in the small city of Philamon, real things, not fake ones, start to burn.

An appropriate move by Dimona who foresaw the future. Troops to end the ruthless massacre.

“To condemn heresy is…”

The brown bear of the church.

Heretic Inquisitor Radatoque’s heavy sword shattered the young paladin’s armor.

“This is the role of the Heretic Questioner.”

. . .

The Radatoque sent to the city Philamon sent a signal. Ultra-long-distance telecommunications network.

The disposable crystal crystal blinked. Broke right away

That meant only one thing.

It’s an assault. As expected from Philamon, the attack broke out.

Dimona bit her lip. She expected.

But the incident happened much sooner than expected. It was so fast that I wondered if it could be this fast.

It’s not even specific. The workmanship is not fancy either.

Feels like painting color on drawing paper in a hurry.

It’s strange. Were you in such a hurry? I didn’t think so.

But it has already happened. You must move immediately. The fact that Philamon was attacked meant that Dwayne had already roughly finished the preparations.

Dimona put her papers down with a bang. She commanded the Heretic Inquisitors.

“Speak to everyone on this list. Ask them to gather at the 1st Plaza of the Church Headquarters. Prepare to fight against those who have been eroded by the stigmata.”

“If it’s encroachment…”

“A terrible s*xual act that digs into Ra’s stigma and causes him to lose his will. It’s a spell that’s the exact opposite of Ra’s teachings. I don’t know the principle. But this goes beyond just brainwashing… It controls the soul.”

Archbishop Dwayne has crossed the line. I knew this a long time ago, but I couldn’t reveal it.

When some distinct truths are revealed, they are checked. Dwayne could have been hiding the truth.

If that happened, it would have been a worse result than not moving.

The best was Dwayne secretly whispering the truth to those who couldn’t reach for him.

But that was enough.

The number of troops that could be saved was 1/4 of the total. Although absurdly few, an archbishop also participated, and the First Inquisition also agreed.

In the first place, they are also priests. As befits those who serve Ra, they did not yield to force. They didn’t dare to step forward and open their mouths, but they weren’t in favor of Dwayne either.

A large number of people moved to the first plaza. Some of the Holy Knights joined, and young priests and branch priests who requested learning also gathered.

I didn’t have to worry about being watched by Archbishop Dwayne.

They were already watching Dimona’s party. It was after entering the headquarters of the Holy See, in the center of the church headquarters, beyond the wall, and locking the door firmly.

It won’t come out until the work is done. So you have to break it. You have to get in there and stop them from grabbing what they want.

“Dwayne is what he is…”

“I can’t believe things really happened like this…”

The Archbishop came running after receiving the word and wiped his face. The First Heretic Judge gnashed his teeth.

“To dirty Ra’s name!”

“I can’t forgive you!”

“However, no matter how much I think about it, I don’t have enough troops…”

“I lack the strength to attack the barriers and condemn them.”

Dimona raised her dark circle eyes. She glanced around.

“…It’s okay. If you don’t have enough troops, you can increase them.”

“This is true. I think everyone has gathered.”

Aristocrats from the Empire who didn’t leave while waiting for Zahard entered the church.

“I heard the circumstances. The inside of the church is also full of complicated stories.”

“Your Excellency.”

“I will extend my hand. Dimona Heretic Inquisitor. I believe you will not forget the promise to form an alliance with the third princess later.”

“Don’t worry. Because I never forgot what I said.”

The Empire’s soldiers have joined. The knights pulled out their swords, and the mages who held their breath began to sharpen their magic.

The numbers that were different started to become similar. Dimona, who had been working hard just for this day, raised her tired body.

Take one step forward even when it is difficult. That’s the only solution

“…We need to save Her Highness, Cardinal Arpina.”

They are inside the Wall, a key facility in the Holy See. Archbishop Dwayne wants to change the entire Church of Ra to his liking.

And in the deepest part… There is Cardinal Arpina.

Archbishop Dwayne’s target must be her. Now that the pope was officially bedridden, that was the only seat with the power to wield the Order.

Once he manages to climb up somehow, he can change the Order to his liking. Furthermore, if he took the position of Cardinal, he could use the greatest weapon of the Church of Ra, the ‘Holy Sword Ascalon’.

If that happens, the worst will happen. It’s like giving wings to a mighty force.

“……”

There were times when I wondered if the daytime shaman would take my side. However, it was the Pope’s personal guard. No matter how strong the power of the daytime shrine maiden was, she could not be used anywhere.

She can’t use her power in private. The only thing that can exert that power is the position related to the ‘pope’.

It was already an open fact that the daytime shrine maiden and Cardinal Alpina were close, but they couldn’t officially move. It’s a case where a long tradition held back.

Dimona was convinced. Tiella doesn’t move. She is the same as the daytime shrine maidens under her command.

At this rate, it was clear that Arpina, who would be locked in the deepest part of the Vatican Headquarters, would be under intense fire. She is an arpina who is reputed to be strong even in arms, but if she is attacked countless times, she has no choice but to die.

“They are definitely looking for justification. Doesn’t the judge know?”

“As the Inquisitor expected, they stormed the city. Wearing a mask, but we know. It is clear that her intention is to place the blame on her for failing to protect her city, Philamon!”

“The city of Philamon is an autonomous district governed by a church officially recognized by the empire!”

“If a large-scale massacre occurs there… The empire will surely blame us for not protecting it. Naturally, it will be an excuse to bring down His Highness Cardinal Arpina!”

“……”

Amid the noisy conversation, Dimona thought.

It’s okay. Arpina is strong, and there was a reason why she was chosen as the ‘Voice of the Church’.

Besides, hadn’t she already taken out insurance? There was plenty of time left before breaking through the barrier.

“Your Highness Cardinal Alpina will be fine. At least we can hold on until we cross the barrier.”

“Why didn’t you take it out earlier…”

“Do you know how many watchful eyes there are? Rather, now is better. There’s a person who specializes in sit-ins by your Highness’ side.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I just… Well… Put a wizard who rules over the immortals. She is a person who specializes in wars of attrition.”

I have already made all the preparations perfectly. If there’s anything it takes, there’s only one.

“…Ask Her Highness Cardinal Alpina about the massacre of City Philamon…Is that really the end of Archbishop Dwayne’s quest?”

“If not, what else?”

“Doesn’t Judge Dimona know that there’s nothing else to aim for?”

My head was complicated. I didn’t have enough time to figure everything out. I just outlined it.

First of all, it was clear that the other person was aiming. That there will be no official trial of Cardinal Arpina, and that upon capture, he will be executed with justification.

And as soon as she dies, the Church of Ra will return to Dwayne’s liking.

“…562 People.”

Dimona murmured.

“What did you say?”

“562 People. The people that Dwayne secretly killed behind his back. They were all family members or faithful priests. No one has ever committed a crime worthy of death. 562 Is the number of people who died just because they didn’t side with Dwayne.”

Dimona glanced at the wall where the Vatican Headquarters was located. Dwayne’s limbs crowded over the barrier.

Those who are loyal to Dwayne are encroached upon by the Holy Law. However, erosion could not be achieved unilaterally.

Because I agreed with him, I was eaten.

In a way, you could call it a transaction. Because they were the ones who tried to enjoy wealth and glory in return for giving up their bodies.

Close your eyes to the negative.

Betraying a relationship built on trust.

People who denied the will of Ra for their own benefit were gathered there.

“…I will stipulate.”

The priests spoke their blessings behind Dimona. Numerous paladins hung the Holy Law on their weapons.

Ashwal Haltz’s soldiers moved. A huge church headquarters. A war that takes place on the scale of a small city has begun to raise its curtains.

The goal is to attack the barrier. Stealing Cardinal Arpina, revealing the whole truth… And punishing the ugly Archbishop Dwayne.

That meant only one thing.

“From now on, those who have stained the name of Ra…”

Demona’s sword sparked. The eyes shone viciously.

“I will define it as heresy and condemn it.”

The Heretic Judge moved.