ALTANUS [5]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 968

Altanus (5)

'The church invitation might not be the only one.'

Uttering the same words, he would be busy trying to calm Hyunseong down. That's probably all he can do.

The situation of the expedition is vividly painted in my mind, even without seeing it with my own eyes. Although I wrote individual action instructions for key figures, there's little chance they'll follow them exactly.

In the first place, those instructions considered and outlined all possible patterns of action.

Others might move more or less as expected, but what about Kim Hyunseong and Jeong Hayan? They might attempt some strange nonsense.

Like searching for a way to return to the past, setting up a camp in the vanished area, initiating actions to paralyze the expedition, and the like.

Since all the elite personnel will be assigned to the camp, the expedition won't progress properly.

"An adept JinCheong needs to take charge."

If possible, I wished Cho Hye Jin could handle it, but she might be a bit too mild with Kim Hyunseong.

Apart from the tasks I needed to address here, the expedition had to continue. If I had finished dealing with the library, the next step was the Prayer Room.

I couldn't be certain that the recipient of the quest was him, but given that I had confirmed receiving the linked quest, the probability was high.

'Wait, come to think of it, there might be more invitations.'

Of course, Kim Hyunseong was useless in this matter. The arrival of my noona...

'She's the best of the lot.'

Anyway, it felt like several of the imminent matters had been resolved for the time being. I had confirmed that the place I was in wasn't just a simple event, and I had successfully communicated the intention of our side to the expedition.

The next steps were transmitting information and resolving pending tasks. It would be better to start by acquiring information about the Prayer Room. Luckily, I was here.

The Prayer Room on the 8th underground floor consisted of hundreds of rooms.

The communal worship hall for joint prayers also existed, but these spaces were provided for individuals like me who needed a personal area.

Among them, some rooms housed priests conducting penance ceremonies...

'It's easier to think of them turning into monsters.'

The boss monster was likely Archbishop Dracttarius, overseeing individual prayer rooms and possessing a noticeable degree of sanctity.

"Archbishop Dracttarius is stern and resolute... he's one of the priests with considerable sanctity even in the underground temple. He's renowned for living solely for Lucifer. I haven't met him much myself..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Archbishop Dracttarius... he possesses a separate bodyguard unit, so he's immensely powerful. It's difficult to compare him to lower-templers like myself."

"It must be tough."

"I wished to meet him at least once. It's regrettable."

"He usually resides somewhere in the Prayer Room. If you visit often, you might run into him. Priest."

'Random appearances, huh.'

Furthermore, due to its corridor-like structure, it wasn't an area easy for a large force to enter all at once.

Archbishop Dracttarius, who possessed a bodyguard unit comparable to lower-templars in terms of strength, guarded by now, had a considerable force.

Although it would be slightly easier if there were more usable spaces, the current limited space posed a challenge.

"It's narrow for a large group to move."

For the strategy of this area, it would be best to form about three parties consisting of a few members, six at most.

Creating a small party centered around the Blue Guild seemed to be the most rational approach. Although Katsugano Yuno's memories bothered me, this area differed from what I had seen in my future.

"Furthermore, the statues in each Prayer Room seem to contain the sanctity of Lucifer. It seems like a blessing that comforts the hearts of the priests who pray there. I also occasionally come here to offer prayers..."

'Each room has an itemized statue...'

To the enemies, it might be a blessing, but to our troops, it's no different from an artifact of curse.

Opening each room will likely initiate small-scale battles, and there's a high probability of mentally and physically challenging situations unfolding.

When Dracttarius and his bodyguards appear while party members are fatigued, the boss battle begins.

Assuming that the remaining statues continue to inflict debuffs as a special event... Hayan will have to filter them out...

Excluding Jeong Hayan from the selection seemed wise from a humane perspective. Since the exact functionality of the statues was unknown, it was better to leave her out.

Although Han Sora could serve as a suppressant, these types of things were always unpredictable.

Hyejin, who had high endurance and could take hits well, along with Elena and Sun Heeyoung with their sharp judgment, could be the ideal party leaders. Entering with the Raphael party would be optimal.

'Just in case, let's also exclude Kim Hyunseong... Kim Yeri, Kim Changryeol, Park Lian are all exempt from any expeditions'

"Then, Templar Jenny, I'll be going..."

"Yes, Priest. I'll be waiting outside."

"Thank you."

Given the abundance of space, individual prayer rooms were spacious. While they were narrow for battles, they weren't so constricted that movement was impossible.

Statues occupying a small altar and one side of the wall, likely every room had the same design.

Although slightly uneasy, it seemed prudent to include Alps as well. Hayan's buffs would be helpful.

[Hero-grade Linked Quest completed.]

[Generating Hero-grade Quest.]

[Archbishop of the Prayer Room - Legendary Grade]

[Archbishop Dracttarius is a faithful priest residing in the Prayer Room. He possesses a significant sanctity, threatening you with a formidable power. He moves with loyal and strong bodyguards. The demonic statues placed in each prayer room will continuously curse you, putting weak adventurers to the test. Only specific heroes can overcome this adversity. Those wielding a large shield. The High Elf Queen, who possesses great sanctity. The warrior with gray wings and his comrades. The hound that wards off impure thoughts.]

'And who else was there?'

Given the confined space, unarmed combat would likely be necessary.

[Heroes who use their bodies as weapons, and genuine soldiers.

Finally.

[Crimson Form.]

In an area with psychic attacks, Heera would be perfect. She was the toughest among the people I knew.

[I wish for the fortunes of heroes who set foot in the harsh regions for the sake of the continent.]

With this level of detail, it's no different from an open-book exam or the like. Before registering the quest right away, it felt like leaving a letter or something might be necessary.

At the very least, I needed to leave one for Kim Hyunseong and Jeong Hayan. To convey that there's something to do here and that I can provide assistance.

Since I was invited as a guest of the church, there would be no suspicion about my identity.

The time that can be spent here is limited, and immediately after the church's completion, I can return.

Lastly, I added 'Ganbatte kudasai' to give encouragement. As it's a letter from the past, I thought I'd add it with a diary or autobiography-like feel... [Thought he was Korean lol]

[Hero-grade Linked Quest, 'Archbishop of the Prayer Room,' has been registered.]

[???? has accepted the Linked Quest.]

Until the completion of the Archbishop of the Prayer Room, there's work to be done here as well.

Silently gathering energy, I emitted light. The room was immediately enveloped in a massive light, and probably, the light leaking outside would be visible.

As always, the brilliant light spread in all directions, even affecting other prayer rooms. I didn't summon wings. They seemed scary for some reason.

'Still, the effect should be sufficient.'

Sure enough, from the outside, murmurs were beginning to be heard. People were gathering little by little as if out of nowhere...

"Lucifer....."

"Saint Altanus..."

"What could this be..."

They whispered. I'm not sure why they specifically mentioned Saint Altanus, but perhaps she has significant influence here.

'In my continent, I'm a Saint of Light, the Son of Light, after all. This kind of thing...'

The murmuring voices were getting louder. It was clear that high-ranking officials were coming here. If I were stuck here for a day, they'd probably wait the entire day.

Approximately two days or more would need to be spent to express how much priests meeting God was touching.

Of course, I had no intention of staying here for two days or longer. The situation was urgent.

After about four hours had passed, I opened the door of the prayer room.

The interior was enveloped in silence. The crowd didn't utter a word. What could I say to the priests who were silently shedding tears while wiping their sweat?

There wasn't anyone so thoughtless as to ask if I'd met God or heard the voice of Lucifer.

With bowed heads and tearful voices of praising God, they displayed uncontrollable tears.

Templar Jenny, who had been waiting here from the beginning, was also looking at me with vacant eyes.

I quietly moved my feet. Then suddenly threw myself to the side.

'I must have collapsed naturally.'

Templar Jenny caught me.

"Priest, are you okay? Priest?"

Struggling to get up, I managed to turn my head.

"Yes, I'm fine. Templar Jenny. Will you... Will you call the Archbishop... the Archbishop?"

"Yes... yes?"

Of course, the Archbishop was here too. Archbishop Dracttarius appeared with his guards.

With a gaze full of goodwill directed at me, typical of a priest fervent for Lucifer, the Archbishop's eyes were on this side.

"This person is..."

"A priest invited to the church. Archbishop Dracttarius."

"I see. By any chance..."

When he whispered once with a pale face, I thought someone might overhear. In a very soft voice.

"It's not something I can talk about here. Archbishop."

"...."

"It's best we move elsewhere. Helyss, accompany the priest."

"Yes, Archbishop."

"I... I..."

"You are..."

"I am... Templar Jenny. Archbishop Dracttarius."

"It might be better for you to come along."

While the priest who had been entrusted was struggling to come to his senses, my body began to move involuntarily.

After passing through a small corridor and leaving the prayer room, we entered the reception room to welcome guests.

Dracttarius seemed to have a relatively pure personality, as the interior was a departure from ostentatious decoration and rather simple. I found myself nodding.

Rather than the corrupting forces of fallen factions, it seemed the priests who lived for Lucifer would understand me better.

"Then..."

"...."

"May I inquire about what happened?"

I spoke after taking a deep breath.

After shedding tears and seemingly anxious, the priest spoke with a pale face.

"Saint Altanus... "

"...."

"I received a revelation that she would gradually lose her sanctity."

It wasn't a false statement.