Chapter 103. The Exorcism

In the end, Helen and Mina were joined by the other four sisters after throwing words like 'sounds fun' and 'I want to play also,' leaving Michael speechless. 

Being free-spirited and carefree was the advantage of the strong.

"So... how in the world will you follow behind me like this? I can still hear and see you..."

[That's because we didn't add you to the restrictions. Others won't even be able to sense our presence. Trust a bit in my magical capability, will you? I'm pretty high-level, you know?](Hella)

"My apologies. I didn't want to make it sound like I didn't believe in you. I'm just a bit worried about this Quest. It does involve the Church of Light, after all..."

The girls unhesitatingly reassured Michael of their prowess, but it only served to worry him further. After all, they were acting like girls going to the movies.

The lack of entertainment in this world was... a bit exaggerated.

Fortunately, it seemed like the Magic Shroud used by Hella was more impressive than he gave it credit initially. After observing the people in the plaza, none seemed to have looked even once at the girls.

Even when he met one of the servant girls out to do grocery shopping, after pointing behind him, the girl only glanced briefly and then turned her sight back on him. It seemed as if...

"This spell works on the human subconscious, doesn't it?"

[Oh? Why do you say so?](Hella)

"Just now, the girl looked directly at Mina. However, she immediately turned away as if compelled to do so. It's not like this spell makes you invisible. It just forces others to ignore your presence. Right?"

[Wow! Impressive! You're the first to figure out the nature of the spell so fast. Even big sister Aylin was confused at first.](Evelyn)

Thanking the many novels he read in the past, Michael smiled and kept the conversation at a minimum. After all, being seen talking to himself was still a sign of insanity, be it on Earth or in the Sanctuary.

But that wasn't an issue. The girls were more than happy to converse among each other, giving Michael a headache. It was pretty difficult to concentrate when the topics were so... chaotic.

The biggest surprise had yet to come, though. At the entrance to the Cathedral, someone raised an eyebrow while looking behind him.

[It's not that we turn away the faithful, but something tells me the seven of you aren't here to pray. What exactly are you all doing?](Prava)

"Uhm... you can see them?"

[Isn't it just the Magic Shroud spell? Through the Father's blessings, nothing can escape my sight while in the territory of the Cathedral.](Prava)

Turning to look at Helen and Mina, who both acquiesced, Michael explained briefly the situation with the priest Voszalko and the Quest.

[Hmm... A connection with the demoness? That can't be right.](Prava)

"What? Why?"

[If drinking some of her blood was enough for the Sanctuary to hand you Main Quests related to her, we would've long since solved most of our problems. Yes, the blood you were fed by the corrupted might've helped, but I'm sure there might've been a connection before that. As much as I hate admitting it, the demoness is strong! Strong enough to be Inarius's enemy.](Prava)

Confused, Michael sorted out his memory and couldn't find any clue as to something 'extra' that could've connected him and Lilith.

If anything crossed his mind, it was him assisting to her 'grand entrance' into the Sanctuary. 

'Could it be that watching that unfold in the spirit form I was in had some effects? After all, even here in the Sanctuary, there is little known about souls and how they work. Ultimately, I'm still back to square one if the blood isn't the cause.'

Much to the girl's discontent, Prava joined the group, allowing Hella to cast Magic Shroud on her. 

Seeing the situation going out of control like that was a bit problematic. Nevertheless, all seven girls were strong. Much stronger than he was. Therefore, if any issues arose, they would be the ones to fix them.

In the end, Michael and his cohort had to return to the small plaza before the Cathedral as the marker changed its location. It seems as if the priest was waiting for him there.

It was to be expected, but he found the priest in front of Inarius's statue. He was calmly looking at the approaching Necromancer.

'It looks like he did lose Inarius's favor. Prava could see the girls, but he couldn't. That's good! I have no idea how I could've explained the situation otherwise.'

"I found the Child's Caul."

To Michael's surprise, a gasp came from behind him. He realized it was Prava but resisted the impulse to turn around and kept staring at the priest instead.

[Ah, ha. Yes. This is the blanket that warmed Prava in her sickbed... It is smaller than I imagined.](Voszalko)

"What!?"

[Phew. Maybe you are the fool who teaches the priest true faith... Join me in the Elysiuma Archives. There, I will drive this demon from your body.](Voszalko)

[ Quest complete - Shroud of the Father

Quest reward 1: 7,560 experience points

Quest reward 2: 1,350 gold coins ]

[ New Quest issued - Severing the Bond

Objective: Enter the Elysiuma Archives ]

Watching the calmly departing back of the priest, Michael turned to look at the girls.

The six sisters were all looking curiously at a frowning Prava. It seemed rare of her to lose her composure in such a manner. 

[*Sigh* The Child's Caul is an ancient relic of the past. I didn't expect Voszalko to know of its location. Where did you find it?](Prava)

"Mercy's Reach."

[The old Cathedral's location? Didn't it become a Dungeon?](Prava)

"Yes. I found the Caul near the Boss's room in a strange sarcophagus."

[That's not right... I've searched the place before but never saw anything near the Boss room or the sarcophagus you're talking about. There seems to be more at play here. What next?](Prava)

"Well... my first Quest ended, but I got a new one. It says to enter the archives Voszalko was talking about."

In fact, Michael was quite worried, even with the girls around him. The priest wanted to perform an exorcist, but his connection wasn't with an ordinary trash demon. It was with Lilith!

What if she didn't like the 'performance' the priest put on and decided to off everyone, Michael included?

Furthermore, from where things were headed, this Elysiuma Archives was sure to be a Dungeon. 

"If the archives turn into a Dungeon, can you girls follow me?"

[Uhm... nope.](Hella)

[But Prava can do something about that.](Mina)

[It's impossible for a Dungeon to be created under the eyes of Inarius.](Prava)

[Can you please stop with this fake fanaticism of yours!? It wouldn't be the first time, and Inarius has no say in the matter. It's the Sanctuary who decides. So can you?](Helen)

[As annoying as always. If it does happen, yes. I have a relic from Inarius that can help us enter without affecting the Dungeon or Quest's difficulty.](Prava)

[If such an item exists, it should be heavily restricted, right?](Tia)

[I guess so. Otherwise, it would be breaking the rules of the Dungeon.](Mei)

[Indeed, there are restrictions. Once inside, we can only observe without interfering. If we interfere, we'll be sent outside, and an intense backlash would occur.](Prava)

"Wait! That means that you CAN interfere if things go sideways?"

[Did you skip the part with the intense backlash? I won't interfere unless your life or the sanctity of the Cathedral are at risk.](Prava)

An argument broke out between Helen and Prava immediately after, with Helen questioning the latter about her sudden interest in the young Necromancer.

Hearing Helen mention 'an old cow grazing on young grass' almost sent the other sisters on the ground in laughter. Prava only rolled her eyes in response and didn't find a response necessary.

Michael knew that her interest in him wasn't romantic in nature, but rather, his connection to Lilith was of greater importance to her plans and faith.

"Well, I have bad news for all of us. The MAP recognizes these archives as a Dungeon..."

[*Sigh* Voszalko interfered in something he shouldn't have. I'll try to guarantee your life, but now, with demons involved...](Prava)

"The fact that a Dungeon appeared means that demons are involved?"

[Mhm. This is tricky... Also, not demons, but devils. High-ranking nobles at that as well. Only those of power in the Burning Hells can create a Dungeon in the sacred space Inarius blessed. And at a significant cost, no doubt. Prepare yourself. This will probably get ugly.](Prava)

Hearing the not-so-encouraging words, Michael almost turned tail and ran. However, seeing the seven pairs of eyes brimming with curiosity, he couldn't bring himself to.

Worst case, they would save him anyway. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

In the Cathedral, they found the door to the Elysiuma Archives ajar, and Prava used a necklace to grant entry to the 'intruders,' which were her and the sisters.

As they all stepped inside, the familiar sensation of passing through a film confirmed the reality. It was indeed a Dungeon.

[ Quest update - Severing the Bond

Objective: Accompany Priest Voszalko ]

A couple of steps away, the priest looked his way and beckoned to him. Sensing the girls behind, he stepped forward.

"I'm here." 

[Knights wait for me ahead - called here for my protection. Many may have forgotten od Voszalko, but some still hold true.](Voszalko)

"What's the plan?"

[I will now don the Child's Caul, as our Mother Prava did before she was born anew.](Voszalko)

While muttering, 'That doesn't sound much like a plan,' Michael and the girls reached the archives. It was a library-like room where six fully equipped knights stood guard.

A small table with a book and a goblet stood in the middle of the room.

The strange thing was that the system instantly identified the book as 'The Burning of Nevesk: An Official Account.'

Ignoring the knights and the priest, Michael reached out to the book and opened it to read some of its content.

'...The wise might ask, 'Why Nevesk? Why would Lilith descend upon such a paltry town?' The answer is simple. Nevesk has always been mired in Sin. The she-demon found a rotten potato and cut it open, freeing the miasma within.'

[Blessed by the Angel Inarius, no evil will harm me. My words are His words, my wishes, His wishes.](Voszalko)

A strange glow covered the priest from head to toe, seemingly making him appear as a lightbulb in the room where candles barely offered some light.

[You who are riddled with Sin, shed your blood into this sacred cup.](Voszalko)

Noticing the small dagger behind the cup, Michael winced at the unsanitary act. Remembering the existence of the Life potions, he took a deep breath and looked behind him.

The seven girls nodded while Helen already had her swords out.

After a small incision on one of his fingers, some droplets of blood fell into the goblet.

[Good! Now, approach!](Voszalko)

"I'm ready."

[Stand within the circle of chalk - and make no attempt to leave, or your damnation is certain.](Voszalko)

Only now did Michael notice the strange drawing under his feet. A magic circle, strangely similar to the one drawn with blood in Nevesk's Dungeon when he faced against X'Fall.

An intense dread crept up his spine, but he was already in the circle, and the priest started his work.

Michael wanted to speak out, but similar to a night-terror, his voice left him, and his body was paralyzed. He could feel the hair on his body stand on its ends as if a pair of hands was reaching from behind him.

And there were no good intentions to be found from it.

[Inarius, whose wings brought light to this world: act through me now! Purge the filth within this blood! Cast out Her corruption! Burn Her from...](Voszalko)

The exorcism was cut short as the entire room turned red, and blood seemed to be raining within.

Even the priest paled at the sudden change while the knights entered a fighting stance. Only Michael was frozen in the middle of the circle, unable to move a muscle.

He could only hope that the girls were alright and that they could save him in the worst case.

[Wh-What is this!?](Voszalko)

Seeing the priest look at Michael, the latter was both confused and utterly terrified. The priest's eyes seem to look behind him instead of at him.

What exactly did the man see, for him to show such a terrified expression when covered in Inarius's blessing!?

[No. No, this is wrong! Light! No! Nonono! Stop! Stop!](Voszalko)

The curtains seemed to close as darkness overtook Michael's sight, leaving behind the image of a priest cowering in fear.

Then, not even a fraction of a second later, his sight returned, similar to someone fainting for the briefest of moments.

The six knights were all dead, mutilated horribly, while the priest himself was kneeling in fear under Inarius's statue in the back of the room.

Seeing the man shivering in absolute fear, Michael's brain short-circuited.