ALTANUS [19]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 982

Altanus (19)

What exactly has happened?

What on earth is this?

Variables, annihilation, danger?

You should speak clearly, you incompetent fool.

Whether the danger of annihilation is impending or it has actually occurred, I cannot determine.

Personally, in this situation, I must weigh the former more heavily, no, it's definitely more accurate to conclude it's the former.

Although that demon summoner might be inept, I don't believe he would just leave things be after the incident. He isn't simply running a happiness circuit.

'He's not that incompetent.'

Our General Jin would not be so incompetent as to throw a force of that magnitude into a pit without any strategy, unlike some other fellow.

'Where did things go wrong?'

Where did things take the wrong turn?

It might not be my mistake; it could be theirs. But I continue to ponder where things went awry.

More precisely, I can't know, but the timing when Jin Cheong sensed something abnormal is probably since the Dractarius conquest began.

As progress slowed down, doubts arose, and the need for insurance was felt. Thus, even though the Dractarius conquest had not been completed, it's accurate to see the subsequent conquest as being pushed ahead.

I should have stacked up quests substantial enough to complete the code.

'What is this 'variable'?'

The immediate thoughts are when Bahamut and the expeditionary force encountered each other, and the other is if a problem arose on the Dractarius's side.

'Are there deceased guild members? Did they escape after encountering the variable?'

The troops must have been dispersed. To complete the quests, there needed to be remaining troops on the scene.

If that's the case, it's not yet time for despair. The expeditionary force should have enough power to extract troops externally.

The timing of placing the troops after the annihilation is doubtful. However, as I mentioned before, that guy is not so inept as to be unable to handle things after the incident.

We people like us usually prepare one or two insurances.

Ironically, due to that, I was more worried.

'If that arrogant guy is pushing the burden onto me...'

Personally held insurances are all gone, and it's safe to say that only the worst-case scenario is left.

Asking for help from me is probably the worst option the guy can choose. As much as possible, I won't step into that kind of choice.

Damn it... damn it...

What's the scale of the damage? Are there casualties? Is that pig doing alright?

Is there anything I can do here? No, is there any capability left on their side to communicate?

If they are withdrawing the troops? If they are hastily following the retreat manual? If they have the capability to receive and complete quests?

Jung Ha-yan should be fine. If Han So-ra hasn't encountered problems, she should be okay.

I'm more concerned about Cho Hye-jin or that pig. Worried they might say, "Leave me behind and go!" I jumped into the pit for the sake of saving those useless guys.

Trying not to think nervously, trying to think lightly, but it doesn't work properly.

With various thoughts swirling in my head, the time for deep thinking doesn't come.

There's no other way. First, the quests again... No, the time now... how much time has passed?

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the unfamiliar ceiling. I tried to get up slowly, but a voice immediately intervened.

'How long has it been?'

"You mustn't move yet. Although the visible wounds seem to have all healed...."

"...."

"...."

I could immediately discern who had spoken.

'Saint Altanus.'

Even though she covered her face with a veil, it would undoubtedly be Benigore who treated me.

There are few who can completely erase the mark of the dark flames, but beyond that, simply the fact that Benigore is right before me is apparent.

She seems to be modulating her voice in a peculiar manner, perhaps not wanting to reveal her identity.

However, her attempts to deceive me are in vain. Her acting skills are exceptional, but there's a fundamental sense of discomfort.

'Damn it.'

"How long... since I collapsed..."

"It hasn't been six hours yet. Although your wounds were wounds, it seems your energy has significantly depleted.... It would be best for you to take some rest for a while. Treatment for the injured is still ongoing, so don't worry too much and take care of yourself first."

"Six hours?"

Has it been six hours since then?

"Six hours..."

'Fuck... fuck...'

I check the quest window again.

Unlike before, two quests are completed.

This is not a code.

It's safe to consider them survival signals. There's no reason they would complete quests out of nowhere.

The first survival signal was four hours ago, and the second was two hours ago.

A means to communicate that the expeditionary force has survived every two hours.

There are 8 quests left. At the very least, I can know that the expeditionary force has survived for 16 hours.

If I can arrange a system for registering quests again and for it to be found by him again, I might be able to maintain communication.

Only 16 hours.

I register the quests again and hope that the expeditionary force, which I believe is hiding, will find them... At least I'm moving, but... Wait, why hasn't the remaining one arrived yet?

Why...?

"Huh?"

As always, it feels like a strange seizure is coming on.

"Huh..."

Breathing becomes difficult, and my head hurts.

"Priest?"

"Gah... haa... gah..."

"Priest, priest?"

"Shit...."

"Yes?"

[Quest completed.]

'Damn it, it hasn't been six hours yet.'

It's just been six hours. Shit.

I can't even look at Benigore with resentment.

'14 hours.'

Ahead, 14 hours.

The task was clear.

'I should have met with the Jin Cheong and Nuna for a meeting and then come here.'

I can't think of anything other than the situation being messed up. Right now, I wanted to leave this place and go back to the present, but wasn't it not yet the point when the church was blocked?

No, honestly, even if I went there, I didn't think there would be any other way. After all, I came here because of the future that Kasugano Yuno saw.

I didn't confirm what the variable in the expeditionary force was, and I couldn't work on Bahamut, leave a message for Dractarius, either.

'Altanus didn't work properly either...'

It's not like I can immediately become Altanus just because I want to.

Before that, there's a lot I need to explain to Benigore. Things like the Iron Maiden or the course of action and policy after I become Altanus.

For now, I must regain the atmosphere from earlier and act immediately.

"Ah, haa...."

"Priest..."

In the midst of this, Benigore focused her divine power on me...

It came into my line of sight. While the physical wounds had all disappeared, I must adhere to the personal setting that the Plague flame still remained.

'There's not enough time.'

There isn't enough time to make Benigore believe my words. The time to convince Lee Ki Young and Benigore is too short. Whether it's about events that will happen in the future or becoming the Iron Maiden and becoming a god who observes the world, it's insufficient.

"Benigore..."

"...."

To grasp onto my fading consciousness, I slowly opened my mouth.

"Benigore..."

"What's this... I am not Benigore..."

"I will definitely protect you."

Her face isn't visible due to the veil. But I can be sure she will look at me like a lunatic.

"This time, for sure... I will definitely protect you, Benigore."

"Priest...?"

"...."

But the face of the Priest of Prophecy doesn't lie.

A faint expression, a face that looks at the beloved from the past, a gaze as if looking at the love that has been yearned for and not seen for hundreds of years.

Tears start to fall from my eyes like a waterfall. I raise my immobile hand with effort and place it onto her hand.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I was so sorry."

"...."

Though I can't be certain, she seemed angry. She must be thinking that this person lied again.

While Benigore would accept it as meaning that she was the former lover of this Priest, that is not the correct answer.

"No... Altanus... haa... haa...."

"I'm sorry... Altanus... for a long time... alone... neglected... I'm truly sorry. This time, I..."

"Right now... What are you saying?"

"Ah... all of me... my light..."

"Priest?"

Benigore withdraws.

Without a doubt, Benigore's face is present. It's a bewildered face, as if not knowing what's what, as she gazes at me.

She hurriedly covers her face again, as if she had been caught, but eventually lowers her hand.

This man knows that Benigore and Altanus are the same person. For some reason, the terrestrial priest seemed as though he knew her.

Moreover, he is an unknown priest who is hiding that fact. A priest sent down by Lucifer...

'She might seem unfocused right now...'

When her thoughts are organized, she will have many questions to ask. I pat her head with effort. It's as if it's very natural, as if it had happened before.

I closed my eyes. It's like I'm sleep talking for no reason.

'Clearly, when I wake up, She'll say these words.'

Who is the Priest? What is your identity?

Why did you act like you knew me?

Did you approach me knowing that I am Altanus, the Saint?

I'm sorry I neglected you, that I couldn't protect you...

"What the is this?"

Her basic disposition seems to be that of a hasty personality. After exactly 2 hours and 12 minutes, she will organize her doubts and throw questions at me, just as I predicted.

I had no choice but to speak to her.

"I am..."

"Please don't lie."

"I am..."

"I'll answer my question. Priestess."

"I am a Regressor."

Yes. I am a Regressor.

I came here to save my former lover, Benigore, from a tragic end.

This setting will surely be accepted.

---

When will this arc end?