Chapter 45: Duel (1)

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Divine Power, unlike other abilities, was an ability that every individual possessed inside them.

In other words, one could say it was one of the components of the body.

That also meant, unlike other abilities that become unusable for a while once depleted, when all of the Divine Power was drawn out of the body, the rebound was quite a bit severe.

Whatever happened when such an event occurred, well…

The Saintess in front of us right now was showing us everything from one through ten.

"Uu… uk…"

Organ damage, muscle ruptures, cells within the body necrotizing and rapidly regenerating, it was a repetitive vicious cycle.

For an ordinary person, this level of rapid consumption of Divine Power would be fatal. She was able to endure it because she was the Saintess of the Holy Land.

Lucia coughed a mouthful of blood, as it dripped into the divine barrier drawn on the floor.

"…"

The moment I realized the meaning of the barrier, a hollow laugh escaped my lips.

'…Was she supplying Divine Power to the entirety of the Grand Plains by herself?'

She, alone, was providing the Divine Power needed for the barrier surrounding this vast area and the blessings on the necklaces given to all the students.

An ordinary priest might not even be able to handle a few dozen people, let alone the insane burden required for an entire expanse.

"…Please hold on, I'll save you!"

Any sensible human being could tell that something was horribly wrong here.

If it were someone who considered rescuing people to be their responsibility, it would be strange for them not to step forward.

Iliya drew her sword and focused her breath.

Breaking the entire floor would likely destroy the barrier. That was probably what she was aiming for.

"Oh no, this won't do, student."

A voice suddenly resounded, while a heavy blow landed on Iliya's sword.

With a ting sound, the sword flew and got embedded in the ceiling.

"…!"

Iliya's eyes widened in surprise as she saw her sword get sent flying away, which even tore through her palm.

To orchestrate such a scene, there must be a significant gap in skill between the two parties.

Even though she couldn't have anticipated the existence of an opponent, she was the Hero candidate and was on par with a regular knight.

In other words…

The person wearing the equipment of a Battle Priest of the Holy Land right now was of such a high level that it was hard to find such expertise, even on a national scale.

A high-ranking Battle Priest, a possessor of combat strength that truly befits the title of a human weapon.

"…"

I quickly scanned the name tag on his chest.

Klein Garrison.

'…We were not supposed to meet here in the first place.'

A minor antagonist that briefly appeared in Chapter 2. Given his prominence, he was an unexpectedly strong figure. In the first place, the option to fight and capture him was practically non-existent.

As evidenced by how Iliya was rendered powerless in a single blow, it was quite clear that he was not someone a student could handle.

Then, his gaze briefly shifted to Yuria before eventually returning to Iliya.

This was as expected.

The truth about Yuria, as the fugitive who stole the national treasure, still wasn't fully grasped in the Holy Land it seemed.

This itself served as a catalyst that led to the highlight of Chapter 2. It was safe to say that this part remained the same as the original.

"The Saintess voluntarily undertook this act of service. Wouldn't it be rude to intervene in her noble intentions?"

"…Are you telling me she willingly got herself into this state? That doesn't make any sense!"

Iliya remained undeterred, even after being incapacitated with a single blow. She retorted to Klein with a determined spark in her eyes.

It was undoubtedly a valid argument, but in the Holy Land I was familiar with, such words would be easily shrugged off by these insane people.

Just looking at the immediate situation was enough proof of that sentiment.

"Hmm, an intriguing perspective. Shall we hear it directly from the Saintess, then?"

After saying that, Klein turned his head towards Lucia with a sly smile.

"Tell me, Saintess. Did someone force you?"

"…"

Lucia gritted her teeth.

Even now, she was enduring a level of agony akin to being dismembered alive. Demanding such an answer so brazenly from someone undergoing such excruciating pain was simply disgusting and sinister.

"…Ah, no."

However.

The response that came out was unmistakably affirmative.

Lucia replied in a terribly cracked voice.

Even now, blood dripped down from the corner of her mouth, but she continued speaking.

"This, I, am. I'm, willing."

"…"

As Iliya was left dumbfounded, her mouth agape, Klein continued speaking with that smile still etched on his face.

"See? She's saying it of her own accord."

However, his words carried an oppressive weight.

"Or perhaps, you're saying that you would go against the Saintess' undertaking? That would go against the will of the entire Holy Land. Certainly, the Hero candidate would know that, right?"

"…This pile of garbage…!"

Iliya gritted her teeth. Given the context, one could understand the meaning behind her words.

Indeed, externally, the Saintess represented the will of the entire church.

For such a person to say, 'I will do it myself' And then be prevented by someone, even in a situation as obviously contrived as this, would have significant international implications.

'…They're incomparably trashy.'

The Holy Land acted no different than thugs despite being one of the three major powers. They both had the strength and slyness to do such diplomatic debauchery. Nobody knew what insane antics they might engage in as a pretext. It wouldn't even be strange if they randomly started a war.

One could see it from how Atalante, who would normally oppose such behavior, eventually allowed this to pass. She probably got pressured from all sides to just let it slide without making a fuss. To not get herself caught up needlessly.

The fact that the Saintess was the most valuable expendable in the Holy Land was an open secret known to all the major rulers.

"…"

Because of such things, even in the original, it was clear that the Saintess was subjected to harsh treatment under the Holy Land's coercion.

However, this was a bit strange.

This horrific act was at a level of madness I had never seen in the original work.

"Well, if you intend to have a little talk. I might as well ask a request on the Saintess' behalf."

"…What do you mean?"

While Iliya coldly asked, Klein simply replied with a grin.

"The devil-related incident from a while ago. The Pope is very interested in it."

His gaze flew straight at me.

"I believe you know what I'm talking about."

"…"

And as soon as I heard those words, it felt like all the pieces just clicked into place.

Devils are a significantly important element of the great cause established by the Pope. Even within the game, he was continuously described as being interested in them.

…Which meant that he was paying close attention to the Grey Devil incursion incident caused by Eleanor during the Purifier boss battle not long ago.

And clearly…

Whether I liked it or not, my information was leaked.

'He's provoking me.'

My nape felt chilly, as I inwardly muttered.

This was deliberate intimidation. He was basically saying, 'If you don't cooperate, we'll torment the Saintess more. So listen while we're still being nice.'

And thanks to these guys pulling off such a stunt, the progression of the main quest that I remembered has been significantly altered.

'A raging vessel and a battle…'

The main quest said to stop the rampaging Yuria.

That was just suicide.

At least in the case of Marquis Riverback, there was some basis to go off on. On the other hand, it was absolutely impossible to subdue a vessel that could manifest a Devil Fragment.

'…Then.'

In other words.

There was only one way.

That was, to take the lead.

Avoid fighting with the vessel.

'Rather, let's go set this trash ablaze.'

"…"

With a wry smile, I started walking toward the Saintess. She was still inside the barrier, vomiting blood and being sucked dry to maintain the barrier.

"Ah, if you approach it any further, I will have to show my hand. We can't allow any interference with the Saintess's task-"

As Klein was saying so in a relaxed voice.

"Try it."

I expressionlessly replied.

At the same time.

"…"

Yuria's eyes widened as she snapped out of her daze.

"…Yes?"

"Try whatever nonsense you're saying."

"…"

"I'm going to save her. Try me."

Klein's expression hardened for the first time.

"…It will become an international issue. Are you sure you can handle it?"

Ignoring whatever the guy muttered, I approached the Saintess.

What I was waiting for was about three steps away.

System Message

[ A moment of danger has been detected. ]

[ Determined the situation to result in serious injury. ]

[ Skill: Desperation raised to A-Grade. ]

As soon as this window popped up, I activated another skill.

System Notification

[ Skill: Swordsman's Focus has been activated. ]

[ Reaction Speed and precision are increased. ]

The world began to slow down. With the combination of Desperation and Swordsman's Focus, Klein's attack, whose power far exceeded my own, became clearly visible.

I drew the sword from my waist and met his attack.

-!

Klein's face was once again plastered with a vile smile.

Even the knights of the Empire who were in the same realm as a high-ranking battle priest would hesitate to directly engage with them.

While they might possess finesse with the sword and physical resilience, battle priests could layer various types of buffs onto their weapons.

Dealing with them by just exchanging blows was simply impossible.

A student blindly doing so was nothing more than a mockery.

However.

If the timing was right, I have a skill that could render any damage null.

As soon as his attack came, I deflected at the exact moment.

System Notification

[ Perfect Deflection ]

[ Attribute: Arcane Gale has been activated! ]

[ Returning a portion of the opponent's attack. ]

All the attack blessings imbued into his sword strike were reversed and unleashed back toward Klein.

-!

His body was propelled at a terrifying speed, creating a cloud of dust as he crashed against a wall.

"…"

Of course, the reflected damage wasn't that major. Considering that Desperation was only raised to A Grade, he clearly didn't unleash a full-powered attack. A high-ranking battle priest wouldn't crumple just from receiving a bit of his own attack.

However…

The expression of pure bafflement on his face was golden, looking like someone who had eaten a fly.

A high-ranking battle priest, someone who was regarded as one of the top combatants in the country, was sent flying by a mere academy student.

He was probably in immense shock.

"You know, you've been blabbering nonsense for a while now."

I supported Lucia, who was still coughing, to her feet. Once we stepped outside the barrier, her coughing finally subsided and she stopped vomiting blood.

The white aura around Yuria also began to recede as she approached Lucia with teary eyes.

Alright. This side was safe for now.

Setting Lucia down, I took a piece of parchment and approached the still-dazed Klein, who was stuck in the wall.

"What was it again, an international problem?"

"…?"

I grinned at the blank Klein.

Well, his response was reasonable.

This wasn't an issue that a mere student could lightly address. It was a matter that could potentially turn the entire continent upside down.

But.

So what?

I threw the parchment, hitting Klein's face.

"What is this…!"

His expression contorted, while I responded with a wider smile.

"I don't have gloves. So let's make do with this."

"…"

His twisted face froze once again.

There was no way he wouldn't know why I would throw a glove at his face.

Yes, that was right.

A duel challenge.

I inwardly offered an apology to Gideon.

You would be having a bit of trouble later, Duke.

This is going to cause quite a stir.

"By Exemption Writ, my actions henceforth are the responsibility of the Imperial Family and the Tristan Ducal House."

Since he was always threatening us with international power, then I would summon an authority on par with that.

'Oh yeah, the Holy Land?'

'I have the Imperial Family and Duke Tristan, so what?'

With that said.

It was time to take out the trash.

"You, let's have a dance, shall we?"

Starting with this one.

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