ALTANUS [18]

Regressor's Instruction Manual Episode 981

Altanus (18)

"Save... Save me..."

"I'm here, Priest!"

"Ugh... Aaaah!"

"Please... Aaaah!"

"The divine power isn't responding. It's... my divine power..."

"Grr..."

"Aaaah!"

A scene that can hardly be described as anything but grim. If it had been a little later, the dream realm might have turned ferocious.

"Priest..."

"Summon priests of bishop rank and higher. Archbishop Dractarius."

"Understood."

"Evacuate the ordinary priests. If I'm correct..."

"This burn might spread."

"Aaaargh!"

Sure enough, a priest who was treating a patient suddenly screamed, clutching his own arm. It's clear he touched the affected area of the patient.

"We need priests capable of purification. This burn is nothing short of a plague."

Literally, this burn is akin to a plague. If one doesn't possess high magical resistance or divine power, it's highly likely it will spread rapidly.

If even ordinary priests' divine power isn't effective, keeping them here would be reckless.

At a glance, it's clear this isn't an ordinary burn. Despite the patient's body turning black, the fact that the burn is still clinging to them makes it all too real.

This dread fire doesn't kill people. No, it doesn't even permit death.

It continues to inflict pain, ensuring they are forever trapped in agony, unable to escape.

Could it be that if the host dies, the burn cannot spread? Paradoxically, this plague was clinging to the lives of those it had claimed.

"Wicked..."

I could only mutter quietly.

"What... what does it think... life is?"

A situation that would anger anyone due to its mindset, which wouldn't make sense if it weren't a demon. In the midst of this, I felt someone grasp my trembling hand.

"Priest..."

"I'm fine, Templar Jenny... I'm okay..."

It might just be enough to suppress the situation with the divine power of a bishop or below. But if the Light Saint possesses the light that he does, perhaps he can drive out this plague.

Approaching the patients lying in their beds, I saw two paladins holding onto one patient each.

"Hold tight!"

"Don't move..."

"Aaaah! Aaaargh!"

It's only natural that I take slow steps. Placing my hand on the forehead, the sight of the individual quieting down as though entranced by something became visible.

As soon as I released divine power, a brilliant light began to envelop the patients.

The burns that hadn't been treated with ordinary divine power were responding to my divine power, strangely enough.

Since receiving Lucifer's blessing, something had changed.

"Aaaah..."

"Priest..."

Indeed, what I saw was... a sight almost like a miracle.

The black marks covering them from head to toe were disappearing.

As if the plague were retreating on its own, all the wounds started healing, akin to fresh skin growing over them.

The patient who had been screaming in agony seemed to realize that their body was recovering, as they looked up at me.

"It will get better."

"By the grace of Lucifer..."

Of course, it's not an easy task. It requires a high level of concentration.

I had to maintain it, and I had to use more divine power than I thought. Drops of sweat began to gather and trickle down my face, more than I anticipated.

"Next..."

"Priest..."

Even in the midst of this, I didn't bother to treat my own arm. As a prophetic priest, I was more concerned about others' pain.

There might be a shortage of divine power. It's a priority to endure greater suffering than to immediately alleviate the pain.

"Priest! Priest!!"

"Aaaargh!"

"...."

"Next..."

Constantly igniting light. The sight of the prophetic priest, who was erasing the mark of the plague at a rapid pace, with the help of several priests of bishop rank and higher, was moving even to onlookers.

"It doesn't seem like a simple burn. Please inform the other bishops. This is close to being a plague. It's not the work of the Apostle of Devil..."

"...."

"...."

"Do you... know something?"

"The Lord of Lies and Deceit..."

"....!"

"Another name for the owner of the plague."

"..."

"Demon Legion Commander Belial."

The shocking truth finally began to surface. Sighs of resignation started to escape from all around, as if they had been waiting for this revelation.

"Oh.. Lucifer..."

"How could this..."

"Oh Lucifer... please save us."

"Of course, the situation isn't confirmed yet."

"What are the Templars doing exactly, that such a thing is happening in the underground Temple? The owner of the plague? The Lord of Lies and Deceit?"

A rare line that hasn't been heard for a long time. It's a famous quote from the Pope Basel, who carries a long history and tradition.

"What exactly are the Templars doing?"

It seems this famous quote has been passed down since this era.

"Intruders sneaking into the underground temple... Is that a joke?"

Originally, their mission was to prevent such a thing from happening in the first place.

In short, it could be said that the priesthood is covering up for the Templars' mistakes.

Bahamut, who was surprised by the news of his own corruption, probably doesn't have the luxury to think about this.

But he might be sensitive to his political position and how the Templars will react.

The sight of the priests expelling divine power and confronting the plague head-on, sweating blood, is impressive even to me.

Certainly, among them, the prophetic priest stands out, but overall, there is a sense of harmony in their actions.

Despite being instructed to leave, the priests of bishop rank and below are still staying, focusing on treating the plague without sparing their own bodies until exhaustion.

The Templars and knights guarding their posts for security, the Atentas dispatched for reinforcement, all are watching this scene.

Although those openly expressing discontent with the Templars were a minority, it's possible that many share the same thoughts.

'What exactly are these guys doing?'

Of course, they're probably busy right now.

They need to track down the black mage after all.

Although various types of investigations are likely underway, even if the black mage is found, there will likely be no change in the fact that their position is under threat.

'Naturally.'

Regardless of the outcome, an inquiry will be conducted, and if many factions turn their backs on the Templars, it will be for the best.

I've even informed Bahamut of my fall... So, even though I don't know who the black mage is, I inadvertently ended up aiding them.

'That's not all.'

"Can you come immediately? James. Are you there?"

"I'm currently under control. As soon as the purification is complete..."

"No, there's no need for that. I'll take James with me right now. Archbishop Dractarius."

'Where are you trying to go?'

Damn it, nobody's leaving. Not from now on.

"Your Grace."

It wasn't Dractarius who restricted the Duchess.

"I apologize, but you must comply with the controls. We are currently conducting a formal investigation targeting the individuals invited to the society..."

The Templars are reluctantly trying to handle this situation, well...

Even from their perspective, there's no choice. If you think about it rationally, it was only natural to conduct a selective investigation of the individuals invited to the society.

The problem is that sponsors will likely be reluctant to accept this situation.

"Are you ignoring Marquis Havrin?"

The haughty aristocrats of this era won't just let this slide. Although they will comply with the controls for now, it's obvious that bruised egos among the nobility will seek revenge.

Even if they don't know, the internal affairs personnel on the Templar side are probably panicking.

"Marquis Havrin will never forget this incident."

"I'm sorry, Duchess. But..."

"The Shadow Tower won't overlook this incident either!"

"It's just a formal investigation."

The society won't end.

What's important is that I can determine when it ends.

Of course, Saint Altanus, who has been hidden away, will also reveal herself to pacify the supporters. Once I establish more influence through contact with Altanus, it will be over.

Various plans are forming in my mind.

Three days? One week?

After branding the Templars as a corrupt organization and cutting their arms and legs, it won't be a difficult task.

More than anything, Bahamut himself is likely the most distracted. It's good to relax and eat once in a while.

After treating a patient, it's natural to take steps to calm the agitated crowd.

It was precisely at that moment that a sudden sound reached my ears.

[The Underground Sanctuary Graveyard Quest has been completed.]

[The Society Chairman's Quest of Angry Demons has been completed.]

[Templar Training Base Quest has been completed.]"

[...Quest has been completed.]

[.....Quest has been completed.]

[.....Quest has been completed.]"

All the quests I had intermittently added were completed all at once.

For a moment, my footsteps stopped.

'What's going on, all of a sudden?'

No, not all quests have been completed.

The Archbishop's Dractarius quest is still ongoing, and the Envoys Team quest is also incomplete.

Power augmentation, demons coming up from the underground, and several other quests that I had set up are still incomplete.

'What... all of a sudden? Damn it... Why are the completion notifications suddenly coming up like this?'

Why are there so many jumps like this?

'No, no.'

It's not a jump. It makes more sense that all the quests were left just before completion and then completed all at once.

Why?

'Message.'

I recall all the quest listings in my head. There's a consistent gap between completed quests and ongoing quests.

[Quest has been completed.]

"[Quest is in progress.]

[Quest is in progress.]"

The completion notifications are points.

The ongoing notifications are lines.

Morse code-based communication among me, Jincheong, and Nuna, something we all commonly use.

The person who delivered the message in this way is surprising, but...

Eventually, I couldn't help but tear my hair out over the puzzle that was finally solved.

- Variables, annihilation, danger.

And

My consciousness began to blur.

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