244th Episode
“Do you have the artefact with you?”
“…?”
Ray was taken aback that Anthonyus had initiated the conversation.
As far as Ray knew, Anthonyus was a man who refused to engage in any conversation beyond what was absolutely necessary.
Being the first time Ray had heard Anthonyus’ voice, he remained silent for a moment, pondering what ‘artefact’ Anthonyus was referring to.
Currently, Ray possessed two artefacts: a dagger and a brooch.
The dagger itself was of standard grade, though its innate divine power was firmly sealed, making it appear as an ordinary dagger. This seal was intended to preserve its potency over time.
Even a High Templar would find it difficult to detect the dagger’s presence from afar unless they conducted a deliberate search… although one could never be entirely sure.
In Ray’s estimation, it was more likely that Anthonyus had detected and approached due to the brooch rather than the dagger. After all, the brooch continuously emitted divine energy, glowing brightly day and night.
Reaching into his robes, Ray separated the protective medal and presented the brooch.
“Could this be what you’re referring to?”
“…”
With a cold expression, Anthonyus stared at the brooch before reaching out and taking it into his hand.
From the perspective of a High Templar, Ray’s brooch was quite… bizarre.
Finally, Anthonyus’ heavy-laden lips parted once more.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was a gift from an acquaintance.”
“…”
When consecrating artefacts with divine power, ‘skill’ is required.
A devout and experienced cleric never recklessly infuses divine power but instead carefully crafts the artefact.
Truly high-grade artefacts remain inconspicuous until their miraculous potential is needed.
However… Ray’s brooch seemed to have been recklessly infused with divine power, lacking any technical finesse. Despite this, it still functioned adequately, continuously emitting divine energy.
Anthonyus had never seen such an imbalanced artefact since attaining the rank of Templar.
“…”
Condensing the level of divine power embedded in this brooch would require several senior clerics working tirelessly for a considerable period.
Such artefacts are typically treated as strategic resources, making personal exchanges extremely difficult or impossible.
Yet, it was given as a gift?
While not outright impossible, it certainly felt off.
“…Do you know any clerics?”
“Yes, I do.”
“…An artefact of this caliber should be hard for individuals to exchange privately.”
Ray found it awkward to explain the brooch and simply chuckled.
“To hear such words from a High Templar like you makes me feel somewhat embarrassed. You must have seen far greater artefacts…”
“…”
“That brooch… I’ve heard it’s a trial piece. My acquaintance gifted it as a trial piece that didn’t meet their expectations.”
Without a switch to turn it off, it was hard to call something that constantly glowed a success.
Ray attempted to smoothly change the subject.
“I am truly looking forward to meeting you, esteemed High Templar Anthonyus, as my advisor today.”
“…”
“The renowned High Templar Anthonyus, it’s an honor to consult with you. Might I see the artefacts you possess, ones that are said to be among the best in the Order… Ah, is this expression disrespectful? I apologize.”
“…The artefacts do not belong to me but to the Order.”
Anthonyus handed the brooch back to Ray and showed him the shield strapped to his back.
The rhomboid-shaped shield split into two sharp ends, capable of being planted into the ground or used to crush someone’s skull.
After blinking, Ray hesitantly spoke.
“Ah, it’s an honor.”
Give more than you receive.
This phrase was part of the Order’s doctrine.
Since Anthonyus had scrutinized Ray’s artefact, he offered Ray the same opportunity.
Though there might be other intentions, Ray interpreted Anthonyus’ action this way.
With great appreciation, Ray carefully took hold of the shield.
‘This is also a standard-grade artefact…’
Upon gripping it, Ray could sense the immense divine power condensed within the shield.
It wasn’t merely brute force; it was designed to manifest phenomena according to the wielder’s will.
The beautifully crafted shield radiated intense and warm energy, yet it was also elegant.
“Is this… perhaps an artefact personally consecrated by you, Anthonyus?”
“It was consecrated by the Sacred Maiden.”
“Ah, the Sacred Maiden… Truly an honor. The deep affection and love she holds for you can be felt through this artefact.”
“…The Sacred Maiden shows equal compassion to all.”
“Would I dare question the compassion of the Sacred Maiden? However, even She must carry familial bonds.”
Ray added this remark to please Anthonyus.
For Anthonyus, his faith and reason for living were his sister, so mentioning her familial bond would surely satisfy him.
After a brief silence, Anthonyus responded.
“Those who know the Sacred Maiden is my sister… there are only five within the Order.”
“…”
At the exact moment Ray internally cursed himself.
The shield in Ray’s hands returned to Anthonyus on its own and unleashed divine power.
KUUNG!!
Columns of light descended from all directions.
As Ray lowered his body to steady himself, a divine barrier expanded from the columns of light, instantly engulfing the space where Ray and Anthonyus stood.
Before he knew it, Ray found himself standing in the middle of a massive castle made of light.
Amidst the transformed landscape, Anthonyus drew his sword and shield.
“Reveal the source of your information.”
*
Ray knows little about this world.
He only picked up a few stories from his annoying friend who wouldn’t stop talking.
Given the grim nature of the world, tragic endings for characters were commonplace, and while Anthonyus’ story was unfortunate, it wasn’t particularly extraordinary.
Yet, the reason Ray clearly remembered Anthonyus’ tale…
was because the day he discussed it with his friend was unusually emotional, and he became deeply engrossed in the conversation.
Anthonyus had no parents from a very young age.
Whether they fled or met an unfortunate accident, he was left to live as a vagrant from an early age.
His older sister was no different.
She stole and begged to ensure her younger brother didn’t starve or freeze to death.
While Anthonyus was thin, his sister was skeletal, barely surviving each day.
Living this way, his sister was eventually chosen by the Order, and Anthonyus accompanied her.
And now…
His sister has become the Sacred Maiden, receiving miracles from El-Lam to protect the world.
The Sacred Maiden suppresses the erosion of the Demonic Realm and blesses the warriors of light fighting against evil.
Anthonyus became a Templar to protect his sister.
Even as a Templar, he was often called a “lonely wolf.”
Anthonyus had a strong distrust of humans.
In fact, he distrusted everyone except his sister. Perhaps, everything except his sister.
His faith fundamentally centered around his sister, and his devotion was directed solely toward her.
“…”
Ray knew and mostly remembered Anthonyus’ entire story up until his death.
According to his friend’s account, by the time Anthonyus died, most characters in the story were aware that he and the Sacred Maiden were siblings.
However, that was far in the future from the current timeline.
In the original history, the failure to contain the expansion of the Demonic Realm led to the relocation of the Papacy and Anthonyus’ expulsion. Thanks to Ray’s efforts, this future might now be erased.
Ultimately, the information that “Anthonyus and the Sacred Maiden are siblings” was not something Ray could confidently claim as common knowledge at this point.
Realizing his oversight too late, Ray understood the gravity of his mistake.
Anthonyus had already deployed the divine barrier, leaving Ray facing him inside a castle made of light.
Ray cautiously observed the suddenly changed scenery.
The Deciphering Authority activated, embedding the function of the divine barrier into Ray’s mind.
‘A divine barrier specialized in preventing escape…’
Breaking this barrier from within was nearly impossible.
This applied to Anthonyus as well, but he seemed entirely unconcerned.
“Reveal the source of your information.”
With all his weapons deployed, Anthonyus approached Ray with an intimidating aura.
Ray furrowed his brows and sighed deeply.
Seeing Anthonyus react so strongly to matters involving his sister confirmed that he was indeed the person Ray knew.
*
KUUNG-!!
“?!”
The students waiting outside turned their eyes simultaneously.
Suddenly, a pillar of light shot up from the building within the training grounds, completely covering it with a castle made of light.
Everyone realized it was some form of high-level divine barrier, but none understood why such a large and powerful barrier was deployed.
Nelson turned to the two Templars accompanying Anthonyus as advisors.
The Templar replied to Nelson’s questioning gaze.
“It’s Anthonyus’ divine barrier.”
Even the responding Templar looked perplexed.
Why had Anthonyus suddenly deployed this barrier?
Nelson glanced at the castle of light enveloping the building, muttering under his breath.
While Nelson couldn’t understand Anthonyus’ intent behind deploying the barrier, he couldn’t just break it without cause.
Considering Anthonyus’ position and reputation, such an action would be inappropriate.
There must have been a valid reason for Anthonyus to deploy this barrier, so Nelson decided the best course of action was to request support and observe the situation.
“Students, step back from the barrier and wait.”
Nelson moved the students back and prepared to request support.
Once reinforcements arrived, he would reassess the situation and take appropriate action.
The students tried to align themselves and move back amidst the chaotic atmosphere, except for Johanna.
Johanna knew Ray was inside the building where the divine barrier had been deployed.
Looking around, she couldn’t spot Ray anywhere.
Johanna immediately grabbed Nelson’s wrist.
“Instructor, Ray is in there…!”
“…Step back for now.”
Neither Nelson nor the Templars seemed inclined to act immediately.
Johanna couldn’t understand.
What were they so calm about when they didn’t know what was happening inside?
They should immediately break the barrier. They should shatter it and secure Ray’s safety first.
Of course…
Had it been a few days ago, Johanna wouldn’t have thought this way.
She would have observed the situation calmly, more so than anyone else.
To Johanna, Ray was an invincible hero, and she didn’t feel the least bit ashamed for being a passive observer.
But not anymore.
Ray wasn’t the invincible hero she imagined.
The boy who was her hero was smiling outwardly while suffering inwardly.
Knowing this, Johanna couldn’t remain a passive observer anymore.
If no one else would help, she had to. This compulsion drove her to draw her sword.
ZACK!!!
Before anyone could intervene, Johanna released a sword aura.
The sword aura sliced through the air, colliding with the castle of light and producing a loud explosion.
Though the castle of light remained steadfast after the impact, part of its wall momentarily cracked and rippled before closing again.
The barrier Anthonyus had deployed was easier to destroy from the outside than the inside, so it sustained damage from the sword aura.
However, breaking through it completely with an ordinary sword aura was impossible.
As Johanna stepped forward toward the barrier, a Templar blocked her path and shouted.
“What are you doing?!”
“Get out of my way!!!!”
CHEEKK!!!
In one swift motion, Johanna penetrated the Templar’s defenses and struck his temple with her knee.
Caught slightly off guard, the Templar couldn’t properly counter Johanna’s almost ambush-like strike and rolled across the ground.
Everyone watching was shocked by Johanna’s sudden outburst.
Especially the students, who saw Johanna use force against an advisor and couldn’t comprehend it, gaping in disbelief.
Before further interference could occur, Johanna tightened her grip on her sword.
If she didn’t break through the barrier in one go, it would repair itself.
She needed to create a passageway into the barrier with a single strike.
Accelerating with Overdrive alone wouldn’t provide enough power to break through.
Johanna condensed mana between her joints.
Overdrive.
Johanna learned the principle of Overdrive while developing Acceleration with Ray.
Using Overdrive would likely destroy her joints due to the recoil her body couldn’t withstand.
Johanna paid no heed and thrust her sword forward.
First acceleration using Overdrive.
Second acceleration using Acceleration.
Then, she accelerated her body once more by utilizing the thrust from the artefact she was equipped with.
Just before her sword touched the barrier, Johanna crossed two sword auras in a double-helix pattern and detonated them at the tip of her sword.
For a moment, a deep blue flash illuminated brighter than the barrier itself.
Betrayal (4)
