Chapter 1491

<Chapter 1491> 1491. Paladin: A Journey of Evil Annihilation

The Pope’s eyes stretch wide open.

His eyeballs pop out but don’t fall, instead floating upward, held by nerve bundles functioning like muscles.

It’s a grotesque sight. The Pope has fallen beyond redemption.

KWAANG!

A shockwave blasts from the Pope. I leap sideways to dodge it. The floor where the wave passed is utterly devastated.

“You know what? The Goddess does absolutely nothing.”

“What nonsense! Lady Herianne has arranged everything for humanity. My very existence proves that.”

“That’s all she does. Aside from granting visions to Paladins and Holy Maidens, she’s done nothing. Humans built the Vatican, developed Sacred Laws, and forged holy swords. Meanwhile, the Great Demons actively interfere with this world.”

“As long as the Goddess exists, humanity continues to survive. You merely blaspheme to justify your own corruption. You have no right to speak of sanctity after surrendering to demons.”

“Haha… So devout it makes me sick.”

Hains’ pupils spin wildly. Another shockwave comes. I dodge again while closing in on him.

‘Acceleration, Dash!’

[Acceleration activated. Duration: 10 minutes. Remaining stacks: 6]

My legs speed up. Gripping the sword hilt with both hands, I aim for Hains’ neck. As we close distance instantly, he doesn’t flinch at all. Just as my blade is about to pierce his throat…

He vanishes from sight.

I halt in confusion.

-Fufufufufu.

Great Demon Arias’ mocking laughter echoes.

I immediately realize what’s happening.

“It’s an illusion. So Arias decided to intervene this early…”

In the original story, Arias only gets seriously involved after Hains dies. But this time, things are different from the start.

“Guess I’m being more carefully watched than expected.”

Makes sense.

In the original timeline, there were many tasks to handle within the Vatican. But I ignored everything and went straight for the Pope.

KWAANG!

Another shockwave comes from the right. Too close to dodge easily.

[Using Instantaneous Movement. Remaining stacks: 5]

Using the ability, I evade the wave and leap toward Hains. My greatsword cuts through his body. His flesh dissipates like smoke.

“Where are you aiming? I’m right here. Your so-called ‘holiness’ can’t even distinguish between reality and illusion.”

Hains mocks me from behind.

Turning around, I smirk at him.

“Your body is mutating horribly. Did you know you’re starting to resemble a bug burrowing through the earth? Quite satisfied being a pet bug for the Great Demon?”

“At least I’m not a hunting dog for the Goddess. By the way, do you know how Paladins truly end? So far…”


Though countless paladins have existed, none have ever enjoyed long lives. On average, they live ten years… At most, thirty before meeting their end.”

“I understand the nonsense you’re spewing now.”

Paladins are human. They grow old. And as they age, their bodies weaken, becoming easy prey for demons who lurk in wait.

“Paladins are nothing more than hunting dogs favored by the goddess. No matter how many enemies they tear apart, they ultimately die after being used and discarded.”

“That’s only because past paladins were incompetent. Within a year, I will slay all the Great Demons.”

“Hmph, someone like you? How arrogant.”

The voices of Hains and the Great Demon Arias overlapped.

Why is the tongue of a Great Demon so long? The reason is simple. Arias desires my corruption. Should I show even the slightest weakness, Hains’ body will be abandoned, and she’ll possess me instead.

“Arias, your tricks won’t work on me.”

-Expose your desires, and every woman in this world will writhe beneath you.

Another hallucination arose. Naked beauties danced, attempting to bewitch me. I steadied my breath and refocused my mind. As the illusion faded, Hains came into view directly ahead. His body had transformed further, becoming more demonic.

‘It’s phase two. Proof that Arias is influencing the Pope.’

The situation is dangerous.

But it’s not entirely bad. Her aggressive use of power means she considers me a threat.

And even a Great Demon doesn’t possess infinite strength.

“Haha, hahahahaha!”

Hains laughs, mistakenly believing the immense power Arias provides is his own.

Then, the surrounding space warped, revealing a ghost.

‘Is this another hallucination?’

Ignoring the approaching ghost, I moved forward. My priority was striking Hains’ neck, which would force Arias to reveal her true form.

“Keeeeeeeeeaaaah!”

The ignored ghost chased after me, screaming into my ear.

I momentarily staggered. Blood trickled from my right ear. Gripping my greatsword into the ground, I regained balance. My vision slowly returned as ghosts swarmed around me.

“Hahaha! I’ll give you one last chance—abandon your faith.”

“I’d rather die than abandon my faith.”

“Then die you shall.”

Something erupted from the ground. It was root-like tentacles. Over ten of them lunged at me.

Clenching my teeth, I spun and swung my greatsword. The tentacles were severed but sprouted again from the ground. Ghosts circling me began shrieking in unison.

“Keeeeeeeeeeaaaah!”

I unleashed Holy Aura.

The sacred energy neutralized the ghosts’ screams.

‘This is troublesome. At this rate, I won’t even be able to approach Hains, let alone kill him.’

There was no time to conserve energy. I activated the new skill I obtained last time.

Descent (Lv. 1).

A portion of the divine power within me escaped into the void. The golden light traced lines in the air before erupting in a brilliant glow.

From the light descended an angel, the herald and servant of the goddess. With a pair of white wings, clad in armor, and wielding a spear, it was a lower-tier angel due to the low level of Descent.

It possessed no self-awareness. Merely a weapon crafted by the goddess.

Upon arrival, the angel unleashed its own Holy Aura, attacking the ghosts.

“Oh, paladin, you’ve summoned something loathsome. But how long do you think it will last?”

Not long.

Being merely a lower-tier angel, it wasn’t stronger than a fallen one, though slightly weaker than an average demon.

‘It just needs to hold off these annoying ghosts and tentacles for a bit.’

That’s why I chose Descent for this purpose.

Raitenryu (Thunder Heaven Style): Jifuu Shinrai (Swift Wind Rapid Thunder).

Crackle.

Golden lightning enveloped my body, drastically enhancing my physical abilities.


[Activating Flash Step. Stacks remaining: 4]

In an instant, I close the distance. Haines stumbles back in panic. Is it because his body is mutating at an alarming rate? His foot slips on the ground, and he falls backward. What a stroke of luck amidst this intense situation.

“Divine Sword!”

I plunge the golden, radiant holy blade straight into Haines’ torso.

“AAAAAAGH!”

Haines lets out a scream filled with agony. Of course, I don’t give a single damn. I attempt to move the sword, aiming to slice through his flesh and decapitate him in one swift motion.

“…The sword won’t budge.”

Haines’ flesh tightly grips the blade with a crunching sound. It’s so strong that even I’m struggling to pull it free.

“Lightning!”

Zzzziiiiiip!

Golden electricity surges through the blade into his body. But Haines refuses to die.

“Lord Arias! More power! Give me more power…!”

Haines’ mass begins to swell unnaturally. It’s beyond disgusting.

His body inflates rapidly. Sensing the danger, I release my grip on the hilt and try to retreat, but the swelling mass explodes faster than I can react.

I’m sent flying backward by the blast of blood, flesh, and bone fragments, tumbling across the ground. The explosion wasn’t ordinary – my armor shatters into pieces. Struggling against my heavy body, I manage to rise.

“Where’s the bastard?”

Haines stands there, swaying unsteadily. He looks horrifying – over 80% of his body is gone, yet some unseen force keeps him barely intact.

Thump thump.

His heart beats weakly. Blood vessels squirm around it, slowly reforming a vaguely human shape.

“So this is the fate of one who sacrifices everything to a demon. I feel like vomiting.”

What remains of his mouth slowly moves. The voice that emerges is filled with agony, as if echoing from the depths of hell itself.

“S-someone… please… the pain… help me… Lord Arias… Aaaahhh…”

“Do you actually think you mean something to Arias? You were nothing but his plaything.”

Haines staggers forward, not of his own will. The grotesque remains are being controlled by Arias herself.

I extend my palm forward. Blood drips from it. My body has reached its limit – the curse’s explosion earlier is eating away at me.

“Divine Sword.”

I channel divine energy. A golden light gathers before my palm, forming the shape of a sword. Empowered by my will, the Divine Sword flies toward Haines, piercing his heart.

BOOM!

The Divine Sword triggers a small explosion, delivering the final blow. Haines’ last shred of flesh drops heavily to the ground.

“AAAAAAAAAAH!”

A cry echoes from behind – one of the angels fell valiantly against the ghostly onslaught.

The ghosts don’t come for me; instead, they swarm toward the remnants of Haines’ body. The flesh scraps float into the air, coalescing into the shape of a heart. The ghosts let out joyous screams as they offer themselves to the heart.

The heart beats steadily. With each beat, powerful magic pulses outward.

“Great Demon Arias…”

A formless yet formed demon appears.

*Snicker snicker.* “It’s been such a long time since I’ve had to step in personally. So unpleasant.”

“I need a new body.”

“Isn’t there a perfect one right in front of me?”

“Come now, let’s become one.”

The heart slowly floats toward me. Arias thinks she’s won. She doesn’t know about my ability to resurrect and fully heal.

I check my body status.

My lower half is necrotic. I’m standing only by leaning on the sword, but even that has its limits.

I need to die once. And I don’t want to die at Arias’ hands.

“O Goddess Herianne, I offer this body to thee.”

I sacrifice what little life I have left.