Chapter 1492

<Chapter 1492> 1492. Paladin: A Journey of Evil Annihilation

Sacrifice.

A skill that triggers a miracle by offering one’s own life. But that tiny miracle was truly insignificant—all it did was fill my holy sword with divine energy.

“Sacrifice is too low level… or is it because I used it while nearly dead?”

I died.

My life was definitely cut off due to the effects of Sacrifice.

But then the resurrection skill activated, and I rose again. My body was perfectly restored, though my armor was now in tatters.

With divine energy coursing through me, I swung my massive sword toward Arias. Arias, who had been flying toward me, changed direction, soaring up to the ceiling and escaping outside.

“Now you’re running? Not gonna happen!”

I jumped toward the ceiling, breaking through it repeatedly until I emerged on the roof.

Surveying the surroundings from the highest point, there was no sign of Arias.

“The Vatican has its barriers. Even Arias can’t break through the Vatican’s barriers instantly and escape. She must be hiding somewhere.”

Keeeeeeeeeeng!

I activated my divine sense to search for traces of the Great Demon Arias.

-Hohohohoho…

Arias’ laughter rang in my ears, coming from below. My gaze shifted downward.

The city streets filled with citizens.

Flames erupted, screams echoed as fallen ones revealed themselves, wreaking havoc. Paladins, priests, and inquisitors patrolled the streets, dealing with the fallen. The problem was that humans were falling in real-time.

The Great Demon Arias, infamous for corrupting the most humans at the fastest rate, was spreading her influence even to devout priests and paladins. The corrupted wielded immense power, plunging the situation into chaos.

“…Now I understand why the original didn’t attack the pope first but dealt with the smaller fry.”

It was preparation for this chaos.

“Anyway, killing Arias will solve everything.”

Focusing my mind, I scanned around and finally found traces of Arias. Her presence was connected to the giant statue behind the Vatican—the statue of the First Paladin.

Flash!

The statue’s eyes lit up.

Guhuhuhuhuhuung.

The statue’s arm began to move.

“Arias… could she have possessed the statue? This exceeds imagination.”

The giant statue’s legs moved, crushing nearby houses.

“AAAAAAAAAAH!”

“The statue is moving!”

“The Great Demon! The Great Demon is controlling the statue!”

“Kekeke. Humans! Behold the power of Lady Arias!”

Goooom!

The statue’s leg moved again, indiscriminately crushing humans and fallen alike. Standing 30 meters tall, the statue swung its massive stone sword at me. Though made of dull rock, its sheer size was overwhelming.

If crushed by that oppressive weight, it’s over.

[Using Instant (刹那). Remaining stacks: 3]

I dodged using Instant.

Looking at the Vatican building shattered by the greatsword, I clicked my tongue. The Vatican structure was split in half in one blow.

“How do I deal with that giant thing?”

Among my skills, there was nothing capable of instantly destroying this statue. If it were an ordinary statue, maybe…


It would seem that the statue was possessed by the Great Demon Arias.

Glancing sideways…

I noticed the holy sword of Valentier in my grip. Though its divine power flows steadily due to Sacrifice’s influence, I doubt it can truly contend with this monstrosity before me.

“He’s coming.”

The statue swings its sword—a devastating horizontal slash aimed not at me, but at the Vatican building itself.

With a thunderous crash, the structure collapses. The roof slides down and crumbles. Kicking off from the falling debris, I manage to distance myself as far as possible from the collapsing edifice. Getting crushed under these ruins would be catastrophic.

Landing on the ground,

I find the statue’s gaze fixed directly upon me. It raises its massive blade high into the air. As I sprint across the distance to evade the descending strike, I unleash a wave of energy with my greatsword.

The attack connects squarely with the statue’s head—but only manages to scratch its impenetrable surface.

“At my current strength, taking on Arias seems impossible.”

Even if I somehow managed to destroy this statue, would that truly end things?

I can see it—the souls of those dying at the hands of corruption being sucked into Iris! Arias feeds on their essence, gradually increasing the statue’s size.

“I need to finish this in one blow. To do so… ”

An overwhelming power is required.

And there is only one way for me to wield such overwhelming force: through Sacrifice.

By offering up my entire self completely.

“I will do it.”

Activating Sacrifice.

I feel everything within me drain away.

[Death Resistance activated. For the next 15 seconds, death cannot claim me.]

Staring blankly upward,

at the azure sky.

Beyond that…

Golden light descends from the celestial heights above.

This light transforms my very body.

My skin bleaches pure white, and four pairs of radiant wings unfurl dramatically from my back, blossoming outward like flowers in full bloom.

The gathered light takes the form of golden armor, while the holy sword in my hand grows even more luminous.

Behind my head, sacred energy condenses into a halo.

An archangel from the heavens has descended using my body as a vessel.

[Full Restoration initiated.]

My fading consciousness sharpens once more.

Having shaken off death, I regain control over my physical form. Though the archangel resisted, its will was crushed beneath my overwhelming mental fortitude.

“I can feel the power of the archangel now. Its presence is slowly fading. And I have perhaps five minutes to utilize this power.”

Of course, it makes sense. Even without being a Great Demon, any ordinary demon could easily be slain with this level of might. There’s no way such immense power could be unleashed recklessly through Sacrifice alone without limits or consequences.

“I’ll defeat Arias within five minutes.”

Unfolding my wings of light, I ascend into the skies.

“The power of an archangel?”

“It appears she’s wielding her abilities.”

“But it won’t matter.”

In the brief interval, the statue had grown nearly forty meters tall. The magical energy emanating from it was anything but ordinary. It became necessary to eliminate the corruptors within the city to prevent Arias from gathering more power.

Extending my hand toward the heavens, the vast reservoir of divine energy within me surges upward. This single source fractures into thousands.

“Divine Swords.”

These fragmented energies assume the shape of swords, raining down upon the earth below. Their targets are the corrupted individuals slaughtering innocent citizens. Like a meteor shower of light, these Divine Swords descend and annihilate the corrupt ones.

“Truly astonishing… But I’ve gathered all I need already.”

The statue swings its blade. Despite its colossal size, the speed at which it wields its weapon is astonishingly fast.

“…So it’s not just random slashing after all. Did you learn some swordsmanship?”

“I never trained. I simply know because many knights among my playthings were skilled in such arts.”

Arias’ swordplay isn’t designed for fighting small humans. Dodging while observing his technique, I leap onto the statue’s head.

Without hesitation, I plunge my blade straight into its crown.

“This ends now. Explode, Divine Sword!”

Summoning most of the divine energy from both the archangel and the holy blade within me,

a divine explosion erupts inside the statue.

Shattered rocks rain down across the city.

“How merciless.”

“Do you see those screaming humans?”

“They’re dying because you attacked without thought.”

“Humans…”


I shall curse thee.

From the shattered statue, a heart popped out and flew far away. I chased after it, spreading my wings. The heart flew around the city above but couldn’t escape the Pope’s Barrier.

At last, I plunged my greatsword into the heart.

*Hmph hmfh hmfh.*

The heartbeat slowly began to weaken. I could feel Arias’ Spirit clinging to my body, attempting a final attempt to possess me and steal my flesh. I firmly held onto my wits and resisted.

“It’s useless.”

“Fine… I’ve been defeated.”

“To have such mental fortitude that makes one doubt if you’re even human…”

“But that doesn’t mean you’re flawless.”

“I can clearly sense your desires.”

“Arias, you’re finished.”

“We never truly end. This is merely a temporary rest.”

“We will return.”

“And by then, you won’t be around either.”

“There exists a way to destroy Great Demons. We’ve discovered it.”

“Ah? What method?”

“Well…”

“You can only use that method once. So you’d need to kill all the Great Demons and gather their souls… Do you really think you can do it?”

“I can and that’s final.”

*Hmph hmfh.*

Arias’ voice no longer echoed.

I descended to the ground. Everyone looked at me, kneeling and bowing their heads. Leaving their prayers behind, I entered the shattered Vatican.

The power of the Archangel faded, and I returned to my original form.

‘There must still be corrupt ones hiding within the Vatican. I must find and exterminate them.’

Frowning as I walked through the ruined Vatican,

Arias’ soul clung to my flesh, emitting an aura of corruption.

It felt different from the Great Demon Suton’s spiritual ring. Even in death, Arias meddles with my desires. My body heats up.

“…I can endure this much easily.”

After finding and eliminating all the hidden corrupt ones, I used the Return Stone to head back to the sanctuary of Valentier.

“Paladin-sama?!”

Amelia, who was praying as usual in the shrine, jumped up. As she approached, I pushed her away and said,

“I’ve killed the Great Demon Arias. Prepare the Purification Ritual.”

“The Purification Ritual can begin immediately. But are you truly alright? You seem different from usual.”

“It’s because of Arias. That woman’s aura of corruption… It’s stronger than Suton’s.”

I stripped off my clothes and lay down in the sacred pond.

My burning flesh cools under the holy water. However, the excitement doesn’t subside easily. Lying in the water, I stared at my crotch. A massive erection stood tall like the Tower of Babel.

I quietly closed my eyes. After the Purification Ritual ends, everything will return to normal.

Three days later.

After the Purification Ritual ended, I sat on the edge of the sacred pond. My erect member leaked pre-cum. The aura of corruption had been thoroughly purified, yet the erection wouldn’t subside.

“…Guess there’s nothing to be done. I’ll use Complete Recovery.”

[Using Complete Recovery.]

The erection remained as it was.

I let out a hollow laugh. This isn’t an abnormal status condition. It’s simply the repressed desires I’ve been holding back coming to light.

“Ever since entering this world, I haven’t even masturbated once… Guess I did hold back quite a bit.”

“Paladin-sama…”

I sensed Amelia’s presence behind me.

I swallowed. My heart pounded violently, making my member twitch.

“Stay away. I’m currently in heat. I’ll be fine once some time passes, so leave me be. No, it would be better if you left the shrine altogether.”

Despite my words, she didn’t move. Instead, she entered the sacred pond and stood before me.

“I shall resolve this for you.”

“…Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I am aware. Living in a convent my whole life doesn’t mean I lack knowledge of relations between men and women.”

“That’s enough. Go away. It’ll resolve itself in time.”

“Time is not the answer. During the three-day Purification Ritual, Paladin’s… that area remained erect continuously. Allow me to serve you, Paladin.”

“Service? That’s not the duty of a Holy Maiden. Call a prostitute instead.”

“Did you not know? A Holy Maiden’s duty is to assist and serve the Paladin. Even if it involves sexual matters.”

The Holy Maiden removed the clothes covering her body.