Ultimately, Yoo Hana and Cheon Yeoul.
I only need to go to them.
Sorry to say, but I only needed to protect the key figures.
In the original, Moras’s temptation was directed solely at those two individuals.
In this world, the targets will likely be the same.
I catch sight of the students.
First, I’m heading to Yoo Hana.
‘To start with, get closer.’
Moreover, there’s a high possibility that Cheon Yeoul’s desires have been fulfilled to some extent at this point.
After all, her influence within the church has grown significantly.
In contrast, Yoo Hana’s desires are always lacking.
Her ‘thirst’ is never quenched.
The thirst for martial prowess is exactly like that.
Moras will exploit that thirst.
I increased my speed.
Finally, I arrived at Field B.
An evacuation order had been issued, so the field was completely empty.
Not even a trace of a spectator remained.
And in the center of the field, a violet barrier was erected.
I opened my eyes.
Total Perception.
Through the violet barrier, the scene inside was clear as day.
Yoo Hana.
She stood, sword in hand, facing Moras.
The firm stance of her feet.
The intense energy emanating from her trembling fingertips.
I took a short breath.
“…Alright.”
If she couldn’t resist temptation…
I took my seat in the stands.
If she couldn’t overcome Moras’s seduction, I intended to intervene.
But that wasn’t necessary. She’s already resisted temptation and has drawn her sword.
Moras isn’t an overwhelmingly powerful demon, but neither is he an opponent to be underestimated. Hence, he’ll make a good sparring partner for Yoo Hana.
The energy radiating from her sword — the crimson camellia’s seal.
A blade to vanquish evil.
The Flower-and-Butterfly Sword Technique.
The swordplay I taught her.
By now, she no longer uses her family’s traditional techniques; she only employs the skills I’ve personally taught her.
And perfectly restrains Moras using only those techniques.
I watch her, gripping the arms of my seat tightly.
“Faster, just a little faster.”
As I imagine her movements in my mind, she obeys, precisely as I envision.
This…
I suddenly realized it.
This is the joy a teacher feels observing their disciple’s growth.
I can sense how she’s been fully colored by my influence.
An indescribable warmth wells up in me.
-Snip-
Finally, Yoo Hana’s sword cleaved through Moras’s neck.
The finishing stroke was the same one I showed her yesterday.
“Good job.”
I stood from my seat before the barrier entirely disappeared.
A warehouse-like space, entirely shrouded in darkness.
Damp air.
The scent of mold brushes against my nose.
Dim breathing sounds emerge from the dark.
The Demon ‘Actu’ cloaked in a hood,
and the Demon ‘Ganian,’ a towering figure.
In front of them lay a wooden snake puppet. Or rather, its severed head rolled on the floor.
Medusa had failed.
The two gaze silently at the shadowy figure sitting before them.
Moras.
He whom they believed would certainly succeed. Whom they had to believe would succeed.
“Ugh…!”
An unexpected cough.
Moras winced and bent forward, spitting out a gush of blood.
“Master Moras?!”
Actu sprang to his feet, but Moras raised a blood-streaked hand, halting his movement.
“One of my incarnations has… perished.”
Slowly, Moras closed his eyes, then reopened them.
“Furthermore, the memories… aren’t returning.”
Actu and Ganian’s faces stiffened.
When an incarnation dies or returns, the memories should revert to the main body.
It had always been an unwavering principle during Moras’s existence.
But now…
The memories hadn’t returned.
His eyes narrowed sharply.
Actu and Ganian couldn’t muster words to respond.
“Is Medusa progressing well? We need more time.”
But Actu and Ganian remained silent, their eyes shifting uneasily.
“Is it progressing well?!”
His voice grew more distinct, but their reactions were the same.
Silence. And that was answer enough.
Mora’s eyes widened.
“―――――!!”
A thunderous roar filled the warehouse.
At that moment…
“Ugh――――――!! Khwaaah―――――!”
Moras violently spat out another gush of blood, shocking Actu and Ganian.
“Mo, Master Moras?!”
But he didn’t respond.
His eyes flickered with turmoil.
Not long ago, another one had perished.
This place was the Arcadia Shrine, located within the compound.
I had come here to confirm whether Moras had approached Cheon Yeoul, following Yoo Hana.
However, as soon as I arrived, I understood.
“It’s done?”
Cheon Yeoul had already bested Moras.
Once I confirmed she was safe, I turned to leave.
But then…
“Ha-in?”
I froze.
And even before I could turn around—
“Wait.”
The warmth of her touch.
Her fingertips wrapped around my wrist.
I slowly turned my head.
Bright, clear eyes.
Her deep gaze rippled like a tranquil lake.
And then…
She started to cry.
“Sorry…”
Her voice wavered softly. I watched her, perplexed.
Her long lashes trembled, and her eyes brimmed with the promise of tears.
‘Ah.’
I realized it.
It must have been because of the incident where the Crusaders attacked me. Broadly speaking, it involved the feelings Yohan harbored for her.
“I must repay this sin with my own body…”
“It’s fine.”
I firmly cut her off.
It didn’t bother me.
Especially as it had nothing to do with her.
Cheon Yeoul paused, her gaze flickering before she lowered her head.
“…Even so.”
Her fingers twitched.
“You gave me the cross, and have given me so much faith and trust… but I feel like I haven’t lived up to it.”
“…Are you disappointed in someone like me?”
I exhaled softly, slowly looking at her.
“Cheon Yeoul.”
She looked up.
“You’ve done what you needed to do.”
“…”
“That’s the clearest way to repay me.”
I half-smiled.
When she heard that, she stared at me intently.
There’s no reason for me to be disappointed with the characters. They were created as imperfect beings who would grow as time passed. How could I be disappointed?
I turned away my gaze.
That’s when I noticed the remains of the cross on the floor.
Instantly, my body stiffened. Could it be…
I quickly knelt and lifted some of the cross’s powder on my fingertips. The soft powder scattered across my palm.
I raised my eyes.
“…This.”
I took a sharp breath, then looked at Cheon Yeoul.
“Did you absorb it?”
She quietly nodded.
At that moment, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You did well.”
I truly meant it.
It couldn’t have been easy. Really, absorbing the cross was far more important than some minor disturbance caused by the Crusaders.
I promptly regained my composure, maintaining professional distance as the Saint.
Letting go of her wrist, I stepped back. Cheon Yeoul quietly watched me.
For a moment, there was silence.
Her reddened cheeks, the slight trembling of her long lashes, and her quiet inhalation.
She bit her lips as if restraining something.
“I can’t…”
Her voice was quiet. And then—her hand cautiously extended toward me.
At that moment,
-BOOM!
The temple doors burst open violently.
“Saint!”
The Paladins rushed in.
“Are you unharmed?!”
Their gazes immediately focused on Cheon Yeoul, then turned to me.
Cheon Yeoul silently looked at them. Her gaze wavered slightly.
“I’m leaving.”
The Paladins would now take over her protection.
I didn’t linger any further and stepped out of the shrine.
Outside, things seemed under control. The Paladins reported that the pursuit of the Demon had failed. It was difficult to capture such weak Demon entities due to their minimal mana.
However, news that Moras had been captured came from various places.
“Almost done.”
I walked around the compound, checking for any remaining issues. Key figures’ safety had already been confirmed.
Kang Ah-rin was guarded by her sect leader,
and Shion was under the protection of Vanguisher.
There were no problems.
I continued moving.
To patrol places less frequented by others. Then, deep within the compound’s forest…
I encountered Seong Si-woo.
He stood in confrontation with a Demon.
Unlike Yoo Hana, who immediately engaged with her sword, Seong Si-woo hadn’t even drawn his.
He just stood there.
“Damn it…”
His eyes were fixated on the Demon, who was quietly whispering something. Seong Si-woo was completely absorbed, listening to those words rather than engaging in battle.
I overlooked this.
When he was the protagonist, I often sought out Demons myself. Now, that wasn’t the case.
Seong Si-woo, with his protagonist’s blessing, naturally possessed an immense amount of mana, which made him the Demon’s ideal target.
Because of the system’s protection, I had assumed he wouldn’t succumb to mental manipulation.
How wrong I was.
I kicked off the ground forcefully.
“Hey, snap out of it!”
Charging my mana, I hurled a spear through the air.
-Whish!
In an instant, the spear tore through a silver barrier and pierced straight through the Demon’s neck.
The spear shattered, scattering fragments everywhere.
I turned my gaze to Seong Si-woo.
He was clutching his head.
His breathing was ragged.
Seong Si-woo frowned, holding his forehead in distress.
End
