1.
Nahan.
No, Ian Red thought.
His first power was the ability to determine the owner’s life or death by touching an object.
It was common for priests possessing more than one power to gain strength related to their first given power, making this the best excuse under the circumstances.
“My second power is communication with lost souls.”
The first power was expressed through the aura of hidden souls, and the second power deepened further to actually perceive those souls themselves.
“Indeed, it seems that when one has more than one power, they are connected in this way.”
“Did Lord Gardener know this as well?”
“It’s a well-known hypothesis, is it not?”
“…”
Everyone seemed to understand as intended and nodded their heads, while Balak rushed right up to my face.
“Communication with lost souls, you say!! Did the Founder lose the way to Lady Goddess’s garden!!”
“It’s also possible for souls with unfinished business to be bound to this world.”
“Is that so! …By the way, could you tell me what this ‘world’ means?”
“Simply put, the world we live in now.”
“Oh, I see! Thank you kindly for your explanation!! It’s been so long since someone answered my questions, I almost feel like crying!!”
And Balak wasn’t just saying it—he actually shed a large, single tear.
As Balak was doing this, Tehelaran sighed and nudged Hestia.
“Hestia.”
“Yes, Lord.”
Creeak.
It seemed her leg recovery was only temporary, as Hestia soon pushed her wheelchair near Balak and whispered into his ear.
“Sir Rohan and other family warriors wish to learn a thing or two from you, Brother.”
“Right here, you say!!”
“Yes, right now.”
“Wonderful and admirable!! Sir Leather! May I be excused??”
“It’s Lord, Brother.”
“Anyway!!”
As Tehelaran nodded, Balak grinned broadly and ran outside.
“Let’s play!!!”
Bang, bang!!
Through the window.
The remaining people were Tehelaran, Hestia, Asha, and Nahan.
As the study finally grew quiet again, the soundproof barrier was reinstated.
“My apologies. Since I’ll be facing the Founder, Lord Balak is the kind who’ll jump at the chance for sparring.”
“It’s fine.”
The Founder’s personality is similar to him, so I was also quite worried about it.
Anyway,
‘The Founder will prepare to meet, knowing not only about communication but also that the power can possess my body.’
Honestly, I can’t help but have various suspicions, but if it’s said to be the power of the Goddess, it’s a situation where I can’t readily distrust it.
‘They have to guard the barrier. It’s not me, but them who should feel regretful.’
However, since I started it, it can’t end without cost.
Thinking this while waiting for Tehelaran’s next words, after a considerable amount of thought, he turned to Hestia and asked.
“Would it be alright to ask a favor?”
Tehelaran knew.
That among the family, the wisest was not himself but Hestia.
“Yes, Lord.”
Accepting immediately because she also understood this, she pushed her wheelchair over to Nahan.
With red hair and red eyes,
A figure that proved he was from the Red family exterminated long ago, Hestia was momentarily overwhelmed but soon began to speak.
“First of all, thank you.”
It happened three times.
The man saved her life.
One time, her hasty suspicion almost led her to kill him, so she owed both gratitude and an apology.
“Since the situation is urgent, I will greet you properly after we deal with the barrier.”
Not only was she tardy in gratitude, but she had the gall to ask him to solve a problem within the family.
‘…Certainly, I will be surely disliked.’
For some reason,
Seeing this man in front of her, Hestia grew inexplicably sad at the thought of being disliked by him, but that thought didn’t last long.
The reason being,
“Don’t mind it. I’m really fine.”
Nahan continued to smile kindly at her.
And it didn’t stop there.
“Could we ask if you can inquire with the Founder about the location of Lord Rohe? If that’s not possible, could you suggest an alternative approach?”
“Ah… Yes, yes!”
“I’ll do the best I can.”
Understanding the intention precisely, he even took the initiative to bring up the subject, so as not to embarrass anyone.
To Lady Asha of the Gardner family,
The strategist of the legion, etc.
For Hestia, who always had to be the first to speak and act, Nahan’s consideration was deeply knowledgeable and gentle.
‘…Priests get married these days too, don’t they?’
Without realizing it, it was her first time for her thoughts to drift elsewhere.
Anyway, as it was a time of urgency concerning the barrier, Nahan quietly knelt down and clasped his hands.
“To Lady Aria, the master of brilliant light, your humble servant, a lost lamb, offers prayers.”
The most solemn act of praying to the one true god, Aria.
“Through the other powers you’ve bestowed, may we prepare for the impending catastrophe. Grant mercy to the many lives that so easily fade away.”
This man fitting for such grand acts was warm, kind, and like the embers of a dying fire.
Gaaaak.
The two clasped hands trembled, and the late afternoon sunlight beamed on his uplifted face.
Shimmering floating dust,
Whispered prayers,
The noble bearing of one who pleaded earnestly.
“Ah…”
Without realizing it, Asha’s mouth opened as she also knelt, Tehelaran followed her, and Hestia remained on her wheelchair but clasped her hands.
At that moment,
The clouds parted, and the sunlight became stronger, and those who had closed their eyes opened them again.
The direction of their gaze was still towards the faithful Free Priest, Ian Red, and he tearfully thought in his heart.
‘I am an idiot. I am the brainless Balak who excels in close combat. I am a Gardner…’
Preparation for immersion.
The target of performance is,
[…? What are these bastards…]
Balak Gardner.
Nahan subtly half-closed his eyes, looking at Balak Gardner as he transmitted a thought.
‘We need a way to activate the barrier without the divine shield.’
[It does exist, but why should I tell you?]
‘If you tell me, I’ll let Asha spar with you soon.’
[Asha?]
‘The one earlier with the red hair.’
[Accepted!!!]
That settled the negotiation.
Then,
[Broadcast – 〈Performance〉 begins!]
[ ]
[1st stage – 〈Analysis〉 has been completed.]
[ ]
[Understanding of character 〈Balak Gardner(SS+)〉 has risen exponentially!]
[ ]
[2nd stage – 〈Immersion〉 has been completed.]
[ ]
[The appearance of 〈Balak Gardner(SS+)〉 you comprehend is exactly replicated without a single error.]
Now, it was time to unveil his specialty.
2.
Thus, a few minutes later.
Having concluded the prelude, Nahan began to present his thoughts as if they were Balak’s.
Balak asserted that his divine avatar was none other than Hestia.
The reason was because Nahan was his master-class figure. To Nahan, it wasn’t his avatar but rather Nahan’s manifestation of himself.
However things turned out, he said that even at a great distance, possession could easily occur. Due to a positive compatibility, it was said he could draw about half the power of his original self.
“Understood, right?! The barrier’s original recharge cycle is weekly!! Hence, every week I’ll visit through this kid!!”
This would suffice.
“Yes! Lord Founder!!”
Taking the dignified demeanor of Tehelaran of the Gardner family next, Nahan addressed the most important part.
The Divine Shield.
Which was highly likely to be regarded as having been stolen by Black Wolf and was believed to be quickly retrieved.
“And don’t worry!! The divine shield will return soon enough, so!! Remember this well!! The moment you rush ahead for it, it’ll vanish entirely!!”
Therefore, he cut that possibility off entirely.
“Yes!! Lord Founder!!!”
Once again, Tehelaran’s resounding answer.
‘This should do.’
Without time constraints, it was obvious he would be summoned elsewhere frequently, so the state of claiming half of one’s life force for five minutes was a lie.
‘Time to get out slowly.’
Nahan spoke one last time.
“Gardner’s shield is world-class!!!”
“Unyielding against any force!!”
“Excellent!! Now, rest!!”
That was the end.
“Keuhk, Keuhk!”
Having achieved everything he had aimed for as if possessed by Balak, Nahan wavered as if disconnected and slumped onto the seat.
“Ah! Priest!”
“Are you alright, sir!!”
Hestia and Tehelaran approached and reached out their hands at the same moment, but before they could touch him, Asha scooped him up.
“I’ll take him to the infirmary.”
Asha’s reaction before hearing any answer.
Her expression was unusually dark as she ran incredibly fast.
She was worried.
The gentleness of Free Priest Ian Red wasn’t limited to her alone.
-A few years of life expectancy, and about five minutes should be possible.
-Ah… Then, that’s acceptable.
-Not at all. If I can prevent the war with a few years of my life, it will be an honor.
Even now, he prevented the war by sacrificing a yet-to-be-known number of years of his life.
‘Then, why.’
Why does someone so light and fragile attempt to save even those stronger than himself?
Gooek.
She bit her lips to suppress her sigh.
‘I don’t…’
I want to stay by the side of the priest forever, but I don’t know if I should.
I am living misery.
If I stay by his side, he will surely become unhappy too.
So this time, shouldn’t I endure for the priest’s sake rather than for my heart as I have done until now?
“…Will the priest endure having me, this calamity, by his side?”
Each step forward was laden with contemplation and anxiety for Asha.
That thought of hers carried back to Nahan, who reflected within the immense speed of her run.
‘I’m feeling carsick. I might actually throw up.’
He wanted to ask her to put him down right away, but it seemed like his words wouldn’t be heard.
What could he do about it?
“Can endure…”
I’ll endure the punishment for stealing the divine shield.
Unfortunately,
“…”
The S-rank bodies far exceeded Nahan’s expectations.
Asha’s eyes gradually reddened at his murmuring words.
“Indeed, you are my sole salvation from this vain existence.”
Therefore, I can easily do anything for you.
Therefore, my next goal is to ensure your life isn’t wasted.
…Yes.
For example, annihilating the Black Wolf who caused the greatest loss in your life expectancy.
“Would that be alright?”
“Mmhh. Hmm…”
After Nahan’s groan,
After an extended period, Asha’s lips curved into a soft smile.
“I thank you for your approval.”
3.
[Attention.]
[Special notification – the antagonism level of the hero – Asha Mirabel(SSS) – towards the target Black Wolf (Ex) has breached its maximum capacity.]
[Bad Ending 7 – “Rampage of the Zealot” difficulty level has skyrocketed geometrically.]
