A Grotesquery. Not just any halfway decent one, but an aggregate likely made of the most fragments, excluding those sealed within Adamas.
The voice of such a creature rang through my head.
Before they knew it, the Grotesquery, transformed into Colin, stood before them.
The figure of the priest, enveloped in radiance, emitted a brilliant light.
[Killian Eurasia.]
Colin's gaze shifted from the being who had cut him down to his spiritual mentor.
[Lokia de Styx.]
“Colin….”
[I understand well how you utilized me.]
“…….”
It was a voice like a curse.
Lokia did not avoid Colin's gaze.
“As a priest of Boundary, there is no need to regret walking your own path. There is even less need to apologize.”
Lokia had known of Colin's future from the Pope.
It had also been foreseen that he would look into the Divine Object alongside Killian Eurasia.
However, the current situation was not that.
“You are already dead.”
The figure before them was merely the Grotesquery imitating Colin based on his memories.
Just like the Colin Killian had faced.
“There is no longer any need for you to be utilized.”
[Nonsense.]
Colin's lips twisted.
[‘I’ am a ‘part’ of ‘us.’]
“…….”
[You shall experience the same thing.]
Shulk.
Lost Vane was grasped in Colin's hand.
‘Already……!!’
Lokia moved his own hand.
Fortunately, Gastel Vane had not been seized.
Rip.
As Lost Vane sliced through the air, a portion of the Grotesquery’s curse that had been sealed within Adamas leaked out.
[You shall pay the price for making contact with ‘us.’]
Lokia turned back to Killian.
“It seems we have fallen into a trap.”
“It’s not a trap.”
It was simply paying the price for seeking too much information.
I had faced countless fragments of the Grotesquery.
The one fighting the most difficult battle of all was likely Edan.
He had been facing the Grotesquery, which was essentially its true body, alone for over 200 years.
“Since it’s already out, shall we lighten his burden a little?”
The thing was no longer a match for me.
Ding.
[The Authority of ‘Barrier’ is activated.]
By strengthening the Authority of Barrier, I restricted Colin's movements.
In that opening, Lokia pierced Colin with the Divine Object.
“Fear those who do not beware of the boundary.”
Ding.
[The Authority of ‘Boundary’ is activated.]
“You have worked hard. Colin de Styx.”
With that final farewell, the red divine power enveloping Gastel Vane flowed into Colin.
[-----!!]
Colin shouted something, but Lokia did not allow his existence to remain.
“What you chose was ultimately emptiness.”
Soon, the synchronization with the Divine Object was released, and we were able to return to reality.
Splurt.
Lokia vomited blood.
“I would have died if not for your Barrier.”
“Probably.”
Contrary to my words, Killian was also in a situation where optimism was difficult.
Had it not been for Lokia, he wouldn't have escaped so easily.
‘A new world beyond the boundary.’
I learned of the Emperor's schemes.
I learned why the Grotesquery’s curse was spreading across the Continent.
I learned that the Gods did not want the Grotesquery to reveal itself, and that the creature had come from beyond the boundary.
‘It’ll take quite some time to organize everything.’
Now.
It was time to conclude the journey of the investigation team.
***
Lokia gathered the investigation team and explained the circumstances.
As his explanation neared its end, the faces of the group became filled with shock.
“I have ended up interfering with your investigation due to the temple's affairs. I apologize.”
Lokia bowed his head politely.
“No, well…. Such things can happen when you're running a temple.”
Pyrope said he understood, as he also managed a mine as the leader of a clan.
“I am grateful for those words.”
“Dwarf, do you think a temple of this scale is on the same level as your tiny village?”
The fairy and the dwarf bickering was a bonus.
“The mission of the investigation team ends here.”
“Then…….”
“As of this moment, the investigation team is disbanded.”
“It took more time than I thought.”
Pierre let out a deep sigh at the finalized matter.
He, too, likely felt the pressure of being responsible for the only temple in the eastern frontier.
“I have heard that the eastern frontier also has a grave mission in blocking the monsters of the mountain range.”
“It doesn't seem to be to the extent of the Styx Temple.”
Lokia and Pierre nodded their heads, sharing emotions only they understood.
“The temple will guarantee your return journey.”
Lokia promised to send them to the nearest temple via the Warp Gate.
Ashirian and Pyrope left first, bickering until the very end.
This was because they had roles as the leaders of their clans.
“I've left the temple empty for too long.”
“If the temple is going to collapse from that much, you should just close the doors.”
“If the Pantera Temple closes its doors, every family in the eastern frontier will resent you.”
“Who would dare.”
Pierre shook his head at the sight of Killian chuckling.
“Since I'll be passing through the Pantera Temple anyway, I'll give my proper greetings then. I'll go first.”
Pierre crossed through the gate, avoiding Hazard's eyes.
Lokia, as well as Pierre, would report this matter to the Papal Office.
Killian would also convey information, but they were priests of the temples belonging to the Holy Nation.
The last one was Russell McMahon.
“The King will be very surprised when he learns of this.”
“Please give my regards to Sir Hegel and Sir Celot.”
“And to Princess Sharle as well.”
“…….”
Russell crossed the gate, which was inscribed with the coordinates to the Roto Temple.
“What about you all?”
Lokia asked as he looked at Killian, who had returned to being the Annihilation Squad Leader.
“We were thinking of visiting the Temple of Barrier.”
Since they had achieved their objective at the Temple of Boundary, they had disbanded.
If there had been no results, the investigation team's next destination would have been the Temple of Barrier.
“While we're in the north, it would be good to form an information network.”
“An information network……”
Lokia let out a hollow laugh at the sight of Killian treating the temple like an information guild.
Thus, it was decided that Yulian, Id, Raven, and Hazard would survey the Temple of Barrier.
Killian decided to recover at the Styx Temple for two days due to the consecutive battles and move via the Warp Gate, while the other members of the Annihilation Squad set out first for the Murus Temple to create a map.
Killian focused on handling his Mana Heart and Hollyheart for two days, and time passed quickly.
“I’m leaving after only being a burden.”
Killian said as he packed the letter of recommendation Lokia had handed him.
“I hope you do the same at the Murus Temple.”
It was a reaction as if he could clearly see what would happen next.
“You're expecting too much from an atheist.”
“Coordinate input is complete.”
It was the moment Killian was about to cross the gate at the priest's report.
As if remembering late, Killian looked back at Lokia.
“But why doesn't the Papal Office support the Temple of Boundary?”
Even the incompetent Temple of Barrier received subsidies, so there was no reason the Temple of Boundary, whose role was even more significant, shouldn't receive them.
‘Did he get on the Pope's bad side?’
He had asked out of vague curiosity.
“I refused it.”
“……?”
“His Holiness always wished to send a significant amount of subsidies.”
“…….”
Killian fell silent at the incomprehensible answer.
“I wanted to keep a distance from the Papal Office. Do you understand if I say it that way?”
It seemed that Lan de Styx loathed this kind of stubbornness from the Chief Priest who had cared for her.
“Well, I think I might understand.”
Only that fellow Colin ended up being pitiful.
Muttering that, Killian crossed the Warp Gate.
***
Uniquely, the Warp Gate of the Temple of Barrier was located at the main gate of the temple.
The main gate of the temple consisted of two prominent, massive steel doors, and a huge divine power flowed from them.
‘It would be perfect as a refuge if a Wave occurs.’
Of course, that was only possible if the weather remained like this and the number of monsters increased.
“You've come from the Styx Temple.”
A priest guarding the entrance of the temple approached and asked.
“Yeah, I want to meet the Chief Priest.”
“Did you make a separate appointment……?”
“Not really.”
The priest's face crumpled at the blunt and rude attitude.
“You cannot meet the Chief Priest without making an appointment.”
“I was told you'd say that.”
“If you tell me your name and affiliation……”
“Killian Eurasia. I also brought a letter of recommendation from Lokia de Styx, the Chief Priest of the Styx Temple here.”
Killian said as he handed over a piece of paper he had roughly crumpled in.
“……!!”
The priest, after checking the contents, hurriedly bowed his head.
“Please come this way. I will call the Chief Priest.”
Hoka de Murus, the Chief Priest of the Temple of Barrier.
He was an incompetent Chief Priest, as were most of the priests belonging to the Temple of Barrier.
He had become the Vice-Priest by putting politics before skill, and finally became the Chief Priest.
One might wonder what use a title like Chief Priest would be in a temple with such a wicked climate, but the income from those who came to see the Barrier and Boundary was quite lucrative.
His lacking faith was filled by the gold coins in his pocket instead.
That, too, was a matter of several years ago.
At some point, the number of missing persons increased, and now it had become a place where even common adventurers no longer visited.
He was subsisting on the subsidies from the Papal Office, but if things continued like this, it wouldn't be unreasonable for it to close down in his generation.
“This damn snow.”
It was while he was enjoying a hot spring bath, cursing the climate where blizzards raged as always.
A priest in charge of guarding the main gate announced that a guest had arrived.
“Killian Eurasia? He has a letter of recommendation from Chief Priest Lokia?”
If it was Killian Eurasia, he was a Sword Master who had started to make a name for himself several years ago.
He recalled the official document that had come down several months prior.
It stated that since Killian Eurasia had been appointed and dispatched as the Leader of the Joint Investigation Team, the Chief Priests of the temples were to actively cooperate with him.
‘I heard he went to the Temple of Boundary, so I didn't think he would come here.’
Eurasia was a country that had been expanding its influence recently by leading several wars to victory.
‘Perhaps he could be a new source of money.’
He hurriedly changed his clothes and headed to the drawing room.
“I am Hoka de Murus. A precious guest has come to visit.”
He spoke with a benevolent smile.
Killian's gaze drifted briefly to the sagging cheeks and thick belly of the Chief Priest.
“Chief Priest Hoka. Nice to meet you.”
As usual, he raised one hand and gave a light greeting.
‘I heard he crossed the wall at a young age, and as expected, he is arrogant.’
Contrary to such thoughts, the gentle smile on his face did not disappear.
“I did hear that you were investigating something, but how can I assist you?”
“The investigation is mostly over. I came here for personal reasons.”
“If it's for personal reasons……?”
“I’ve ended up representing Murus.”
“……?”
“I thought I should let the Chief Priest know in advance.”
Killian added matter-of-factly that he had ended up refining the Hollyheart while exploring the Boundary.
“What on earth…. Your joke is going too far.”
“It’s not a joke. Didn't you feel any unusual energy from the Barrier side?”
“…….”
“Even if there was a time difference, a rather rough wave should have been transmitted.”
“…….”
Killian let out a laugh at Hoka's lack of divine power, which was so insufficient that he couldn't even feel what had happened at the Boundary.
[He is not the one I chose.]
That he was not his apostle.
Murus showed a reaction as if he were embarrassed.
It was a futile avoidance.
“I am the Chief Priest who serves the God Murus!”
[…….]
“Do you dare claim to be His apostle in my presence!”
Murus fell silent.
“I have no greed for the position of apostle. But I suppose we need to sort out the hierarchy.”
Killian kindled divine power on his index finger.
The divine power that began at his index finger enveloped his entire body.
Ssssh.
The time it took for the pure white divine power to turn gray was barely a second.
“……!!”
Hoka's mouth fell open.
He could tell at a glance.
‘This person's divine power is…. Not at a level that can be compared to mine.’
It was while he was racking his brain to continue the conversation while trying to pull his expression together.
“Chief Priest Hoka, you have a lot of corruption, don't you?”
He had an intuition.
“There was someone like that at the Pantera Temple too.”
The man before his eyes, who was letting out a harmless laugh.
“What do you think I did to that guy?”
He had not come to have a legitimate conversation with him.
Chapter 221: Chapter 221
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