335 – The Master of the Holy Sword -3-

The elf’s green eyes began to be tainted with madness.

“Μη με κοίτα με βρώμικος ⲁⲓⲛ. (Don’t look at me with those dirty eyes.)”

“Μη με κοίτα με άσχημος και αηδιαστικός ⲁⲓⲛ. (Don’t look at me with those ugly and disgusting eyes.)”

The explosive glare of hatred was directed at Rowen and Yuria.

Rowen and Yuria, who did not understand the elf language, could not comprehend her words, but it was clear that the emotions pouring from her eyes were negative.

It was the emotion of hatred towards humans.

“…This is bad.”

As the ominous magic began to envelop the space, Rowen clicked his tongue and started to distance himself.

The apostle’s ability was abnormal.

It was because of the unpredictable abnormal abilities that many strong people were killed by the cultists. Their abilities contained unfathomable irregularities.

The ability of the one called the Apostle of Gentleness was a bizarre power that could change everything visible at will.

The apostle wielding an axe had endless regenerative vitality and immense strength. He had the chance to clash swords with him ten years ago and knew it.

He heard that the axe-wielding apostle was killed by that guy, but it was undeniable that he was a formidable strongman.

If so.

This elf, also called an apostle, must also possess immense power.

“…”

What kind of ability could it be?

Rowen sharpened his senses and closely observed the flow of the elf’s magic. It could launch an invisible attack.

Focus a little more.

React a little more sensitively in this battle…!

Rowen closed his mouth at the sight of a shape rising above the apostle’s head.

“What is… that.”

An ominous tool was flying in the air above the elf’s head.

A tool full of sharp spikes, just looking at it gave a chilling feeling.

Yes.

“…”

A tool for the suffering of others.

“Iron Maiden…”

The Apostle of Compassion muttered softly, looking at Rowen and Yuria with trembling eyes.

“I will protect ⲁⲛⲟⲕ. (I will protect myself.)”

With the chilling words, massive chains began to emerge from the Iron Maiden.

-Shaaa…

The elf spoke in a cold voice.

“Don’t look at me.”

-Shaaa…!

“With those filthy eyes….”

*

At that moment.

The sound of desolate footsteps echoed through the temple corridor.

-Click.

-Click.

“…”

No words were exchanged.

The tension, which seemed ready to explode at any moment, filled the corridor, and the two people walked forward without any small talk.

-Click. Click.

“…”

The owner of the footsteps was the Apostle of Temperance and Gentleness. The two, in their strained relationship, were working together to find the Holy Sword.

Temperance sought the Holy Sword to offer it to the Order. Conversely, Elysia sought a gift to present to the saint who had saved her.

Though they had the same goal, they harbored different outcomes, and they walked silently in the cold tension.

Unable to bear the cold atmosphere, the Apostle of Temperance glanced at Elysia, who was following behind, and spoke.

“Hey, Apostle of Gentleness.”

“…”

“Are you satisfied with your life as a heretic?”

-Click…

Elysia did not respond to the question directed at her and continued to follow Temperance.

Temperance let out a hollow laugh at Elysia’s cold attitude and shook his head.

“A taciturn woman.”

“…”

“You shouldn’t treat me like this. You should be trying to please me…. You should think about the future. Don’t you agree, Gentleness?”

“…”

The Apostle of Restraint frowned at Elicia’s continued silence.

“Hey. Onyu.”

“Focus on your work. Restraint.”

“…”

“Are you unable to restrain yourself like a child, contrary to the name given by the Pope?”

“…Ha. You must really want to die.”

“…If it is God’s will.”

-Squeeze.

The Apostle of Restraint clenched the watch in his pocket and trembled his eyelids. He wondered how much that woman knew.

She had always been a cold woman. Especially towards me and my brother, she was even colder and showed a frosty attitude. A woman who wouldn’t be swayed even if you tried to wield her life.

But.

“…”

Something is strange today.

As if she is no longer afraid of me. As if she would thrust a knife into my neck if given the chance, she seemed to harbor a murderous intent.

In his growing unease, the Apostle of Restraint glanced at Elicia and asked bluntly. He asked her to show her true feelings.

“Onyu.”

“…”

“What color are my emotions that you see now?”

“Wouldn’t you know better yourself?”

“I’m curious.”

Elicia glared at the Apostle of Restraint once and answered with an expressionless face.

“Yellow.”

“If it’s yellow….”

“It’s a color that signifies trust. A warm color that symbolizes faith.”

“Hmm…”

The Apostle of Restraint smiled slyly and nodded. ‘That’s right, it was just a needless worry.’ He reassured himself that it was just a concern born out of things not going as planned.

The Apostle of Restraint asked again. This time, he asked what color Onyu’s emotions were.

“Then.”

“…”

“What color are your emotions right now, Onyu?”

“…”

“Are you the same yellow as me?”

-Squeeze.

Elicia closed her eyes tightly and suppressed her anger as she looked at the eyes of restraint filled with arrogance.

The color of emotions seen in the mirror.

“Purple.”

The color of depression that blinded her.

Elicia’s emotions intensified at his question. The feeling of wanting to twist that man’s neck right away surged like a storm.

But.

“…It seems like it’s getting closer.”

The fruit of revenge must be picked when it is ripe. Elicia waited for that time to come.

-Hold on.

-…

-Even if you want to kill him right now, you have to hold back. You know that the power of restraint is not compatible with you, Elicia.

-…

-The moment the apostle of restraint grabs the holy sword is the opportunity. Until then, you must endure.

-Saint.

-Yes.

-I want to tear him apart right now, but do I really have to hold back? I obey because it’s your word, but still.

-Elicia.

-Yes.

-Do you know when people feel the most despair?

-…

-When happiness comes.

The moment the apostle of restraint took a step into the room where light was leaking out, a pure white space began to unfold before her eyes.

In this space, which might have passed hundreds or maybe thousands of years, a dazzling light began to appear in Elicia’s eyes.

Filled with holy power and strong strength.

The apostle of restraint began to smile slightly as he looked at it.

“Is that the holy sword?”

“…”

“It’s hard to even see your face.”

“…”

In the center of the vast, expansive space, a single sword shone brilliantly. Anyone could tell that it was a holy sword.

A white blade and a golden hilt

In the middle of it, a red jewel was embedded, emitting a radiant glow. The sword was now proudly embedded before Elysia and the Apostle of Temperance.

The Apostle of Temperance approached the holy sword without hesitation.

And then.

-Hesitation.

He looked at Elysia and smiled faintly.

“Onyu.”

“…”

“I’ll give you the credit.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just as you heard. Pull out the sword, Onyu.”

“….”

“The ancient texts said that only those who are qualified can pull out the holy sword. As a devout cleric, you should be able to.”

“…I have abandoned my faith.”

“You once believed in a false god, so pull it out.”

A chill began to form in the eyes of Temperance.

“Why are you hesitating?”

“…”

“If you pull out this sword, you will get back the keepsake of your son that you longed for…. I will give you the freedom you desire, so why are you hesitating?”

“…”

Temperance let out a weak laugh.

“If you want, I can even bring your child back as an undead. Though it would be a mindless corpse.”

“…”

“Didn’t you like my joke?”

“…”

Temperance smiled slyly at the hesitant Elysia.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“…”

“Draw it.”

“…”

“I said, draw it.”

Elicia closed her eyes.

At the same time, the emotions of the Apostle of Restraint began to surge.

Blue.

A very deep blue.

The color representing distrust and corruption began to fill Elicia’s eyes.

“It seems you are no longer afraid.”

A short sigh.

Restraint smiled faintly and slowly began to move towards the holy sword.

“It must have been your last chance, it’s unfortunate, Onyu.”

The Apostle of Restraint spoke in a low voice as he approached the holy sword.

“There was a phrase written in an ancient document.”

“…”

“If an unworthy person holds the holy sword, they will suffer great pain.”

“…”

“Even so, if they endure the pain and hold the sword to the end with wickedness and arrogance.”

“…”

“The evil spirit suppressed by the holy sword will awaken.”

“…”

“This is destruction.”

Restraint looked straight into Elicia’s eyes and said.

“I understand your intention well.”

“…”

“It means you are not afraid of death.”

“…”

“I’ve thought about why you act so confidently.”

“`

“…”

The space begins to distort.

The surroundings of the Apostle of Restraint start to twist bizarrely and shake.

Eerily.

Grotesquely.

It starts to dance while staring straight into Elysia’s eyes.

Restraint asked in a cold voice.

“Have you decided to accept death?”

“…”

“Seems like you thought it better to die than to live like a slave.”

Elysia let out a small smile and murmured softly.

“Arrogant and proud person.”

“…”

-Hesitation.

“An apostle who loves himself more than God.”

“You say interesting things.”

“Who do you love more?”

“…Ha.”

Restraint took out a watch from his pocket.

“…”

“Are you afraid?”

“…”

“If you scratch at people’s insides like that, you should take responsibility, don’t you think?”

“…”

“An apostle can be replaced.”

“…”

“I can just create someone like you… someone with deeper hatred.”

Elysia spoke in a cold voice.

“Then go ahead and try.”

-Twitch.

“`

“Go ahead and try.”

The moment Elisia’s cold voice echoed through the space, her trembling pupils of restraint bore down.

“…Wow.”

A voice began to be heard from the path they had walked.

“So this is the Holy Sword.”

A smile blossomed on Elisia’s face. At the same time, a sense of foreboding filled the heart of restraint.

The apostle of restraint, sensing the crisis, hurriedly tried to detach himself from the Holy Sword.

-Wriggle.

The surrounding objects began to shake and transform.

Yes.

“Onyu.”

The power of Onyu’s apostle.

Elisia was bringing the hand of the apostle of restraint closer to the Holy Sword. Ricardo’s appearance had disrupted the concentration of restraint.

Elisia’s eyes were filled only with hatred and murderous intent.

Elisia spoke with a smile drenched in madness.

“Ah… Ah… How long have I waited for this moment.”

“Do you want to die, Onyu…!”

“Ah… Poor thing.”

Restraint struggled to break free from Elisia’s grip. As the struggle intensified, restraint dropped the watch he was holding, his pupils trembling greatly. Elisia looked at the watch that had fallen in front of her with a hollow smile.

Elisia bent down and picked up the fallen watch with her hand. She began to apply force to the watch, looking at it with a mocking expression.

-Crack…!

“…What are you doing…!”

-Crunch!!!

Restraint’s words were cut off.

“How can you be so stupid.”

“…”

“If I had known it would be this easy to take, I would have resisted at least once.”

“…”

Elisia began to twist the space with a smile drenched in madness.

The apostle of restraint grabbed the Holy Sword with trembling hands, and Elisia smiled with delight.

“Hold on.”

He began to lead him to hell.