#64
The Great Temple Raid (3)
《The entity has fulfilled the conditions and grown. The special skills 「Corrupted Heart」 and 「Immortality」 have merged and evolved into 「Heart of Immortality」.》
《The entity has fulfilled the conditions and grown. The skill 「Magic Affinity」 has evolved into 「Magic Domination」.》
《The entity has fulfilled the conditions and grown. You have acquired the special skill 「Abyssal Eyes」.》
System messages rose in a dizzying stream before Hans’s eyes.
‘Finally!’
He was no longer a descendant of the Immortal King, but the true third Immortal King.
[Khuh, khuahahahaha—!]
Hans burst into mad laughter on the spot.
The black magic pouring from him like a storm carried in his laughter, sweeping over the surroundings like a wave.
“Ah… We truly were… too late.”
The saintess staggered, her expression blank with despair.
The faces of the others around her were not much different.
[“It is too early to give up! This place, right here, is the most advantageous ground on which to face the Immortal King! Fight to the very end, prepared to throw away your lives!”]
Cardinal Pion’s voice, stern as frost, shook their minds.
They hurriedly gathered themselves and raised their weapons once more.
Just as he said, this was the moment when the Immortal King was at his weakest.
He had only just been completed, so he could not fully handle the heart, and his power was being restricted by the Great Temple’s sacred barrier.
If they fought prepared to give their lives, perhaps there really might be a chance.
With that resolve, they gritted their teeth and steeled themselves.
…Of course, in truth, they knew it too.
That there would likely be no such chance.
Because if the Immortal King Hans felt disadvantaged, he had the ability to ignore the barrier and flee this place.
While the church’s side regained its shaken composure, Hans was assessing what he had obtained this time.
‘「Instant Death Immunity」, huh. At least I won’t die some absurd sudden death now.’
The very first privilege he had received was 「Otherworld Transfer Formation Summoning」, a reward for accomplishing a “feat beyond dimensions.”
Thanks to that, he had become able to freely cross dimensions.
‘There seems to be quite a gap in the level of the rewards. Of course, being able to avoid instant death isn’t bad either…’
It was probably the difference between a “great feat,” in other words a “great achievement,” and a simple “achievement.”
‘I got it for free, so I’m in no position to complain.’
The evolved skills were stronger forms of his previous skills, so he decided to examine them carefully later. What caught his eye immediately was the new skill he had acquired this time.
「Abyssal Eyes」 was a type of mystic eye.
One with vicious power that could not even be compared to Harley’s 「Gem Eye: Psychokinesis」 and the like.
‘An ability to inflict mental attacks such as fear and confusion just by looking, and to dominate beings of the demonic below my own level, is it?’
In other words, if an existence was weaker than Hans…
From now on, just meeting his gaze would make them his slave, whether they were monsters, demons, or black mages.
There was the restriction that the domination became stronger the greater the difference in level, but this useful ability would be a great help in his plans going forward.
‘Since I got it, I should try using it.’
He immediately activated 「Abyssal Eyes」.
The blue light in Hans’s eyes slowly faded, and darkness filled his empty eye sockets.
A bottomless abyss filled both his eyes.
“That’s…!”
As those eyes, like an abyssal pit that seemed to swallow the surrounding light, swept the area…
“Hup?”
“Ah, ah…”
In an instant, the air around them froze, and the bodies of those touched by his gaze began to tremble as if convulsing.
“Everyone, get a hold of yourselves!”
Fwoooosh—!
At that moment, along with a sudden shout, a brilliant cluster of light burst out from the rear of the church’s group.
There stood the saintess, her halo blazing like the sun as it scattered warm light around her.
[“Those are the Immortal King’s ‘eyes containing the abyss’ recorded in the legends! Avoid meeting them at all costs!”]
[“If it is only a matter of being looked at, I can somehow block it with my divine power. But mental contamination caused by directly meeting his eyes is difficult!”]
[“If it is only a brief moment of eye contact, I can somehow heal it. But if you stare into them for a long time… there will be no way to handle it, so be careful.”]
The urgent voices of the cardinals and the saintess, carried through divine power, noisily rang inside Heinrich’s head.
‘It must be even more dangerous than I thought.’
Hans slowly swept his gaze over them again.
Perhaps thanks to the saintess’s divine power, no one reacted as severely as before, but every one of them had lowered their eyes slightly to avoid looking into his.
Even if reading an opponent’s eyes was important in battle, Hans had never had eyes to begin with, so it did not apply to him.
In other words, there was no particular penalty for not looking directly into his eyes…
‘Still, the very thought that they have to consciously avoid my eyes will have a negative effect on their combat ability.’
It was a very satisfying ability.
Not only the domination of the demonic, which could be called its main function, but also its combat applications pleased him greatly.
‘It would be a bit of a shame to leave right away. It’s not as if opportunities like this come often, so shall I test it a little more?’
This was the Immortal King Hans’s debut.
Wouldn’t it be a little undignified to withdraw immediately?
[This body is the incarnation of terror descended upon the continent, and the omen of tragedy! Despair, minions of the church. You have failed. Because of that, death shall cover the streets, and grief and resentment shall pierce the heavens!]
A bold speech delivered before the elites of the church.
Perhaps because he had absorbed the final fragment, it was clear that Hans’s tension was higher than usual.
After all, the quality of every single line was shockingly provocative.
‘Mostly to my mental health, that is. This won’t do. I should hurry and get to the point.’
[Now, struggle all you like. Today is a fine day, so I shall gladly play with you. Kkekeke!]
Hans’s skull staff swung, and the black magic coiled around its tip spread in every direction.
The black energy ignored the wary church members and passed them by, settling into the remains of the undead strewn across the floor.
Clatter—! Rattle-rattle!
And before anyone could do anything, it gathered instantly around several points, forming dozens of masses.
The pinnacle of efficiency, allowing even completely destroyed undead to be recycled.
[“Corpse golems! Fall back for now and reorganize the formation!”]
It was black magic newly added to 「Forbidden Knowledge」 after he became the Immortal King.
And since he had poured a generous amount of black magic into them, each individual body looked as though it was engulfed in black flames.
[Then, shall we begin the second round?]
A black aura rose once more from the body of the Immortal King Hans.
***
The battle continued fiercely.
Although Hans had fully inherited the heart, he was not yet accustomed to its power, so he could not be called a proper Immortal King.
On top of that, this was the heart of the Great Temple, and those facing him were also talents who could be considered the church’s finest elites.
However…
[“It seems the bastard is growing more accustomed to his power! If we drag this out any longer, it will be dangerous!”]
[“It is a miracle that there have been no casualties yet. Partly thanks to the Great Temple’s sacred barrier, but… it also means he is toying with us, doesn’t it?”]
As the clashes continued, the damage to the church’s side was swelling like a snowball.
Unlike the undead, they were living humans, so they had no choice but to grow exhausted as time passed, while their opponent, the Immortal King, was instead growing stronger with time.
[“To think he is at that level even while weakened by the sacred barrier…”]
It made them dizzy to imagine what would have happened had they encountered him outside rather than here.
[“The holy knights have taken too much damage. If we delay any longer, the front line will collapse. We must settle this before that happens.”]
Paladin Jonien conveyed his opinion in a heavy voice.
The problem was that most of the highest-ranking holy knights had been drafted into the subjugation force dispatched to the Forest of Monsters.
That was why he was the only paladin left here.
The saintess and the cardinals were fighting hard against the Immortal King, but if the front collapsed, that would not last long either.
[“We have already attempted several irregular operations, but his response is too quick. As if he were reading our thoughts…”]
[“Even so, if this continues, we will be annihilated. We have to strike him somehow when he lets his guard down.”]
At their anguish, Heinrich could not help but feel inwardly pricked.
The church’s underlying strength was not to be underestimated, so perhaps he had gone a little overboard responding with information he had grasped in advance through him.
‘It seems I should start wrapping this up now. How should I end it?’
[“I have a good idea. …Sir Heinrich?”]
Just then, the saintess called for him.
And what she said next was also the very situation he had been hoping for.
Of course, there were voices of concern over whether it was all right to entrust such a burdensome task to Heinrich, who was still only an ordinary holy knight…
[“Yes, I am confident. Please leave it to me.”]
He accepted the mission with a confident attitude.
***
The church’s offensive grew stronger.
Everyone poured out divine power as if burning their final flames, pushing the Immortal King back.
At their appearance, as though they had given up on a long battle, even his momentum was forced to falter for an instant.
“Haaaap—!”
Among them, Paladin Jonien charged recklessly without caring for his own body.
As though determined to keep the Immortal King’s attention fixed on him no matter what.
Crack!
[Do you think the same trick will work twice!]
The moment he flung the paladin away, holy knights charged in one after another, and inquisitors emerged from stealth, leaping out of thin air.
Like moths throwing themselves into the flames, they hurled their bodies at him without pause.
[“Now!”]
At that moment, an immense mass of divine power gathered above the Immortal King’s head and, in an instant, became a gigantic pillar of light that slammed down upon him.
Fwoooosh—
Under the attack containing the saintess’s full power, the barrier surrounding him melted away all at once…
At the same time, a small flash sparkled within the pillar of light.
A tiny current buried within a waterfall of immense divine power.
[What?!]
By the time the Immortal King noticed the anomaly, the blade was already right before his neck.
[When did you get this close!]
Clang!
Startled, he swung the staff wrapped in black magic and struck the sword away.
However, his martial skill was far too lacking to face a holy knight’s sword head-on.
It might have been different if he were taking them by surprise as he had at first, but against a master who already knew and was prepared, it was almost meaningless.
Having approached the Immortal King in an instant through a stealth holy art and 「Blessing: Leap」, Heinrich swung his sword gracefully, stripping away every one of his opponent’s defenses.
“Haaat—!”
A golden opportunity.
The sword, shining with divine power, shot forward like lightning…
And was blocked by a black curtain that had appeared before anyone knew it.
Riiiiip—!
In time slowed by extreme focus.
His sword was slowly tearing through the black curtain and advancing, but its speed felt infinitely sluggish.
[Not a chance!]
To make matters worse, pitch-black flames of curse erupted from the Immortal King and engulfed Heinrich’s entire body.
“Krgh!”
The divine power wrapped around his body melted away in an instant, and his entire body began to be corroded by the curse.
Along with a terrible burning pain, strength drained from him, and his senses were thrown into disorder.
…He had stepped forward so confidently, yet even the final operation carrying everyone’s hopes had failed.
At this rate…
His sword would not reach the Immortal King.
“No! I will not… give up…!”
Black blood streamed from his nose and mouth, but he paid it no heed and gripped the sword even harder.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, created through the sacrifices and help of many people, one that would never come again.
He absolutely could not let it go to waste like this!
Heinrich gritted his teeth and compressed divine power into the tip of his sword, again and again.
As quickly as possible, somehow, to pierce this curtain and reach the Immortal King!
In that instant that felt like eternity.
《The entity has fulfilled the conditions and gained enlightenment. You have acquired the special skill 「Blessing: Light Sword」.》
For a moment, a gentle light flowed from Heinrich’s body.
And the divine power that had been blocked by the wall grew explosively.
‘The third blessing!’
At the same time, he fulfilled the conditions and reached bishop-level divine power.
The rapidly increased divine power made the radiance pouring from his sword even stronger, but that was not the end of it.
The power of 「Blessing: Light Sword」, activated immediately.
The light that had been spreading in all directions from the sword gathered into one point and compressed, finally forming a sharply refined blade.
Like a lightsaber out of science fiction.
“Hraaaah!”
Shraaak—!
The thrusting sword of light cleaved through the black curtain in an instant.
And then…
Without the slightest hesitation, it pierced the Immortal King’s heart.
Thunk—
[Kuhak! You bastard…!]
The compressed holy power pouring from the sword embedded in his heart burned through his entire body in the blink of an eye.
The Immortal King, blazing as sacred flames and a black aura mingled together, and the paladin, his body covered in flames of curse and a faint radiance.
The sight—so desperately contrasting, yet strangely akin—was seared into the minds of all who watched.
[Keugh… Not bad. To think you would dare do this to me…!]
Booooom—!
Black magic power erupted explosively from his body, blasting away the others who had seized the chance to rush in.
Yet even amid that, for some reason, Heinrich alone stood firm, his sword still driven into the Immortal King’s heart.
[Khuhuhu… I let my guard down too much. Very well, you. Church lackey. What is your name?]
The one who had driven a sword into the heart of the Third Immortal King and inflicted the first fatal wound upon him.
As if acknowledging that feat, the Immortal King asked his opponent’s name.
“Heinrich… Landguard! I’ll cast you back into the abyss, Immortal King!”
[Heinrich Landguard… I shall remember that name. Next time, I will not be taken so easily! Khahah!]
Even as he burned like firewood, his body was caught in a constant cycle of destruction and restoration, holy power and black magic power tangled together.
[Remember this. This is not the end. On the day darkness falls over the continent, I shall return!]
“Where do you think you’re going!”
[Then, I’ll see you next time. Khukuku…]
With those words, the figure of Hans, the Immortal King, burning as he remained pierced by Heinrich’s sword, vanished.
As if he had never been there to begin with.
The undead that had been protected by black magic power collapsed to the ground all at once and began to burn in sacred flames, and the battlefield was engulfed in silence in an instant.
Thud—
At that moment, a small sound broke the stillness.
“Ah! Sir Heinrich! Hurry, treat him!”
The paladin Heinrich, who had refused to give up until the very end for the sake of his convictions and succeeded in driving his sword into the Immortal King’s heart, was hurriedly carried off to the priests.
“My God… How could he hold out until the end even in that state…”
As they purified him, the wicked curse energy continued to seep from the corroded areas, drawing exclamations of awe from those nearby.
At this rate, even once treatment was fully complete, he would need a considerable period of recuperation.
They could not even imagine how much pain the person who had taken the entirety of that concentrated, vicious curse upon himself must have felt…
Nor the strength of will with which he had, even in such an extreme situation, finally driven off the Immortal King.
And so the treatment of Heinrich and the other wounded continued, and the battlefield was swiftly cleared.
“But still, he ran away after all.”
“…Even so, we were all in a situation where we could have been in danger, so it’s fortunate the sacrifices weren’t great. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
“Hohoho… Still, since we struck his heart this time, he won’t be able to move rashly for a while. During that time, we must also gather the continent’s strength and prepare to oppose him.”
“This is all thanks to him holding on until the very end.”
Everyone’s gazes turned to Heinrich, who lay unconscious among the priests.
That day, the Church had lost the final fragment and failed to prevent the Immortal King’s return…
But with the birth of a new hero, they had bought time to prepare for the calamity.
Everyone thought so.
…Except for one person.