"The Church of the Giant Serpent?!"
Rafinia's expression changed as long-sealed memories burst open. "Leilin...?"
In an instant, a flood of vivid recollections rushed back, as fresh as yesterday, making Rafinia take several steps backward.
That shadow that had followed her all her life—the youngest Legendary mage—his handsome features surfaced before her eyes once more.
"So we're going to meet again," Rafinia murmured to herself.
The last time she had seen Leilin was when she had invited him to the North. Unfortunately, things had fallen apart after the hunt on Mara, thanks to a dispute over the spoils, and the two had parted on bad terms. After that, she had heard about the Church's campaign to hunt Leilin down—only for them to return in defeat.
After that, even more staggering news followed: five thousand men conquering an empire! Ascension to Demigod! The founding of the Church of the Giant Serpent!
Every piece of news confirmed that her former captain had pulled further and further ahead, treading an entirely different path.
Rafinia clenched her teeth.
She knew full well that her promotion to Legendary Paladin at her age was thanks to
But why had Tyr taken notice of her? A paladin who could be found in any church? The answer was one Rafinia did not want to contemplate, so she pushed it aside.
Now, there was no turning back.
"I shall always uphold justice, and fight for justice!" Rafinia declared loudly, as if steeling her own conviction.
"Well said! Our Lord watches over you!" The Cardinal received the answer he wanted and departed swiftly.
Rafinia quietly clenched her fist.
"Demigods! Blood sacrifices! And filthy bargains! Leilin... if you're involved in this too, I'll drag you out without a shred of hesitation! You'll face justice!"
...
The Church of Tyr moved quickly, especially with the full support of the Church of Helm.
Three days later, the last stronghold of the Church of the Venomous Scorpion was identified.
"This is Cardinal Romis, the person in charge of this operation on behalf of the Church of Helm! We will serve as his deputies!"
Two groups of holy warriors, both devoted to upholding justice, assembled outside a small city.
The priest of the God of Justice gestured toward a stern-faced middle-aged priest wearing the vertical-eye holy symbol and said to Rafinia, "This is Cardinal Romis."
"Lady Rafinia! Star of hope among the common folk! Please allow me to express my deepest respect for your dedication to protecting ordinary people!"
Romis's eyes lit up the moment he saw Rafinia.
It had to be said—Rafinia was undeniably beautiful, and she carried that sacred, resolute aura unique to clergy.
"With your addition, I'm far more confident in our mission this time!"
Cardinal Romis welcomed Rafinia warmly, which was entirely natural. No faction would turn down the participation of a Legendary powerhouse.
"Let's skip the pleasantries. I'll follow orders without reservation, so please have no reservations of your own. The annihilation of evil takes absolute priority!" Rafinia said coldly, in a clipped, precise tone.
This attitude only made Cardinal Romis appreciate her more.
He waved his hand, and a priest immediately produced a detailed parchment map.
"According to our Church's intelligence, the Church of the Venomous Scorpion is preparing a massive blood sacrifice, using a godchild's bloodline and power to awaken a false god... This plan has also received support from other false gods, including the Human-Headed Lion Sphinx, the Great Lord of Darkness, and the master of the Church of the Giant Serpent from the South Coast..."
Romis gave a brief overview of the situation, but every name he mentioned drew grave expressions from all present.
Each title represented an extraordinarily troublesome foe. Many high-ranking clergy had fallen at their hands. Every single false god had blood on their hands.
This was easily understood. The weaker demigods had long since been cut down by adventurers and the combined forces of the righteous churches.
Those who survived to the present all possessed formidable power and cunning natures.
"The location where they plan to conduct the large-scale blood sacrifice is here! Tree Fortress!" The Cardinal stabbed a finger at the map, where the spot had been marked with a blood-red dagger, the letters blazingly prominent.
"A baron who held fiefdom in Tree Fortress has been corrupted by the Church of the Venomous Scorpion, and the local populace and garrison have been brought under control... We have obtained a royal pardon from the crown—the penalty for any cultist is death!"
Cardinal Romis made the declaration, and not a single person voiced objection.
To clergy, cultists were no longer human—merely maddened monsters that had to be eradicated.
"The garrison and the Knights Templar will coordinate with our efforts. Our targets this time are the false god's blood descendant and the upper echelon of the Church of the Venomous Scorpion!"
Cardinal Romis handed out two portraits. They were images of Shilif and the young Ricca, rendered with such lifelike precision that one glance would be enough to recognize them.
"This is the false god's blood descendant and the key to the blood sacrifice—Ricca! Eliminating him is the top priority!"
"Additionally... this mage is called Shilif. He's the current priestly core of their operation. He's a High Mage who hasn't touched the Legendary domain. His notable spells include Random Teleport and Any Gate..."
"Simple enough... if no other false gods interfere, our Church could handle this alone!"
Listening to Romis's briefing, Rafinia quickly reached that conclusion.
But with other false gods stirring, no one dared let their guard down.
"Is everyone clear? Move out immediately!"
Romis mounted his warhorse. The massive steed let out a piercing neigh.
Neighhh...
Amid the thundering hooves of countless chargers, the elite squad assembled from the Church surged forward, heading toward Tree Fortress's territory.
...
Tree Fortress's domain had already become a hell on earth.
A layer of pitch-black fog spread open like the gaping maw of some monstrous beast, swallowing the entire region in a single bite.
"This is a false god's power... Their blood sacrifice has reached its most critical moment!"
A colossal vertical eye materialized in midair. Romis appeared to have received divine revelation and spoke with certainty.
"May the God guide our path forward!"
The other priests began to pray in unison, and a faint ring of white light appeared around them.
The moment the dark mist touched the white light, it scattered, revealing the road that had been concealed beneath.
"Move!"
Romis led the charge, with Rafinia close behind. The sight before them made the young knight clench her fists.
The crops that had once grown here were all withered, the farmhouses stood empty, and the entire scene was one of chaos—as though everyone had been forcibly taken away.
"They're at the lord's castle in Tree Fortress!"
Romis wheeled his horse immediately and charged toward a specific direction.
"False gods! I won't let you get away with this!"
Traces of blood could still hint at the horrors that had transpired. Rafinia gritted her teeth and swore silently.
A noble's castle represented the legacy of history and stalwart protection—the proudest emblem of a noble house.
But at this moment, the Baron of Tree Fortress stood atop the wall, his expression one of eerie fervor. Noble pride, dignity, and above all, reason seemed to have vanished from him entirely.
"Twenty thousand subjects, plus the noble bloodline—may my Lord be pleased with my offering!"
The Baron's eyes burned with fanaticism—that searing heat found only in the most devoted zealots.
"The Lord of the Venomous Scorpion will surely sense your devotion!"
Shilif held a massive holy scripture in his arms. He had changed into priestly vestments and wore a crown reserved solely for the Pope.
"Enemy interference will arrive soon. I trust you will fight here to the very last. All the Holy Guard forces are now transferred to your command!"
Shilif handed the Baron a staff adorned with a golden scorpion.
"For our Lord!"
The Baron accepted it solemnly and swore his oath.
"Excellent."
Shilif turned without hesitation and descended from the wall. With a zealot like this, what more was there to doubt?
Inside the castle, hordes of Church of the Venomous Scorpion followers had already taken over. On the ground lay the bodies of servants and even the young noble ladies and lords who had once lived there.
At the center of the castle, where the council hall had once stood, the building had been demolished and replaced by an altar built of flesh and blood.
Countless agonized faces floated around the altar, brimming with terrifying resentment.
At the very top sat a throne constructed entirely of cold, white bone—its ribs forming a cage that imprisoned a young boy.
The moment the boy saw Shilif, a glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes. "Shilif, save me! I don't want this!"
"Silence!"
Unfortunately, rather than answering Ricca's plea, Shilif barked a harsh rebuke, his savage expression making the boy choke with fear.
"As the God's Child, your very existence is to sacrifice everything for our Lord!"
Shilif's icy words shattered Ricca's last shred of hope.
"But... I..."
The boy's face went deathly pale.
"There is no 'but.' Our Lord will be reborn through you—this is an incomparable honor!"
Shilif descended to the base of the platform.
There, numerous devout followers awaited him.
"Brothers and sisters! Our Lord has not perished—only departed temporarily!"
Shilif spread his arms and declared in a thunderous voice, "And now, so long as we devoutly chant our Lord's divine name, it will gain the power to change the world, appear before us, and lead us from victory to victory!"
"Our Lord!" "Our Lord! You are everything—you are my blood and flesh, my soul..."
Those who remained here at this point were naturally the most extreme zealots. The moment they heard his words, they fell into prayer.
Though few in number, a fervent wave of faith had already converged upon the altar.