The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 432: Sorting Waste (4)

A force of death that drained all life around them with every step. The elite force of the Church of Muldine led by Atroc had long been called the Legion of Darkness. They were beings thought to exist only in history books, so nations across the continent grew tense at reports that they had reappeared.

“What? The Legion of Darkness? Why are those guys showing up all of a sudden!”

“Isn’t that the strongest force the Church of Muldine boasts about?”

“Dispatch wizards and rangers to monitor their movements around the clock.”

“Find out their objective no matter what. Where they’re heading, what they’re doing, even what they’re eating!”

Whenever the Legion of Darkness revealed itself, it devoured at least a few cities, and at worst, entire nations. This time was no different. They appeared in the central continent without warning and wiped out several nearby villages, making their presence clear.

As a result, all the continent’s powers turned their focus toward the Legion of Darkness. The Darkness Hunters—the international group formed to counter the Church of Muldine—was mobilized with immense force. The hunters under the Darkness Hunters began silently following the Legion of Darkness, and it didn’t take long before information about them began pouring in.

“They’re marching toward Rashion!”

“If the Legion of Darkness doesn’t change direction and continues moving straight...”

“Arkan! They’ll reach Arkan, the domain of Sovereign Duke Kai!”

It was Rashion that found themself in immediate danger. Having just finished a war with Aldebaran not long ago, they were still recovering from the damage. The northern gate of Rashion, which had already fallen once, had not yet been rebuilt.

In the end, the Legion of Darkness stepped boldly into Rashion’s land without the slightest resistance. Though countless forces stood in their way before they reached Arkan, the gap in strength was too great to stop the Church of Muldine’s elite.

***

“Your Holiness.”

The priests and paladins of Arkan Academy gulped nervously. They were the Holy Blood Order. Known as the Solarian Church’s most powerful force, they had rushed straight to Arkan the moment the Legion of Darkness appeared because their Commander had given strict orders to protect Arkan Academy first if anything ever happened.

The reason we were told to protect Arkan must be because His Holiness is here.

But can we really stop the Legion of Darkness on our own...?

Of course, there were reports that other nations were hastily forming armies to send reinforcements. However, teleportation magic was currently unusable across all of Rashion.

“It’s a technique described in the history books. A brutal technique that twists spatial coordinates and disables all magic related to spatial movement.”

“Arkan Academy is not well suited for a defensive siege.”

“Since the enemy hasn’t arrived yet, it might be better to quickly escort His Holiness south and buy time.”

Many opinions were exchanged within the Holy Blood Order.

Albert, who had been silently listening, finally said, “Still no word from Commander Kai?”

“No, unfortunately we’ve had no contact with him for two days now...”

As the Legion of Darkness closed in at terrifying speed, no one had been able to reach Kai. That fact alone deeply concerned High Priest Albert.

The Legion of Darkness coming to Arkan specifically must be because of me...

He was, after all, the public face of the Solarian Church. If the Church of Muldine wanted to crush morale across the continent, killing the High Priest would be the most effective way.

Kai must know that too. That’s why he always sends the Holy Blood Order to Arkan Academy whenever something happens.

It was to protect none other than him! Deeply moved by such thoughtfulness, High Priest Albert made his decision.

“Since the enemy’s location is still unknown, I believe leaving the fortress to head south would be too risky. No matter the outcome, let us hold our ground here and buy time.”

The number of reinforcements was enormous. If they could just buy enough time, the enemy would eventually fall apart on their own.

To be honest, I don’t fully understand why they’re targeting me at a time like this...

Killing him wouldn’t bring the Church of Muldine any tremendous benefit. Though it could serve as a powerful warning, a declaration that they had returned, that the Legion of Death had risen again from the pages of history.

Perhaps this event is what will become the Church of Muldine’s true resurgence.

Once thought to have been wiped out by Patrick of Radiance, the legend of the Solarian Church, the Legion of Darkness had now been reborn. That fact alone would have shocked countless people of authority.

How I act is important.

If he allowed himself to be taken down easily, the people would be thrown into panic. Albert resolved to hold firm no matter what happened.

I must not let down Kai’s expectations. Never.

Especially for the sake of repaying his desire to protect him.

***

It was daytime, but it was still dark.

“Those clouds feel ominous,” Helik mumbled as she stared blankly out the window, leaving Rashya behind folding the blankets.

“Dark clouds. Doesn’t look like rain though.”

“You never know. They might bring heavier guests instead of rain.”

Rashya blinked at Helik’s remark. “Do you think they’ll come today...?”

“If what Kai said is right, they will. He said they would definitely come within three days.”

That was only logical when one thought about it. A player’s death penalty lasted three days. Atroc would assume Kai would return after today. So whether it went well or not, today would be the day they forced the battle.

“Is your stomach okay? You couldn’t even digest properly yesterday.”

“Mm, I think I need some antacid...”

“Wait here.”

Despite all her tough talk, Helik grew more nervous with each passing day. Yesterday, she had to take two pills after a school lunch didn’t sit right with her.

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Yeah. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Helik let out a deep sigh.

Atroc. That name was deeply rooted in Helik’s memory too. He had been the pillar of the Church of Muldine, serving as Muldine’s head for centuries.

“Where do you think Kai is right now?”

Helik tilted her head at Rashya’s question. “I don’t know for sure. But... since he said he’s always watching, I’d say he’s somewhere nearby.”

“If he’s nearby... is he watching us from that mountain or something?”

Helik and Rashya pressed their foreheads to the window and searched for Kai, but he was nowhere in sight.

***

Rain began to fall. Even though it was early morning, the world looked dark.

As the heavy air unique to rainy days began to make High Priest Albert uncomfortable, a priest soaked from head to toe burst through the door as if trying to tear it down.

“Y-Your Holiness!”

“Calm yourself. Now, what is it?”

“Th-the Legion of Darkness... the legion has revealed itself!”

At the priest’s report, the gazes of the Holy Blood Order guarding Albert turned cold. They readied their weapons with eyes colder than the rain pounding the ground.

“It’s time to welcome our guests.”

“Even if they are uninvited ones.”

“They’re later than I expected. I heard they crossed the Rashion border two nights ago.”

The Church of Muldine was the historical nemesis of the Solarian Church. The conflict between the two powers was like a predestined fate. And now that they were protecting a high-value target, avoiding the fight was no longer an option. It was, quite literally, a meeting on a narrow bridge.

“With the Legion of Darkness known for its infamous history, this should be interesting.”

“Let’s send them back where they came from.”

Beneath the shadowed earth, the Holy Blood Order, having steeled their resolve, completed their preparations and fortified the temple. At that moment, a sticky energy blanketed the city of Arkan.

“Those bastards...”

Teferen, one of the younger members of the Holy Blood Order, clenched his teeth. Covering the city with the Church of Muldine’s divine power was a clear act of provocation.

Gazing out at the darkening sky, Albert slowly said, “Holy Blood Order, don’t just focus on protecting this old man. Also ensure the protection of the students and faculty.”

“Yes, sir. We’ve already gathered them all in the auditorium and are protecting them, so please don’t worry.”

The Holy Blood Order moved with an efficiency that showed their professionalism. Out of the 300 members, 50 guarded the auditorium, 100 were defending the main gate, and the remaining 150 were focused solely on protecting High Priest Albert.

In addition, Arkan’s local knights and standing army had also been mobilized, so the enemy wouldn’t be able to ignore their numbers. If they could just hold out inside the fortress, reinforcements would eventually resolve everything. Everyone believed that.

***

The soldiers, knights, and Holy Blood Order members standing atop the wall all kept silent. But only for a moment as some of the weaker soldiers began to vomit.

“Bleeaagh!”

“Urgh!”

However, no one scolded them as even the Holy Blood Order members wore twisted expressions.

“What kind of sin deserves punishment like that!”

“The history books were right. These guys really are devils.”

Unlike the reactions of those filled with anger, the Legion of Darkness standing out on the plain looked calm. Composed of 500 elite inquisitors and great priests, they perfectly restored the military force the Church of Muldine once boasted centuries ago. Yet on the plains, there weren’t just 500. There were easily over 1500 people.

“P-please... please spare me.”

“Why... why are you doing this... sniff...”

The reason the Legion of Darkness had taken longer to arrive after crossing Rashion’s border without resistance was now clear.

“Open the gate. Doesn’t the Solarian Church teach the value of life and mercy?”

Each time Atroc casually flicked a finger, the inquisitors swung their maces and swords.

“Aaaaagh!”

“No... p-please!”

With their minds still fully conscious, arms and legs were shattered and faces were smashed. The people of Rashion, watching it all with wide open eyes, stood on the brink of madness. As their own turn drew near, they cried out to those silently watching from atop the walls.

“Please spare us! Please!”

“Heeugh... I don’t want to die...”

However, neither the Holy Blood Order nor the knights could respond to their pleas. Their top priority at that moment was to ensure High Priest Albert’s safety. Even so, the justice in their hearts continued to stir within them.

“Hm. So this level of pain still isn’t enough, huh?” Atroc slowly nodded and asked his subordinate, “How many hostages remain?”

“942 left, Cardinal.”

“Still quite a number. Kill one every ten seconds. Make it as brutal as possible.”

“Yes, sir.”

Atrok intentionally amplified the sound of his conversation with the inquisitor. Like a siren blaring through a loudspeaker, their words echoed across all of Arkan through the rain. The reason he went through such trouble was simple.

No matter how much we provoke the small fry on the wall, they won’t open the gate.

In the end, they needed Helik inside the city to come out herself. The god he served, Muldine, had said that if this method was used, Helik would have no choice but to appear.

Muldine has never been wrong.

So Helik would come.

Atroc sat relaxed in his chair and enjoyed the sound of rain. The messy downpour sounded to him like a classical piece of music.

“Cardinal.”

At his subordinate’s calling, Atroc lifted his head. “What is it?”

“The target has appeared. On top of the wall...”

“Oh?”

A blue ghostly flame flared in Atroc’s hollow eye sockets. He focused on the top of the fortress wall.

“Hah.” A twisted smile crept across his bony mouth. “So soft... how pathetic.”

He couldn’t understand how such a foolish girl could possibly be Muldine’s younger sister.

“Pitiful and foolish Solarian God. There are no more apostles left to protect you now.”

Helik had appeared atop the wall.

Staring at her, Atroc said with a voice full of amusement, “Now then, what will you do?”