On the roof of a building, Karja and Frete stood, observing the confrontation between the followers of the Demon God and the priests of the Holy Church, who were locked in a tense standoff around the hole created by Uden’s sword.
The two groups, who hated each other with great intensity, seemed to be evenly matched in power.
Considering the environment favored the followers of the Void, it would be fair to assume that the priests of the Holy Church were stronger than the Demon God’s followers.
“Strange. My employer was so sure that the church would be at a disadvantage.”
Karja, who had been asked to intervene and maintain the standoff, raised an eyebrow as she watched the scene.
“Even Lady Arlen can be wrong sometimes, right?”
“Well, that’s true, but when my employer is sure about something, it’s usually right.”
As Karja pondered what might be different, she shrugged and thought, Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
“Let’s take a break. Soon enough, we’ll be running around like crazy.”
If what my employer said really happens, everything will go to hell. It's better to conserve energy for that.
Karja relaxed, and Frete cautiously spoke up.
“Karja, do you really think what Lady Arlen said will happen?”
“Hm... well, honestly, it feels a bit far-fetched.”
Even from Karja’s standpoint, someone she trusted, Lady Arlen’s words seemed a bit like nonsense.
“But that’s what my employer said.”
If someone she didn’t know had said such things, Karja would have easily dismissed it, but this was Lucy they were talking about.
A person loved by the Lord, and a heroine who had fought countless battles against the Demon God’s forces.
“We’ll just have to believe it.”
“...I suppose so.”
Uden drew her sword and turned her attention outward.
Three figures, all wearing grotesque masks, stood outside, much like those sprawled across the room.
“Well, well. This is interesting. Do you really think the three of you can stop me?”
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
Uden, holding her sword, openly expressed her disdain for them, but instead of responding, the enemies used their powers.
The masks worn by the followers of the Void began to absorb the ominous energy that spread throughout the academy, changing their shapes.
“Well, it doesn’t seem completely impossible. Would it be too arrogant to answer like that?”
The first one to speak was a figure resembling an elderly man, his muscles firm and his posture suggesting someone who primarily relied on martial arts.
“Whatever. If we’re talking arrogance, they’re no slouches either.”
Next, a woman holding a staff larger than her body spoke. The magic circles she created with ease were impossibly beautiful, almost unbelievable for someone who served the Demon God.
“Everyone, this doesn’t seem like the kind of opponent we can afford to talk casually with.”
Finally, the third follower took the form of someone Uden knew very well.
Luca. Her friend and benefactor, the one who had helped her rise to a higher place. A person she still held a small amount of gratitude for.
“Hah. These bastards have crossed the line.”
When Uden realized that the enemy was using Luca’s face, she showed an intense, dangerous aura, ready to charge at them. But Faye quickly spoke up.
“Wait a moment, Sword Saint. Don’t take them lightly.”
“Why?”
“Those are powers used by high-ranking followers of the Void. They’re able to mimic what their targets possess to some extent.”
The degree of this mimicry depends on the strength of the follower and the environment around them.
Based on Faye’s experience fighting the followers of the Void, she estimated their mimicry ability to be about 80%.
“They’re professors from the academy, some of whom are highly respected.”
The head of the Combat Department. The head of the Magic Department. And Luca, whose skills may not be the best but who excels at strategic thinking and leadership.
If they’re able to mimic most of what those professors have, then dealing with them won’t be easy.
“Saintess, you’re so knowledgeable. Is the target still alive?”
“Actually, it’s safer because they’re still alive. In order to perfectly mimic someone, their life must still be intact.”
“Well, that’s fine.”
Uden’s aura flared around her sword, glowing a deep and intense red, like flames about to erupt.
With this overwhelming aura pressing down on everyone, Uden looked at the others and smiled.
“I understand what you’re worried about.”
“Then...”
“But you know, the reason I became a Sword Saint is because I managed to shatter the so-called geniuses, including the previous Sword Saint.”
Uden swung her sword through the air, and the fiery aura surrounding her spread outward, burning everything in its path.
The space, once filled with the powers of the Void, was now painted with Uden’s flames, and standing in the center of it all, Uden grinned ferociously.
“Come at me, you bastards.”
Starting a fight is fine, but there are boundaries that should be respected.
Fuck. How dare you touch someone else’s friends?
Do you think I wouldn’t swing my sword because I’m using Luca’s face?
If you thought that, you’ll regret it.
You’ll learn why people call me a beast!
The moment Uden stepped off the ground, her figure disappeared from the world.
The battle instructor and Luca, who had only just started to react, could not keep up with Uden’s speed. Uden reappeared even before they had fully moved.
Standing in front of the head of the Magic Department, Uden looked at his stunned eyes, adding pressure to the grip on her sword.
“One down.”
“Shit.”
The Magic Department head, sensing the deadly aura, fell back in fear, but Uden didn’t strike her sword.
Just before, Uden suddenly pulled back.
“Fucking bastards. Are all followers of the Demon God such pieces of shit?”
After Uden’s furious outburst, Luca, who had mimicked her friend, responded calmly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb. You’ve got a person tied up around your body. Fucking bastards.”
Hearing the accusation, Luca silently smiled.
“Lady Uden, what do you mean by that?”
“I mean it literally. Saintess, there’s someone tied to their body. If they die, that person will die too.”
“...Such a mad thing to do.”
What they had done was so horrific that even Faye cursed, but the followers of the Void remained calm.
“What does it matter? Everything will eventually return to the Void. What’s the significance of mortal sins?”
“Shut your fucking mouth. You sound just like Luca.”
This is exactly what they were doing.
They intentionally showed their changes to make people feel at ease, then planted a trap beneath it.
If someone notices, they hesitate. If they don’t, they can use the person as bait and cause emotional turmoil.
This resembled the underhanded plans Luca would often come up with.
Can mimicry even go that far?
“Do you know this person well?”
“Fuck. I know him well. I’ve traveled with that bastard for years. That’s why I’m warning you. Don’t mess with him any more. Luca’s strange, but he’s not someone you’d call crazy.”
The moment Uden showed her goodwill towards Luca, a subtle laugh escaped from the followers of the Void.
Seeing that as a provocation, Uden tightened her grip on her sword, but still, she didn’t strike.
She couldn’t be sure where the person was tied to. Until she figures that out, it’s too risky to swing her sword recklessly. She could get a sense of it after fighting for a while.
“It’s easy if it’s hidden by the power of the Void.”
Just as Uden was considering using her sword to cut off an arm or leg, Joy stepped forward with confidence, her voice full of assurance.
With a self-assured smile, Joy used her magic.
The magic that gives existence to something out of nothing.
However, her magic produced no results.
The moment Joy cast her spell, the head of the Magic Department countered with his own spell, neutralizing hers.
“...Huh?”
“Lady Partlan, think carefully. Do you think we’re standing here like golems?”
Joy, frowning as she thought about what just happened, realized that the magical structure had been disrupted.
It had been twisted midway, ruining her spell.
“Joy. Do you think it’s going to be difficult?”
“Just give me a little time. I’ll manage in a moment.”
If she knew how the opponent had neutralized her magic, she could counter it.
If it were the real head of the Magic Department, she wouldn’t even have a chance, but this person is just a fake pretending to be him.
She could do this.
She had learned from Archmage Erginus, after all!
“Lady Partlan, please give me five minutes. If it doesn’t work, I’ll start cutting off limbs.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Hearing Joy’s determined voice, Uden shrugged and changed her stance.
She shifted from the stance of a beast ready to attack to that of a knight protecting those behind her.
“Come at me. I’ll play with you, trash.”
The moment Uden’s fierce voice echoed, the followers of the Void launched their offensive.
The zealots of reality were even worse than I had imagined.
I couldn’t believe they were planning to use innocent people as meat shields. Thanks to that, my previously cheerful mood, sparked by hearing Uden talk about Luca, vanished.
<They are the ones who wish for the world’s destruction. What can’t they do?>
‘Was there such a thing in your time, Grandpa?’
<It was overflowing.>
I could feel the weight behind my grandfather’s words.
So, I stopped asking and just continued to watch Uden battle the followers of the Void.
It’s truly overwhelming. If they weren’t using meat shields, I’m sure the followers would have lost their heads by now.
It’s the first time I’ve felt such awe since Benedick and Rasha.
I was intently focused on Uden’s sword when I suddenly felt our gazes meet, and I froze.
Did she notice? I shouldn’t have joined them so soon!
A cold sweat trickled down my back as I panicked, but thankfully, Uden quickly looked away.
I doubt she couldn’t have caught me, but perhaps she’s just pretending not to notice.
...I’m grateful, but I’m pretty sure Benedick won’t let me off the hook. If I ask him for help, though, he’ll gladly do it. But with any other man, I might not be so lucky.
Feeling like staying here any longer would make even Faye notice me, I quietly moved away to another spot.
For some reason, I still felt like I should go wake up the actor still sleeping.