Chapter 148
There was a temple in Reinhardt dedicated to the god Hermes. A part of the temple was set aside to be used as wards.
On a rather large bed was an unconscious young man in his twenties. Christian, a holy knight of the Hubalt Empire, remained unconscious even though it had been quite some time since he arrived here.
“Hoooh…” High Priest Herald exhaled deeply. He had spent a long time by Christian’s bedside, silently channeling his divine power into the man. It seemed that expelling the demonic power that had infiltrated Christian was harder than he initially expected.
Demonic power was poison to priests and holy knights who heavily relied on divine power. A single miscalculation in redirecting the energies meant that Christian’s entire body could get poisoned by the demonic power, which would further jeopardize him.
As such, High Priest Herald made sure to be extra cautious and meticulous.
“High Priest Herald,” an impatient-sounding voice echoed behind him.
High Priest Herald took a step back and turned around. “Sir Modrian?”
“I apologize for bothering you at this crucial moment.” Modrian clad in white armor bowed.
“Please don’t say that.” High Priest Herald shook his head lightly.
Modrian asked cautiously, “Is Sir Christian going to be okay?”
“I successfully drove out most of the demonic power in his body, but the problem is in his head. His head has a delicate organ, you see, so I’m not able to wake him up,” replied High Priest Herald.
“I see…” Modrian went silent. Eventually, he asked, “It’s probably too much to assume that he’s going to wake up soon, right?”
“Yes.”
“Ah…?”Eventually, Modrian sighed sorrowfully. Christian’s health had to be prioritized, and it was worrying to see that he was still unconscious. However, this wasn’t the only reason why Modrian sounded impatient earlier.
The Reinhardt Masters’ Battle would officially start tomorrow. The matchup would be drawn tomorrow, and three days later, the opening matches would officially take place. It was the reason why many powerhouses from various nations were still arriving at Reinhardt in droves.
It was only natural that Modrian was impatient and concerned. After all, Christian, the representative of the Hubalt Empire, was still unconscious.
“I think we should consider giving up…” said Modrian in a sorrowful voice.
High Priest Herald’s expression fell as he said, “His Majesty was looking forward to the Masters’ Battle.”
“Yes. He has been looking forward to showing our secret weapon, Christian, to the world.”
“The Masters’ Battle is important, but Sir Christian's recuperation is more important than anything else.” High Priest Herald pointed out.
“That’s right.” Modrian nodded.
Modrian bowed and said, “I apologize if it’s a bit too late, but may I ask a question?”
“Go ahead.”
Modrian seemed like he was agonizing about something for a moment, but he quickly made up his mind and said, “That day, we felt a demonic power that was so powerful it made our skin tingle...”
“...” High Priest Herald remained silent.
“It’s just my own opinion, but such demonic power is too strong to be contained. If it were Sir Christian, there’s no way he would remain unscathed—”
“You’re still suspicious of him.” High Priest Herald interrupted.
At that, Modrian nodded and explained, “Honestly, yes. There are a lot of suspicious points about him. Plus, he was the only one there with Sir Christian.”
.
“I can say with confidence that the energy that crushed the artifact was divine power. If I can’t even identify divine power, then I ought to relinquish my priesthood.”
“Yes, I could feel it, too.” Modrian shook his head bitterly.
High Priest Herald smiled subtly. “I have nothing more to say, then.”
“Yes?” Modrian seemed baffled.
“The quantity of demonic power that infiltrated Sir Christian’s body is minuscule. If we compare the demonic power we felt that day outside the castle to an ocean, then demonic power in Sir Christian’s body would be a cup of water.”
“...” Modrian remained silent.
“You still have no idea?” High Priest Herald stared at Modrian and said, “Demonic and divine power cannot coexist in the same container. Sir Christian’s condition is a perfect example of this.”
“Ah!” Modrian’s eyes widened, and he seemed to have realized something.
“If he’s an unusual individual with a physique that lets him control both demonic and divine power at the same time…” High Priest Herald continued while staring into space. “If that’s the case, then he is no longer human. We should consider him a divine entity. It’s not that ridiculous of a claim because if this is true, then he has the ability to create anything from nothing—the ability to turn the impossible—possible.”
“A divine…! There’s no way…” Modrian muttered blankly.
At that, High Priest Herald smiled and said, “That’s right. There’s no way that’s true, so it’s impossible for Lord Sanders to be the source of that tremendous demonic power.”
“I understand… I apologize for showing you the ugly side of my personality again…”
High Priest Herald revealed a warm smile at Modrian's apology.
“You don’t have to apologize. Honestly, he didn’t strike me as particularly human.”
“What?” asked Modrian.
However, High Priest Herald didn’t answer that. Instead, he said, “Anyway, can I entrust you with Sir Christian for a moment, Sir Modrian?”
“Of course? Do you still have something to deal with?”
High Priest Herald nodded. “I have to make a report.”
“If it’s about Sir Christian—” Modrian started.
However, High Priest Herald shook his head and clarified. “It’s something else.”
High Priest Herald’s countenance turned grim.
He could still remember vividly the scene he had seen in the castle at Rev. If what he saw was truly Michael’s Wings, then this could change the course of the Great War.
The Demon Realm had eight demon kings of evil, while the Heavenly Realm had the seven archangels with their weapons. Among the archangels, Michael’s combat prowess was the strongest, and he was often referred to as the Saint of War.
The Great Temple was built around the accomplishments of Archangel Gabriel, so the appearance of Michael’s Wings could shake the Great Temple to its roots.
‘The world is changing fast, the priority is no longer the Masters’ Battle,’?High Priest Herald muttered to himself before turning around.
“Please, just give me a minute.”
“All right.”
With that, Modrian bowed down while High Priest Herald left into the distance.
***
Boom! Boom!
Colorful explosions from magic cannons blotted the skies of Reinhardt since daybreak because today was the lottery day for the matchups in the Masters’ Battle. Influential people from all corners of the continent had gathered here.
“It's beautiful…” Akshuller muttered at the explosions blotting the skies. Standing next to him was Iceline, with her countenance concealed by a hooded robe, and as usual, her stoic demeanor didn’t display any emotions.
Entering Reinhardt during the Masters’ Battle had always been difficult for ordinary people, but Iceline—the companion of the great Akshuller—didn’t encounter any difficulties entering Reinhardt.
“I really didn’t mean to follow you here. Am I troubling you?”
“You’re doing it again.” Akshuller shook his head at Iceline’s words. “Are we not going to look for him?”
“...” Iceline didn’t say anything.
“The mages at Rev Castle either belong to Avalon or the Magic Tower, so it’s pointless asking them. And what use is there to question the priests of Hermes who returned after their investigation? Strictly speaking, they’re foreigners.”
Akshuller was a mercenary and a citizen of the Avalon Empire.
“In the end, Joshua Sanders is the only one who can tell you what happened.”
“As much as you helped me…” Iceline muttered.
Akshuller tilted his head. “What?”
“I will cheer on you as much as you helped me, sir!”
Akshuller was stunned upon hearing that. However, he quickly erupted into boisterous laughter. “One of the most beautiful ladies of Avalon will be cheering for me, so it seems that I will have to do my best.”
“I’m looking forward.”
Akshuller and Iceline talked to each other while walking, and they eventually reached the enormous building where the matchups would be decided by lottery.
“The great Akshuller!”
“Oooohhhh! The second-in-command of the Mercenary Guild!”
“Look at those biceps! Holy smokes!”
The people gathered in front of the building saw Akshuller and started yelling. Akshuller had shredded his identity as a branch manager of the Mercenary Guild after deactivating Reipon.
“The citizens of other cities will find it hard to enter Reinhardt nowadays, but we still have to deal with the citizens of Reinhardt. There’s no room to walk in this crowd.” Akshuller smiled at the gathered crowd.
Akshuller’s figure had become more masculine without the concealment of Reipon.
His arms and hands were massive, and his hands looked particularly huge because they seemed like they were as huge as pot lids. He had sunken eyes, a pointed chin, and a slightly hooked nose, which was the peak and ideal male body.
His physique was enormous as well, so it wasn’t a surprise that everyone instantly recognized him.
“Let’s go.” Akshuller continued walking while smiling. Iceline trailed behind him.
Fortunately, Reinhardt’s personnel were rigorously monitoring and managing the crowd at the entrance of the building.
“The Knight of Steel Babelon of the Heart Kingdom and the Seven Mages of the Magic Tower were impressive individuals, but the dread Akshuller made me feel when I saw him was no laughing matter as well…”
“I’m looking forward to it! I’ve heard that Akshuler’s fists can shatter rocks into powder!”
“This battle only has people with a reputation behind them. This is going to be one of the greatest Masters’ Battles ever.”
Iceline and Akshuller could hear the loud chatters of the crowd as they walked away.
“You’re popular…” Iceline muttered into Akshuller’s ear after levitating herself slightly with the help of a levitation spell.
Akshuller chuckled at that. “Take that robe off, and you’ll immediately steal the spotlight.”
“Is that so?”
The two conversed and talked in jest before eventually arriving at the front door.
“It’s Ulabis!”
“The Knight of Red Flame!”
“Your Highness!”
“Aaaahhh!”
Iceline and Akshuller came to a halt upon hearing the roars of the crowd.
“Your Highness?”
The duo simultaneously turned around and saw someone.
It was a young man with long red hair clad in red armor that perfectly suited him.
Akshuller and Iceline stared at him blankly.
His Highness Ulabis of Thran continued moving without any hesitation, and on the lengthy path, Akshuller and Ulabis soon came face to face.
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