Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 257 Radion Cathedral is called the heart of the Religious Order. There, priests of all denominations within the Religious Order are equal. Under the sacred names of the Main God and the First Saint. As if to prove this, priests from various denominations had gathered together in the corridor. "Is the Saint still secluding herself these days?" An elderly priest cautiously brought up the topic. Then a relatively young middle-aged priest answered. "Yes. Due to her Constitution..." "It's a troublesome matter. Truly troublesome." "The resources spent so far to improve the Saint's Constitution could have saved hundreds—no, thousands of patients..." "Such blasphemy...!!! How dare you approach matters related to the Saint from such a calculating perspective. This is unacceptable!" "Calm down. Bishop Kados hasn't said anything completely wrong. The Saint is ultimately just one of the Main God's many torches." "What...!" The priests within the Religious Order who based their foundation closer to the Saint than the Main God were indignant. Nevertheless, the conversation continued. "That name has meaning because it possesses an exceptionally bright light among our Main God's torches. However, if other torches must be used as kindling to kindle that fire—wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?" The priest's statement was righteous. Healing the sick and driving out evildoers. Even at this moment, countless priests were willingly sacrificing their bodies and energy to drive away the world's shadows with the Main God's light. Meanwhile, the one called Saint was secluding herself in her room, monopolizing countless elixirs, medicines, and blessings that should have gone to them- "Then do you intend to deny even the holy miracle the Saint accomplished? The Saint is now inevitably taking rest because of that very miracle." "..." However, the voices of criticism that had been pouring down also subsided at the following statement. In the not-so-distant past, there was a city that had been slowly dying from an unknown plague for years. Many believers had spared no sacrifice and dedication to save it, yet it was still slowly dying. What saved such a city was an ordinary girl from some rural village. The believers who resided in the city at that time clearly witnessed it. The moment when a girl knelt and prayed in the city's plaza, a massive beam of light descended and purified the entire city. Saint Asrania. Behind her transformation from an ordinary girl of a rural village to a Saint respected by all believers lay such circumstances. "That miracle was certainly performed through the Saint's Divine Authority. Yet you criticize the Saint for taking rest to manage the resulting backlash. Are you saying that a torch that burned its own body to illuminate darkness should be discarded once its usefulness is spent?" The priests could not refute this. Thus, the Saint had qualification. In other words, there was justification. Justification to take indefinite rest. Justification to exercise all the privileges of the Religious Order. "Hmm? You fellows, what's the matter? Where are you going in such a hurry—" "The Saint has expressed her intention to go out! She says she will perform a prayer ritual!" ZzZhdWZ5TFJWd2Q3NTVBR2FmRmFvNVlTVm9mZlRSUmJFc0VVNmFtSFVVbVNZdTJVTkppVVZMK3MxT1A5UDIwWQ "Prayer?" "That's right! She heard the voice of the First Saint—the Star of Purification, Tara Dollin—..." "...!" Saint Asrania's full-scale activities had begun. Under the complete care of the First Saint- *** Saint Asrania. Believers called her existence the Revival of the First Saint Tara Dollin. There were certainly countless commonalities between the two. The fact that she was originally an ordinary girl from a rural village. The fact that she had a simple appearance befitting her origins. The fact that she possessed overwhelming Divinity that granted Mystery to that simple appearance. Most of all—the fact that she was pathologically devoted to others. "Cough." Saint Asrania never had a healthy day. It was because of her mindset of wanting to help even one more person in the time she could have spent caring for herself. "Saint, are you all right!?" "I'm fine! So please, continue with the trial—" The current situation was also such. The Religious Order's group had stopped in Bondaless during their pilgrimage journey to ease the Saint's travel fatigue. However, the Saint could not stop her devotion even during that brief moment of rest. -I sense Darkness in this city... Immediately begin preliminary work for purification... This was how the Saint came to conduct a heresy trial in the city's plaza. She chose to seek out the Darkness hidden in the city instead of resting. "Ah... How noble... Not putting down her heart for others even for a single moment..." The believers were filled with admiration. They believed the Saint's endless self-sacrifice stemmed from sublime religious conviction. "..." Thus the Saint smiled. She inwardly mocked the believers who looked up to her. Was there any pleasure more convenient than taking credit with others' achievements? Saint Asrania's infinite self-sacrifice. Its driving force was not sublime religious conviction or anything of the sort. Faith. The truly sublime, and therefore foolish, faith of the Religious Order's priests. "Cough!" Saint Asrania let out another dry cough. It was to suppress the laughter welling up inside her. As a Saint, representing the Religious Order to seek out heretics. It was an utterly ridiculous situation no matter how you looked at it. And for good reason. Because she herself was that 'heretic. Dawn's Guidance. That religion taking the form of a secret organization denies the Main God and serves beings opposed to His will. In other words, the group designated as heretics by the Religious Order. Asrania was a high-ranking priest holding the position of 'Guide' in that Dawn's Guidance. That is. A spy created by Dawn's Guidance to exert influence on the Religious Order- That was the true identity of Saint Asrania. Since performing the 'miracle,' Asrania had been constantly taking the Religious Order's resources under the pretext of recovery. 'Foolish things. At this rate, when will they ever notice...' Just like right now. Asrania looked up at the sky. 'Ah.' A beam of light descending toward her from the sky. She savored that vast energy. The Divinity bestowed by the First Saint. It was power more than sufficient to restore the 'frail' Saint. However, the Saint would never recover. If she regained her health, the justification for siphoning off the Religious Order's resources would disappear. 'Tara Dollin... you admirable fool. I shall put your power to good use.' Asrania completely transferred the power bestowed by the First Saint to the 'vessel' she had prepared in her Inner World. Feeling that abundant power, Asrania writhed in ecstasy. 'Tara Dollin... to think this much power still remained...' It wouldn't be long. At this rate, the day would soon come when the vessel would be full and she would be reborn as a true apostle of god. The Dawn's God. The day she would subjugate the Religious Order's foolish 'heretics' as an apostle of that truly great being. Therefore, there was no time to take rest or anything of the sort. 'Every time the 'Saint' showed 'devotion,' the vessel would be filled by their foolish faith. "Come this way." Asrania gestured to the woman who was the subject of the trial. A beam of light created by the First Saint's power. It was illuminating the Saint. The moment an impure being approached such a Saint, their true nature would immediately be exposed. "..." An impure being disguised as a human, a Fiend. The woman suspected of being a Fiend hesitated and looked elsewhere. It was where her master, 'Acting City Councilor Fienne,' was standing. Asrania also followed the woman's gaze to look at that pure white girl. 'Troublesome wench.' This was what she had felt during her stay in Bondaless over the past few days. Asrania had planned to perform large-scale 'devotion' in Bondaless, just as she had in other cities. However, the city's forces centered around City Councilor Fienne were keeping it in check. In that regard, this trial held great significance. 'Even if a 'Fiend' is discovered in the city, will they be able to trouble me as before?' Light shines more brightly where Darkness resides. Asrania could guarantee it. After this trial ended. The 'Saint' would receive the adoration of all citizens of Bondaless. "What are you hesitating about?" Asrania urged the woman with an excited heart. "This is the embrace of the Star of Purification—First Saint Tara Dollin. There is no reason to fear the warm touch that lovingly embraces and illuminates everything. Come now." Then Asrania gave a signal to the Paladin. Acting City Councilor Fienne. Stop that person from pulling any foolish tricks. "..." The Paladin nodded. Just as he was about to subtly block the Acting City Councilor's path. "Sofia!" The pure white girl spoke to the woman. She calmed the other person with serene eyes. "It's okay. You have no reason to be afraid." "..." An unexpected action. Asrania was flustered. 'What? Getting involved with that thing in this situation wouldn't be good for anything...?' That Fiend was about to have her impure identity exposed soon. To unnecessarily reveal a connection in such a situation? 'Planning to cut off the tail while playing innocent? If that's the case, it's a misjudgment.' Asrania judged Fienne's decision as sloppy handling and inwardly mocked her. At the same time, the woman nodded and approached Asrania. The Star of Purification. She exposed herself to the energy of a being capable of purifying all impurities. Murmur, murmur. The crowd gathered there began to stir. Up to that point was what Asrania had expected. However, the type of that stirring. "What?" "What, a demon hiding its identity? A Fiend? Wasn't that what they said?" "Are you sure? There's no change at all?" The woman suspected of being a Fiend was perfectly fine even under the First Saint's energy. No. She wasn't just fine. "Ah..." The woman was unconsciously bathing herself in that light. Because the energy contained in that light was somehow similar to the energy she had received from her master, Fienne. "Saint." Then. The pure white girl spoke. She didn't create a victorious smile or anything of the sort. Instead, she created a delicate smile that stirred others' compassion while maintaining her unique atmosphere. "Is she... is our city's citizen all right...?" For some reason, that delicate voice was clearly conveyed to all the crowd gathered in the wide plaza. The crowd stared at the Acting City Councilor as if entranced. What they saw was a pure white girl who truly cared for and worried about an innocent city citizen. That appearance, like a pure white lily, had an appeal that was not inferior to the name of Saint. Booooo!!! The crowd began to boo in unison. "Coming to our city out of the blue and doing this—is this how you frame innocent people!?" "What Religious Order, what Saint!!!" "Get lost!!! Get out of our city!!!" "The Saint is far more trustworthy than the likes of you!!!" Someone began throwing whatever they were holding at the group of believers. Thud! One of them hit the Saint's head. "How dare you!!!" The Paladin and other believers glared at the citizens with indignation. "That's enough." Whooooosh. A blade wind swept through. Archmage Frozen Breath. That blue Archmage was approaching with a cold gaze. "Up to this point, I'll let it slide out of respect for the Saint and the Religious Order's dignity. But any further—" The bitter cold energy emanated by the blue Archmage. The warning spoken along with it was enough to make even believers with firm faith step back. "..." That was when it happened. "..." The blue Archmage focused power in his eyes. "Ahh—" "This is..." "S-Saint!?" The divine energy scattered by the Saint gently embraced the believers who had been struggling in the bitter cold. In other words- She instantly dispelled the blue Archmage's energy. That was clearly Asrania's mistake. While she should have been acting as a 'frail' Saint, she was dominated by emotion and revealed the power she had kept hidden. Easily dispelling an Archmage's energy— A vast power very far from frailty. Oops. Immediately recognizing her mistake, Asrania conspicuously let out a dry 'cough.' But it was already too late. 'Something's strange...' The believers felt something off about the series of events. The whiter the cloth, the more stains stand out. A small crack appeared in their pure faith. 'Damn it, damn it...! How did this—' Asrania couldn't compose herself as the situation spread like an uncontrollable fire. Then. Fienne's figure came into Asrania's view. "..." Smirk. That appearance of creating a brazen smile adopted from 'a certain man.' Asrania felt her head becoming hot and cold at the same time. "I-I'm sorry...! I didn't mean to—" She used her secret weapon. Acting as an innocent Young Lady while beginning to shed tears. What to do. What to do. She acted as if writhing in guilt over suddenly accusing an innocent person. Indeed, with things having come to this, the believers couldn't just stand still. "We will formally apologize for this matter in the future. For today, let's—" The High Priest and senior Paladin, who were the actual leaders of the Religious Order group, stepped forward to quickly settle the situation. When Fienne's party joined in, the tumultuous Bondaless plaza quickly returned to its original state. *** "Ugh...!" The beam of light descending from the ceiling stopped. At the same time, Risir let out a groan. The prayer was over. Having admirably fulfilled the First Saint's duty. Risir had succeeded in bestowing his energy upon the one who prayed. "Risir!" Tara, who was standing beside him, was startled and supported Risir's body. Seeing Tara's expression, Risir smiled bitterly. "You don't need to worry so much. I'm young and healthy. This level of exhaustion will recover quickly with rest." Tara let out a chuckle at his appearance of naturally making jokes like breathing. "That's not why I'm surprised?" "What?" The fairy who had likewise witnessed the same scene nearby added. "Why does this even work...?" This was why the Saint and fairy were bewildered. The connection of energy through prayer. That was a kind of miracle achieved through the matching of the special identity of 'Saint' between two believers. It wasn't something that could be substituted with a casual feeling of 'I'm a bit tired today, so shall I leave it to my successor?' But it worked? Risir had admirably bestowed his energy upon the one who prayed in place of the 'First Saint.' "Didn't you help from the side, Saint?" "Yes. I did help. With all my heart and soul. But—" The Saint kept blinking while speaking. "Is this something that can be done just by helping...?" The Saint looked at the fairy. The fairy shrugged. Well. It worked out somehow. "..." The Saint nodded. They were gradually getting used to Risir. *** "So now... will things be okay for a while?" Right after the prayer ritual ended. Risir was feeling quite bewildered. The energy depletion from the prayer was beyond expectations. Enough to naturally wonder how a Saint who couldn't even use 'Molting' had been repeating this ritual until now. "No." "What?" "She's probably... facing a great trial. Recently, the frequency of prayers has increased." "Then..." "If we follow the usual pattern, probably soon—within three days, another prayer will come." Risir was momentarily dumbfounded. "Then, you'll share your energy again, Saint?" "..." "You've been continuously repeating this thing until now!?" "Th-thing...!" The Saint scolded the irreverence, but her tone was weak. She knew it herself. "And you were planning to continue repeating this? Until your energy is exhausted and you perish?" "..." How foolish an act that was. "I have... a duty to repay faith..." It was just that no one had ever questioned that nobility before, so she had been ignoring it. "..." Risir's expression contained both respect and pity simultaneously. At that attitude so different from others, the Saint couldn't lift her head for some reason. "But you know. That person who prays—isn't there something strange about the current Saint as well?" "Strange...?" "No. I understand it's difficult. I understand that she truly needs your invaluable help. But isn't it too frequent? Your energy level would be comparable to the finest elixir. To demand this constantly? Is this right? This is just greed—" Connecting Saint and greed? "A greedy Saint...?" "Even if she's a Saint, she's ultimately a person before being a Saint, isn't she?" "...!" The Saint and fairy couldn't help but be shocked by that behavior, which was possible because he had a modern person's way of thinking. "Now that you mention it..." However, that different perspective certainly opened a new path of thinking. "..." Tara Dollin's expression was tinged with anguish. Because she was a Saint. Because she bore the same burden, Tara had completely trusted her until now. But when doubt was raised about that Saint's purity, she couldn't help but be confused. "For now." Risir said while looking at such a Tara. "I'll take care of this matter for a while instead." "What do you mean...!" "I have 'Molting,' don't I? No matter how much I share my energy and become weak, I'll ultimately have a way to recover." "..." Shock and emotion. Tara's expression, which had been somewhere between the two, gradually became subtle. Seeing that change in expression, Risir said. "Oh... was I perhaps a bit obnoxious just now?" The fairy and Saint couldn't say no. *** Nevertheless. The Saint and fairy desperately tried to dissuade Risir. The energy depletion wasn't something to be recklessly endured just because there was the insurance of 'Molting.' "This is also part of handling Divinity, isn't it? I'll gladly endure it, thinking of it as a path for cultivating Divinity." The Saint was troubled about how to persuade Risir. Contrary to his expectations or hopes— It was unrelated to cultivating Divinity. No. Rather the opposite. That act of sharing one's energy through Divinity. Far from elevating Divinity, it would only cause regression. It was an act no different from cutting off one's own flesh to share with others. Despite such explanation from the Saint, Risir didn't bend his stubbornness. "And if possible, I'd like to connect a bit deeper and exchange thoughts. What on earth is she thinking to endlessly demand energy like this?" Not simple goodwill, but some kind of doubt. And suspicion. Risir had already made up his mind. The Saint and fairy ultimately had to step back and respect his judgment. *** The night the heresy trial ended. Saint Asrania, who had returned to her room, had to struggle desperately to control her boiling emotions. 'Why! How! Why!!! What on earth went wrong!?!' After the heresy trial ended. Asrania could feel that the believers' gazes toward her had changed from before. If she thought that future plans had become seriously disrupted, was it her imagination? Probably not. "Hah..." What truly calmed such Asrania was— The energy of the 'First Saint' that she had siphoned into her 'vessel' through today's heresy trial. Even amid everything going wrong, that benevolent fool's vast energy had certainly been added to her vessel. The 'First Saint's' energy felt exceptionally abundant today. Thanks to this, Asrania could calm herself. That it was okay. Even if all other believers turned away, that benevolent fool would continue to bestow energy without doubting her. Therefore, what was needed was another justification. Asrania began to devise another justification to receive the 'First Saint's' grace. *** The next day. Risir, who had taken sufficient rest, met with Tara at the cathedral. It was for the Divinity guidance that couldn't be finished yesterday. That was when Tara felt something was off. Was it an illusion? Risir. He was faintly glowing. "Risir, aren't you kind of sparkling?" It wasn't an illusion. Shuyen also voiced the same opinion as Tara. "Indeed. It seems to appear that way to both of you as well. It's been like this suddenly since last night, but why is this happening?" Then. The grayish-white fireball that revealed itself shouted. It looked like a student eager to show off their homework. -This Dangaleon!!! I have fulfilled my duty by understanding your intentions! "Intentions? Duty?" -Through the path you opened, I recovered your energy that was too good for that vermin! While I was at it, I brought other things as well! "?" Risir blinked. "Vermin? You recovered it? From where?" -What? Dangaleon blinked. Though it was a fireball, anyway. -Didn't you make it your follower for that purpose? "What?" -What? "Follower?" -Yes. "What?" -What? *** [A new status is added to the target] [Status: Follower] [Target: Dawn's Guidance Guide Asrania]