Kidnapped the Saintess of the Hero Party

10 – Epicureanism(1)

Howuld, who was nowhere to be seen when the troll was there, quickly came out as soon as the battle was over.

Afterwards, he wagged his tail as if excited, approached the troll, and took a bite of the shell.

The fact that he could pierce the shell was even more surprising.

Howld immediately spat out what looked like rainbow-colored vomit.

“Gak.”

After that incident, he never laid eyes on another troll again.

Originally, trolls were not edible.

While they might have had some flavor, their meat was tough enough to break your teeth.

Above all, the skin had a taste worse than tree bark.

Howld just couldn’t stomach them.

Even a human attempting to chew on a troll would have to scoop up tiny bites and masticate slowly just to get it down. After all that effort, eating even slightly too much would result in poisoning.

Even with just the meat from the dragons, he had secured a month’s worth of provisions. There was no need to go to the trouble of preparing the tough trolls.

‘Merely a large pile of waste.’

Now these things were lying around in the forest, about ten of them.

If quick decomposition could be considered lucky, then that was fortunate. But moving them for disposal was a problem, because they were too big and heavy.

Of course, nature was remarkable. There were quite a number of creatures in this forest who fed off troll carcasses.

Nevertheless, he had to shift the camping site.

The trolls were terribly smelly, and it was quite obvious that the scent of their flesh would attract all sorts of monsters to the campsite.

Living in the dragon’s nest would certainly have been better.

Located on a knoll, it was quite like a natural fortress.

There was hardly any food on the knoll, so monsters rarely appeared.

Sure, there may have been birds making noise, but none would have dared approach the dragon’s nest.

Securing a spot right in the middle of the hilltop provided a good view of the forest below.

The wind blows gently.

“It seems like it’ll be a bit cold at night.”

At least it would be better than being surrounded by the corpses of trolls.

Of course.

“We can’t stay here long.”

“Alright.”

The original goal was to move as much as possible.

#

The camping initiated five years prior was a preparatory drill to get used to the challenge of conquering the Demon King.

They had to train to survive a day anywhere.

Fortunately, they reached their target level more quickly than expected.

“Now I can fight even when left alone in the wild.”

Seven trolls were sent straight to heaven with one blow.

Even proficient adventurer parties, who are prepared to be injured while raiding, often face casualties. But Sia wiped everything out by herself. She had already reached the level of a Paladin.

While it’s not uncommon to see Paladins in the city,

“Reaching this level at sixteen carries a different meaning.”

At the same age, there was no such prodigy in history; it was an incredible accomplishment.

But it wasn’t enough for Zion.

“I have to advance to the Demon King.”

She had to be overwhelmingly stronger than her previous life.

The Hero Party in her last life was also quite remarkable when looking just at their specs.

“But the problem was they were all show, no substance.”

They were a gathering of geniuses.

Kyle, who was chosen as the hero, was said to have beheaded 100 enemy generals at the age of sixteen thanks to growing up in a wild warrior tribe.

Pannon, who followed as a sage, had mastered 100 must-read books of kingdom court magicians, 7 languages, and 3 types of magic at sixteen. Pannon, who had always seemed like a gentleman, was scouted for the Demon King’s conquest. “Who else but the century’s genius, who was in the doctoral program through early admission to the academy, would play the role of sage?” it was said. Since there would often be a need to interpret the demons’ language or ancient languages, the selection of Pannon, a once-in-a-millennium prodigy, was seen as natural.

Darras, the master archer, was the only archer who could handle “archery energy.” A non-sword, non-magic, archer who draws his own bow with bow-energy, a textbook example, Darras.

The only mid-aged member of the Hero Party. A seasoned hunter, who had hundreds of party experiences and took on the role of a mental pillar, was master archer Darras.

Selected as the final party member for the final assault on the Demon King, was the holy maiden, Lucia. A girl among the priests with the most expansive sacred power. Through continuous training, she was the only young priestess who managed to ascend to the pulpit’s halo. She could utilize a variety of sacred arts and create sacred power anytime, anywhere. In the demon world, where sacred power is not readily produced, the existence of the Holy Maiden was essential.

A heroic party teeming with the geniuses of the century.

However.

To Lucion, it seemed like a group missing a bolt.

ㅡ Your breath, combination and fluidity are all lacking.

ㅡ What can we do? The Demon King’s army is strengthening by the day.

ㅡ It would be quicker to spend a little more time perfecting it.

ㅡ There’s no choice. Can you find someone greater than them?

He could not refute this, and the heroic party was forced to advance.

In the end, the so-called assembly of unprecedented geniuses, the heroic party, failed even to reach the Demon King’s castle, defeated by merely one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

The reason being, lack of the Holy Maiden’s healing abilities.

Does that make any sense?

‘Lack of healing?’

There’s no need if it’s not effective.

Blast it! How much did they fight while getting healed!

It all wasn’t necessary.

This time,

‘I’ll be by your side.’

That’s what she hoped for.

#

The second day of camping.

Evening had come. It was time to either sleep early, or fill the stomach a bit more.

Since the encounter with the troll, her appetite had declined, rarely looking at food.

Still, she couldn’t starve, right?

As he prepared the bonfire, he asked.

“Xia.”

“Hmm?”

“How strong do you think I am?”

Xia frowned as if it was a tough question, but soon gave an answer.

“Perhaps… the strongest in the world?”

“Why do you think so?”

She seemed to mumble and stumble, as if it was a tremendous secret, but Xia explained simply.

“I can see it.”

“Hmm?”

Xia let out a deep sigh.

“I can see… it just, shows!”

It seemed hard for her to explain.

“So you can see my divine power?”

Xia nodded.

Lucio lost himself in thought.

‘So she’s known all along how strong I am.’

‘Right?’

‘My divine power is… already at the level of extrication, isn’t it?’

‘Not yet. Xia hasn’t seen extrication yet…’

‘She may not understand how significant this is.’

‘Lucky for me. If we had gone straight to the next village, I would’ve been suspected.’

‘Should I hide… a bit more?’ He decided to mumble his way through. At just seventeen, he had already reached a level that others would need to train for 20, 30 years to achieve—how could he explain that? Xia was also different from the rest, but Lucien was on a different level altogether. Even now, his training hadn’t stopped. He breathed, fought, even while resting. Except for when he was relieving himself, almost all his time was dedicated to training. Having already reached the peak once, he was simply more tenacious and skilled than others. Thanks to this, he had reached the peak faster than anyone else. After all, right now, his capabilities were clearly visible in Xia’s eyes. Perhaps it was a good thing that Xia could see his divine power.

He had an insightful thought.

“From now on, I’ll practice hiding it.” The progress was clear to see.

Hiding.

In truth, hiding divine power is difficult. A magician often hides their magic because it naturally accumulates. However, divine power is fundamentally diffusive. It does not accumulate in one place, but spreads out. In simple terms, magic is like a black hole’s pull, while divine power is like the scattering nature of light.

So, while magic can be concealed in the mana heart, hiding divine power remains a difficult task even for those who have reached the peak. Strictly speaking, it is the next step after the highest domain, the halo.

There are generally four ranks applied to human clerics.

Apprentice, ethereal body, centum, glory (halo).

The trainee only carries out simple treatments and chants. The competency of their scarce divine power is what determines the trainee level.

The master overflows with divine power that seems to bloom around their body, making them an indispensable figure in any party, as they can enhance physical abilities and provide buffs. Their strength and magic can almost double.

The “wing” is at a level where the divine power sways outside the body. Some describe it as having white wings or being cloaked in a veil. They can not only support a party but also encompass an entire raid with their wings. Because of their ability to use a wide-range defensive skill, they are essential for defeating bosses of intermediate level or higher.

And then,

the glory, the “halo.”

The realm every priest ultimately aspires to reach.

Those often referred to as archbishops or deacons fall under this category.

Lucion had already arrived there.

When one reaches glory, it is said that a thick white ring can be seen above their head, although this is an illusion.

To the ordinary eye, the person simply radiates an unusual glow.

Most presume that glory is the ultimate end.

However, Lucion was able to reach further, right on the brink of death in his previous life.

To the next level.

That time when he had a conversation with the goddess.

Lucion strongly felt the once-closed realm break open.

‘It must be a level where one can be called a saint or a holy woman.’

He was released of the accumulated divine power.

One could say he became one with nature.

At that moment, he was not possessed of divine energy.

If needed, nature moved as if it had its own will, assisting the saint.

Once you reach that level, there’s no need to absorb anything into the body anymore. The counterpart can’t properly perceive your level. It can be said to be in perfect harmony with nature.

Your presence becomes so faint that others can barely perceive your existence.

To become one with nature-

That is the supreme realm attainable as a human being.

It was now time for Lucien and Lucia, who had just gained freedom, to face their challenges.

#

Of course, it couldn’t happen overnight.

But if it was Lucia, she could do it.

As Lucia, it was more or less a matter of studying in advance what she would usually learn in five years.

To solve problems two stages higher.

It was like pushing an academy’s book to a middle school student.

Impossible, you think?

Geniuses will do it.

If the teacher is Lucien and the student is Lucia, it becomes a very natural thing.

“Others mustn’t know. Seeing the holy power is a very special thing. It’s a secret only we know, until death.”

A secret only they know.

Lucia thought Lucien read too many romance novels.

“Yes. I’ll do that. But Lucia, aren’t you surprised? The other kids from the orphanage said they couldn’t see it. Only I can.”

Because they are not supposed to see this side?

Isn’t it normal to be amazed or scared?

Lucien answered as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Should you be surprised? Or should I?”

Exactly.

Lucia nodded as if she understood.

Although a new feeling, Lucia had accepted Lucien as an [off-standard existence]. She didn’t think of him as a born genius or having exceptional talent. It felt like something out of reach from the beginning, an inexplicable mystery that Lucia repeatedly called genius.

A presence so overwhelming that it felt wrong to regard him as the same kind – could that be Lucien right in front of her?

Nevertheless, Lucien often showed a human side.

Running away in shock when he unexpectedly came to the stream while Lucia washes up, or being so shy that he couldn’t look her in the eyes for a week, or falling under Howl’s charm, or playing with Howl with a wicked face as if he would do some devilish thing.

Still, it’s worth asking.

“How do you know all of this, Lucion?”

Lucion answered nonchalantly.

“It’s all written in the books.”

Sia puckered her lips habitually.

It’s not like I didn’t read any books.

‘There were a few I didn’t read though.’

She didn’t question further.

It didn’t appear as if Lucion had any intention to answer about that.

Rather, Lucion managed to ward off any additional questions from Sia by playfully tugging and pressing on Howard, feigning exaggerated interest on him.

Nonetheless, it was okay.

Seeing Lucion playing with Howard was a source of happiness alone.

###

Lucion felt the situation had switched.

“I’m unsure how it came to be this way,”

Sia was looking at him like he was a child, and the purpose of the campaign had shifted to enjoyment of food.

How on Earth did it come to this?

Perhaps.

“Woof! Woof!”

Howard.

It was because of this little rascal.

‘This tiny fellow.’

The moment the sun rose, he started barking in one direction, and as a result, we scheduled a hunting trip to find Howard’s favorite food.

“‘Well, they say Samgyetang is good for boosting your stamina after a meal.”

Sion let out a deep sigh.

They had decided to set aside other plans for a while and indulge in gastronomic pleasures.

Because that itself would aid in their enhancement of vital energy.

There is literally nothing else that could help more.

“Speaking of which, it’s quite irritating.”

Lucion gripped the back of the howling Hauld’s neck, facing the creature which was aiming towards the west.

“You never really hunt, do you.”

He vented his dissatisfaction, but the creature simply panted innocently.

“I’m letting you off because you’re brave.”

Than he let out a sigh, gently laying the creature on the ground.

After that, Hauld wagged its tail and began to circle around Sion, before retreating back into the forest.

Sia came to stand next to Sion.

“Sion, it seems like Hauld has grown bigger.”

“You’re right… I can see that.”

But, it is of no importance.

The damn creature is to be abandoned anyway.

Lucion merely reacted in a dismissive manner.

“But, it’s a bit strange. During the troll attack, Hauld hid.”

Hauld is well known for its loyalty, even putting its life on the line for its master.

But, it is unknown whether they’ve developed that strong a bond yet.

Maybe.

“Perhaps Hauld knew we would win.”

The creature is cunning, and I despise it for that.

However, thinking another way.

“Who knows, he might be of help.”

In the event of a threat unanticipated even by Lucion, Hauld could potentially play a crucial role in saving Sia’s life. He may warn us of the approaching danger in advance.

“A decent meal for the creature wasn’t too hard to prepare.

“Let’s go. Off to find your food.”

It was for Howld, but admittedly, Lucien was salivating not much less than Howld.

Looking at their backs, Shia thinks,

‘So they say, pets resemble their owners…’

Could it possibly be the other way around?