NOVEL NEXT chapter 31
31 – Holy Gangster
The treatment ended easily.
Lucia’s wish, filled with the hope of not feeling pain, restored Lucion’s hand to its original state.
Lucion clenched and unclenched his fist with his now clean hand.
Petrification was indeed a dirty magic. Even for a moment, she tasted the feeling of her hand being severed.
The burn on her left thigh also disappeared cleanly.
If the problem was only the durability of her clothes, then it would be a problem.
“I could have recovered on my own.”
But it was more important to accumulate Lucia’s experience points.
When you think about it, Lucia doesn’t have any practical experience.
“I guess I’ll have to get some real-life training.”
There’s no faster way than direct sparring.
I’ll do it little by little.
I had to think of a way.
Should I be agile and dodge attacks?
Or should I train to be able to block any attack through strengthening with sacred power?
When I become the target of a sniper,
When I become the target of a concentrated attack,
Can Lucia survive alone?
In her past life, the Hero Party identified the Saint as the factor of their defeat and said this.
“The Saint’s healing power was insufficient.”
I contemplate the meaning of that.
Lucia alone could have taken care of at least the Four Heavenly Kings.
That’s not it.
There were only times when they had to suffer defeat due to a lack of healing power as a party.
“Either they didn’t fight in the first place.”
“Or they were hit by area-of-effect attacks.”
And if not that.
“The sacred power reached zero.”
The phenomenon of self-depletion of sacred power is not uncommon. It occurs when one loses hope in life.
If the mental fortitude of a priest holding a psychic barrier breaks, where could the reason possibly lie?
The thought of chasing one’s own tail rarely provides a solution.
There was still too much insufficient information.
To truly face the Four Kings and step onto the battlefield is the only way to understand the reason.
However, by that time, it might be too late.
“I have to prepare for everything.”
Strive for perfection and confront the Demon King.
Let’s organize an expedition that rises with every step forward. When we reach the Demon King’s castle, let’s create an attacking force that anyone would be considered a hero.
At the forefront,
“I will be the one.”
#
After Lucion’s treatment was completed, suspicions of Harold settling above Lucion’s head dissipated.
Harold never embraces a sinner. The scent that Harold catches consists of the usual odor, the scent of sacred power, and the scent of evil. Just having such emotions makes people emit faint smells that others cannot even perceive. Harold could detect it.
“Believe me. But the danger level has to remain high.”
“It’s enough.”
White Rabbit, sensing the atmosphere, tried to slip away quietly and exit, but Black Rabbit caught up with White Rabbit’s back.
“Hey.”
“Yeah? Why, sis?”
hahahaha. A real-life bunny with a smile.
“I should apologize properly.”
Though it was a request from the Adventurer’s Guild, accepting and carrying out the request was up to the adventurer themselves. In the end, it was Bakto-ki’s own decision.
Bakto-ki, who had reluctantly withdrawn, bowed deeply as if there was no other choice.
“I’m sorry.”
Lucion tried to just overlook it. They both had secrets, and if those secrets were revealed now, it would be disadvantageous for Lucion.
But Lucia stepped forward.
“Are you sorry to everyone?”
As if implying that this wouldn’t do, Lucia approached Bakto-ki, passing Lucion.
‘It’s dangerous.’
Lucion exuded divine power, stopping Lucia in her tracks.
【I’m fine, Lucia.】
【No. I’m not fine.】
Now Lucia easily released herself from Lucion’s compulsion.
Lucion’s pupils trembled.
‘What’s this?’
The difference in their levels isn’t as significant as one might think.
Even at this moment, Lucia was repeating awakenings.
When she tried to put Lucion to sleep, she underwent rapid growth unprecedented until now. In this moment, the anger of wanting to protect Lucion has nurtured Lucia.
Lucion is just too kind.
“I have to protect you.”
The desire to protect amplifies the sacred power within the clergy, awakening Lucia.
Lucia approached the White Rabbit with confident strides. Despite being indoors where no wind blew, her golden hair fluttered behind her.
“Unfortunately, White Rabbit, this might be quite frightening.”
Lucion knew firsthand what it was like to face a monster of sacred power.
“It’s not just what you see with your eyes. You would feel the magnitude of Sia’s presence equal to the size of Lucia’s sacred power. In reality, it would only reach Lucion’s shoulder height, yet it would feel as if a castle wall or a giant soldier were approaching.”
“When I first joined the organization, the Pope told me that.”
One step caused the heavens and earth to tremble. It truly possessed that much influence. If the sacred power were depleted, it could shake the earth.
If there was a force capable of creating the world, its origin would be the sacred power, not mana or magic.
Even with Lucia like this, the failed party of heroes was fundamentally flawed.
That was the only way to put it.
“Apologize properly.”
But she knew how to press someone’s buttons.
Lucion thought of Lucia from her past life.
She was just a sweet girl who loved helping others.
But now…
“I’m sorry. Sister.”
“Not me. To Sion.”
Quite prickly.
“I’m sorry.”
I felt embarrassed while looking at the white rabbit bowing its head. It felt like sticking my head out in front of my subordinates, in my own territory, in front of a stranger. Even though there couldn’t be a greater humiliation, the white rabbit remained composed.
Lucia speaks.
“[With just your bare hands?]”
Sometimes saints are also known to be gangsters.
“Seems like it.”
Lucia might be a typical example.
Feeling satisfied internally, Lucion thought that she had taught him something really good.
#
The white rabbit had never experienced such pressure before.
Even in front of Matopju Daraha, it wasn’t this nerve-wracking.
“What’s with that woman?”
As Lucia approached step by step, the feeling was similar to when the Empress of Osulan looked at herself with a murderous intent.
“I really almost died back then.”
I couldn’t breathe. The amount of divine power Lucia carried was absolutely immense, as if she was about to suffocate me with it.
Well, that too.
If I don’t listen to Lucia’s words, it feels like I’ve committed a crime worthy of death. Her words are like law, and the moment I break them, it feels like I’ll be sent to hell.
That is the nature of the coerciveness of divine power. It is an order that cannot be refused.
On the other hand, according to Lucia’s words, a rather satisfied feeling comes over me. The divine power that used to act as coercion transforms into a buff that revitalizes me. Just by following Lucia’s words, I can do things that I couldn’t do before.
“This, then….”
Baekto Rabbit took a cube from the upper pocket of his jacket and opened the box. A black handle protruded from the white interior.
“You’re wearing a throat sword.”
Sculd approached Lucyion and courteously knelt, handing him the sword.
Originally not Baekto Rabbit’s sword. It was a sword taken after a successful assassination.
A moment of contemplation.
Lucyion knew the identity of the sword.
‘Giving me a sword taken after killing someone.’
There’s no deception like this kind of deception. As Lucyion pondered, Baekto Rabbit lifted his head with a puzzled expression.
“Why do you refuse?”
“I won’t take it.”
Lucyion looked at Lucia.
“I’m fine. Let this kid go. We have things to do.”
“But.”
“Lucia.”
Lucia sighed. If Lucyion insisted this much, she couldn’t refuse.
“Fine.”
Turning back to Lucyion with occasional steps, Lucia returned to her seat as if nothing had happened.
The only fool here is Baekto Rabbit.
“Oh….”
I was no longer able to receive the reward for carrying out Lucia’s command. It felt like I was flying in the sky, so close to reaching it. But it was taken away from me in an instant.
“Ah.”
White Rabbit muttered in despair, resembling a zombie, and left the guild hall with heavy footsteps.
“Are you okay?”
Black Rabbit asked, and Lucia nodded slowly.
If I were to compare it, it would be similar to the feeling of winning the lottery and going to claim the prize, only to find out that it had expired the day before.
But still, there’s no problem with living, right? White Rabbit is strong. It’ll be fine.
“Follow me. I’ll show you some clothes. We still have plenty of time until the guild opens. Besides, what’s the rush to wear those clothes?”
Lucia stretched out her arms and looked at her own body.
Her exposed calves.
Tattered white monk robes.
Even though Lucia herself was fine, Lucia couldn’t wear them.
Anyway, it would be fine to have a body marked by Black Thorn and receive Black Thorn’s conquest.