NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 14
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s male Disciple]
[Quality Checker – Kawaii]
Chapter 14: Hunting the Serpent (4)
The soldiers of the Church started to move as soon as they received the orders.
Sebastian and Cedric were tied up without even putting up a decent resistance. They seemed more resigned than obedient to the paladin’s command, as if they had given up on everything.
“…You’re going to capture me?”
However, Robert was different.
Robert kicked his Halbert which was on the ground, with his foot, and grabbed it
“Do you think I’ll be caught so easily?”
“If you resist, you’ll die.”
“I’ll die even if I don’t resist! Did you not know how vile the church is?”
Robert summoned his magic. Aura enveloped Halbert.
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll strike you down here and flee!”
Robert charged toward the paladin, simultaneously lifting the Halbert higher.
The paladin’s pupils narrowed.
She clenched her fist and adjusted her stance. A blue flame engulfed the paladin’s body.
Strangely, the robe the paladin was wearing did not catch fire.
It fluttered as if a strong wind was blowing.
“You!”
Robert struck down Halbert.
But the paladin was faster, unleashing a punch.
The sound of the air exploding pierced their eardrums.
The paladin’s body disappeared and reappeared right in front of Robert.
At that same speed, she threw a punch at him.
The fiery fist engulfed the breastplate, striking hard.
“Urgh!”
The breastplate crumpled and shattered into pieces.
Robert vomited blood as he was thrown backward.
‘How foolish.’
Under the madness of fanaticism, a paladin undergoes rigorous training throughout their life. Not only that, they must fulfill various perilous missions under the guise of divine trials.
The strength cultivated by a paladin in this manner is vastly different from that of an ordinary knight.
‘By the way, this woman… was a disciple of Cheongyeom.’
Cheongyeom Bridgendin.
Among the Five Great Elders who were considered to be at the very apex within the church she was renowned for striking down numerous heretics, including several continentally recognized Dark mages.
‘She was an incredibly powerful martial artist.’
In a previous life, Damien had fought against Cheongyeom. A formidable opponent worthy of her fame.
It took over half a day of struggle before achieving victory.
“Damien Hasken.”
Damien’s thoughts were shattered by the paladin’s voice.
He raised his head to look at the paladin.
“Your merit in eliminating the Yulan’s executive is commendable beyond measure.”
“I merely did what was expected.”
“Though you utilized the Church for your own purposes, I won’t hold you accountable for any wrongdoing.”
Damien shrugged.
“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
“Didn’t you summon the Church to cover up the attack on the Black Serpent?”
She was keenly aware of the situation reverting to the topic just arrived.
He felt she might have a clue as to why she arrived late at the assembly.
“It seems like you’ve been watching me from afar.”
It was an intrusive move, yet, in a way, understandable.
Dark mages have long been adept at planting spies within the Church.
“Thank you for understanding. That scoundrel, Akitora, not only cursed our territory but also dishonored my family.”
The paladin’s pupils slightly widened at Damien’s words.
“So, I wanted to eradicate the Black Serpent with my own hands.”
“If that’s the case, then I can’t blame you any further.”
Contrary to public perception, the Church was quite flexible.
However, when it came to matters involving heresy, they would be extremely vigilant.
“We’ll ensure the bounty on Akitora’s head is paid promptly.”
“How much can I receive?”
“Around a hundred gold.”
Hundred gold was a staggering amount that could buy a small castle in a country side easily.
But Damien had little interest in the money.
“Could I receive goods instead of the gold?”
“It’s possible, what do you desire?”
Finally, the awaited moment arrived.
Damien revealed the prepared answer.
“I wish to receive one of the Church’s Mana Absorption Techniques.”
“I don’t understand.”
The paladin shook his head.
“A skilled individual like you who is capable of exterminating the Black Serpent gang alone… and yet, you need Mana Absorption Techniques?”
The paladin chuckled incessantly.
“I’ve only mastered the basic Mana absorption Techniques. What Damien is currently practicing was taught to him by a commander during his mercenary days. It’s the most rudimentary form of Mana Absorption, slow in accumulating magical power, with no special effects.”
“I was looking into acquiring an even more advanced Mana absorption Techniques when an opportunity arose, so I’m making this request.”
Of course, given Damien’s talent, he could enhance these basic Mana Absorption Techniques to create more advanced ones. However, based on Damien’s experience, having ‘reference materials’ yielded far superior results than starting from scratch.
“I’ve heard among the items seized from heretics by the Church, there are many Mana absorption Techniques. I wish to obtain those confirmed to be safe.”
However, Mana absorption Techniques are not only extremely costly but also challenging to acquire. They rarely appear even in the black market and, when they do, it’s through occasional auctions.
Finally connected with the Church, Damien contemplated acquiring the Mana Absorption Techniques.
“…You’ve reached this level just with basic techniques?”
The paladin was surprised beyond belief.
Damien extended his wrist to the paladin, indicating a request for a direct inspection if he couldn’t believe it.
The paladin grabbed Damien’s wrist and channeled sacred power.
The sacred power scanned Damien’s body.
After a moment, the paladin, wide-eyed, uttered,
“It’s true…”
“Now, will you believe me?”
The paladin crossed his arms, lost in thought. Damien patiently awaited the paladin’s response.
“There’s a better way than receiving the Mana Absorption Techniques.”
“Is that so?”
Upon Damien’s query, the paladin spoke.
“Are you not interested in becoming a paladin?”
“No, I’m not.”
Damien stated bluntly. The paladin’s pupils slightly widened at his words.
“W-Why not?”
Judging from his stumbling speech, it seemed quite shocking.
“Becoming a paladin is the most honorable position, blessed by the grace of the gods, to purge evil.”
Unfortunately, Damien had never possessed even an ounce of faith in his life. Moreover, there was a significant reason why Damien refused to become a paladin.
“A paladin is just a hound for the Church.”
A paladin incurs an obligation to obey the Church. Refusing it results in excommunication and being handed over for religious trials.
“Reconsider once more. With your skill, even my master would take an interest.”
To garner the attention of ‘Cheongyeom,’ one of the Five Great Elders of the Church.
If it were someone else, they might have felt honored, but not Damien.
“I have yet to understand the love of the gods. Right now, I want to travel the world and practice the teachings of the divine.”
Unable to outright state it, Damien decided to divert the conversation appropriately.
“…Such sacred words. They’re truly enlightening to my ears.”
Despite the somewhat fabricated words, they seemed to resonate with the paladin.
The paladin looked at Damien with a rather burdened expression.
“But if your thoughts change, please visit the Church anytime. I’ll personally welcome you.”
“Understood.”
Perhaps Damien’s visit to the Church to become a paladin would never happen.
“As requested, instead of the bounty, we’ll provide you with the Mana Absorption Techniques.”
The paladin readily granted Damien’s request.
If she was a disciple of Cheongyeom, her power to accommodate such a request was more than sufficient.
“However, there is one condition. We’ll dispatch people from the Church to investigate Akitora’s traces. I hope you’ll receive them as assistants at Hasken Manor.”
“Understood.”
Damien spoke without a moment’s hesitation. Truthfully, it wasn’t a request he could refuse.
The Chrch’s members would do anything to eradicate heretics.
He couldn’t risk unnecessary suspicion by rejecting their offer.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
The paladin drew two lines in the air with two fingers—an etiquette of the Church.
“By the way, we haven’t exchanged formalities. My name is Agnes, a direct disciple of Cheongyeom.”
Direct disciple.
It referred to those brought in first as disciples.
In his past life, Cheongyeom’s disciples were widely known.
However, the name Agnes was not among them.
‘Was she assassinated before she could make her name known to others by the dark mages?’
Being Damien didn’t mean knowing everything about the future.
“Agnes, it’s an honor to meet you.”
Imitating the Church’s etiquette, Damien replied.
“Anyway, can I finish my task now?”
“As you wish. But what task are you referring to?”
Damien approached Cedric Walker. Cedric’s hands were tightly bound.
As Damien neared, Cedric merely turned his head, speaking gruffly.
“Why is this bastard approaching me… ugh!”
Suddenly, Damien thrust his foot into Cedric Walker’s abdomen.
Cedric retched and collapsed to the floor.
“Soft like a piglet.”
“This crazed… urgh!”
Damien continued to stomp on Cedric.
He targeted areas causing intense pain but not risking his life.
If Cedric were to die here, it would cause trouble. He would face more torment within the Church.
“Phew, I feel a bit better now.”
Damien halted the assault only after Cedric fainted.
With a refreshed expression, he turned to Agnes.
“Shall we take him now?”
Agnes nodded, looking bewildered.
That way, Damien returned to the estate.
By the time he arrived, the sun had already set.
However, the entrance to the estate was lively. “Damien!”
His family members were waiting for him, holding torches.
“Where on earth have you been at such a dangerous time!”
Paul Hasken scolded Damien as soon as he saw him.
But despite his words, his eyes were filled with worry.
“Why are you out in this cold weather?”
“Is the weather important right now? You didn’t get into trouble again, did you?”
“I just went out to get some some fresh air and a walk.”
Hasken had a face of suspicion.
His mother gave a slap on Paul’s head despite his words.
“What did I tell you? I said Damien wouldn’t do that again.”
“Uh… You were right.”
Paul Hasken let out a relieved sigh.
“Damien, you might be frustrated because children play outside at your young age, However you stay in the estate for a while. There are more than just one or two people who have a grudge against you.”
Soon, his father spoke with a face full of concern.
“With the Black Serpent gang and Marquise of Ryan Bloom at your neck… Don’t let your guard down; who knows what might happen.”
His father tightly held Damien’s hand.
“Even with just Black Serpent, those guys don’t know any limits. Who knows if they might prepare poisoned arrows for the roads you frequently travel?”
Damien nodded slowly.
“Father is right.”
“Do you understand my point?”
A bright smile appeared on Hasken’s lips.
“Yes, I thought the same, so I took precautions before coming back.”
However, his expression darkened again after listening at his words.
“W-what? Pr-precautions?”
“You’ll soon hear about the disappearance of the name Black Serpent.”
“W-what are you talking about?”
“For more details, ask Victor.”
At the mention of the name, Victor’s eyes widened.
“Well then, I’m a bit tired, so I’ll go in now.”
Damien released his hand from his father’s grip and began running down the street.
“D-Damien? Damien!”
Viscount Paul Hasken tried to grab Damien, but it was futile. Damien was already far away.
“Oh, right.”
He turned back and shouted.
“People from the Holy Church might come soon; don’t be scared. They’re just here to investigate the traces of the dark mages.”
Hasken’s mind went blank at these words.
“W-what? The Holy Church? Why would the Church come here? And what about the dark mages?”
Damien was already gone, unable to answer that question.
Paul Hasken turned to Victor. His gaze was so fierce that Victor trembled.
“Victor… You’ll have to explain everything that happened today without missing a single detail!”
The accident was caused by Damien, but Victor was the one enduring the suffering.
Victor shed a few tears silently.
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Demon God’s male Disciple]
[Quality Checker – Kawaii]