A Different Sun

The searing heat that felt like it would burn his body to ashes turned into warmth.

It felt like being gently embraced by someone.

"…? Why aren't they burning?"

"Did you use the power of the holy mark you were granted?"

"Of course. I used it along with the barrier, but it appears to have been neutralized."

Not having achieved the results they expected, both of them regarded the group with suspicion.

There was no doubt something had just been done to them.

His pounding heart was proof of that.

He'd probably been on the verge of death.

His body's survival instincts were reacting belatedly like this.

"Elza, what was that?"

His throat and lips had dried out at some point, making it difficult to speak.

It must have been Elza who stopped whatever the enemy had done.

The moment she raised her rosary and spoke those words, the pressure had lifted.

"A high priest of the Church of the Sun God… I think. I was able to neutralize it easily, so I don't think much time has passed since he gained that power."

"So the Church of the Sun God is behind this. They never do anything good."

"Looks like they're enemies."

Everyone took up their weapons.

He didn't know the details, but he could tell they'd been attacked somehow.

Battle was unavoidable.

He'd thought something was off for mere thugs, but to think they were connected to the Church of the Sun God…

"That rosary seems to be causing the trouble."

"So we just need to deal with it?"

"That's right. It is not permitted to reject the grace of our god."

"You've got some nerve! Trying to erase us along with history!"

Elza shouted while still holding up her rosary, indignant at the enemy's self-serving logic.

As a priestess of the Church of the Creator King who had been persecuted by the Sun God faith, they were her mortal enemies.

Hearing her words, the two exchanged glances.

"Could that woman be a priestess of the Church of the Creator King?"

"I thought we'd killed them all, but it seems some survived."

"I see. That explains why she was able to repel our god's power, even temporarily."

"This will make a fine gift. With the supply of priestesses from the kingdom cut off recently, our number of shrine maidens has been dwindling. If we offer her as a sacrifice, we can surely make up for lost ground."

The large man called Nephilim spread both arms wide.

They were unnervingly long.

"O great Sun God. Bear witness to our battle!"

With that declaration, a barrier was erected once again.

Unlike before, there was no burning sensation.

But it was hot. The temperature seemed to be rising rapidly.

"Huh…"

Azu looked up at the sky and pointed.

A massive sun sat there.

Its size and color were different from the sun they always saw.

How could he describe it?

It was a giant red sun, as if killing intent and hatred had been distilled into one.

Grotesque. Like a scene from hell.

Sweat poured from him in the sauna-like heat.

Even the hottest summer day didn't get this hot.

"This seems to be the barrier's effect. And it's not ordinary magic. Dispelling it would be difficult. There might be other effects too, so I'll mitigate it with support magic, but the longer this drags on, the worse it'll be for us."

"I'll leave the complicated stuff to you. I'll focus on cutting down the enemy."

Aogiri said this and gripped her sword's sheath.

Her demeanor changed. She now exuded the keen air of one who would cut down anyone who approached.

When Alexia cast her spell, the suffocating heat eased.

But fighting in this heat would drain their stamina considerably.

And the enemy didn't seem affected by this barrier at all.

A prolonged battle would indeed be difficult.

"I'll leave the fighting to you. Win this."

"Of course… For some reason, I feel in excellent condition. I don't feel like I can lose."

Azu seemed to be sensing something.

She'd mentioned inheriting the power of the Creator King's Apostle, so perhaps she was reacting to the Sun God faith the same way Elza was.

"Hehe, if I bring that priestess back, maybe I'll be granted power too."

"Don't underestimate them. Some of the Creator King's Apostle corpses are still undiscovered. If they have those remains, it could be dangerous."

"Nephilim. It can't be helped since you've only just awakened, but you're too cautious. You have to seize opportunities, or you'll never advance."

Owen swung both arms downward.

She must have had weapons concealed. Short swords slid out smoothly into both hands.

"She's an assassin. I'll handle her. I'd be worried if I left it to the rest of you."

Finn stepped forward after observing Owen's stance.

She stomped the ground three times with her right foot.

The next instant, Finn vanished.

And Owen vanished too.

Simultaneously, the metallic sounds of blades clashing began echoing from various locations.

He didn't think Finn would fall behind.

If they all took down the large man called Nephilim and had him dispel the barrier, they'd win.

Nephilim turned toward them and raised his khakkhara to the heavens while shouting.

"Our god hungers for kindling. Offer your lives and fuel the flames that reach the divine. Then you shall attain the eternal land of Nirvana. There you will gain eternal life and happiness! Why do you not understand this blessing?"

"Nothing but lies. You just want sacrifices so you can descend to the mortal plane. Something merely fashioned to resemble a god that only talks of happiness has some nerve."

"Indeed, death shall be salvation for fools. Once your usefulness is spent, I shall send you to where your comrades are."

… There was no reasoning with Nephilim.

He likely accepted nothing beyond the Sun God's doctrine.

After all, to him, everyone here was no different from livestock.