The Sun God's Blessing

The masked man who had suddenly appeared, Elhani, offered a polite greeting.

But I sensed no respect in it. I could tell from his tone that mockery was mixed in.

No, perhaps irritation.

Prominence… The ones who had been operating in the shadows were now coming into the open.

If I recalled correctly, Nephilim and Owen were the ones who had been secretly abducting homeless children from the Kingdom's slums.

Their purpose had been human sacrifices to offer to the Sun God.

Perhaps they resented Yohane for repeatedly interfering with the Church of the Sun God, even if it had been inadvertent.

Had I finally been marked?

"This is sudden. I thought the Church of the Sun God wasn't invited this time."

"Indeed, regrettably. We thought we had built good relations with the imperial family, but the person in charge of the Kingdom was too hasty, and we've grown estranged. Half of that is your fault, of course."

"That's passing the blame. You were doing all sorts of things here too, just like how you were exploiting the Kingdom, weren't you?"

Elhani didn't answer. I'd hit the mark.

I quietly whispered to Finn.

"So you were carrying weapons. Even though they were prohibited."

"What's wrong with that? Just in case. Gloria noticed, but I wonder if she anticipated trouble."

"As in 'protect yourselves'? Dumping everything on us so she can focus on guarding Emperor Kelves?"

It would be convenient if the enemy didn't attack.

If I kept him talking and stalled for time, security should come by on patrol.

"The assassination of the new emperor was abandoned due to unexpectedly heavy security. By the way, are you aware of when religion spreads most effectively among people?"

"When society is in chaos. I've heard that people pray to the gods when they have nowhere else to turn with their anxious feelings."

"Exactly. We'd been scheming various things toward that end, but our policy has changed."

Elhani's escorts drew their swords and took fighting stances.

Our side was barely armed.

Finn had hidden throwing knives, and that was it.

"Our Sun God's wounds are healing. There's no longer any need to hide behind faith. Offering sacrifices directly is more efficient."

"Come on, was your whole doctrine a lie?"

Believers shall be saved.

The Church of the Sun God taught that followers would be guided by the resurrected Sun God to an eternal paradise.

Of course, I knew those words only served their convenience.

"Not at all. It's the truth. To burn your soul and life to nothing under the Sun God's grace and become sustenance… is that not eternal glory?"

"You know what that's called? A cult."

Elhani laughed.

Loudly, as if greatly amused, and eerily so.

I could see Orleans trembling with fear.

This man was different from other Church of the Sun God people I'd encountered.

He definitely knew the Church of the Sun God was humanity's enemy and had sided with them anyway.

"Oh, and don't bother waiting for someone to come. The Empire isn't monolithic, so we can play alone for a while."

"Tch."

So he'd seen through our plan.

I didn't know whether there was a traitor in the Empire or they'd done something else, but we couldn't count on outside help.

"Can you do this?"

"Do we have a choice?!"

Alexia's shout coincided with Elhani's escorts charging at us.

Alexia engaged one while Finn took on the other.

I was thrown backward and caught by Elza.

We were both enhanced by divine blessings.

The enemy had the advantage with weapons, but…

Alexia dodged her opponent's slash and measured the distance.

Then she clenched both fists and took a stance.

She narrowly avoided her opponent's sharp thrust and drove her right fist into his gut.

His body bent double, but he endured and counterattacked immediately.

But before his sword could reach her, a high kick connected with his face.

The hem of her dress fluttered up.

The man crashed to the ground spinning and stopped moving.

Alexia picked up his sword and pointed it at Elhani.

The other opponent had been taken from behind by Finn, who was now strangling him in a chokehold.

His consciousness faded, and he crumpled.

The tables had turned in an instant.

Azu and the others were strong even without weapons.

"Impressive. They had some skill, but…"

"Now you're alone. Still want to continue?"

"Yes. On top of failing to assassinate the emperor, recovering the Red Moon has also become impossible. I'm not on a child's errand, so I can't go back empty-handed. I'd like to bring at least your head."

The Red Moon. If something that dangerous had been used by the Church of the Sun God, how many victims would there have been?

I recalled that terror.

I never wanted to experience that again. Destroying it had been the right choice.

"Then allow me to show you a fragment of the blessing bestowed upon me by the Sun God."

Elhani removed his mask.

His face became visible, but the area around his eyes was abnormal.

They were horribly burned and scarred.

The mask must have been to hide those burns.

In that state, he opened his eyes.

His eyeballs appeared normal, but the color was unnaturally red.

From those eyes, beams of fire shot forth.

Azu, the target, dodged reflexively, but part of her dress that was grazed by the beam carbonized.

The skirt portion was burned away and shortened.

"The dress you bought me…"

Azu sat down, her shoulders trembling.

If that beam had hit skin, it wouldn't just be a burn.

No, it would probably pierce straight through.

A bad hit could mean death.

I sensed something distinctly different from magic.

"The downside is that it's a bit too intense for the human body."

Elhani's eyes appeared to have been scorched by the beam just now.

Yet he showed no signs of pain.

"Now then, who shall be first?"

He looked our way. I could tell from his composed expression that he was choosing his prey.

"Alexia-san. Please lend me that sword."

Azu stood up and walked toward Alexia.

A startled Alexia handed over the sword.

The Apostle's power had already been unleashed, and the water and Fire Elementals had manifested.

"I'll handle this one."

She declared.