Chapter 60: Town of Niebla (2)
x6JAChildren are innocent.htIJ
oEbwpOlHowever, they are always the first to be sacrificed.j7CU7l
XHixI2fIn dark alleys like a tomb, Vlad had witnessed it.mn46s
I5m94iPAdults snatching children away to survive or have more.Dob7
IDIXThe snatched children die of hunger, of cold, crying exhaustedly as they search for their abandoned mothers.J36d8
J7FIn that hell, Vlad embraced Zemina and Harven and made a decision.nDRGA
j0FExJIHe would not become that kind of adult.f4eDLxp
qKD4He would not live that way.eZFXu
rck5BlThe life rules he established in his childhood to not be dragged into the alley’s life were still alive in Vlad’s heart.5wMXL0
CqPgdzkIt was a discipline the child created for himself.TrZiydy
HsCIgiRules must be respected.Wt3yNL
hsOgAnd knights are the ones who respect them.1GgfDo1
JxGz0Here they were now, dying little children.wD0KTY
skyOmaB***brEOz
vnCKD2Vlad walked through the damp air surrounding the village.ETC
NpAWBuildings made of gray bricks darkened the surroundings with mist.qzD
P4ozpD[It seems like this is it.]MtFo7PT
4Ql68F“…”prZp6bP
hJVbTXrVlad lifted his head to look at the building in front of him.WsDsX
nBSYwA building larger than any other around.eYl
Q3usjXThe bell tower, towering like a horn, caught Vlad’s attention.Hy94Mt
VsgA church.3k3tT
TMQv2The closest place to God.V5BMc
PHc0A sacred place meant to protect the young, the weak, the elderly, the sick.BPrHH
jplhDQThat’s the kind of place it should be.3X2E91o
hf4iCSJ“I’ll go in.”Vz8vD
hl9htK[Agreed.]025ZUP
GzJGZJVlad removed his hood and headed towards the gray building.CoZ
J7ydCeThe only natural color here and now was the blond hair with which Vlad was born.zqcV91
WI0J“…”95Mt4VS
roeODxqAn empty church in broad daylight.ht3k3JS
7ZLVlad was the only one entering the chapel because everyone in the village was busy with their own affairs.z2K
6RfDeXa‘Don’t you see anything strange here?’ESOhe
F4M[Not at the moment.]ugql
l5FC8QVlad walked slowly around the chapel, moving so the voice could see any signs or sinister evidence.I3I
C0rRfRThe world of voices is a world of deep colors.i03
R4gTHis world, which probably contains 100 colors more than the child’s, surely would be able to find colors that are not suitable for a sacred place.1rx1
tqhNWhile the voice searched for any unusual sign through Vlad’s eyes, he studied the structure of the church and prepared for any eventuality.jT3BO
jBtAt first glance, it was a two-story building, but given the nature of church buildings trying to have a similar structure, there would surely be a basement.8rtm
rz9x2fYVlad wanted to explore there if possible.H4Dve
iegzf4g[Someone has come.]pIc
ZbhBut as every land and building has its owner, this place had one too.PFN0
geG1AWhile Vlad walked slowly around the chapel, he felt someone’s gaze behind him.YKu
9kSgm0RA gaze that weighed as if looking at an unauthorized guest.heR
zPc53“…”oFgtl
jt3IRealizing the gaze, Vlad began to kneel naturally, as if praying.yzZdn
a1SPneIt shouldn’t seem like he’s investigating this place.Yyhxkq
EoLuwljHowever, you must be prepared to draw your sword at any moment.Ep4k8pe
2vNukvBecause this village was shrouded in eerie mist.JsbPfo
xW8fpiuFootsteps, footsteps –OvhB
gn6oVlad, who was kneeling but with his eyes wide open, measured the distance between him and the sound of footsteps and prepared to draw his sword.1WN1TSJ
08UDVlad’s blue eyes slowly filled with their own color.UBlD
8CnMaQ“It’s the first time I’ve seen you around here.”TawT
oxD9EGBut the man who approached him from behind did not create the worst situation Vlad had imagined.iWxJ
V2OrBHe simply greeted the stranger with a warm voice.qokG62e
p2YW“I arrived here yesterday morning.”v0fG
DsES“Ah, you’re one of those mercenaries. I heard about you.”IQyv
uVu1jGCCarefully combed brown hair.VjGX
dpwabRHolding firmly a thick Bible.gD0cT
HzyqAt first glance, his physique, which seemed as slender as Joseph’s, gave the impression of a scholar rather than a priest.EmbC4
iuiyP6“I’m sorry for entering suddenly, Priest.”kuHu
WER2CVs“No problem. God’s arms are always open at any time and in any place.”iks
ScdVlad looked at the priest smiling at him and lightly touched the handle of his sword.Fqj8wi
WAUtrp[I don’t see anything. At least not now.]S1iJ
vw7jG“…”Y00
At0lz8But what was heard was denial.D9oRu
92GlI came here following the direction indicated by the girl’s necklace, but there was nothing to see.l48IkH0
fqc3“I don’t think I’m interrupting your prayers, am I?”Hsa1Io6
d8cohyq“No. It’s easier to get permission. I’ll leave right after I finish praying.”TWs48JT
LFSThe priest, witnessing the mercenary praying in an unusual manner, smiled and nodded.kmT
EJO“This place is a church. It’s home to all who seek God. You can do as you please here.”XV8pdS
aIHeQdAlthough the man in front of him was smiling friendly, Vlad couldn’t be sure.WnHy3I
aNrThe boy had seen through the hidden world with the help of his voice, and he was aware of the unusual presence in the village.3SlGcNw
mBEs5He couldn’t relax.PwzV1A
6ozkGP“Thank you, Father.”Hgua6o
9bNWVlad decided to withdraw for now.eUszPfz
gfJwHe wouldn’t find any more suspicious traces unless he planned to inspect every corner of the church and attack the priest in front of him.xSPM
yS9Honestly, he wanted to do that, but Gregory had a request.DQxEA
5sokUfp“…Then I suppose I should also take this opportunity to pray.”Y8oXOqI
m9yThe priest quietly approached Vlad, who was prepared to pray again, and knelt beside him.Cizpz0s
j5fvA boy pretending to be a mercenary and a man who couldn’t be trusted as a priest knelt together before God.huCne3
9R9DKf9An empty church with no one inside.wLuEEMl
uadhzThere were only two men kneeling before God in this place.XQo
PDw“Please don’t let the epidemic that’s ravaging this area reach your group.”j0QYR
49G‘Epidemic?’3RJS1X
6Wt7P8LThe priest drew a small line with his lips as he looked at Vlad, who showed signs of confusion.YYcLoQ
g2x32K“And also for our children.”lQStyzo
kwdSGWith those words, the priest bowed his head. His posture, which even through numerous prayers seemed serene, was clearly that of a faithful priest.JFS
wxhsHowever, Vlad could detect a hint of disgust in that image.MROi9E
MGa76DThe emblem of the church, which should have been engraved on the bell tower, was obscured by the fog.tQQFl
DEFjzHowever, the emblem Vlad saw when he first entered the church seemed somehow strange.XuY8l
HYqSHMThe emblem of the church was upside down.O5knW
n0cwtMFThe priest held the Bible upside down before God as he prayed.EczE8WT
5jhG***zNKo
7sdY‘…’fcThetV
OpgnVlad was lost in thought after leaving the church.LIFkb
zZkTA2Through a black bear track and the confessions of captured men, the research team arrived at a village in Baron Utman’s territory.V9z0
0JFRBut when they reached the village following the tracks of the missing pregnant women, what awaited them was only sinister and gloomy rumors along with the fog.XmYHmjK
140Uz‘It’s a disease that only kills children…’p3vLEDP
ZfdeRealizing how strange the priest’s prayer was, Vlad asked nearby villagers about the epidemic.0yDeqv
VxMWbOAnd Vlad bit his lip at the response he heard.CapAN
zpEIf in Soara women had disappeared, here, on the other hand, children were dying.2nO
QHjQIt was a phenomenon similar to an epidemic, occurring not only in the fog-covered village but also in most of Baron Utman’s villages.GYQk
CJ9oHkDThe ominous omens continued.2mX
UrmDZ“We should find evidence. But we can’t show this.”Dcihc
yarhIt couldn’t be an epidemic.a47
VDjRzYzHe was sure of it, but he had no evidence to prove it.ezmj
cfHHe couldn’t show his companions the black hand he saw in the world of voices.YLY4D2
YI3DHe brought the sacred object he had brought from Soara to the child in the inn to see if anything happened, but there was no response as expected.J6kll8Q
absiP5p[Since there’s no reaction to the reliquary, it seems to be a curse made by a high-level dark wizard. It should be judged by a properly educated priest.]yQXeG
QiVC‘How do you know so much about this?’uQRmcw
L7d[…I have no idea.]AD52G
OhUeulIn response to the still incoherent answer from the voice, Vlad vigorously shook his head and expressed his frustration.86lMB
bN6dNo matter how much you know, if you can’t do anything about it, it’s useless.tVX
64SKgNow, the boy, who finally had his own world, found himself once again facing a territory he couldn’t tackle alone.ea4
pn6lJ“Hm?”kJgf
0BWVQThinking about how to tell Gregory about the situation, Vlad saw a strange sight at the corner of a street.vhm30RI
szIjEA small square in the center of the village.bb2N
jPRJThere, a person dressed in a robe was standing in front of the young girl.ZDOzfw
0FQDqK2“This is what they gave me at the church.”WdyOsc
eOuThe girl proudly displayed the cursed necklace she had been condemned to in response to someone’s question.P68
t8qAn unknown man received the necklace from the girl and examined it.w0xV
3affW***zSi9D
VL8LtCaVlad was once a pickpocket.WR8a3S0
QBA3OXqHe had been a thief and even a robber on occasions, but his oldest occupation had been snatching wallets from other people’s hands.xJXgkvl
sOkRIt was a source of pride for him.o2j1zX
An8S5[I think he noticed.]SWnh
0U5V“I know too.”6WE0B
b0HChasing after the suspicious figure dressed in an inverted tunic, Vlad realized he was gradually approaching the outskirts of the village.4zXyG
JelHe was being drawn.H8Mon
r8YToward where there were no people.pwf
HgC“I guess I should turn back.”dHZxOH
wE2XB46Vlad bit his tongue and halted his steps toward the alley corner.FZR0
5lAwLThe boy hadn’t overestimated his skills.feEZ6sM
Q8M6SlUAs he had seen so many talented people, he knew he was still just a novice.OfxjNMQ
tItMoreover, being in such a suspicious village, it was natural for him to be cautious with his actions.El1i
hMpjm‘I should report to Gregory.’IhButP
FJiHe had confirmed the impression, so reporting to his superior should be enough.MzBVD
PTOI8Perhaps through this person, he could inform Gregory of the suspicious aspects of the village.jmgeibl
G0fKTC[It’s coming!]rEDP2
sBp8However, life never flowed according to one’s intentions.NhmTjL
UrDCPerhaps sensing Vlad’s intention to retreat slowly, the man in the tunic suddenly charged.Wsh
wgjq‘Like this?’RdOZMC1
k72He hadn’t even reached the alley where there were still houses.1KSX
zhsvFBut unlike his cautious behavior so far, the unknown figure aggressively lunged at Vlad unsure if he was a priest or not.HsSG
UyE‘Curse!’C79FEg
EDzWqThough he couldn’t have foreseen it, he had time to prepare.qvGza9
6B11bzSVlad calmly drew his sword and faced the unknown figure.qCt
p9E1Clang!vWC
mZEThe swords clashed.B5w
1YatJIJust when the weight of the sword coming at him was heavier than expected, the boy realized.sn6
6MCl11f[Left!]FAXsoVw
2dW6oUsing the rebound force, Vlad quickly raised his sword, which had suddenly risen to the sky.twCouQ
4Qf“······!”vR3
Q2s46vLIn a brief moment where he couldn’t even lift his sword, Vlad instinctively stepped back from the unknown attacker’s assault with an agile foot movement.6hJnv
j4nMHThese were the steps his master had taught him, as if instilled in him like a child.7uO
CIhEooSnap!lmU
NIZlno0Vlad was convinced as he looked at the rough, hollow ground.p6m
yBdC11‘He’s a knight!’TcRRfz
OmWhlXWNow, even facing the sword alone, he could tell.D8n
g8TJiThose who had the skills to subdue the boy.rI6
zWQOzTThe only people like that were the knights.ZqW
NYLWhile the unknown one momentarily stood confused at seeing the boy let his attack flow like water through his fingers.pMWO
Q1u5LF4Vlad quickly closed an eye towards the person who might be a former knight or a current one.S28
rPXNpThe boy’s world began to flow through the sword.fjGeFeh
LUq6lCThe plan was to finish it with one blow as is unexpected.ug76kW
nMYThe boy revealed his power first, so this moment was his only chance.XRMsQrJ
3MXLcOnly one chance.x5P0P
JMND“Ugh!”wl7LMR
vIDWith a brief shout, Vlad lunged at the figure in front of him.6apq0
WOhWThe unknown one was taken aback by the boy’s unexpected move and quickly raised her sword.k2B5Ywf
InzF5On[…Vlad!]VwMtIR
AdcdThere was a bright light that pushed away the dense fog.QHWgr9
Zt03Kaaaaang-!L3eToc
8x9kGdzIn front of the boy who had a completely different feeling from before, the voice urgently stopped Vlad.2W4z
xp1qkSBut Vlad didn’t stop.GZuBqMu
Eme0nPeople who hurt children were hiding everywhere, but the boy was angry at himself for not being able to do anything.imueY
wHxXVSLike my younger self.CpEs
E7mGnI don’t want to live like that anymore.PqLzsY
hEycWYAfter breaking his own promise, the boy’s anger became sharper and fiercer, and he flew towards the person in front of him.Kbt0CFA
jedHQeAn unstoppable attack.L7LMiA
k4NEnFollowing Jager’s teachings to always think of the next move, Vlad continuously attacked the opponent in front of him.pGvnX2V
TKi1[Stop! Stop!]T0rqlD
YO2The blades clashed.uSd
C7AsoXSparks flew between the swords.WViA
lSxd35The tunic worn by the unknown one was torn.RbF
eCKG7PlAnd thus, the figure he was facing was revealed.T3d
kF0ndH[The perpetrator is a paladin!]mkY
srWThe green seen in the meadow.rQ0zX
8rQEdHGreen eyes that reminded him of Lady Oksana.AXd4
ExqC8There was a woman with green eyes looking at the boy in astonishment.0y6LTfo
YZdNAmong the wavy hair, she gazed at him with surprised eyes.8ZPgs
4GGyVlad closed one eye to see her inner world, but the woman’s two eyes were fully focused on the boy.bE8jZt
0VCHer world was already above this world.7ZubbH
9AHUnder the word of God.gh9zz9Y
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