Chapter 62: Heavenward (1)
UFBftJustia walked into the dense fog.18D9ota
BRjOThe boy, standing as if nailed in place and watching her back, thought.Jn3Qpm4
nqqMy desire to leave the alley was not simply to survive.7X1ARu
O97xThe reason I looked at the old blacksmith’s sword was not just because I admired it.A4zzu
AxBsklRIt was to move forward.nSDFc
ZROf“You will definitely become a knight.”oBzLtg
1IMHe couldn’t be content with just living.j9QFZ9
VWXTo find the meaning of life, he had to harbor something in his heart.rcH1dl
PEvEA“So you have to understand. Our sword needs justification and responsibility.”kLAckcI
ARWjGregory pulled the young man’s collar, who wanted to run away, and told him with a serious look.vBEEp
E6GL5Z“From now on, do as I say.”YD01W
eQh“What should I do?”BNAh
adQxuuGregory hesitated for a moment at the boy’s question.FvU1
QgcSPerhaps it was too soon.ehi6O69
Zv3R9xBut maybe now, being a little early, it was even more necessary.TU6AWqW
Ajn“This is the only cause we can rely on right now.”5jvYRa
q7C1L0IWhile listening to the whispers of children.0j7qc
fsk6J8fWhile listening to the sounds of crying parents.9itECMm
P0KIn a small fog-filled square, there was an ancient rule quoted by a knight with a thick beard.WoCquVx
tccqIt was a rule created by the man who was the greatest of swordsmen and knights.Z5BOjz
EGHlJfThe old and strong discipline was setting another pillar in the boy’s world.cIuN2
jxbB***Ls0
Xjz95nA church made of gray stones.uDxAzvw
mTzfJustia’s green eyes gazed at the bell tower rising above the church.52knCt
beMTWtWThe children’s breaths headed towards the highest place of the church.sr3jzi
0Lxz“Open the door! This is not a place for you to live!”9YU
O22JkRDespite her call, the church door remained firmly closed.vr3k
wCpjzqaBut it didn’t matter.m6Of
2ew10WXEven though it was enveloped in dark energy, the church before her eyes was built upon the earth created by God.sMH2
LjJLike someone living in their own home, she had the right to have confidence in any place.vcbkh
bXWIo5LKwaah-!RqhsOc
nGitA blow imbued with the will of God broke the wooden door of the church, which didn’t respond.8eJSZ
AGj1Y8Inside the dark church.33OzK
AXZxuJWhen Justia entered the dark church, all she could see were red patterns painted everywhere.J5hMiDk
YFTjq4S“…”lkf
Jw3I3X9They were traces of a terrible blasphemy.zko
lNU0“You arrived faster than I thought.”vZQd
ggQyRsIn the deepest part of the prayer room, at the altar that should be closer to God, stood a priest holding a heavy Bible.3n3xCo
UWTJustia raised her sword when she saw the repugnant man dressed in priestly robes and sucking the breath of the children.08kc
Wk6Cf“Why did you come alone? Can’t we pray for the people here with just you and the knight?”iCUO
wa7Ej“······.”xMwsB
3dSFaced with the priest’s mocking laughter, Justia quickly turned her head to scan the sanctuary.I9zXSh
XCk1There was no one and no presence felt, but the man in front of her had said there were people here.US7r
ZXNIn the strange air filling the church, just as Justia narrowed her eyes.e37Cf
spLLC00Kwaaaa-!8EbDtSp
bmXFrom beneath the floor Justia stood on, deep groans could be heard.6Be
nFWLUIt wasn’t just one, but many.VUrsFM
B0WAll were shedding black tears of misery.3S4Sxu
KHVEy2DDang- Dang- Dang-9h2J
PDlOThe church bells were ringing.X4ng
XB7They were the bells announcing the time of service.9yytYv
vwH“They were hidden underground.”nc2LW5n
8F8DVHpAlthough the situation was urgent, Justia responded calmly.sXBGX
YZlqShe was prepared and expecting this.SyKhAm
J64izThe only thing she lacked was time to rest a few days.O8Upg9
oRN8vHowever, Justia knew that the will of God was a narrow gate and it would require much suffering and patience to pass through it.h9gPJ9
5Qkzwot“Please, listen to my prayer.”t9m
1YWJustia quickly illuminated the dark church with her sword and focused on the sounds she heard.fHn
25ixIt wasn’t just one, but many.kqr
O8psKLiIt wasn’t something heavy, but something light.BcQuP
tZIBIt was like the sound of someone running barefoot on the cold stone pavement.S2b8oU
YAGgTang-!8IE96
kzqYFinally, the sounds that emerged abruptly opened the door hiding the basement, and black hands began to reach out from there.AeL
k80“Son… my child.”eCX
NiE“It’s too dark…”oaiW
YKneLWu“I can’t see anything!”k1Mr
jaIaaWomen shedding dark tears.JgoHL3
XYYWhere they should have had eyes, there was only a dark void.G3j2
K3SNThey were struggling in the darkness.u3y
8x1“…!”sTtrg
jhXNa7It became difficult for Justia to maintain her composure any longer upon seeing such a cruel scene that she couldn’t bear to witness with her own eyes.ZNJ
fMQDonmThe most dreadful thing that surpassed the women’s crying was their bellies stained with blood.Myx947x
AwkLIP“How… how can they do this…?”Wa6
ZWMRIt’s always said that the world is harsh on the weak, but the current situation had long crossed that line.z4zt7
bsoYou can’t reach this situation just because something went wrong.q0agSZ
64bliZEOnly those who have crossed the line can do it.tUzXMg
aIFW“Aren’t you afraid of God?”MaI2yl7
nacSaL“I am afraid of God…”QwZeD1
JTbHuGThe man who always seemed to smile in the face of Justia’s anger slowly began to become expressionless.MSH4
FRM2It was a very natural change, as if it had always been that way.Tm4
qUW“He is indeed fearsome, but to me, He is not someone of great concern.”RLwCUQ
207mVAs if there was no longer a need to hide it, the man dropped the Bible he was holding and said.Wh7qTQX
sazBTo the feet of those who are free from death.xsPL6h
Fux“Because I no longer have to return to His arms.”LBG7
d4LtHMu“…!”MjGcRs
JiHHwJustia’s eyes trembled as she watched the scene.D0xOrvS
AYKrSeeing the person who insulted her world, Justia unleashed her fury and shouted aloud.Cafunv
vvan“Venerable commander of the heavenly army, Saint Rogino, who stands by God!”woV
GtjyjADJustia shouted furiously, calling upon the name of the saint who shone in the church’s history.Cu5qEl8
muELight began to emanate from her sword.sb8
eZR“Come and rescue the miserable souls from the oppression of evil!”QEYv
O8DnHThe women reached out their stained hands into the darkness, searching for something.oRGT
GqxdaThey were women who had been sacrificed and taken by someone.bai
SBqJdeuAs Justia, unable to take all their hands, tried to open a path of light even in the darkness.VENy
ybggs“I will pay the price!”BRzGVkZ
IkmpBTThe only torch shining in the darkness began to burn brighter and emit a stronger light.07k
eV8MLIt was a light that could be seen even without eyes and found even in darkness.AismX3p
UMv7UpA miracle that only a paladin receiving sacred will could perform was cast upon the filthy church.qkXFju
RybW1vz“You were more impressive than I expected.”aKGQly
bZM4enyThe false priest momentarily turned his head at the intense light that burned him.5hGcHYH
aq35n9It was a wave of light with no physical power, but the column of light created by Justia’s firm will was violently shaking the filthy church.T9TJM
MwdjG5Ahhh-!EKS
fiGsWzcThe warm and glorious light descending from heaven was erasing the sadness and resentment of the women shedding dark tears.vaiQtR
X0m7rfThey were being returned to where they belonged.tvNdIuc
gBS“Hehehehe!”p1Ll
JJlgvHowever, even to the light burning with pure intentions, the false priest only laughed.feu2gs
nGt3“No matter how bright the torch, it has its limits when alone.”oEE5qIj
cU89GIiAlthough he was a man whose fingers were being burned by the gradually expanding column of light, he knew there was an end, so he could laugh.kfHMEqF
MDIm7His ability to perform a solemn exorcism without any preparation was commendable, but in the end, it was alone.L5f
zydMore torches would be needed to fully illuminate the current darkness.qYHvi1
Y33“…”rVv
OfLAs the false priest said, a drop of sweat began to form on Justia’s forehead as she closed her eyes and prayed to God.pzzBO
UEQZd4It was a backlash spell and a miracle that required her own life as payment.77ydb
8rONr5JThis world was filled with God’s will, but He was far away in the sky.tl2EnK
oXDAs the cries of the miserable women diminished, Justia’s majestic light performing the exorcism also began to slowly extinguish.eyRcGCY
4tBWatching that, the false priest drew a dark sword from his shadow.1x5hNO
DHIEi9It was a sword of such dark color that it seemed like it would absorb you just by looking at it.mxp2fq2
xnCF“…”O6XMAoW
HxTJustia strengthened her determination when she saw the man slowly approaching her with a sword.IeE
b20As a paladin who always had to assume the worst, she had at least prepared a final plan to defeat the man before her.R9ghYI
2iqepPaladins were those who prepared for this moment.UMtitT
Oue9“I wish for your church to defeat all enemies.”68F
tNQFGsWThis time, Justia attempted to recite a prayer to invoke the glorious flame of God with her own body instead of her sword.iRUG
xoGkQPAEvery time her lips parted, her green eyes trembled violently.iiAeK
M5e7Just as Justia was preparing her final act of resistance.RSmln
HzuzVBoom!i28ZE
wtz8A deafening noise came from behind.JYJBB8
wfWSVsThe church door, which had already been destroyed by Justia, was collapsing again violently.Ttuyc
u1CSxU“Push!”PyO
6sdk“Goethe! It’s time for you to leave!”hMbp
swFThere were men breaking through with wild shouts.XNlW7J
0lTH5VWith a carriage blazing bright red.vEpg
E0D“······!”txj5
48emIn an instant, all eyes turned towards them.t507rB
g8JLEven the blind women.6zL
gJGpA new torch burst into the church, which was gradually being covered in darkness.6Ldo
rmm3Ig“Now, get out of the way!”UKkgcE
NtMgmqWhen Gregory signaled, two men pushing the blazing carriages stepped aside.Z9LUQe3
fQoO8g“Huh!”9jmNC1o
S5YMdPGregory, upon confirming that Justia was swiftly moving to the side, pushed the man in front of him as if he were launching a cart.hIYO
bwPY“What the hell!”3E6
OIz9V6The false priest, upon seeing the unimaginable scene, struck the carriage with the sword he held.6fW
VtAIt was an impulse without thinking about the consequences.dIBBz
27L3Boom!qaQihPS
6EPYus5The carriage exploded with a small blast, and sparks flew in all directions.XnP2V
d3Y8wVEvery part of the church was engulfed in flames, and the flames Gregory had intended to start began spreading in a space filled with darkness.kFo
aPfQThere is light here.XDK
PsYie“Now!”n8tv
Dl1JIn a resounding move, a boy walked among the flaming debris towards the priest.nwl5CT
LBII[Suppress the impulse!]E5g
D1gw“Aaaaah!”iIDm
QlcAn impressive entrance, one of the venerable traditions of the knights.tPcxrx3
KV0WZLbVlad, with one eye closed, stood there, revealing his own world.ffp4
y0RsP1The tip of his sword shone more brightly than ever.SlvKx3F
h7FiMTKwaaaaang!f4jF
IJV8UK2Two swords clashed with a thunderous noise as loud as when the carriage exploded.KzW3R
ZooPoWithin the spreading flames, two men faced each other with swords.h41Psak
NbOuXv7“Daring to touch the children is crossing the line. Damn you!”HZnu
sjNZi“…So it is.”PIJ
jeYuThe false priest, seeing the boy’s growling eyes, actually showed a subtle expression.0by51g
EajW61“We meet again here. Now I recognize you.”R8oVq
pZLZ“Stop talking nonsense and just die!”SSt4AcN
WzLBgVlad’s blue eyes burned as he faced the false priest, while Gregory and Cade quickly surrounded Justia and formed a formation.L6uc
na8p“Are you okay?!”rKkH
qmvG“If you come here······ Won’t you be in trouble?”IKYG
GFYTNShe looked at Gregory with a sad expression.vpG1j5
M8DSIA knight’s sword must be as heavy as it is sharp.8XI
i7jrViolence without reason is just that, violence, and knights offer it to those who can wield their swords responsibly to avoid such situations.YndJkYr
F35YYB5“There’s no other choice.”rZ7d
om5bGregory smiled bitterly as he helped Justia to her feet.Wze9L
KJUt“The children are dying.”Syde4wr
ZuIpe5“…Thank you.”m9NE
3eCmtKGregory took responsibility with his own judgment and wielded the sword.EVMcJJ
OqRNSVGNow, all the weight of it falls on Gregory.K4SYLvm
hhDhObserving the sacrifice, one of the virtues a knight must have, Justia recalled the reason she came here.qiLzt
MW8U902“We must go to the bell tower. That’s where the source of the curse resides.”xz0Tl3N
o2zYFS“…Understood.”l2yGE
JhWGregory closed his left eye as he watched the staggering figures approaching them in the darkness.mZn
f6xvThud!xffLQfU
7nI7As he stomped heavily on the ground, a solid brown light began to envelop his entire body.ENxHb
ZT6h“There’s no time.”D4jD
AjrJustia’s words were true.dm4
kDApEven now, children might be dying breathless.Iu9WVHo
abI“First, I have to separate that bastard.”tFR
BiVTyWith the situation so urgent, they couldn’t climb up carefully and orderly.6KbKaJ
yX5In moments like this, they had to split the group, even if it meant forcing it.o9S
fvKd0bzFortunately, there was one there ahead, leaping with energy.yLj1Gx
c0s“Huuup!”yo8hN
9JqGzGregory, puffing out his chest, breathed in a lot of air.Mft
Dz5vn1t“I’m here!”8eI
7jrsWith a loud shout and a burst, his body rushed towards the false priest.HIQD3Tl
FJvrFlWith a speed that didn’t seem possible from his hefty body, Gregory pushed the man of unknown identity and entered.G3Ejry
U5vKdpSeeing Gregory charging like a raging bull, Vlad’s gaze briefly passed over him, surprised for a moment.QrC
pWUKwaaaaang!Aiy
gcNAlong with the false priest, Gregory, pushed to the end of the wall, caused the piles of stone to fall on him.i6oNB
oY2Y9Z“…Sir Gregory!”L4go
vVF“There’s something in the bell tower!”5dQy
U1CWhile keeping the false priest at bay, Gregory shouted loudly.tui
iFOj6lr“I don’t know what it is, but go and destroy it.”Cjw21
2rL“…Understood.”rim
DXkeDoWith permission granted, Vlad nodded.8FS6JU2
iu3Although in his heart he wanted to tear and kill the man pretending to be a priest, his top priority was to save the children.Umpq
c0xBXADespite being filled with rage, Vlad, who hadn’t lost his judgment, quickly turned his head and began to explore the darkness.JNcCEd
QY4r‘There it is!’MNe5qsx
zfGLKMDThrough the darkness of the sanctuary, he saw a spiral staircase.QX1GD5B
OtjTvq6Although it was swaying dangerously, no matter how much he looked, that was the only staircase leading upwards, so it was probably the right one.mYN3aF
Tun“Where do you think······ you’re going?”mfx
Au2Mp7At that moment, a strange language that humans couldn’t understand began to flow from the false priest’s mouth.qRRl8
CoIEEIt was a curse and also a signal.FnqcSCv
eXkTThere it is!E7qTuV
MB25Xn0My child is there!z1hUns2
RsxP4XGThe women who had not yet ascended began to flock towards Vlad.IsVt
L2pqA6“Damn it!”oVi7C1
kmoSnauEvery step they took caused the breath of the children to escape.l2G4
J5G9ZhKnowing very well that time was running out, Vlad focused all his attention on moving forward rather than wielding his sword.V2I51
3WyThe child’s face was marked by sharp nails, and the protection of the white snake was shining to block the ill intentions that attacked incessantly.vWUgn
dI01e‘There are too many!’SolG2q
5Y7ApHowever, the gestures of the poor women trying to stop Vlad were getting stronger and stronger.jMYgF
yBsVkkBoom!3eMyt
Q5fooyVlad suddenly turned his head when he saw a woman’s head explode before his eyes.PyOUky4
DfZA knight holding an arrow imbued with Justia’s blessing.xgN
GEwkkrIt was Cade.Edh24
WN0“Keep going forward!”cLi
EvQHe urgently conveyed his intention by nodding, put on the belt again, and shot an arrow at another woman rushing towards Vlad.IvLk
J1IuhIt was a bright arrow that pierced through the darkness.pK76BK
Rzimby4“Huaap!”a7QhG
a5JlThanks to the arrows fired by Cade, Vlad quickly trampled the heads of the women and managed to run up the stairs.ltvW
nS5AeShaking off the black hands reaching everywhere, the curse of the false priest resonated incessantly behind me.RjND
BkaxLLiThe child found only one path to heaven.uBs5cG
mtlk[Hurry!]cUgsTT
hw4GmQBright blue eyes emerged from the dark-filled chapel and headed towards the mist-covered sky.Iqh
ZXpThe child who constantly wielded his sword had a star in his heart and had to ascend to heaven to make it float.VtfWDa
0igdpLTo where the breath of the children will be.fgxgD
HfeHis finger, gripping the railing of the dusty staircase, had a flowerless flower ring.0Z4
Xhlwmu7“Out of my way!”wXB0
18aThe darkness filling the church.4SclCBQ
swV8eVeIn the darkness, the cry of a child trying to ascend to heaven was heard.qCAsI7
1dL***aPVa
j2gykThis world is full of precious things, but not everyone can fully protect themselves.R0j7
4tagHowever, you are the ones who have sworn to protect.zuKnFc
SNFSo if you’re where you should be.JBZ
ypkIf you find yourself in the moment of action, don’t hesitate.3x4
SKjcf7Be torches that light up to illuminate the darkness.dFu5goq
uh0KALThat’s my second discipline.jvbu0fr
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