Chapter 256

Chapter 256 - Temple of Sacrifice (4)

Upon entering the 3rd basement floor, the fire spirits summoned by Marbas trembled vehemently. The smell of the space transformed into a giant slaughterhouse seemed enchanting.

"Truly guys craving meat, not to say otherwise."

Marbas glared at the spirits as if displeased even though he was conveniently commanding them.

The 3rd basement floor is smaller in scale than the upper floors. It was a location integrated into a single large cavern, and at the end of it sat an altar of the pagans.

"Is that a Demon Womb? It is far more atrocious than I imagined."

"The artificial wombs used for sacrificial rituals differ in shape respectively. Although this is a severely bizarre case."

Unlike the disgusted Eugene, Marbas stroked his beard as if intrigued.

An unpleasant synthetic creature was placed on the altar. It was the shape of a female body at least 4 times larger than a human.

The lower half had no particular difference from a human. But the higher up the upper body went, it melted and integrated into a structure with the altar. In the place where the head should be, there was a large bowl for offering sacrifices. An organism composed of flesh and bone.

"That body is close to a gateway linking the other world and the present world. A tool that conceives and births a physical body an existence of hell will use in the present world, that is."

"A form where the tributes offered on the altar become nourishment exactly as is..."

"Extracting and using only the necessary parts willfully like that is a specialty of pagan worshippers. Since chimera synthesis itself is a technique derived from pagan faiths from the start."

It meant the knights of hell and incomplete demonic beasts fought outside all came out of that crotch too. Right now, its belly was swollen, pondering what impure life it was harboring.

"Oh, Banas."

The tribal knights drew the sign of the cross. Indeed, befitting pagans, it was wickedness without a shred of right path.

Slightly away from the altar, multiple hell versions of doner kebabs were installed. Residents who once lived harmoniously in the village were clumped into a single meat pillar regardless of age or gender.

"Baran. Even if we tell the instructors what we see right now, they won't believe us."

"But they'll definitely ask if we burnt it properly."

Henri and Baran felt the mood from the time they swore an oath of loyalty to Eugene revive. The sensation that they had trained shedding blood and sweat up until now exactly just for this moment. This wicked place absolutely must be destroyed.

Then a monster of fat bulk appeared from behind the meat pillar.

"Prepare for combat."

Eugene's low single word.

The monster was 1.5 times larger than Eugene, and its limbs and torso were extremely thick. However, it wasn't a feeling of being a lump of fat like a Bugbear. Very close to the entire body being filled with whole muscle.

Its deeply sunken eye sockets were like a skull, its skin was a dark red hue, and a horn sprouted on its forehead. Eugene and his subordinates already knew an existence similar to that. Though what they met previously was in a state risen as an undead.

"A Demon."

A tribal knight spoke.

"Ah~! Fresh meat has finally arrived."

The Demon also spoke rejoicing.

As if it was in charge of dismantling the bones and flesh, it wore work clothes. At its waist were held all sorts of bladed weapons of various shapes.

"Infidels! Divine punishment will fall upon you!"

"It hasn't been late even now. Offer up that body and atone."

Corrupted priestesses appeared and shouted from behind the Demon. They were all completely naked without a single thread on. Since they got covered in blood while assisting the dismantling work, their entire bodies were dyed bright red.

"I will handle that Demon. Sirs, take care of the corrupted ones and join me."

"Understood. Since they are stripped bare, it won't take long. Please wait a moment."

"Everyone let down not your guard. They are enemies from whom the aura of magic is felt."

Henri and Baran were slightly flustered by the reactions of their seniors who didn't blink an eye.

'What's with these people?'

It's a whopping Demon! They themselves were tense feeling like meeting a great villain from legends, yet everyone was entering a combat stance letting it be exactly as they did so far.

"Die! Infidels!"

"Strike the spawns of hell."

Glaring at each other and approaching, both sides simultaneously aimed weapons and charged without one being first.

The priestesses here had reached the end of mutation caused by corruption. Staying here constantly, they quenched thirst with blood and hunger with human flesh.

Kang!

"Be careful. Their strength isn't ordinary."

As swords clashed, the knights warned at the strong repulsive fOrce felt.

- Technique exists to bridge the gap in strength.

Henri swung his dual swords recalling the teachings he received from Largo at the knight's house. Simultaneously deflecting attacks with the left sword, he thrust the right sword into an abdomen.

Dual swordsmanship wherein defense and attack occur simultaneously is Henri's specialty. Easy to say, it was a talent possible only with tremendous senses.

"Join our faith!"

However, the priestess pierced through the chest counterattacked without budging.

"These guys are immortals! They've received the blessing of immortality!"

"That's not all. They're also drugged up."

Other knights who had already landed a cut each also had white steam rising from their silver-plated swords. However, the combat power of the priestesses was robustly well. They didn't even seem to feel pain.

A physical body reinfOrced close to a Demon. Combat techniques trained as an armed priestess prior to corruption. Immortality that knows no pain.

As 3 conditions fused, it took time even for knights to strike them down.

Seureureung.

Then Valda drew her weapon and stepped forward. What was held in her hand was a sword purely for thrusting.

- To not sharpen the edge?

- Right. Because I'll use it as a catalyst for magic.

- What length should I make it? If there's no need to sharpen the edge, I can extend it to the size of a two-handed sword while keeping it light.

- Do so. My swordsmanship is special, so the longer the blade, the more advantageous it is. Even my husband would feel more relieved that way too.

A strangely shaped sword, the only one of its kind in the world, that Dwarf blacksmith Walker made for Valda.

For exercise and self-defense, she repeatedly sparred with Eugene. Honing only thrusting and defense. Focusing solely on two things, her posture was perfect despite receiving no knightly lessons.

Puuk!

The tip of the sword shot like a flash pierced the priestess's belly. It looked shallow judging purely from the wound, but it was the most dangerous attack in this battle.

Shureureureuk.

Because thorny vines surging with fierce momentum wrapped around the priestess's body riding along the blade.

"Kkiaaaaak!"

The priestess who poured down fierce attacks without blinking an eye even with a sword stuck in her body let out a bizarre scream. Because the pain stimulating her whole body felt like burning to death. A result of the poison the thorny vines secreted devouring the drugs she used.

Not only that, but the vines tightly wrapped around both arms blocking movements.

"Amazing! Lady Valda!"

The knights cheered at Valda's support instantaneously neutralizing enemies.

Puk!

Puuk!

Valda repetitively suddenly appeared and disappeared behind the knights. Each time she did, utilizing her long reach she planted one lightning-fast thrust at a time.

Shureureureu.

WhAAether it stabbed properly or grazed, it didn't matter. Thorny vines hunting for prey instantly wrapped around the priestesses and pronounced death. They didn't necessarily need to aim for the torso exclusively either.

Pat!

When the angle didn't come out, she just slashed legs or ankles and disappeared.

Kung!

Seconds later, the priestesses rolled on the ground because of thorny vines wrapping their ankles or shins.

Valda, speeding across the battlefield her blonde hair fluttering, brought to mind a goddess of battle or goddess of death.

Meanwhile, Eugene and Homi were dealing with the Demon of slaughter. Every time the heavy crossbow fired a silver arrow, the Demon shrieked.

Kkirik.

Homi was originally possessed with great strength, but transforming into a Beast-warrior her muscle strength became an order of magnitude stronger. Rapidly moving, she can even load the heavy crossbow.

Enraged, the Demon had no energy to care about Homi. Since Eugene lunging bloodthirstily from the front was far more dangerous.

The giant cleaver the Demon swung flew causing huge wind pressure. Eugene didn't particularly dodge and received it with his greatshield.

Kaang!

With noise causing the eardrums to ring, yellow sparks flew. It's the Demon who lost balance and staggered. Although it's a cleaver that would decapitate a bull in one blow, the weight difference with a greatshield enveloped in an iron block was far too severe.

Seupat!

As a silver-white flash flashed, the Demon's brawny chest split open widely. Since it was slashed so sharply, blood bursting out was one beat late. Within the cross-section of densely packed muscle fibers, not a single speck of fat could be seen.

"I'll end you with this one blow."

Shouting vigorously, Eugene charged with exaggerated movements. The Demon as well, as if throwing out a final gamble, tried to receive the attack. However, right before the clash, Eugene stepped back and giggled.

"???"

The Demon holding the giant cleaver high abruptly lost the opponent to strike down on and became flustered. But it could soon know the reason.

Peok!

Homi, who stealthily approached to close distance, embedded a bolt right into its flank.

"Kyaaaaa-!"

The Demon, maddened by anger, pulled out a hand ax from its waist and threw it at Homi. A bloody sound of splitting the air rang out, but the movement was linear. Homi simply rolled to the side and dodged.

Thus, a bottle Cassandra threw exploded directly onto the back of the huffing Demon's head. Between the coolly shattering glass splinters, holy water filled at the limit concentration of silver powder poured out.

Chwiaaaaaak!

The Demon's head melts. Black hair that was dirty yet giving off a wild flair evaporated. The scalp bubbled with blisters and cooked like chicken skin.

"□□□□□! □□□!"

Wailing at the unbearable pain, the Demon begged for mercy in the language of hell. Toward the wicked god that sent it to the present world.

At that desperate wish, the god answered. Even though enough sacrifices hadn't been offered yet, it sent a gift to save its apostle from crisis.

"!!!"

Eugene's head whipped toward the altar. The giant female body that had been lying down without presence until now. He sensed an evil mystery fiercely taking residence in its belly.

"Messenger! Messenger is in danger!"

When the Demon was driven into a corner, the priestesses unconcerned for their lives lunged at Eugene.

"Are these things crazy?"

The knights drove their swords into the brightly exposed necks and backs without hesitation. When the distance was out of sword's reach, they threw throwing daggers.

Peok!

Peoeok!

Precisely digging into the back of the neck and severing the spinal cord, flying dagger arts made the priestesses tumble down.

Even in that state, they showed amazing vitality of not dying, but that was it. In a situation where physical capabilities greatly deteriorated, their heads were cut off by the knights.

"Lord! Sorry we are late!"

Eugene entrusted the Demon to the incoming knights and ran straight for the altar. The belly of the altar had already swollen close to full term.

Wungwungwung.

Eugene felt a vibrating sensation from his bosom as if responding to it. The bloodletting dagger used in the sacrificial ritual of Kalash, the Hungry God of Brand.

There's no particular need to think further. Eugene, acting exactly as a warrior's and a wizard's instincts ordered, threw the bloodletting dagger with all his might.

Puk!

The moment the dagger embedded into the full-term belly, the aura of the evil god filling up dispersed radically.

Puhwaaaak!

Blood poured down from the belly at an immense momentum. Eugene saw the evil god's authority concentrating to block the wound, but the bleeding wouldn't stop.

The altar's two legs that had been limply dangling as if devoid of will thrashed about madly.

And Eugene and Marbas. The two wizards capable of hearing whispers of another world heard it clearly.

[Kyaaaaaa! Get away! You lowly beast!]

[H.u.n.g.r.y.]

The sound of two different evil gods' authorities clashing with each other.

[How dare you shove your dirty muzzle in here!]

[T.r.i.b.u.t.e.d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.]

[It wasn't meant for you...]

It was an evil god that fOrcefully sent authority to the present world to protect its apostle. In such a situation, the unexpected power of another god suddenly cut in, breaking the miracle.

The female body's belly, swollen to the limit, shriveled in an instant. Down between the crotch gushing disgusting amniotic fluid and blood, an unrecognizably crushed something tumbled out.

"Geueueueu-."

The aborted thing cried out mournfully. Eugene felt the mystery rapidly draining away from that wicked bodily chunk, but didn't necessarily wait.

As a silver-white flash flashed, the severed head was split vertically once more.

"Keuaaak-!"

Around that time, the Demon was also surrounded by Eugene's knights and getting hacked to pieces.

[T.h.a.n.k. Y.o.u. I.a.t.e.w.e.l.l.a.n.d.l.e.a.v.e.]

The moment the bloodletting dagger was pulled out from the dead altar, lastly Kalash's gratitude echoed.

"Sir Marbas. Is this really alright?"

Flicking off the blood from the bloodletting dagger that somehow felt heavier, Eugene asked.

"Umm. You aren't going to engage in pagan worship yourself, right? Just Kalash expressed gratitude as it pleased."

"I don't think thick-headed clerics would distinguish between such things, though."

"It's fine. It's fine. They wouldn't even know anyway. And although Kalash is classified as an evil god, it's a god that doesn't accept human sacrifices, so..."

Marbas shrugged.

"The world is truly unpredictable. To think evil gods fought over a rice bowl in the present world and got banished back to the other world harmoniously."

Eugene is an existence dragging mysteries around himself like the eye of a storm. Hanging around with him, he often got to see various profound phenomena. However, a situation like today was utterly unimaginable even for Marbas.

* * *

A few hours after that.

The army surrounding Lyra Monastery heard the news of a successful purification.

"My goodness! Just what on earth was lurking inside?!"

The servants of the Mayer family installed a makeshift bathhouse and were waiting. They rushed to the knights who had bathed their entire bodies in blood and attended to them.

"Found them on the 2nd basement floor. May rest be with the honorable knights."

"Sir Weimar! Damn it!"

To the Morad family, the corpses of the exploration team members who had fallen behind were handed over.

"I will definitely convey this grace to the Lord."

"We only did what must be done as fellow knights."

At the tribal knights speaking calmly, the knights of the Morad family expressed deep gratitude.

"It's a Demon! A real demon was really lurking inside!"

The Demon of slaughter Eugene personally dragged out was revealed under the sunlight. The priests serving in the army fell to their knees on the spot, prayed, and rejoiced at the victory the fOrces of good achieved.

"Your Excellency. We will send an envoy to the Apostolic States stating that pagans have been exterminated. I heard the brothers there are organizing a subjugation squad amidst sorrow."

"Please do so. A completely useless trip is also a waste, but they must be suffering great mental anguish from this incident."

"All sects will pay respect to Your Excellency's faith. You have truly done a great deed."

The priests shed tears hearing the horrors of the 3rd basement floor. They busily prepared to purify the flesh and bones of the victims that would be there.

"Please spare my life! I truly knew nothing! Just because they gave big money..."

"Hmm? What are those guys?"

Surprisingly, there were survivors in the dungeon-ified monastery. The priests asked looking at the men dragged out with both hands tied.

"Merchants who traded with the pagans. It is truly the end times."

"W-W-What did you say?!"

No matter how much they are the public enemy of the world, various catalysts, food, and supplies are needed for smooth activities.

Among crazy merchants, there were those aiming for the wealth the pagans plundered from the victims and attempting to trade. Reversing perspective, it could be said to be a tremendous blue ocean.

- An enormous army has gathered outside the monastery!

- The numbers look like approximately ten thousand. What in the world is this...

- Damn it! We are already surrounded! Don't you see a way out?

They, who had chuckled holding massive amounts of silver and gold coins, were shocked by the 3 armies that lunged in suddenly. Having missed the gap to even slip away while trapped inside the monastery.

As a desperate measure, they disguised themselves pretending to be captives dragged here, but it was to no avail.

- Lies!

Since Homi's nose and Cassandra's eyes simply stripped away that hypocrisy.

"I want to finish washing now. If there's nothing more to ask, will you let us go?"

"Yes, sir! Sorry to interrupt!"

The priests glaring at the merchants like demons stepped back respectfully.

Eugene entered the bathroom specially prepared for the lord. Breathing in clear steam after continuously smelling the damp air and blood of the basement, his mind felt refreshed.

"Welcome back. The priests are truly too much when you must be tired."

"It is fine."

"Now, quickly come hither."

Valda approached holding a towel full of foam. Finally, relishing his wife's affectionate touches, Eugene truly realized the pagan incident was over.