Chapter 140 - Chapter 139: The Cursed Saintess 1
"..................."
He could faintly hear something.
Mika concentrated all his nerves, looking at the rock placed in the center of the room and the curse clinging to it.
Earlier, right after he heard the voice, the "Legion" had burst out from the curse.
He remained on guard, wondering if it would emerge again, but nothing happened at all.
"..................."
He heard the voice again.
Mika stared intently at the rock and the curse from which the voice had come.
(............?)
When he observed it closely, he felt that the movement of the curse was somehow slightly strange.
A black mist clung to the rock, but occasionally, the curse seemed to be repelled, scattering away.
Like sparks flying, it would scatter with a sharp crack.
"............Ro......te......."
He heard the voice.
This time, although muffled, there were parts he could hear clearly.
"............Ki......ll, me......."
"!?!"
Understanding the content of the voice, Mika’s hair stood on end.
He stared at the rock-like object beyond the black mist.
Through a gap in the cloth, he saw something like a hand.
He saw something like long white, no, silver hair.
And then, there was something like a face.
"Uwaaaaaaaahhhhhhh——!?"
Mika covered his mouth with his hand and ran to the corner of the room.
"Ugh, ugeeeeeeeeee——...!"
He vomited.
Over and over again.
Due to the sheer grotesqueness of it, no matter how many times he vomited, his nausea did not subside.
It was a person.
The rock that the curse had clung to was a person.
No, it had looked like a rock due to the dim light, but in reality, it was neither a rock nor anything else.
It was simply an "object" formed by curling a person up.
Not just the limbs, but the entire body was crushed in unnatural directions, twisted, and merely curled up into an "object."
It was in a state as if a giant’s large hands had kneaded and rolled a person into a ball.
It looked as if cloth was wrapped around it, but it was not wrapped in cloth.
It was simply the clothes that person had been wearing.
"Ugeeee——..."
There was nothing left in his stomach.
Not even stomach acid came out.
Still, Mika’s nausea did not subside.
After vomiting for a while, he calmed down just a little.
Mika hesitated, but approached the "person" possessed by the curse.
It was a terrible state.
Every joint in the limbs faced unnatural directions.
The neck and back were arched back to an impossible degree, and their orientation was also strange.
He could not even imagine how one could end up in such a state.
Above all, why was "this person" alive in such a condition?
"...Kill, me...."
"That person" appealed to Mika, over and over again.
Begging to be killed.
"That person’s" face was also crushed, with only one eye wide open, staring fixedly at Mika.
"............Pl...ease....... ...Kill, me...."
Unable to bear watching "that person" desperately pleading in a muffled voice, Mika inadvertently turned his face away.
"............Ki...ll, me...."
He crouched down and covered his ears.
He did not know what to do.
In such a state, indeed, living was nothing but suffering.
It would probably be kinder to put them out of their misery.
(...But... am I the one who should do it?)
Since coming to this world, Mika had already killed many people with his own hands.
However, they were all villains whom Mika felt "would be better off dead."
There was a concept called Katsujinken.
It was a somewhat contradictory idea where swords or swordsmanship, intended to kill and injure people, were used to save lives.
There was also a Katsujinken that pursued the idea of killing no one.
But there was also a different kind of Katsujinken.
That was the idea that "if one villain causes suffering to ten thousand people, kill the one to save the ten thousand."
Mika’s thinking was closer to the latter.
He believed that chances for rehabilitation should be given.
But he also believed that there were those who did not deserve even the chance for rehabilitation.
Those who took many lives yet flaunted their own human rights.
He felt sickened by such people.
If they were villains, he felt no pain in his heart no matter how many he killed with his own hands.
Of course, if one considered life equal regardless of good or evil, then Mika and those villains were ultimately birds of a feather.
Mika slowly raised his face and looked at "that person."
"...Could it be, but are you the ‘Saintess of Runesarm’?"
"...................................., ............Kill......me...."
After a long silence, "that person" repeated the same words.
Mika hung his head weakly.
(The request was to rescue her by any means necessary if she was alive, but....)
If he rescued her in this state, would the people who wished for the Saintess’s salvation truly accept her?
Humans were selfish creatures.
If she deviated from the "form" they desired, they would easily discard her.
Of course, he thought there were many who would properly accept her and devote themselves to the Saintess, but....
(Above all, why is this person alive?)
It had been three months since she went to purify the mine.
If she had been in this state the whole time, it was strange that she was still alive.
Had she become Undead?
(But, she clearly has her sanity. And, she wishes for death....)
If her mind had also become that of a monster, she would not wish for her own death.
Not knowing what to do, Mika hugged his knees in front of "that person" and buried his face.
The Saintess of Runesarm was apparently named Nerisfeene.
Seeing Mika crouching with his knees hugged, she gave up on her plea of "I want you to kill me" and began to speak, bit by bit.
As a Saintess, Nerisfeene had spent her days praying to the gods in the Great Cathedral of Runesarm.
The Church had confined her under the guise of "protecting" the Saintess, using her as a tool for propaganda towards believers, and to solicit donations and offerings.
Even though she was called a Saintess, she was still a child.
Furthermore, in a human body, one could not survive without food, clothing, and shelter.
So, Nerisfeene had thought that it could not be helped to some extent.
But....
"Breach of precepts...?"
"...Yes...."
In the Great Cathedral of Runesarm, the higher the rank, the more they neglected the precepts of the Church of Light.
The Bishop embezzled donations from believers, lived in luxury, and apparently even kept women outside.
And, Nerisfeene had noticed the actions of these Bishops.
Nerisfeene had thought it would be futile to tell the Bishop to stop.
If they were the kind to repent from something like that, they would not have done it in the first place, she thought.
So, Nerisfeene tried to convey the actual situation in a letter to someone trustworthy.
However, it seemed that the Bishop’s men had seen that letter.
The day after she sent the letter, she was imprisoned in the underground of the Great Cathedral.
After being imprisoned for many days in a state where she was barely given food or water, she was taken to the mine by knights of the Church Knights Order who were under the Bishop’s control.
They apparently intended to kill Nerisfeene there.
Even if the mine was overflowing with "impure ones," as long as Nerisfeene was there, there would be no problem for the time being.
Due to the effect of [Purification], the "impure ones" around Nerisfeene would weaken on their own.
If they took her deep inside and killed her, it would be fine even without Nerisfeene on the way back.
If they cleared most of them on the way in, there would be few on the return path.
Thus, they brought her to the Catacombs, but the knights of the Church Knights Order tried to toy with Nerisfeene.
Simply killing her was not interesting.
They wanted to see the Saintess running around in fear, begging for her life.
But, if such people were pretending to be clergy, then this world was already at its end.
There was no point in living.
Nerisfeene had apparently resolved herself to depart quickly to the side of the gods.
She had declared, "If you are going to kill me, do it quickly."
Unfortunately, there was not a single virtuous person who would be impressed by Nerisfeene’s dignified attitude.
The knights flew into a rage, striking and kicking Nerisfeene.
And then, the thrown Nerisfeene touched that Bronze Mirror.
When the curse erupted from the Bronze Mirror, the knights fled.
Due to the effect of [Purification] around Nerisfeene, the "impure ones" could not approach.
However, a single exception spot was created.
That was the curse.
Apparently, even the "impure ones" could continue to exist only within that swirling curse.
Thus, the surrounding "Wraiths" and others escaped into the curse and nested there.
The "Legion" was apparently formed in that way.
The knights who failed to kill the Saintess came to kill Nerisfeene again another day.
However, they were repelled by the "Legion."
Apparently, the reason there were no monsters in the mine was due to Nerisfeene’s [Purification].
The effect of [Purification] had gradually spread throughout this closed space.
And finally, all the "impure ones" disappeared.
Except for the "Legion" within the curse.
"...So, that’s why you had to guard it to keep people from approaching the mine."
They spread the lie that the mine was still overflowing with "impure ones" to keep people away.
But, if someone carelessly entered the mine, the lie that it was overflowing with "impure ones" would be exposed.
Therefore, they had strictly ordered even the Church Knights Order not to approach the entrance of the mine.
(Even if they want to kill the Saintess, they can’t approach because of the "Legion." And, the knights under the Bishop’s control are probably only a part of the Church Knights Order.)
They did not have enough manpower to seal off the entire mine area.
That was why even people like that old knight were drafted.
However, there were things that could not be understood from Nerisfeene’s story alone, such as discrepancies in the circumstances of why the Saintess went to the mine.
Had they disseminated convenient explanations to those inside and outside the Church respectively?
(Normally, wouldn’t they prepare a consistent story? Are they assuming it won’t be found out, or do they look down on the situation, thinking it doesn’t matter if it is?)
If one were to denounce the Bishop, it would be someone in a higher position.
Since those above were on the Bishop’s side, had they judged that they could suppress this matter to this extent?
Also, why couldn’t the Church Knights Order defeat the "Legion"?
It was Trys, a former member of the Church Knights Order, who had taught Mika [Exorcism].
It would not be strange if there were people who could use it.
(Is the Bishop’s faction not so united? Or rather, is the Church Knights Order just reluctantly doing it because they were told to by those above?)
Judging from the arrogant knight he met outside, they did not seem like the type to actively do something for the Bishop.
They seemed to be obeying reluctantly.
Perhaps there was no one who could use [Exorcism] and was likely to listen to the Bishop’s orders.
(...That knight apparently accompanied them to the mine, but his tone suggested he believed there had been a petition from the residents. Was he just being used conveniently after being explained to by his superiors in the Bishop’s faction? A scapegoat for when something happens, or cannon fodder?)
It felt like they were keeping him as a pet, letting him sip some sweet juice appropriately, only to discard him when the time came.
He looked incredibly stupid, after all.
In any case, this matter was connected to great power within the Church.
Mika let out a large sigh.
(...As expected, I can’t do it.)
He could not kill her.
He did not want to kill this person.
Even if it was her wish, Mika could not bring himself to kill her.
Even if death was salvation.
"...I’m asking something terrible, but how are you able to stay alive? It’s already been three months, hasn’t it?"
"............I, don’t......know...."
Nerisfeene answered in a muffled voice.
It would be far easier to die, whether from starvation or anything else.
"You have [Heal] as well, don’t you?"
"...Yes...."
Nerisfeene’s [Blessing] apparently included not only [Purification] but also [Heal].
Was that related to it?
(Even with a [Blessing], is it that powerful? To remain alive for three months without food or water, and with her body in such a state.)
Mika also had almost no knowledge regarding [Blessing].
He only knew that there were people among Saints and Saintesses who harbored such powers.
"...I’m sorry. I’m going to touch you for a moment."
"............No, don’t.... ...Dan...ger...."
Ignoring Nerisfeene’s attempt to stop him, Mika gently touched Nerisfeene’s hand with his left hand, which had gathered magical power.
"Agh!?"
The moment he touched her, a tremendous wave of curse attacked Mika.
A intense wave that pierced not just his hand, but his entire body.
"Gu, ah, ah, ah, aaaaaah——!!!"
Mika gathered his magical power in his left hand to push back against that wave.
By pushing back with all his might, he somehow suppressed the wave.
"Phuah! Hah! Hah! Hah!"
Mika released his hand and breathed heavily, his shoulders heaving.
It was a tremendous curse.
Unless he circulated almost all his power to suppress it, Mika would lose to the wave.
Even if he did it while absorbing magical power with "Absorb," the magical power consumed would gradually decrease the magical power within Mika.
At this rate, he would not have enough magical power left for dispelling the curse.
He was completely lacking in power.
(Insufficient absorption amount again.... It wasn’t enough when I absorbed from the Chimera either.)
He would need to upgrade "Absorb."
But, how?
(............The magical power of "Absorb" feels like it seeps in through my skin.)
Was it Mika’s body that was absorbing the magical power in the atmosphere?
Was the limit of the absorption amount, in other words, due to the surface area of his body?
(If I get fat, the surface area increases...?)
If possible, he wanted to extend it vertically rather than horizontally.
(If I wait for growth, how much time would that take?)
Moreover, with such a method, he might not even be able to double it if he was unlucky.
(Can’t I increase it more quickly?)
Hmm..., he rested his chin on his hand and thought.
Magical power.
Absorption.
Surface area.
"Hm? Area?"
Assuming that simply increasing the area would increase the absorption amount.
Currently, was the absorption amount dependent on the surface area of Mika’s body?
If so, couldn’t he create a device dedicated to absorption?
Even with the same area, instead of something flat like a solar panel, to increase the surface area more...?
"............Alright!"
Mika stood up straight and closed his eyes.
What was important was the image.
He had seen the real thing.
And, similar things often appeared in anime.
If so, it was easy to imagine.
Mika opened his eyes sharply and spoke that "spell name."
"Absorb Wing!"
Simultaneously with Mika spreading his arms wide, a pair of light wings spread from his back with a flutter.
They were about three times the length of Mika’s arms, and in shape, they were exactly like bird wings.
With each individual feather, in terms of surface area, it should have increased by tens or even hundreds of times.
"Well, if the absorption amount simply increases by hundreds of times with this, it would be quick and helpful."
Unless he tried it, he did not know if the absorption amount would actually increase with this.
If the assumption was wrong, this "spell name" would be sealed.
Well, since it looked cool, he might use it without meaning.
Light wings were nice, after all.
"I’m sorry. I will touch you again."
Mika called out to Nerisfeene, but there was no response.
Nerisfeene simply stared at Mika’s wings with wide eyes.
And then, she shed tears.
"............Apo, st...le...."
■■■■■■
[Nerisfeene’s Perspective]
Nerisfeene could not believe what she was seeing now.
An existence with wings of light.
Was this the salvation of the gods?
Her heart grew warm, and tears overflowed.
"............Apo, st...le...."
Her thoughts spilled out as a whisper.
"Apostle."
The gods had sent a messenger of salvation for someone like me, who was invaded by such a curse.
It had been a terrible ordeal.
There were times when she wondered why the gods gave her such painful trials.
She had continued to pray to the gods without a single cloud in her heart, but she had thought that the gods had surely abandoned her.
This body had been defiled by the curse.
She had despaired, thinking that she would no longer be guided to the side of the gods.
Even so, the gods had not abandoned her.
Even for someone like her, they had granted salvation.
They had sent a messenger of salvation.
(Ah... gods. Am I, forgiven? Is it alright for me to be saved...?)
The tears did not stop.
Gratitude for the depth of the gods’ mercy....
Gratitude for the vastness and greatness of the gods’ love....
With feelings of immense gratitude, Nerisfeene conveyed them to the one with wings of light before her eyes.
"........................Sa...ve...me...."