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Chapter 133: The Sanctuary of Kalosia (3)

“This… What is this…?”

The Holy Knight groaned.

The dark magician was powerful.

Even though he had fought against him for several days, they had only been at a stalemate.

Not once had he gained the upper hand.

But to be overwhelmed like this?

He couldn’t believe it even though he saw it with his own eyes.

“Is he dead?”

Ketal looked down into the deep hole in the ground.

At that moment, darkness erupted.

BOOM!

Darkness swallowed Ketal’s body.

The Holy Knight was startled.

“Ketal!”

“Hmph.”

Ketal waved his hand, dispelling the darkness.

Despite being engulfed by it, he looked completely unharmed.

“You’re alive.”

“You, you insane…!”

The dark magician spat out a curse and distanced himself.

The dark magician’s body had no wounds.

Ketal was surprised.

“I hit you with some force, but you’re unscathed.”

‘This dark magician is tougher than a demon.’

Ketal was intrigued.

Of course, the reality was entirely different.

The dark magician was shocked.

‘Most of the sacrifices are consumed!’

The dark magician had been using dark magic to transfer the damagician he received to his sacrifices.

The amount of sacrifices was considerable, enough to withstand several direct hits from a ballista.

But most of those sacrifices had been consumed by that single blow.

It meant that Ketal’s punch had the power of multiple ballista shots.

‘He definitely didn’t use any mystic arts…’

He couldn’t understand.

The dark magician asked in a trembling voice,

“Barbarian, what is your name?”

“Ketal.”

“Ketal…”

The dark magician’s eyes widened as he repeated the name.

“You, you’re not… Are you the barbarian that he spoke of?”

“Oh, you know me? I suppose being a dark magician allows you to get information from demons.”

Ketal looked pleased.

The dark magician swallowed hard.

If this barbarian was indeed the one spoken of by him, the dark magician knew he couldn’t contend with him.

The dark magician’s body was enveloped in darkness, and in an instant, his presence vanished.

The Holy Knight sheathed his sword.

“It’s over.”

“You’re not going to pursue him?”

“If he hides in that darkness, it’s difficult to track him. He’s probably set traps, so it’s best to end it here for now.”

“I see.”

The Holy Knight looked at Ketal with curiosity.

“Who are you…?”

It was a question born of pure curiosity.

But the Holy Knight quickly shook his head.

“No, that’s a rude question for now.”

The Holy Knight straightened up and formally thanked Ketal.

“I am Rakza, Holy Knight of Kalosia. I sincerely thank you for your help, Ketal.”

“Sure.”

Ketal smiled.

Rakza raised his sword again.

“I’d like to talk, but I have things to attend to.”

[Kaaargh…]

Monsters, deterred by the aftermath of the battle, were cautiously approaching.

“Let’s go back first. Since we’ve driven off the dark magician, they won’t attack.”

Ketal nodded.

Rakza advanced, cutting down monsters like they were logs.

They headed towards the entrance of the sanctuary.

There, knights, Naplas, and Heize were waiting.

“Ketal!”

Naplas hurried over to Ketal.

“Where did you go without a word?”

“Oh, sorry. The battle looked urgent, so I went to help.”

“Help?”

Naplas, puzzled, finally noticed Rakza’s presence.

Rakza spoke calmly.

“It’s been a while, Naplas.”

“Oh, it’s been a while, Rakza. I’m glad to see you’re well.”

“…Is he the one you brought?”

“Yes.”

“He’s strong.”

“Is he?”

Naplas grinned.

Then, with a newfound expression, he looked at Ketal.

“To think you’d move to help already…”

“It was quite fun.”

Ketal was satisfied.

He had talked with a Holy Knight and fought a dark magician.

Though slightly disappointed, he was quite content.

“Well, let’s go in. You must be tired from the battle and need some rest.”

“Oh, right.”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled.

The holy land of a world where an actual god exists.

He was about to enter that place.

His heart raced with excitement.

“Wait a moment.”

Naplas brought his hands together and closed his eyes.

“Kalosia, please welcome your visitor.”

With a soft utterance, a gentle light enveloped Ketal.

Naplas opened his eyes.

“It’s done. Now you can enter the holy land.”

“Is it impossible to even visit without permission?”

“It’s the holy land of a god. Outsiders cannot enter unless permitted by a qualified believer.”

“I see.”

Ketal laughed cheerfully.

“Well then, let’s go in.”

The gates of the holy land opened.

Ketal stepped forward with anticipation.

* * *

The light surrounding the holy land enveloped Ketal.

What he felt was a warm sensation.

Despite the rather chilly weather, the inside of the holy land was as warm as spring, unaffected by the outside environment.

And there was one more sensation.

“…Hmm?”

Ketal raised his gaze to the sky.

“I can feel something.”

“Oh, to sense it immediately. You’re definitely sharp.”

Naplas was amazed.

Ketal squinted his eyes.

He could feel something immense from the high sky.

“…No way.”

“That’s right.”

Naplas nodded.

“It’s the gaze of Kalosia. He is watching us from high above.”

“Wow.”

Ketal exclaimed in awe.

A place where a god directly watches over.

This was the holy land of the god.

Ketal was moved.

It had been a long time since he felt something truly fantastical.

Naplas smiled warmly.

“Welcome to Kalosia’s holy land.”

The immense gaze was watching the ground.

That gaze was Kalosia’s gaze.

And that gaze landed on Ketal.

“It feels like it’s watching me right now.”

“…It seems so.”

Naplas looked surprised.

“It’s extraordinary. It’s rare for him to direct his gaze so personally. He must be interested since it’s been a long time since an outsider came.”

“Hmmm.”

Ketal stared up at the sky.

His gaze met with the immense presence.

He could feel a strange emotion from the gaze beyond.

Ketal quietly looked back.

“Let’s go in.”

“Alright.”

They entered inside.

The believers were waiting and ran up with delighted faces.

“Naplas! You’re back!”

“It’s been a while! What happened…”

And then they paused.

The joy on their faces quickly turned to fear.

Their gaze was fixed on Ketal.

“Uh, um.”

As they hesitated and began to back away, Naplas spoke in a calm voice.

“He came to help us. Behave in a manner befitting believers.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Sorry. They are still inexperienced.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

Ketal wasn’t bothered.

He was not affected by such attitudes anymore.

The retreating believers approached again.

“Naplas.”

“And Heize. Welcome back.”

“Hmm?”

Ketal’s eyes widened.

The believers were also using a highly respectful tone with Heize.

“Heize, are you of high rank too?”

“N-no, not at all.”

Heize shook her head.

“I’ve been friends with the saintess since childhood. So I get some special treatment.”

“Oh.”

Now that he thought about it, Aquaz had mentioned that during Kalosia’s rest period, high-ranking priests didn’t come out unless necessary.

But Heize had been in the Bakcan territory.

It seemed this was the meaning of the special treatment.

Naplas spoke.

“Since we’re in the holy land, we should meet the saintess and pay our respects.”

“The saintess.”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled.

The one who receives direct revelations from the god.

The saintess.

He was already looking forward to it.

Naplas spoke calmly.

“Let’s take a short rest, and then we’ll go see the saintess.”

“Understood.”

Ketal smiled happily.

* * *

After a brief rest, Ketal was guided to the large church in the center of the holy land.

He stood in front of the door to the room at its heart.

Ketal knocked.

A quiet voice resonated from inside.

“Come in.”

Ketal opened the door.

Inside, a woman was waiting.

She was a striking young woman with long, dark brown hair, appearing to be around the same age as Heize.

She smiled gently at Ketal.

“Welcome. I am Shadrenes, the eyes, ears, and mouth of Kalosia. I serve as his saintess.”

‘Oh.’

Ketal was surprised because her emotions didn’t waver at all.

Everyone who had met Ketal for the first time so far had been flustered, frightened, and astonished.

His appearance and the aura he exuded intimidated them.

Even the priests of Kalosia, whom he had just met, and Naplas himself had momentarily flinched when they first saw him.

But Shadrenes was different.

Despite being affected by his appearance and aura, her emotions showed no hint of disturbance.

‘To become a saintess of the god, one must have this level of discipline.’

Ketal was impressed and bowed respectfully.

“I am Ketal, the barbarian. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes, nice to meet you.”

The saintess spoke in an unwavering tone.

“I’ve heard about you. You’ve been a great help to my friend. Thank you. I was very worried.”

“Are you referring to Heize?”

“Yes. She is an old friend of mine.”

Shadrenes smiled softly.

It was a perfect smile, like one drawn in a picture.

“Not only did you help my friend, but you also came all this way to aid us. I sincerely thank you.”

Shadrenes bowed her head.

She spoke with an unshaken voice.

“When everything is over, we will provide you with the best reward we can offer.”

“I did not come here to receive a reward.”

“Even so, it is our way.”

Shadrenes spoke calmly.

Her emotions remained as steady as when they first met.

“I would appreciate it if you would accept.”

“If that is your will.”

“I, Shadrenes, the saintess of Kalosia, welcome you, Ketal. Thank you for your immense help.”

She continued.

“For the details, you can speak with Rakza. Thank you once again.”

“Alright. It was nice meeting you.”

Ketal smiled.

He left with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Although the meeting was brief, it was highly meaningful.

The perfectly calm and unshaken emotions—one must achieve such discipline to become a saintess of the god.

Ketal left, admiring Shadrenes.

And Shadrenes, left alone, sat quietly.

After a moment, there was a knock on the door.

“It’s me, Shadrenes.”

“Ah, Heize.”

The door opened, and Heize entered.

Shadrenes looked around.

“Where are the others?”

“There’s no one else. I’m alone.”

“Really?”

They were alone in the room.

Confirming this, Shadrenes’s face changed in an instant.

Her serene expression turned into one of distress.

She hugged Heize and whimpered.

“It was so scary…”

“There, there.”

Heize, as if she had expected this, gave a wry smile and patted her comfortingly.

* * *

Outside, someone was waiting for Ketal.

“You’re out.”

Rakza greeted Ketal warmly.

“Did you meet the saintess well?”

“Yes. She is a woman of profound discipline.”

Rakza’s face lit up with a gentle smile, clearly pleased by Ketal’s compliment.

“Despite her young age, she possesses exceptional discipline. She is revered as a saint and is the pride of our church.”

He bowed respectfully.

“Thank you once again for coming all this way to help us. As the saintess must have mentioned, we will ensure you receive a fitting reward once all this is over.”

“No need.”

Ketal smiled.

For him, the current situation itself was rewarding enough.

“So, what do we do now?”

The holy land of Kalosia was under attack by dark magicians.

How should they respond to this assault?

“First, I think I should explain how we ended up in this situation.”

Rakza began to explain slowly.