Chapter 111: Plague Giant (2)

Kyaaaaang -!!

A wild and massive bolt of light struck down, erupting with a thunderous roar so loud it nearly deafened everyone.

Dozens, no, hundreds of lightning bolts rained down on the Plague Giants all at once.

As a result, the monsters gathered around the Plague Giant exploded in a single instant.

“Kii, Kieeeek!”

At the terrifying sight, the Ghouls who had been gleefully awaiting the feast that was Riot Castle stiffened in shock.

Even the soldiers defending the castle walls, who had been shouting for desperate resistance, were left speechless with mouths agape.

That sight looked exactly like a pillar of light.

And one of utter destruction.

Paang, Kyaaaang -!

Before Sig’s eyes, the light flickered without a moment’s pause.

All that remained were the frozen shadows of giants, stuck in the exact posture they had struggled in.

“What on earth…?!”

Sig was overwhelmed.

No magician on the Southern Continent… No, not even a group of magicians working together could ever create such a miracle.

‘Yes, this isn’t… mere magic.’

It was a true natural disaster.

It was, unmistakably, Heaven’s Wrath.

Sig grit his teeth.

He had thought it was just bad weather.

It was only after witnessing its power that he realized the true nature of those lightning bolts.

He felt the power of faith so directly, it was almost strange he hadn’t noticed before.

Soon, the blinding white streaks that had shaken the earth faded away.

Gulp.

Someone audibly swallowed.

The battlefield, which had been filled with thunderous noise just a moment before, fell into a deep silence.

Where Heaven’s Wrath had fallen, black ash scattered in the wind.

The once-bloody red giants now stood silently, charred pitch black.

Their endless roaring and violent thrashing were gone.

Psssh—

Now, they simply stood still and crumbled away.

Just like that, dozens of corpses piled up in front of Riot Castle.

“Hor…! Hor has punished the plague!”

Suddenly, someone shouted.

When Sig turned his head, he saw Moritz’s face, brimming with tears.

Moritz raised both hands and shouted again.

“This is our Hor, and our hope!”

The soldiers, who had been standing dazed at the overwhelming spectacle, clenched their fists tightly.

This was their Hor, their hope.

One by one, a passionate heat lit their faces.

“Yes, that’s right! The one who punishes those vile monsters is our God!”

“Aya! Hor—!”

The wrath of God that fell from the sky was directed only at the monsters.

Not even a single bolt struck those standing atop the walls.

To everyone, it was nothing short of a miracle.

The morale within the castle blazed like wildfire.

Lord of Riot Castle rallied the soldiers in response.

“Clear the monsters off the walls!”

Yes, there were still many enemies left.

It was too soon to cheer for victory.

Realizing this, the soldiers readied their weapons again.

The knights glared like fierce generals.

With such spirit, the monsters began to fall, one after another, at their hands.

At that moment, monsters came charging at the castle from behind the mountain of fallen giants.

Even if they now looked like frightened rats, they were still a threat.

“Ssara—bi!”

The arrows that had paused for a moment now soared through the air once more.

Glittering shells and all kinds of spells were fired in quick succession.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”

Someone spoke to Sig, who had been staring blankly at the battlefield.

“…Richard.”

He turned and looked at his younger brother.

Somehow, a line of the castle’s elite knights had gathered behind Richard.

Perhaps it was the sight of divine power.

His face was alight with excitement.

“Brother! Hurry over here!”

Moritz, as if he might jump down from the wall at any moment, called out to Sig from the stairs.

Not a single person feared battle.

Not a single person lacked courage.

At least for now, these men were braver than any in Bartenberg.

Sig, looking over them for a moment, quietly spoke.

“…This is the first time I’ve seen a battlefield like this. I like it.”

There was a burning passion in his voice.

Soon, Sig and the assault unit descended from the castle wall.

With a heavy rumble, the gate opened.

They darted out through the opening like arrows.

“Charge!”

Richard led at the front, shouting.

The Temple Knights and allied knights followed, singing hymns.

The battlefield was stained red with the blood of the plagued monsters as they drew near.

However, the monsters’ spirit had already broken.

With God’s Wrath fallen upon this battlefield, there was no room for filth to rampage.

Even the desperate roars of those creatures sounded no different from the whimpers of frightened dogs.

“Ch—rurrr!”

The emboldened assault unit called out to their God.

Meanwhile, only Sig kept his mouth shut.

If he opened his mouth now, he might end up joining the others in chanting to God.

***

Of course, the battle ended in our victory.

I turned my gaze from the monsters being torn apart in the garden.

“Churubi!”

“Choruruu!”

The soldiers called out to Hor in the sky.

Some sang hymns, others shouted in triumph.

Even in my exhaustion, the scene made me smile.

Heaven’s Wrath—it was worth overextending myself to use it.

I lowered my hand.

I tried to summon faith, but not a single spark appeared.

It was the price for interfering with the climate.

It seemed I wouldn’t be able to use faith for a while.

But I didn’t regret it.

With this great victory, the invasion of the plague would be set back that much further.

Just as I was checking internally for any side effects, I sensed Sig looking at me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

He simply shook his head and turned away from me.

And so, the battle ended, and several days passed in a flash.

Today was finally the day Huger departed for Titan.

To see off our departing companion, the people of the castle gathered at the north gate.

At the center of the crowd was ‘me.’

“Chiiik.”

Perched atop Narre, ‘I’ snorted.

“It’s all good, but did you really have to disguise me as myself?”

“It would not be wise to travel the continent as an Orc. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it’s best for you to appear as the Saint of the Hor Church.”

When I grumbled, Tasar answered from beside me.

He wasn’t wrong, so I had nothing more to say.

“Chiiik! Sometimes, living as an ugly one isn’t so bad!”

Thanks to an elf’s magic, Huger, disguised as me, cheerfully joked.

I could feel veins popping out at my fingertips.

To think I, of all people, was being called ugly by an Orc!

“Hurry up and get going.”

Once again, today was the day Huger left for Titan.

Suppressing my anger, I waved my hand, making him laugh heartily.

“It’s been fun. I hope everyone stays well until I return as king.”

“You too, make sure you come back safely!”

“I will remember!”

At Huger’s farewell, the knights each gave their own responses.

Their attitude toward the Orc was truly friendly.

Orcs and humans.

At least Huger and these people were all fellow believers of Hor and companions.

“Chii, but… Are you sure it’s okay to take this one along? Doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

In the midst of goodbyes, Huger asked me.

With one hand, he pointed at Narre, who he was riding.

Grrr—

Narre, who had been glaring at me the entire time, let out a cry.

It seemed he was not pleased about joining Huger on this journey.

“You have to go together.”

I spoke firmly.

To shorten the long journey to the distant land of Titan, Narre’s speed was essential.

Of course, sending off my precious divine beast wasn’t the only reason.

“Narre. Grow stronger and come back.”

Titan actually had some rather interesting culture.

If it was there, Narre would surely grow much more.

Grrm—

Narre grumbled, then snapped his head away, as if reluctantly agreeing.

“Heh, such an adorable little kitten. I’m sure we’ll become fast friends after spending some time together.”

Suddenly, a huge hand was thrust out before me.

I grabbed it.

“Chiiik. Next time we meet, let’s spar again.”

Huger grinned as he spoke.

“Sure, I’ll spar a hundred times if you want. Just make sure you become king.”

“It’s a promise!”

With a bright smile, Huger departed with Narre.

Huger disappeared into the distance in an instant.

“…It’ll feel empty for a while. Things were never dull with Huger around.”

At Aaron’s quiet words beside me, Polk, Jack, and everyone else nodded in agreement.

***

At Baren Royal Capital, a conference was underway.

There, too, was Trantis Marquess, who had departed on a missionary mission.

“The light of the Hor Church has spread to every corner.”

At his words, the royal nobles’ eyes lit up.

“The people, who once trembled in fear, have found their own hope and accepted that it is Hor.”

The Marquess gave a full report of his missionary efforts.

He spoke of the despair he saw firsthand in the people, and how that despair gradually lifted.

After speaking at length, the Marquess swallowed.

The royal nobles and King watched him calmly.

But a glimmer of anticipation shone in their faces.

“The light has spread, but it has not yet taken firm root. It has only just begun to blossom. Therefore, I have delegated this task to the missionary group led by Harten Count in the east to firmly establish Baren’s faith.”

“Harten Count…”

The royal nobles all nodded, acknowledging Harten Count’s qualifications and authority.

“Then there is no one better to understand the hearts of the people.”

The King also nodded in satisfaction.

A few more words were exchanged.

Though it had not been long since the Hor Church became the state religion of Baren Kingdom, already they were fervent believers.

The news brought by Trantis Marquess lightened the mood in the hall.

Then the official meeting began in earnest.

“They say the situation at Riot Castle is getting worse.”

The King himself raised the topic.

As soon as Riot Castle was mentioned, the nobles’ faces hardened.

The worst shadow eating away at Baren Kingdom.

The miasma spilling out from Polin Castle only grew thicker by the day.

“We must find a countermeasure before Riot Castle falls.”

“The forces there could surely strike at the root of the plague…”

The nobles each offered their opinions.

It was just like the meetings at Riot Castle.

Some argued for removing the root as soon as possible, others worried about the existence of the Southern Continent lurking behind it.

Watching them quietly, the King looked at Trantis Marquess.

The Marquess did not avoid the King’s gaze. Though his body had weakened, their wills were stronger than ever.

Before the missionary group left the capital, the Marquess and the King had discussed things thoroughly.

Now was the time to put that plan into action.

He had watched and waited, hoping for a better idea from the nobles, but the situation in Baren could not wait any longer.

“We have an ally.”

The King spoke up.

Thunk—

The nobles, in the midst of heated discussion, turned their attention to the King.

“We shall send Hor’s light to the allied Prot Kingdom, which once broke their promise to us. In doing so, we will make them reflect deeply on their lack of virtue and remind them of the centuries-old pact once again.”