On the Vendel continent, numerous religious groups existed, each worshipping different entities. Broadly speaking, however, those who revered the gods from the mythic era could be divided into two main categories.
Representatively, those who worshipped the constellations of light active on the continent before the ancient mythic age—and sought their traces—belonged to the Ellington Holy Alliance, based on the holy land.
But where there is light, darkness exists as well. Unlike those venerating the constellations, groups worshipping the so-called apostles of the demon god also existed. Composed mainly of black magicians, demons, or demonic beasts, they were officially designated as “heretics” by the Ellington Holy Alliance.
Of course, the imperial church was a very special case. Rather than the constellations themselves, its doctrine involved worshipping the Felberg Empire’s emperor—who inherited the bloodline of a constellation from the ancient mythic era—and assisting the imperial family. Thus, it stood as a somewhat unique exception in this broad classification.
However, according to the world setting of the game Imperial Hero Legend, the imperial church had been on a path of decline until now.
The system had a simple mechanism: the higher the divinity of the worshipped entity or the stronger the believers’ faith, the more powerful the manifested divine power.
For the imperial church, since the object of worship was the emperor, successive incompetent rulers—who failed to properly utilize the constellation bloodline’s power—inevitably weakened the church’s strength.
Yet the emperor newly ascended this time is a former wastrel but a genius who awakened a sacred mark. Indeed… I wonder just how strong a paladin worshipping an emperor with a sacred mark can become.
His eyes gleaming with curiosity, Bellikian—the Hound—followed the procession of Viscount Valerian, Viscount Solard, and the Capital Guard Legion knights. Eager to satisfy his rising interest, he watched Viscount Valerian with an intrigued expression.
“Come!”
Fortunately, he did not have to wait long to witness Valerian’s prowess.
The moment they crossed the boundary where the black magician’s hideout was confirmed, dark mana gathered from all directions, targeting Viscount Valerian at the vanguard.
Black magicians who had hidden for long years, scheming in the shadows.
As knights inexperienced against them began to falter and step back in fear, imperial church paladin Aren Valerian drew his greatsword and drove away the darkness with brilliant golden divine power.
“Knights of Felberg! Do not retreat—face the enemy! His Majesty the Emperor protects us!”
His shout was neither false nor empty. The golden radiance erupting from his greatsword repelled the waves of darkness.
“I-Insane…”
Bellikian was stunned at Viscount Valerian’s casual dispelling of the thick dark power.
The darkness that assaulted them upon crossing the boundary was no mere creation from a mediocre black magician.
At minimum, a curse crafted by a high-ranking black mage at Grand Chevalier level…
Though not a mage himself, Bellikian had gained considerable insight in this field from years of practical experience assisting the Beheading Priest Podric as an executor. He could gauge the user’s realm with relative ease upon seeing most heretic powers.
Officially, black magician appearances were nonexistent, but unofficially, heresy hunts had never ceased.
Yet for a hidden high-ranking black mage’s defensive curse to be repelled so easily—it was unbelievable. But even more astonishing was that Viscount Valerian’s feats did not end there.
“How dare a traitor challenge imperial authority! As the sacred spear and sword executing His Majesty the Emperor’s wrath in this holy war, I sternly command: Reveal yourself before me at once!”
As Viscount Valerian recited what amounted to a prayer, empty space beside a small hut tore open, spewing viscous dark liquid.
The liquid, brimming with horrific demonic energy, writhed as it took new form, soon becoming a complete human shape.
“Not bad, paladin. And beside you is Ellington’s execu— Kuh!”
Before the black magician could finish, Valerian’s fury overwhelmed him. The black magician let out a death rattle, staring in disbelief at the golden divine spear embedded in his chest before collapsing limply.
“I-Incredible…”
Viscount Loti Solard briefly exclaimed in admiration on behalf of the speechless, awestruck Bellikian.
Though a Grand Chevalier himself, he had not even tracked Valerian’s spear throw with his eyes.
“All this is thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s greatness. Long live His Majesty the Emperor.”
Viscount Valerian attributed even his own martial prowess to Cain’s greatness, reciting another frenzied praise of the emperor before slowly turning his gaze to the still-dazed Bellikian.
“Is the Ellington inquisitor still not here?”
Viscount Valerian’s clear mockery—or provocation—was directed at Bellikian.
Of course, Valerian held no personal grudge against Bellikian. But given how Ellington’s clergy had long belittled and ignored the imperial church for various reasons, he could not resist a jab now that the situation allowed.
Hearing this, Bellikian bit back once, grinding his teeth. Rough mercenary roots made him belligerent, but he was not foolish enough to fall for every provocation without discernment.
Yet neither was he meek or patient enough to remain silently provoked. As he opened his mouth with an enraged expression to retort—
Between them appeared the Beheading Priest Podric, clad in a gray cloak.
“Imperial church paladin, were you looking for me?”
His single remaining eye quietly fixed on Valerian. Though weary, a sharp intensity like a blade emanated from the priest’s gaze.
“I have subjugated the black magician.”
“Confirmed. Quite impressive skill. A display of martial prowess that reveals the caliber of the newly enthroned emperor.”
“No one may judge His Majesty the Emperor of Felberg.”
“That is your view. Mine differs.”
As Aren Valerian fumed and stepped forward at Podric’s dry response, Viscount Loti Solard—who had silently observed—intervened.
“Viscount Valerian. Please calm yourself first. They are our allies as well. Is there reason for allies to clash and benefit the enemy?”
“Hmph.”
At the composed dissuasion, Valerian frowned in dissatisfaction but stepped back, signaling no intent for further argument.
In response, Beheading Priest Podric also refrained from sharp remarks.
“I am Viscount Loti Solard, commander of the 4th Capital Guard Legion’s direct knight order of the Felberg Empire. Per the Ellington Holy Alliance’s request, we subjugated the suspected black magician and have discovered the hideout, currently securing the site.”
“Solard viscount, you seem reasonable. As an inquisitor, I have much to verify, so guide me to the heretic’s hideout.”
“This way. Let us hurry.”
Guided by Viscount Loti Solard, Viscount Valerian, Podric, and Bellikian headed to the black magician’s hideout.
Generally, those versed in magic could unleash greater combat ability in their own workshops.
Yet the black magician who attempted to ambush Valerian did not lure them inside but intercepted outdoors. This suggested a high probability that the place was not his original workshop but a temporary shelter.
“This is no workshop.”
After hearing the knights’ accounts and completing his investigation of the discovered hideout, Podric confirmed—as expected—that it was merely a hideout, not a proper workshop.
“Historical records on black magicians detail their typical behavior when pursued. If they judge escape impossible, rather than dying while fleeing, they prefer facing enemies in a workshop where their combat power multiplies several times over. Yet this one emerged from the hideout to ambush the imperial church paladin outdoors—an incomprehensible choice by common sense.”
From this, one could infer the key point: since it was not a workshop, there was no need to lure enemies underground.
“Had he a workshop nearby, he would have met us there. Creating a hideout to conceal himself implies the workshop is quite far away.”
Speaking thus, Podric placed several items found in the hideout on a makeshift table: dried tea leaves, twigs, jerky, a notebook, and various others. Arranging them, he slowly continued his explanation.
“These dried tea leaves are a rare herb found only in the continent’s south. Difficult to preserve and highly valuable as alchemical ingredients, they are hard to acquire even at high prices. This alone cannot confirm southern origin, but other evidence abounds. Take this notebook—it contained a map marking major national roads from south to north.”
Beheading Priest Podric cited multiple reasons, all convincing even to those ignorant of black magic.
Infamous for his obsession with exterminating evil, his deductions were calm and logical. Viscounts Valerian and Solard nodded at Podric as if seeing him anew.
“It is not certain yet, but among the materials and reagents prepared here, many are exclusively handled by specific merchant guilds. Raiding a few more suspicious sites like this should make identifying the backers not particularly difficult.”
Podric concluded his calm explanation. Per Cain’s imperial decree mobilizing the Felberg Empire’s imperial army and Capital Guard Legions for massive subjugations of suspicious armed groups around Granada, the Beheading Priest had actively joined or dispatched his executors to separately investigate dubious sites for heretic forces.
Thanks to the zealous assistance of this heresy-obsessed Beheading Priest, Felberg knights had already discovered multiple hideouts near the capital directly or indirectly linked to black magic, exterminating heretics and collecting evidence.
Separate from bandit subjugations boosting the emperor’s popularity among capital citizens, the original goal of identifying and eliminating evil forces was being faithfully achieved.
“Hey, imperial church paladin.”
At Podric’s call, Viscount Valerian—standing not far away—approached a few steps and silently met his gaze. Looking at him, Podric slowly spoke.
“Request an audience with your emperor. The backers have been roughly identified, and it seems I should inform him first.”
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