How a Former Pastor Lives in Another World

38

Empire

After Saint Iris of Splendor issued the summons, the Vatican responded quickly.

“What about the Sun Knights? Aren’t their main forces in Campbell?”

“But if you mobilize the knights remaining in the Church, the Church’s defense will become vulnerable.”

“I will ask Captain Mathias of Campbell to dispatch some paladins. The reorganization is also being completed, so there will be time.”

“Even so, we will have to dispatch a paladin from here. Since it will be a wizard’s dungeon, knight power will be essential.”

With those words, Vice-Captain Jonathan carefully recommended one person.

“There is a sword expert level knight who recently converted to the church. Although he is different from a paladin, he is quite capable in terms of power.”

“Oh, you mean Sister Violet.”

Ophelia Violet.

Although he is different from a paladin, his skills are real.

Even in Campbell, the Auror Blade, which cut off the head of the Alpha Demonic with a single blade, was a symbol of expert knights.

“If we recruit ten Holy Knights from here, it will be roughly balanced. We will also recruit armed priests from Eclipse. It will be enough to consist of veteran armed priests, including Father Moreau.”

“To fight against evil enemies, no matter how many exosheets there are, they are not enough.”

When the Knights of the Sun and the Eclipse each decided to bring in their own forces, the Choir and the Healing Corps also submitted appropriate nominations.

This is a dungeon where a wizard is hiding, so if you have mediocre skills, you will only become a sacrifice to the dungeon.

They focused on veterans who had experience in dungeon raids or had sufficient combat experience.

“Okay then, here’s the final party composition plan.”

The composition of ten parties to be formed according to the saint’s summons. However, due to the nature of the reserve force, two additional parties were formed.

Usually, the preliminary party was formed from a probationary party just before becoming a formal member, and the decision was made easily by selecting those with the highest grades among them.

“Ray Anderson.”

Archbishop Dunwell pointed to Ray as if it were obvious, and Director Ibella nodded.

“Sister Ophelia is in the same party, so it’s virtually confirmed.”

“Cardinal Graham’s son, Brother Aaron, is also a great talent.”

“Brother Henry, a fellow party member, also received high scores in interpersonal combat skills.”

Considering balance, one healer from the healing corps is also needed. Director Amelia pointed out Jenny, a member of Ray’s party.

“Sister Jenny has healing powers, so I tried scouting her once. Her healing powers are also great.”

“It must have been just a matter of time ago, but they’ve already formed a party like this. Brother Ray’s personal attire is also great.”

“That’s right. It would be perfect if I joined the Knights.”

“······.”

“······.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Vice-Captain Jonathan.

He, who was the only deputy leader and not the head of the organization in this place, couldn’t get over those cold stares and rolled his tail.

“······The choice is Brother Ray’s, right?”

“sure.”

“It was Brother Ray’s choice. But…”

Director Ibella added an additional comment.

“The congregation’s response to Brother Ray, who was the conductor of our choir, was very enthusiastic. I think it would make sense for him to remain in the choir for the sake of the church’s believers.”

“That’s not true, Director Ibella.”

Archbishop Dunwell immediately asks a question.

“Brother Ray’s spirituality was innate. Isn’t it more important to save the lambs from the evil of the world?”

“That makes it sound like the choir has a less important job than the Eclipse.”

“You didn’t say anything like that at all?”

“Brother Ray! He cares about his patients and is good at medicine! I think he’s a perfect fit for the Healing Corps!”

“If it’s about protecting the world from evil, wouldn’t the Knights of the Sun be the best fit?”

“It is important to touch the world with music and receive the calling of the Holy Spirit.”

A conference hall where voices are raised like a provincial market.

There was a war of words over who would win Ray Anderson.

This war of nerves will not end until Ray makes a clear choice.

***

It is unusual for rookies who joined the force dispatched at the level of an armed agency to participate in it less than six months ago.

However, Ray and his companions were calm rather than overwhelmed with emotion.

It’s a strange thing, but is it only because we’ve experienced so many huge events in succession?

“This seems to be the end of the Campbell incident.”

“I heard that too. It’s because of that wizard we missed.”

“Brother Henry. We didn’t miss, he ran away.”

“Well then. Jenny is right. We didn’t miss it, we just ran away.”

“I don’t know what you’re all talking about! Ray! Explain!”

When Ophelia, who was left out of the story, asked for an explanation, Ray explained what had happened at Campbell.

“Hmm! Such a disaster!”

“Miss Ophelia, you didn’t even know the circumstances when you captured and killed all the Daemonics?”

“Did you need to know?”

“what······.”

All you have to do is kill the monster well.

“Then this is the battle for revenge! Ray! I will help you get revenge! We will avenge the citizens of Campbell!”

“Well, we’re a reserve unit, so we probably won’t have to go out, right?”

“Hot! Is that so?”

As Ray marched, he told what he had heard about this subjugation.

“They said it was dungeon exploration. Do you know anything?”

I know that this world is a medieval world mixed with fantasy, but Ray lived his whole life in the countryside because of the evil spirits that preyed on his soul.

Things like the sagas of knights that I occasionally hear, or the miracles of saints and power that I heard about from Father John.

Since there is only such fragmentary information, I have never heard of a story about a dungeon.

“What is it, Ray? Have you never been to a dungeon before?”

“Miss Ophelia, do you have any experience?”

“I don’t have one, but I heard that my grandfather has conquered a dungeon in the past! Once a dungeon appears, it can be quite a headache!”

According to Ophelia’s explanation, the dungeon is like a relic of the past.

Traces left by wizards of an ancient kingdom or empire.

Or, it is said that the devil or something magical was involved.

“Ancient times were a dark age where wizards and witches were active. The whole world was a world of wizards.”

According to Aaron’s history education, before the advent of the Church, wizards openly built dungeons and created their own world.

And it appears that the traps and facilities built at that time are still operating and are very dangerous.

“The dungeon is dangerous. Stay close behind this sister!”

“If we need to step forward.”

I knew that dungeons were dangerous. But as with ancient ruins, isn’t there something special that can be gained from them?

“It depends on the case, but there are all kinds of treasures in the dungeon. There are a lot of things left behind by ancient wizards.”

Therefore, it is said that in the treatment of dungeons, the religious state always clashes with the secular state.

“Especially this time, it borders the empire’s territory. You will have to be careful.”

“Empire… Well, what kind of country is the empire?”

“······.”

Aaron looked at Ray blankly when he asked, “I don’t even know the name of the empire,” and answered with a sigh.

“Goldenes Reich. Also known as the Golden Empire. Even with empty words, these are people who cannot be said to be on good terms with the Church.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of it too. Is it because of that incident a long time ago when the emperor of the empire knelt in front of the Pope?”

The empire located to the north of the Catholic Empire is said to be a hegemony that has caused friction with the Catholic Kingdom in the past.

It is quite common for secular states and religious authorities to clash.

However, in the case of the empire, there was a major and shameful incident in its history.

“It is an incident called the Humiliation of Bramarton. It is an incident 500 years ago in which the Pope asked for forgiveness after excommunicating the emperor of the empire.”

As part of strengthening the imperial power, the empire at the time promoted the establishment of its own religious order in which the emperor would act as the divine authority.

This meant that the emperor would appoint bishops and cardinals.

Accordingly, the Vatican, the headquarters of the Church of the Sun, declared the emperor a heretic. This is an unprecedented case that results in excommunication.

It was an incident that represented the fierce conflict between divine authority and royal power that had existed throughout the thousand-year history of the Empire, and this incident even led to a civil war in the empire.

“I guess the result was a victory for the Church.”

“That’s right. The feudal lords who were faithful followers of the church, led by the Knights of the Sun, drove out the excommunicated emperor from various places.”

The emperor, who lost the rights of all Sun Church believers due to excommunication, is not the target of his loyalty.

In the end, the emperor requested mediation through Beoseonbal in the border area with the church called Bramarton, and the Pope forgave him and lifted the excommunication. This is the famous ‘humiliation of Bramarton’.

‘Is it worth getting upset about?’

In short, doesn’t it mean that the Pope, who has omnipotent power, has completely destroyed the secular monarch?

The local feudal lords are right in excommunicating the emperor! And they beat him from all directions.

It was an incident that made the imperial family tremble with anger.

Moreover, when you look at the feudal lords who took the opportunity to revolt just because their emperor was excommunicated, they look like that guy.

Of course, there was no need for Ray, a priest of the church, to represent the position of the emperor and the empire at the time.

“Anyway, be careful. The Empire has been gnashing its teeth at the Church since then. It will not come out favorably.”

“Well, I don’t think it will lead to a physical conflict, right? After all, it was a saint who stepped in.”

Everyone agreed with Jenny’s words. The country’s armed agencies have stepped forward on a large scale, and the person in charge is Saint Iris of Radiance.

Unless you want the Empire to be excommunicated once again, you should avoid clashing with the Church during your dungeon raid.

“well.”

At that time, Ophelia was the only one who showed a tilted reaction.

Unlike usual, he cautioned in a very serious voice.

“It’s not strange if something happens inside the dungeon. I can’t say there’s a risk of it being buried if it happens.”

“······.”

“······.”

To that extent, anything can happen in a dungeon. It was a time when everyone was skeptical about Ophelia’s warning.

“Power stop! It’s a monster!!”

The commotion coming from the front quickly spread to the rear where Ray and his group were.

“monster?”

“Goblin! It’s a goblin!”

Oh, goblin!

Ray looked pleased to see a name he recognized.

Aren’t goblins a regular monster in fantasy?

Ray relaxed when he heard that the enemy was a goblin, representing a small mob.

“Goblins. Armed with the Holy Armor of St. Germanicus and the Eclipse Bible, you are no match for me!”

“Don’t let down your guard! Goblins are weak monsters, but…”

“Woohyo~! Goblin Slayer is leaving!”

Ray drew his sword and hatchet and faced the group of goblins coming from the forest.

Matchless Kazuah!

“Kyaaa!”

“Kick! Kikikikik!”

Goblins appear one by one.

Some run bare-chested, while others ride on wolves.

Although their weapons were crude and varied, Ray couldn’t hide his embarrassment when he faced them.

There were well over a hundred goblins in front of me right now.

“It’s a bit… a lot.”

“Isn’t it common sense that if one goblin is found, there are a hundred around?”

“Wow, wow! They’re shooting bows! They’re shooting bows! Miss Ophelia!”

“Ray! Behind me!”

Ophelia blocked the incoming arrows with a large shield. And this movement was being carried out throughout the corps.

“Paladins, go forward! Protect your brothers with your shield and prepare for impact!”

The paladins, armed with armor and shields, easily blocked the goblins’ crude arrow barrage.

Eventually, the goblins on the wolves collided with their entire bodies, but they were not pushed back at all.

It’s worth it. The basic condition of a paladin is to acquire the power ＜Blessing of the Sun＞.

They demonstrate natural strength under the sun and cannot be broken through by the impact force of Goblin Riders.

“Kyaak!”

The goblins hit the shield with clubs or daggers, but there was no scratch. Soon the Paladins’ counterattack began.

Sigh!

Goblins slaughtered with holy swords and holy swords swinging. Ray also killed goblins with a sword and axe, but there was no end to it.

“Is there something… too much?”

Looking around, the number of goblins was increasing. hundred? The only thing Ray sees in front of him is a hundred. Looking at the number of goblins surrounding all around, it seems to be around five hundred.

“Something is strange. Monsters are conducting such systematic surprise attacks.”

“What’s the point in discussing something that has already happened? Be careful of the arrows!”

“Ah! Sister! I got hit with a bow!”

Jenny was busy running around and healing the injured.

The battle was sluggish.

No matter how much you kill, the goblins that come in, and the armed priests who maintain defense by protecting the healers and choir members.

Likewise, the choir members gave buffs through their singing and the healers provided healing, but the battle became a war of attrition.

“hmm······.”

“Why but! Ray!”

Ofelia, who killed the jumping wolf with her shield, caught Ray’s strange reaction.

“These guys seem to be being controlled.”

“What?! There is a b*stard who does such horrible things!”

“Yes, maybe… um?”

Ray witnessed that the flow of ‘magic power’ engraved on the goblins was suddenly cut off.

This capture was possible because Ray was able to visually confirm spiritual power.

“Kii?”

“Kyaaa…”

Suddenly, the goblins’ movements slowed down. It was an unrest that occurred immediately after the flow of magical power was cut off.

‘Someone killed the culprit of the flow?’

Who on earth?

It was then. A man walking slowly from the forest where the goblins had run out.

Silence flows across the battlefield, thick with blood and heat.

In a battlefield full of goblin corpses and the bloody smell that stung your nose, the man’s silhouette gradually became clearer.

Refined armor. Long black cloak. The ground seemed to shake with every step I took, and the sword I held in my hand sparkled as if it contained the starlight of the world.

The appearance of an unusual giant. An intimidating feeling that makes not only goblins but also paladins hesitate.

Just the presence of that man changed the atmosphere of the battlefield.

Priests were also exposed to that energy.

At that time, they also hesitated at the appearance of the man…

Quaaa!!

Light pours down and a dazzling brilliance reaches the battlefield.

“Seo, saintess?”

Iris, the saint of brilliance. She realized the commotion and came down from the sky.

The saintess, who stepped into the air with shining wings of brilliance, inevitably made eye contact with the man who had the strongest presence on this battlefield.

Although she was a saint with an eye patch covering her eyes, her gaze directly intersected with the man’s gaze.

Even though he was greeted by an auspicious being who flew through the sky and poured out light, the man’s eyes were cold and sharp, and his spirit increased.

“Uh, huh?”

A powerful energy pouring from the earth and trampling on earthly beings.

It’s difficult to breathe.

It feels like a powerful energy is weighing down my whole body.

That was when I realized that it was due to the thuggish energy emanating from the man and tried to dissuade him.

“······.”

Suddenly, breathing, which had been difficult, became easier. The holy power raised by Iris protects the priests.

“Ke, kegeung!”

“Kyyaa · ···!”

However, she only protects the believers of the church.

The pure holy power she poured out protected the church’s priests and opposed the man’s subversive energy.

“Keeek, keeeeek!”

Under the pressure of the two giants, the goblins could not breathe and crawled on the floor as if they had been trampled.

An invisible but clearly present pressure is weighing down hundreds of goblins. It was a real physical force.

Pop!

In the end, one goblin, unable to withstand the pressure, exploded.

Like a balloon that was overly pressurized stretched out and then burst.

Miserable deaths that could hardly be called the deaths of living things occurred hundreds of times in all directions.

Pop!

Boo!!

The repetition of terrible deaths ended only when all the goblins on the battlefield were destroyed.

“What the fuck is that…?”

It is absolutely not human power.

Even Ray, who had gone through many hardships before birth, swallowed his saliva in front of those strange beings.

The Eight-Faced Mogumi of Kyoto and the Count of Romania. These monsters are comparable to the Kraken encountered in the Bermuda Triangle.

“Heinrich…”

It was Aaron who revealed his identity. As a master from a prestigious noble family, he knows about famous people from the neighboring empire.

“Heinrich von Berg… the sword master of the empire.”

The giant of the era was before their eyes.