42

"You okay?" Aile asked the young priestess kneeling on the ground, coughing nonstop.

"Aile—! Thank goodness! With you here, I feel safe!" the priestess girl said, tearfully grateful.

If they’d arrived any later, who knew what tragedy would’ve unfolded.

Naya quickly helped her up.

To Aio believers, Holy Knight Aire was nothing short of a divine messenger! The living embodiment of Aio’s miracles!

"They—they suddenly stormed in—! Shouting for the cult to hand over the demon clan—!" the priestess girl exclaimed, agitated.

"You’re just caught in a power struggle," Aile said, glancing at the church doors. Her gaze burned with hatred, wishing she could drag Crown Prince Ivan Reyes from the palace to stand before her.

"There’s a secret passage in the inner chamber leading outside the palace district! Escape through it and gather more cult members to defend the church!"

A secret escape route—? So the second prince had planned ahead when building this place.

"What about you and the others, Aile?"

"We’re storming the palace!" Aile declared, resolute. Her words silenced the priestess girl, who trembled. What was happening tonight? Everything felt chaotic—outsiders might even think they were rebelling.

"More adventurers are gathering outside," Ruri warned from near the doors.

"Go now, hurry!" Aile urged the priestess girl.

The priestess girl nodded and ran toward the inner chamber. She glanced back one last time—Aile and the black-clad, black-haired swordsman walked side by side toward the doors, their silhouettes radiating purpose. No matter how many adventurers waited outside, no matter what came next—they’d face it head-on!

"Please… stay safe… Aile. You’re the cult’s hope," she whispered through tears before vanishing.

Naya prayed to Aio, casting Shields of Light on everyone.

"After all this time, it’s only our second fight together," Aile said to Leon beside her. She coolly hoisted her Mystic Silver Shield and drew her rarely used sword.

"Yeah," Leon replied, gripping the obsidian Light Roar Sword in one hand and the gleaming Mystic Silver Sword in the other. His black coat billowed in the wind.

"Naya, stick close behind me," Leon ordered.

"Got it…!"

"You too, Ruri."

"Ruri understands."

"Show me that dazzling swordplay again—the kind that soloed the Obsidian Armor! After tonight, I’ll thank you properly," Aile promised.

Then—!

They came—!

Leon stepped through the church doors—!

Below—!

At the foot of the forty-eight stone steps—! Countless adventurers blocked their path—! At least seven one-star teams! Three two-star teams! Armored in plate, chainmail, leather, robes—every type imaginable! They brandished swords, spears, axes, halberds, hooks—swarming for battle—!

Last time, the "Butcher" faced four hundred adventurers and got thrashed within an inch of his life.

This time, the adventurers faced the black swordsman revered as the Hero—Leon!

Leon and his companions clashed with the uninformed adventurers—! Was this civil war truly unavoidable?

Meanwhile, in the throne room—

"Your Majesty, we’ve identified the intruders," Benjamin reported to Crown Prince Ivan Reyes. "It’s Hero Leon’s adventuring party! Hero Leon—said to be the continent’s strongest swordsman. Holy Knight Aire—possesses a technique that instantly kills anything. Ruri—the legendary last Sorcerer; the Angelic Faith collapsed days after provoking her. Priestess Naya has no notable rumors. In short: one priestess leading three overpowered teammates against the world."

"This team registered at the Roaring Mountain Town branch. You were clerk there—you must know their full names."

Benjamin paused.

"Your Majesty, I recall the priestess’s full name. I knew her earlier—she was in another team back then."

"Write it," the Crown Prince commanded coldly from the throne. "Kill the healer first."

Benjamin nodded. He unrolled a crumpled book, the pen tip hovering below the Queen’s name—

What a shame—I adored girls in white stockings— he thought, but for the greater good, he wrote stroke by stroke—Naya Trey.

To be continued.