Chapter 154

Level Up Heretic Judge – Episode 154 (154/227)

Episode 154: Sacred Artifact (4)

[Lu’s Mid-Rank Servant ‘Epona’ has descended!]

With a brilliant flash of light, Lu’s servant appeared.

In front of Eil who had used the divine bead, she revealed herself, her long hair flowing as she unfolded her two pairs of wings.

A valkyrie clad in white sword and armor.

‘This is the servant of the goddess…’

Eil stared in awe at Epona’s appearance before him.

But Agria, servant of Bahamut, did not welcome her arrival.

“Disappear again!”

Kwa-ddeok!

She swung her frost-covered spear.

Having already surpassed level 200, Agria’s spear strike carried tremendous power, with an immense coldness extending toward them.

Enough to freeze everything it touched.

Ssulng!

The expressionless Epona drew her sword.

Sparks flew as she unsheathed it, releasing intense sacred flames.

Kwa-aaa!

Swinging the fiery sword widely,

The exploding flames completely nullified the encroaching cold.

The resulting aftershock sent all the believers nearby flying, while Epona protected Eil with her two pairs of wings so he wouldn’t be harmed.

“Ugh…”

“Eil-sama, you’ve worked hard.”

Approaching to protect him, Epona spoke.

This made Eil jump in surprise as he looked at her.

A servant showing respect to him?

Even apostles performing important missions didn’t hold such a position compared to them.

Though execution officers representing the church received slightly better treatment, they were still far below these beings who transcended mortals.

“The goddess said you are someone special, Eil-sama. As one serving that lady, this is the proper attitude I should have.”

She explained, seeming to notice his expression.

‘Could it be because I’m the first apostle…’

Since Eil had been designated as an apostle when Lu was struggling with influence, maybe that’s why he was being treated with extra deference.

If this guess was correct, it was oddly satisfying.

But the current situation wasn’t good enough to let him think leisurely about such things.

“It’s too late to stop me now. Especially from a mid-rank servant like you!”

Agria’s icy blue eyes glowed with a desolate energy.

Her power radiated out, dyeing the frost on her spear and surrounding ice crimson.

An even stronger chill took over the entire space, beginning to completely freeze Epona who had spread her wings for protection.

‘That’s definitely true.’

Eil’s expression hardened as crimson ice surrounded them.

While Agria had adapted and reached the 200s, Epona had just manifested on earth.

Moreover, there was a clear difference in rank between the two servants.

There was no way Epona could compare to Agria, who had manifested through an elaborate ceremony using the Great Bishop’s body.

Even summoning Lu’s servant now wouldn’t drastically change the situation.

But Epona began slowly spreading her wings, pushing through the ice with a calm expression.

“You can leave it to me now. It might get a bit aggressive…”

Gathering strength in both hands, Epona extended protective light to him.

The light soon formed a circular shape, creating a barrier around Eil.

Jjeung!

With all four wings fully spread, Epona broke free from the ice.

The frosty spear clashed with the fiery sword, sending out a shockwave that sent Eil flying back.

Thanks to the power of light protecting him, he didn’t take any damage, but the other believers had already been wiped out long ago by the battle’s aftermath.

Jjeok!

Epona’s fist connected with Agria’s face.

Then she pushed forward once more, driving the staggering opponent straight into the ground.

Kwaang!

The floor where Agria landed shattered in a circular pattern, leaving a massive mark behind.

The supposedly indestructible sanctuary floor, despite the rampaging giant beast, crumbled effortlessly.

Agria’s rapidly decreasing stamina.

It was truly an incredible brute strength.

From the start of their weapon clash, Epona had gradually taken the upper hand, now completely dominating the battle.

“How…?”

Agria frowned as she barely managed to create some distance with her spear swing.

Things weren’t going as initially expected.

“Could it be…?”

They simultaneously realized the situation due to the astonishing power displayed.

The method Bahamut used to bring Agria down involved borrowing the power of the sacred artifact, but it wasn’t simple.

Manifestation only happened after obtaining a physical form capable of permanent activity on earth.

That’s why it required complex rituals, including sacrificing the Great Bishop’s body, along with a lengthy process.

However, the Epona appearing before them now was merely a temporary manifestation.

A body created arbitrarily that would disappear after some time.

Servants manifested in this manner couldn’t last long on earth.

But that changed the situation.

Not borrowing a mortal’s body, nor forcibly adapting to earth,

Meaning no adaptation period was necessary.

Except for the essential limitations when descending to earth, she had come down with her full original power intact.

Kwaak!

Epona’s left arm was severed by a sharp spear strike.

But her arm regenerated instantly.

With Agria’s still incomplete power, it was impossible to annihilate her.

“With that form, you won’t last even a few minutes!”

Unlike Epona who was already in her true form, Agria couldn’t even reveal her true body yet while still in human form.

If she could just endure until her power properly settled, eventually Agria would overwhelm Epona.

But that’s exactly why she had descended.

“That’s enough.”

Kwa-aang!

Massive sacred flames swept across the front.

Lifting her spear, Agria barely absorbed the impact.

But during that moment, Epona approached close by spreading her wings and immediately cut off both of Agria’s arms.

Completely immobilized with her arms falling off, she lost her spear and created a large opening.

Kwaak!

Epona’s raised hand grabbed Agria’s neck.

It made a creaking sound as if it would break at any moment.

“Cough… Just a little longer…”

Agria painfully groaned.

Struggling desperately to escape while somehow preventing her neck from breaking.

But all in vain.

Lifting her high up, Epona stretched out both arms.

“Kuaaaah!”

Exerting force with both hands, Epona tore Agria in half.

A manual execution.

Mysterious red blood clots fell heavily.

It was a horrifying scene that even Eil watching from a distance momentarily recoiled in shock.

But Epona, covered entirely in blood, remained unperturbed.

‘So the goddess and her servant…’

Beautiful yet cruel, showing no mercy in her actions.

Truly worthy of a valkyrie servant.

[‘Ruler of Volcanoes’ can’t contain his joy at Bahamut’s pitiful failure!]

[‘Secret Investigator’ reports it was a delightful amusement.]

..

..

After the decisive victory, reactions from the deities appeared.

Attempting to permanently summon an upper-level servant of another deity to earth was no small matter.

Had it succeeded, it would have not only overturned this world event but also added a powerful servant to their forces.

Their greed was excessive.

It made sense that other deities were wary of Bahamut.

[Common Contribution +4,000]

[Common Contribution +1,500]

[Common Contribution +300]

..

..

Reward messages sent by various deities.

Lajagal, who was an enemy of Bahamut, handed over an impressive 4,000 points as promised, and Freya, who firmly believed Eil would become her apostle, also showed generosity.

“First apostle of the light, retrieve the sacred artifact and bring it to the church. A new chapter awaits you.”

Epona delivered her final words to him.

Then she disappeared in brilliant light, and in the spot where the light faded, the jewel fragment which was part of the sacred artifact gently fell down.

Tarak!

The jewel clasped in Eil’s hand.

[Bahamut’s upper servant ‘Agria’ has been stopped!]

[Goddess Favor +10.00% (Currently 139.72%)]

[Light Church Contribution +25,000]

[Faith Stat +25]

[Insanity Stat +25]

[Level increased!]

[Level increased!]

..

..

A feast of messages appeared before his eyes.

Despite not directly defeating her himself, he received quite substantial rewards.

Especially the favor rating, which started increasing less as it went beyond 100%, rose by a full 10%.

‘Levels increased by four at once, and despite the hardship, it’s a great success. Moreover, the biggest thing remains…’

Eil glanced sideways.

There were also items to recover from the thoroughly defeated Agria.

[Discovered the sixth fragment of the ancient sacred artifact!]

[Apostle ‘Eil’s discovery granted significant influence to the deity ‘Judge of Light’!]

Another sacred artifact fragment.

This time it was a dagger-shaped item glowing white.

‘The sixth and seventh fragments… The original sacred artifact split into several pieces when the One God disappeared long ago.’

Looking down at the sacred artifact, Eil recalled.

However, there wasn’t much known beyond that.

It was considered mere idle legend common in Warode, so no one paid attention, and even if they wanted to investigate further, information was extremely limited.

“Hmm…”

Hwarrrrrk!

Suddenly, sacred flames surged into the wrecked hall interior.

The flames Epona unleashed disappeared along with her.

To buy time, Eil sprinkled holy water everywhere, setting fires that had spread here.

This meant the entire Saint’s Realm was burning.

‘Still, there’s no need to rush.’

Eil had no worries at all.

The sacred flames he ignited couldn’t harm him in any way.

He could walk out leisurely without fear of burning.

Rather, it was better since it would quiet down any remaining Water Church remnants automatically.

“Ah, right! Now that I think about it…”

Eil suddenly froze, struck by a thought.

Nesha, whom he had completely forgotten in the heat of battle.

According to the sounds he’d noted upon entering, she was engaged in fierce combat with the boss on the opposite side.

An opponent that even two of them struggled against; facing it alone would be even harder.

Eil’s face paled as he ran in the direction where she should be.