Chapter 118

Level Up IlDanSimPanGwan – Episode 118 (118/227)

Episode 118: Between Belief and Madness (3)

Ail had set out to hunt heretics by the Goddess’s command, but his opponent was a high-ranking official holding a key position in the capital.

Against a typical noble-level council member, things would’ve been much tougher.

But Delrend was already up to some seriously shady deeds behind closed doors.

To keep his rituals hidden, there were no NPC guards in his mansion except for fellow Dusk Meeting believers.

Still, just the entrance guards alone were more than Ail could handle at his current level.

If those guards showed up and things went sideways with collateral damage, it’d create complications even for Ail as just a visitor.

“Well, setting up barriers like this? I’m grateful.”

Ail’s longsword blazed with Sacred Flame.

KWAH-WAH-WAH!

Delrend’s elongated arm tore through the floor as Ail dodged and slipped into his opening.

Landing a solid blow.

Ilseum carved a deep gash across his chest, unleashing a massive burst of Sacred Flame that drained his HP.

But it wasn’t over yet.

CHI-CHI-CHI!

Frost spread where the Sacred Flame passed, slowing down his movements.

As the frost slowed him, Ail only grew faster.

Thanks to the new unique-grade longsword’s special effects.

Not just that – combined with the sword’s attack power, bonus stats, and his enhanced swordsmanship passive, Ilseum became an even deadlier skill.

Delrend’s health dropped dramatically as Ail pressed his advantage, leaving more wounds.

Each wound created more frost, completely covering him.

“How dare you…!”

In a rage, Delrend slammed the floor, summoning monsters from beneath.

These pattern-summoned creatures were unusually large and formidable.

But trying to change the situation with a new pattern was too little, too late.

“I figured something like this might happen.”

Ail knew better than to expect a designated Blasphemer Boss to go down easily.

He’d already slowed Delrend to a crawl by inflicting maximum wounds.

Covered in frost, Delrend moved far slower than before.

Meanwhile, Ail’s speed skyrocketed thanks to the Onyx Armor set effect, surprising even himself.

Cutting through the summoned monsters without hesitation, he finished them off with a Baptism of Fire.

POW!

Surrounded by flames, Ail leaped toward Delrend’s startled head for the finishing blow.

KOOOONG!

CRASH!

Ilseum pierced straight through the monster’s skull. With nowhere to run, Delrend reverted to his original form.

“Gotcha.”

“H-how…?”

Reduced to a bloody pulp, Delrend lay near death.

Ail secured and bound his captive.

While the quest called for immediate sentencing, Ail didn’t hold an execution on the spot.

Though the barrier dissolved when Delrend fell, nobody had discovered the full truth yet.

There was always the possibility of retaliation from his allies or assassination accusations against nobility, so thorough cleanup was necessary.

“Amazing, some are still alive.”

Turning his gaze, Ail spotted several Cult fanatics twitching in agony.

Most had fallen to Ail’s attacks or died in the crossfire, but a few remained barely alive.

“Perfect timing.”

Binding these fanatics with gags and tossing them aside, Ail left their bodies scattered throughout the mansion.

Though disposing of the corpses felt wasteful…

With the barrier gone, he needed to leave a message for the capital’s residents.

“Let’s get to work then.”

* * *

“KYAAHHH!”

“W-what is it?! What’s wrong?!”

A woman vaulted over the mansion wall, panicking as her companions rushed to her side.

She’d volunteered to check the estate after hearing rumors that a noble council member’s home had been raided.

Despite the guards making access difficult, her high-level Thief skills gave her confidence.

Yet she returned empty-handed after barely entering.

“T-that… When I went inside… Ugh…”

Tears welling up, she couldn’t finish her sentence, clearly nauseated by what she’d seen.

“Sorry, I need to log out…”

She immediately disconnected, leaving her party members utterly confused.

She usually had a strong stomach – a few corpses shouldn’t have caused such a reaction.

Just then, commotion erupted behind them.

People were rushing somewhere en masse.

“What’s going on now?”

“Let’s check it out.”

Following the crowd, they arrived at the central square, packed with an unusual number of people.

Even though it was normally crowded, today was extraordinary.

“Why’s everyone gathered here?”

“Look over there!”

Pointing, they turned their attention.

At the center of the square stood an execution platform.

On either side, spears displayed impaled bodies, while others hung lifelessly from gallows.

Even among the living prisoners, executions continued, heads rolling one after another.

The gruesome sight of blood dripping everywhere made the party members wince.

“Eww, I think I’m gonna puke.”

“They’re insane! Who does this?!”

Of course, the culprit was none other than the infamous Light Church.

Rumors had been spreading about their activities elsewhere, and now they’d struck in the capital.

“But why are they executing people in the middle of the square…”

“Wait, isn’t that…!”

On the platform stood none other than Ail, the notorious Heretic Judge from Esmaier.

“Quite the crowd we’ve got here.”

Standing beside the priest, Ail glanced down at the gathering crowd.

It was only natural for him to be here.

Not only was he responsible for capturing the criminals, but the public execution itself was organized with help from Light Church priests right in the heart of the capital.

With all seven church branches present in Ascalon, arranging this wasn’t particularly difficult.

BOOM!

As the final decapitation concluded, only one prisoner remained.

Ail brought forward the last criminal.

Bound and gagged, Delrend struggled as he was dragged along.

“What? He’s a noble?”

“A member of the council?!”

Realizing the captured man was Councilor Delrend, the crowd erupted in shock.

They’d expected demon worshippers, but hadn’t anticipated such a prominent figure.

“How dare they…”

Among the gathered crowd were several capital nobles.

Seeing commoners dare harm a noble understandably irritated them, and Ail could feel their disapproving stares.

But at this point, that was all they could do.

Demon worship was a grave offense within the kingdom, allowing Ail to capture and bring Delrend without royal interference.

Especially since no other noble could intervene without risking suspicion themselves.

Doing so might label them as fellow demon worshippers, inviting relentless pursuit from Ru’s fanatics.

Thus, ignoring various gazes, Ail calmly bound Delrend to the menacing pyre.

“You bastard! You think you’ll get away with this…!”

Before Delrend could finish his roar after having his gag removed, Ail placed Sacred Flame beneath the cross.

WHOOSH!

“AAAAAAHHHH!”

Intense flames instantly engulfed him.

The searing pain, known to be one of the most excruciating sensations, must’ve been terrifying for NPCs capable of feeling actual pain.

But it didn’t end there.

Waiting Light Church priests began pouring healing magic onto him, restoring his health.

New flesh grew over old wounds only to burn black again repeatedly.

This served both as punishment for his countless innocent victims and as a warning to all citizens.

Soon, thick black smoke filled the square, accompanied by endless screams of agony.

* * *

[The Church’s Enemy, the Blasphemer, has been punished!]

[Successfully carried out the prescribed punishment according to ‘Sentencing’. Skill effects have doubled stat bonuses.]

[Goddess’s Favor +1.59% (Current 80.14%)]

[Light Church Contribution +900]

[Faith Stat +20]

[Madness Stat +20]

[Quest Completed!]

[Goddess’s Favor +2.00% (Current 82.14%)]

[Light Church Contribution +1200]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

‘There’s no turning back now.’

Leaving Delrend’s final scream behind, Ail melted into the crowd unnoticed despite his hood.

Though he’d gained substantial rewards from this quest, he’d irreparably damaged his relationship with Prince Oun.

He didn’t dwell on it much though.

Choosing Princess Saeya’s side had already made this unavoidable.

Besides, there’s no way Prince Oun didn’t know about Delrend’s devout membership in the Dusk Meeting or his involvement with forbidden magic and demon worshippers.

This guy was reaching everywhere he could anyway.

Regardless of this event, they were destined to become enemies eventually.

With things standing as they were, Ail had nothing to fear.

“So one seat in the council will be vacant. Truly exceeding expectations.”

A woman appeared beside him unnoticed among the crowd.

Under her pulled-down hood revealed blue hair and a beautiful face.

“Princess…?”

Princess Saeya stood next to Ail without any accompanying guards.

“Are you trying to get assassinated?”

“Hehe, no need to worry about me.”

Looking at the burning stake, Saeya’s eyes reflected the flames.

“The white fire is quite beautiful. To be honest, the doctrines of light were hard to understand before, but watching this might change my mind.”

Despite staring at the remains of someone burned to ashes, she smiled excitedly.

‘Guess it’s because of that noble supporting the prince losing his head.’

With Delrend’s death, the succession decision in the council tilted further in her favor.

Naturally, this was excellent news for the princess.

“I still have much to learn. I didn’t realize such things were possible simply by invoking… no, following the God of Light. Sir Ail, would you continue fulfilling your role as a judge?”

An invitation to act on her behalf.

Ail smirked.

“As long as you keep your promises…”

“And more if you wish. I believe in fair transactions above all else. Besides, I’d rather not incur the wrath of the Goddess.”

Saeya smiled sweetly.