Chapter 221

(3) 6.

The commercial city of the Seren Kingdom.

Leaving Murka behind, Laurea and her group rushed on horseback towards the border.

Soon after, as they crested a hill and finally approached Shulfern, a horrific scene awaited them.

“That’s…”

Laurea was momentarily lost for words.

The sight before her left her speechless.

Kadel, guard at her side, narrowed his eyes and let out a low groan.

“There are so many.”

Nearly a thousand enemies.

That wasn’t all.

The solid outer castle walls of Shulfern had already been completely destroyed, and the towers were engulfed in a fierce blaze of crimson fire.

“Could it really be that the battle has already started?”

“Are we too late?”

The leader of the Holy Knight Order and the head Inquisition Officer also wore expressions of perplexity.

This was a natural response.

From a distance, it looked as if the battle had already concluded. However, Laurea shook her head vigorously.

“No, there are still fighters.”

The battle was not over yet.

They could see a group confronting the enemies right at the entrance to the inner castle.

But they didn’t seem to hold out for long, so Laurea hurriedly requested,

“Everyone, prepare for battle.”

“Yes, Saintess!”

“Knight Order! Prepare to charge!”

“Move before the castle falls!”

Almost as soon as Laurea’s plea ended, the knights and Inquisition Officers began to get ready to fight.

At that moment,

“Saintess.”

“We will buy some time.”

A dozen high priests, hands clasped together, were whispering prayers. As they did, a white haze began to rise, soon transforming into pure white flames.

Flourish! Flourish!

The sacred flame burned quietly.

An elite divine spell that incinerates evil with pure divine power. At the same time, the white flame quickly descended upon the battlefield’s center.

Boom!

A thunderous roar shook the battlefield.

The undead soldiers enveloped in divine fire vanished without a trace, and the demon beasts also suffered significant damage.

And one more thing.

The enemy forces trying to breach the defensive line crumbled completely. Thanks to this, Shulfern’s troops barely escaped the encirclement.

After the priests’ preemptive strike.

The enemy, having suffered tremendous losses, finally became aware of Laurea and her group.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Laurea, having dismounted, knelt on the ground. She gently closed her eyes and clasped her hands together.

“…Divine Being.”

This was to offer a prayer before the battle.

Laurea continued to recite her prayer in a steady voice.

“Grant your servant the blessing of the stars. Bestow upon us the power of starlight that illuminates the darkness, and protect us from foul curses.”

Her prayer was a kind of blessing.

A grace from the stars to empower the warriors about to engage in battle. When her short prayer concluded, the knights’ swords and shields shone brilliantly.

“Knight Order! Shields forward!”

At that moment, the fully prepared knights mounted their horses. As the knights completed their charge preparations, the leader bellowed.

“From now on, we fulfill the prophecy!”

To fight against the undead in the Forest of Life.

Additionally, risking their lives to battle until all the warriors of the stars gathered. Reminded of their purpose, the knights roared with conviction.

“For a flawless victory to the Divine Being!”

“Glory to the Saintess! Everyone charge!”

“Annihilate the filth!”

The knights charged, kicking off the ground.

Over a hundred knights, with swords and shields at the forefront, headed into battle. The Inquisition Officers also followed, wielding axes and maces.

“Phew.”

At that time, Laurea was helped back onto her horse by Ian. She then gazed at the knights and Inquisition Officers who had started the battle.

They were definitely the elite of the Holy Nation.

Heroes who would not flinch even before countless enemies.

‘But…’

Nonetheless, overcoming their numerical disadvantage was practically impossible.

Even excluding the undead burned by the divine fire, the enemies still swarmed like insects. So Laurea decided to speak to the one who could turn the tense battle into a victory.

“Sir Shanktus.”

The Paladin Master of Eloden.

The strongest strategic weapon possessed by the Holy Nation. Laurea courteously continued her earnest request.

“Please lend your strength in battle.”

“Apologies, but I cannot do that. I have a crucial duty to protect the Saintess…”

“It’s alright. Ian is here with me.”

Laurea poked Ian in the side.

Quick on the uptake, Ian immediately bowed his head as if understanding what she wanted.

“I will protect her with my life.”

A face filled with resolute determination.

Kadel quietly observed him and then silently nodded. After giving Ian’s shoulder a few reassuring pats, he turned away.

“Understood. Then I will be off.”

After a reliable answer was given.

Kadel urged his horse toward the battlefield.

The moment he arrived at the battlefield, the previously stalemated combat tilted in an instant.

Swish!

The sound of a silver sword slicing something, and immediately, dozens of undead nearby disintegrated into dust.

[Grrk?! Grraagh!]

Did they realize he was a formidable foe?

The undead hesitated for a moment, then began charging toward Kadel. It must have been because he was considered the first target to eliminate.

But that was a grave mistake.

No matter how many undead swarmed, not a single hair on Kadel would be touched.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The tempo of his strikes quickened. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred undead crumbled to dust.

Kadel Dun Shanktus was a Master of unparalleled strength.

However, his domain differs slightly from those of other known masters.

While it had the same effect of freezing time, the Paladin Master’s domain was filled with pure divine power.

In other words, the undead that stepped into Kadel’s domain immediately felt their power wane. Just a mere touch would cause them to turn to dust.

Thus, without exerting any special effort, Kadel wiped out the undead as if erasing them.

While silently watching the enemy forces diminish rapidly, Laurea suddenly sensed someone’s gaze and turned her head.

“You seem quite disgruntled.”

The one in question was none other than Ian.

Perhaps realizing there were no witnesses nearby, such as Kadel or the Holy Knight Order, Laurea’s tone shifted to a more relaxed one.

“Well, that’s actually true.”

“What is it that’s bothering you?”

“If I had known it would come to this, was it truly necessary for us to leave the Holy Nation and come all the way here, me and my master?”

It had already been almost two months since Ian had left the Holy Nation on Laurea’s orders to bring back Sven.

During that time, he went through all sorts of hardships.

Sleeping rough was just the beginning; traveling alongside Kadel meant he had to shoulder all sorts of grunt work. But enduring it was understandable as it was for the next Saintess.

‘But…’

Now, having joined up with Laurea.

All the struggles he faced seemed in vain.

So naturally, he felt empty and increasingly disgruntled. Meanwhile, Laurea replied to Ian’s words with a casual shrug.

“Oh, honestly, that couldn’t be avoided.”

“What couldn’t be avoided?”

“We didn’t know the prophecy would come down then.”

Laurea brazenly retorted.

Ian grimaced in silence. It was a valid point, but it left him strangely irritated.

However, Ian understood.

From long experience, he knew that arguing with Laurea would only lead to his own loss. So with a deep sigh, he shifted the topic to something else.

“More importantly, when are those guys coming?”

“Huh? Who are you referring to?”

“The Ulan gang.”

If the prophecy was interpreted correctly, they should have already shown up in Shulfern by now. But they were nowhere to be seen on the battlefield.

‘If they had been here from the start…’

The outer castle walls wouldn’t have fallen.

He thought this while waiting for Laurea’s response, and she seemed equally perplexed.

“I don’t know either?”

“Huh? But you said you sent a letter?”

“I haven’t received a reply yet.”

So they came to Shulfern without knowing whether they were actually joining or not?

Ian shouted in astonishment.

“No way, what if they miss each other on the road?!”

“Well, something will work out.”

She shrugged her shoulders with a nonchalant demeanor. Even after officially becoming a saintess, her lackadaisical personality seemed unchanged.

Just as Ian was letting out another sigh,

Laurea spoke again.

“And I trust Ulan.”

“…Not just the prophecy?”

“Of course, I trust the prophecy too, but I believe Ulan will definitely come to where I am.”

She had a feeling that it would indeed happen.

Remembering Ulan’s figure from her memory, Laurea shyly smiled. She thought about how she wanted to meet him soon.

By the time their conversation came to a close.

The battle against the undead was also settling down. Thanks to Kadel’s outstanding performance, the undead were being swiftly dealt with.

Having eradicated all the remnants, Kadel and the knight order returned to Laurea’s side, and the group set off toward the half-collapsed Shulfern.

“Thank you for your help!”

Amidst it all, a booming voice resounded.

The soldiers of Shulfern, once surrounded by swarms of undead. Among them, a knight with bright red hair bowed politely.

“I am Milena Armadin, the defense commander of Shulfern.”

“We are the Knight Order of Eloden.”

Kadel replied on behalf of the group.

After a brief introduction,

Milena expressed her gratitude once again.

“Thank you once more for your assistance in this battle. Without your help, Shulfern would likely be…”

“We can’t accept any thanks.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Milena was taken aback by the sudden remark.

Soon, the reason was revealed.

“The reason we helped you was the Saintess’s decision. So if you wish to express your gratitude, it would be right to direct it toward the Saintess.”

“…!?”

Milena’s eyes widened in surprise.

It was only natural. The Saintess ranked higher than the Paladin Master.

In special circumstances, she held equal status with the king of Eloden, who governed the Holy Nation. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was at the center of the Holy Nation.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Armadin.”

At that moment, a clear voice rang out.

A girl with lush teal hair approached, holding onto the hem of her skirt and bowing respectfully.

“I am Laurea Ro Sharvel, the Saintess of Eloden. May the blessings of the stars be with you.”

“Y-Yes! Thank you for the blessings!”

Milena bowed as well.

After their brief introductions,

Milena cautiously broached the main topic.

“I greatly appreciate your help, but may I ask what brings you to Shulfern?”

This place was on the outskirts, right on the border.

Even though it was said to be the temple of Eloden, there wasn’t a single shrine in this desolate land. There shouldn’t be a reason for such high-profile figures like the Saintess and Paladin Master to visit.

So, out of curiosity, she inquired.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“In Shulfern?”

“Yes, I’ve been told that they are here.”

Laurea answered with a smile.

On the other hand, Milena looked puzzled.

No matter how she thought about it, there hadn’t seemed to be anyone significant enough for the Saintess to come looking for in Shulfern.

“If that’s the case, I will assist you.”

But that was only a momentary thought.

Milena nodded readily.

She believed this was a way to repay the grace that Laurea and her group had bestowed upon her.

“Thank you. Then I’d appreciate your help.”

“Rest assured. Please allow me to inquire about the name of the person you’re looking for?”

“Yes, it’s ‘Sven Isaac.’”

“Huh?”

In an instant, Milena’s expression hardened.

It was an unexpected name that had been mentioned. Meanwhile, Laurea, who was keenly observing Milena’s reaction, pressed further.

“I’ve heard he’s an elite mercenary from the beastfolk community. Do you know him?”

There was no doubt she knew him.

Just looking at her trembling gaze made that clear. Laurea pressed on, and eventually, Milena nodded and asked back.

“…Why are you searching for Sven?”

Her eyes were filled with caution.

That was only natural. Sven was a beastfolk, and the Holy Nation was notorious for its rejection of such races.

Meanwhile, Laurea grasped two facts from Milena’s reaction. One was that she knew Sven.

‘And the other is…’

She was quite close to Sven.

The moment it was mentioned that the Holy Nation was looking for him, her cautious response said it all.

Therefore, it would not be advisable to take a hardline approach.

According to what she had previously heard from Ulan and Noa, Sven Isaac was meant to be someone who would become a companion of Laurea.

“I have a commission for him.”

“A commission, you say…?”

“I’ll explain it in detail once I meet him. It’s related to the prophecy after all.”

The grand reason of the prophecy momentarily left Milena speechless. Thus, Laurea requested once again for Milena to bring Sven to her.

However, Milena’s reaction seemed a bit strange.

Even after explaining the situation, the look of perplexity on her face did not fade. Observing her closely, Laurea squinted and asked again.

“Is he perhaps not here?”

“I…well, the thing is…”

Letting out a sigh, Milena revealed what had happened.

She explained that Sven had headed alone into the Eastern Jungle for reconnaissance, and had yet to return even after a day.

“…”

With each word of Milena’s story, Laurea’s expression grew increasingly stern.

The Eastern Jungle was mentioned in the prophecy.

It was precisely the place known to be crawling with the undead. Once Milena finished sharing her tale, Laurea urgently called out.

“Ian! Sir Shanktus!”

“Yes, Saintess.”

“We’re heading to the jungle immediately!”

Did they realize the seriousness of the situation?

Ian and Kadel instantly mounted their horses and took off, heading toward the Eastern Jungle mentioned just moments ago to retrieve Sven.