Chapter 232 : Chapter 232

Chapter 232

The ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍eastern continent.

It ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was where the priests who served the God Rinova resided, a place known as the Temple of Healing.

“Thank ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍you for making the arduous journey.”

Remire ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍de Rinova, the temple’s Chief Priest, respectfully bowed as he welcomed His Holiness the Pope.

His ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍white hair shone with a radiance beyond mere gloss, and his clear turquoise eyes inspired trust in all who looked upon them.

“There’s ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍no need for formality between us. More importantly, you seem to be getting younger by the day.”

Claudio de Cronis said with a gentle smile.

A pristine white priestly robe embroidered with the feathers and stars that symbolized Rinova, the God of Healing.

Flawlessly clean, pale skin that seemed to glow.

Having become the youngest-ever Chief Priest in his late twenties, he still looked as young as a teenager, owing to the slow aging characteristic of healing priests.

Even if he were placed among the Divine Maidens in the pale gold-embroidered clothes he wore, he would not have seemed out of place.

“Where are they?”

When Remire nodded, the Vice-Priest and first-class priests began clearing the surrounding area.

Publicly, the Pope’s visit was part of his regular tour.

“This way, please.”

Two people lay where he was led.

Crimson Wolf and Orchid Owl.

They were the Night Walkers Killian Eurasia had privately asked him to treat.

“I induced a state of suspended animation to facilitate treatment, but... their injuries are severe. I cannot guarantee a complete recovery.”

The priests belonging to the Temple of Healing were permitted to use techniques specialized in healing.

It was a trait related to a God’s Authorities, rather than one simply arising from the magnitude of their Divine Power.

For that reason, the Temple of Rinova had always ranked among the largest in number of worshippers, and it was widely believed that Remire, its Chief Priest, surpassed even a Saintess or the Pope by several levels in healing ability.

Yet even he could not guarantee a complete recovery.

The Pope had expected as much.

“I had thought their wounds would be impossible for you to heal completely by yourself.”

“Did you say it was Killian Eurasia who administered first aid with Divine Power?”

“That is correct.”

“I’m astonished. It is hard enough to believe that one who reached Superhuman status through a Mana Heart can use Divine Power... yet he used such an immaculate healing technique.”

When Julian Eurasia and Killian Eurasia visited the Papal Office, there was hardly anyone who did not know of the incident in which they massacred the envoys of the enemy Empire.

Of course, Remire knew that it had all been the path chosen by the Pope, who could read the future.

‘I had heard of Lady Lan’s Divine Object Synchronization experiment, but I never imagined he could use Divine Power so freely... Just which God has bestowed a blessing upon him?’

As though he had read those thoughts, the Pope spoke.

“It seems he formed a Hollyheart this time as well.”

“...!!”

Unlike Claudio, who spoke as if it were nothing, an emotion close to shock crossed Remire’s face.

“Did you perhaps receive a revelation from the God Styx?”

The fact that he could synchronize with multiple Gods rather than a single Divine Object.

Given the form of his Authorities, it was only natural that Remire thought of an Apostle of Styx. Saintess Lan de Styx and Chief Priest Lokia de Styx were such people.

Claudio shook his head.

“According to the report, it seems he received a revelation from the God Murus.”

“The God of Barrier...?”

Remire asked again, looking somewhat puzzled.

The God of Barrier had no connection to the traits Killian Eurasia displayed.

‘The Temple of Barrier has long been a place where the priests are incompetent and corrupt...’

Even Remire, so far away, knew how poorly it was run.

If it had not been one of the few temples in the harsh northern Frontier, charged with assisting the Temple of Boundary, it would have been restrained long ago.

Because it had long stood in contrast to the Temple of Styx, which placed importance on training the body and mind, priests naturally regarded Murus as an incompetent God as well.

And yet Killian Eurasia, whose talent was not merely abundant but excessive, had received a revelation from such a God.

‘Though barriers are important...’

It was somewhat difficult to understand, both from the nature of his Authorities and from his actions.

“Chief Priest Lokia and Chief Priest Pierre confirmed it, so there can be no mistake.”

Moreover, it had been confirmed that Killian Eurasia and his subordinates had left the Temple of Boundary and visited the Temple of Barrier.

Afterward, the actions of the temple’s priests, including the regular reports of Hoka de Murus, its Chief Priest, had become excessively orderly.

“If he formed a Hollyheart, then a God must have intervened strongly.”

“I suppose so. We should regard him as an Apostle.”

“It is incomprehensible. It is not enough that a God chose someone who has formed a Mana Heart as an Apostle; it had to be Murus of all Gods...”

“How could Humans understand every aspect of a God’s will?”

“...”

“We need only remain faithful to the duties entrusted to us.”

Claudio de Cronis said with a kindly smile.

“Let us return to the matter at hand. If I add my Divine Power, what are the chances of healing the two wounded completely?”

“I am not a priest of regeneration. Even if His Holiness lends me his strength, they are already beyond what I can handle.”

He had been granted more outstanding healing Authorities than anyone, but he was not a God.

What he had said earlier was a realm attainable only by a God.

“It is a pity that the Temple of Regeneration is gone.”

The Temple of Regeneration had failed to receive revelations, its number of worshippers had gradually dwindled, and it had closed its doors centuries ago.

The Temple of Regeneration was not the only one in danger.

Each year, noticeably fewer people received revelations, and even Chief Priest-level individuals who would previously have been called Apostles had lost their connection to the Gods.

‘At most, ten years.’

Unless he, the current Pope, devised some extraordinary measure, the country called the Holy Nation would falter.

But for now, he had to concentrate on the problem before him.

‘I should repay the debt I owe Killian Eurasia.’

As the leader of the Joint Investigation Team, Killian had not only uncovered the Emperor’s objective, but also restored discipline to the Temple of Barrier, which had been left unattended.

Though his method had been violence, which made it awkward to simply let the matter pass.

‘If he is an Apostle chosen directly by a God, he lacks nothing in terms of qualifications.’

Whether by Divine Power or by justification, Killian Eurasia was more than qualified.

“Forgive my presumption, but I believe even Your Holiness’s Authority, which defies the natural order, will find it difficult to heal them.”

Remire spoke carefully.

“If I were alone, it would be as you say.”

“...?”

“Some time ago, the God Cronis told me that you and the God Rinova were exceptionally compatible.”

“You mean...”

“We who enact Their will are no different.”

He was telling him that, while synchronized with their Divine Objects, the Authorities of the two of them could temporarily fuse.

Authority Synchronization.

Claudio himself had done it with only two people so far.

“You have your Divine Object with you.”

After checking Remire’s fingers, Claudio smiled.

A Divine Object made up of a set of three rings.

“Let us begin with Crimson Wolf.”

The Pope extended his hand and released a sacred aura.

“Understood.”

Fwoosh. Fwoosh.

The synchronization between the Pope and Remire began.

‘Time’ and ‘Healing.’

The Authorities of the two intertwined and filled the space.

Several techniques were woven together.

Claudio examined Crimson Wolf’s wounds and exercised his Authority.

“Turn back time.”

Crrr. Click.

Along with the sound of gears meshing, Crimson Wolf’s time began to reverse.

Beside his faintly beating heart.

Sizzle.

The shattered Mana Heart began little by little to regain its original form.

‘Fortunately, every fragment of the Mana Heart was inside his body.’

The Mana Heart that had spread throughout his body via his blood vessels gradually returned to its original form.

And then.

Fwoooosh.

As the Authority of Healing flowed in, the Mana Heart continued to regain its life.

When the synchronization that had continued for around five minutes ended.

“Kuh...!”

Remire, drained of strength, dropped to his knees.

“Are you all right?”

The Pope asked, supporting him.

“I never imagined there was such a method.”

“It is not something everyone can do. It was not bad for your first synchronization.”

Claudio assessed as he rubbed his strained eyes.

The fusion of Authorities.

He had used about ninety percent of the Divine Power he had restored previously.

Given his stamina, he would have to rest for at least a week before the next fusion.

“I will have to stay a few more days.”

“It will be a period in which blessing remains upon the temple. The priests will be delighted.”

“The blessing will be needed by these two.”

The treatment room they left became quiet again, but the light left by the two people’s Authorities continued to give off a sacred aura.

***

It took Killian less than a week to finish speaking with Miller and return to the Annihilation Squad.

‘Having a Warp Gate does make travel convenient.’

Although he needed a priest to use it, he had to give credit where it was due.

[Grrr.]

“Hm?”

When he entered the Annihilation Squad’s training grounds with Hazard, who had Polymorphed back into a wolf, he saw Yulian and Serena facing each other.

‘That bastard Yulian has finally returned.’

Since Id and Raven were nowhere to be seen, it appeared that he had returned alone.

Clang. Claaang.

The sound of swords colliding rang through the training grounds.

Yulian wiped the sweat running down his forehead and attacked with gritted teeth, but he did not seem able to keep up with Serena’s movements.

“You were shouting so boldly, but this is all you can do?”

Serena smiled as she lightly diverted his attack.

“Don’t make me laugh. I’ll cross that wall before long too.”

Yulian sheathed his sword and panted.

“There’s quite a gap between the first and second swords. What are you going to do, Yulian?”

Both of them turned their eyes toward Killian.

“You have returned.”

“Even so, I am the Annihilation Squad’s second sword.”

Putting Yulian aside for the moment, Serena stared intently at Killian.

“...”

“...?”

Unlike Yulian, who plainly looked exhausted, Serena’s eyes were full of defiance.

“It seems you are overexerting yourself.”

She took out a recovery potion and drained it in one gulp.

“The Captain will want to see how much I have grown as well.”

There was no way he could refuse when his subordinate asked so earnestly.

“If you cannot inflict even one wound on me, you will be forbidden from going near Hazard for a week.”

“...!!”

Before Yulian, who had sensed what was about to happen, could even leave the training grounds, she immediately activated Carpe Illusion.

Green Mana swirled around her and blanketed the training grounds.

‘Elvenheim.’

It showed a level of completion that could not compare with the green zone she had used before.

Even so, it was ultimately a technique realized with unstable 7-Star Mana.

Shing.

Anima, drawn from its sheath, wrapped itself in green Mana as though it were pleased.

And then.

Fwoooosh.

A gigantic tree grew within her domain.

The divine tree Yggdrasil.

The divine tree that had grown in the middle of the training grounds began devouring her Mana.

“...!!”

Five seconds. In just five seconds, Serena’s Carpe Illusion was dispelled. The price of having her domain broken was backlash and exhaustion arriving together.

“Do not place too much faith in Carpe Illusion. If you are pushed back in a battle of domains, the price is just as great.”

Killian added that she only needed to subdue her opponent in her own way.

“That is enough for today. Recover your body.”

“Thank you for the lesson.”

When Serena stepped back, Yulian approached.

“What about the temple?”

“I handed it over to Id and Raven before coming.”

Yulian continued with a furrowed brow.

“It is strange that there has been no particular movement from the Empire.”

As he said, the Emperor had changed, yet there had been no notable movement.

“They must be planning something else. Until then, our preparations need to be thorough as well.”

They would heal the wounded Superhumans and draw in new fighting power.

If necessary, strengthening their existing forces was another option.

‘I do not know whether we will have enough time, but that is all we can do for now.’

However, before long, his concern became reality.

Killian was sitting alone in the training grounds, regulating his Mana and Divine Power.

An urgent letter arrived from Cornelia.

“Captain, I have heard that Princess Sharle is critically ill.”

“...?”

He accepted the letter Serena handed him and unfolded it.

It requested that Killian visit Cornelia.

‘Did Sir Hegel send this personally?’

The letter said only that Sharle was critically ill; it gave no details.

‘Sharle, why all of a sudden?’

After folding the letter, Killian immediately headed for the Warp Stone set up in the capital.

A short while later.

“The coordinates for Cornelia’s royal capital have been entered.”

Killian arrived in Cornelia’s territory.