Chapter 616 - The Abbot Noah
At Overdier's words, Noah hurriedly rushed forward.
"No! This is all my responsibility. So you must not hold them accountable! I sought their help, and they acted without knowing anything!"
It was a desperate shout, uttered without thinking about whether it made sense or not.
Even though the situation had shifted in their favor, a single arrow could have killed them, but there was no fear in Noah.
Enkrid, anticipating a possible arrow, shifted his body into a defensive angle.
"Wasn't I the one who took the lead? Could I really claim that they acted without knowing anything?"
Noah pointed at himself, claiming he had acted without knowing anything, but it was doubtful anyone would believe him.
Noah limped forward, his arms spread wide, standing between Overdier, the head of the heretical purge priesthood, and Enkrid.
Enkrid looked at the two, his arms holding his sword, and wondered,
Would I lose if I fought them both at the same time? I'm not sure.
But if I handle it alone, I don't think I'd fall short.
Still, I'm not alone here, so we shouldn't be at a disadvantage.
From behind Enkrid, Shinar and Luagarne spoke alternately.
"There's a spring breeze I haven't shown yet. Don't worry."
"I still have strength left after watching."
Though the meaning of 'spring breeze' was unclear, it seemed that Shinar also had some strength to spare.
"It's true that I worshipped a demon, but that's my personal problem."
Noah shouted.
Veins popped from his neck.
The futile cry, which had no hope of persuasion, spread through the air.
How many would listen to the cry of the powerless in this continent?
But what if there were more voices like this?
Someone steps forward.
They stand by Noah.
One by one, more join.
The monks who had been watching Noah take the lead began to step forward.
Some were priests who couldn't use the sacred power, while others were monks who had changed their mindset after the Seiki incident.
One of them, a bald man whose scalp shone, stepped next to Noah.
His legs trembled.
He wasn't unafraid.
One by one, more gathered around Noah, until a group of about ten stood behind him.
These were the people who had helped Noah lead the monastery.
Among them was a middle-aged woman who pushed away a young monk who had tried to step forward.
She looked at the remaining children and thought, If my death can save them, it would be an honor.
If that's the price for saving them, then I'll bear it.
Even if they call me a demon worshiper, I'll endure it if it means saving the children.
The woman stepped forward and spoke.
"Why would it be just one person's problem? If there is responsibility, it lies with all of us."
"It's not the children. We are the ones who acted."
"Abbot Noah, why are you stepping forward alone?"
Their words added strength to Noah's own.
To add strength to words, it's necessary for people to stand by them.
What does a king need to exist as a king?
The ones who acknowledge him and stand by him are what he needs.
Now, there were people standing by Noah, lending strength to his words.
"Why are you stepping forward?"
Noah didn't feel touched by their support.
He seemed a little flustered but took a deep breath, and his desperate expression softened slightly.
Then, he spoke again.
This time, his tone was calm, quite different from when he had hastily stepped forward earlier.
His tone, manner, and attitude had a force that drew people's attention, not unlike Krang's approach.
"I do not know how to wield the sacred power. The Lord has not granted me that. So, I cannot stop you with power."
Noah continued.
"I can only pray. The responsibility lies with me."
Everyone listened intently to his words.
His gentle yet piercing tone naturally captured their attention.
"It is a story that should not reach the heroes from Border Guard, or even the children. Isn't that so?"
The sacred power is said to be light.
But even if one cannot emanate that light, it does not mean they cannot be a priest.
Noah was a priest and one who knew how to protect.
Even if these were the last words he spoke, if there was no reason to avoid them, he would not run away.
He was one who could protect everyone with the shield of the convictions he held within.
These people had done nothing wrong.
They were not demon worshipers.
Enkrid knew that.
So, if Overdier and the other two, who had stepped forward, were calling them demon worshipers, then Enkrid knew what he had to do.
Enkrid thought about it.
Becoming an enemy of the Holy Kingdom?
I will endure it.
Becoming an enemy of the heretical purge priesthood, a group of fanatical fighters and martyrs?
I will endure it.
If the entire continent points their fingers at me?
I will endure that too.
While receiving praise and cheers is a pleasant thing, he would never live for that, nor would he sacrifice himself for it.
This was the pride and belief of someone who lived only for today, always hoping for tomorrow.
Amidst the chilly air, the unnamed templar, who had joined earlier, stepped forward.
He felt the need to intervene and help resolve the situation.
"Did you come because the monastery worships demons?"
Demon worship was synonymous with heresy.
The name 'Heretical Purge Priesthood' implied that their purpose was to eradicate heresy.
Therefore, they might have come to destroy this monastery.
"Or did you come to punish me for deserting?"
The templar tried to give them a reason.
It might have been a subtle suggestion to take only his life, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
The leader, a Paladin who led the priesthood, had an unreadable expression, his face scarred from long years of enduring pain.
Overdier, who had shouted "fool," momentarily pondered Noah's passionate words and then decided to act.
Seeing an opportunity, he thought now was the moment to decide where he would stand.
"If you came for that reason, then I've already decided where I stand."
Overdier moved and stood next to Enkrid, shifting his gaze.
He had clearly chosen his side.
"The fool I was referring to was that Apostle of Abundance over there."
With his next words, Audin smiled faintly.
He had been the one who knocked Azratik out and crippled him.
Azratik had lost an arm and an ankle.
Even if a person with sacred power existed, they couldn't regrow lost limbs.
Unless one was a frog, regeneration was impossible.
The severed limbs were lost, and the ankle was similarly destroyed beyond recovery.
This wasn't done out of malice but because Azratik was no ordinary opponent.
The scarred priesthood leader quietly observed Enkrid.
It seemed he hadn't even listened properly to his own subordinate.
Blue eyes shining with light met dull, dark brown eyes.
After a brief silence, the priesthood leader finally spoke.
"No one here is foolish enough to accuse a simple monastery of being a devil's pawn."
His tone was respectful, and he continued.
"You are right. I was slow to realize this, brother."
The heretical extermination order was an unusual group.
While they followed the pope's orders, their leader could declare war at his discretion if necessary.
They lived solely to eliminate heretics, and this group was created for that very purpose.
They were made up of those who had lost family, loved ones, or everything to heretics.
They were a collection of revenge-seekers and martyrs, fully aware that they might die with a single word.
Their battles were always ruthless, brutal, and merciless.
Despite leading such a violent group, their leader lowered his head far too easily.
"If you had seen the monastery burning, I'm sure you would regret it for the rest of your life."
These words were directed at his own brothers.
"Weren't you here to punish my wrongs?"
"A brother who walked the righteous path alone, I have come to thank you for opening my eyes."
The nameless crusader stared silently at his commander.
He too had come on a mission to save the monastery.
"Once this is over, come back home."
"If you will accept me."
Although the details were unknown, it was clear from his words that the nameless crusader had not come with permission.
He had come, yet the commander did not punish him but instead discussed repentance.
He was truly a remarkable man.
Enkrid thought this as he observed him, and at that moment, the commander also looked at Enkrid.
"I must also express my gratitude to you, Enkrid of Border Guard. If it weren't for you, I might have been late."
"Even if you were late, you did not stop moving, so I do not consider it late."
"Is that so?"
"I believe so."
"Would you let us clean up the mess we've made?"
"Of course."
Enkrid retrieved his sword and stepped aside.
Unlike before, the blade given to him by Aetri was completely undamaged.
His intentions were clear, and they reflected the will of the entire Madmen Knights.
"What is it? Should we just watch now?"
Rem approached, and Ragna, who had been staring at the wall of fear, slowly returned.
"Did you see it? My wall?"
Without caring about the gazes of others, Ragna spoke directly to Enkrid.
"Yes. It was crude."
Rem answered.
"I wasn't talking to you. Lucky barbarian."
"Who are you calling lucky? Huh?"
Their argument wasn't serious, so it wasn't interrupted.
"Jaxen."
Rather than continuing the back-and-forth, it seemed more urgent to call Jaxen.
Jaxen had, at some point, moved behind Enkrid from where Overdier had been standing.
If things went wrong, he would have aimed for the throat of one of the two, and it seemed easier to target Overdier, so he had positioned himself accordingly.
All of them were well-versed in handling Will, so they could somewhat sense Jaxen's intentions.
That was what made it even more surprising.
Until Enkrid called him, no one had noticed his presence.
"My spring breeze must be shown another time."
Shinar said this as Ropord, Fel, and Teresa returned, dripping with blood.
Naturally, most of it was from the enemy.
"Two under Ropord's command have completed their mission."
Ropord spoke upon returning.
"Probably the useless ones under Fel's command," Pell retorted.
"Your superior, this sister, is still here with us."
Teresa added, joining the conversation.
From their remarks, it didn't seem like anyone had sustained serious injuries.
Esther had already returned to her panther form.
"But why does it feel like they're talking about everything except me?"
Overdier, watching the situation unfold, spoke up, and Audin responded with a smile.
"Though you are older, your instincts remain sharp, brother. Now, get to work."
"Yes, that's why I'm here."
Earlier, Overdier had concluded that if he couldn't bring Enkrid into the fold, he should simply stand by his side.
So, there was no hesitation now.
The monastery would have been defended even without Enkrid.
Upon arriving, it was evident.
The reasons were sufficient.
He was honestly a bit surprised.
Overdier was a man who liked to calculate and weigh options.
He had even considered sacrificing the monastery if necessary.
"I almost regretted it."
He had seen the extent of Enkrid's abilities already, so there was no longer any surprise.
His eyes sparkled as he looked at others.
He noticed a priest who could not release any holy energy, standing precariously but letting out a sigh of relief.
It was Noah.
Overdier had learned about Noah and the monastery after searching for information while also researching the past of everyone here.
His investigation extended even to their behavior patterns.
This tendency matched his nickname, "The Seer."
He was good at researching, understanding, and predicting.
From his perspective, the ones standing beside Noah weren't originally the type to step forward bravely.
But they had.
They had chosen to defend.
Why the change?
Was it due to the foreign ally, the Unyielding Knight?
It wasn't.
"Did you say Noah?"
"Ah, Overdier, sir."
"Yes, after this is over, we should talk."
"If you're threatening, I'll stay close."
Enkrid interrupted from behind.
"Do I look like the type who threatens?"
Overdier tilted his head.
"Wasn't that the case?"
Overdier asked back, "What do you think I am? Tsk."
Overdir chuckled and clicked his tongue before turning away.
It was time to focus on what had to be done now.
Cutting away the decayed parts of an apple tree he had tended to so carefully wasn't a perfect solution, but it was still something.
'Now, it's a matter of time.'
Muel, observing the situation, quickly realized things had gone wrong.
"Damn fools. Overdier, was it you? Did you make this mess on purpose?"
Overdier was a master at orchestrating situations, and Muel knew that.
That's why he asked.
However, Overdier was feeling unfair this time.
It wasn't his plan; he was here to clean up the mess caused by Muel.
Enkrid moving from Border Guard had been unpredictable, though.
The Unyielding Knight was always an unpredictable figure.
"He's not someone who will listen. If you resist till the end, I'll send you all to the side of the gods. Kneel and bow your forehead to the ground. Then, accept the punishment the gods will give you. That is the last mercy I'll show you."
Overdier wasn't a soft man when dealing with enemies, and neither was the Inquisition of Heresy.
"Attack and kill them all."
The concise order was even more threatening.
Especially since it was being spoken by the leader of the Inquisitors.
If Overdier had the nickname of the Prophet, then the Inquisitor's nickname was the Berserker.
It was an aggressive title for a priest, but it suited him perfectly.
He fought like a madman, and so did the priests under him.
"Is the magic barrier truly something that should be eradicated? What is the purpose of the divine power? Should this continent remain divided, or should it be united? Why isn't the Empire moving?"
Muel's final words were a string of endless questions.
He knew the origin of the gray power.
If someone like Muel dug deep enough, he would know its source.
The gray mist he emitted was tainted, and its origin lay with the demonic gods.
Though this didn't necessarily mean demons had intervened.
Enkrid didn't feel the need to dig that deep.
Now, it was up to them to figure it out.
Without Overdier and the Inquisitor, it might have been impossible to defend the entire monastery.
Seeing how Noah acted, it seemed like he was willing to die first to save others.
Thinking about that, Enkrid simply watched the noisy situation unfold.
Muel couldn't chant the fanatical prayer.
The priests that had come with Overdier didn't allow it.
One by one, those who resisted were killed.
There wasn't even a real battle.
By the time the sun began to set, the night had arrived.
The night that came felt less cold and more like a velvet robe that enveloped everyone warmly.
"Lord."
Noah knelt and offered a prayer from one side.
Before Overdier could even notice, Enkrid had already realized that Noah wasn't someone who would be confined to just a monastery.
His instincts were right.
And as he expected, it came true.
Overdier couldn't just leave him alone.
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