Chapter 107………………………………………………..
“Crazy… Did the Hasent Church temple really have a function like this?”
Elias looked on, astonished, as the roof of the temple slowly opened.
The roof disappeared, and one of the large walls at the front turned to dust and vanished.
“The Hasent Church temple is supposed to be the tallest building in the capital…”
Because of that, with the roof opening and a wall disappearing, one could see almost the entire imperial capital from there.
“What on earth is Mammon trying to do?”
Elias wondered if he was planning to publicly execute his companions.
Mammon, with his back to the sunset-streaked sky, began muttering something.
“My faithful servants…”
At that very moment, black energy began rising from all corners of the capital. The writhing black energy moved instantly and began being absorbed by Mammon.
“T-That…!”
Only then did Elias realize the nature of the black energy.
It was the crystallized power that Mammon had granted to his followers.
By reclaiming the power he had given them, Mammon’s strength increased even further.
And it was powerful enough that even Elias could feel it. He swallowed nervously.
“Until just a moment ago…”
Elias tried to gauge Mammon in his mind. Just before Mammon absorbed the power, the odds of victory hadn’t been very high.
But now, having absorbed all the power he had distributed to his followers, how could anyone possibly defeat Mammon?
“There’s no chance… at all…”
Elias looked at Mammon with hopeless eyes. Even if he escaped from this iron cage, there was no way he could face Mammon in his current state.
Even if Mammon had lost the power of a Great Demon, he currently possessed the power of the God Hasent. Moreover, having reclaimed the Great Demon’s power from his followers, he was no longer a being a mere human could oppose.
“How can I get out of this situation?”
No matter what he thought of, the situation seemed hopeless. In other words, it was past the point where Elias could take any effective action.
“Lilith… please… help me.”
Since being trapped in the cage, he had continuously prayed to Lilith, but no response came. It seemed that this iron cage not only sealed Elias’s power but also severed his connection with her.
“Damn it… what should I do…”
As Elias anxiously bit his lips, Mammon, having finished absorbing the power, turned his gaze toward her.
The black energy rippled around him, as if it could no longer be contained by even him.
“What perfect timing.”
Mammon smiled and spoke.
“It seems your companions have arrived. Let’s watch together, shall we?”
Mammon lifted the corners of his mouth and gestured at the empty air. A screen flickered in the air where he had gestured lightly.
On it appeared the three who had just arrived at the Hasent Church temple.
Theron, Seria, and Peles had finally reached the Hasent temple.
Elias’s eyes widened.
Theron, Seria, and Peles were extremely tense.
Although they had arrived at the Hasent Church temple as expected, the atmosphere felt completely wrong. No one stopped them at the entrance, and inside, no Hasent Church followers were in sight.
Perhaps because no one was around, the temple’s somewhat dim interior gave off an eerie feeling.
“…It’s huge.”
Theron said as he looked around. This was the first time all three of them had visited the Hasent Church temple.
It was several times larger than the Lilith Church temple.
Having stood in the capital for so long, the years of accumulation were reflected in its size. And the fact that such a huge temple was completely empty baffled them.
“…Looks like we came to the right place.”
Theron said, scanning the surroundings. Seria and Peles nodded in agreement.
The empty temple seemed as if it had been waiting for them. And at that moment…
“Grrr―”
A beast-like roar came from the darkness inside the temple.
Hearing it, Theron drew his sword. Seria and Peles immediately assumed combat stances as well.
“Kieek!”
From the darkness, over a dozen monsters leapt out. Their shapes were like familiar monsters, but stained black.
Swish―
Theron immediately sent a sword strike to deal with the monsters in front of him, while Seria moved lightly, striking them with her fists.
Thud!
Their attacks quickly reduced the number of monsters. Peles assisted the two in continuing the fight.
Fortunately, the number of monsters that had appeared wasn’t too large, so the fight was handled quickly.
“Phew…”
After the battle, Peles used his power to heal the injured Seria and Theron.
Then the three moved forward, carefully searching for Elias as they ascended the temple stairs.
Each floor they climbed brought more monsters to greet them.
The three continued fighting. And then they realized something.
“The higher we go, the more monsters there are, and the stronger they get.”
By the time they had climbed about five floors, Peles noted this. Three more floors remained.
“Then… it could get dangerous.”
Seria added, breathing heavily. She worried that they might not be able to rescue Elias due to the increasingly stronger monsters.
“…Still, we’ll do whatever it takes for Eli.”
Theron said resolutely, climbing the stairs. It didn’t matter if Seria and Peles didn’t follow. He would save Elias alone if he had to.
“We feel the same way.”
Seria followed Theron with determined eyes, and Peles remained unwavering as well.
The three handled the monsters on the remaining two floors. Because some were particularly strong, their strength gradually waned.
By the time their remaining strength was nearly gone…
Creak―
Finally, the three reached the top floor of the temple.
Hearing the door open, Elias immediately turned her head toward them.
Having watched all of their battles through Mammon’s power, she saw her companions who had come for her with sad eyes.
“Everyone…! Are you okay?”
Elias called to them. Their gaze immediately focused on her.
“Eli!”
Theron ran to her first.
“Eli, are you okay?!”
“Saint!”
Seria and Peles also approached the iron cage.
“Eli, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m fine. How about you, Theron? And Seria and Peles, are you all okay?”
Elias quickly checked them. Thanks to Peles’s healing, they appeared uninjured, although fatigue from continuous fighting was visible.
“We’re fine. But Saint, why are you in a place like this…?”
Peles said, worried. Seria examined the cage, thinking of a way to free Elias.
“Eli, wait a moment. I’ll get you out soon.”
Theron and Peles also inspected the cage to free her. But the cage had no separate door.
They had only one option.
“Eli, step back.”
Theron said, sword in hand. Elias nodded and moved back.
Kahng―!
Theron struck the cage with his sword, but only sparks flew. The cage did not break.
Kahng!
Theron tried again with his sword’s energy, but the result was the same.
“Why won’t this…!”
He bit his lip and continued attacking the cage, while Elias also bit her lips.
‘As expected, it doesn’t work.’
A low laugh came at that moment.
“Haha, how amusing.”
Mammon, watching the situation from a short distance, approached the three with a smile.
Until now, all three had been focused only on Elias, but seeing him approach, they quickly positioned themselves around the cage to protect her.
“Who are you?”
Theron narrowed his eyes and asked. Mammon revealed his grin and said:
“…I am Mammon.”
