The Arrogance of the Strong

"If you hadn't let them die," the words spilled out of Cardinal Ver Dilen's lips and the next moment Wilhelm's blade was to his throat, the motion an automatic reflex rather than a conscious decision.

Wilhelm didn't see the Cardinal move nor could he react in time as golden life essence flooded his vision. Wilhelm may have been the goddess's champion but Cardinals were the pinnacle of strength and faith. He'd seen what golden life essence could do first hand, and assumed himself to be dead. His only regret was that Dag had followed him into hell.

"You've always been a hothead, and that will get people killed one day," a strange, source-less voice echoed in his head like a faded memory as the world slowly pulled back into focus.