ALTANUS [17]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 980

Altanus (17)

'Shit...'

Stronger than I thought.

The massive explosion is powerful enough to damage the precious spiral shell, and the flames that spread afterward are distinctly different from what an ordinary dark magician could conjure.

Actually, It's doubted if it was even created by a dark magician.

Strangely, the explosion that originated from darkness instantly spreads in all directions, swallowing everything in its path as though it possesses a life of its own.

To exaggerate a bit, it feels as if it's endowed with its own consciousness.

Before the final cry of the damned can escape, the flames, imbued with determination, pour toward us like a wave.

'Ah. Right here... like this...'

Is this the approaching end of the saint who sacrificed their life for others?

Is it the light, which has strived for the greater good and illumination, vanishing like an illusion here?

However, there's no way he'll just watch the saint's demise.

As anticipated, the colossal arm of that being, covering my side, comes into view.

For an instant, my vision turns dark. He must have blocked the flames with his body, causing the momentary darkness.

Perhaps due to the flames consuming oxygen, it's hard to breathe properly.

Since this wasn't a simple act of terror, the scope is quite extensive. The explosion's echoes, coupled with screams, reverberate from all directions.

Even more, the flames infiltrate through empty crevices and forcefully leave scars here.

No matter how large his body is, it's doubtful he can completely block those ghastly flames.

"Ugh!"

I forcibly suppress the scream trying to escape. Bahamut, who blocked the explosion with his body, must be in even more pain, and he's aware of that.

Still, the voice of agony begins to emerge, tinted with pain, little by little.

Quaaah!

Along with a resounding noise, I hear the sound of something falling. Apparently, something has dropped from the ceiling.

Subsequently, piiiiing.

A ringing sound.

".....!"

"....!"

And then, everything starts to return to normal.

"Ah…"

The scene before me is beyond simple description as "gruesome."

The once-preserved underground temple with a long history, culture, and knowledge now lies in ruins.

The sacred temple of Lucifer has collapsed. The explosion occurred in a relatively distant location from the headquarters, so it's fortunate in that respect.

Moreover, the black flames have yet to extinguish. While their influence has lessened, those creatures, like demons devouring everything, continue to expand their range.

"Bahamut? Are you okay, Templar Bahamut?"

Of course, my concern focuses on the person who protected me rather than surveying the surroundings.

"Are you injured, Lord Bahamut?"

"...."

"...."

He probably hasn't suffered much. I'd hope at least some traces remained to satisfy me, but given how durable he is, that's unlikely to expect.

He might have suffered internal shock. Hoping for a little bit of pain, I carefully examine him, but there's nothing of that sort.

'Still, you must have felt some pain. You're just pretending it doesn't hurt.'

You can't maintain your dignity if you act weak.

Separate from that, it's appropriate to assume a position of concern toward him in this situation.

Rather than being overly dramatic like him, I should take a more supportive stance, repeatedly asking if he's okay while holding an anxious and surprised demeanor.

Of course...

The more injured I am, the more effective it is.

Assuming the position of concern for Bahamut, without noticing my own wounds.

There's already a scar from the black flames on one of my arms. Considering how the flames kept infiltrating, I might have scars like these all over my body.

Despite visibly carrying painful wounds that look excruciatingly agonizing, the saint's eyes are fixated on others.

Looking at him now, it appears that Bahamut's hand is slightly burnt. Instinctively, I emit my divine power and startled him while doing so.

"This... like this..."

Performing a bewildered reaction, and though it's just superficial burn marks, isn't it unreasonable to assume that this isn't an ordinary burn?

There might be a dreadful secondary effect, akin to a plague, so I need to purify him quickly.

Above all, I need to etch this effort into this little guy's eyes.

"Priest..."

"Are you okay, Templar Bahamut? Please wait for a moment... I'll..."

"...."

"I must purify..."

"Priest!"

Only then do I realize that my arm has turned numb.

"Ah..."

Kiyoung.

Seriously...

Wow...

An involuntary exclamation of amazement.

Kiyoung, you're driving people crazy with your kindness.

But this pain is less important than the wounds of that Bahamut right in front of me. With a trembling voice, I open my mouth again.

"I... I'm okay. But more importantly..."

"You need to be healed immediately. Right now."

"Yes? Well... But..."

"Just endure a little longer. It's best to start with emergency treatment."

'He's capable of emergency treatment.'

"...."

"Show me your arm."

"Yes."

Afterward, he quickly leaves the scene. Despite the obstacles caused by the explosion's remnants, he clears the debris using his massive body while moving.

The black flames still attached to the debris are clearly aiming for the Priest of Prophecy.

After kicking away the flames that are reaching out to me, he continues.

"It's still dangerous."

He's right. The danger hasn't entirely passed, as he says.

Given the sudden explosion, the chaos, and the fact that we know almost nothing about the surroundings, it's strange to think the sudden attack will end like this.

Certainly, there could be second or third waves of attacks.

He remains composed. No, he's attempting to maintain his composure, at least that's what I can see.

"These weren't ordinary flames. They're darker than the abyss... darker than the flames of hell..."

Said in a middle schooler's tone.

"...."

"Why did something like this happen in the underground shrine... What about the others... Will the people at the church headquarters be safe?"

"At this point, we can't be certain. It would be better if my thoughts were merely groundless, but... As you may have sensed, demons capable of wielding this type of flame are rare. Maybe a dark magician contracted with one of Devil's apostles, but we can't be sure how they entered the underground shrine..."

"No."

"...."

"This... This isn't... the work of Devil's apostles. We should observe a little longer, but..."

"..."

"A dark magician who contracted with a commander-level demon."

A demon of great evil, or at least a demon commander, contracted by a dark magician. The flames of hell, too ominous to be regarded as simple terrorism.

An identity I never imagined, the shocking truth is finally revealed.

"Ugh..."

Let out a fake gag.

"Are you alright?"

"The stench..."

"Yes?"

"The stench from the black flames..."

A nauseating stench that ordinary people can't perceive.

He's puzzled, but the Priest of Prophecy can sense it.

An ominous power, pure evil that seems like it could consume everything. It's a deep, dark evil so profound that his body trembles.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know the details. Why..."

This is the right time to shine a light from my eyes.

"Again..."

Pretend to stagger a bit.

He probably knows.

Because I mentioned it before this explosion happened.

Strange things appearing in my eyes since he received the trust. Maybe I said something about how it might be from the future.

He said he believes me. The Priest of Prophecy has decided to accept the words I hesitated to convey.

'This is it right now.'

The Priest of Prophecy is gazing into the Future moment.

"Ah..."

"Priest Kiyoung."

"No... can't."

"Yes?"

"Can't..."

As if having a nightmare, I stretched out my hands, shaking.

My eyes are already filled with tears, and I've long forgotten the wounds inflicted by the dark magician.

"It can't happen... Bahamut... please..."

"Priest...?"

"Please..."

A scene where the black darkness engulfs him.

Bahamut, intoxicated by power, succumbs to the power of a demon.

"To accept that power..."

"...."

"No more..."

"...."

It's essential to speak in ambiguous terms.

"I... "

Of course, I'll provide hints so he can solve the puzzle himself.

Not to accept that power, that it's dangerous, that he shouldn't let himself be consumed by the darkness—mumble these things.

I need to make him distance himself from that power.

By now, this bastard is probably panicking.

"Could it be that...?"

Is he falling into corruption?

He's probably having similar thoughts.

"Why?"

I can't just brush this off; the light emanating from Kiyoung is too divine. That's right.

How can anyone consider this acting?

Who would see these drops of light falling from his eyes as fake?

Can you hear my voice trembling from my throat? Can you see my trembling jaw and limbs?

Timely, a thud is heard from the opposite direction.

"Priest!"

The voice of Templar Jenny.

Probably, other Templars are with her too.

"Pri-Priest..?"

Yeah. It's quite a gruesome sight.

Do you see the marks left by the black flames?

I know what you're thinking.

'Right, this guy might be responsible.'

"Let go of the Priest!"

A trainee even uses informal language with the commander. Even points a gun at me. The stance of brandishing his sword and glaring at him is quite hostile.

I had a slight suspicion, but you, you little...

So, you really are on my side.

"Calm down, Templar Jenny... There are intruders in the underground Templar."

I should naturally expand my influence.

"A dark sorcerer who has made a contract with a demon at the level of a high-ranking commander. The other injured..."

"But... Priest... your arm..."

Right, my arm.

"Your arm..."

"I'm fine. More importantly... guide me to where the injured are..."

I'm completely fine, so let's quickly head to where the injured are.

Now...

Now is the time to sacrifice.

"Your arm..."

"Guide us quickly!"

Curse it, my arm is in pain!

----

Lol, sometimes I wonder why Lee Kiyoung didn't become an actor back on earth, with his good looks and acting skills, he would have been really popular.