THE END OF THE CHURCH [1]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 990

The End of the Church (1)

"What happened?"

Kwaaaaaaaang!

"Oh my... Oh my! Another explosion has occurred..."

'From where...?'

Voices of discontent mixed with loud noises came from all directions.

"Damn it! Didn't I say I'm leaving here? This underground sanctuary..."

"Please follow the instructions."

"Do you even know why we're supporting this underground temple? You should provide a clear explanation of what's happening right now! How long do we have to remain in this state of anxiety?"

"We're investigating..."

"You said you were investigating earlier! How long do we have to wait? Bahamut, Templar Bahamut! Are you even listening to me?"

"Templar Bahamut is currently... Allow me to answer in his place. A black magician who made a contract with a higher demon..."

"Everyone knows that story... Don't you find it hard to believe that there's a black magician? If there really is a black magician hiding, you should explain why you haven't captured him yet! Step aside. I need to talk to Templar Bahamut myself..."

It was a complicated situation in my head.

"I apologize. For the sake of your safety..."

"Is it really safe being here? Aren't you questioning whether following your control is truly the safe path? If we're not allowed to leave... then take measures to bring in soldiers from the surface."

No, in fact, I had experienced this many times before. It was simply a case of a black magician infiltrating the underground templar and causing terror.

Although such an incident had never occurred in the underground temple, we had faced similar situations more than once.

In reality, it seemed like the current situation was being handled.

Important personnel from the surface were being evacuated, and the number of casualties and injuries was being minimized.

The continuous loud noises that were echoing were gradually decreasing, and the Templars were tirelessly searching the underground sanctuary to find the black magician.

Above all, the most important thing was protecting the well-being of Altaunus, the saint who represented the significance of the underground temple.

We couldn't relax just yet, but... it was an undeniable fact that things were progressing optimistically.

However, my mind was still confused.

Not finding stability and feeling an indistinguishable restlessness throughout my body.

'The priest of prophecy...'

Perhaps it was because of that.

More precisely, because of what he had told me.

'You must distance yourself from that power.'

The voice echoed in my mind as if it was stuck.

'I can't tell you right now... but you must distance yourself from power.'

I couldn't find an answer to what he meant.

'...'

He...

He was an extraordinary person.

More sincere and devout than any other priest. When he talked about theology, he whispered words that only sages could say, as if he was pleased.

His knowledge seemed endless, but despite that, he didn't boast about it. On the contrary, it seemed like he wanted to hide it.

His demeanor was the same. Although he exuded the grace that could be seen in nobles or royalty, he seemed to restrain it.

He didn't care about sacrificing himself for others... He was a saint who cared more about others than himself. Even when his body was plagued by illness, he worried about the small burn on my hand.

His eyes were warm... filled with kindness. They seemed to embrace all the pain and sadness in the world. In the eyes that looked at me, there was always a hint of that sadness, as if he knew everything... He approached me like that.

'No...Templar Bahamut... Please... Don't accept that power...'

What does it mean?

What will happen after this?

The underground temple... No, what happened to me and the priest of prophecy?

"Corruption..."

"..."

"..."

It's an unbelievable word. It doesn't go along with a life lived for God.

But I don't doubt the priest of prophecy. No, it's impossible to doubt him. In a fleeting moment, in that illusion, I was convinced that I saw his true face.

Eyes that seemed blind, golden irises that held holiness, wings that seemed capable of embracing all the sins of the world.

An angel of God, no, a divine incarnation. I could believe that.

Maybe... Maybe what's happening now is related to him... to the future he saw.

That... that was my conclusion.

"Wait... Let me assess the situation and come back."

"Lord Bahamut!"

"Commander Bahamut!"

'Where could he be?'

The answer lies in his possession.

'The Priest of Prophecy...'

Suddenly, it dawns on me.

"What a fool..."

I feel incredibly foolish for not realizing it until now.

"Lord Bahamut, the saintess has a message for you..."

"Tell her there are stuff I need to do."

"Yes? But... she specifically said it was urgent."

"I'll do my best to return as quickly as possible."

The initial explosion that occurred, if it was indeed aimed at the Priest of Prophecy or myself, it is obvious who the current terrorist is targeting. While I was primarily concerned with the protection of Saintess Altanus, I realized that I may have overlooked something more important.

The thought of being absorbed into the obvious worst-case scenario dominates my mind.

I raised to my feet and starts walking, ignoring the voices calling me from behind.

'Is he with Archbishop Draktarius?'

If that's not the case, if he got caught in the illusion himself... if the black hand is truly involved with him... Could Templar Jenny have protected him if that were not the case?

"Nonsense..."

The worst-case scenario begins to haunt my mind. I imagined a picture in which the continent's hope and a new light are hopelessly lost.

"Damn it."

The voice ringing in my head comes when I'm running around the temple without a moment to spare.

[Come here...]

"..."

[Please come here.]

"Am I going insane?"

[Please come here.]

I couldn't identify whose voice it was, but it was a voice that seemed to turn my mind upside down.

Lucifer? No, maybe it's the voice of the Priest of Prophecy. Perhaps it's just an auditory hallucination in my head.

I thought I might be ensnared by something, but now, it seemed like this was the best option.

[Hurry... please come.]

"Damn..."

There was no other choice. Besides the voice I could hear somewhere, there was nowhere else to turn.

As my footsteps cautiously move, the scenery changes.

I couldn't be sure if it was the right expression, but it seemed like the surroundings were getting darker and darker.

Even though the underground temple was already a mess. The light that used to illuminate the path has long been extinguished. There is no place where light enters anymore.

Nevertheless, it keeps getting darker. It's as if even the faint ray of light that seeps in is completely blocked.

The broken statue of Lucifer, lying on the ground, comes into view. For a moment, anger surges, but I urges my steps again.

Touching the wall with my hand, I feel a familiar texture.

'Blood.'

Drawing out my weapon was a natural instinct. Whatever called me, I had to come to this place. There was no denying that.

The surroundings were probably full of mutilated corpses. The scent of blood that pierced my nose told me as much. It felt as if hell was being recreated.

I muttered Lucifer's name once and moved my steps again.

Amidst the darkness that showed nothing, a faint light appeared far ahead. Right then.

After drawing my weapon, I began to run recklessly.

[Come here.]

"Who are you?"

[Please come this way.]

"Who the hell are you..."

"Ah..."

A faint sound reached me right at that moment.

'The Priest of Prophecy...'

"Never... Never... as you think... I won't... let it..."

"...."

Even with heightened hearing, I couldn't properly hear the voice. Unlike the voice that had been disturbing my mind so far, this voice undoubtedly belonged to the Priest of Prophecy.

-Don't think that it will happen as you wish. Priest of Prophecy.

"I am..."

Gradually coming into view was the appearance of the Priest of Prophecy, adorned with pure white wings.

A light that illuminated the darkness that was as black as coal. In one hand, there's a sacred torch, while in the other, a mirror. Those objects that looked like relics or sacred artifacts emitted light of their own, standing up against the darkness.

"The Priest of..."

About to call out to him, I find myself looking at him again.

Several wings were broken, and blood flowed from his head and body. Most notably... most notably, one eye closed shut caught my sight.

The closed eye continuously exuded blood. The eye of the Priest of Prophecy...

"Templar Bahamut?"

Our eyes meet.

"I..."

"Why... why have you come here,Templar Bahamut?"

More than words, actions come first. It's hard to discern what the Priest of Prophecy is fighting against. But...

"Don't move!"

-Hahaha... the one harboring the seed of evil walks in of their own accord!

"Seed of evil?"

"Ugh..."

Without realizing it, as I take a step, darkness begins to erupt from the floor. The darkness that swiftly engulfs the space begins to threaten the light emanating from the Priest of Prophecy.

"You must stay in that spot... Templar Bahamut... Urgh...!"

"Priest of Prophecy... your... your eyes..."

"Now... I guess... I don't really mind eyes anymore."

"And those wings... what in the world..."

"Later... later, I'll explain everything. I'm sorry, Templar Bahamut. Truly... I didn't intend to reveal all of this... like this..."

A sorrowful expression.

-The seed of evil has arrived. Kukhahaha. The one harboring the seed of a demon has finally arrived here.

"I... I will protect you, Lord Bahamut." [[You know what's more embarrassing? It's the fact that Metel is there and knows that he's acting damn lol]]]

It's hard to keep up with the situation. My mind is so chaotic. However, I couldn't help but realize that the puzzle was starting to come together.

Who the Priest of Prophecy really is. Why I ended up coming here. What the prophecy of the Priest of Prophecy means.

"Seed of the demon..."

It was inside my own body.

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This truely is the Last chapter I have...

Anyone who can volunteer to fetch us more chaps?👀