THE END OF THE CHURCH [2]

Returnee's Instructions Manual Episode 991

The End of the Church (Part 2)

'The Seed of Evil.'

He must think it's inside his own body.

'Glad he's foolish.'

No, he's not foolish. This side's work did it.

From the beginning to the end, the carefully built result, seamless storytelling flowing like a perfect composition, the script that naturally recalls the setups planted at the beginning.

Because all of those things came together perfectly from one to ten, the judgment is that it's here now.

A moment, the wings and the golden eye shown during that moment that captivated him.

The small event on the terrace wasn't something I intended, but now, it has become a delicious ingredient that can't be missing.

'He probably wolfed it down hastily.'

Whether he thinks of myself as the incarnation of a god, or an avatar of a god, doesn't matter.

Personally, the setting I'm pushing is that this angel, who sacrificed his own position to descend and save the continent, couldn't ignore the humans' pain because he loved them so much.

'The angel who fell from the sky with a meteor shower.'

Of course, this angel didn't always cherish and love the continent from the beginning. There were many things that happened until Lee Ki-Young, the treasure of Heaven, descended, but due to time constraints, that had to be skipped.

Of course, there is a decisive reason.

A usual afternoon in Heaven... Coincidentally looking down at the lower realm, the story begins when he discovers a Templar who sacrificed his body and mind for Lucifer as he descended to the mortal realm.

In his adventures, the small changes that come to the angel's daily life, which he watched over with laughter, tears, empathy, and sweat in his palms, and the grand narrative that starts from those subtle changes, are like myths themselves.

He couldn't bear to watch him fall. He couldn't bear to watch the continent crumble. As always, an emotionally moving story that ends in self-sacrifice. The story, much like a drama in itself, becomes the decisive reason. It was natural that the person facing that reason would show bewilderment on their face.

How could one dare to imagine the feelings of someone who unexpectedly confronts their own hidden secrets?

"Do not succumb to evil... Templar Bahamut."

"Priest..."

He might not even have the leisure to think about it. It could simply be a feeling of wanting to immediately rush out and rescue the wounded angel.

But this isn't a battle of strength against strength.

A clash between holy power and unholy power.

A battle between an angel and a great demon.

An intangible energy that cannot be seen.

A battle of transcendental beings beyond human.

A battle of deception and bigger deceptions.

There's no way I can comprehend the fight that's going on in the guy's head.

When the sacred torch is raised, light dispels darkness. Reflecting the light with a mirror, it prevents darkness from invading the space as much as possible.

Of course, the darkness doesn't disappear completely. It continues to threaten the light, trying to take control of the space with its grip.

The tug-of-war between light and darkness unfolding before their eyes will probably be more breathtaking than any battle scene.

Since it's all fiction, it's fine to manipulate the light in a slightly cooler way.

Hundreds, no, thousands of arrows of darkness aim for the pure wings.

When I raised the mirror of light, a large shield of light swallows the darkness.

At the moment the black scythe clashes with the torch, fragments of light from the torch, now detached, shoot back towards the darkness.

A dazzling virtual graphic battle that can't be matched by cheap action scenes. You can be sure that tears of awe will flow at the sight of the 4D graphics unfolding before your eyes.

Moreover, this guy is just standing there, not moving, not even blinking, observing everything.

'Belial. Doesn't this look like a real fight?'

[It won't look like that. I am disgusted with this angel. Humans are naturally afraid of the unknown. That Bahamut guy, isn't he clearly transcending his race? But he's still human. If he's a human who qualifies to feel our presence, he won't regard this as a joke. It's only natural that those with a high status wouldn't expect such jokes, but...]

'It's certain that it will look convincing, right?'

[I guarantee it.]

Although it might be a bit of an exaggeration to compare it to a primitive person encountering a newspaper article, there is a possibility of it being interpreted that way.

-The seed of evil will bloom! Hahaha! Today, the destruction of the continent will begin here!

"Yes... Do you really think it will go as you wish?"

-Struggle all you want. Oh, fallen angel who abandoned yourself for the continent! How amusing! Hahaha! What a truly laughable story! A protector angel trying to shield a human who possesses the seed of demons! Hahaha!

"Ugh..."

[And he's even afraid of you getting hurt. Where else could you find something so entertaining?]

'Our minds seem to align.'

-It's too late to struggle. In my eyes, it's clear. Pitiful angel. The seed of evil has already consumed him!

"That's not... No, it's not like that, Templar Bahamut!"

As if affirming the words of the Demon Overlord, darkness pours forth once again. Indeed, Bahamut appeared to be afraid of the current situation.

Standing still, unable to move a muscle, his figure appears in sight. Naturally, there's no other option.

He's just unaware of it. The seed of evil that's growing within him was influencing me in real time.

A sight that makes his palms sweaty, he twitches in the view. Of course, the feedback is immediate.

'Oh? Did you move? You just twitched, didn't you?'

Then another of your precious Light Ki-young's wings will break. Because of the demonic energy bursting out from you, only I will perish.

An unidentifiable wave suddenly bursts forth and snaps a wing.

"Aaah!"

-Hahaha! What a spectacle, tears and all. Foolish angel. It seems you can't understand. No matter how much you think, you're beyond comprehension, you lowlife.

"Ough..."

Let's show them a mid-air combat.

Since I've already shown my wings, why not show my splendid flying form?

'Oh, shit.'

Unfortunately, at least this much doesn't go as planned. Trying to avoid numerous dark spears, a misstep leads to tumbling onto the ground.

What was somewhat comforting was that the fallen scene was depicted quite well.

[It felt natural.]

'It felt natural.'

Ironically, it might appear even more harsh, creating a stunning image.

Struggling, I stood up. My body is already a mess, making it difficult to find an unscathed spot.

Forcibly raising the seemingly immobile body, fighting against the sensation that I might never move again. My body trembles.

Why wouldn't I be scared? My opponent is the Demon Overlord, the difference in power is clear. No matter how I struggled, that gap won't narrow.

The sacred torch is slowly losing its flames, and even the Goddess's mirror is gradually losing its power.

Nevertheless, despite it all, the angel who loved the continent... stands up.

"Run... run away, Priest. I'm... I'm fine..."

I cannot hear you.

"Priest... please run away."

There's no way I can escape.

"You can rest assured, Templar Bahamut. I... I will protect you."

A feeble smile.

"You don't need to do this for me... If it's true that the seed of evil is taking root within me..."

"No. Haah... you haven't been consumed by the seed of evil. I believe without a doubt... I believe it will be so. Haah... haah..."

His size is hulking... but he's afraid of succumbing to corruption.

Apart from the god he serves faithfully as a loyal follower, the continent's hero who wasn't afraid of anything, the strongest blade of Lucifer, and the continent's pillar, Paladin, corruption is terrifying.

He might not have shown that fear through words or actions, but his eyes were filled with unease, hard to conceal.

The anxiety of possibly forsaking his god. The fear of being forever confined in a curse-like prison.

That's why the indoctrination he received since childhood is frightening.

A lengthy silence persists.

Did you perceive the statement that you haven't been consumed by the seed of evil as a simple consolation? Or was it because you couldn't bear to see the Priest of prophecy hurt any further?

Perhaps it's that you believe being consumed by the darkness yourself... would lessen the agony of the angel of prophecy.

"..."

"..."

To the hero losing hope...

[We need to say something to the hero losing hope.]

'That's right.'

After the long silence, words begin to be exchanged quietly.

"This isn't like you, Templar Bahamut."

"..."

"It's not like you. You're not your usual self. The you I've observed has always been more courageous, stronger, and more resilient... "

"..."

"I was watching."

"…"

"From the heavens... I've been watching over your story... As Lucifer's sword, as the pillar of the continent, as the protector, I've seen you carrying many responsibilities as a hero. You…Templar Bahamut has always cast his light upon this land. Despite facing countless trials and dangers, ultimately Templar Bahamut, you proved Lucifer right, that light prevails."

"Priest..."

"I apologize for not saying this sooner, Templar Bahamut. I'm truly sorry for not showing you this sooner... I apologize for not realizing it a bit sooner."

"..."

"I... I believe. I believe you can suppress the seed of evil... I know better than anyone that you won't succumb to the power of darkness."

A single tear flows down now and then.

"Once again, I don't doubt that you'll overcome this... I firmly believe you'll prove the light is right."

"Why... do you believe in me like that?"

Do you trust me?

There might not be a reason.

Maybe you just want to believe so.

He might want a more certain answer, but since he can't remember, let's give him a small smile. Sometimes, expressions matter more than a thousand words.

"Ah!"

'Ah, shit, you surprised me.'

He screams.

He starts taking action against the unidentified seed of evil within himself. Could he be searching for something?

Did he judge that the light remaining within him can resist the seed of darkness?

By vigorously rotating the immense sacred power within his body... did he feel he could vanquish the seed of evil?

"Ahhhhh!"

Shit my eardrums almost exploded.

Of course, darkness isn't dispelled. Bloodshot eyes, a desperate appearance, bulging muscles, all of it doesn't provide any help.

- Seems like the pathetic drama is over, huh... No, maybe... it's not over yet. Haha... Hahaha! You think you can resist? Is that what you think? A mere human... barely even human... Hah! Do you think a bug-like vermin like you can resist the seed of evil? The outcome is obvious! Don't you know it best? Angel of sacrifice!

"His light won't fade."

- This is pointless.

"I won't let it be."

- Maybe... could it be...

'Your tone was too theatrical.'

[This is an important part. I tried to convey it with more impact.]

'That's true. I'll respect that.'

"Templar Bahamut... No, Bahamut."

"Pri... Priest?"

"I believe that you... that you will overcome the seed of evil."

"…."

"…."

"…."

The line that was used once before from Dractarius.

"But that's not the case now."

"..."

"All this time..."

"..."

"All this time, I truly... enjoyed it."

Whaaah!

The familiar sound was heard at that moment.

[A Myth-rank Forced Quest has been activated.]

"…."

[Please don't. Please, I beg you. Please don't. (0/1)]

[A Myth-rank Forced Quest has been activated.]

[Please come back. Please... Please... (0/1)]

——

Can you guess who that was?

A) Saintess Altanus

B) Templar Bahamut

C) Lucifer

D) Kim Hyunsung.

Well I do get one free chapter every day so I will be releasing 1 chapter each day.