Free Web NovelI didn't really need to come to this hidden dungeon, but the reason I deliberately visited was all because of this.
To give Terdius a new weapon.
'It would be a bit awkward for me to use it, wouldn't it?'
In this hidden dungeon where the Six-Tailed Stingray appears, a sword that ranks quite high among all items in the original HSAW appears. The so-called 'Poison Dragon Sword.' As it could only be obtained as a reward, it was an item that any swordsman would covet if they saw it.
'Though it's not quite the best sword.'
Still, with this level of options, it was worthy of the upper ranks. The attack power was quite high, and the additional options were good.
'Though it has the cringeworthy name of Poison Dragon Sword.'
Still, it was much better to have him carry this cringeworthy sword than to continue letting him carry the sword Terdius was currently using.
What was currently fastened to Terdius's waist was a sword used by the Diego Church.
'Of course, it's not an item with special options attached...'
What Terdius used was an ordinary sword used by Diego Church's Holy Knights. Since it didn't contain Diego's power or anything, Terdius had surely been carrying it until now.
Since Terdius himself was no different from a Sword Master, even carrying such a sword, his strength would remain the same.
'Since he has joined the Kyros Church anyway, I couldn't keep letting him carry the Diego Church's sword.'
So I deliberately visited the hidden dungeon to obtain the Poison Dragon Sword.
'Moreover, the Poison Dragon Sword has a special option of poisoning effect attached.'
There would be no item better than this to make Terdius stronger immediately. I have the mace anyway, so I don't need such a sword right now.
But this guy, why was he just staring at me without taking the sword?
"Brother, my arm is about to fall off."
My body was already heavy and killing me, but making me keep holding the sword. When I complained, only then did Terdius take the sword from me.
"Ah..."
Even after receiving the sword, Terdius couldn't easily continue speaking. He stared at the blackened sword, then just looked at me.
'Why is he acting like that?'
Thinking so was brief. Tired, I just lay down on the ground. Intending to rest for a moment.
—My child, if you stay like that, your clothes will get dirty.
'I'm a bit tired, so I'm resting for a moment.'
—Well, since the monsters are gone now, it should be fine to rest comfortably.
When I roughly responded to Kyros and closed my eyes slightly, rustling sounds were heard right next to me.
When I turned my head, I could see Terdius sitting next to me. He wasn't looking at me but up at the dawning sky.
After confirming that, I closed my eyes again. Somehow, being like this, I felt like I would fall asleep soon.
'Today was quite tiring.'
I didn't seem to have done much, but the influence of this hidden dungeon must have been great. It must be because it was an 'underwater dungeon.'
'From now on, I shouldn't go near underwater dungeons.'
Even though I had underwater breathing potions, it took twice as much effort as other dungeons. When I was thinking so, Terdius's voice was heard.
"...Thank you, Leviathan."
Though quite a long time had passed since I got to know him, no matter how I thought about it, Terdius's attitude change felt truly amazing.
"Not at all. I just didn't like you continuing to hold the Diego Church's sword."
"...You knew?"
Well, anyone else might not, but they couldn't fool my eyes.
"Yes. No matter how dark the sword handle's color is, I can see the snake pattern engraved on it."
"No one has ever looked that closely until now, so I thought you wouldn't know either."
"Well, most people wouldn't know. But I'm different, aren't I?"
I said so and chuckled. Because I meant let's laugh together. But Terdius's laughter wasn't heard.
Wondering why, I opened my closed eyes again. Then I could see Terdius staring down at me.
He spoke to me with even more serious eyes.
"Yes. You're really... different."
At Terdius's reaction, I didn't know what to say. I just looked at him, then smiled. Then Terdius smiled faintly and added.
"Thank you, sincerely."
Though it was a bit embarrassing, I realized that he was sincerely grateful to me.
"...I look forward to working with you."
So I also greeted him. Terdius nodded.
Now it felt like I had truly become comrades with him.
***
Diego Church headquarters.
The Seventh Apostle Rawin was walking the corridor alone. He was still in deep thought. About how he could bring his friend to the Diego Church.
The worries that had continued for days and days still hadn't ended, and no suitable method came to mind.
'Am I thinking about something wrong?'
He wanted to cleanly bring only Leviathan to the Diego Church, but unlike thinking it was simple, its execution wasn't easy at all. He wondered if perhaps he had taken the wrong direction.
'Should I think in a different direction?'
When Rawin was deeply absorbed in thought like that, he suddenly smelled blood coming from the opposite direction.
From the end of the corridor shrouded in darkness, a figure was walking. When the figure's appearance was reflected under the dim torchlight...
Rawin involuntarily flinched and trembled slightly. Because the appearance of the person walking from the opposite direction was quite terrible.
'...That person is.'
The Fifth Apostle who had been exterminating numerous monsters for a few weeks by the First Apostle's order and had returned.
The Fifth Apostle, Khalid. He appeared to be wearing an upper garment unlike usual. But soon when Khalid approached closely, Rawin realized he wasn't wearing red upper garments but was drenched in blood.
'The smell...'
Rawin involuntarily narrowed his brow. Because the bloody smell coming from Khalid contained not only monster blood but also the smell of human blood mixed in.
Thud.
Then Khalid's steps stopped. Due to Khalid stopping right in front of him, Rawin also had to stop.
Wondering if he had something to say to him, Rawin looked up at Khalid.
Then purple hair dyed with red fresh blood and black eyes that had somehow lost more light than before came into view.
'What? Even more than usual...'
Khalid's eyes, which had been gleaming with madness from before, looked as if they had lost vitality.
'No, not that they lost vitality... they seem to have become stranger.'
Rawin was going to pass by Khalid right away, but due to the strong aura emitted by the Fifth Apostle who was stronger than him, he couldn't easily escape him.
Then Khalid's lips, which had been tightly closed until now, slowly opened.
"Seventh Apostle."
That voice was even lower than what he had heard before, reminiscent of an abyss.
"...Yes, Fifth Apostle."
Rawin answered with a bit of tension. Then Khalid asked.
"Did you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"That the Third Apostle... left the Church." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
At Khalid's words, Rawin immediately shook his head.
"I had no idea."
That was the truth. He hadn't been interested in the Third Apostle in the first place, and they weren't close enough to exchange such stories.
'But... I won't be able to obtain information about the Kyros Church anymore.'
He had thought he could extract information since at least the Third Apostle knew well about the Kyros Church, but if the person in question had disappeared, it would be impossible.
"Then Seventh Apostle. Do you know what happens when an apostle leaves the Church?"
"...Of course, they have their power taken back by Lord Diego and even their soul is taken back."
Rawin said with eyes asking why he would ask such an obvious fact. Then Khalid's head moved crookedly.
"Right. You know well. But you see, the Third Apostle didn't do that."
"...What?"
"I don't know why Lord Diego did so, but that guy left the Church with both legs intact. Ha."
Khalid roughly swept back his blood-stained hair. While doing so, he spat out words as if chewing them.
"Moreover, the Third Apostle is now at the Kyros Church."
"...Ha."
The Kyros Church. Hearing those words, Rawin involuntarily let out a hollow laugh.
"Of all places, the Kyros Church, even knowing I want that guy... you see."
Khalid muttered quietly. He, who had been lowering his head for a moment, looked at Rawin with eyes gleaming with madness.
"Seventh Apostle... no, Rawin. You also want the Church Leader of the Kyros Church, don't you? I heard you want to persuade that guy to come to us. Hmm?"
At Khalid's words, Rawin didn't answer immediately.
'How does this guy know?'
He didn't remember leaking it to anyone... but with Khalid's information network, there would be nothing he didn't know. So Rawin had no choice but to nod.
Then Khalid's mouth corners split as if they would reach his ears.
"Then Rawin, help me."
Khalid grabbed Rawin's shoulders with both hands. And he added with a smile.
"I'll bring the Church Leader of the Kyros Church you want."
At those words, Rawin kept his mouth shut for a moment.
He knew well that Khalid also wanted Leviathan. However, that was a secondary issue. What was most important now was to make his friend not commit more sins.
That's why Rawin decided to join hands with Khalid.
"...Let's do that."
***
"Ugh..."
While I was working diligently, for some reason goosebumps rose. Even though it was becoming the end of summer, I felt as if I had suddenly felt a chill.
'Well, it's probably nothing.'
Finishing what I had to do first was the priority. So I diligently read through the documents. Kyros's voice was heard around when I was reading the last part of the document.
—My child!
Kyros called me in a voice full of excitement like a child who had discovered treasure.
'Yes, Lord Kyros. What is it?'
I mechanically answered Kyros while stamping the document.
—I, I've discovered it!
'Discovered what?'
Until now, I wasn't very interested in what Kyros said. Because I thought what I was doing now was more important. But the next moment, at the words I heard from Kyros, I was a bit surprised.
—A holy relic!
'...Yes, what?'
I asked back wondering if I had heard wrong. Then Kyros said again in a very excited voice.
—I found out where my holy relic is!
Only then understanding the meaning, I put down the document I had just started reading. And I asked seriously.
'Lord Kyros, please explain properly.'
