Chapter 13: The Battle of the Corrupt Priest.
Battle.
Battle.
We advanced slowly and cautiously through the silence.
After passing meaningless statues, we entered a white building to find a pristine corridor. Yet darkness shrouded the passageway until Carmen lit his prepared torch—only for mocking blue light to flood the hall the moment we stepped forward.
Carmen turned to us with an awkward smile.
"Since it's already lit, I'll just carry it in. These lights might vanish as suddenly as they appeared."
I reached toward him.
"Let me carry the torch. I have a free hand, and all my weapons are single-handed anyway."
This made sense—Carmen's bow required both hands. He nodded in thanks and passed me the torch. As we traversed the blue-lit corridor, a massive door awaited us. Intricate characters adorned its center, verbose yet conveying a simple demand:
Prove the royal blood in your veins.
So this was a ruin where ancient imperial descendants could claim everything freely.
Since my ability to read ancient texts remained secret, Tonya stepped forward first. She scanned the inscription before telling Carmen:
"Blood. Without ancient imperial blood, we must prepare for combat."
Given the ruin's pristine state, four of us might struggle against its guardians. All eyes turned to Carmen—our leader and employer held sole authority to retreat or proceed.
After silently studying the door, Carmen finally spoke:
"No alternative methods mentioned?"
"None. But personally," Tonya said with un-magelike bluntness, "we should try. We can always escape with the 'key' if needed." Sukus nodded beside her.
"I agree."
When Carmen looked to me, I smiled quietly.
"Since we're here, let's attempt it."
Carmen grinned broadly.
"We all came seeking something. Let's proceed carefully—treasures and open-hearted women favor the bold, after all. Sukus, open the door. I'll cover you."
"Understood."
Sukus, our most armored member, pushed the door as Carmen nocked an arrow. The drawn bowstring hummed with tension.
Hup!
With a creak, the massive door yielded. I drew my Froststeel sword and positioned myself behind Sukus.
Thud.
The fully opened door revealed a dark plaza suddenly illuminated by ominous red lights. Sukus snatched up his shield and axe, battle-ready.
We stood frozen, anticipating ambush—but nothing emerged from the crimson-lit expanse.
After scanning our surroundings, Carmen relaxed his bow and gestured forward. We advanced with Sukus leading, our footsteps echoing through suffocating silence.
The plaza offered only two paths: our entry door and a distant black gate.
The shift came at the plaza's center. Carmen murmured sharply:
"Tonya—prepare the 'key.'"
Thud.
Our exit sealed shut. Across the plaza, the black gate rose to reveal guardians clad in jet-black leather and white metallic armor—human-sized bipedal abominations between flesh and machine.
Ten... no, eleven?
Fortunately, all bore swords and shields—no archers.
"Tonya! Cast!" Carmen loosed an arrow that pierced a guardian's throat. As it fell, the rest charged.
Tonya's incantation summoned a boulder that crushed another guardian's arm, sending it flying like paper. Nine remained.
Retreating across the open plaza, we fended them off until seven closed in—forcing engagement.
Time for my move. I hurled my torch, its flames smashing a guardian's skull as I followed with my blade. Another head flew. Six left.
"Sukus! Guard the rear!"
"Leave it!"
A guardian swung at me. My diagonal slash deflected its sword, momentum whipping its arm back. When it retaliated with a shield bash, I kicked the shield, toppling it.
Kill!
Mother's warning came as another guardian slashed at my exposed side. I retreated—but Carmen's arrow pierced its throat. A grateful nod passed between us before I finished the fallen foe.
Four remained. No—three, as Sukus split another's skull with his axe.
Tonya's spell launched a guardian toward me. I bisected it midair—no blood spilled. Carmen's twin arrows and Sukus' axe dispatched the last two.
As the final guardian fell, eight new ones emerged—including two archers. Carmen's face hardened as he shouted:
"Priest Marnak! Can you press forward and suppress the archers?"
"I'll try!"
My profession was clearly that of a priest of corruption, but since I couldn’t openly use my abilities in front of people, my actions ended up resembling those of a swordsman or warrior.
Honestly, close-combat professions probably get some kind of compensation in situations like this.
Grumbling to myself, I kept moving my feet and charged toward the guardians.
‘Kill!’
With my mother’s warning and my sharpened senses, I detected two arrows. One aimed for my body, the other for my head. I gripped my Froststeel sword tighter and swung it calmly.
Clang!
I deflected the arrow aimed at my body and dodged the one targeting my head by tilting it slightly. Now I could close the distance before they nocked their next arrows.
As I approached the archers, other guardians blocked my path.
“Priest Marnak! Keep running straight!”
Arrows and rocks flew from behind, suppressing the guardians in my way. Seizing the opening, I swung my sword horizontally.
An archer’s head soared through the air before hitting the ground. Not satisfied, I quickly lowered my stance and pressed the attack.
The Froststeel sword pierced through the archer’s waist, eternally separating their upper and lower halves.
“Aaaaaah!”
Sukus rushed in from behind and shoved a guardian aside with his shield. From then on, the fight turned one-sided. The guardians couldn’t reach Carmen or Tonisa and were swiftly eliminated.
However, guardians occasionally ricocheted off Tonisa’s spells and hurtled toward me. While I used each opportunity to finish them, Sukus took it differently. The moment the battle ended, he scowled and snarled at Tonisa.
“Why do you keep flinging enemies at us? You nearly got me or Marnak killed!”
“They’re dead, aren’t they? Stop whining. Besides, it was the fastest way to handle them.”
“What?! You hornless little brat!!! Say that again—”
I grabbed Sukus before he could lunge forward, and Carmen intervened.
“Enough. Stop here, Sukus. Tonisa.”
Sukus gnashed his teeth, glared at Tonisa, then sat down to inspect his gear.
“By the way, Priest Marnak, your performance truly lived up to your title as ‘Demon Slayer.’”
Carmen forced a cheerful tone to lighten the mood. I smiled faintly.
“It wasn’t very priest-like. I’m somewhat embarrassed.”
“Honestly, I thought the same.”
“Still, your archery was exceptional.”
Carmen grinned.
“The bow’s been my companion since childhood. I practiced relentlessly.”
While she checked her bow and gathered arrows, I examined my Froststeel sword. It gleamed flawlessly, as if mocking anyone who dared underestimate it.
“Precious things justify their worth.”
‘Kill!’
I patted my chest pocket in silent thanks to my mother, who’d proudly secured this sword for me.
As we caught our breath, Tonisa spoke.
“When do we depart? I’m ready now. My mana reserves are stable.”
Before Carmen could answer, Sukus scowled.
“Why the rush? Those of us who actually fought need more rest!”
Tonisa glanced at him dismissively before turning to Carmen—a blatant snub. Sukus’s face flushed red. Carmen quickly interjected.
“Enough! Tonisa. We’ll rest a while longer.”
At Carmen’s firm words, Tonisa glanced at Sukus and me before replying.
“Leaving now would be fine. We three”—she pointedly excluded Sukus—“are still fresh. Lingering here wastes time. Frankly, Sukus’s whining seems exaggerated.”
I stifled a laugh at her arrogance. Most mages I’d met were similarly self-centered—though by their standards, she was almost polite.
As Sukus’s face reddened again, Carmen cut in.
“We rest longer. No further objections.”
We resumed our journey after an uneasy break, during which I sat beside Sukus to quietly calm him.
Approaching a black door, it slammed shut as if waiting for us.
Of course. The ruins’ defenders had been too weak.
Trapped in a plaza, we scanned our surroundings—just as something massive crashed from the ceiling.
Crash!
The impact shook the ground.
A pristine white metal construct with a blue gem embedded in its forehead—the ruins’ true guardian—revealed itself.
Thud.
The metal giant lumbered toward us. While Sukus froze, Tonisa shoved him aside and stepped forward.
“Move.”
She waved her hand, summoning a storm of jagged rocks that shot toward the giant.
The giant reacted with unnatural speed for its size. The gem on its forehead glowed, draining the rocks’ momentum and sending them clattering to the floor. Then it swung its fist, obliterating Tonisa.
Flesh and blood sprayed the air.
Damn. We’re in trouble.
The giant didn’t pause. It struck Sukus with the same bloodied fist, killing him instantly.
I shouted at Carmen, who stood paralyzed.
“Do you want to live?”
“Huh?”
“I said, do you want to live?!”
She nodded frantically.
“Y-yes!”
“Then stick out your chin!”
“Wh—?”
I punched her jaw. Catching her unconscious body, I yelled at the giant raising its fist.
“Perfect timing—I’ve got a giant too! Mother! Now! No time for prayers!”
‘Kill!’
Boom!
The air split as the Corruption Giant surged forth, smashing the metal giant’s head. The colossal construct staggered and crashed into a wall.
Aaaaaaaaah!!
The Corruption Giant roared while its metal counterpart slowly rose.
I grinned at the overwhelming spectacle.
“Magnificent, as always. Don’t you agree, Mother?”
‘Kill!’
