Chapter 26. Something's Strange (3)
There were things Isaac hated most in this world.
First was God (the Divine faction), second was those who followed God, and third was anyone who interrupted his drinking.
Basically, it meant he hated arrogant bastards who acted superior and ruined others' fun - and this punk happened to check all three boxes?
Especially the drinking part!
Though his skeletal body couldn't eat, drink, or feel, pouring alcohol over his skull had been the Skeleton King's only pleasure. At that point it was basically just corpse disinfection, but it made Isaac happy.
But in this life, he could finally experience something resembling intoxication!
And now this brat dared interfere when they already wouldn't let him near alcohol because he was "just a baby"?
'That damn Pope family bastard.'
Isaac's tiny fists clenched.
And of course this coward would use "Disarmament" holy magic like the priestly scum he was.
"Disarmament" was holy magic that flooded the target with divine power to forcibly expel weapons, buffs, and even status effects recognized as "armaments." During its effect, you'd be left not just unarmed but completely defenseless.
And he planned to use that cheap trick?
Damn bastard! That would make him lose even the poison he'd hidden to secretly consume!
Hell, he wouldn't even get drunk if the alcohol's effects got expelled!
Isaac's eyes burned as he clenched his fists.
Just try crossing the line.
I'll blow you away regardless of family disputes or consequences.
Shuri panicked upon seeing Isaac's murderous gaze and hastily picked him up.
"No! Don't do it!"
The lackeys seemed to interpret this as Shuri protecting Isaac. The children stifled laughs.
"Wow, looking out for family?"
"You really think an Eschea boy can stand against the Pope's family? You think you can protect him?"
"...!"
You idiots!
I'm not trying to protect him - I'm trying to protect you!
Shuri got dragged around the annex daily like a donkey.
'You have no idea how terrible this kid's personality is!'
The slightest resistance from a child would earn immediate punishment! Threats!
Not to mention his abilities!
The only advantage Shuri had over Isaac was knowing more holy magic. He'd tried teaching proper manners using every technique he knew but-
"Wa-wa-wa!" (Who's teaching who here?)
Isaac had already stolen over twenty techniques from him, only using them to threaten Shuri in return.
It made him wonder if some temperamental Demon King had possessed this infant.
So Shuri whispered to Isaac:
"Stay still and I'll give you something nice."
Yeah right, dummy. Nothing you offer will work.
Not even gold could tempt me here.
His opponent was the Pope's grandson - merely looking at him pissed Isaac off. The Demon King wasn't benevolent enough to overlook God's top henchmen picking fights-
"I'll sneak you chocolate from Uncle's stash."
Fine, whatever, I'll let it slide.
Isaac immediately lowered his fist - as an infant banned from snacks, he couldn't resist.
Shuri sighed in relief...
WHAM!
"!!?"
Instead of relaxing, Shuri took a punch to the stomach and crumpled forward.
'Guh... This little bastard!'
He thought Isaac was withdrawing his fist, but the brat had struck him instead!
Damn, it hurt. The pain was vicious, yet strangely his body felt reinforced.
The Demon King who'd poured excess divine power into him casually brushed off his hands.
That's right. Better to upgrade Shuri than waste energy on old enemies.
This way, Shuri could carry him longer during treasure vault raids.
Isaac spat at Kina Belitt's feet.
"Tch. Ttya-ttya-ya!" (Lucky bastard, you.)
"?"
He coldly turned and crawled away.
"Tyu-ttya-ttya-ttya!" (If you look like your grandpa's clone, this isn't over.)
"???"
Kina Belitt could only stare at Isaac in bewildered irritation.
What's wrong with that kid?
When Isaac spat at the lackeys too, they grabbed his collar.
"How does Eschea teach manners?!"
"Hey! Tie this brat up! Don't let him into the treasure vault!"
But at that moment-
"Enough!"
"!"
The thunderous shout made all children jump.
Adults had appeared at the vault entrance where only kids had been moments before - elders and senior priests from Eschea.
Their eyebrows furrowed fiercely.
"Why are candidates gathered like this? Fighting?"
The lackeys hurriedly pretended to hug Isaac.
"O-of course not! We were just... greeting each other!"
"The baby was just too cute..."
They couldn't risk being caught harassing fellow Eschea members before these authorities.
The Eschea elder clearly saw through the act but chose not to pursue it.
A Saint candidate must become a Saint alongside the Saintess through their own merit.
They shouldn't expect nor receive help.
Though he might have intervened if this involved Shuri.
'I bear Isaac no grudge, but Shuri should rise higher than a powerless infant.'
Besides, what chance did a baby have of retrieving treasures?
Letting Isaac get hurt would only embarrass Eschea.
'A problematic existence.'
Perhaps it'd be better to exclude Isaac now under some pretext.
But the senior priest accompanying him had different ideas.
Khhhk!
The old man glared while clearing his throat, as if scolding the elder.
"......"
The elder's eyebrow twitched under his gaze.
These old men. For some reason, they seemed to place great expectations on Isaac.
'As expected of the Saintess' former elite guards.'
Loyalty should have limits. No matter how they dote...
"Kheoooooooh!!"
"......"
Finally, the elder twitched his facial muscles and addressed the lackeys:
"Healthy competition between candidates is permitted, but violence won't be tolerated. Cause one more disturbance and you'll be expelled."
The lackeys smiled.
"Yes, we'll be careful now that Eschea's elders are watching."
"We never said we were watching you."
"Huh?"
The elder narrowed his eyes reproachfully.
"You'll enter last. Go to the back."
"What?!"
"A Saint candidate bullying the weak? Reflect on yourselves."
"!"
The lackeys looked to Kina Belitt for help, but their leader just kept glaring at Isaac, intrigued by whatever neutralized his power.
But the distraction was brief.
"That is your entrance."
CLANG!
"!"
Children screamed as a colossal noise erupted.
The towering wall they'd thought solid began moving like living puzzle pieces, splitting into circular segments.
Beyond the gaps lay mountains of treasure.
The children's eyes transformed instantly.
'The Saintess' relics are there.'
Even Kina Belitt stopped focusing on Isaac.
Right, whatever neutralized his power must've been the Saintess' protection.
The treasure mattered more.
"Bring what seems most valuable. We expect a Saint's discernment."
The candidates' eyes gleamed competitively - their targets already predetermined.
"Lady Melissa promised special secrets to whoever retrieves that treasure!"
"Even the Pope can't match that reward!"
All eyes turned serious.
Isaac scoffed at their intensity.
'So Melissa put up some prize.'
No wonder they gathered candidates - they wanted someone to retrieve a specific item.
But whatever. None of that mattered.
Best treasure?
Melissa's damn reward?
What do I care?
'My body's what matters.'
He'd only participated in this farce to reclaim it.
He could already sense familiar energy from within the vault.
'Sigh. Kids. While you're distracted, this elder will retrieve his body.'
Let the chicks play their pecking game.
"Ah. We forgot to mention."
"The Skeleton King's remains are in Chamber 3 at the furthest end."
Oh, kind Eschea bastards. Even giving directions to steal my own body!
"Though Lady Melissa requested its retrieval, the remains are dangerous. Exercise caution."
Yes yes, Melissa wants the Skeleton King's body in Chamber 3...
Wait...what?
"Chamber 3! It's Chamber 3!"
"Run there immediately!"
"Lady Melissa's reward goes to whoever brings the Skeleton King's remains!"
"?!"
No, no no, wait, what the fuck?!
Melissa told them to retrieve MY BODY?!
Isaac grabbed his own neck.
'You goddamn clergy!'
Leeches sucking fleas dry!
Since when does she order children on corpse retrieval?!
"While Lady Melissa did request it, such rewards come with risks. We don't recommend it."
"Treat the remains as secondary. Prioritize intact holy relics."
Yes! Exactly! Go for other treasures!
It's just bones!
But the children whispered:
"You aiming for the Skeleton King's remains too?"
"Yeah. They're in Chamber 3 where the best treasures are."
"Maybe I'll go for it first."
"Our family insisted we retrieve it."
You filthy clergymen!
Choke on your holy relics!
Fine. No choice.
Isaac took a deep breath.
Just as the elder began explaining precautions-
"Waaah!"
All eyes snapped to a child's cry.
Elders glared at the commotion.
"What now?!"
Isaac sat weeping near the lackeys as they scolded him, perfectly mimicking an abuse victim.
The elders' eyebrows shot up.
"You again! Didn't we forbid fighting? Can't even last minutes without bullying a baby? Is this how Saint candidates behave?!"
All attention focused on them - especially since they served the Pope's faction. Eliminating strong rivals benefited others.
The lackeys protested:
"I didn't do it! He attacked my leg during the explanation! Wait... Where'd he go?"
Isaac had vanished from beside them.
"There!"
Isaac was already crawling into the opened vault at impossible speed.
"Tta-tta-tta-tta!" (I'm going in first.)
[High-Speed Dash (1st Tier)]
Shuri recognized the booster holy magic stolen from him - somehow enhanced beyond normal dash spells.
"...Elder?"
Candidates pointed at Isaac, questioning if infants could use holy magic or start early.
The elders gaped, realizing something worse.
"Isaac! That's a restricted zone!!"
"Going there triggers the vault's traps!!!”
