Chapter 78 – Rescue Operation (2)

The second rescue attempt wasn’t much different from the previous one.

Sir Allen, who had mastered the Wall Sword Technique—a defensive earth-attribute Aura swordsmanship—was left behind at the temporary sanctuary to protect the knights’ Shadow Gods.

The same members as before set out as the rescue team: Priest Beatus, Hanna, Duren and Dice, and even Sir Clark.

Thududududung!

Immediately after renewing the Miracle applied to the temporary sanctuary, the five charged toward the Hall of the Commanding Fungus Demon.

If there was one slight difference from before, it was that at least one additional mushroom had sprouted on the heads of the Awakened Monsters chasing them.

As long as they didn’t kill them and only pushed them away, it wasn’t a major problem.

“If we kill them, the spores will burst, so pushing them away is the best course.”

“But we… haven’t we already passed the first Territory Lord’s Domain?”

Even though they had clearly crossed the boundary of the first Territory Lord’s Domain they passed a month ago, the Awakened Monsters pursuing them didn’t stop and continued to follow.

Hanna, using Parallel Consciousness to gain an aerial view while running, urged the party.

“Too many Awakened Monsters are swarming right now! To break through the encirclement, we should increase our speed a bit more!”

The number of Awakened Monsters responding to the party was far too many to have come from just one Territory Lord’s Domain.

It was at least double what they had experienced before.

Thudududududu—!

As their speed increased, the sound of Awakened Monsters being pushed aside by the shield also quickened.

“It seems the territorial boundaries between the Territory Lords have disappeared.”

Sir Clark, scattering dark-attribute Aura behind to slow the enemies’ pursuit, said through gritted teeth.

It meant they were approaching the worst-case scenario he had envisioned.

“If the Fungus Demon King’s Domain continues to expand like this, it will only be a matter of time before it Awakens again.”

“You mean it could become 8-Star?”

“Unless someone stops it, that’s how it will end up.”

Sir Clark glanced toward the direction where a Territory Lord would be, seemingly thinking they needed to defeat the Fungus Demon King or at least slow its growth before it became stronger.

But Hanna knew the priority.

“Right now, the rescue comes first.”

“I know.”

Even the Pilgrim Knight Order, comprised of ten 5-Star knights who would go down in history as great figures, had been defeated by the Fungus Demon King.

For Hanna’s party alone to try and defeat it now would be like hitting a rock with an egg.

It would be the same even if they added Sir Allen, left behind at the temporary sanctuary, to their combat strength.

Sir Clark knew that fact best of all.

“That thing cannot be viewed as simply a single 7-Star.”

“Good that you know.”

The Fungus Demon King was a Swarm connected through mushroom spores.

It was highly likely that a significant number of its subordinate Territory Lords—5-Star Beasts—had been turned into hosts.

Considering the case of the Hobgoblin Rider and Goblin Rider groups that had undergone Colonization, a fully hostified 5-Star Beast would have had its Grade elevated to the level of a 6-Star Beast.

Then, Priest Beatus, who had been silently repelling Awakened Monsters while listening to their conversation, spoke.

“When we fought last time, how many Territory Lords had the Fungus Demon King hostified?”

“Fifteen that we confirmed. We managed to eliminate three, but…”

“So the remaining twelve Territory Lords couldn’t be defeated.”

“There’s no telling how many more Territory Lords may have been hostified over the past month.”

Sir Clark spoke with an expression that still showed worry.

Knights whose Shadow Gods were separate might resist hostification until the very end, but a month was ample time for other Territory Lords to be hostified.

A brief silence fell among the party as they realized there were more hosts than expected.

“……”

Only the sound of repelling Awakened Monsters echoed.

Hanna had already checked the increased number of Territory Lord-level hosts via aerial view, but she didn’t voice it.

There was no point in saying it; it would only increase anxiety.

‘The number of Territory Lord-level hosts increased by nine over the past month.’

That meant the Fungus Demon King’s Swarm had grown stronger.

Moreover, in the current situation, even the Awakened Monsters below the Territory Lords had all turned into hosts.

The total volume of the Swarm must have grown even larger.

Tadadadak—

Hanna increased her running speed further to cut off her negatively trending thoughts.

Tturururururu—

It was an expression of intent to focus only on the Awakened Monsters ahead.

Since not killing the opponents required a high degree of force control, the other party members also focused solely on repelling the Awakened Monsters, aligning with her intent.

Soon, only mushrooms remained in the scenery around the party.

They had arrived at the Hall of the Commanding Fungus Demon.

“Defense: Protection.”

They advanced, erecting a protective barrier against the spore-infested area that spread like fog, just as before.

And the moment they finally arrived at the spot where the Fungus Demon King had been.

“…It’s gone?”

The party could confirm that all the knights who had been trapped in the Fungus Demon King’s body had disappeared.

As everyone halted in confusion at the unexpected situation, the air in the Hall of the Commanding Fungus Demon changed abruptly.

Tstsstsstsstsst!

The momentum of the spores trying to penetrate the protective barrier intensified.

—New hosts! I won’t let them get away!

The Fungus Demon King’s will to make them hosts could be felt throughout the entire Domain.

Mushrooms sprouted from all directions, blocking their retreat.

“Let’s retreat for now!”

With a premonition that if the sky was also covered with mushrooms like this, even Shrinking Earth wouldn’t allow escape, Hanna immediately linked Blessing and Shrinking Earth.

[<Primordial Chaos Gang Qi> links <Shrinking Earth> and 《Blessing: Blessing》.]

Fwaaat!

It was a temporary retreat.

* * *

“Where are my comrades! You said they could be saved!”

Sir Clark, having returned to the temporary sanctuary, rushed toward Hanna in agitation but was blocked by Priest Beatus.

Hanna, checking the state of the Shadow Gods, explained in a calm tone.

“Calm down. The knights are alive.”

“Then why is no one there?!”

“…It seems the Fungus Demon King has moved the knights elsewhere. Father Beatus, please check.”

“You wish for Tracking.”

The <Tracking> Skill Priest Beatus had mastered during his time as an inquisitor was deployed repeatedly, targeting the knights’ Shadow Gods.

Each time, the direction Beatus looked was different.

“They’ve been scattered.”

“You mean… they’re alive?”

“Yes.”

Only then did Sir Clark, having calmed his agitation, apologize.

“My apologies. I was agitated and acted discourteously toward my benefactor.”

“I understand. However, it seems we need to decide who to rescue this time.”

In fact, if the knights had been gathered in one place like last time, they had planned to rescue up to two, depending on the situation.

But due to the Fungus Demon King’s countermeasure, it seemed they could only rescue one person this time as well.

“I see. Then it would be best to rescue Narun first.”

Sir Clark glanced at Dice as he answered.

Sir Allen also smiled as if understanding why he made that choice.

“Indeed, with Sir Narun’s Thunder Sword Technique, it would be of great help to Young Dice as well.”

“Ah, for my sake…”

Having been impressed by Dice’s swordsmanship talent during their sparring over the past month, Sir Clark had already invited him to join the Pilgrim Knight Order.

Realizing he had considerable influence on Sir Clark’s choice, Dice scratched his head somewhat sheepishly.

“Right. If Young Dice becomes stronger, rescuing the other comrades should also become somewhat easier.”

“Alright. Then let’s hurry and go rescue him.”

With the target for this rescue decided, the party moved quickly.

Heading toward the location of the main body, which Priest Beatus had ascertained by activating the Tracking Skill on Sir Narun’s Shadow God.

Since their movements were now exposed to the Fungus Demon King, they had to complete the rescue swiftly before it devised new countermeasures.

* * *

Thudududududu—

Pushing through the diverse swarm of Awakened Monsters, they arrived at the location indicated by the Tracking Skill. There, a Territory Lord that appeared to be a land turtle Awakened Monster was positioned.

“Over there! Narun is there!”

And Sir Clark pointed to a giant mushroom growing on that turtle’s shell.

Sir Narun was embedded there.

“Let’s rescue him and return.”

As Priest Beatus prepared to destroy the mushroom with a Judgment Miracle, and Dice followed behind to pull out Sir Narun once freed, at that moment.

—You’ve come.

As if it had been waiting for Hanna’s party to get close, the silent Territory Lord exerted its will.

—Domain Expansion. Hall of the Commanding Fungus Demon.

The Fungus Demon King’s will inhabited the turtle Territory Lord’s body, expanding the Domain remotely.

Pabababababak!

The forest, which had cleared as the spores disappeared, was once again covered in Starlight Spores and white mushrooms, turning pure white.

As the Domain expanded threateningly, as if to say they must abandon Sir Narun and retreat to leave safely.

“Absolute Fate.”

Duren took a step forward.

Swinging his sword toward the Domain that was in the midst of expansion.

Ssssssh.

A circle was drawn in the empty air.

And Duren’s will severed and twisted fate.

Upt.

For a very brief moment, the Hall of the Commanding Fungus Demon disappeared as if it had never existed.

It was because the connection between the host and the Fungus Demon King was temporarily severed.

Of course, the severed connection would soon be reestablished.

“Now!”

“Judgment: Judgment!”

Not missing that moment, Priest Beatus rushed to destroy the mushroom imprisoning Sir Narun.

Kugugugugu— Thung!

But it failed.

Because the turtle Territory Lord erected an earthen wall around Priest Beatus, trapping him.

It was the 4th Awakening Skill 《Crumbling Thunder Prison》.

And then, seizing that gap, the turtle Territory Lord tried to summon the Fungus Demon King’s will once more.

“…No.”

The moment she saw that, Hanna was already running forward.

Priest Beatus could probably break out of the Crumbling Thunder Prison soon, but before that, the Fungus Demon King would first project its will here again.

There was no time to wait for Priest Beatus to emerge.

‘I have to do it.’

The important thing is a heart of mercy.

Force control had been sufficiently mastered while pushing away the swarming Awakened Monsters when passing through the Territory Lords’ Domains.

‘The mercy of Radiance is to pity the sinner and alleviate their suffering.’

It wasn’t only Sir Narun who needed to be saved.

The mushroom, part of the Fungus Demon King seen through the eyes that perceive sin, was also an object of mercy.

‘I will help you so you no longer accumulate terrible sin.’

Judging so that the sinner no longer suffers from sin is also mercy.

Hoping Radiance would respond to her pure heart of mercy, Hanna charged forward with her shield leading.

“O Radiance. Please judge the sinner and bestow mercy upon him.”

Hwaaaahak!

The shield Hanna held began to glow.

Not with her Divine power, but with the light of Divine power descending from the Constellation.

Radiance was joining her will.

Kwaaaaang!

Immediately after, the brilliant shield of light struck the mushroom sprouting on the turtle’s shell.

A Miracle that blasted away only the mycelium of the mushroom enveloping him, leaving Sir Narun intact.

Priest Beatus, who had broken out of the Crumbling Thunder Prison belatedly, saw the light lingering around Hanna and widened his eyes.

“…Has the Miracle of Judgment descended?!”

The moment Dice, who had instinctively followed right behind Hanna, grabbed the now-freed Sir Narun.

Even as the Fungus Demon King’s will descended upon the turtle Territory Lord once more.

Fwaaat!

Hanna’s party, having already achieved their objective, simply left the location with Shrinking Earth.

* * *

Before Hanna, who had returned to the temporary sanctuary, a new message floated.

[Feat, ‘Merciful Judge’ has been achieved.]

[The Brilliance Constellation records your Feat and altered history.]

[4th Awakening Skill 《Judgment: Judgment》 Blooms.]

[Hanna Bright’s Four-star promotion is completed.]

[Continue Historical Alteration to complete 5-Star promotion.]

[Remaining achievement is consumed. Current remaining achievements held: 3 > 2]

With the descent of the Miracle of Judgment as the catalyst, Hanna’s 4-Star promotion was completed.

The Guarantee of the Righteous Will expanded her Grade to 5-Star, and the Blessing bestowed upon the temporary sanctuary elevated it to 6-Star.

Adding to that, the Holy Light Body of Pheidippides dwelling within her functioned as Eightfold Annihilation, meaning her Grade was already at a Half-Step 7-Star Rank.

Priest Beatus, noticing her change belatedly, spoke to her.

“With that level of Divine power, it’s hard to call you just a Saint Candidate anymore.”

“I still have much to learn.”

“Since you’ve mastered the Miracle of Judgment, I have nothing more to teach you. To learn something new from here, you’d have to go to a Holy Land.”

“Then, from now on, we can learn from each other. Even if it’s not something new, if we discuss what we’ve already learned in depth, wouldn’t there be points to reference?”

It was while the two were conversing like that.

Priest Beatus suddenly stiffened his face and looked toward the turtle Territory Lord’s Domain.

Ddeuddeuddeuddeu…

“It’s coming this time too.”

The deluge of Starlight Spores.

The Fungus Demon King’s wrath that had struck a month ago was once again sweeping through the Pilgrimage Path area without fail.

Kugugugugugu!

Once again, the party was isolated as the spore flood covered even the ceiling of the temporary sanctuary.

What followed was a repetition of the past.

Parararara—

A month of training until the spores disappeared.

The rescue of a new knight, followed by spores covering the area once more.

Repeating that six more times, the day arrived when it had been 1 year and 10 months since Hanna left the Million Diocese, and 8 months since entering the Great Flood.

The party was now facing only the rescue of the tenth and final knight.