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Chapter 643

My Villains Episode 643

73. Army of Evil God(11)

After a brief meeting of the leadership of the punitive force and a brief private meeting with Count Osu, a separate unit was formed..

I was thinking about moving with a small group of less than 10 people, about six or seven. However, the two barons and several students brought in one of their close associates or subordinates, so it turned into a pretty big party. There were a total of twelve people, including four young knights and mercenaries, three others, and me..

There were more people than expected, but it didn't really matter. Since the mercenary wizard Tooin and his disciple Reya - that is, Master Hagni and Elen - were included, the intended goal was achieved. The bonus Simos and Call will also be helpful..

In the case of the young knights, one person was sent from each student faction in the East, West, South, and North, and three of them were very familiar faces. Girion, Buchan, and Euphria, who were students in each class, joined the separate unit, representing the North, East, and West, respectively..

In fact, the situation was a little different between the previous two and Euphria. While Girion and Buchan were designated by the heads of each faction, Euphria volunteered..

She insisted that she absolutely have to participate in the special team, and since she did not have any particular qualifications or skills, she did as she wanted. Gawin and others only nagged him a few words, telling him not to get into trouble..

Another young knight was a guy named ‘Doris’ from the South. Aside from the fact that he didn't take my class, he was actually a first time student with me since he was a student of occult studies..

From what I heard, he was a low-ranking noble from Abidden, and had been training in magic since childhood under the support of Count Milgrester. So to speak, he is Aines' scholarship student..

‘Considering Aines' position as a 'naga on horseback', Doris was actually closer to the western faction than the southern faction. However, because the power of the southern faction within the punitive force was so small, it was joined in the separate force under the loose name of southern representative..

In addition, three children - no, a knight, a wizard, and a priest were added..

First, knights and wizards were vassals of two barons. It may be a misunderstanding, but it somehow feels like they assigned some of their subordinates who aren't very capable to the role of surveillance..

That's right, 'Lord O'kosher' of the Colmaros family was a new knight who had been ordained only two months ago. The wizard 'Norman' of the Teryx family is said to be an outstanding warlock for his age, but he can hardly recover the mana he consumes in the unique environment of the underworld, so it is said that he will become a can after using a spell or two..

The priest was a deacon named ‘Milga’, and he was also a fluffy novice. He was the youngest of the priests who joined the punitive force under Zacharis' orders, and, like Norman, had exhausted most of his divine power..

However, Milga had one very interesting element. That was the fact that she was a girl under twenty years old..

In the Gwangmyeong Church, especially the El Ganor Church, female priests are extremely rare. Although there are nuns, monks are classified as laymen under church law, so in a strict sense, there are no female clergy..

In fact, according to the laws of the El Ganor Church, female clergy were not allowed at all. Because only men can be ordained..

However, although extremely rare, female priests certainly existed, and Milca was also a priest with the rank of deacon..

The reason for this contradiction was none other than divine power..

Children who want to become priests commit themselves to church at a very young age to cultivate their bodies and minds and build their faith. After training as a theological student for a long period of time, only a select few are ordained as deacons..

Once a deacon becomes a deacon, he or she receives repeated ordination prayers, or baptism with divine power, from high-ranking priests of the archbishop level or higher. At the end, when your divine power blooms, you will be ordained a priest..

And, although it is rare enough that there may only be a couple of people per generation, there are people who skip this cumbersome process and develop divine power on their own..

In a secluded chapel in a country estate, a crowded bathhouse in the city, a wheat field in full harvest, or even in a dark brothel or a dark prison, a person who is not a student of theology suddenly awakens to divine power..

So-called ‘favored’ people.

Divine power is the clearest evidence of God's grace, and those who have developed divine power are immediately called to the headquarters of the religious order and receive minimal education before being confirmed as priests..

Yes, there is no such thing as ‘becoming’ a priest. It is ‘confirmed’.

Ordained? There's no need for that. God has already approved it, so who dares to discuss the status again or give a new rank??

It is only natural for a person favored by God to perform various sacraments. If people, whether patriarchs or cardinals, were merely human beings talking about their qualifications, nothing would be so ridiculous and blasphemous..

In the El Ganor Church, this was the case without a single exception among those who acted as priests in female bodies. Non-ordained clergy. They are ‘natural priests’ who received God’s grace and developed divine power..

In the case of Milga, his divine powers blossomed the year before last, and he plans to take on his duties as a priest after training for the next year or so. If you want, you can pretend to be a priest right now, but you still have a lot to learn, so you can't dare..

Of course, that's what I said, and my guess was that the reason Milga was serving as deacon was to be attached to Faralan Cathedral..

I was not yet 20 years old, and it had been less than two years since I had properly studied the scriptures. Although he has received grace, his powers are not particularly strong compared to other priests..

Considering this, her life as a priest did not seem to be very enjoyable. It was obvious that he would be treated with envy and jealousy by deacons his age, while being treated like a stone that was rolled around and ignored..

If such a Milga were to tell her to give up her priestly clothes right away since she doesn't need any training, wouldn't she be labeled as an 'insolent bitch' by the upper echelons of the church? Then, you may end up spending your whole life guarding a palm-sized chapel in a remote border village or on an unfamiliar island across the sea..

……Well, I don't think I'm in a position to worry about Milga's career right now..

We set out on the road about three hours later, around the time the sixth attack was completed. After briefly reorganizing and resting, the detachment stored up its stamina in a safe place while the battle with the greenskins continued. And as soon as the offensive was over, we left the garrison immediately..

“Mr. Ludo, are you sure it’s okay? Even for a secret action, twelve people seems too small..”

Several young knights, including Os, saw off the detachment even though their faces were covered in fatigue..

I smiled to reassure them..

“Don't worry. Originally, I was only planning to take about half of this, but... And since those who remain at the garrison also have an important role to play, I do not want to place any further burden on them..”

“……Okay, if that's what you mean..

Os nodded with a serious expression..

“Power reconnaissance will begin in one hour as planned. Of course, if there is an additional attack, I will focus on defense.…….”

“Yes, that's enough. Thank you, sir..”

“What is gratitude.”

As a small scout, they poke around near the garrison to attract the attention of monsters. That was the role of the remaining punitive force. The purpose was to make the movement of the separate unit a little easier..

“Well then, good luck..”

Count Os, who was looking at the entire detachment, extended his hand to me. I looked down at that hand and held it together..

Suddenly, I remember the conversation I had with him a few hours ago..

When the two of them were alone in the command barracks, Osu lowered his voice and asked a question..

“What happened? why are you here?”

“……yes?”

“Don't act like a fool. Do you think that I and Aeneas and Garwin are all fools??”

“What are you saying all of a sudden?.”

I tried to make a fuss, but it was no use. He seemed already convinced of my identity..

“Leave your unnecessary worries aside. To the Prince - Hmm.”

Oss closed his mouth for a moment and looked outside the camp with his side eyes. And continued speaking in a cautious manner..

“I don't know what you may think, but we were once in a life-and-death relationship. Please trust me, I won't do anything cowardly or push you around..”

“…….”

There was silence for a moment. I quietly looked into Os' navy blue eyes and sighed softly..

“How did you know? Is it because of the beard??”

Perhaps it was because of the calm tone of voice, but Osu's cheeks rumbled loudly. He answered while hiding his slightly trembling hands..

“That was crucial. It was only after seeing his bare face that I started to have doubts for the first time..”

“…….”

“Once I had my doubts, I was quickly convinced. No matter how much I think about it, it has to be you..”

“……Tsk.”

He shrank in size but could not change his proportions or body shape, dyed his hair and eyes a different color but his facial features remained the same, and imitated someone else's way of speaking but could not do so with his voice..

If someone knows me and even had suspicions, it wouldn't be surprising if they discovered my identity..

“Even considering that he is an imperial swordsman, his swordsmanship is at a surprising level. It was almost pathetic that I didn't notice it sooner... … When I thought about it again, I realized that it was only natural..”

“Is it natural? what does that mean?”

“Well, you became a teacher upon the recommendation of Count Jovian and at the invitation of the crown prince. Who would doubt it??”

“Oh, I see.…….”

I trailed off, thought for a moment, and then blurted out:.

“It seems I owe the Marquis more than I thought..”

“……yes?”

Os' face, which had been slightly red with excitement for a moment, quickly turned pale..

“By any chance, are you talking about my grandfather??”

“Why not?.”

He looked a little embarrassed when I nodded calmly..

“Why is he suddenly so worried??”

“It was the Marquis who gave me a fake identity..”

“……This is ridiculous, why would your grandfather do such a dangerous thing??”

I shrugged..

“It's to protect you, Count Os..”

“Are you protecting me? From what??”

“From what? Uh, I don't know. I haven't decided on anything like that..”

“…….”

“Anyway, the condition was that if the Count was in danger while living as a hostage, I would use all my might to save him... … . Maybe you were anticipating a situation like this..”

“It can't possibly be like that.…….”

“Or maybe he just wanted the royal capital to be devastated..”

Perhaps he misunderstood what I said, and his face became a little paler..

“Are you planning to attack the royal capital? To save Princess Yuril?”

“Uh, I don't necessarily mean to attack... … . If things get too complicated, you might have to resort to force..”

“……Lord, oh my god.”

Os, who had opened his mouth in astonishment, was startled by the chaotic noise outside the camp and listened for a moment. Then he seemed a little more impatient and changed the subject..

“We'll talk about that later. Because escaping from this quasi-dimension is the most urgent priority right now..”

“Yes, I completely agree..”

“So, I just want to ask you three questions..”

He looked at me with burning eyes..

“Did you induce this situation??”

“……Yes?”

“Whether it's a regular punitive force or us, I'm asking if falling into this quasi-dimension has anything to do with you..”

This crazy guy, what on earth does he think of me??

“What kind of bullshit is that? Of course not!”

“Is it true??”

“Of course, why would I do something like that??”

“……Causing damage to the King's army and obtaining valuable students would be worthwhile for you..”

I twisted my face and shook my head..

“In the first place, I don't even have the ability to create this side world. Even if there is, there's no need to use it to kidnap children with no blood on their heads, right?.”

“Umm.”

Ossu sighed as if in agreement and then asked a second question..

“Are you colluding with the Dawn Council or helping each other??”

“Why don't you think about it and ask a question? If I joined hands with those guys, would I be going through all this trouble??”

“This is an important issue, so I asked this question to confirm. Isn't it really?”

“No. Actually, I'm the one who made Or Inswick what it is..”

“yes? what is that-”

Ossu's eyes widened for a moment, but he nodded as if he had expected that to happen..

“also. That young mercenary wizard. She was L-No, she was the 'witch'.”

“……Did you know that too??”

“It was a guess. your… … I thought there would be a bunch of 'friends' moving together..”

I kept my mouth shut, neither denying nor affirming..

I ended up confirming Ellen's existence for no reason. Should we take comfort in the fact that the suspicion that he joined hands with the Dawn Council has been removed?.

“Then, finally…….”

Os seemed to have no intention of probing further and asked a third question..

“can i trust you?”

At the question he asked with a serious face, I snorted openly..

“Indeed. What if you don't believe it??”

“……yes?”

“Well, are you trying to reveal my identity and capture me? Or are you going to scrap the only plan to get out of this damn place??”

“Well, not really.…….”

I stood up and smiled at him..

“Stop asking pathetic questions and just do as I say. This is not what I say as a teacher..”

“…….”

Os was silent for a moment, then finally nodded..