How a Reincarnated Warlock Lives – Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Caridad Catacomb (5)

Instead of the thick skin that appeared to be wrapped in sticky mud, the weak spot behind the head protruding from the solar plexus. A neck connected to the head horizontally, not vertically.

The sword I swung down simultaneously with jumping off the rope of light mercilessly cut through the creature’s weak point, its neck.

Kwaga-gak

Enhanced physical abilities from the holy spell and the weight of my entire body behind the downward strike. On top of that, the Inquisition’s sword, which, while not a legendary blade, was effective against magical beasts.

The creature’s rather thick neck was severed, and thick black blood gushed out like a fountain.

Thud

Something fell next to me as I landed precariously, maintaining my balance. It was the Gardener’s head.

“─!”

And at the same time, a greatly amplified, deflating sound, like a giant machine being shut down, washed over me like a pressure wave.

Because the head, the organ that made the sound, had been removed, the deafening roar that I had heard before did not ring out. It was probably its last death throe.

Koooong

The Gardener’s massive, headless body collapsed onto the floor of the stone chamber. The walls of the stone chamber, which were already shattered beyond repair, completely crumbled, creating a thick cloud of dust.

‘Phew.’

I let out a light sigh and picked up the sword lying on the ground. It was covered in sticky black blood that gave off a foul odor.

“……”

I untied the robe I had taken from the nameless Black Mage I had killed on my way here and roughly wiped the blood off the sword before throwing the ruined cloth around.

It was a battle that ended faster than expected, but I couldn’t say I was completely unscathed.

My legs ached, probably from jumping down from the creature’s solar plexus, which was quite high up. And because I had used holy spells consecutively in the catacomb filled with cursed energy, my head felt a little dizzy.

Of course, it was a light price to pay, which would probably be quite unfair to the beheaded opponent if they could hear it.

“……Were you aiming for that from the beginning?”

Harzan, who was looking at the completely chaotic surroundings with a perplexed expression, asked me. I nodded lightly, and he shook his head with a fed-up expression.

“So that’s why you jumped out as soon as the battle started, to close the distance in advance. I thought you were crazy.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“But how did you know the creature’s weak point?”

I spoke lightly to him, looking at the headless Gardener’s corpse with a mixture of relief and slight bitterness in my eyes.

“It’s only natural for an Inquisitor to know about heretics.”

“……Those creepy bastards.”

🔹🔹🔹

The walls of the stone chamber were completely shattered due to the impact of the battle, but fortunately, the stairs located inside were intact.

Of course, it was only natural since the passage leading to the catacomb’s altar wouldn’t collapse so easily.

There were several locked doors and secret devices along the narrow and long passage, but I didn’t need to use Magi.

Kurrrrung

The Black Mage Harzan took the lead, resolving all the locks and traps.

“……”

Harzan’s face looked somewhat troubled now that the heat of battle had subsided.

It wasn’t something I couldn’t understand. For a Black Mage to betray a catacomb was an even more serious matter than a mage betraying a Magic Tower.

If I had to find a comparison, it would be similar to an Inquisitor of Hesterica betraying the Church.

However, there was no hesitation in his steps as he headed towards the lower plaza where the altar was located. He might have felt conflicted about betraying the catacomb, but he seemed to have no doubt that the ritual being performed here must not be completed.

And that was the same for me.

It was a dangerous ritual. Not only for others, but also for themselves.

‘To create a being to replace the Great Demon.’

I shook my head.

It was something I had already suspected to some extent since the incident in Browell village, where the Nightmare appeared and the traces of the Caridad Catacomb were first discovered.

However, I hadn’t imagined that this insane grafting research would actually be on the verge of completion.

An achievement made after five hundred years of focusing solely on this, neglecting the expansion of their power or the qualitative growth of their Black Mages.

Of course, Black Mages like them couldn’t create the Great Demons, the beings who gaze upward from the lowest depths of hell. That was impossible from the start.

However, it would be possible to create something like a cocoon that would simply supply Magi. Of course, even that would have been a difficult task, requiring them to pour all the resources of the catacomb into it.

Their goal was probably to create something that would provide them with high-quality Magi, replacing the Great Demon who no longer responded to them, unlike in the past.

“It also means that they don’t see the Great Demon Caridad-nim as anything more than a source of Magi.”

Harzan said with a bitter expression. I didn’t quite empathize with his sadness, but I could understand what kind of emotion it was.

Five hundred years had passed since the gods and Great Demons stopped responding to their respective followers. Of course, the five Sanctuaries and seven Catacombs still maintained powerful forces, but there had to be some kind of change within them.

As a result, the High Priest here decided to create a new power source, and Harzan opposed it, knowing that it was no different from betraying the Great Demon Caridad.

“We’re almost there.”

Thirty minutes after moving along the secret passage that led directly to the altar above, bypassing the plaza where the Black Mages would have gathered, we finally reached our destination.

“You can feel it too, right? It’s just ahead.”

Harzan muttered with a tense expression.

I could feel it. Probably much more sensitively and accurately than he could.

This was the first time I had felt such pure and dense Magi since I opened my eyes again. My skin began to tingle in response.

Kee-gig

With an ominous sound, the passage beneath our feet slowly began to open. It was quite a height, but neither of us were at a level to be concerned about that.

Tap

The place we descended to was about halfway up a large altar, emanating an ominous and strange light. It was a cursed place imbued with the power of the Great Demon Caridad.

“Has it already… begun?”

Harzan muttered, clutching his staff tightly, overwhelmed by the gloomy and ominous energy that filled the air.

At that moment.

Hwaak!

A wicked light rose from the dark altar, illuminating the surroundings.

“……!”

Then the surrounding scene came into view.

A vast plaza. Numerous Black Mages continuously chanting spells within their respective formations.

And in the middle of the plaza, the large altar we were standing on, rising high.

“……There it is.”

The numerous Black Mages, who couldn’t dare to raise their heads, didn’t notice us located about halfway up the high stairs that formed the altar, but that wasn’t a good thing at all.

“So that’s it.”

At the very top of the altar. On the ominous platform engraved with the symbol of the Great Demon Caridad, lay a giant something, pulsating like a heart.

Something wriggling inside the massive lump of flesh. My curiosity as a great Black Mage briefly surfaced, but I knew what was important right now.

Srrung

The moment I quietly drew my sword.

“The traitor and his guest have arrived. I’ve been waiting for you.”

A voice came from above.

“……Otfrid.”

Harzan, who was standing next to me, muttered quietly in a voice suppressing his anger.

“What do you think will change by joining hands with the Church’s dogs, you fool?”

The lights illuminating various parts of the altar shone on the owner of the voice.

An old man with an abnormally hunched back. The symbol of the Great Demon Caridad was clearly engraved on the robe covering his back, which protruded like a hunchback.

“This is the Caridad Catacomb. Young Inquisitor, you’ve come too far, leaving the comfortable roof of the Church.”

The energy emanating from the old man was stronger than any other person I had seen since I opened my eyes again.

However.

“High Priest of the Caridad Catacomb.”

I took a light step forward, in front of Harzan, who seemed to be stiff with tension.

“Judging by the looks of it, there’s no need for a trial. Don’t repent, it won’t be of any use.”

“Hahaha!”

The old man burst into laughter at my words. It was a laugh filled with genuine amusement.

“You’re the first dog of the Church to dare speak of repentance in front of me!”

The old man took a step forward, as if trying to get a closer look at me. At the same time, a massive presence washed over me.

It was an energy strong enough to make me stagger, but I bit my lip and endured it.

“Aha.”

The old man, staring intently at me, muttered as if he understood.

“So you’re the bastard who ruined things in Ashitan.”

“Ah, has the word spread already?”

The old man chuckled at my reply and waved his hand dismissively.

“Those things are all just a smokescreen anyway. The ritual is nearing its end.”

A massive amount of energy flowed from the old man’s body into the lump of flesh on the altar. It seemed he couldn’t move away from that area until the ritual was over.

Of course, that didn’t mean we could defeat him.

I carefully examined the altar and spoke to Harzan.

“Are you prepared to die?”

The Black Mage answered with a heavy expression.

“Of course, Inquisitor. Isn’t that the same for you?”

Instead of answering his question, I continued.

“One opening is all we need. Throw everything you have at him.”

“……You’re blatantly demanding a sacrifice.”

“Do you have a better plan? Then I’ll listen.”

“……Damn dog.”

I could feel a significant amount of Magi gathering in Harzan’s staff as he finished his answer.

“Tsk, you fool.”

The old man clicked his tongue with a condescending look at the sight. Despite devoting a significant amount of power to the ritual, he seemed confident that he could easily handle the two of us.

Of course, it was a well-founded confidence.

Even if they had neglected the expansion of their power and qualitative development to focus on their research, the power possessed by the High Priest of a catacomb was not something a single Inquisitor could handle.

Even if it was the weakest of the seven Catacombs, he was an overwhelmingly powerful opponent for me to face in my current state.

“Even though I’ve expended a lot of power, I’m not a being you flies can even dream of challenging.”

The old man lightly waved his hand, and a streak of black wind flew towards us.

‘Gabras’ Silver Shield.’

I pushed my holy power to its limits, blocking the front of Harzan, who was still chanting his spell.

A shield of light, several times thicker and more vivid than usual, appeared in front of me.

And the next moment.

Kwaaaang!

The black wind, which had flown over lightly, shattered the thick silver shield into pieces.

As the spell shattered along with the shield, a horrible feeling of backlash surged up my throat.

But the next moment.

Kwaaaang!

A black lightning bolt shot out from Harzan’s staff and struck the High Priest. It was a lightning bolt several times more vivid and massive than the one he had fired at the Gardener earlier.

“Hahaha!”

Now was the time. I kicked off the ground as soon as I heard the old man’s laughter.

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