Chapter 23: Draw the Spring (1)
After saying those words, Cain collapsed on the sandy beach.
Cloyd, Oleciren, and Abel all ran towards him. Other party members followed.
Cain smiled, even as his consciousness faded.
‘I am not alone.’
A new life that had not lasted long.
He cherished his companions who brought warmth into his life, showing him what it meant to have people by his side.
š¹š¹š¹
In the Holy See, the imperial palace of Henerali-fe.
There was a large cavity beneath it.
Pshhtā!
The largest wall in that room, where brass pipes constantly emitted steam, was covered in a map of the world.
Rapidly flashing lights passed over it.
“Arthuan has appeared!”
The lights started to gather in the northwest.
At the same time, a priest who had been monitoring the situation exclaimed,
“The location is Northwest! It is Airian Island.”
Hundreds of priests hurriedly focused on their work.
They had to determine the strength of this Witch’s Night based on Arthuan’s power surge.
“Witch’s Night has started!”
“What? It’s already arrived?! What is the intensity of this night?”
“It’s a 7-star.”
“……At least a 7-star witch is being born.”
A moment of silence engulfed the cavity.
Weeeeeeeeeeengā.
At the same time, a siren sounded and red lights appeared.
Shhhhhhhhhhhā.
Rough steam poured out of the gaps in the protruding pipes here and there.
The red-robed cardinal sitting in the center of this cavity, which combined all of the Holy See’s technology, exclaimed:
“Where’s the nearest heretic inquisitor?”
āThe nearest unit is currently in the merchant city of Delft.ā
The middle-aged man grabbed his remaining hair.
“Dammit! Even if we send them right now, it will take another 5 days! When was the last time we had a seven-star?”
Whirrrrrrrrrrrrā.
In one corner, old books were scattered around, and nuns were hurriedly reading them.
They quickly searched for previous events and exclaimed,
“It has been 40 years!”
“We can’t miss it. Contact all of the inquisitors who can relocate right away! A seven-star witch on Airian Island……”
When Cain’s party apprehended Arthuan and two more appeared, the map in the cavity changed dramatically again.
The lights that had been twinkling on the map began to gradually turn red, centered on Airian Island.
The cold red color silenced the bustling underground chamber of the imperial palace.
Weeeeeeeeeeengā.
Only the meaningless sound of the siren echoed through the air, and the occasional burst of white steam made breathing difficult.
The priest spoke with trembling lips.
“Witch’s Night has evolved to an 8-star…….”
The eight cardinals were among the Holy See’s eight absolute rulers.
He stared blankly at the large map and the flickering lights, uncharacteristic of one of them.
“An 8-star witch is being born…?”
Depending on the type of origin, a witch with a dangerous origin could wield immense power, forcing the Holy See to prepare for casualties.
When the cardinal was unable to continue speaking.
Thud.
A woman who had arrived from outside the underground cavity placed her hand on his shoulder.
āCardinal Mauro Senochoke.ā
Cardinal Mauro Senochoke of the heresy inquisitor was startled by her voice and jumped up from his seat.
Even the underground cavity filled with red sirens could not hide her beauty, and she wore a dress unlike any other priest, nun, or cardinal present.
A woman dressed in clothes that only one person in the Holy See, let alone the entire continent, could wear.
A woman with flowing silver hair and sparkling blue eyes stood in front of him.
“S, Saintess!””
Caterina Fiorelli, the Sainted.
She sat down in Mauro’s seat and spoke softly.
“God gives us only the challenges we can overcome.”
She took command in place of Cardinal Mauro, who was shaken by the first 8-star Witch’s Night he had ever witnessed.
āGather all available information on every 8-star witch that has existed in history. We will find a way to counter it. In the meantime, use all means of communication and scrying stones to contact the heretic inquisitors near Airian…….ā
As the Saintess’ gentle charisma cleaned up the underground cavity that had been thrown into shock by the 8-star,
Cain’s party had apprehended two additional Arthuans, and three more appeared.
Naturally, the lights on the map fluctuated and eventually went dark one by one.
The priest reported in an even more despairing tone,
āIt has evolved to a 9-star…….ā
Even Saintess Caterina’s face froze.
If it was a witch with the potential for a 9-star from the start, there was no telling how much it would grow.
She touched the golden crown on her head.
She looked at the situation and recited the prayer she had always said.
āSaintess, we must declare a crusade.ā
A rank that was only one step removed from the final rank, 9-star.
Witches were already difficult to deal with, but if one was born as a 9-star from the start, their abilities would be terrifying.
Cardinal Mauro advised her.
He tried to stay calm, but his trembling voice couldn’t be stopped.
āWe must eliminate the witch, even if it means sacrificing the innocent people of Airian Island Kingdom. We must drown the land with seawater and purge all life to eradicate the witch who was born a 9-star.ā
Caterina’s cold blue eyes focused on Mauro.
“Are you suggesting that we kill witches even if it means sacrificing innocent people, Cardinal?”
Mauro returned her gaze with eyes that flickered with madness.
“There are no innocents. They are heretics simply because they breathe the same air as witches.”
āThat is arrogance.ā
“However, if a witch with a 9-star talent fully awakens her ‘origin’ and begins to perform ‘miracles,’ the consequences will be horrifying to imagine.”
“…….”
āThis is the best course of action. Kill everyone in that region. They’re just an island kingdom. It won’t take long if we’re determined.ā
Cardinal Mauro advocated for a crusade.
He was one of the eight cardinals with the most radical views, but his actions demonstrated the gravity of the situation.
Caterina, the saintess.