A long time ago, I remember being taken prisoner by Goblins as a 'portable meal'. Even though I came from a family of hunters, I never knew that there would be a day when my talented self would almost be killed. That incident disillusioned me greatly...
Some might wonder who save me from my predicament, but to tell the truth, no one could find me after the caravan I was in got attacked. Several young children other than me were also captured as well, but the leads disappeared after we had been dragged away. There was no help that could be sent to us, and no future left in our destiny.
At least, that's how it was supposed to turn out.
As someone born with an extremely high amount of Magical Talent, the sole reason I was even there when the Goblins attacked was because I was heading the same way as them. We were all young squires who were bound to become great Knights.
It was unfortunate that not everyone survived that day. Even though I bit through my restraints, took a bite out of Goblin flesh to cure my hunger from being started for three days, and fought my out with everyone else, I wasn't welcomed anymore...
The deaths of those young children was put on my head after it was found that I had survived despite eating Goblin meat. Other children were taken care of by their family's despite me being abandoned to my fate: One of a sinner had become 'impure'.
My originally white hair that was a symbol of beauty gifted by God had turned into a murky purple over time. From what I was told, although I was able to survive from eating the poisonous meat of Goblins, my Affinities had changed...
Originally, I was Duel-Attributed Lightning and Fire User, but after having Goblin meat coursing through my veins, a third 'Evil Attribute' has been added to the mix. This caused a lot of controversy as the Evil Attribute only brought negative effects.
This didn't apply only to those around me. Sure, I could produce poisonous substances now. If that was the only effect of having an Evil Attribute, then it wouldn't have been named by others as 'Evil'.
Poison would be the better name if the Attribute only made one into a viper. Unfortunately, there was another effect of the Evil Attribute that was known to the entirety of the Church's believers.
Those with as Evil Attribute were bound to become evil existences one way or another. The Attribute itself corroded the mind, body, and soul in order to make its user better fit to be able to use its power.
If not for my parents begging the Church for mercy and having my 'case' rethought, perhaps those who were shortsighted believers who strictly followed the Holy Scriptures would have executed me in the name of faith. My judgement was altered.
As someone who had risked my own life to save others instead of leaving by myself, I was granted pardon for my so-called 'Sins'. As this was in the presence of God, no one disputed the verdict.
However, leaving me to slowly rot by the Affinity I attained also didn't make sense. As someone who could be considered a 'Hero' who saved children who quite the connections, I was required to take the 'Sacred Trail' that could give me salvation.
This trial was normally taken by Priests, though it wasn't rare for Grand Knights to take this test as well. You could say I hit the jackpot when they gave me this 'trial' for free since the resources needed for a Sacred Trial was expansive to say the least.
Everyday, I would go to the Church to be baptised in Holy Water. It was a painful procedure due to the Evil Affinity of mine causing my physical disposition to be like that of a Demon's. The excruciating sensation of being burned was its own type of torture indeed. Though it wasn't the Church's fault my experience in the Sacred Trial was so horrific.
Normally, these continuous baptisms were only considered a 'Trial' due to two aspects of it:
The first was the testing of a person's innate disposition. As long as the person undergoing the baptism had a firm will and was aligned with virtuous personality traits, the Holy Water would deep into a person's 'Origin' to purify their Mana.
The second aspect was the prayers and faith needed to stabilise the holy power seeping into the trail takers. There weren't many adults who could pass this trail due to their wills being easy to shake.
Holy Water might be sacred in nature, but there was a reason people would rather look for a Water Specialist rather than a Priest for light injuries. The powerful 'Holy Attribute' of God was able to bring out the power of retribution on those healed by it.
For example: Let us assume that a murderer who killed their sibling was to be healed by a Priest. As the person in question knows they have sinned, the power of God will stimulate his conscience and try to alter his way of thinking towards reformation.
For others, this was a great boon that was seen as God reaching out to his children. However, perhaps I was the only one who saw this power to be similar to the Evil Affinity in nature. After all, my eyes could only see this as another power that affects the mind. I know my thoughts would be considered to be blasphemous and unfaithful, that's why I chose to shut up to focus on achieving 'balance' within.
Affinities could not be erased, and gaining a new affinity like that of the Holy Attribute was a difficult process. In the end though, I was able to prove my faith to the Church by succeeding my Sacred Trail.
When I was done, I had already become a child who was no different from an adult Priest. The lifestyle I took was the same as I always healed people of my own violation and kindly helped whoever I found to be in need of my assistance.
Though I could have leisurely lived my life as a preacher of God who was protected by the friends I made over time, my 'heroic' nature couldn't be held back as I applied to become a servant of God.
A hunter's daughter will always be a hunter's daughter. I knew what I was destined to do, and therefore I worked to achieve it. Over the years as I continued to uphold my honour as a Holy Knight, I found that I'd unknowingly risen to a high position.
Countless subjugations of 'Demonic Beasts' infected by the Evil Attribute became the cannon fodder and stepping stones for me to forge a path into legends. I even gained a title with the word 'God' in it to signify my achievements as a Knight.
'The Poison Of God' was the title I had been granted by the Pope, and Samael was the middle name given to me as one of the few Grand Knights of the Church. Not to toot my own horn or anything but I am quite the badass through and through~!
Today, I was training a Five-Man Knight Squadron to pass the time. Giving out advice here and there.
In the middle of the Training Grounds, my light purple hair, that no longer gave off a venomous feel, swayed in the wind after I tied it into a proper ponytail. I didn't use a wooden sword or shield as I was trying go easy the official knights before me.
"Come at me at once and don't hold back!" They nodded their heads in response after hearing me.
As I leisurely waited for them to come at me, I was grading their every movement and decision making skills. Seeing how the first thing they did was form into a five point formation before attacking me, I inwardly deducted marks as their temporary instructor. Even though the five of them were covering themselves with Aura, I didn't panic or even release my powerful Aura as I countered.
The first person to eat my fist was the Wind Specialist among them. I didn't even look behind me as I pointed my finger and shot out a bolt of purple coloured lightning that electrocuted him.
This was followed up with a kick that instantly hurled him out of this fight... The next person I dealt with was a fellow Fire Specialist, who took a purely physical kick sent him flying into the Earth Specialist beside him. Then the last two lambs who came straight to the slaughterhouse were thrown into these two idiots before they could even react.
A collective 'urgh...' left their lips as they rolled over after being piled on rope of each other. The Wind Knight at the back also recovered from his injury and dragged himself towards them with a sigh.
"Why did you split up?" These words seemed to surprise them as they looked a little confused.
"We were making use of our numbers!" The Earth Knight, who seemed like their Leader, replied.
"You are in idiot." I spoke to him plainly.
"How are you supposed to synergise your abilities if you're separated? Sure, this tactic will make a lone Demonic Beast have to experience being pincered, but a more intelligent creature will see through your flaws and wipe the floor with you." I continued with a glare that made them feel ashamed of themselves. Then they tried again:
"Please let us have another chance!" I nodded my head as the Wind Knight at side was being treated by a Priest who looked angelic in nature. I could explain what happened next but that is obvious.
They couldn't even touch a strand of my hair as we spared. However, they got better and better at dealing with human enemies to the point I started to use my Aura and the Spells I could insta-cast.
The Wind Knight found that it was better to act as support by parrying attacks others couldn't due to the difference in our speed. The Water Knight also did a similar thing as the youth filled the gaps.
A typical two-man formation was formed by the Fire Knight and Earth Knight at the front as they took the brunt of my assault. As for the last Lightning Knight, although he was constantly using the same tactic of 'charging' his strength before releasing it in short bursts to strike me at random intervals, the strategy he used was very effective.
It weren't for me using a Poison Bullet to melt away the Earth Knight's shield, maybe they would have had a chance of landing a hit on me. As I started showering then with praise, there was one person who had watched the entire time that commented:
"Should we call you God's Acid now?" The woman said in a mischievous tone as the Knights bowed.
"Greeting to the Apostle!" The five of them gave the exact same greeting they had given to me.
"Silk, what's brings you here?" I myself spoke casually as we were both on the same status.
"I see that you're still calling your friends by their titles, Veronica. How would you like it if I called you Poison?" The brown-haired woman 'pouted' as she gently pulled on my cheeks, then gave me a glare.
"Please don't. Everyone else's names are better."
"How so?"
"Sword, Spear, Shield, Bow, and Mace. The seven of you have weapon names, or in your case, a very non-lethal sounding item, and I have Poison... Just imagine how jealous I am of you all...!"
"It's us who are jealous of you. Never did we expect an Eight Apostle in the next generation. The rest of us are worried though..." Her face hardened as her demeanour became closer to her role as the person in charge of the Priests of the Church.
"About whether I can solidify my 'Seat'?"
"Normally, Apostles are those who have inherited and evolved their Skill Root after a Bestowal Ceremony has been held. Only those who meet the qualifications, form a Skill Root of their own, and have deep faith the Lord can inherit the status of an Apostle. It would really improve the Church's standing and help future generations if you are able to form your own Skill Root." She explained.
"I know that already...! It's not like I'm holding myself back on purpose. I haven't been able to turn my Intrinsic Art into a Skill Root. Maybe I need to find more inspiration before I can form one." I spoke sincerely with a little bit of an agitated tone.
"May God bless your efforts. We are all waiting for the day you can make a miracle and become the next legend of the Holy Church. I will pray that you are able to succeed." Silk joined her hands to pray.
"What brought you here anyway?"
"Someone has singlehandedly gained an Achievement of killing the highest number of Goblins in one day. Since you are near, we need you to go there and investigate if the Demonic Beasts are coming up with anything serious."
"No problem. Even a Goblin King is no sweat off my back. I'll be fine as long as the Devil is at bay."
"Don't even joke about that..." The unexpected seriousness in her tone made me shut my mouth.
"There's also something else I need to tell you."
"What is bothering you?"
"I heard a disturbing news that the Successor of the Swordwick Household has disappeared..."
"..." I didn't interrupt but allowed her to continue.
"The Swordwick Duke has offered to give us compensation as long as we are able to provide him with the application of the Bestowal Ceremony once in the future." I felt the subject had changed.
"His daughter's missing and now he suddenly wants to use the Bestowal Ceremony? What for?"
"That man isn't someone we can understand. His thoughts have been abstract since the beginning."
"Are we going to agree to agree to it?"
"The compensation is Treasure Swords." I instantly knew that wasn't any room to deny them when they are offering up such grand benefits. Though it's not like we'd lose anything substantial as well...
It's a win-win situation that it akin to trading a rare but reproducible piece of metal for a one-of-a-kind gemstone. There was no question in whether we would agree or not when he brought THOSE out.
"I'll go check out that village since you all will be busy with that. I'll send you a message when I'm done." Although the task I was taking was supposed to be dangerous, I was confident of the strength I gained through sharpening my abilities.
"Be safe." Silk and the Knights waved me off as I decided to go congratulate the big achiever who was able to kill so many Goblins. I felt like we could definitely become the best of friends even before we met considering we both seem to hate Goblins.
The weather was nice as I walked all the way to this common Adventurer's house on foot. I don't know if it was just me or not, but I could feel the presence of a Monster nearby. Where is the Beast?