Wain knelt beside the minotaur corpses, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the jewelry dangling from their horns. "He killed two minotaurs by himself?" he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
Mel, meanwhile, kicked a loose rock against a nearby wall, trying to vent her frustration after the confrontation with Asura. Dealing with Asura is like dealing with a toddler, she thought, her irritation simmering. Always arguing about everything! Even when you compliment him, he has to have the last word. But beneath her annoyance, a grudging respect was taking root.
She had faced minotaurs before, and they were never easy opponents. Even one was a challenge, but two? That was a nightmare scenario. No matter how many times she shot them, they just kept coming. Intestines on the floor? Didn't matter. A hole the size of a baseball in their skull? Who cared? Not them. The minotaurs, those unstoppable, bloodthirsty behemoths, were a formidable challenge even for seasoned paladins. Entire teams of priests had been slaughtered by these creatures.
"Yeah, I guess he did," she finally replied, her voice subdued.
"That's insane," Wain said, shaking his head. "Usually, it takes a whole group, and even then, they struggle."
"Well, I've seen a single paladin take one down before," Mel admitted, "but two at the same time? That's news to me."
Suddenly, the severed head of one of the minotaurs sprang to life, its eyes snapping open. Wain yelped in terror, scrambling backward as the creature's neck began to knit itself back together, tendons snaking across the floor. Two gunshots rang out, and Wain turned to see Mel, her pistol still smoking, standing over the corpse. "They were alive?" Wain asked, his voice trembling.
That was strange. Had Asura killed them with their own weapons? Mel walked over to the bodies, examining the axes embedded in their flesh. She pulled the smaller axe from the minotaur's head, a frown creasing her brow. Weren't they enchanted? Why wouldn't they be enchanted with demonic mana? Every demon she had encountered wielded enchanted weapons.
Before her eyes, the bodies erupted in holy flames, the divine energy coursing through them, reducing them to ash. Mel sighed. For every answer she received, it seemed two more questions arose. Life had been so much simpler before Asura. Kill a few monsters, eat some food, relax. Now, everything was chaos.
She tossed the axe into the flames and began to survey the surrounding area. Malachi and his companions were nowhere to be found. Only the ashes of the minotaurs remained. As they walked back towards Asura, who was now perched on a nearby curb, he posed a question that caught them off guard. "So, how do you guys deal with the wreckage?" he asked, his tone casual.
Mel, confused, replied, "What do you mean?"
"Do you guys just leave buildings fucked up like that?" Asura asked, gesturing toward the still-smoldering wreckage of the warehouse.
"Oh no," Mel shook her head. "The old man repairs it. In other places, it would be priests or high priests. They show up, assess the damage, record any important details, and then use mana to rebuild the structure. Remember the training room and your clothes? We put those pillars in every building, and people pay for the service."
"Wait... people pay for it?" Asura raised an eyebrow. "You guys an insurance agency or something?"
Mel considered this for a moment. "Huh, yeah, I guess it is like insurance."
"Fucking evil bastards," Asura muttered, "charging people for insurance to have their homes rebuilt."
"Well, we aren't the ones who caused it to explode, are we?" Mel retorted. "Who's the real evil one here?"
Asura mocked her as she walked past. "M-well, we aren't the ones who caused it to explode now, are we?"
"You say something?" Mel asked, her voice dangerously sweet.
"Nope..." Asura replied innocently. "Just that you look lovely today..."
"That's what I thought." The adrenaline that had been coursing through Asura finally subsided, leaving behind a wave of exhaustion. Every muscle in his body ached. Though he hadn't sustained any lasting injuries, the repeated blows, the impacts, the crushing weight of the rubble – it had all taken its toll. He might possess a nearly impenetrable body, but he wasn't immune to pain. He let out a long yawn, fantasizing about his bed, the soft silk sheets, the cloud-like pillow. How wonderful it would be to just sink into it and forget about all this, he thought wistfully.
When they arrived back at the cathedral after completing their survey, they collapsed onto the pews in the main worship area, exhaustion weighing heavily on their limbs. The old man stood before them, arms crossed, his displeasure radiating through the room like a physical force. Asura cowered instinctively, but then he noticed a small figure beside the old man.
Lily! She ran towards Asura, her arms outstretched, her face beaming. The weary ogre couldn't help but smile at her enthusiastic waddle. "Thank you for saving me, mister," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.
Asura's smile widened as he returned the hug, relieved and overjoyed that she was safe. He didn't fully understand his attachment to this child, but it was undeniable. She had become precious to him.
"No problemo, little one," he said, his voice gruff but gentle. "If they ever try to take you again, you scream out my name. I'll kill them all."
The old man cleared his throat, and Asura's smile faltered. He knew punishment was imminent. He set Lily down, and she watched with a puzzled expression as he shuffled over to stand before the old man. With a gesture, the old man dismissed Lily, who happily skipped off to her room. The old man turned his attention to Asura, who was staring at his feet.
"Look, I got angry after hearing about Lily disappearing, so I ran off to fight," Asura mumbled. "I know I wasn't supposed to do that, but like..." The old man raised a hand, cutting him off. "I don't care about that," he spoke firmly. "You saved Lily and stopped the cultists. There's nothing to be mad about. What I am mad about is my car now missing a door."
Asura's lips twitched, and a nervous laugh escaped him. Then, before the old man could react, he bolted down the hallway, fleeing from the impending wrath. The old man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Are all ogres like this? he wondered. They can't all be this childish.
A heavy silence descended upon the room as the old man gathered his thoughts. Mel and Wain, sensing an opportunity, inched towards the door, hoping to make a discreet exit. But just as they were about to slip away, the old man's foot slammed down, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. They froze, caught red-handed. Mel clenched her fists, cursing under her breath. "Damn it..." she muttered. "Look, I know we were supposed to—"
"Come to my office and make a formal report, Mel," the old man interrupted, his voice firm. "Wain, please keep an eye on Asura." Wain threw his hands up in exasperation. "We really need to stop saying that," he pleaded, "because I can't do anything about that dude running around like a maniac! Mel can't hurt him, Ash can't hurt him, I can't hurt him. That mark on his chest is our only insurance if you don't get involved, Captain." He exhaled. "It's like bad juju every time we say it. That ogre is going to get into trouble whether we—"
His words were cut short by a woman's scream echoing from the hallway. Mel and Wain exchanged bewildered glances. What now? Mel wondered, turning towards the old man. But the sight that greeted her stopped her in her tracks.
A vein throbbed in the old man's forehead, his eyes glowing like molten gold. His hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists. He had let Asura off the hook too many times. Yes, the ogre had saved Lily and stopped the cultists, but the collateral damage was staggering. He had shown a blatant disregard for the human realm, destroying everything in his path.
Holy mana filled the room, the air growing thick and heavy with divine power. Mel held her breath, fear prickling her skin, as the old man raised his left fist. This is where I draw the line, he thought, his resolve hardening. Childish antics were one thing, but harming someone under his protection? That was unforgivable.
He channeled his power, his arm glowing with heavenly smite. Suddenly, Asura burst from the hallway, dragging the old nun behind him. She screamed, her habit clutched in his grasp, tears streaming down her face. He flung her forward, her body hitting the floor with a sickening thud.
Asura roared, his anger mirroring the old man's. The old man hesitated, not out of fear, but out of curiosity. Why was Asura so enraged? "Tell them what you just said!" Asura bellowed, his voice shaking with fury. The nun, through her sobs, cried out, "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"
"DON'T LIE!" Asura screamed, his voice raw with rage. "TELL THEM WHAT I HEARD! WHAT YOU SAID ON THE PHONE!"
"I didn't say anything!" she shrieked, turning to the old man with pleading eyes. "He tried to kill me! Please! He attacked me in the laundry room!" Asura raised his fist, his knuckles white, but he forced himself to hold back. He knew no one would believe him if she didn't confess. But he would get that confession one way or another.
He took a step forward, but the old man blocked his path. "Calm down," he commanded. "What happened?" Their eyes met, Asura's blazing with an unstable, unpredictable fury. Everything written in their records about ogres was true. Their will was ironclad, their resolve unshakeable. Asura was living proof.
The old man knew he could kill Asura, but at what cost? How many lives would be lost in the process? The rune on the ogre's chest was a bluff… "Calm down..." Asura echoed, his voice laced with scorn. "CALM DOWN? SHE'S THE ONE WHO GAVE THEM LILY!"
The nun's eyes widened in terror as Asura's gaze, filled with murderous intent, locked onto hers. He snarled, baring his teeth like a cornered animal, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "He's going to kill me, Mark…" She pleaded with her eyes, her blood turning to ice.
She let out a desperate wail. "HE'S LYING! HE ATTACKED ME IN THE BATHROOM!" The old man's gaze snapped towards her, his eyebrows furrowing. "Bathroom? I thought it was the laundry room?"
"Uh... egh, yeah, laundry... I meant laundry room!..." she stammered, her voice cracking. "Sarah..." the old man said, his voice low and dangerous. She looked up at her old friend, her heart sinking. The captain's eyes were fixed on her, his gaze piercing and accusatory. She felt exposed, vulnerable, her guilt laid bare beneath his scrutiny. He had already passed judgment.
But then, for a fleeting moment, his eyes softened, a flicker of sadness and disappointment replacing the anger. This was her chance! Sarah opened her mouth to defend herself, but the words wouldn't come. No matter what she said, it would be meaningless.
The old man's expression hardened, the betrayal evident in his eyes. Asura's rage subsided, the mana that had been swirling around him dissipating like smoke. He fell silent, his gaze drawn to the old man's face, etched with sorrow. Asura recognized that look, the pain of losing someone dear. "What did you hear?" the captain asked, his voice heavy.
Asura glanced at the nun, realizing the depth of the betrayal. This wasn't just any enemy; this was a trusted member of their community, a friend. "Betrayed by your own family..." he murmured, shaking his head.
He pointed at the cowering nun. "I heard her as I walked down the hallway," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "She was talking to someone on the phone. Said she could do it again, and she was sorry for her mistakes. I didn't know what the hell she was talking about, but then she said Lily's name. I fucking knew I smelled quotidian mana!"
He glared at the nun, his fists clenching and unclenching. The thought of losing Lily again, after everything they had been through, filled him with a cold fury.
"The mana was on you when I met you in the hall!" he snarled. "You were the one feeding them, the children for sacrifices!"
The old nun burst into tears, her voice a choked whisper. "I didn't." The old man seized the front of her gown, his glowing eyes boring into hers. His voice, though soft, was laced with an authority that chilled her to the bone.
"Before Judex Divinum, lies are condemned, and the truth will be told," he intoned. "Through the righteous judge Michael, justice will be upheld. Speak, and let your truth be heard."
Holy runes materialized around her throat, binding her vocal cords under the power of Michael's name. "Give your defense," the old man commanded. "If you lie, Michael will strike you down where you stand. Tell the truth, and you shall live. Justice condemns only the wicked and lifts up the righteous... Sarah, if you speak truthfully..."
"Mark..." she pleaded, her voice trembling.
"Give your defense before Judex Divinum!" he repeated, his voice unwavering. She gasped as the runes tightened, their pressure constricting her throat.
"You thought of lying?" the old man said, his tone hardening. "I will warn you once more. Make such an attempt again, and your throat will be filled with holy fire."
"Please... Mark!" She choked out her tears. Mel turned away, unable to bear the sight of Sarah's desperate pleas. She had known the old woman since she arrived at the cathedral. Memories surfaced, happy memories of shared meals, of Sarah helping with chores and laundry, of her kind smile and gentle words.
The thought of her betraying them, sacrificing innocent children, made Mel's stomach churn. She remembered times when Sarah had interceded on her behalf, smoothing things over with the captain when Mel had gotten into trouble. Why would she do this?
"Why did you do it, Sarah?..." Mel whispered, her voice heavy with sadness and disbelief. Sarah's head dropped, her shoulders slumping in defeat. No one believed her. They believed the demon instead. After all this time, after everything she had done for them, they had turned on her.
"I did it to save us..." she confessed, her voice barely audible. "We kept fighting and fighting for so many years... The Temple stopped sending help. We're losing funding, losing the trust of the residents." Her head dropped. "These attacks wouldn't stop... they offered a deal. A few children for peace, for them to leave us alone." She closed her eyes tight. "They promised they would leave if I gave them her... I just wanted it to stop. For the townspeople to finally be safe, for us to be happy again. We live in exile, Mark! If we don't—"
Asura, unable to contain his fury any longer, lashed out. He kicked a nearby pew, the force of the blow snapping it in half. The two halves crashed into the other pews, sending them scattering across the room. "ENOUGH!" he roared, his voice echoing through the cathedral.
Asura snarled, his voice low and menacing. "You deserve worse than death." The old man raised a hand, stopping Asura once again. "Who did you make a deal with, Sarah?"
"A group of men from the cult," she replied, her voice trembling. "Was one of them Malachi?" The old man asked with a cold tone.
"I don't know... they didn't give me names. They were all hooded." She recalled, grasping her neck. "Where were you meeting them?" The old man pushed. "The location moved every time..." Sarah's tone drifted, resigning herself with every word. "Were you supposed to meet with them again?.." Sarah sat in silence, avoiding his gaze.
"Where are you supposed to meet them?" the old man pressed. "I was supposed to wait downtown for them to find me..." She nearly whispered. "What location?" He demanded, his voice booming throughout the room. Sarah began to sob, burying her face in her hands. "No location... they would find me; they would bring me somewhere, and I would give them the children..."
"So the reason Tommy is dead is because of your actions..." the old man said, his voice heavy with realization. "I thought it was possibly due to Asura being able to enter the cathedral freely..."
"You suspected me?" Asura interjected, his voice filled with disbelief. "Killing children? The fuck, man?"
"You're a monster, after all," the old man declared, his voice devoid of emotion. There was no hint of regret, only the cold finality of judgment. "I can't believe it was you, Sarah…"The old man turned away, unable to face her. How could I have been so blind? All this time, his trusted friend had been working with the cult right under his nose. "Mel..." he said, his voice weary. "Take her to the exorcism room and lock her up. Then return to me and make a formal report on everything that has happened."
Asura watched as Mel led the nun away, his anger simmering. "What?" he growled. "Just going to lock her up after everything she's done? She's fucking giving children to the cultists! Kill her!" The old man's voice was gentle but firm. "Silence, Asura."
"That's it? She gets away with—"
"We will punish her under Judex Divinum's law," the old man interrupted. "There will be consequences for her actions... if the law calls for death, then so be it. But for now, go to your room... please."
"FU—"
"Silence..."
The word, though spoken softly, held an undeniable power that silenced Asura. He tried to speak, but his mouth remained sealed. The old man, his back turned, walked down the hallway. Wain approached Asura, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I know you're mad," Wain said, his voice soothing, "but... Sarah is one of the captain's only remaining family. She's been with him for like sixty years. Just this once, can you let it go? He won't spare her just because she's family. The captain believes in fair judgment. Please?"
"Fuck no, dude," Asura spat. "How the hell haven't you guys known this whole time? How many children died before the one used to summon me? Who's next? Lily!? Marco?! Joel?!?"
"Asura—" Wain pleaded. "You can't tell me you're not angry either?! How—" Asura threw his arms up in exasperation, his frustration boiling over. "ASURA!" Wain interrupted, his voice firm. "I know... I know. I'm pissed too. To claim devotion to God and then do that... It's fucked up, I know. We will handle it." He tried to assure him with his words. "She won't see the light of day. She'll probably be chained in the exorcism room for years. She deserves to rot, like you said, I'm with you on that. But for the Captain's sake, just quit it for now..."
Asura, his anger momentarily quelled, turned to face Wain, ready to unleash another torrent of frustration. But he stopped short, his eyes widening in surprise. For a fleeting moment, Wain's eyes flickered with an unnatural purple light. It was brief, barely perceptible, but undeniable.
"Whatever," Asura muttered, a flicker of unease replacing his anger. He turned and stalked down the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the silence. Wain, a strained smile plastered on his face, hurried after him. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
As they walked, a wave of regret washed over Asura. He had lied about the entire situation. He hadn't overheard the nun on the phone. He had fabricated the whole thing, except for the part about her working with the cult.
He had smelled the pungent odor of quotidian mana earlier and followed the scent to the nun's room. Inside, he found diaries and old clothes stained with the stench of the beast race. He searched frantically, and though he was eventually caught by the nun, it was too late. He had found what he needed.
On the thirtieth page of the diary, he found the names of her victims: Lily, Marco, Joel, and Tom. The nun, her secret exposed, had ripped the diary from his grasp and frantically set the page ablaze. As it burned, she had laughed hysterically, her voice filled with a chilling madness. "HahHAHa, you... you can't prove it," she had taunted. "They'll never believe you..."
That's when it all started. He had dragged her down the hallway, his rage overwhelming him. He had concocted the lie on the spot, a desperate attempt to expose her. It could have all been avoided if she had simply confessed. Why had she even mentioned the laundry room? Perhaps the fear of being caught, the guilt of her actions, had finally overwhelmed her, driving her to irrationality.
But none of that mattered to Asura. He had been prepared to kill her, consequences be damned. Even if the entire world turned against him, he would have fought them all to ensure she paid for her unforgivable crime, for the suffering she had inflicted on Lily, Joel, Marco, and Tom.