Chapter 60: The Extermination Team (1)

When people heard the name of the Holy Order, they immediately thought of three things: fanaticism, holy power, and weapons. The Order was not a religion for humans alone; it accepted other races as members as long as they had faith. The first non-human race to join the Order was the dwarves. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship, the dwarves freely shared their skills and knowledge with the Order. Thanks to this, the Order's forging techniques rapidly advanced. The quality of the weapons provided to soldiers was exceptionally high. The weapons specially crafted for Holy Knights were so exquisite that they were often referred to as masterpieces. Among these highly esteemed weapons, one was particularly special: the Holy Sword. This weapon was completed through the dwarves' vision, the use of numerous rare metals, and the infusion of holy power by priests over several years. The Holy Sword possessed abilities as remarkable as its complex manufacturing process. "Is this really a Holy Sword?" Even Damian felt his heart race like a child. The Holy Sword was that incredible. "Why would I lie? Of course, it's not a top-grade one. It's actually a lower-grade one." It was unlikely that Damian, who was not a Holy Knight, would receive a high-grade Holy Sword. However, there was no need to feel disappointed. Even a lower-grade Holy Sword was a masterpiece among masterpieces. Damian unwrapped the cloth, revealing the Holy Sword stored in a wooden scabbard. It had no special decorations; the pommel was round, and the crossguard was a simple straight line. However, the moment he drew the sword, the thought of its simplicity vanished from his mind. The hexagonal blade shone with a smooth, silver luster, and its balance was so perfect that it felt like an extension of his body. Most astonishingly, holy power was transmitted through the hilt, washing away the fatigue from his training as if it had never existed. The sword was indeed emitting holy power, living up to its name as a Holy Sword. "It's incredible." Damian said with genuine admiration. Damian had seen the highest-grade Holy Swords during his time as a Death Knight, when he fought against the Order's Five Great Holy Knights. These swords were so powerful that a single swing could destroy thousands of undead, making them seem almost divine. Compared to those, the Holy Sword Damian received was like a speck of dust. However, this was only in comparison to those exceptional swords. A sword of this caliber could not be found anywhere in the world. Even the Thousand Mile Sword, which Damian used as his primary weapon, was nothing more than a toy compared to this Holy Sword. "You should thank Agnes. The main branch had no intention of giving you a Holy Sword. She had to push hard to get it for you." "Lady Margarita, please don't say such things." "Hey, when you do something good, you should shout it from the rooftops. Otherwise, no one will know, right?" Agnes glared at Margarita with a fierce look, and Margarita finally backed down. "Sir Agnes, thank you." Damian said with genuine gratitude. Agnes cleared her throat in response. "I originally wanted to get you a Holy Armor, but the main branch absolutely refused." The mention of Holy Armor made Damian shudder. Like the Holy Sword, Holy Armor was a treasure of the Order, created through a complex process. Only a select few Holy Knights, recognized for their skills and faith, were given Holy Armor. Receiving such an item might have forced Damian to become a Holy Knight. "I don't need the Holy Armor." "You don't have to feel burdened. I will definitely get you the Holy Armor, Sir Damian." "I really don't need it." Agnes's shoulders sagged slightly at Damian's firm refusal. *** "The Corpse Play dungeon is located in the southern Nopri Mountains." While traveling in the carriage, Margarita explained the current situation to Damian. "The lord of the region near the Nopri Mountains often traded herbs with the mountain settlers. However, communication with them suddenly stopped one day." Damian listened to Margarita while sitting in the carriage. "The lord found it strange and, during this time, a settler came down from the mountain. At first, he couldn't recognize him. The settler's body was covered in animal parts, with only a human head remaining." Margarita's expression slightly twisted at the thought of it. "The settler left a message that there was Corpse Play in the mountains and then died on the spot. The lord reported this to the main branch, which allowed them to locate the Corpse Play." After finishing her story, Margarita looked at Damian and asked, "So, what do you think?" "It's suspicious." Damian answered immediately. "Corpse Play wouldn't have lost an experimental subject so easily. If that had happened, it would have been exposed long ago." Corpse Play had only revealed itself once, when it turned an entire village into an undead lair to announce its name. Since then, it had never shown any signs of activity. For it to lose a settler now didn't make sense. "You're right. The main branch also suspects it might be a trap." "Then why send an extermination team?" "Black mages are sinners who disrupt the world's order and blaspheme against God. We, who serve God, cannot avoid them out of fear." Margarita said with a fierce smile. Despite her rough exterior, she harbored the fanaticism of a Holy Knight. "Most importantly, Corpse Play is a black mage that the main branch considers dangerous. They believe it has the potential to grow into a Great Mage." This assessment by the Order was accurate. In reality, Corpse Play had become a Great Mage and became a formidable force for Dorgo. "The Order believes that even if this dungeon is a trap, it is necessary to enter. They want to eliminate Corpse Play if possible, or at least find clues to track it down." It seemed the Order considered it a valuable opportunity, given the rare chance to find any trace of Corpse Play. "The main branch isn't sending the extermination team without thought. They have increased the team's strength, assuming the dungeon is a trap. Three sects have gathered for this dungeon." Any believer of God can use holy power. A select few have awakened to new abilities. The 'Blue Flame' used by Agnes is one such ability. Groups formed by people who have awakened to new abilities are called sects. It's not an exaggeration to say that sects are the core of the Order. "Which sects have gathered?" "Our 'Burning Ones,' 'Mixed Blizzard,' and 'Blinding Pain' have agreed to work together." "Three of the Five Great Holy Knights' sects have gathered." There are countless sects, and not all are on equal footing. Their power and influence vary. The Five Great Holy Knights are the strongest among the Order's Holy Knights, and the sects they belong to wield significant power and influence. "It's not just any Holy Knights from the sects. They have decided to send the disciples of the Five Great Holy Knights, like Agnes and me." The fact that the team included disciples of the Five Great Holy Knights, who were incredibly strong, needed no further explanation. "Then why ask for my help? With such a powerful team, it seems sufficient for an extermination mission." Damian's question made Margarita scratch her cheek in discomfort. "The decision to form this extermination team was made too suddenly, and our 'Burning Ones' couldn't gather enough strength. It's just Agnes and me." Sects were the core strength of the Order. A Holy Knight who has awakened to an ability is much stronger than one who hasn't, and thus has more responsibilities. The lack of manpower was understandable. "Originally, our master didn't want to send us on this mission. He thought it was too dangerous for just the two of us. We were supposed to be joined by another sect, but..." "I begged our master to let me participate." Agnes continued Margarita's explanation. "As I told you, I am tracking Corpse Play. I couldn't miss this opportunity." "So, our master set a condition. He wanted us to strengthen our team, even if it meant bringing in an outsider. That's why Agnes came to you." Margarita crossed her arms and said, "If you hadn't accepted this offer, I wouldn't have allowed Agnes to participate." "Thanks to Sir Damian, we have a chance to kill Corpse Play." Agnes bowed her head in gratitude. "I'm also grateful. Thanks to you, we have a chance to kill a heretic." Margarita said with a chilling smile. "Show the same skill you used to kill the Ulan officer." *** The carriage finally arrived at the Nopri Mountains. At the foot of the mountains, a base established by the Order was already in place. The number of soldiers was not large, but they all had fierce eyes and muscular builds. They seemed to be elite soldiers specially trained by the Order. Several Holy Knights, who had not yet awakened to abilities, were also present. Even though they were ordinary Holy Knights, they were all powerful enough to match low-class warriors. It was clear that the Order was preparing for a serious extermination mission. "Let's see. The meeting room is supposed to be inside." Margarita led Damian and Agnes into the base. "Ah, I found it." In the center of the base, a tent with one side open was set up. In the middle of the tent was a large table, and people were seated around it. "Everyone is here? It's been a while, nice to see you all." Margarita sat down at the remaining seat. "Margarita, you're late again." A man with a nervous demeanor spoke, his tone clearly displeased. "I made a stop somewhere, so I'm late. I won't do it again next time." "I've heard that every time I meet you. I'm starting to doubt if you'll ever keep your word." "Gamel, your constant nervousness is a problem. If you keep frowning like that, you'll get wrinkles on your forehead." "You should be apologizing, but you're making empty threats. You're just like the 'Burning Ones,' ignorant and rude." Margarita's eyebrows twitched at Gamel's words. "Gamel, watch your words. You can insult me, but don't insult our sect." "Did I say anything wrong? If the sect's teachings were proper, you wouldn't act like this." Margarita's smile disappeared. "Are you going to start this again? Even if Black Snow almost beat our master to death, this is too petty." "When did our master almost get beaten to death!" Gamel shouted. "Oh? If not, did he just get hit a few times and admit defeat? Either way, Black Snow lost to our master." "At that time, our master was exhausted from completing a major mission." Gamel glared at Margarita, and it seemed a fight was about to break out. "Who is that man?" Damian asked Agnes. Agnes whispered, "He is Gamel, a 2nd-grade Holy Knight of the 'Mixed Blizzard' sect, a disciple of Black Snow." 'Mixed Blizzard' is one of the sects of the Five Great Holy Knights, Black Snow, which specializes in ice and wind holy power. Damian had fought against 'Black Snow' during his time as a Death Knight. He had the ability to turn the sea into an ice field in the middle of summer. "The two sects don't seem to get along." "It's not that they don't get along. The 'Mixed Blizzard' sect is the one causing trouble." Agnes said firmly. Sects not only had different properties of holy power but also different ideologies and doctrines. It was not uncommon to find sects that were bitter enemies. "Recently, Black Snow lost to our master." However, the conflict between the 'Burning Ones' and the 'Mixed Blizzard' seemed to be more about pride. "Everyone, please don't fight." A woman sitting between Margarita and Gamel spoke in a slow tone. "We shouldn't waste our anger now. We need to use it to tear apart the despicable black mages hiding in the dungeon." Despite her gentle appearance, her words were chilling. "I am Sanus, a 2nd-grade Holy Knight of the 'Blinding Pain' sect, a disciple of Light." Agnes added the explanation. I sensed a formidable aura, and indeed, she was also a 2nd-grade Holy Knight. Damian had also fought against the Five Great Holy Knights, 'Light.' The 'Blinding Pain' sect could enhance various things through holy power. 'Light' used hundreds of miracles to strengthen himself, making him a walking fortress. "Sanus, be quiet. I need to teach Margarita a lesson today." "Do you think you can handle me, a weakling like you? You might end up getting beaten instead." The two growled at each other. Sanus, caught between them, didn't know what to do. Damian observed the three. He recalled what a Holy Knight who survived the dungeon in his previous life had said: "If there is a traitor, it's likely to be one of these three." In his previous life, the extermination team was wiped out due to a traitor. Even though they were betrayed, it was strange that a team of this size had no survivors. Holy Knights were known for their strong survival skills due to holy power. The impact of the betrayal must have been significant, and the only ones who could meet those conditions were these three. "It might not be the case. This extermination team was formed earlier than in my previous life." Of course, the timing could be different, and the team composition could have changed, or there might be no betrayal. However, he couldn't be overly optimistic. The Order suffered significant losses due to the extermination team's annihilation in his previous life, ultimately leading to their defeat in the war against Dorgo. He needed to consider all possibilities. "Regardless, my task remains the same." Kill Corpse Play. Prevent the extermination team's annihilation. Even if there is a traitor, it doesn't matter as long as he can stop it. "But who is that man? He doesn't seem to be a Holy Knight." At that moment, Gamel looked at Damian and asked. Margarita said with a proud expression, "He is Damian Haksen." "What? The knight who killed the Ulan officer?" "The Damian Haksen who killed two black mages at once?" Gamel and Sanus looked at Damian with surprise. "Impressive, right? Agnes personally recruited him. I thought he was a social klutz, but he has quite a talent for seducing men." "..." Agnes glared at Margarita with a murderous look, but Margarita didn't budge. "Sir Margarita, wait a moment." At that moment, a young man sitting next to Gamel stood up. He still had a youthful appearance. "Are you planning to add an external force to the extermination team now?" "He's not an external force. Sir Damian has contributed a lot to the main branch and is designated as a collaborator." "But he's still an outsider, isn't he?" The young man said with a look of disbelief. "Even family members should always be on guard, prepared, and suspicious. Anyone can become a heretic. Isn't that the teaching of the main branch?" "Sir Dyonisio, are you doubting Sir Damian?" Agnes said sharply. "Agnes, I'm just pointing out the potential danger." "Sir Dyonisio, this is a formal meeting." "Sir Agnes, I'm just pointing out the potential danger." Dyonisio's words made Gamel nod. "My priest's words make sense. We can't easily accept an external force for such an important mission." "Gamel, why are you doing this again?" "It's not 'again.' There are many people in the main branch who doubt Damian Haksen. His record shows that he killed Agito after training with a sword for only a short time. This is suspicious." Agito. The Ulan officer who cursed the Haksen family and was killed by Damian. "You haven't forgotten who Agito is, have you? He was a curse mage who evaded the Order's pursuit and killed two 3rd-grade Holy Knights. A knight who had only recently trained with a sword killed him?" Gamel continued, looking at Damian. "That's not all. The recent incident where he fought two black mages is also suspicious. There were traces of large-scale black magic at the scene, which would be difficult for a low-class warrior to handle." "...It is suspected that the black mages enhanced their black magic for some reason." Agnes defended Damian, but Gamel's attitude didn't change. "In the end, high-level black magic was used, right? I can't believe that an ordinary knight, let alone one, could handle two such black mages at once." Margarita said with a frustrated look. "What are you trying to say?" "Sir Damian Haksen might have other intentions. There have been cases where black mages staged incidents to plant spies in the main branch." "Watch your words. You're crossing the line."