Chapter 219
There are several temples located in the northern frontier, but the representative ones were the Temple of Boundary and the Temple of Barrier.
And geographically, the Temple of Boundary had many occasions to interact with the Temple of Barrier.
After a few interactions with them, Colin's judgnt was that the Temple of Barrier was more incompetent than he thought.
They were also in a position where support funds and donations were crucial due to geographical disadvantages, but they lacked the ability to dispatch priests across the continent to raise insufficient funds.
Incompetence was not only revealed in the temple's operation.
Even in Divine Power, which can be called the symbol of a priest, they showed a level below standard.
The Chief Priest of Barrier, whom he briefly t, had a lower level of Divine Power than himself, a First Class Priest.
The Divine Power that priests emit from their Hollyheart fundantally contains healing abilities.
Although there are quite a few priests in the vast continent, the reason priests' value remains high is largely due to their healing ability.
This is because the effect is more imdiate than mages' healing magic or apothecaries' recovery potions.
Naturally, priests with excellent skills are nominated at high prices and live affluent lives, while priests with poor skills routinely wander through dilapidated villages that struggle to pay proper prices.
Those who would have been weeded out long ago without the Papal Office's support funds.
That was Colin's evaluation of the Temple of Barrier and its priests.
‘The Temple of Boundary is different.’
They consistently produced prospective priests and apprentice priests, and increased bases one by one in the northern frontier.
Although not many people visit such a remote area, making it inferior to famous temples on the continent, it was enough to prepare its own self-rescue asures.
Chief Priest Lokia de Styx emphasized physical training as a survival thod to survive in the harsh climate, and the Priests of Boundary had a high survival rate with agility like rangers.
It was a contrasting appearance to the Priests of Barrier in many ways.
If there was any use to be found for the Priests of Barrier who should be weeded out, it would be patrolling.
Just as the Temple of Boundary operates bases and patrols the Boundary, the Temple of Barrier also operates its own bases and patrols the Barrier.
For the Priests of Murus, patrolling the Barrier was a aningful task.
And in the world, there are bound to be types who want to buy experiences even at a high cost.
Unlike the Styx Temple, where restrictions on accessing the Boundary were tight, the Murus Temple received money and sold their value.
An action a priest should not do.
For Colin, it was a disgusting behavior.
“How are you different from us?”
By chance.
If a Priest of Murus hadn't coincidentally discovered him damaging the Barrier.
If there hadn't been an Arch Mage by that person's side who paid money to co see the Barrier.
Colin would not have walked the path of staining his hands with blood.
Crash.
The lightning summoned by the Arch Mage struck down on the blizzard-swept northern frontier.
It was a battle risking his life.
If his level of synchronization with the Divine Object had been even slightly insufficient, or if he hadn't trained his body to show agility like a ranger.
If he hadn't utilized the scroll stored with 7-star magic received from the White Duke and Black Duke just in case.
If even one of those conditions had been lacking, he would have been buried in the blizzard of the frontier that day.
The scattered blood and corpses were covered by the blizzard.
Such situations repeated even after that.
Adventurers wandering the continent, rcenaries commissioned by nobles, Walkers who secretly ca for information, Sword Masters and Arch Mages.
Those who visited the Temple of Boundary for various reasons and were rejected turned their steps to the Temple of Barrier and faced Colin.
“To think a Priest of Boundary would commit such acts.”
“Trash-like bastard.”
“Do not rationalize criminal acts.”
“You too will pay the price soday.”
Words like curses spat out towards Colin piled up one by one.
As the number exceeded ten, the influence of the Temple of Barrier, which was already precarious, began to tilt noticeably.
Around that ti, the Eurasia Kingdom concluded the war with the Empire's Prince and vassal states with victory.
News was delivered that the Second Prince Isaac and the Asran Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat, and the Black Duke Morus Obitus was killed in action.
And one day. Chief Priest Lokia called Colin, who had returned from patrolling the bases as usual.
“They say a Joint Investigation Team is coming.”
“An Investigation Team…… you an?”
“Yes, it seems the Papal Office proposed it first. Haven't there been frequent disappearances of Priests of Barrier and adventurers recently? It seems they judged there is sothing in the northern frontier.”
“…….”
“I only received an official docunt to cooperate, there was no detailed explanation.”
‘Did they catch onto my tail?’
It wasn't that he didn't expect a situation like this would happen soday.
‘I cleanly disposed of the traces of battle.’
Since using the scrolls received from the two Tower Masters, it beca possible to handle the aftermath so perfectly that even if Walkers investigated directly, it wouldn't be detected.
It was hard to think the cause of being caught was him.
Slurp.
It was around the ti only the sound of Lokia quietly emptying his teacup was heard.
“The investigation team leader is Killian Eurasia. I heard he reached 8-star in this war.”
“…….”
Colin's face hardened even more.
Isn't Killian Eurasia the knight who made a na for himself a few years ago and the superhuman evaluated as a sword secretly forged by Simon Eurasia?
Clearly, until not long ago, he was soone who hadn't even stepped on the threshold of a superhuman.
Such a person surpassed 7-star and reached 8-star like his father, and is coming here.
To investigate the things he committed.
“Colin.”
Lokia, having put down the teacup, was looking at him.
“Yes, Chief Priest.”
“The Temple of Boundary has been stably increasing bases for a long ti. Without you, we couldn't have done it.”
“It is rely a result achieved by the temple's priests working together, not a credit I achieved alone.”
“There is no need to be so humble. Because you are a talent considered among the best even among the priests I have seen. After my death, you will surely lead the temple.”
“Vice-Priest Sitran is here, so how could I…….”
“Sitran has a personality that prefers supporting from behind rather than managing. He also agreed to you becoming the Chief Priest if you grow as you are now.”
“…….”
The two pillars leading the temple acknowledge his ability.
His heart beat with a sense of elation different from when the Empire's Emperor or the White Tower Master acknowledged his usefulness.
“I want you to guide the investigation team. Both in terms of position and ability, I feel I can entrust it to you with a comfortable mind.”
“I will do so.”
Enemies are easier to control when kept close rather than far away.
If it cannot be avoided, it wouldn't be bad to blend into their group.
“Staking the na of Styx, I will complete the mission.”
Lokia and Colin exchanged aningful glances.
***
“I am First Class Priest Colin of the temple, entrusted with guiding the investigation team.”
“I am investigation team leader Killian Eurasia. Please take care of us.”
Killian Eurasia, whom he t for the first ti, had a more youthful face than rumors said.
‘He really achieved 8-star at this age?’
Considering the ages of superhumans he has t, the explanation of genius is far insufficient for such an achievent.
The mbers of the investigation team were also far from ordinary.
An Arch Mage serving as the leader of the magic corps of the Cornelia Kingdom despite not being of direct lineage.
A High Elf swordsman whose age is difficult to gauge.
An old Dwarf who appears to be the clan chief and an Arch Mage.
Chief Priest Pierre de Pantera, who is ntioned as the next Cardinal due to his recognized ability at a young age.
A Half-Elf and a Walker belonging to Eurasia's Annihilation Squad, and a talkative knight.
Finally, a dragon race known to be extinct, polymorphed into a detection wolf.
It was the most unique combination among those who have visited the Boundary so far.
“First, I intend to check the area managed by the Temple of Boundary, and depending on the situation, visit the Temple of Barrier as well.”
“I see. I will also make efforts so that you can reach your desired goal.”
“Thank you.”
Thus, the accompanint with the investigation team spanning several months began.
‘I did it.’
Colin, confirming Killian Eurasia buried in the avalanche, bit his lip without realizing it.
He looked for opportunities several tis by his side, and only after reaching the sixth base close to the Boundary could he succeed in separating Killian Eurasia from the investigation team.
What he utilized was the fusion of the White Duke's scroll and the characteristic possessed by the Divine Object, Lost Vane.
It was an avalanche created so perfectly that even those with expertise in detection wouldn't dare track it.
He wouldn't be able to use the Divine Object for a few days, but the power was such that it was difficult to be certain of life or death even for an 8-star knight.
‘Even if he survived, he won't last long if snow continues to pile up.’
Now what remains is to divert the panicked mbers' attention to the wrong place.
“Captain!”
The talkative knight of the Annihilation Squad made a fuss saying he would search for Killian Eurasia.
“I will open a path with my sword.”
“What nonsense. Opening a path with my magic first is effective.”
“Let's try detecting his Divine Power reaction.”
“There is no mana caught in this vicinity.”
[Grrr. Grrr.]
Outside, it was still a situation where one couldn't go out due to the aftershocks of the avalanche.
The investigation team mbers didn't care about such things and seed ready to leave the base at any mont.
‘Are they out of their minds?’
It was an avalanche that even an 8-star knight fell victim to helplessly.
If they were in their right minds, they wouldn't be unaware that the mont they went out, they would face the sa fate.
“Damn it! The Annihilation Squad will take the lead.”
[Grr-rr!]
Led by the talkative knight, the investigation team mbers acted as if they didn't care about their own danger.
Strange.
They didn't receive a revelation from a god, nor are they of the sa species.
Moreover, they are existences that would have reached a state of serenity by approaching the superhuman level or crossing the wall in their respective ways.
‘Why are they losing their reason to this extent and acting complacently?’
Apart from it being incomprehensible, Colin cald the investigation team.
“Going out now is not a search but a suicide act.”
Ignoring the shouting knight of the Annihilation Squad, he continued.
“I am here as a guide in preparation for such tis.”
He ntioned the na of God Styx and the mission assigned by the Chief Priest.
“Preserve your stamina and mana for the search. For now, let's wait until the avalanche subsides.”
They began to be persuaded one by one by his rational words.
And only after the search for Killian Eurasia began and a not short amount of ti had passed.
‘Is the day promised with the White Duke approaching?’
Putting forward the justification of a search, Colin quietly moved his steps to the Boundary.
“What are you doing here?”
There, he encountered Killian Eurasia, whom he thought was dead.
“Where is the sword you were holding?”
He asked, looking at Lost Vane he was holding.
“I will ask again. What were you doing here.”
He interrogated him who couldn't give a proper answer.
“Why are you breaking the Barrier?”
There seed to be no way to calm the suspicion.
Thus, he revealed his power.
“So that was your true color.”
He was not flustered in the slightest.
“A single sword is stuck between the Boundary and the Barrier. And by destroying the Barrier, you are letting the curse sealed in the sword flow into the world.”
Whether he received a revelation from a god during the month he was missing, he stood in front of him having refined a Hollyheart and grasping the situation more properly than anyone.
“Do you intend to remain silent when disadvantaged? If the Saintess knew a traitor arose from the sa temple, she would love it.”
Touching his reverse scale, he recomnded surrender.
The action he could take was decided.
“Killian Eurasia, you know nothing.”
He had to cross the wall.
Drip.
Blood flowed onto the snow.
He needed to cross the Barrier and reach the Boundary.
“I will destroy those who are not wary of the Boundary.”
He brought his bleeding hand to the Barrier.
“Co out, Grotesquery.”
Like that, he.
Beca sothing not human.
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