A Dark Fantasy Spy

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The old man narrowly evaded the attack, rolling back onto the ground.

The sound of fierce wind brushed past my ears, followed by a deafening boom. My whole body resonated as a 7.12g bullet shattered the sound barrier and pierced the desert.

A torrential downpour of rain descended. My feet, firmly planted on the ground, howled in protest.

Flames were born from a pale grip. A symbol of purity, passion, vitality, and creativity. The pure flames, disrupting the atmosphere, shot forth from my index and middle fingers.

My shoes scraped against the sand, and as it was pushed away, the nature that had grown from the earth gently embraced the old man’s stooped body.

– ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ !!!

The fire blazed on, unquenchable. With a crackle, the sparks that leaped into the air ascended towards the heavens.

A faint laughter echoed among the plants tinted in dark crimson.

“Heh, I suspected something extraordinary was afoot.”

The old man, emerging from the flames and smoke, continued with a smile that shone with purity.

“…Could it be that you are the ‘Hero’?”

The crimson flames once more engulfed nature. Perhaps deeming it not worth answering, Camila manipulated the fire with a stern expression.

It seemed she had anticipated this. A gnarled staff struck the ground with distinctive wrinkles engraved upon it.

The green leaves danced, and a single gust of wind sang through nature. The breath of life and the aroma of fruit wafted sweetly through the air.

Branches adorned with sharp thorns, protecting the young hedgehog like a mother, sheltered the old man with gentleness and warmth.

“Those who have not heard fruitless and vile words will be rewarded for their deeds; they shall be among the spines of the Sidra tree and within the blossoming Dahla tree bearing clusters of flowers and fruit.”

Standing in the midst of the thorny tree, the old man suffered no harm.

With a pure smile gracing his face, he stood at the center of the grand nature, arms outstretched as he spoke.

“O you who lack faith and wander down the wrong path—cast off your ignorance and bow in praise before the Divine Tree. Only then may you enter your mother’s embrace, so forsake the darkness and be reborn in the light.”

Just as this inexplicable sermon began, a sudden flash of lightning struck, and a name flickered in my mind.

A band that stole the blood of the Saint and the cedar coffin where the angel sleeps, fleeing to the Necropolis.

One among the countless cult organizations that worshiped the ash tree as the Divine Tree.

In the end, criminals hunted by the Order of the Holy Knights after a long pursuit.

Cultists who had hoped for rebirth.

“…Al Kair.”

—

Episode 17 – The Tree That Drinks Blood

As the sun descended into the western horizon, shadows deepened. Buildings cast long shadows, and clashes continued in the darkened slum.

At that moment, Camila, with a resolute face, aimed her index finger at a target.

A small gasp emerged.

“Oh, do you know the main church?”

Her graying eyebrows flickered once. The old man’s deeply wrinkled face colored with surprise, as if he hadn’t expected that name to come up.

Like one who had discovered joy in an unexpected place, the old man was filled with elation.

As his cane struck the earth, the densely woven plants parted, clearing a path. The old man strode out with a thoroughly joyful expression.

“I never dreamed I would see one enlightened in such a disheveled place.”

“……”

“The one who knows Al-Kair is here, where the seed has sprouted. This can’t be mere coincidence. Surely, it is the will of the divine.”

As I gazed at the old man’s gentle smile, words escaped me. The statement was so absurd I felt I couldn’t utter a sound.

“However, why are you with them?”

“What?”

His absurd remarks continued. The old man, who had stepped out filled with excitement, suddenly began spouting incomprehensible words.

A concerned question was directed at me, who stood still. With a bitter smile, he posed his query and continued in a low voice.

“If the ‘Hero’ is here, then the ‘Saint’ of the Holy See must also be around. Here, there is only one priestess—a woman serving the false god named ‘Lucia.'”

In any group, addressing someone by name only without a title is seen as incredibly rude.

Only superiors may casually drop titles when addressing subordinates, or it’s acceptable among close allies. In that regard, the old man had committed a significant breach of etiquette.

Yet, the old man appeared unconcerned, smiling as if it was nothing.

“How sad and tragic it is that one who has dipped his feet into enlightenment associates with the unfaithful. Could there be a more pitiful scenario in this world?”

“What the hell are you saying?”

“The sins of mankind run deep. Nature, created by the Mother of All, is sullied by greed.”

His wrinkled hands rested over his chest.

Taking a step forward, the old man continued bitterly.

“Long ago, the prophet admonished human ignorance and preached wisdom, yet those blinded by desire distorted the prophet’s teachings and misinterpreted the Mother’s will. Thus, people lost their way and fell into sin.”

“……”

“The only way to cleanse this sin is through faith. One must attain enlightenment through sincere teachings, and only in doing so will the path to salvation be opened.”

His steps halted. Standing firmly in place, the old man smiled brightly.

“Just like you, Brother.”

A finger, gnarled like a shriveled branch, pointed. In the direction he indicated stood a fallen police officer.

At that moment, everything clicked into place.

“Sticking plants into people’s bellies is your definition of salvation, huh, kid?”

I unleashed a cold retort at the old man.

My irritated gaze bore down on the delirious old fool.

“Shoving plants into perfectly fine people? That tree over there that devoured the living—was that your doing as well?”

“You ought to be cautious with your words. Would it be wise to insult those who dedicated their spirits and bodies to the growth of the Divine Tree?”

Okay, I was starting to get the picture.

A tree that drinks blood, a plant that parasitizes humans. Everything was connected to Al-Kair.

Having figured things out, there was no need to listen to him any longer. I immediately steadied my stance.

The seal worn down by time had lost its luster, but the grip on the sight remained unfaltering. The scent of gunpowder still lingered on the barrel as it was aimed at the old man.

Soldiers from the federal government rushed in, encircling the old man with their Kien Empire rifles.

The tension in the air rippled. Faint flames flickered from the tip of my outstretched index finger. Together, we launched an assault.

*

Countless streams of rain poured down.

Bullets that shattered the sound barrier did not discriminate between objects and targets. Tatatatatata! Tadadada! Flames erupted in succession, and clouds of dust rose from the bricks and dirt.

-Kwaaaaarrrrr!

The ground shook, and vines and branches writhed. Plants, adorned with moss and leaves, broke through the buckling earth.

Nature, sprouting from the very foundation of life, hurled dozens of colors as it quaked like waves.

A tree, cradling a chunk of earth, swayed with the weight of the soil. Roots crushing gravel and asphalt. Stubbled stems clustered together, and fluttering leaves remained, joyously dancing in the wake of a gust that had passed.

Mother Nature cradled its vulnerable form.

With rooted feet, the old man was repeatedly pulled down.

“Tsk tsk… How can this be so foolish!”

The act of shaking his head bore genuine concern. He was sincerely lamenting.

“Have you not witnessed the grace of the Mother with your own eyes and yet fail to gain wisdom?”

Wisdom, my ass.

If that’s what enlightenment, wisdom, and salvation were, I would rather live my life as an atheist.

The old man, perhaps deeply saddened by my outright rejection, attempted one last round of persuasion. But my will was not just clear; it was solid as a rock.

“Unlatch your hearts and allow acceptance. Do not reject it. If you do, salvation will be yours.”

“Shove it!”

“I will personally promise you a future that isn’t so bleak.”

“Shut it!”

Bang bang bang bang bang—! The gunfire erupted suddenly. The deafening sounds of gunfire illuminated the shadows alongside the flames.

The old man was certainly present here, yet the enemies existed all around. Those damned plants were targeting not just us, but also Lucia and Francesca.

“Hmm—”

A robust trunk fell, and a green slashing cut through the base. Francesca blocked the oncoming plants with her rune sword.

-Kwawaaang.

Behind her, a white explosion occurred. Thick smoke billowed into the air, and someone soared above.

It was Lucia.

Soaring through the air, Lucia kicked the massive stems aside. The branches that had been struck fell without a fight, crushing nearby shanties and terraces.

Having landed lightly, Lucia took a step back.

“There are quite a few. I need to hurry over and help over there.”

“Why don’t you take care of yourself as you think of others?”

Francesca followed alongside her, wearing an awkward smile.

“Right now, nobody is in more danger than us, Saint.”

The thickly grown vines were as tough as iron chains, and the strength of the trees was magnitudes greater. Among the tangled and entwined stems, leaves that sprouted looked intimidating enough to be poisonous at first glance.

The two of them stood right in the middle of a field of poison.

They were isolated. Completely surrounded.

To make matters worse, the skin that touched the leaves turned a shade of bluish-green. Francesca dug into her leather pocket, pulled out a neutralizer, and, using her teeth, removed the cork to pour the potion over her wound.

Clink! The shattered glass shattered into pieces.

The effects were tremendous, and her condition gradually improved, but it was still too early to relax. After clearing her arm, Francesca twirled her rune sword.

“Here we go.”

Francesca smiled brightly.

“Let’s see if we can walk away from this.”

“It will be fine.”

Lucia, clenched fists and lowered stance, replied.

“As long as you don’t die, you’ll come back.”

As the poison closed in from all directions, white light and blue streaks began to fire off.

“……”

I glanced at the two isolated figures, then swiftly shifted my gaze to the front.

There was no way to help Lucia and Francesca right now. I’d equally be doomed if I remained here. Instead, I needed to capture the enemy’s leader before anyone got hurt.

I aimed at the sluggish plants and fired. The target was the old man.

Firing bullets toward the old man’s scant silhouette that flickered between the leaves and branches. However, just as the gunfire was about to strike, the trees swayed, and the bullets merely scratched the poor wood.

“Camila!”

Shouting at the top of my lungs, I received a response.

But as actions always speak louder than words, the response came with a pillar of flame.

-Whoosh.

The forest was devoured.

The plants were as disordered and dense as the eastern sector of Nabuktu. Recently developed and narrow roads, thickly packed housing, everything was like a slum. Bursting leaves densely packed, tangled stems, and abundant trees surrounded the area.

And the flames swallowed everything in an instant.

The resilient plants that could withstand gunfire fell utterly powerless before the great fire.

-Hoorok~

-Hoohaah…!

The spot that the flames swept through turned gray. The flames, which had swiftly consumed the trees, spread and fanned out, destroying everything in sight.

My gaze halted over the burning vegetation.

“…Oh dear.”

The old man raised his arms high, a sorrowful expression crossing his face. Then, with a flick!

“The Mother of All sends the wind, which stirs the clouds, resurrecting the dead earth; this rebirth is akin to that.”

The charred leaves fell to the ground as new sprouts emerged, absorbing the ash.

Chickweed, wormwood, rockstone, plantain, and dandelion—all the herbs sprouted and bathed the land in green.

As the flame’s wounds healed, nature regained its original hue. With the thriving ecosystem in tandem, even the trees donned a brown armor to heal their scorched forms.

But still, opportunities should never be missed.

The best way to catch prey is to avoid panicking when the moment arises because an experienced hunter never misses an opening.

All four fingers curled away from the thumb. The finger snapped open, sending a string of beads cascading from the fingertips like small marbles.

Of course, their power was nothing small.

“Boom.”

As I flicked my fingers, four strands of flame shot forth. The roaring flames produced an echoing sound and charged towards the tree.

Kwawaaaang! The earth trembled, shaking the entire desert. The sprouting shoots, like cotton candy emerging from the Earth Mother, were stomped down by the flames.

Camila, who had drawn closer looking for a chance, withdrew, shifting into flames. The sound of her shoes scraping against the sand rang clear as she took a leap into the air, lowering her stance.

Three fingers curled tightly.

The only finger remaining extended was the index.

With her half-bent thumb and long-stretched index aimed at the target, Camila breathlessly exhaled.

“Bang.”

A thick, straight flame flew forth.

Just brushing against it set the leaves on fire. The flames devoured the green leaves. Under pressure, branches cracked, and soot stained the tree trunk. The missile that soared true filled the old man’s vision.

“…!”

The wrinkled skin around his eyes tightened, and he glared wide-eyed.

With bent knees, the old man touched the trunk of a nearby tree with his cane. The tree wobbled as it tilted, bringing its giant form crashing down in a massive explosion.

“…Hoh hoh! Such sturdy and powerful magic indeed matches your reputation!”

Fiery arrows struck down, embedding firmly into the wood.

Though Camila continued firing endless flames, the old man, hidden within that storm, revealed not a single strand of hair.

-Tadadadada-!

-Bang! Tatatadang-!

The federal government’s troops, who had just joined, rained bullets down upon the old man.

The commander and soldiers had no clear idea of the situation; they had been the first to be attacked and thus responded in kind. Lucia and Francesca were astonished at the presence of these soldiers, which was momentarily cast aside as they noticed that the number of federal troops had been cut in half.

But where had the other half gone?

In the distance, continuous explosions echoed, as we endeavored to capture the old man. Grenades tumbled and exploded, and flames soared while the forest trembled. Occasional glimpses of figures broke through, and bullets flew, yet nothing struck the old man.

-Daang!

“Damn it.”

I muttered weakly as I aimed for the old man. How the hell is he managing to block bullets flying at supersonic speed?

I had already found opportunities more than twenty times. Not once had I succeeded.

Bullets that should have pierced his chest were blocked by layers of overlapping branches, and the shots aimed at his ankles were thwarted by the sluggish roots.

I pulled my eye away from the sight, assessing the battlefield. After a moment, an estimate formed.

“This won’t do.”

There were just too many plants. What kind of cult summons trees, flowers, and grass? They practically were a conservation group.

The problem lay in the sheer number of plants the old man had conjured.

The slum, once covered in sand and gravel, had morphed into something resembling a small forest. Though it was sufficient to fill a single alley, the old man found himself fending off two equal groups alone like a monster.

“If you like nature, go farm somewhere! Damn it, go plant some trees in that sand-blowing desert!”

I spat in frustration, but all that came back was scornful laughter.

The old man, sheltered by the plants thriving in this small forest, stopped laughing and suddenly erupted in a furious harangue.

“One or two trees cannot revive a sullied nature. You cannot rejoice the Mother with such trivialities. The greed of man has destroyed nature; to cleanse that sin, she will truly rejoice.”

The Mother of All. Nature. The Earth. Creation…

These were somehow familiar words. While Al-Kair was something I knew nothing about, words from the old man resonated with an odd sense of familiarity.

I began to knit together key ideas in my mind. Mother, creation, nature, earth.

…Wait a moment.

Isn’t this a story about the Earth God?

“The Earth God? You mean to say you’re worshipping the Earth God, you cultist bastard?”

I muttered in disbelief at the absurdity.

Then came a great crashing sound from within the forest.

Followed by a formidable roar.

“You wretched old fool! How dare you compare the main church to some cult—!”

From among the trees and plants, a powerful voice erupted. It was the error of calling Al-Kair a cult that had provoked him.

Whether it was mere insanity or something else, the mad old fool unleashed his fury. Curses poured out, blathering about eternal torment in sulfur and flames. Endless suffering and such—it all felt vaguely familiar until it dawned on me, every piece coming directly from the scriptures of Al-Yabd.

Ah, these fools were not just cultists but rather a sect derived from Al-Yabd.

After all, religions aren’t just dropped out of the sky; it’s all borrowed from somewhere. Just like with the Christian heresies or ISIL (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). It seems Al-Kair was born through a similar fashion.

“Huh.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Not from any specific reason, but the fact that these fools were a heretic from Al-Yabd was amusing.

Even mainstream denominations often berate each other as heretics. Yet here they were, creating a brand-new religion and claiming not to be a heresy.

“Selective salvation, a group engaging in human sacrifices, and they’re not a heresy?”

As I sarcastically tossed that out, a snappy reply came back.

Thorny branches came flying, and rigid stems surged forth. Like they intended to tear me apart, the plants recklessly smashed everything in their vicinity, charging at me.

“Stop!”

The air distorted.

With a fierce gust, a red waterfall cascaded from the sky. The flames twisted grotesquely, thrumming against the injured roots, stems, and branches as they shielded me.

The familiar silhouette emerged.

Breathless from running, Camila panted heavily, quickly looking back.

“Are you okay?!”

I nodded.

“Good! For now, I’ll quickly escape and rescue Lucia and Francesca—Wait, damn it…!”

Caught in the shadows, Camila hastily glanced up. A gigantic log was falling from the sky.

The tree, freshly uprooted with clumps of earth still clinging to its roots, trembled violently. As leaves rained down, the compressed flames between her two hands greedily consumed the descending wood.

Thud! A tree so large it would be hard to move even with a truck came crashing down from the sky.

The log turned into a fireball, becoming something beyond just a ‘tree.’

-Whoosh.

While Camila gathered flames in preparation for her next attack, a gentle tap began on her shoulder.

When she turned back, her eyes inquired about what I wanted. Then I whispered softly.

“Just a moment. I just had a good idea.”

“What kind of idea?”

“Listen closely….”

Leaning forward, Camila concentrated on the whispers at her ear. Her expression shifted in a peculiar manner as if she understood but didn’t, culminating in the widening of her pupils.

“…Hmm.”

“Can you do it?”

“I can’t guarantee success, but….”

She gave a spirited nod with a bright smile.

“I’ll give it a shot.”

*

Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing battle, a shout rang out.

“Camila!”

The soldier, spraying bullets, glanced back momentarily before returning to fire at the front. The voice boomed over the chaos of the battlefield.

“Burn that man-eating tree down!”

The shout was loud enough for everyone to hear.

The startled commander, directing the battle, turned to see what was happening. His eyes bore a look of confusion, as though questioning what was to be done without the mage.

But then the commander’s gaze shifted elsewhere when a hearty response reached his ears.

“Got it-!”

Camila replied aloud. She lunged forward, leaping into the air.

As flames swirled atop the building, in the blink of an eye, a figure descended from the sky.

Tap! Landing softly, Camila bolted forward, zooming straight toward the tree in the distance.

And then—

-Kurururung…!

A giant stump twisted with vines now blocked the path.

“Where do you think you’re going?!”

The old man appeared alongside the stump.

He erupted in rage atop the intertwined plants, his contorted face filled with ire.

“I will not tolerate anyone hindering the growth of the Divine Tree; they shall not die peacefully!”

The great nature sang a song of wrath. The pillar split, and the plants stretched forth like a deluge.

And then.

As Camila raised her finger, the air around us shimmered. The mirage flickered. In the shimmering air, the mirage gathered and soon coalesced into a singular point.

-Thump!

The cane struck the ground once.

The plants that had aimed to tear apart fragile flesh suddenly recoiled, retreating and slapping together against the old man.

Nature embraced his frail body. The old man did not resist nature, and nature embraced the human.

“…….”

As the old man vanished between the plants, Camila focused intently with a sharp gaze. Lowering her finger against her curled body, flames and smoke erupted into the air.

In that instant, right in front of the old man’s eyes, someone appeared from the encroaching plants.

Draped in flames that weaved and dashed forth.

A straight index finger aimed at the old man’s face.

“Bang!”

*

The shimmering heat at the tip of my finger exploded into brilliant flame. Like an erupting volcano, the flame was ready to detonate at a moment’s notice.

The thick plants clamped around Camila, pushing her away, yet the extended finger could not be obstructed.

Just before the roots completely enveloped her, a stroke of flame charged straight for the old man’s face.

A scream pierced the air.

A wail emerged from amidst the foliage.

Like a vice squeezing the lungs and throat, the screech began to shake the very branches and leaves.

As if sympathizing with his agony, the flora lamented. The more the old man howled, the more violently the plants trembled.

-Tadadadang-!

-Tadadadadad-!

The onslaught continued.

They forced the opponent into a desperate corner, raining a relentless barrage of attack.

Once vibrant nature lay in disarray.

As numerous copper bullets marched like soldiers, the pale leaves became riddled with holes.

“Fire! Don’t stop! Keep shooting!”

“Kill him quickly!”

The federal government’s commander was deep into directing. With spit flying, he barked out orders while drawing his pistol.

A clenched soldier sprayed bullets everywhere. Click, click. An empty magazine clattered to the ground while another slid into place. The truck’s machine gun grunted, spewing flames with ferocity.

The soldiers unleashed a torrent of gunfire, suppressing the plants.

-Bda da da da da!!!

The aged trees and newly sprouting saplings showered brown flesh in every direction. New sprouts sprang up in the spots where the elder trees had fallen.

A tug-of-war unfolded, creating gaps and filling them, while the machine gun blazed through anything that blocked its path. I cautiously considered our approach.

“…….”

The writhing plants, voices originating from inside, suggested everything worked to bait out the old man, but the end didn’t materialize as we hoped.

After all, one who had lived this long as a cultist wouldn’t easily die. The leftovers must have been dealt with by some interrogators or religious police.

But that wasn’t the issue.

“Ugh….”

Camila clutched her side, wincing as pain twisted her features. The space pressed tightly against her left ribcage, and blood oozed from her fingers now stained crimson.

When I picked up a fallen branch to check, bits of flesh adhered to it. Cautiously, I freed her hand and peeked inside; a hole opened wide enough for a finger to fit.

“Her pancreas and stomach avoided the cut. Luckily. It’d just grazed a bit lower, so her kidney and spleen might be okay.”

The captain might be hurt too; it was possible a punctured colonic segment had formed.

If it were perforated, that would mean surgery—cutting open the abdomen to extract and suture the bowel. Naturally, that wasn’t something you could do here, and she needed to head to a medical facility. An especially large hospital.

“I—I’m fine! I’m fine….”

Camila squeezed out the words through her pain. Yet her expression conveyed anything but “fine.”

In urgent haste, I pulled out a potion from my backpack. As I slowly poured the elixir, wisps of steam rose from the torn flesh, and new skin began to grow, healing her punctured wound.

As she gazed at the miracle, Camila silently grasped my hand. I looked down into her azure eyes, lowered the blood-stained hand, and picked up my rifle.

“…….”

Soldiers appeared on rooftops, darting between the buildings. Inside the gap formed by the machine gunfire, I saw the old man.

My sling wrapped around my wrist. I leaned against the wall, tightening the barrel, ensuring it wouldn’t shake.

Heavy pressure built temporarily.

A dull thud struck my shoulder as a stray bullet whizzed past, penetrating the air.

Following that, several shots rang out in succession. With the slug findable even through the sluggish plants, I continued shooting in the direction of the old man.

Though Camila, watching from afar, moved cautiously.

With quaking hands, she aimed at the target. Her left hand steadied the right, and with all her might, she curled her index finger.

The air tore.

The fabric fluttered against the wind, and one streak of flame rocketed toward the sky.

The flames swallowed oxygen, igniting with ferocity. The entangled wood ignited. Upsidedown leaves and cracked branches fell free, scattering in every direction.

In the chaos of tumbling sparks, the old man finally revealed himself.

“…The prophet said. You know of the original creations and do not take them as lessons. Have you not seen the seeds sown into the earth?”

The flames forcibly swept away the plants amassed in the jungle-like chaos. And yet the embers and heat continued to gnaw at the surroundings.

Gray-hued branches crumbled, and the vibrant green leaves lost their color all at once.

Translucent, viscous sap bubbled from the cut branches. The droplets evaporated before touching the earth, leaving only ashen gray to cover everything.

The old man, once standing amidst the greenery, had vanished.

With nature reaching its demise, the old man’s presence dissipated like dust among ashes.

Yet despite the circumstances, he remained eternally calm.

The twisted skin that had fallen away revealed new brown flesh. It was like the outer bark of a tree—no, in truth, it was the bark itself he donned.

A tree-like man.

If I had to describe it, the old man had become one with the wood.

Having become something that could no longer be called human, he coolly walked out amidst the flames and smoke.

For those deeply engrossed in faith, despair and pain were simply part of the trial.

The madman stood confidently upon the ashes.

“Did you nurture it, or did our Mother cause it to grow? The earth dimensions and the sown seed belong to our Mother.”

He raised his head. With eyes gleaming fervently, he gazed up at the blue sky.

Standing upon the gray remains, the madman’s arms swung wide, and the wrinkles at his mouth formed a smile.

“If she wishes, she can shatter it, and then you shall lament that all was in vain.”

-Kururururu!

The earth trembled.

From the convulsing earth, plants sprouted up. Rising up much larger and in greater abundance than before, stems and leaves now dyed with lush greenery began to emerge.

The desperate struggle for life led to an earthquake. Amidst the explosive wrath of nature,

Clap! The madman clapped his hands together.

“Some will face disgrace, while others shall be praised. In those moments, the earth will tremble deeply. The mountains shall shatter, dust shall disperse into the air.

You, who have mocked the word, who do not thank for sustenance and reject faith—you reach the brink of death, yet Mother remains near, and yet you are oblivious.

Among the rebellious, you shall drink scalding waters, and be burned in the fires of hell.”

The tremors intensified. So much so I could hardly stand upright.

Human beings maintain their balance on two legs. On this shaking ground, balance was impossible, and falling was inevitable.

Even if that wasn’t the case, should I be crushed by the enormous roots, nothing would survive unscathed. Or I might get dragged beneath, crushed into nothingness.

It was precarious. A genuinely dangerous situation, and yet….

“-When wisdom enters the heart and knowledge realigns the joy of a soul,

Discernment and understanding shall preserve and protect you.

It will rescue you from the dark paths and the quagmires teeming with deceit.”

A shimmering light radiated from the palms of our joined hands.

The ghostly white fireflies like clusters of light expanded outwards, branching off in all directions.

With hands clasped in prayer-like gesture, my lips danced gently, as a soft whispers of prayer began to echo forth, enveloping us all in white light.

The wrath of nature began to calm, and I felt the quaking slowly diminish.

…Or perhaps not. The earth certainly continued to rattle.

What did not quiver was not the ground but rather the people.

My body floated upwards. Click, click. Familiar sounds repaired the silence and flooded my ears.

The cubic cube rotated, solving its puzzle as it soared into the air.

The moment I rose, Camila lifted not only me but the scattered federal troops as well. With her, white light surged as she caressed the bloodstained side.

The radiance that rose from our touch surged peacefully, healing the poisoned wounds, comforting the bruised eyelids of the saint.

Change rippled through Lucia’s ocean-blue eyes. White energy began to permeate around her pupils.

Like the foam of shattering waves, eyes filled with pure white energy emerged from within her eyelids.

Lucia slowly opened her half-closed eyes and began to murmur.

“Heretics—!”

The final wail, filled with despair, erupted through the cracks of her lips, trembling in the wave of rising anger.

The madman poured forth his rage.

But ignoring this, Lucia’s prayers continued serenely.

“The Lord said: behold, this one has taken fruit, knowing good from evil.”

Brown and green waves began to rise. Great nature sang a song of wrath.

Breaking and shattering through concrete, nature surged forward. At the edge stood Lucia.

Just as the terrifying waves surged toward her body, azure lines densely webbed and met nature’s torrents head-on.

In the manner of ingredients crushed finely by a sharp knife, the rising waves shattered into pieces.

The madman’s eyes darted around wildly in search of the culprit.

On a distant rooftop, perched upon the railing, Francesca peered down from above.

-Kwaaaang!

The sharp tree trunks swept her along with the railing.

The wooden structures that had been aiming toward her line of fire straightened out, then suddenly shifted direction, all crashing down.

The fallen trees bore strange markings, part steel embedded in their sides.

Francesca leaped awfully from the railing.

Landing softly, she flung her bag open, offering up several vials. She had to be in bad shape herself, but with gentle warmth, Francesca smiled.

“Drink up. While it may not be as effective as military potions, it’s considerably effective.”

Camila was fed the potion.

Her complexion, which had previously bloomed after recovery, resumed vitality. As her breath stabilized, Camila attempted to rise but was eventually held down, finding herself lying down instead.

After obstructing the injured soldier from joining the fight, the alchemist turned her head toward the source of the prayers.

“He worries that if the one who raises the remaining threads presses forth, they may gain eternal life. So He personally cast him out from paradise, sending him to toil the earth into which he is returned.”

As the quiet prayers continued, abruptly something fell from the skies.

Thunderous, rumbling sounds were heard amid the prayers, yet they never faltered.

“Thus I cast him out, as the Father who has placed a sword to guard the way to paradise. This is a sword that turns, a blazing blade.”

With a clap of thunder, a spectral object appeared, smoke swirling upwards.

The saint brushed away the dense smoke with her hand, gripping the object. A long brass handle emerged, and finally, numerous iron segments followed.

It was none other than a mace.

A flanged mace.

Clutching the mace, the saint softly shut her eyes. Calmly, she traced the sign of the cross.

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

From forehead to heart.

From the left shoulder across to the right shoulder.

After drawing the sign of the cross, the saint concluded her prayer.

“Now cover your mouth and go dig!”