Chapter 57

Chapter 57
## Chapter 57

Unexpected Luck (1)

“Phew… Is that everything?”

Heinrich lightly wiped down his blade and surveyed the clearing.

The engagement had concluded rapidly, which was hardly surprising given the caliber of the combatants assembled on their side.

Beasts were disintegrating under a tempest of lightning that raged like divine fury, while jagged spikes erupted from the earth below. The radiant glow of holy judgment incinerated the desecrated creatures, and even the colossal fiend they had managed to call forth could not withstand the concentrated onslaught for long before being banished back to the netherworld.

‘These are the peak powerhouses of this land…’

Granted, they did not represent the absolute pinnacle.

The Church maintained ten publicly recognized Paladins, and there was no telling how many hidden masters operated at that exact grade, to say nothing of the battle priests and the feared Heresy Inquisitors. The situation was mirrored among the High Elves; Rapori did not stand alone, and the Elven Kingdom undoubtedly harbored other formidable figures of equivalent strength.

‘Still, looking at the continent as a whole, their strength is undeniable.’

Given the sheer scale of the world, their capabilities were nothing short of impressive.

The practitioners of dark magic were certainly no pushovers to be routed so easily, but Heinrich had played a pivotal role in shattering their formation. There was little they could do when a swordsman of his caliber suddenly materialized right in the center of their ranks, disrupting a cabal that relied entirely on summoning thralls and fighting from a distance.

The elder who appeared to command the hostile forces had somehow managed to manifest that massive fiend…

“Gah—! How did the Church zealots track us to this place… Cough!”

The moment the focused-fired fiend dissolved into nothingness, the Black Crescent Captain’s blade cut the old man down. It was the predictable end for a summoning practitioner caught completely off guard.

“Sir Heinrich Landguard, exceptional work. Your intervention allowed us to neutralize them with minimal effort.”

Archbishop Latiaus, currently reducing the remains of the dark mages to ash with sacred flames, walked over with a gentle, serene expression.

“Ah, you performed admirably as well, Archbishop. Here is your artifact.”

Heinrich respectfully returned the holy symbol he had borrowed from the prelate.

Utilizing the power of a wind spirit, they had soared rapidly from Tarak to these northern peaks. However, because Heinrich lacked the precise coordinates of the destination, he hadn’t been able to chart a direct course for the group. He was only capable of leaping directly to the coordinates Harley identified via “Blessing: Leap”.

To circumvent this, the Archbishop had entrusted Heinrich with his personal holy symbol, heavily saturated with divine power, allowing the remaining forces to track its resonant signature and follow close behind.

The strategy had yielded results beyond their expectations.

The adversaries had neglected to secure their outer perimeter, entirely blindsided because Heinrich’s sudden manifestation had thrown their entire camp into utter bedlam.

“But shouldn’t we have taken a few alive for questioning? Extracting intelligence from them might have allowed us to uproot their entire organization.”

“Barring the specific duties of a Heresy Inquisitor, our standing mandate dictates that dark mages and fiend worshippers are to be executed upon discovery. One can never anticipate what foul curses they might deploy. Furthermore, they are invariably bound by restrictive oaths.”

Indeed, dark sorcery boasted countless insidious mechanisms. It was no wonder the clergy was so intent on incinerating every vestige of the corpses.

“In any case, it appears that young Elf over yonder is the prospective High Elf.”

The Archbishop murmured under his breath, gesturing toward a nearby clearing.

The Elven contingent, led by Rapori, was currently closing the distance to where the petite Elf and the hulking barbarian stood waiting.

“Your calculations were precise. How did you deduce her location? I simply deferred to your guidance because it mirrored the Saintess’s decree… To think you located the objective without the aid of a divining blessing.”

“Hahaha… It is difficult to explain. The revelation simply struck me out of nowhere.”

“The Main God must be directing our steps! Truly a magnificent blessing.”

The Archbishop offered praise once more before engaging in a brief, solemn prayer with the approaching Paladins, and then…

Heinrich was finally permitted to join the gathering of Elves alongside the clergy.

—

“Allow me to express my gratitude once more. Because of your actions, Cecily remains unharmed.”

“Haha! An honorable combatant naturally steps forward when someone is in jeopardy! Think nothing of it. I certainly didn’t undertake this looking for a ‘bounty’! Hahaha!”

“Your principles are highly commendable.”

Following a brief exchange of names, the dialogue proceeded in a highly cordial manner.

Rapori appeared completely unfazed by Harley’s striking appearance. As a High Elf who had witnessed centuries pass, he might possess a youthful visage, but he was far from inexperienced, allowing him to rationalize Harley’s unconventional attire as a traditional style of a southern warrior within his understanding of the world.

“Nevertheless, I cannot permit such a deed to go uncompensated. Please accept this token, modest though it may be.”

“This puts me in quite a predicament! Hahaha!”

Despite his booming protests, Harley did not hesitate to accept the offering, sliding it into his grasp.

It was a band adorned with an array of vibrant gemstones, meticulously woven from pliable, living twigs taken directly from Rapori’s own wrist. The wood remained vibrant, pulsing with vitality.

“M-Lord Rapori, surely that is…”

The male Elf flanking Rapori attempted to object in a sudden panic, but the leader merely dismissed him with a flick of his hand, keeping his attention anchored on Harley.

“Our permanent domain is not situated upon this continent, leaving us without the means to offer a proper tribute at this moment. Furthermore, current events have left us somewhat beholden to the Church.”

Consequently, they were in no position to guarantee future compensation. They couldn’t even predict when they might journey back to the Enamel Continent, given their obligation to assist the clergy.

“Should you require aid down the road, we shall naturally extend our full cooperation. I intend to coordinate those arrangements through the Church.”

Since direct intervention was complicated by their foreign base on another landmass, they proposed assisting him through ecclesiastical channels, with the Elven Kingdom settling the accounts with the Church at a later date.

“His actions directly aided our order as well, so it is as though he assisted us directly. I shall oversee the arrangements.”

Archbishop Latiaus, who had seamlessly joined the circle, validated Rapori’s proposal. He determined that rewarding Harley was entirely appropriate, given how much smoother the Church’s operation had been rendered by his presence.

While this represented an immense political favor, Harley—who already maintained clandestine ties with the highest echelons of the priesthood—found his curiosity thoroughly piqued by the exotic wristband.

Discerning his interest, Rapori immediately began detailing the artifact’s properties.

It naturally augmented elemental affinities and resistances, while simultaneously amplifying raw natural energy and bestowing pronounced advantages when invoking spirits. Moreover, the band carried immense symbolic weight; possessing it ensured he would be received with profound deference should he ever cross into Elven territory.

‘Well, that makes perfect sense considering it belonged to a High Elf.’

As their discussion wound down, Cecily approached Harley, looking thoroughly refreshed. Archbishop Latiaus had already successfully dismantled the restricting magical collar from her neck.

The female Elf traveling with Rapori had utilized a spirit to cleanse the girl, washing away the grime of her confinement and the crimson stains that had sprayed across her during the skirmish.

‘Ahem… a considerable amount of gore ended up on my front leather armor due to “Gluttony”…’

It was an unavoidable consequence; he simply hadn’t possessed the luxury to worry about his appearance in the heat of the moment.

“I wished to convey my appreciation once more. Thank you for rescuing me. Had you not appeared, my life would have ended there.”

“Hahaha! I merely executed what duty required.”

Cecily offered a deeply respectful bow.

She gazed up at Harley’s towering form for a beat before her face lit up with a sudden thought.

“Um… Harley? Would you mind lowering yourself for a brief moment?”

The young girl, whose height scarcely surpassed his midsection, gestured up toward him.

“…?”

Harley dropped into a deep squat, finally bringing their faces to an equal level.

“May the grace of the wild guide your steps.”

Cecily gently shifted the tattered black panther cowl slightly and pressed a delicate kiss against his brow.

*Whoosh—*

‘Hmm? This sensation… is it the identical resonance I detected from the World Tree?’

An undeniable current of energy flooded his form, yet no prompt materialized from the system interface.

“That is a covenant blessing unique to the High Elves. Furthermore, a blessing of nature demands significant vitality and cannot be bestowed casually.”

Rapori offered a quiet explanation from the periphery. He appeared visibly astonished that Cecily, who had yet to undergo her full awakening, was capable of manifesting a High Elf’s grace.

“Its current potency is a mere fraction of its true strength, given that my awakening remains incomplete. I shall grant you an unblemished blessing once I fully come into my heritage. It ought to prove advantageous, considering how aggressively you strain your physical vessel.”

Based on the explanation, it appeared to be a permanent enhancement targeting elemental resistances. Harley accepted the boon with enthusiasm, as he was never one to turn down a permanent attribute increase.

Cecily beamed with quiet satisfaction at his receptive attitude.

After a brief hesitation, she proffered the wooden fragment she had guarded closely throughout her entire captivity. The branch was entirely devoid of vitality, looking as though it had completely spent its reservoir of power… It was a desiccated limb of the World Tree.

“Um… I possess nothing of true value right now. I promise to present you with a far greater token when our paths cross again.”

Cecily flushed crimson, dipping her face in sheer self-consciousness.

Yet, even with its internal reservoir drained, it remained an artifact of the World Tree. Harley, who never bypassed a complimentary acquisition, swiftly took the item into his possession.

“The World Tree channeled its ancient authority through that branch to manifest its will, effectively fracturing its connection to the terrestrial veins, but it retains the innate capacity to purify ambient air and dissolve malevolent auras. Should you plant it within a household vessel and tend to it with water…”

Rapori faltered slightly while offering his counsel. He shifted his gaze from the fragment in Harley’s palm back to the warrior’s imposing figure.

The man was a towering, heavily mused behemoth exceeding two meters in height, cloaked in the visage of a slain beast and still drenched in the residue of slaughter.

“Well… if you choose to thrust it into the earth before the final resting place of a formidable adversary you have vanquished… Or should you relegate it to firewood, it will ignite with an intense flame that endures for an age. Frankly, that is precisely why the Dwarves prize it so highly…”

Rapori trailed off into disjointed musings, looking thoroughly bewildered by his own train of thought.

‘He seemed far more composed earlier.’

Perhaps the successful resolution of their operation had allowed his rigid professionalism to slip. Harley promptly voiced his appreciation to rescue both the commander and the increasingly mortified Cecily from the awkward display.

‘I’ll designate a spot for this in my quarters back on Earth.’

It would function as an unparalleled atmospheric purifier, meaning it was an exceptionally practical acquisition.

Following his farewells to the Elven party, he turned to acknowledge the gathered clergy. While their demeanor lacked the overt emotional warmth of the Elves, the churchmen regarded Harley with a distinct level of curiosity.

“Your gaze is remarkably striking. Do you harbor mixed ancestry? Ah… pray forgive my intrusion. It was improper of me to probe.”

His distinct left eye naturally drew scrutiny, but they chose not to press for details, assuming he carried some manner of complicated lineage.

“Oh~ Truly a magnificent physique. You rival our own Heinrich in stature! Tell me, have you ever considered donning the mantle of a holy knight to shatter the visages of heretics?”

Hearing the Black Crescent Captain’s boisterous query during their brief interaction, ‘we’ cast a sidelong glance at one another.

This marked the very first instance of them confronting each other face-to-face.

Harley’s physical form diverged significantly from Heinrich’s, having undergone numerous deliberate anatomical adaptations to embody the quintessential aesthetic of a primal tribal champion.

Heinrich had forged his flesh through brutal, unyielding regimens utilizing “Super Recovery”, maintaining a relentless training schedule even after acquiring “Blessing: Fortified Body”.

Conversely, Harley had consumed scores of apex predators utilizing “Gluttony”, isolating exclusively optimal genetic traits through “Mutation” and “Physical Transformation” to sculpt a flawless physical specimen.

“Hmm…”

“Oh…”

Neither could suppress a quiet grunt of mutual respect as they conducted a silent, side-by-side evaluation. It was somewhat regrettable that a thorough comparison was impeded by the heavy plate armor concealing Heinrich’s frame.

“…What exactly are you two doing?”

The pair had become entirely engrossed in evaluating their respective musculature when the skeptical voice of Archbishop Latiaus broke their concentration.

‘Ah, we allowed ourselves to become overly distracted.’

He stiffened slightly, realizing he had instinctively tensed his frame to match the other, though the surrounding Paladins seemed to view the display with total comprehension.

“Archbishop Latiaus, such reactions are entirely instinctual for those of us who live by the strength of our flesh.”

“Precisely, precisely! A true warrior is defined by his sinew! Oh, I mean no disrespect to your station, Archbishop? Hehehe.”

Virtually every knight serving the Main God Church was a devout practitioner of grueling physical conditioning.

—

“Accept our gratitude once more. Our detachment will remain stationed on the Ion Continent for the foreseeable future, allowing us to render direct assistance during our tenure here.”

The company, now augmented by two rescued individuals, retraced their steps to Tarak swiftly under the guidance of the wind spirit.

Then came the moment of parting with Harley.

“Harley, I must take my leave now. Maintain your strength until our paths cross once more.”

“Hahaha! Strength is my sole currency! Keep your wits about you as well, young miss!”

With those parting words, Harley melted back into the urban expanse of Tarak, exchanging one final, loaded look with Heinrich before departing.

“My, it appears the two of you discovered an immediate camaraderie. You seem to harbor a deep mutual respect despite the brevity of your acquaintance.”

“I discern a favorable resonance between us. I anticipate our paths will cross with some frequency.”

“Oh~ One cannot easily dismiss Sir Heinrich’s instincts. I shall ensure the Church monitors his endeavors with greater interest. Given his status as a sellsword, it would be prudent to manifest our appreciation through official channels at the mercenary guild.”

‘Perfect.’

He had masterfully capitalized on Heinrich’s stellar reputation—which had soared simply by cultivating a positive rapport—to bolster Harley’s social standing. Securing the implicit patronage of the Church would yield significant strategic benefits for his upcoming operations.

‘I believe we have extracted every conceivable advantage from this venture.’

It had proven to be an immensely profitable endeavor.

—

In contrast to their initial expedited journey, the return trek to the Roselia Cathedral consumed roughly half a day. This duration was achieved only by securing prioritizing passage through every municipal temple along their vector, condensing the transit itinerary to the absolute minimum.

The following morning, once the return party had properly recuperated, a formal assembly with the Elven delegates was convened once more.

“We have successfully restored Cecily to safety through the invaluable intervention of the Church. I must extend our profound appreciation to Sir Heinrich once again.”

The session, initiated by Rapori’s opening expressions of gratitude, shifted seamlessly into the core strategic agenda. The focus now turned toward the Church’s primary directive: tracking down the elusive Immortal King.

“The World Tree functions as the foundational source for every root system anchoring this world.”

He began delineating the strategy for locating the Immortal King, his tone shifting to one of profound gravity.

“Consequently, High Elves possess the unique capacity to channel the World Tree’s resonance, mapping the energetic currents threading through any region where dense flora thrives.”

It was essentially a method of broad-spectrum scanning, utilizing ancient or highly condensed timberlands as sensory conduits. Naturally, the technique was bound by explicit parameters. It was entirely ineffective across barren or deforested territories, and the geographic scope they could audit in a single cycle remained restricted. This explained why they couldn’t deploy it during the frantic hunt for Cecily, as the introductory rituals demanded meticulous preparation.

“Sweeping the entirety of the Ion Continent will require roughly a single month.”

And that projection reflected the timeline after subtracting the completely arid zones from the ledger. Yet, despite these operational constraints, the precision of the technique was absolute.

“Provided he has concealed himself within a sector supported by forestation, I can confidently state he cannot evade our detection. Furthermore, the vast majority of secluded, uninhabited sanctuaries are inherently forested.”

He lifted his chin with absolute certainty.

This represented a major breakthrough; even if the process failed to pinpoint his exact coordinates immediately, it would decisively contract the potential search parameters.

‘Hmm, should I preemptively clear the timber surrounding the subterranean cavern? Over how large a radius? If I fell too many trees, the sudden clearing will attract suspicion… Perhaps I should simply arrange for his distraction when the timing is right?’

Heinrich maintained a perfectly neutral facade while privately weighing his options. Although he had fortified the concealment runes guarding his domain, the Elven commander’s absolute confidence left him feeling subtly exposed.

“However, a singular complication exists regarding the execution of this methodology,” Rapori noted, continuing his briefing.

‘It appears the system is riddled with caveats, regardless of his grand assertions.’

“To achieve definitive validation, I must possess a familiar signature of the target aura. Since I lack any primary data regarding the Immortal King’s specific resonance, the timeline may expand significantly.”

He conceded that the operational window could stretch up to half a year to guarantee absolute accuracy, as they would be forced to sweep exclusively for generic concentrations of malevolent sorcery. While a breakthrough would likely occur far ahead of that deadline, absolute certainty was impossible.

“If the primary obstacle is the specific energetic signature of the Immortal King… you may set your concerns aside. However, there is a matter regarding which I must request your discretion…”

The Saintess offered a measured response, her expression darkening with solemn intent.

Heinrich instantly deduced the underlying meaning behind her words. What caught him entirely unprepared, however, was her subsequent action.

“…Sir Heinrich, it is fitting that you are made aware as well. To comprehend the exact nature of the adversary we are arrayed against.”

The Saintess, having reached a internal conclusion, turned her gaze upon him with an enigmatic look and spoke softly.

…His pulse quickened instantly.

He had assumed he had stripped the board of every available piece of luck, but it appeared the most critical revelation of all was about to land right in his lap.