The sudden cohabitation of the two opposing groups.

As expected, it didn't proceed smoothly.

"If you cross the line, you're dead."

"Shut up and hand over the food!"

A line was drawn in the ground as the Snake Cult and the Inquisitors growled at each other. Although their numbers were overwhelmingly more on that side, our side had the upper hand in terms of quality.

I was the one to command these growling individuals. Not because no one else would step up, but because the more people involved in this hunt, the better.

"Just seeing your face disgusts me."

"You're noisy, Snake Cult."

I stepped right between Radatok and Isabella as they snarled at each other.

"Let's stop boasting about strength and talk about practical matters."

First, we gathered the food supplies.

The total amount of food was barely enough for a week. Considering we needed to withstand at least two weeks, it was far from sufficient. On top of that, we were running low on firewood too.

"This is ours."

I frowned deeply at Isabella, who was blatantly staking her claim.

"Give us half."

"Absolutely not."

"Give it now. Do you want everyone to die together? Once any blood is spilled, it won't stop until one side is annihilated. Are you going to let all your subordinates die?"

"But this was originally ours."

"That's nonsense, Scales. Those are offerings you stole from the Sun God Religion."

"They are goods taken from incompetent ones."

"This is why coexistence with heretics is impo—"

"Enough!"

What a bunch of battle junkies.

I understand that you're on edge because we're labeled as heretics, but please, bear with it.

"Excuse me, Priest Isabella."

"What is it?"

"I get where you're coming from, but why don't we try to handle this amicably? You said you'd form a temporary alliance, right? We're not asking for everything. How about one-third instead of half? You can spare that much, can't you?"

"......"

"Think about survival. The moment someone dies from a sword, all that's left is war. And remember, we're underground, slowly getting consumed by the Demon of the Snow. There's no need to waste energy pointlessly, right?"

I stomped on the ground loudly.

"We have a common enemy in front of us, so let's cooperate for now. If you can't even give us a third, we wouldn't be able to tolerate that either."

"...Fine. But we won't give you firewood. We're short on that too."

"Do as you please. We don’t need it anyway."

We had Ember, the Holy spell unique to the Sun God Religion. Unlike them, who were unable to make a fire, we could produce fire on our own.

"Brother. This is a ridiculous deal..."

"Radatok, why are you acting like I don't know? The most important objective is right in front of us. We can deal with those heretics later. But if the Demon of the Snow is unleashed here, there will be mass casualties."

I managed Radatok with both the carrot and the stick.

"Think about Inquisitor Dimona. Without you, who would support her? We need to get out of here alive. We must capture the Demon of the Snow and make our way outside. Furthermore, if the Inquisitors we left behind lose contact with us, they will definitely request support from the Cult Headquarters."

"...Once we get out of this place, the advantage will definitely be ours, won't it?"

"Exactly. So let's keep things quiet for now. After all, we brought some extra provisions separately, didn't we? By taking one-third from them and relying on our supplies, we should manage without too much trouble for the time being."

"You are right, Brother."

Radatok lifted his massive frame.

"I almost forgot our larger purpose because of the heretics right in front of us. Thank you."

"Come on. Is there a need for thanks between us, Radatok? We are bound by a shared destiny, aren’t we?"

"Indeed, you are correct."

The enormous ice cavern was divided in two: the Inquisitors and the Snake Cult.

An uneasy atmosphere filled the air, but they acted as if the others weren't there, thanks to Isabella and Radatok managing their respective subordinates separately.

However, what's the point if we only endure in this cold place and never move forward? It wouldn't be a proper expedition.

I got up from the ground. The earth shook once more as another section sank to a lower level. The space gradually narrowed, and cracks began to form on the walls.

I deliberately raised my voice, speaking loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Strange! It looks like there's something beyond the crack in the wall!"

"What? Brother Jahad, is that true?"

"What do you see?"

The Inquisitors flocked over, and the members of the Snake Cult, pretending not to watch, subtly moved toward the wall.

Through the crack in the wall, nothing but ice and snow could be seen. One of the Inquisitors remarked cautiously.

"Could you be mistaken?"

"No, I saw it clearly."

It was about time for them to make their appearance—parasites.

When it starts moving, those parasites also begin to stir. Known for getting the first taste before the Demon of the Snow engulfs everything, they were called sommeliers.

Why sommeliers, you ask?

It’s because they favor humans above all else. With their red blood stained bodies, it was as if they drank wine, earning them the name sommelier.

A claw suddenly poked out from the crack in the wall, twitching.

"What, what is that?!"

"What on earth!"

"It's the minions of the Demon of the Snow."

They're mere parasites, but the term makes them seem more familiar.

A massive claw shattered the ice, revealing a creature the size of an adult human, resembling a crab, peering at the Inquisitors.

Radatok was the first to react. His outstretched sword split the thick carapace.

"Everyone, prepare for battle."

From the ruins of the broken walls, more sommeliers emerged. I extended an ember in my hand.

Alright. Let’s do this.

The hunt for the Demon of the Snow!

And it'll be a good chance to level up while we're at it!

Day One.

The battle was somewhat rough. Other than Radatok, the rest couldn't break the thick carapace in one strike. The Inquisitors and members of the Snake Cult also struggled.

However, it didn't take long to find a way through. The sommeliers, who favored ice as their primary battleground, feared fire.

This meant that, to them, the Inquisitors of the Sun God Religion were akin to a deadly poison.

"What the hell are these bastards!"

"They're weaker than I thought!"

The Inquisitors eagerly defeated the sommeliers. I also joined the fray, grabbing a dropped sword from one of the fallen Snake Cult members and fiercely engaging with the giant claws.

Skill proficiency and level growth accelerated rapidly during the dangerous combat.

In short, this place was like a free leveling-up hunting ground for me! That's because I can control embers, making me their worst nightmare in terms of affinity!

"Ha ha ha!!"

"Brother Jahad! You're on fire!"

"We won't lose!"

"Evil is purified by flames!"

We threw a sommelier party. But in contrast, the Snake Cult's situation wasn't that favorable.

"Damn it!"

"Why is it so tough?!"

The Snake Cult struggled. Their holy spells were primarily suited to ambushes and backstabbing, the complete opposite of the Sun God Religion, which specialized in handling flames and frontal assaults.

Though the blades were sharp, blunt weapons were more effective against the sommeliers.

Even when they pierced the thick shell, most couldn't inflict a fatal wound.

"What are you all doing?! Can't you do it properly?!"

The front line held, thanks to the Paladins of the Snake Cult. Under Isabella's command, their swords flashed, causing the sommeliers to let out strange screams while spilling bodily fluids.

However, considering the sheer numbers coming at them, it was only as effective as a candle against the sun.

I firmly said, "We have to help them."

"Brother, you must not do that," Radatok curtly refused. Flames flickered on his massive greatsword, and a simple swing shattered the sommelier's legs, scattering them.

Wow, he really is strong. Seriously.

"We may have a temporary alliance, but it’s better not to extend a helping hand recklessly. They're all heretics anyway. It would be better if those monsters killed them."

"Why?" I asked.

"Even if we leave this place, the only thing waiting for them is the sword of the Sun God's judgment. And with our current food shortage, if they die at the hands of the monster, most of their food will fall into our laps."

"Blowing your nose without using your hands—exactly that feeling."

"Exactly," Radatok agreed.

"He's right, brother."

"We don't need to go out of our way to help."

"They're dirty heretics anyway. If they get torn apart and die at the hands of the monsters, that's what we hope for."

No.

That can't happen.

Absolutely not. I don't care whether they die or not, but we need the numbers for the boss battle stage.

I puffed out my chest confidently and summoned an Ember, roughly slicing the approaching sommelier.

"I'm going to help."

"What? Brother. Didn't you understand what I was saying..."

"No, I understand. But listen, Radatok. We have formed a temporary alliance with them. It's as if we've promised to fight with our backs against each other, albeit temporarily."

"......"

"The words we've spoken are all being watched by the Sun God, Ra. I believe that in her presence, we must only reveal the truth!"

Ra mumbled.

[I see someone hiding their true feelings with shamelessness.]

‘Shut up. It's an important moment.’

"I think that since we have the support of Her presence, what we say must carry the appropriate weight. Moreover, wasn't it always the role of the Inquisitors and Inquisitor Judges to convict the heretics?"

"......"

"Are you going to hand over the judgment of heretics to those monsters who can only be executed by you? Are you going to hand over that noble honor and achievement to those measly creatures?"

I passionately spoke.

"Heretics! Yes, it's great to judge the heretics! But we are the only ones capable of doing it!"

[You're not even an Inquisitor.]

"We alone must judge the heretics! If you're thinking of handing over the weight and glory to mere monsters, who would believe in the Inquisitors? Who would support you?"

"But there's no one watching..."

"You all know it. Don't turn a blind eye. No matter where we are or what we do."

I lifted my sword. I took a step forward.

"We are always with 'Ra'."

[......]

"The Sun is with me, and his flame will settle within me."

Confidently, I crossed the line marked by the members of the Snake Cult.

"I will not pass on our task to those monstrous beings. Judging the heretics is solely the role of the Inquisitors."

"...That's true."

"We can't pass our duty to such monsters."

"It's something only we can do."

"Something only we must do."

"Being killed by monsters is a meaningless death, but..."

"To die by our hands is true repentance."

"Ra is watching over us."

"Even if no one else is watching, she is with us."

The Inquisitors stepped across the line with me. Radatok stood by my side, fierce flames blazing in his eyes.

"I was wrong. Brother, we shall not hand over our mission to those monsters."

Ra sighed.

[You should just join the Snake Cult. That tongue of yours truly is like that of a snake.]

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